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Hey everybody, the Atrix is my first Android device and I havent stopped playing with it since I got it. Im curious to what the difference is between the "Media Area" (manage applications>move to "media area") and the internal phone storage? from what i see, anything i move to the "media area" goes to the internal phone storage.
Also while using Root Explorer i saw 2 folders "/sdcard" and "/sdcard-ext" where ext is my external sd. i checked this after noticing that my ADW launcher backup files were NOT on my sd card. and with root explorer the files were in the "sdcard" folder, which is different from my "sdcard-ext" folder.
Can anyone please explain how or why the files that claim to be saved to my sdcard are actually saved to the other "sdcard" file setup by Android? and the difference between the media area and phone storage, why are applications set to "move to media area" rather than "move to sd card".
There is a storage location option under sd card settings. I haven't played with it yet though.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Your phone has an "internal sd card" due to the way the OS is configured. sdcard-ext, as you already know, is your external SD card. Your "internal card" is divided as follows: 2GB for Android OS and webtop software, 2GB dedicated for app installation, and 11GB for media storage. This 11GB partition is called /sdcard/ in addition to media storage.
edgeicator said:
Your phone has an "internal sd card" due to the way the OS is configured. sdcard-ext, as you already know, is your external SD card. Your "internal card" is divided as follows: 2GB for Android OS and webtop software, 2GB dedicated for app installation, and 11GB for media storage. This 11GB partition is called /sdcard/ in addition to media storage.
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So out of curiosity how do you mount the External SD card when you plug your phone into your computer? In my cappy it would just show both SD cards as different drives but it seems when I plug in my Atrix it only wants to show me my internal SD card.
It shows both for me, but sometimes it bugs out and doesn't properly mount the internal storage. A quick reboot fixes it for me.
edgeicator said:
It shows both for me, but sometimes it bugs out and doesn't properly mount the internal storage. A quick reboot fixes it for me.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for that explanation..but yeah I've never seen both when plugged via usb ...good to know tho. Is there a way to set apps or back ups to the external SD card ?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
if you go to sd card & phone storage settings and change the windows media sync storage location to the external sd card both will show if you mount the phone as mass storage.
if you mount it as windows media sync whichever is shown will be the one that shows on the media sync window that comes up on the pc
another thread
jzaslice said:
Thanks for that explanation..but yeah I've never seen both when plugged via usb ...good to know tho. Is there a way to set apps or back ups to the external SD card ?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=973768
according to a couple of users this partition of SD/memory and the external card, cannot be remedied for apps and such to backup or save on the external? Why would Motorola do this..
I am trying to figure this out! I have a 32gb microsd card that has movies on it. I plugged it into my computer and just dragged the files over, then inserted the card into the tab. I powered the tab on and I'm using root explorer to search files but none of the files are showing anywhere. When I go into storage it shows the card is there and how much space is used/left but I cannot figure out how to view the files at all.
The card is formatted FAT32 and I'm using a completely stock Iconia a500 16gb
Acceessing your MicroSD
If you're in Root Explorer go all the way to the root folder then from there go to /mnt/external_sd and you should see all the stuff on your card. Hopefully that helps. Not sure why Acer named their internal storage SDCard but it's made it quite annoying.
azraeljarah said:
If you're in Root Explorer go all the way to the root folder then from there go to /mnt/external_sd and you should see all the stuff on your card. Hopefully that helps. Not sure why Acer named their internal storage SDCard but it's made it quite annoying.
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Click to collapse
My self as well.....
However AndSMB allows me to transfer files wirelessly over my LAN to the external and USB if installed, schwwet and free a must have.....
I found it... thought that having one root as sdcard which is really the internal memory and then the actual sdcard under the MNT folder was pretty dumb but what do I know I guess. lol
Thanks!!!
every tablet i've played with has always named the internal memory "sdcard".
i wish they would do the same as archos and mount the external sd card within the sdcard folder, so /mnt/sdcard/sdcard
this way most apps could see it.
For now the easiest solution is to make these folders bookmarks or make the /mnt folder your Home Folder. That way one click will get you to root or to any of the mounted media...
using a file explorer (I woud assume root explorer will work) it's at
/mnt/external_sd
usb is at
/mnt/usb_storage
internal memory for storage is at
/mnt/sdcard
Hi all. I have a stock a500 with 3.1. Not rooted. I put in the 16gb SD card with files in it and I don't get any indication of the card in the bottom right corner. My phone however will recognize it and the files that are on it. Any suggestions? Ty for any replies
"Try unplugging it, and plugging it in again" - Mistabishi 'Printer Jam'.
