Database Users

[Q] CM7 SD Boot - Can you expand EXT4

I've had a lot of success creating a bootable CM7 using the size agnostic preparation instructions. (Here) I want to keep the Nook at stock, for a variety of reasons. Anyway, I created a very nice installation on a 16gb uSD card and did a lot of work setting up LP+ and my hundred-odd android apps. (I also have an Evo 4G). I was fortunate enough to get a 32gb uSD at a great price and want to move my installation over to that. The most successful by making an image with the Win32DriveImage and flashing that back to the 32gb uSD card, which leaves a large area of un-partitioned space. I've tried a couple downloaded tools but have been unsuccessful. Is there a command I can use in Terminal Emulator to to do that? I know I can use the agnostic procedure to start from scratch, but I'd really hate to do that.
The only thing that would make starting over is if someone can point me to instructions that would allow me to have an installation that boots from uSD and has fully functional CWR and Rom Manager. I love how it works on my EVO to download and install updates with a couple clicks. (Everything I've tried there seems to mess with the core Nook).
Thanks a lot!
Rob

Use Minitool Partition Wizard, or another windows partition manager to expand the last storage partition.

LBN1 said:
Use Minitool Partition Wizard, or another windows partition manager to expand the last storage partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. I tried a few partition managers and run into the same problem including with MiniTool. It will start the process of expanding or copying and expanding in one step, but it will eventually say "file system error" just before it finishes. It suggests repairing the file system, but none of the tools can do this with the ext4 partition. Still trying though. Gonna give the Acronis partition manager a whirl.

bitbearmi said:
Is there a command I can use in Terminal Emulator to to do that? I know I can use the agnostic procedure to start from scratch, but I'd really hate to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can edit partitions with fdisk from the terminal emulator. I suggest googling, it's a pretty old school tool and isn't very friendly. You should easily be able to resize your "sd" partition with that. Actually more accurately you should be able to delete that last partition and then create a bigger one in it's place. won't keep your data, but you can just copy it over to your computer and resize, then copy back.
Another option would be gparted which comes with basically every live linux cd ever. That one can actually do true resizes and should handle ext4 partitions easily (it is a linux file system after all)
bitbearmi said:
The only thing that would make starting over is if someone can point me to instructions that would allow me to have an installation that boots from uSD and has fully functional CWR and Rom Manager. I love how it works on my EVO to download and install updates with a couple clicks. (Everything I've tried there seems to mess with the core Nook).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to start over. Get a new uboot.bin for your cards boot partition from here.
Then get the clockwordmod kernel and ramdisk from the zip at the end of this post. Put the uImage and uRamdisk on the sd card as uAltImg and uAltRam.
Now when you choose sd:alternate from the boot menu it will boot you into clockwork.

Thank you so much. I think that will do the trick.
..rob

ylixir said:
You don't need to start over. Get a new uboot.bin for your cards boot partition from here.
Then get the clockwordmod kernel and ramdisk from the zip at the end of this post. Put the uImage and uRamdisk on the sd card as uAltImg and uAltRam.
Now when you choose sd:alternate from the boot menu it will boot you into clockwork.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK. All is well and the dual-boot solution is super-convenient. But I'm a little perplexed as to how to work with CWM in this environment. Ideally I'd like this to work just as it does on my EVO, Rom Manager lets me know there is a new version, I select it, it downloads asks if an want Gapps and backup (yes please) then it does its thing. Maybe that is way too much to ask. If so, then the main things I need to know are how to instal an updated build that I download separately? Do I just copy it to the root of the boot partition.
Sorry for being such a n00b with the nook. Its funny but I'm much more confident messing with my phone, which if bricked, is pretty catastrophic. (LOL)

The instructions for updating CM7 for the agnostic build is in the OP's post for that build.
"How to update to a new build:
put the new build you want to try on the first partition. (the name must be update-cm-*.zip or cm_encore_full*.zip or just update-*.zip)
Boot from the SDcard in the recovery mode (see above) and the new snapshot would be installed.
The partition layout would be preserved, filesystems are NOT reformatted, so your data should be safe."
Also, Easeus Partition Manager is supposed to be able to resize partitions w/o destroying data. YMMV, of course. I used it to extend ext 4 but prior to putting anything there.

