Database Users

Downloaded SDRescan.. deleted all videos and messed up gallery app :(

So like i said in the title, i used the app SDRescan to force my phone to rescan media because i found that the gallery app was not automatically refreshing when i added new media to the phone.
I ran the app and a couple minutes later it finishes. Turns out it deleted ALL the phones videos (luckily no pictures). But the problem im having now is that the gallery app is not detecting any media on my phone. There are still pictures, and i readded a lot of my videos back, but the app is showing no media on the phone
I force closed the app, cleared it's data etc. I even formated my sd and put the files back on. Still it shows i have no media.
I thought about taking a new picture with the camera to see what would happen then, and guess what, now it shows i have 1 picture in the gallery. Is there a way i can get the gallery to see the other 1000 pictures i have taken? And all my videos?
edit: i downloaded the stock android gallery app but its the same in that app too. So it's not just HTC's app. Somehow android isnt recognizing my old media.

anybody? this is really killing me.
edit: did a factory reset and the problem persists What's have i done!

hmmmm this is an interesting one. ive had this before but i couldnt remember how i fixed it ...
what ROM are you using, or are you stock ?

SDRescan did nothing to your phone. Your are having problems with the stock Android Media Scanner in your phone. SDRescan does nothing else but notifies the Media Scanner to do it's job on demand, instead of on-boot or SD card mount. That's all it does.
So in short you are having problems with Android Media Scanner, try to look around in this area. I seen few reports on internet when media scanner deleted some files.

fkofilee said:
hmmmm this is an interesting one. ive had this before but i couldnt remember how i fixed it ...
what ROM are you using, or are you stock ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On stock... I really hope u remember, nothing I try is helping. Even after a factory reset which is weird

faugusztin said:
SDRescan did nothing to your phone. Your are having problems with the stock Android Media Scanner in your phone. SDRescan does nothing else but notifies the Media Scanner to do it's job on demand, instead of on-boot or SD card mount. That's all it does.
So in short you are having problems with Android Media Scanner, try to look around in this area. I seen few reports on internet when media scanner deleted some files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured the problem lies with the media scanner so I went into Settings > Manage Applications > Media Storage > clear data... but nothing changes.

http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3692
Isn't this your problem ?

I did have a .nomedia folder on my phone with some videos in and those were deleted. But also the videos in my DCIM folder were deleted. However im over that, my problem is that media scanner isnt picking any media.
I thought i would try another microsd card i had in my sister's mp3 player, and believe it or not android picked up the media. So somehow i think this SDRescan app damaged my sc card..

No, it didn't. Media Scanner has separate databases for each and every SD card. So it's the database for your old SD card which doesn't work, when you put in a new card a new indexing database was created for the ID of your new SD card.

This has happened to me a few times, all i do is find the file using "ES File Explorer" then select to open it with the default video player and it gets added to my library of videos
It's easy to do for a couple of vids, but not really practical if you've got like 10+

faugusztin said:
No, it didn't. Media Scanner has separate databases for each and every SD card. So it's the database for your old SD card which doesn't work, when you put in a new card a new indexing database was created for the ID of your new SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i see. but this index, is it not stored on the phone memory? because a factory reset still hasn't solved the problem. I also formatted the sd card, so shouldn't the phone recognize it as a new memory card then?

sromer said:
This has happened to me a few times, all i do is find the file using "ES File Explorer" then select to open it with the default video player and it gets added to my library of videos
It's easy to do for a couple of vids, but not really practical if you've got like 10+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that wil ES File explorer, and other explorers i have and it doesnt work for me.

It should. You don't have by any chance .nomedia file in root folder of the SD card, right ?

faugusztin said:
It should. You don't have by any chance .nomedia file in root folder of the SD card, right ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do. I'll try delete it and see if that helps
Edit: nope

You deleted it and what did you do next ? Did you started SDRescan or rebooted your phone ? Until the Media Scanner kicks in, there won't be any change.
The point is :
1) if you had a folder with data and then added the .nomedia file to it, then unfortunately thanks to the inner workings of the media scanner the file gets deleted instead of only removing the reference from database
2) the card will get indexed again only at boot, SD card insertion or when you execute apps like SDRescan which start the Media scanner manually.

yes! it works now!! thanks for all your help faugusztin!!
after i deleted the the .nomedia folder i did a restart and the problem persisted, but now (like two hours later) i just thought i would go and check the gallery app again and low and behold all my media appeared. Maybe the media scanner didnt finish or something idk. But im happy now
But i was under the impression that the .nomedia trick only blocks media from within that folder? Why was it blocking all my media?
Anyway thanks for all your help mate. really appreciated.

It does index, but it takes time.
It block media from that folder - and all subfolders. It is a sign which says "nothing to see there" - that includes the subfolders of that folder too. Since you had the file in root folder of the card, it didn't indexed anything.

I was too late...glad you got it sorted supreme.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

gallery issues..help

so ive tried several diff folders and loc. to place my photos in so gallery will recognize them...no luck. can someone tell me where they have their pics stored so gallery will display them. also, how can i get my books covers to not show in my gallery...thanks in advance. and yes, i did search first.