What FS is the card formatted to? Have you tried any other card that is known to work? Also, try formatting the SD as FAT32 again from the phone.
I am having the SAME issue on my acer. It wont recognize my 16gb sandisk card. I tried formatting as described and I tried another card. Both are showing up in my HTC inspire but nothing on the acer. Whats the deal? When I go to storage in settings- the external SD total space is recognized but it is not allowing me to access it for storage using app2sd?
this SD card worked just fine on the transformer I took it out of.
da9b16 said:
I am having the SAME issue on my acer. It wont recognize my 16gb sandisk card. I tried formatting as described and I tried another card. Both are showing up in my HTC inspire but nothing on the acer. Whats the deal? When I go to storage in settings- the external SD total space is recognized but it is not allowing me to access it for storage using app2sd?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you even able to see the SD card? check /mnt/sd-external to see if it shows up. If it's there, create a directory, then delete it. Also, check the ".android-secure" hidden directory that should be on the SD card after using app2sd. If the permissions are not set correctly, you won't be able to use app2sd with it (reason for create/delete of the directory). Sidenote, I've seen quite a few apps named app2sd, some of them listed are showing up on my end as non-working with the A500 where others listed should work fine.
Forcefedfun said:
this SD card worked just fine on the transformer I took it out of.
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Click to collapse
Still, that does not give me anything to go on. Did you format the card again? Is the card formatted in FAT32? Have you tried formatting the card from your computer using a card reader? I've had SD cards not show up before, reformatting them correctly solved the issue each time. If you don't know what filesystem the card is formatted with, grab a LiveCD with gparted on it (almost any gnome distribution) and I can help you from there. I haven't used Windows since XP SP2 was first released (FCKGW-... if you know what I mean) and I have refused to touch anything Apple since the IIe. Hence the signature.
formatting
Not sure what format they are in. I used a thunderbolt to for mate and a fsscinate and neither were visible. I'll go check what you recommended above though.
What are you guys talking about?
To the OP: You won't have any indication at the bottom. That feature doesn't exist on our devices (but some custom roms based on xoom and ?ASUS? have it). Just check the System screen to see if it finds your sd or simply make a photo from your camera (just set it to save the pictures to your SD). Or use a program and check /mnt/external-sd
To da9b16: a2sd won't work on this device (besides it has enough internal memory).
You'll only be able to access SD directly from your internal memory if you root the device and use a program that creates a symlink from /mnt/external-sd to /sdcard (USB Mount All does this but it's not free) or if you simply navigate to /mnt/external-sd with a file explorer.
I hope that this clears some confusion.
bpivk said:
What are you guys talking about?
To da9b16: a2sd won't work on this device (besides it has enough internal memory).
You'll only be able to access SD directly from your internal memory if you root the device and use a program that creates a symlink from /mnt/external-sd to /sdcard (USB Mount All does this but it's not free) or if you simply navigate to /mnt/external-sd with a file explorer.
I hope that this clears some confusion.
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Click to collapse
I just needed to know what the MNT portion of that statement which tells me dir. Thanks! Done and done!
almost same problem
da9b16 said:
I just needed to know what the MNT portion of that statement which tells me dir. Thanks! Done and done!
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hey i have a similar problem , when i put my SD card does recognize but the apps like photo gallery or play music wont read any file from my SD card what can i do
I'm running a Nook Color with CM 7. It's partitioned with the 5G for apps, and I don't mind leaving it that way. However, apps sometimes get installed to the SD card even though I have tons of free memory. Is there a way to force all app installs to go to internal memory?
settings\cyanogenmod settings\application\install location
MISRy said:
settings\cyanogenmod settings\application\install location
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Click to collapse
Check Settings -> CyanogenMod Settings -> Application -> Use Internal Storage
If you do this, then your /sdcard and /emmc partitions will be swapped... in other words, your physical sd card will be mounted at /emmc and your internal memory will be mounted at /sdcard.
This is a good thing, IMHO. But it can be quite confusing.
mr72 said:
Check "Use Internal Memory"
If you do this, then your /sdcard and /emmc partitions will be swapped... in other words, your physical sd card will be mounted at /emmc and your internal memory will be mounted at /sdcard.
This is a good thing, IMHO. But it can be quite confusing.
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Click to collapse
Indeed, it's confusing.
@OP,
Just to give you a head up that some apps REQUIRED an external uSD plugged in in order to function properly.
votinh said:
Indeed, it's confusing.
@OP,
Just to give you a head up that some apps REQUIRED an external uSD plugged in in order to function properly.
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Click to collapse
Actually, if this setting is checked, and the /sdcard mountpoint refers to the internal memory, then those apps that required external SD will just use the internal memory mounted at /sdcard.