Didn't have any luck with easus either, but ended up using a gparted boot which worked great. Normally I would use recovery nandroid to backup the rom before installing the updated, but when I did that by booting into alternate, I ended up backing up the nook rom to the root partition, so I think the safest thing to do is to use win32diskmanager to image the entire sd card.

ylixir said:
You don't need to start over. Get a new uboot.bin for your cards boot partition from here.
Then get the clockwordmod kernel and ramdisk from the zip at the end of this post. Put the uImage and uRamdisk on the sd card as uAltImg and uAltRam.
Now when you choose sd:alternate from the boot menu it will boot you into clockwork.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, just to make absolutely sure, if I already have CM7 installed on an SD card, which I've been using as a daily driver, installing apps, downloading Kindle books, PDFs, and the like, but I want to put CWMR onto the SD card, the steps you outlined should be OK?
NOTE: I know, I know, if I'm confused I probably shouldn't be screwing around with things...But the size-agnostic SD CM7 method was so bloodless that I thought the other stuff would be pretty easy to do. For whatever reason, adding stuff like the OC kernel and CWMR has been a little confusing.

[GUIDE][07/07/11]How to Partition your SD Card

With the GingerSense ROM’s being the new hotness right now, there is a overwhelming amount of questions about partitioning. This guide is intended to help anyone that may want to partition their SD and not sure where to start. This information was gathered from The Mynions and posted several times in Myn’s Warm2p2 and Project Synergy threads. This guide was created while using Project Synergy RC1, which runs a CM script that has been modified. Come get assimilated!
Please, READ first before attempting if you are a noob, it’ll save you some gray(grey) hair. I am in no way responsible for any issues you have for following this guide, use at your own risk.
WARNING: This will erase EVERYTHING on your SD card so please transfer the contents of your SD card to a computer or external hard drive PRIOR TO starting this procedure.
1. Boot into recovery (hopefully you have amonRA v2.3)
2. Select "Partition SD Card". You will be prompted to set an amount for the SWAP, ext2 and FAT.
3. Enter zero for the SWAP size, 1024 or 2048 for ext2 and the rest for FAT*
4. After the process finishes, select "Upgrade ext2 to ext3"
5. When the process is complete, go to the wipe menu and wipe EVERYTHING in it.
6. From the main menu, select USB-MS (your phone should be connected to your PC) and copy the Synergy ROM(or your ROM of choice) to the root of your SD Card.**
7. Flash Synergy(or your ROM of choice)
8. Be patient at initial bootup because it can be quite long.
9. I recommend that your 3rd party apps be installed freshly from the market initially. They will automatically be place in the ext3 partition. You can verify it by checking to see that they are listed in the /system/sd/ folder which itself contains 3 folders: app, app-private & dalvik-cache.
After you have followed the directions to partition your card, followed by a flash of the rom and installation of your 3rd party apps & games, go to Menu-Settings-SD & phone storage and check your available internal storage space. If it is 300+, it is safe to assume that the built-in a2sd is working. Furthermore you will need a system level file manager to see the /system/sd/ folder. The Astro File Manager cannot see it.
*These sizes are only used for reference, but excellent choices. You may want to consider a swap partition, even though the stock HTC kernel does not support it. Future kernel development may take advantage of swap and doing so now can save the hassle of re-partitioning later. Food for thought.
**This guide was done while using THE Project Synergy ROM, however it should work across the board.
Hope this helps.
Special thanks to dougjamal, lowetax and all the Mynions helping out around the world (We Global!)

