I need some guidance re: unmounting/mounting my SD card from Windows. When I attach my phone to my PC I see a message "USB debugging connected" and "Disk drive", in that order. "Autoplay" opens on my PC showing the card letter. "Open folder to view files" gives me access to the files on the card. Once I've completed adding/removing files I have been right-clicking on the SD card in the list shown in "Computer" and choosing "Eject". Can I then unplug the USB cable, or should I change the "Connect to PC" setting on my phone to "Charge only", instead of "Disk drive"? OR is there another unmount step I should take (The unmount/mount concept is confusing to me). When I choose "Charge Only", I get a message on the phone "Preparing SD card".
Thanks in advance.
-Bob-
not sure what you are asking, i just pull the usb out when i no longer need it hooked to the pc
Richy99 said:
not sure what you are asking, i just pull the usb out when i no longer need it hooked to the pc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I thought any time you wanted to unplug the phone from your pc you had to either right-click and "Eject" or "Safely Remove" (WAS asking which) and then in addition deal with the "Disk drive" setting on the phone. Am I totally misinterpreting things? I have been running mdeejay's MDJ FroyoHD 2.2.1 (since removed from this forum) since December without a glitch. HOWEVER, every other version I've tried, including the newest GB versions have crashed and burned as soon as I started adding music and photos via my desktop (usually within 24-48 hours). Trying to figure out what's going on with these builds. Initially thought that my new SD card (16GB, class 10) was too fast. Then tried an 8GB class 2; same issues. So, I figured this mounting, ejecting stuff was damaging the data.
More confused than ever.
-Bob-
I also just pull USB out without "safely ejecting". If you suspect that your problems are due to files copying, maybe try to shutdown hd2, pull off sd card and copy files with card reader.
adecostres said:
I also just pull USB out without "safely ejecting". If you suspect that your problems are due to files copying, maybe try to shutdown hd2, pull off sd card and copy files with card reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would generally work. However, I use iSyncr to transfer iTunes music to the phone. On the initial transfer (about 1000 songs) it is impractical to use iSyncrWiFi (over-the-air) to do the transfer (too slow). So, at least in that instance I need to connect the phone.
Since I have your attention , can you explain what the unmount/mount discussions are all about?
Thanks again.
-Bob-
Related
I finally got around to rooting mine earlier today..
Ever since, I can't get either of my computers (both Mac and PC) to recognize the phone for mounting the SD card. It charges fine via USB but is impossible to mount as USB storage. Any ideas on this?
Maybe a driver issue?
I thought that originally. But if that were the case, I wouldn't have been able to connect to them previously (no changes in drivers on the computers) or been able to connect to complete the root process. I'm kind of at a loss for ideas right now.
hmm strange... I'm a android newbie so i don't think i can help passed driver
Method?
myz06vette said:
I finally got around to rooting mine earlier today..
Ever since, I can't get either of my computers (both Mac and PC) to recognize the phone for mounting the SD card. It charges fine via USB but is impossible to mount as USB storage. Any ideas on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey what method did you use to root? If you can mount your internal storage but not your sdcard, can your phone read your sd card when the phone is booted normally? Perhaps you damaged your slot?
dreamersipaq said:
Hey what method did you use to root? If you can mount your internal storage but not your sdcard, can your phone read your sd card when the phone is booted normally? Perhaps you damaged your slot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly what i was thinking, but myz06vette are you able to view content from your sd card using just your phone? ex: music, movies or pictures?
Yes, I can view content on my SD card and internal phone storage on the phone itself using Root Explorer or ASTRO. I didn't use the method that required me to pull the SD card out. I can play music stored on the card and view all my photos, so I know its reading okay. I even took the SD card out and put it in a memory card reader and it hooked up to the computer fine.. mounted right away. Just won't mount through the phone.
myz06vette said:
Yes, I can view content on my SD card and internal phone storage on the phone itself using Root Explorer or ASTRO. I didn't use the method that required me to pull the SD card out. I can play music stored on the card and view all my photos, so I know its reading okay. I even took the SD card out and put it in a memory card reader and it hooked up to the computer fine.. mounted right away. Just won't mount through the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The development.apk packaged in many Dream/G1 ROMs has an option to scan for media. Try that
BTW, *#*#4636#*#* also works from the dialer to pull up phone/radio options, which will allow you to switch between cdma auto (PRL) --> cdma only -->> ev-do only. The latter two options should save you battery!
