Database Users

[How To Guide] Access A500 microSD card and/or USB from PC

For those of you that would like the ability to transfer files between the internal memory, microSD card, and/or usb data drive from your PC, there is a way. Download and install QtADB.
NOTE: I have updated the instructions. This should work without having to download the Android SDK.
1. First you need to download and install the flavor of Java you require (x86 or x64). This is required for ADB and AAPT.
2. Next download QtADB. Copy the "QtADB_0.8.0_windows_with_libs" folder to the "C:\Program Files\" folder.
3. Finally, download ADB and AAPT binaries for windows. Copy the files to the "C:\Program Files\QtADB_0.8.0_windows_with_libs" folder.
Here is the link for Java: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk-6u26-download-400750.html
Here is the link to QtADB: http://qtadb.wordpress.com/download/
Here is the link for the ADB and AAPT binarie files: http://www.mediafire.com/?yegi0lp9ik5xuk0
Once you get it all loaded, connect your A500 to your PC via the micro USB port. Launch QtADB. The first time you run QtADB, it will ask you for the path to ADB and AAPT. This should be "C:\Program Files\QtADB_0.8.0_windows_with_libs" folder. You should be able to access all your storage internal and external to your A500. I am no expert on this application, but will try to help if I can.
Attached are screenshots of QtADB abd attached to my A500. The Apps and Messages tabs do not work, but so far everything else seems to. Enjoy.

So, no one wants to be able to directly transfer files from thier PC to thier external microSC card? I see a lot of views, but no comments. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for you? Anyway, happy day.

dalepl said:
So, no one wants to be able to directly transfer files from thier PC to thier external microSC card? I see a lot of views, but no comments. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for you? Anyway, happy day.
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@dalepl - to answer your question I have posted this SIMPLE method previously. I have emphasied the word SIMPLE because it's not as clever and structured as your method but is probably more suited to us non-programming noobs.
For anyone who wants to see the contents of their sd card on their PC and be able to copy/transfer files from one to the other, why not give this a try, it is very simple and works for my A500.
Before you start you need your A500 to be rooted and you need "USB Mount All version 1.3" from the Market cost $1.99
(1) Have your PC switched on, don't connect your A500 yet but switch the A500 on.
(2) Run USB Mount All and you will see your sd card as a "Device" named "ext_sdcard".
(3) Press the tab "Mount" next to your ext_sdcard. You will see two messages "Mount has been granted Superuser permission" and "Device successfully mounted".
(4) Press the "Menu" tab in the top Right hand corner of the screen, this opens a small box entitled "Settings". Press on "Settings" and you get 3 options, make certain all 3 options are ticked, ticking them if they are not. (The important thing is to have "Mount on Bootup" ticked"). Press the Back Arrow twice to get back to Home Page or where ever you started from.
(5) Re-boot the A500 and after it is back running connect it to your PC using mini usb connector.
(6) Now check your PC and open Windows Explorer, you will find under your A500 Device most of the folder/directories that are in /mnt/sdcard (which isn't all that relevent to this) BUT importantly you will find a folder/directory entitled "ext_sdcard" which for those of you who noticed is the exact name that "USB Mount All" called your sd card.
(7) Now use Windows Explorer to copy and paste whatever you want into the "ext_sdcard" folder.
(8) Please note that when you start to copy files you will get up a warning box stating "Do you want to copy XXXXX to your device?". You are given 2 choices (1) No skip this file or (2) Yes.
(9) Put a tick in the box at the bottom Left and click on "Yes".
(10) When finished safely disconnect your A500 from your PC and re-boot your A500.
(11) After re-boot go back into "USB Mount All", chose top Right menu and settings box and remove the tick from the 3rd option "Mount on Bootup". Each time you are going to copy, move or delete files first of all put the tick back in the 3rd box and when you're done take it out.
Your Done. If you use any File Explorer to look at /mnt/external_sd you will see all the files residing on your sd card including those you've just copied.

I think the reason is people wish there were a simpler way than to have to download 13 programs and do this do that...
But still, thanks.