F.A.Q.
Q: Do I have to partition my card?
A: No. The main reason people partition is to take advantage of Apps2SD script. This allows for more internal memory and, depending on which version, control over various system settings (Ex.: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7021317&postcount=1).
Q: Do I need to format my SD Card after partition?
A: Actually, no. Will it hurt if you do? No. Creating partitions wipes the SD Card, sets up logical drives(partitions) and formats the space(or you couldn’t write to it). The time consuming part of partitioning is the Card formatting.
Q: Can I run the stock/android A2SD after partitioning?
A: No. The Apps2SD script is different from stock. Using the stock A2SD will give you problems.
Q: Can I do a nand restore after I partition?
A: No. Your SD card's file system has changed and you may experience unfavorable results.

Since there is no "thanks" on the mobile app. Nice guide.
EVO4G SALVAGEMOD TIAMAT YES

Do you need to do this every time you flash a rom?

Chris 2155 said:
Do you need to do this every time you flash a rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.. it's just like windows partitions.. Once they are setup you don't have to redo them. Just wipe the data and reinstall...

interloper said:
Since there is no "thanks" on the mobile app. Nice guide.
EVO4G SALVAGEMOD TIAMAT YES
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I appreciate it.

Since the stock Kernel doesn't support Swap, after first boot, go to terminal, type Su then enter, then type a2sd check.
It will probably say swap not running at boot. It should say that the partition is present and a bunch of other things.
Next type a2sd swappy10 then enter.
Now type a2sd reswap.
If you get an error, you can run a2sd reinstall which will reboot your phone.
Go back to terminal and type Su and then a2sd reswap.
Should be good to go, but you have to run the reswap after every boot til we get custom kernels.
Swyped From The Hippest Phone Using XDA Premium

Chris 2155 said:
Do you need to do this every time you flash a rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As answered, no. Remember however, when you do a wipe now, include SDEXT if you don't already.

Also might want to add in there to backup your SD to your computer so you won't lose any important files, music, or backups.
And after using cm or darktremmors a2sd do not use the Android a2sd or you will have problems.

HipKat said:
Since the stock Kernel doesn't support Swap, after first boot, go to terminal, type Su then enter, then type a2sd check.
It will probably say swap not running at boot. It should say that the partition is present and a bunch of other things.
Next type a2sd swappy10 then enter.
Now type a2sd reswap.
If you get an error, you can run a2sd reinstall which will reboot your phone.
Go back to terminal and type Su and then a2sd reswap.
Should be good to go, but you have to run the reswap after every boot til we get custom kernels.
Swyped From The Hippest Phone Using XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the added info HipKat! When we get custom kernels for GingerSense, I'm going to update the OP with swap instructions. I will use your info provided with it.

androidsupra said:
Also might want to add in there to backup your SD to your computer so you won't lose any important files, music, or backups.
And after using cm or darktremmors a2sd do not use the Android a2sd or you will have problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The warning was already there, i just put it in bold to stick out. I will add the stock A2SD info to the faq.
Thanks.

If I am already running Synergy but have not done this, can I just follow the steps and reboot phone or do I need to reflash the ROM to take advantage of the benefit? And if I need to reflash, can I just wipe cache and dalvik or is a total wipe required.
Thanks for the instructions.

Dredz said:
*These sizes are only used for reference, but excellent choices. You may want to consider a swap partition, even though the stock HTC kernel does not support it. Future kernel development may take advantage of swap and doing so now can save the hassle of re-partitioning later. Food for thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn.. i wish i would have known this last night.. I would have added this part..lol

derrickj said:
If I am already running Synergy but have not done this, can I just follow the steps and reboot phone or do I need to reflash the ROM to take advantage of the benefit? And if I need to reflash, can I just wipe cache and dalvik or is a total wipe required.
Thanks for the instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have to reflash the rom, this WILL erase your entire SD Card. Total wipe required for best results.

one last question... after doing this.. when installing apps from market or whatever... you don't have to run an apps2sd app??? They just automatically install to the sd card???

yznhmr said:
Damn.. i wish i would have known this last night.. I would have added this part..lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm running a 2GB part on the OG 8GB card w/no swap. I always wipe everything when I flash a ROM. When we get custom kernels, i will flash the ROM with at the same time. Then I will get SWAP.