Thanks for the advice! I updated to CDMA-only right when I got the phone.. so I honestly can't say whether or not its saving me battery since I don't know what it was like set to CDMA auto PRL hahaa.
I tried installing the Dev Tools apk you attached, but each time I do, it says "Application not installed" with the yellow !triangle next to it.
myz06vette said:
Thanks for the advice! I updated to CDMA-only right when I got the phone.. so I honestly can't say whether or not its saving me battery since I don't know what it was like set to CDMA auto PRL hahaa.
I tried installing the Dev Tools apk you attached, but each time I do, it says "Application not installed" with the yellow !triangle next to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, man -- that .apk was from an Eclair build -- try the new one I put up -- it's from an Espresso build, I just installed in on my DI -- all good
Hah alright fair enough. This one loaded fine.
Checking it out now... will report back. Thanks!
Half of the options in the app force close.
Media scanner loaded, but isn't helping me mount the sd card to my computer.
Any more ideas?
myz06vette said:
Half of the options in the app force close.
Media scanner loaded, but isn't helping me mount the sd card to my computer.
Any more ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you've checked your settings in "Connect to PC" -- perhaps your "always ask" option is cleared and it's set to HTC Sync, for example? What do you get in the SDcard/Storage menu? Any stats for the SDcard? What happens when you elect to eject it in that menu?
Storage menu shows total space and free space like it should.
Connect to PC is currently set to Ask me everytime.. option for Disk Drive selected just to try and force it to mount..
Removed SD card.. did battery pull reset.. still nothing.
myz06vette said:
Storage menu shows total space and free space like it should.
Connect to PC is currently set to Ask me everytime.. option for Disk Drive selected just to try and force it to mount..
Removed SD card.. did battery pull reset.. still nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's frustrating. You might have to back-up your sdcard data on a PC and re-format the card, then copy the data back. I'm assuming you have a card reader.
I hadn't thought until just now to try another card. I've got a few sitting around here somewhere. I'll try that before taking the time to backup almost a full 16 gigs of stuff, format, then restore it all.
myz06vette said:
Storage menu shows total space and free space like it should.
Connect to PC is currently set to Ask me everytime.. option for Disk Drive selected just to try and force it to mount..
Removed SD card.. did battery pull reset.. still nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have some sort of app killer/task manager auto killing the obex service? Ive noticed i have problems when it isnt running, but when it is running it kills battery like mad. Try going to settings>applications>running services and see if its running next time you try to mount. It should show up under calendar. Hope this helps.
P.S. I only let this service run when i need to plug into my pc, since it seems to keep the phone from being able to "sleep" properly. So if you have something killing it, or the calendar app has been removed that may have a part in your problem.
I'm the only one having problems with usb mass storage? With all builds from all chef and all kernels it happens the same. I can read from the pc what is on the SD, but if I copy a file Android dont see it , the file size is 0. And new files created in android can't be readed by windows either (I can only read the files that were written on the SD before the last android boot)
I missing something? I tryied dismounting the SD from android with same results
Are you using it in the same way USB MASS STORAGE in WM6.5 ???
I use USB storage all the time and in every andrioid build I've used(about 20) I've never had any problems. There are many people like me that also have no problems, but there are also many like you that have plenty of problems. I'm not sure that anyone really knows why.
RobertsDF said:
I use USB storage all the time and in every andrioid build I've used(about 20) I've never had any problems. There are many people like me that also have no problems, but there are also many like you that have plenty of problems. I'm not sure that anyone really knows why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for answering. Do you have 2 partitions on the sd ?
Just want to check a few things:
1: you plug in via usb and select "disk drive"
2: you are not still connected via usb when trying to read the items on the sd card?