Johnny0906 said:
I think the reason is people wish there were a simpler way than to have to download 13 programs and do this do that...
But still, thanks.
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Click to collapse
You may be right. Looking closer I am going to change the directions. You do not have to install the SDK to get this to work. You can download ADB and AAPT files from the QtADB site.

I believe someone else in another thread mentioned Droid Explorer. Works great for me.

tomlogan1 said:
I believe someone else in another thread mentioned Droid Explorer. Works great for me.
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I took a look at this one and although it does look good and does most of the same thing QtADB does, I still perfer QtADB. For one, I can delete, move, and copy files from the A500 external storage to the PC and vice versa from right within QtADB. I did not spend much time with Droid Explorer and it may be able to do the same thing, but I did not find it. All in all, I guess it will be up to each user to pick the one they like. Both seem to be good options.

File transfer directly between PC and external_sd (WiFi)
dalepl said:
So, no one wants to be able to directly transfer files from thier PC to thier external microSC card? I see a lot of views, but no comments. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for you? Anyway, happy day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.

dweebken said:
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.
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Click to collapse
Good to hear. I saw many people asking in other threads about this ability, but had not seen anyone mention how except for taking your micrSD card out and using an adapter to hook it up to your PC. I have been using QtADB since I got my HTC Droid Incredible a year ago and gave it a try with the A500 and it worked, so I thought I would let everyone know. It is good that now there are three alternatives listed for everyone.

dweebken said:
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should just add, I think the default browse folder when you install it is /mnt/sdcard. Just change the default to /mnt in the app's menu, and then on the pc you can browse to either sdcard or external_sd from the local IP address the program gives you on the tablet.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

dweebken said:
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.
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Click to collapse
Wow this is awesome just tried it out and its nice
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

garbagecanman said:
Wow this is awesome just tried it out and its nice
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
Glad it worked for you.

I use ES File Explorer, its free and fairly straight forward. I can access any shared file on my PC and move/copy any file from my A500 to my PC and vise-versa. It also accesses Dropbox, which is handy. Probably not a perfect solution, but it works well enough for me. I'm sure there are other file explorer apps out there that do the same thing, but I've been using ES since I got my Archos 5IMT way back when so I'm used to it.

karlkarloff said:
I use ES File Explorer, its free and fairly straight forward. I can access any shared file on my PC and move/copy any file from my A500 to my PC and vise-versa. It also accesses Dropbox, which is handy. Probably not a perfect solution, but it works well enough for me. I'm sure there are other file explorer apps out there that do the same thing, but I've been using ES since I got my Archos 5IMT way back when so I'm used to it.
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Click to collapse
Nice. The real difference between using a file explorer on the tablet and the solution I gave is that no shared folders or dropbox are needed. You can access all the folders on the PC and all the storage on the A500. The interface is just like the Windows Explorer, so there is no big learning curve. I do like that this is showing people different ways to get to the same solution. Now they can use the one that best fits them.

Cannot copy item error message

All of a sudden, I can't copy files to Nexus 7. Windows 7 64 says device has either stopped responding or is disconnected....which tells me nothing. I see others have posted this topic for this tablet but there are no replies. Tablet is rooted, running LiquidSmooth Beta 2 and seems fine. Same USB cable and I can see internal folder and files from Windows, but cannot perform normal file transfers. Where do I start looking for issue?

eduardo_b said:
All of a sudden, I can't copy files to Nexus 7. Windows 7 64 says device has either stopped responding or is disconnected....which tells me nothing. I see others have posted this topic for this tablet but there are no replies. Tablet is rooted, running LiquidSmooth Beta 2 and seems fine. Same USB cable and I can see internal folder and files from Windows, but cannot perform normal file transfers. Where do I start looking for issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MTP or whatever its called sucks. But that usually either means that your device doesn't support that file format, the files are too big, or you actually disconnected your device. Try a different USB port, and give us a bit more info on what you are trying to copy.

drake90001 said:
MTP or whatever its called sucks. But that usually either means that your device doesn't support that file format, the files are too big, or you actually disconnected your device. Try a different USB port, and give us a bit more info on what you are trying to copy.
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Click to collapse
Trying to copy a 7MB zip file. I looked at settings -- MTP is checked and there's 12.79GB available out of 13.24GB. Weirdly, I thought I'd try a file that was completely different, so I just copied a text file (2K) and it went fine. Now what's that about?
I usually use WinRAR to create zip files, but some on xda recommend 7-zip (changing file extension to zip) for stuff like boot animation files. Is that the problem??