The NC does not require a SD card with CM7 if it is run this way.
mr72 said:
The NC does not require a SD card with CM7 if it is run this way.
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Click to collapse
The NC itself does not require but some apps does.
I believe there was/were thread talking about this, CM7 somehow requires external uSD.
Last time (long time back, don't know if it has been changed) I checked Aldiko Reader, w/o uSD plugged in, it wouldn't run.
votinh said:
Last time (long time back, don't know if it has been changed) I checked Aldiko Reader, w/o uSD plugged in, it wouldn't run.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is true, unless you check the box:
Settings -> CyanogenMod Settings -> Application -> Use Internal Storage
This will switch the mount points of /emmc and /sdcard, and therefore anything using /sdcard will find /sdcard mounted, but it will in fact be the actual internal memory mounted at that location.
mr72 said:
That is true, unless you check the box:
Settings -> CyanogenMod Settings -> Application -> Use Internal Storage
This will switch the mount points of /emmc and /sdcard, and therefore anything using /sdcard will find /sdcard mounted, but it will in fact be the actual internal memory mounted at that location.
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Click to collapse
Trust me, I did that for sure.
What about opening a terminal and doing:
su
pm setInstallLocation 1
Will that work?
BTW, storing the apps on the "Internal emmc" means they're going to the small partition, right? Since there's more than enough memory in the "Internal" partition, I'd rather they just go there rather than fake out the OS into thinking the emmc partition is a SD card.
I'm moving apps that get installed to the SD card back to "phone" using Titanium Backup.
I'm using a 400GB SD card. I saw a comment about creating 2 different partitions on it as I want to use part of it for app storage and the other part for file storage, The second partition would be exFAT so I can remove the card and transfer my books, music, etc. to it by attaching the SD card to my laptop as I understand that Windows would not be able to recognize the partition that would be formatted as internal storage. I did format the SD card using my laptop as two separate partitions. My Samsung Galaxy Tab A saw both partitions. I selected the 96GB partition as I wanted to use that for app storage and selected the option to use it as internal storage. Unfortunately when I did that, it appears that the system set the whole CD card up for internal storage. Does anyone have any insight on how to accomplish this - use part of the SD card for internal storage and part of it for storage that would be recognizable by Windows? Thank you very much.
I have not tried, so take the advice as a suggestion, perhaps android can be "fooled", which I doubt.
After creating a bulk partition in android, move the SD to Windows and resize that partition, and create a second partition on the remaining capacity and hide it.
Now move the SD back to android and see what happens.
If android will reformat the partitions again then I can't advise anything else.
However, if android accepts the memory, then the next step is to discover the partition in Windows and recheck the SD in android.
ze7zez said:
I have not tried, so take the advice as a suggestion, perhaps android can be "fooled", which I doubt.
After creating a bulk partition in android, move the SD to Windows and resize that partition, and create a second partition on the remaining capacity and hide it.
Now move the SD back to android and see what happens.
If android will reformat the partitions again then I can't advise anything else.
However, if android accepts the memory, then the next step is to discover the partition in Windows and recheck the SD in android.
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Click to collapse
Well, I was trying to work on that and now the Android Storage module (in Settings) keeps crashing when I open it. IDK what happened here. I've reformatted the SD card, I've removed the SD card, I've rebooted the table multiple times. I'm almost to the point of having to restore the tablet from scratch ... again.
Try this:
Link2SD - Apps on Google Play
Complete app management, move to SD, clear cache, remove bloatware and more
play.google.com
JR1979 said:
I'm using a 400GB SD card. I saw a comment about creating 2 different partitions on it as I want to use part of it for app storage and the other part for file storage, The second partition would be exFAT so I can remove the card and transfer my books, music, etc. to it by attaching the SD card to my laptop as I understand that Windows would not be able to recognize the partition that would be formatted as internal storage. I did format the SD card using my laptop as two separate partitions. My Samsung Galaxy Tab A saw both partitions. I selected the 96GB partition as I wanted to use that for app storage and selected the option to use it as internal storage. Unfortunately when I did that, it appears that the system set the whole CD card up for internal storage. Does anyone have any insight on how to accomplish this - use part of the SD card for internal storage and part of it for storage that would be recognizable by Windows? Thank you very much.
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Click to collapse
You're trying to convert a partition in sd card as internal storage and leave the rest as an external storage. Not possible as far as I know.
TheMystic said:
You're trying to convert a partition in sd card as internal storage and leave the rest as an external storage. Not possible as far as I know.