Are you updated to 3.1? I actually have my images on my external sdcard, but in 3.1 theres a Pictures folder, an eBooks folder, etc...I can't remember if it was configured differently in 3.0.

Download sdrescan from the market and after transfering pics use sdrescan...my pics showed up after that.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

Yeah... I'm on brd 3.1. ill try rescan..i had my pics in the pic folder but they aren't recognized. And my book covers are in my gallery too... gotta figure this out..

try this
First go to applications / all and find the gallery application. Clear data and force stop. Open the gallery and see if that worked.
If that doesn't work. go applications / all and find the media storage application. clear data. Then open the gallery. Fixed my weird gallery problems.

Gallery not showing all photos on SD card

When I open the HTC gallery app and select "Camera shots" it often only displays the first 15 photos and videos from the folder on the SD card (\SDCARD\DCIM\100Media). It does occasionally show more, but not always. Has anyone else noticed this behaviour? I'm sure of the content of this folder because when I use Astro file manager to open the folder I see all of the photos.
???

Doesn't happen on my desire z
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

Have just discovered that it's a common problem. I've now downloaded QuickPic and all is well....

Yes, I have that.
I have been moving the photos I take into a separate directory under DCIM, so as to separate them from the HTC example images, and this seems to force the gallery to rebuild its list of photos.
hopefully it'll be fixed in gingerbread update

I use Rescan Media which forces to rebuild the media db.
This problem is not related just to pictures, but to mp3's as well although not that common because usually you are not adding/removing music as much as pictures.

I have that same problem. Now using QuickPic as well and it works perfectly. That said, it shouldn't be necessary to install a 3rd party gallery just to make sure you see all photos.
One minor glitch with QP, though, is it will not allow me to upload videos to YouTube. For that I have to use the HTC gallery app.
I really hope the issue gets fixed with the Gingerbread update.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

I was starting to think I was going mad and hadn't actually taken some pictures. Just installed rescan media and the missing pictures have reappeared.
Thanks.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Go to the directory and delete the .thumbnails directory, that will rebuild the cache. It works for me.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Yeah but rescan media is quicker.
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

trundlenut said:
I was starting to think I was going mad and hadn't actually taken some pictures. Just installed rescan media and the missing pictures have reappeared.
Thanks.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you direct me to it? Its not showing up in the Market.

Something is very wrong.
To refresh for those that do not know...
Yesterday, I took about 100+ important pix. None of them saved. Only two videos were saved.
When I brought everything from the Gallery to the comp, there are 340 files totalling 2.31gb.
The past hour, I was instructed to try to duplicate the situation, so I took a bunch of pix and videos. Reached over 340 files. After doing a long video, I checked the Gallery to discover all the pix disappeared leaving only the videos.
So I hooked it up to the comp and browse through...they are all gone.
Something is very wrong here and this needs to be pinpointed and fixed.

i a having this same problem on a fresh wipe and install of rc1. but before i had rc1 this did not happen so i do not know what i did different this time around.

I found this problem last night, im on stock rom. Turned my phone off last night and this morning all files were visible. So, try rebooting phone and see mate.
Sent from my Desire Z

Its easier to use the Rescan Media app than restarting the phone. But thunderokc says that his pics are actually physically missing from the sd card, now that is a huge problem. In the usual case only the cache is corrupted, so its enough to rebuild it. But even after that, after some time they can disappear again for no reason..
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

cartman09 said:
I use Rescan Media which forces to rebuild the media db.
This problem is not related just to pictures, but to mp3's as well although not that common because usually you are not adding/removing music as much as pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great tip, thx!
My phone kept losing it's ringtones all the time... hope this works.

ive rebooted, change permisions reinstalled gallery 3d, used rescan any other tips nothing is working.

2nd this.. Rescan media solves my exact same problem
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

tvdang7 said:
ive rebooted, change permisions reinstalled gallery 3d, used rescan any other tips nothing is working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how about the standard gallery? Also check your SD card, see if those pics are really there (check it on a pc). I am not sure, but a wipe doesn't remove also all stuff from the sd card?

i have the same problem... Gallery and mp3 appear and disappear randomly.. Quickpic solves the gallery problem , but for me is impossible set a mp3 file as ringtone.
If i use rescan media the phone sees the mp3 and i can use it , but after a while the files disappear from sd (they are still in sd but the phone doesn't see them) and is set the default ringtones.

Try copying some more mp3 files. Usually "just" some of the latest media disappears. Yes this very stupid&annoying and as far as I know its still not fixed in the latest update...
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

Gallery issues

For the life of me I can't get the gallery to refresh after I add pictures to my pictures folder. Am I missing something or is this yet another bug?
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

Took me 2 days to get some imported cam pics to show up.
Try killing the gallery in the task manager. Also try rebooting.
Android gallery has always been crap if not for picasa integration it would be totally useless. Try quick pic. Ugly but very functional.