3: When you disconnect the usb, you use the usual method (right click the icon in the taskbar and select "safely remove hardware") then wait for the SD card to be prepared by android before accessing it?
Also, how are you accessing the files in Android?
Reno_79 said:
Just want to check a few things:
1: you plug in via usb and select "disk drive"
2: you are not still connected via usb when trying to read the items on the sd card?
3: When you disconnect the usb, you use the usual method (right click the icon in the taskbar and select "safely remove hardware") then wait for the SD card to be prepared by android before accessing it?
Also, how are you accessing the files in Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 & 2: Yes. Windows assing the drive letter and can read it fine.
3: I connect Android to pc, choose USB MASS STORAGE, in windows access the new drive letter, rename a file , choose "safele remove hardware", disconnect the cable, wait for Android to "prepare the sd" , go to the file and it has the old name!!! the weird thing is that if I connect to the pc again, I see in the pc the new name!
Is like Android is working with his own FAT32 table IN MEMORY and not refreshing it.
I tried Ghost Commander/ES file manager/Root Explorer, all with the same results.
PD: I found something else... If I DISMOUNT the SD from Android Im still able to access it with ES File Manager,etc. So its not really dismounting it Why can this be happening with all builds/roms?
I have the same problem. Strange thing is it worked fine fore the first couple of days. Anybody have a solution?
Try using "Rescan Media" app after you copy your files to the SD
Still nothing. I have to boot back into winMo to transfer files to my SD card! This is really annoying,
Plenty of other tools provide media scan as well, like Optimize toolbox, Switch pro widget and more. they all worked for me.
[edit] sorry, optimize toolbox doesn't offer it, it just clears the cache :/
power control plus however has this function as well.
Hi at all,
everytime I put files on the sd card, I have to reboot Android because without ES File Explorer won't show the new files I put on the memory card.
Even "Refresh" in ES File Explorer doesn't helo. Is there any other way?
Thanks!
Wifi sync is your friend
lamajstro said:
Hi at all,
everytime I put files on the sd card, I have to reboot Android because without ES File Explorer won't show the new files I put on the memory card.
Even "Refresh" in ES File Explorer doesn't helo. Is there any other way?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a well documented problem. I think it's to do with the way that android sees the SD card with booting from it but don't quote me on that. As far as I know, the best ways round it are:
1. Use dropbox. Free 2gb account and can be very useful.
2. FTP. This is my personal favourite. SwiFTP is a free FTP server for android and there are many free ftp clients for PC/Mac/Linux available. I use FileZilla (opensource ftp client).
3. I believe that if you unmount your SD card before copying files over, then remount however I don't find it particularly successful.
There are other ways like shared folders, email files etc but the top 2 above are the best for me. I use dropbox for small files and one-offs or if I'm copying a lot of stuff and don't want to reboot to winmo, then FTP.
It's also worth noting that if you are a windows user then winamp can sync music over wifi providing you install the winamp android client. However both winamp for windows and android are free.
Hope this helps..
enjoy
Ok, thank you. But that's bad.
The problem is not only that I want to put files through USB on it, it happens also when I use CurrentWidget for example that wants to create a log file on the sd card. Hmm...
I use MDJ Froyo HD 4.6, and there are practically no problems when using mass storage option... After unplugging the files are on the SD card... Only sometimes have to reboot, but not very often...
Why so complicated? Use "Multi Mount SD Card" (it´s free) to connect to PC and you will see new files without rebooting.
lamajstro said:
Ok, thank you. But that's bad.
The problem is not only that I want to put files through USB on it, it happens also when I use CurrentWidget for example that wants to create a log file on the sd card. Hmm...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're now saying that applications are unable to create files on the SD then there is something wrong with your card. I'd recommend copying everything off it and reformatting it (use disk management to format it, and use the largest cluster size available).
Some builds suffer from this problem and some don't.
Im using HD2ONE 0.3.6 and it's working fine. File explorer detects the new files after transferring via USB Cable
I love this build paired up with the CM6.1.1 Gingerbread Theme
kashifsiddique said:
Some builds suffer from this problem and some don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard many people complain about not being able to see files after copying them across, but I've never heard anyone say that an app could not make a file on the sd card.