I had the same thing happen... I tried an 11mb zip file, no luck. Text file or image worked fine... I'm guessing I'll just have to use something like AirDroid to transfer any file. This is disappointing that Google has done this. My older Android phones, I could copy any file I please.

jaminroe said:
I had the same thing happen... I tried an 11mb zip file, no luck. Text file or image worked fine... I'm guessing I'll just have to use something like AirDroid to transfer any file. This is disappointing that Google has done this. My older Android phones, I could copy any file I please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, one thing I finally discovered is that zip renamed from 7z may be an issue...the system probably checks the file header (I assume) against extension to see if there's a match. Possibly to catch exe files with zip extensions that may be viruses.

solution
Just put the files you want to copy inside a folder, then copy the folder. works for me on Nexus 4

inerhead said:
Just put the files you want to copy inside a folder, then copy the folder. works for me on Nexus 4
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Just had the same problem. This worked! So the problem looks to be that the device can't handle certain files by themselves.

inerhead said:
Just put the files you want to copy inside a folder, then copy the folder. works for me on Nexus 4
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Click to collapse
yeah this worked for me too... strange b/c i can copy files w/o issue to my sisters N4 but on mine i have to do this method

inerhead, you sir are a genius! Thank you

eduardo_b said:
Well, one thing I finally discovered is that zip renamed from 7z may be an issue...the system probably checks the file header (I assume) against extension to see if there's a match. Possibly to catch exe files with zip extensions that may be viruses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
after reading your post i just removed the .zip and copied it to the device when it was on the device i just renamed the file and added the .zip thanks man really helpful

inerhead said:
Just put the files you want to copy inside a folder, then copy the folder. works for me on Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much sir!
Now why the hell did this start happening with zips?

inerhead said:
Just put the files you want to copy inside a folder, then copy the folder. works for me on Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
working exactly perfect!! Thanks my friend..

Unable to copy Nandroid backups from phone to PC

What I usually do is make a backup of my phone and then I copy it over to my windows 7 PC for safe keeping. This has been working perfectly fine the last month and then suddenly a few days ago it has been unable to copy the entire backup. I've tried different cables, different computers, different files, so I think the problem is with my phone and the file formats that are used in backups. When I try copying the file the "boot.emmc.win" and "recovery.log" copy just fine but the problem is with the other files. The "data.ext4.win000" and "data.ext4.win001" and "system.ext4.win" files are all unable to copy. I right-click and copy them, then when I try and paste them on my desktop nothing happens. There's no loading symbol or anything. If anybody has any ideas what might be wrong, I have no idea and this problem just recently started happening. Thanks.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

out of curiousity, have you tried copying the whole folder over instead of the individual files?

Your using twrp if its .win files right? Maybe try another version of twrp or a different recovery. Otherwise I believe there is an option to turn your backups into .tar or maybe even yaffs2
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Flash the zip in this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43556554 it will fix the permissions so that you can transfer the backup
From my BLACKED OUT N4