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Click to collapse
Thats a bummer but that is what I was feeling was going to be the outcome. I guess I'll just go with it as internal storage then and be rlefated to wireless transfer of my books, etc. To the tablet. Any thoughts on why my Storage module keeps crashing now? Something definitely went nuts somewhere along the way here. It was running fine.. until I start poking around with this. I'll probably just do a rebuild again tonight.. if I can find my steps notes.
I also don't think it's possible to do what you have in mind. It's also important to remember that Windows will only mount the first partition of an SD card. It won't see any other partitions without 3rd party software installed.
JR1979 said:
Thats a bummer but that is what I was feeling was going to be the outcome. I guess I'll just go with it as internal storage then and be rlefated to wireless transfer of my books, etc. To the tablet. Any thoughts on why my Storage module keeps crashing now? Something definitely went nuts somewhere along the way here. It was running fine.. until I start poking around with this. I'll probably just do a rebuild again tonight.. if I can find my steps notes.
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Click to collapse
The reason people want a micro SD card is to be able to move it around between devices, so it is not a good idea to convert it into 'internal storage' for two reasons:
1. You can no longer move the card around (not without reformatting it again).
2. This process would significantly slow down the system if the OS starts saving apps, data and files on the micro SD card because it sees this space as internal storage.
Because of how you partitioned the SD card and tried converting only a part of it as internal storage, my guess is the process caused corruption somewhere, and the system is crashing because of that. I'm afraid you'll have to do a factory reset and start from scratch. I hope your files are safe.
JR1979 said:
I'm using a 400GB SD card. I saw a comment about creating 2 different partitions on it as I want to use part of it for app storage and the other part for file storage, The second partition would be exFAT so I can remove the card and transfer my books, music, etc. to it by attaching the SD card to my laptop as I understand that Windows would not be able to recognize the partition that would be formatted as internal storage. I did format the SD card using my laptop as two separate partitions. My Samsung Galaxy Tab A saw both partitions. I selected the 96GB partition as I wanted to use that for app storage and selected the option to use it as internal storage. Unfortunately when I did that, it appears that the system set the whole CD card up for internal storage. Does anyone have any insight on how to accomplish this - use part of the SD card for internal storage and part of it for storage that would be recognizable by Windows? Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should NEVER use an SD card for internal storage. They are MUCH to slow for that purpose. Today's SoC have RAM chips mounted directly on top and are several times faster than the fastest SD card bus. And low end tablets, which includes ALL Tab A devices, use a USB bus with limited bandwidth. So using faster SD cards is pointless as they will still only be as fast as the bus. SD cards are fine for storing video, audio, text and downloaded files, but NOT for running apps. Doing so will cause the device to be laggy at best, and cause crashes at worst.
blaacksheep said:
I also don't think it's possible to do what you have in mind. It's also important to remember that Windows will only mount the first partition of an SD card. It won't see any other partitions without 3rd party software installed.
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Click to collapse
The two partitions on the USB flash drive can be seen* in Windows without third-party software.
*I don't have an English Windows interface.
ze7zez said:
The two partitions on the USB flash drive can be seen* in Windows without third-party software.
*I don't have an English Windows interface.
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Click to collapse
I meant that it won't mount the second partition, although you can see it in Disk Manager.
blaacksheep said:
I meant that it won't mount the second partition, although you can see it in Disk Manager.
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Click to collapse
Windows 10 mounts both of these partitions, assigns them letters and you can use them (read and write).
ze7zez said:
Windows 10 mounts both of these partitions, assigns them letters and you can use them (read and write).
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Click to collapse
I stand corrected! Previous versions of Windows could not do that.
ze7zez said:
The two partitions on the USB flash drive can be seen* in Windows without third-party software.
*I don't have an English Windows interface.
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Click to collapse
Something strange in that attachment. Since when do Android SD cards have NTFS partitions? As far as I know, the internal storage partitions that Windows couldn't read were formated as Ext3 or Ext4 and the external as either FAT32 or exFAT.
lewmur said:
Something strange in that attachment. Since when do Android SD cards have NTFS partitions? As far as I know, the internal storage partitions that Windows couldn't read were formated as Ext3 or Ext4 and the external as either FAT32 or exFAT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't suggest the volume label. Partition K: is FAT. The example shows that Windows can show two partitions on a USB stick.
ze7zez said:
Don't suggest the volume label. Partition K: is FAT. The example shows that Windows can show two partitions on a USB stick.
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Click to collapse
Of course it can. It can show several. But NOT the two partitions created on an Android SD card because one of then is formated in a file system Windows doesn't recognize and that is what the poster was talking about.
edit: Disk Manager will actually show the partition but it won't be assigned a drive letter because Windows can't mount it.