Database Users

Any way to use Vibrant's SD card without installing drivers on school computer?

I was wondering if theres any way to do this so I could use the phone's SD card as sort of a plug & play USB flash drive for school. The school computers don't allow installing the drivers. Thanks.
Or does anyone know of a way that I can get my USB flash drive to auto-sync with my Dropbox folder when I plug it in, instead of manually having to copy everything eveytime?

Just plug it up and mount the sd. You don't have to install drivers for that. Also disable us debugging mode.

That's what I thought so that's what I did.. But the drive wouldn't show up and instead the computer asked for an administrators password to install system drivers. Oh well.

If your school has wifi, you can use an FTP server like SwiFTP or EStrongs File Explorer, both of which are available for free in the android market. This will allow you to browse the contents of your /sdcard and /sdcard/sd from a browser window or even windows explorer.

How do I navigate to the USB drive?

I had it at one time but because I'm an Android newbie, I have no idea where to look.
Using Astro or ES.

rorytmeadows said:
I had it at one time but because I'm an Android newbie, I have no idea where to look.
Using Astro or ES.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's ok, we all start somewhere right?
Load up astro hit home then up and your usb storage device is whatever is in usb_storage. Remember to give it a few secs to detect it and prepare the drive.
Your SD card (internal) is sdcard and your microsd is external_sd.
GL.
Hope this helps.

Neoprimal said:
It's ok, we all start somewhere right?
Load up astro hit home then up and your usb storage device is whatever is in usb_storage. Remember to give it a few secs to detect it and prepare the drive.
Your SD card (internal) is sdcard and your microsd is external_sd.
GL.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! Thanks.

Is it possible to access the micro SD card through a computer? When exploring the acer drive after plugging it in you can see all the stuff on the internal memory but can't get to the external_sdcard folder.

at the moment i dont think this is possible but give it a few days and it might be a possibility.

tuffghost said:
Is it possible to access the micro SD card through a computer? When exploring the acer drive after plugging it in you can see all the stuff on the internal memory but can't get to the external_sdcard folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can purchase (I think it was a whole $1.50) an app called WiFi File Explorer. It sets your tablet with its own IP address from whatever source you are using for WiFi. Then you access your SD Card by entering in the IP address line in your browser. The app will give you the exact address line to enter into your browser.
Its like a virtual FTS server actually. Works like a charm. If you are worried about security, you can require a password.

Accessing external sd and usb drives
It is possible to access the SD and USB drives using a file manager such as Astro or Estrongs. The drives can be found in the main directory under subdirectory /mnt.
Hope this helps. I had the same problem at first.
Tam the Bam

tuffghost said:
Is it possible to access the micro SD card through a computer? When exploring the acer drive after plugging it in you can see all the stuff on the internal memory but can't get to the external_sdcard folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to Acer, that isn't possible right now. Not that I'm inclined to believe them, but the manual is pretty thorough and I decided to go through every page and it clearly states "Transferring files from a microSD card to your PC.
Remove the card from the tablet and use a card reader or USB adapter to access the card as an external storage device."
I'm REALLY hoping they address this in an update. I thought it was a Honeycomb limitation due to the Xoom but Asus has addressed it by looping it as a folder in the internal storage so I mean, Acer and Xoom should be able to do that as well. Unless there are unforeseen problems with doing that? /shrug.

USB and a camera
Thanks for starting this thread! I'm also a newb and I have Astro and ES installed (now).
I am trying to read images from my camera (Nikon D3). When I attach the USB and turn on the camera the A500 says scanning for media. But none shows up in the photo browser (I'm sure I need a better viewer and suggestions are welcome!). When using ES or Astro and navigating to the usb_storage directory it shows as empty.
For background, the D3 holds 2 CF cards with the 2nd typically used as overflow and both are 8GB. Each card normally just has a DCIM directory with photos in one or more directories below that.
Once I connected up the A500, on one of the cards 2 additional directories were created (the one without any images currently) called .android_secure and LOST.DIR. I can't see any of these directories on the A500 or any of the images (all .jpg). I plugged into my laptop for this info.
I am trying not to have to carry my laptop anymore so any suggestions, ideas or research resources would be appreciated.

I've run into a HUGE issue. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this.
The files on my USB flash drives begins to get erased/deleted if it is still connected to the tablet when the device is activated from hibernation mode. I don't know if the file explorer apps are causing this bug. I've used Linda File Manager and Astro and 3 different USB drives to test this. I've even restored my tablet to factory settings.

Hello,
I have also problems navigating the usb drive.As mentioned above I found the dir but it shows (Directory empty).Im using a 8gb transcend flash drive.On 128mb flash drive there is no problem viewing and accesing the files.Any other have the same problem or solution?
I change the file system from NTFS to FAT32 and it works now(such a stupid user Ive become)

[Q] Question re: USB Disk drive

OK, I just downloaded and installed the 3.1 update, running stock OS.
CONFIG
I have a 32GB A500 which I assume is main memory / SSD. I also added a 32GB micro SDHC chip in it, and for testing, an 8GB thumb drive in the large USB port. They all show up in system Settings,
When I have had the A500 connected via the mini-USB port, the memory / SSD shows up, but not the sdhc card, and not a thumb drive if i plug that in (when I look at it as an extended drive)
Some applications can see memory / SSD, and the micro SDHC chip. For example, ES File Explorer has a tab which cycles between the memory / SSD file system, and that on the SHDC chip. It doesn't include USB storage.
QUESTION
First, I'd like to confirm that something (anything) can read the USB file system.
Next, I am looking for a utility that would allow me to see all three file systems: main/SSD, SDHC, and USB, and move things back and forth between them, and to/from my PC as well. Recommendations?