Have you tried copy-pasting other files such as MP3 files, from your phone to the PC? It might be a little hard but you can try using adb pull command.
Edit: or you can use Airdroid if you're connected to the same WiFi as your PC.
Sent from my blazing fast Nexus 4

uchihakurtz said:
Have you tried copy-pasting other files such as MP3 files, from your phone to the PC? It might be a little hard but you can try using adb pull command.
Edit: or you can use Airdroid if you're connected to the same WiFi as your PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes other files copy just fine. Nothing unusual just the normal loading-like screen shows up, fills the bar with green and then goes away and the file appears on my desktop.
spaceman860 said:
Flash the zip in this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43556554 it will fix the permissions so that you can transfer the backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try this and I'll get back to you, thanks!
demkantor said:
Your using twrp if its .win files right? Maybe try another version of twrp or a different recovery. Otherwise I believe there is an option to turn your backups into .tar or maybe even yaffs2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm gonna try a fix that another comment suggested, but if that doesnt work then I will definetly try and use a different file format. Thank you!
simms22 said:
out of curiousity, have you tried copying the whole folder over instead of the individual files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes I have and what happens is the little loading screen pops up that shows you how far along the copying process is just stops after copying the first file in the folder. It gets a little green and then just disappears without no error messages or anything.

[Q] copying flac files to phone

hey XDA,
I am not able to copy Flac audio files from my PC to the Internal Storage of my galaxy s4. When I paste the Flac files into the phone, it prompts for file format not supported, then I click 'No, just Copy' and for all files. But then it only copies the first file (If I selected multiple files) and then freezes. When I cancel the process, the first file is copied successfully.
How can i fix this?
Greets,
Mark

Tunestwo said:
hey XDA,
I am not able to copy Flac audio files from my PC to the Internal Storage of my galaxy s4. When I paste the Flac files into the phone, it prompts for file format not supported, then I click 'No, just Copy' and for all files. But then it only copies the first file (If I selected multiple files) and then freezes. When I cancel the process, the first file is copied successfully.
How can i fix this?
Greets,
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as for me i didn't like to copy file from my pc to my s4 using usb as it only support mtp mode and not usb mode
this only suggestion from me.if you getting continues error to copy your file through usb and you got good internet connection simply upload your file to cloud storage and download to your mobile

Zaraee said:
as for me i didn't like to copy file from my pc to my s4 using usb as it only support mtp mode and not usb mode
this only suggestion from me.if you getting continues error to copy your file through usb and you got good internet connection simply upload your file to cloud storage and download to your mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But thats just ignoring the problem by doing it another way..
I want to fix it not turn around it.

Tunestwo said:
But thats just ignoring the problem by doing it another way..
I want to fix it not turn around it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry,nerver have this problem before..guess you need to wait for file to completely copy to your phone if it hang just wait until it complete

I have found out the solution today. I had the same problem on two phones, two systems, two laptops. People usually use same set of applications etc
I always used K-lite codecs to play videos on the PC. This causes the problem with copying the Flac files to the phone somehow. Uninstalling it makes it back ok.

Help me!!!! Op5 cannot receive files via usb

hello i cannot have files sent to op5! I can copy from it but cannot copy within it or send files to it. This is huge problem, happened 3 hours ago! I cannot receive even in recovery! Tried multiple computers already.

Did you select file transfer?

Pwnycorn said:
Did you select file transfer?
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Click to collapse
Did you not read? I cannot even copy files to op5 IN RECOVERY, USB DEBUGGING ON AND IN ROM FILE TRANSFER IS SELECTED, ONLY CANNOT COPY, CAN READ FILES AND COPY TO CPMPUTER BUT CANNOT SEND TO OP5.

JhinCuatro said:
Did you not read? I cannot even copy files to op5 IN RECOVERY, USB DEBUGGING ON AND IN ROM FILE TRANSFER IS SELECTED, ONLY CANNOT COPY, CAN READ FILES AND COPY TO CPMPUTER BUT CANNOT SEND TO OP5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think anyone is going to want to help you when you start your messages with things like "did you not read"
Anyway, I'm no expert and you probably already tried these things but:
- try reflashing twrp
- try a different usb port and cable
- try restarting both your phone and computer
- try using a different computer

What kind of files are you trying to transfer and how large are they? I believe there is a 4GB size limit on files you can transfer via USB with Android's file transfer protocol. If that's not your problem you might want to try a different USB port and if that doesn't work a different cable.

Either the file is to large or your cable is jacked. Change the cable and use ADB push instead of MTP