Chris 2155 said:
one last question... after doing this.. when installing apps from market or whatever... you don't have to run an apps2sd app??? They just automatically install to the sd card???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as long as the ROM you are flashing supports it.

Dredz said:
When we get custom kernels, i will flash the ROM with at the same time. Then I will get SWAP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh??

Dredz said:
Yes, as long as the ROM you are flashing supports it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what if it doesn't? Do you use the apps2sd app?

yznhmr said:
Huh??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bag. I will flash the ROM and The kernel at the same time. Since this requires a full wipe(by my standards anyway) I will re-partition then and designate a swap size.

[Q] Accessing CM7 SDcard while using standard Nook firmware

Just got my NC last week and thanks to this site have successfully been running CM7 (latest stable version) on a 16GB Sandisk class 4 card. I have put a few movies into a folder on the SDcard in a folder I created /MyFiles/videos. CM7 automatically found them and they playback fine.
For kicks, I booted into the emmc mode last night (running 1.3). I can browse my SDcard and see the /MyFiles/videos folder, but no files show up. Shouldn't I be able to see these files while booting with the standard Nook mode?

mogators1 said:
Just got my NC last week and thanks to this site have successfully been running CM7 (latest stable version) on a 16GB Sandisk class 4 card. I have put a few movies into a folder on the SDcard in a folder I created /MyFiles/videos. CM7 automatically found them and they playback fine.
For kicks, I booted into the emmc mode last night (running 1.3). I can browse my SDcard and see the /MyFiles/videos folder, but no files show up. Shouldn't I be able to see these files while booting with the standard Nook mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a SD CM7 sees as the "sdcard" is partition 4 on the card... stock does not see this partition... what stock is seeing is the first (or "boot") partition on the card.

DizzyDen said:
What a SD CM7 sees as the "sdcard" is partition 4 on the card... stock does not see this partition... what stock is seeing is the first (or "boot") partition on the card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. That's weird because I don't think I created the path /MyFiles/videos anywhere on the first partition but I was seeing that folder. Looks like my something is messed up though as I can't get my CM7 to even boot now. It just sits there spinning at the CM7 logo. Any ideas?

Another update. I put the SD card in a USB reader and put it in my Linux machine. It sees all 4 partitions and my files are still where I thought they were. The CM7 SDCARD partition has a /MyFiles/Videos with my movies in it and the /boot partition has a /My Files/Videos folder that is empty. So all of that explains why I couldn't see my files when booted into standard Nook mode, but I still can't boot into CM7. Please help.

Why did you created /My Files/Videos folder in the /boot partition?
First step would be delete them off.

votinh said:
Why did you created /My Files/Videos folder in the /boot partition?
First step would be delete them off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't even remember doing that, but it is possible that I did. Deleting those files didn't fix it.
I just remembered something else I did. When I was trying to boot into Nook mode, I forgot to hold in the nook key so it started booting into CM7. When it did that I held in the power button to turn it back off. That is probably what horked up my CM7.

Do you have a clean backup? Try that?
Worst case, redo your uSD

votinh said:
Do you have a clean backup? Try that?
Worst case, redo your uSD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I'm so new to this I haven't even looked into how to back it up. I downloaded the free version of Titanium backup but hadn't messed around with it yet.
I used Evergreen's method for installing with the size agnostic image. Is there a way to reinstall without wiping the uSD card and starting from scratch?

mogators1 said:
Unfortunately, I'm so new to this I haven't even looked into how to back it up. I downloaded the free version of Titanium backup but hadn't messed around with it yet.
I used Evergreen's method for installing with the size agnostic image. Is there a way to reinstall without wiping the uSD card and starting from scratch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try just putting the same nightly or stable build you used before on the boot partition and boot into verygreen's recovery mode.