I am having the same exact problem. I was transferring files from this PC to my phone and everything was going fine (it refreshes right away after disconnect) then suddenly, my SD Card got corrupted and I was forced to reformat. I used the same ROM (Darkstone's SUPERAM FROYO) and after that, it won't sync anymore. I even tried removing it and using the HD2ONE (mentioned above) ROM and it was the same. I went home, copied everything from my SD backup from the other PC and same symptoms.
I thought I was missing a sync app or something but no. I looked into each of the folders I copied and most of them are blank.
I hope someone can save us!
I find it easiest and safest to just use ES Explorer to access the network shares and copy files wirelessly. The way our data.img is mounted, giving the pc full access to the sdcard is just not a good move. There was good reason when you connected to windows' sync software it disables your phone from accessing the card.
Even though the hd2one build seems to handle it correctly I almost never do it anymore unless it's for big files. It saves the wear and tear on the usb port anyway.
I had that "problem" too, but for me it was easy to solve. Here is the whole procedure:
So, i want some files to put on my sdcard, i plug in the usb cable and select the option "use as a storage", dont check the "use allways" or "dont ask again" (or whatever this is called on your machine). Now the computer "see" the phone and i put my files on it. In this moment i cant browse the sdcard on my hd2, because its reserved for windows now, (thats why currentwidget cant write onto it, same if you have a wallpaper in some "wallpaper" folder on sd).
Now, when i am done, usually i unplug the usb cable for some seconds and then i plug it in again and choose the option "charge only" and the sdcard gets mounted in android like it should and all my new imported files are visible.
Its the same on WinMo, if you choose there the "HDD" option, you cant browse the sdcard on the mobile. Only if you choose "use active sync"(slower) you are able to browse the sdcard.
cheers
ps: the quickest way for me now is to use wifi and shared folders
Since a few days I try to connect my phone on my computer but each time I push the button "activate USB mass storage memory" my telephone reboots. I have the same result when I try to unmount my SD Card from: Options>Storage>Desactivate SD Card.
I tried to Format my Sd Card, to re partition it with Rom manager but it's always the same.
May-be a track: After formating my SD, if i try to connect my phone, every thing is fine. I imagine it comes from the folder ".android_secure" because when it's empty I can access my card but when it's full of my apps I can't, it reboots. Inside of it I have about 60 files for more or less 200Mo.
I even tried with another SD-Card and the result is the same.
May be something that could help: when I connect my phone the debug icon turns green.
Thank you by advance for any help you could give me.
Well, I tried something new after reading several posts in many differents forum.
First of all I tried to de select "USB debug" in "aplication>developpement" and I could connect my phone and see the content of my SD Card. My telephone didn't reboot.
Now, I've found an application called "Multi Mount SD-Card" that keeps me going in the menu Developpement each time to select or deselect "USB Debug". It works fine but I imagine it should'nt be like this.
Whatever, I've got the result I was expecting.
I have built an SD bootable CM7 card as described by verygreen, but when I try to create folders on that drive from my PC (filled with APK files) I can't see them on the Nook. I have no problem doing this on my rooted emmc Nook, but when I boot to an SD card (that I am setting up for my daughter's Nook) I can't access any other folders/files.
What am I doing wrong? (The box is checked allowing Unknown Sources and I am currently running 177).
Are you connecting the nook via USB or putting the SD card in your computer directly?
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
The card is placed in a usb card reader (or a usd card reader), either one sees the files on the PC, but it will not find it on the nook. Even when I create a folder on the nook and move the disk over and copy a file into the new folder I can't see it on the nook.