Thanks..... I tried killing with task manager but no go.
Maybe I should just use Picasso... good lord.
I tried 3d gallery and it wont display correctly at all. Ill check out that apple you mentioned.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

Quick pick will work great for me. Thanks again.
Is there any app to view JUST Picasso pics that you know of?
*edit* Picasso tool works, but osmotic made for tab.. either way better than the pic delay of the stock gallery.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

Did you copy it from pc to tablet or form different location on your tablet to gallery folder?
If the second option don't use any file managers from the market. Instead use file manager that is included in touchwiz.
Don't know why but all other file managers don't move cache when moving photos.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

I did not use the stock file explorer, I used file explorer HD and in this case copied from SD card to the pictures folder.
Ya know, I like the idea of using qucik pic and picassa tool. I can upload to picassa from quick pic and when viewing I can use picassa tool, gallery, web , etc...
With quick pic I can easily hide or remove folders so I don't have this cluster of unwanted pics
I just demo ed the gallery from my media folder all together.
Kind of lame but it is what it is. ...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App

Use stock explorer and you will notice that there is no problem with photos. Don't know why but I didn't have this problem on transformer.. Weird
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

Android uses an internal database to remember multi-media files (pics, music and video) so that built-in apps like Gallery, Music and Video players can show them regardless which folder they are located. If you copied any such type of files to the tab using 3rd party tools that does not trigger media scanning, those files will never show up in these apps until next time media scanning runs.
On my Samsung Galaxy S phone, such media scanning is done everytime you power up the phone or disconnect the USB connection in mass storage mode. It is a slow and painful process on the phone.
On my GT 10.1, this process has been some what improved mainly because there is no USB mass storage mode. The default MTP mode will automatically update the database when file transfer occurs. The built-in File Explore can also properly update the database. But if you use 3rd party tool, chances are they will never trigger a media scanning process.
It doesn't matter which folder you copied your pictures into.

foxbat121 said:
Android uses an internal database to remember multi-media files (pics, music and video) so that built-in apps like Gallery, Music and Video players can show them regardless which folder they are located. If you copied any such type of files to the tab using 3rd party tools that does not trigger media sync ( file scanning), those files will never show up in these apps until next time file scanning runs.
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Click to collapse
Don't want to sound like I'm shooting the messenger here... But... that sucks.
Really, I already have too many options to "open with". The last thing I want to do is remember to use the original file explorer to deal with pictures.
I'm really started to be reminded of a certain apple product... you need an app for that.
If someone just streamlined all the apps to work as one they'd have my money.
In any event thanks for your reply....

Media scanning is part of Android OS design. This is poorly designed and poorly implemented, IMO. On my phone, everytime I power up the phone, it renders my phone unresponsive for a minute or two (depending on how many files and whether or not I have an external SD card). The scanning process needs to scan the entire file system to make sure every media file is indexed in the database.

FWIW I worked around this issue with one of the random market apps for SD updating. There's a number that work, basically it just initiates a refresh manually. Alternately you can plug it into your PC with USB and then unplug it.

Got the name of any of those apps?
I realized you can't change the lock screen from anything but the stock gallery.....
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App

SDRescan, one of the oldest, still usefull apps in the market.
Rescan Media, pretty much the same app with a nicer icon and an auto quit option.

[Q] New Media files not showing up in Gallery or Music Player.

Just found out this particular problem a few days back. When I add new pictures or music to my tablet either in the tablet or the external SD card, it is not showing up in the gallery or the music player. The files however are there when i use a file explorer to view them. The images can be opened with the gallery or any other image app. Music files can be browsed using a file explorer and played with the stock music player or any other music player app. But it just doesn't show up in the gallery or Music player list.
I've tried refreshing the music library, have formatted my SD card but to no avail. Someone suggested to delete the .no media extension from the music player file, but that didn't helped too.
Any suggestions to this problem?

I had the same problem. You can try to delete the cache in settings/apps this should help.
However I found out the stock gallery sometimes takes VERY long to update pics on sd card. By very I am talking about probably hours.
Other gallery apps like "QuickPic" don't have that problem. You can try if quickpic works while stock gallery does not, then it is caused by the mentioned problem.

boelze said:
I had the same problem. You can try to delete the cache in settings/apps this should help.
However I found out the stock gallery sometimes takes VERY long to update pics on sd card. By very I am talking about probably hours.
Other gallery apps like "QuickPic" don't have that problem. You can try if quickpic works while stock gallery does not, then it is caused by the mentioned problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried deleting the cache, but it didn't work. So I flashed my device with the original stock rom. Only then was I able to get back everything. Thanks a lot for suggesting quickpix though. It's a wonderful app.

Try media fix from the market

I use fastreboot program, so that the gallery will refresh, OR you can try, go to settings>applications>manage applications>all then search for the gallery then tap on FORCE Stop, then try to open the gallery again, this should initiate the media scan. if all else fails, use quickpic app for pictures

If you have any trouble with media not showing up, clear the Media Storage data. Settings -> Applications -> All -> Media Storage -> Clear Data. It'll rescan everything properly after that.

Check for any hidden files called NOMEDIA
if put in a folder (no extension) the folder will not be indexed.
Useful if you dont want all the icons of an app indexed.