DizzyDen said:
Try just putting the same nightly or stable build you used before on the boot partition and boot into verygreen's recovery mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that and it didn't work either. I've given up and just started over from scratch. Will have to look into a backup procedure. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Honestly, I didn't even know or remember how to make a copy if running off uSD.
Clone it, maybe?

Using the auto-recovery method on the SD card then the file must be called update-gb-*.zip for it to install it. It is also aware of files called gapps-gb-*.zip. Any other files will be ignored.
Providing the file is named like that then you should see it install it when powered up with N key pressed and recovery selected.

bobtidey said:
Using the auto-recovery method on the SD card then the file must be called update-gb-*.zip for it to install it. It is also aware of files called gapps-gb-*.zip. Any other files will be ignored.
Providing the file is named like that then you should see it install it when powered up with N key pressed and recovery selected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the auto recovery method?
I'm back up and running again so I'm ready to back this thing up.

mogators1 said:
What is the auto recovery method?
I'm back up and running again so I'm ready to back this thing up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just meant the recovery mechanism that comes with the SD boot. Powering up with N key on and selecting recovery boots into a mode where it will just install the zips I mentioned and not a full menu driven recovery mode where you can reformat partitions, select which zips to install etc.

He asked how to make a backup, not how to install or update.

[Q] Dual Boot from emmc and from internal storage

This was probably already covered by another thread but i have looked through dozens of posts and i haven't found an answer yet...
So i want to know how i can boot one rom (cm7) from internal storage and another rom (cm9) from emmc...
if possible, please provide some files and a guide...
THANKS
-David

davidmargolin said:
This was probably already covered by another thread but i have looked through dozens of posts and i haven't found an answer yet...
So i want to know how i can boot one rom (cm7) from internal storage and another rom (cm9) from emmc...
if possible, please provide some files and a guide...
THANKS
-David
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not difficult. Just follow these threads below.
First install CM7 to emmc per this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=12797652
Then install CM9 to SD per this thread (just substitute CM9 for CM7 in the instructions):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=12240928
Also you need to use my updated generic image file instead of the one in the link above. Get it here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23153010
If you want to use both systems with the same SD card so you don't have to swap cards all the time, follow these instructions:
After you have installed both of these systems, go to CM7 and using root explorer, edit the file vold.fstab in /etc. There will be a line there that includes 'sdcard auto' (without the quote). Change that to 'sdcard 4'. Save and reboot. Now both CM7 and CM9 will share the same media sdcard space. No need to swap cards between systems.
Also to determine which system boots, hold the n key while nothing and a boot menu will come up. Use it to select which system you want to boot to.
Sent from my Nook Color running ICS and Tapatalk

emmc and internal
heres the thing though... i dont want anything booting from my sd card... just from my internal storage and then my emmc...

davidmargolin said:
heres the thing though... i dont want anything booting from my sd card... just from my internal storage and then my emmc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why?
BTW, emmc and internal storage are the same thing.
edit: There are some really old threads that tell you how to repartition the nook so that you can have two systems on emmc. But that is no longer recommended due to many issues, including updating is difficult and repartitioning is risky.
edit2: If you are thinking you can install a system to the media partition of emmc ("internal storage"), it's not possible. The only way to get two systems internally (ie., without using an SD) is to repartition. The existing media partition is deleted and new system partitions are created to accommodate the new system files and then a new smaller media partition is recreated. But that is a very non-standard installation and most update- zips will not work with that setup. You have to use specially modified versions.
Sent from my Nook Color running ICS and Tapatalk

emmc
leapinlar said:
Why?
BTW, emmc and internal storage are the same thing.
edit: There are some really old threads that tell you how to repartition the nook so that you can have two systems on emmc. But that is no longer recommended due to many issues, including updating is difficult and repartitioning is risky.
Sent from my Nook Color running ICS and Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so why does my nook list emmc and internal seperately????
... look at the pic

davidmargolin said:
so why does my nook list emmc and internal seperately????
... look at the pic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at my edit2 above. That "internal storage" shown is just a partition of emmc (/data, which is part of emmc where your system data and apps are stored). And other systems cannot be installed there.
Why are you against SD installs?
edit: Just a little educating, emmc means Embedded MultiMedia Card. It is where everything is stored internally. It is partitioned into several partitions, /system, /data, /cache, and others. It creates a media partition to store your media and it calls that "emmc" on that picture you posted. and it calls the /data partition "internal storage". Very confusing for noobs.