You need to connect through the nook
Sent from my LG Optimus V using Tapatalk
Littlewhat said:
The card is placed in a usb card reader (or a usd card reader), either one sees the files on the PC, but it will not find it on the nook. Even when I create a folder on the nook and move the disk over and copy a file into the new folder I can't see it on the nook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is because the partition the computer sees is the boot partition... to access it in the nook... either in terminal or adb shell:
1. mkdir /sdcard/boot
2. mount /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 /sdcard/boot/
the items on the boot partition of the SD (including the folders and apks you put there) will be visible as /sdcard/boot
Pretty sure you'd have found it in the VG SASD thread and a few others... since I have posted this several times.
Thanks for the response. I'm not real familiar with ADB so I tried it with terminal and was able to create a directory but mounting gave me a 'permission denied' message.
(Sorry if this is old info, I've spent the morning combing the SASD thread and haven't found it yet, just too much info, thanks for taking the time to help some of us who are slower learners!)
Edit: learning slowly, used su to get into superuser (#) and made directory, but when I try to mount it says not found.
Littlewhat said:
I have built an SD bootable CM7 card as described by verygreen, but when I try to create folders on that drive from my PC (filled with APK files) I can't see them on the Nook. I have no problem doing this on my rooted emmc Nook, but when I boot to an SD card (that I am setting up for my daughter's Nook) I can't access any other folders/files.
What am I doing wrong? (The box is checked allowing Unknown Sources and I am currently running 177).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you asked this question 2 weeks ago, I might able to give you the exact answer but since I wiped out the uSD CM7, I can't remember correctly what would happen.
However, based on my experience (+/- my memory loss), what you describe is all correct and that's what it is. Odd? Maybe, but don't panic.
Let's go slowly
when I try to create folders on that drive from my PC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you meant you created a folder in the "boot" partition on the uSD card?
a. if so, it's not recommended. Using the left over FAT32 partition instead
b. if so, try to use Root Folder app (it's a paid app) to access root folder (boot partition) directly on the NOOK. If you see the folder you created earlier, move it to the eMMC storage.
c. if not, pls tell us more
Yes, the SD card was accessed on my PC thru a USB adapter and a folder called 'APKs' was created in the boot sector. (I have also tried just adding the files into one of the other folders, but anything I add is invisible to the Nook).
So if I need to create a folder in other than the boot sector, I would need to use something like Easeus Partition Master to make that sector active and then create the folder and add appropriate files? (When I rooted my Nook directly to emmc it sure seemed a lot easier to access folders created by my PC.)
(Thanks again for all your help.)
That's much clearer, m8
Now, I think it's easier to get straighten.
1. From PC, using SD slot or usb-sd adapter, move (remove) the "APKs" folder off your NC to your PC, save it there, then eject the uSD off PC.
2. Insert the uSD into the NC and turn it on, make sure it boots into CM7 properly.
3. Wait until it completely load. Now using usb cable to connect the NC and the PC.
4. Watch the notification status bar on the NC, tap on it then turn on usb mass storage.
5. PC should recognize the NC and ready for use.
6. Move your "APKs" folder from PC into your uSD (it would probably named as CM7SDCARD)
Update: on item 6, I prefer to move the folder to the eMMC storage. I'm not 110% sure if the NC see "it" (it means the left-over FAT32 partition on the uSD card) or not, but I do believe, 99% it will.
Deleted folder on SD card (from PC) and verified reboot ok.
Connected USB cable to PC then to Nook, no notification bar comes up, but battery icon shows charging as well as the lighted n on the cable.
Tried to use Nook Tweaks to begin USB connection (both boxes checked).
Still no recognition from the PC that anything is connected.
Edit: I am using my rooted Nook to build this SD card for my daughter's new unrooted Nook and when I plug the rooted Nook into the PC I don't get any verification from the PC on it either. No change on the Nook either, just the charging light and icon indicator.
Tried to use Nook Tweaks to begin USB connection (both boxes checked).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the NC with me now so I don't know what "both boxes" are and need to be checked or not.
The USB Settings from Nook Tweaks has a "USB Host Mode" (to enable host mode to connect peripherals) and an "External VBus" (to allow charging and hosting).
Both boxes were checked.
I've read that some of these issues can be caused by a faulty cable. If so, are there other alternatives to connecting thru the cable to open this up.
I have also tried the MiniTool partition program but I have not been successful in getting the active partition to 'stick' . (It immediately reverts back to the root being active after I apply the changes.)
You definitely have to UNCHECK the "USB Host Mode".
I'm not so sure with the "External VBus" status but suggest leave it by default.
With nothing checked in the Nook Tweaks section, USB cable connected to the Nook and then the PC, there is no recognition or acknowledgment that the Nook is there from the PC. (This is true whether I use my rooted version or try after booting to the sd card.)
If it is a cable problem, I will need to replace that, but aren't there other ways to make the sd card usable?
I've tried making the 4th partition action using Minitool and also Easeus but it didn't work. (Minitool just reverts back to boot partition active immediately after I apply the changes.)
Slow down, MiniTool and partitioning have nothing to do with this. Don't make more mess.
a. when plugging NC to PC, do you see any indication on the NC's status bar? like usb debugging?
b. when plugging NC to PC, do you see any indication on the PC (running Windows)? like removable drive?
There is no indication on the PC of any new connection.
The only indication on the Nook is the lighted n at the end of the cable and the recharging icon in the status bar.
Edit: the reason I was providing info on the MiniTools experience I was having is because my original question was how to access a folder (and files) created on my sd-bootable disk on my PC but the Nook can't see it. One way to accomplish this is to write the folder/apks directly to the Nook thru the USB cable. Other alternatives are to use windows to access it on my PC but I need to be able to access the 4th partition (if my reading of the various posts is correct). MiniTools and Easeus are two options that allow you to activate the 4th partition but it has not worked for my yet.
The USB cable connection problem appears to be there whether I boot to emmc or to sd.
Edit: I was able to find a non-nook cable (for my Blackberry) and using it my Nook recognizes when I connect to the PC and executes the USB Mass Storage Utility which allows me to turn USB storage on/off. Unfortunately the PC doesn't add any new logical drives in My Computer. The device manager shows 2 B&N Ereader Disk USB devices but with the yellow ! by them.
The 4th partition you mentioned about should be taken care during the installation, using verygreen's instructions, if you do correctly. There is ABSOLUTELY no need to mess around with MiniTool or the a-like.
Another question, have you turn on the USB Debugging feature? (I don't remember where, NC not with me now). If it not, check it box, try to plug in PC using usb cable again. I expect at least the usb debugging indicator will lit up.
I checked the debug feature (part of settings/applications/development/) and it was not checked. I checked it and now I get the robot icon (USB debugging conntected) and the USB icon to toggle storage on/off. Still nothing in My Computer and the drives shown in device manager are still yellow ! .
The device manager says "This device cannot start. (Code 10)"
I know it would be too early to say but I gonna to say anyway "congratulation".
When you see those icons on the NC status bar, it's 99% that it would work.
Now, back to the reality.
1. Connect usb cable between NC and PC running Windows
2. As you can see those icons, tap on the status bar to bring up then tap on "USB Mass Storage" (or something like "connect to computer for file/folder transfer, NOT the debugging). Read the warning then tap to enable USB connection
3. Now, pay attention on the PC, if it goes smoothly as expect, by now, you now can access both storages (eMMC and left-over of the uSD card) from PC. If so, move your "APKs" folder over.
I wish you luck
1- cable connected, icons on nook show up
2- tapping on status bar gives access to USB Mass Storage utility and option to turn on/off USB storage - with USB storage set to 'on' there is no recognition on the PC
Device manager shows two entries under disk drives for B&N Ebook Disk USB device but both are tagged with yellow ! (which a right click shows "This device cannot start. Code 10")
Is there something I need to do to download a usable driver for this?
(OBTW thank you for your help and patience)
Edit: within device manager I uninstalled the two drives (while the nook was still connected and USB active) and then had it search for new hardware. This time it loaded the drivers and NO yellow ! . At that point the PC recognized the drives and I have been able to create a folder that is accessible by the Nook and the PC. Thank you for help in this.
I have also contacted B&N and have a replacement cable on the way (which seemed to be a large part of my problems). Thanks Votinh for sticking with me while I got this resolved.