merger
forget about dual booting for a sec...
can i merge the two partitions (internal + emmc) together...

davidmargolin said:
forget about dual booting for a sec...
can i merge the two partitions (internal + emmc) together...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, see my edit above.
Edit: But you can change the size of each by repartitioning. The old nooks came with a 1GB /data and a 5GB /media. The newer nooks come with 5GB /data and 1GB /media. Looking at your picture you have the old nook.

mnt/usbdisk
sorry... i dont know too much bout these things...
but what about the additional storage mnt/usbdisk (see picture)... whats that

davidmargolin said:
sorry... i dont know too much bout these things...
but what about the additional storage mnt/usbdisk (see picture)... whats that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is if you install a usb drive by attaching a special adapter and plugging in a usb flash drive.
If you want both CM9 and CM7, I highly recommend the scheme I listed in my first reply. It's what I use and it works great.

thanks
kk.. thanks alot... ill dual boot with sd...

davidmargolin said:
kk.. thanks alot... ill dual boot with sd...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After thinking about it, I would recommend reversing which is on emmc and which on SD. You will not be updating CM7 very often and likely updating CM9 a lot. It is easier to update emmc, so I would put CM9 on emmc and CM7 on SD.
Sent from my Nook Color running ICS and Tapatalk

gottcha
so i just use the disk image u gave me and write it to my sd card...
then i put cm7 on the card and the nook does the rest... right???

davidmargolin said:
so i just use the disk image u gave me and write it to my sd card...
then i put cm7 on the card and the nook does the rest... right???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, assuming when you said 'write' you meant burned the image using win32diskimager.
Sent from my Nook Color running ICS and Tapatalk

[Q] Cyanoboot Loading

I have CM7 installed on eMMC, and CM10 installed on an SD Card.
I was wondering how do I make the eMMC automatically boot first instead of the SD Card?
R800i. 'Nuff said.

There is a app in the play store from Dal "Nook Tweaks" that will allow you to set the boot order. And a collection of other things as well.
RoboticBuddy said:
I have CM7 installed on eMMC, and CM10 installed on an SD Card.
I was wondering how do I make the eMMC automatically boot first instead of the SD Card?
R800i. 'Nuff said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Might be complicated...
I have tried to get the Nook Tweaks app to change boot order in evry installation I've used, but with no luck. I do know that the first file read by the nook to boot is the uboot.bin in the first sdcard partition. If you could somehow recode that (make a backup first!) in the Nook's machine language, you could make it do just about whatever you want. Or you could ask one of the big Nookie devs to do it (fattire, eyeballer, krylon360, etc)
Good luck!
PS If you get that working, could you PM me with a link to it? Thanks.

thejrcrafter2 said:
I have tried to get the Nook Tweaks app to change boot order in evry installation I've used, but with no luck. I do know that the first file read by the nook to boot is the uboot.bin in the first sdcard partition. If you could somehow recode that (make a backup first!) in the Nook's machine language, you could make it do just about whatever you want. Or you could ask one of the big Nookie devs to do it (fattire, eyeballer, krylon360, etc)
Good luck!
PS If you get that working, could you PM me with a link to it? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to do any recoding of u-boot.bin. If you look at fattire's thread on CyanoBoot, (which is a modified u-boot.bin) you will learn how to put two files in the /rom partition to tell u-boot.bin how to boot. That is what Nook Tweaks does for you automatically.