As far as I know there is nothing that will allow you to read the 'external' drives from PC. This was supposed to be fixed in 3.1 (just another thing borked..), so go figure when or IF it'll ever be available.
Incidentally, my 2.2 Archos 101 did all that perfectly, but the new android versions won't, funny eh?

Assuming he has the proper drivers installed, what if he went micro usb connected to pc and thumb drive in tablet. He could read/transfer files from thumb to tablet and have the pc read/transfer to/from the tablet. If that makes sense or helps.

Get a file explorer and go to the mnt directory. the internal, external and usb storage are all there.

I guess I'd be happy with an answer to the first question below, happier with an answer to the second:
1. Is there any app, running on the tablet, which will allow me to see the file system on a USB thumbdrive? Which one. It's odd to me that I can see the drive, apparently properly formed, in the tablet "system settings" app, but (so far) haven't seen how to get at it myself, and haven't found an app which access it either.
2. Is there an application, running on the PC, or an app running on the tablet, which let's me see the file systems on tablet, tablet's sdhc chip, thumb drive and PC storage in a unified way, so I can move things around without unplugging stuff? That is harder, but one of those networked file access utilities might do it.

GCurry said:
I guess I'd be happy with an answer to the first question below, happier with an answer to the second:
1. Is there any app, running on the tablet, which will allow me to see the file system on a USB thumbdrive? Which one. It's odd to me that I can see the drive, apparently properly formed, in the tablet "system settings" app, but (so far) haven't seen how to get at it myself, and haven't found an app which access it either.
2. Is there an application, running on the PC, or an app running on the tablet, which let's me see the file systems on tablet, tablet's sdhc chip, thumb drive and PC storage in a unified way, so I can move things around without unplugging stuff? That is harder, but one of those networked file access utilities might do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I use Root Explorer and I can see the USB Storage in the MNT directory in the root of the device.
2) from the PC, adb i assume, but i've never done this. For network, try Samba server - https://market.android.com/details?id=com.funkyfresh.samba&feature=search_result.

GCurry said:
I guess I'd be happy with an answer to the first question below, happier with an answer to the second:
1. Is there any app, running on the tablet, which will allow me to see the file system on a USB thumbdrive? Which one. It's odd to me that I can see the drive, apparently properly formed, in the tablet "system settings" app, but (so far) haven't seen how to get at it myself, and haven't found an app which access it either.
2. Is there an application, running on the PC, or an app running on the tablet, which let's me see the file systems on tablet, tablet's sdhc chip, thumb drive and PC storage in a unified way, so I can move things around without unplugging stuff? That is harder, but one of those networked file access utilities might do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To answer the first one, no, there is no application to read the external data drives.
As for the second, to transfer files between these, you need to get a file explorer like Root Explorer. The multimedia apps have the ability to access the external data drives so if you want to store music and/or movies on them, you do not have to use up your internal memory.
Hope that answered your question.

Does 3.1 add ntfs support??....if not can I make it support without rooting my tab??
Sent from my XT720 using XDA App

Root explorer works great, so does File Manager HD

GCurry said:
OK, I just downloaded and installed the 3.1 update, running stock OS.
QUESTION
First, I'd like to confirm that something (anything) can read the USB file system.
Next, I am looking for a utility that would allow me to see all three file systems: main/SSD, SDHC, and USB, and move things back and forth between them, and to/from my PC as well. Recommendations?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Astro, in Astro I see them all. Home, Up and you'll see all the storage areas.
Astro will allow you to move things back and forth between SD, USB and Internal storage.
Nothing that I know of, will allow you to directly view your USB or MicroSD using your PC, by directly I mean through the microusb connection.
There's an app called Wifi File Explorer Pro which may allow you to see them on the PC however I'm not certain as I never used it extensively and may be more trouble than it's worth as you'll have to open a port in your router for it to work properly.
Hope this helps.

Any file manager can access /mnt/external_sd and /mnt/usb_storage.
Drive mount or USB mount all can mount ntfs drives. Must be rooted.
Can only access internal memory front PC. End of story until google/Acer fixes it.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

Euclid's Brother said:
Any file manager can access /mnt/external_sd and /mnt/usb_storage.
Drive mount or USB mount all can mount ntfs drives. Must be rooted.
Can only access internal memory front PC. End of story until google/Acer fixes it.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on 3.1 ota and I wanted to root it for ntfs support.....but don't want to void my warranty.....(weather here is too humid so generally all electronic devices don't work or something or the other happens to them)...so I will unroot later to claim my warranty.....what else can I do with root.....(no custom roms..).......
Sent from my XT720 using XDA App

1. Is there any app, running on the tablet, which will allow me to see the file system on a USB thumbdrive? Which one. It's odd to me that I can see the drive, apparently properly formed, in the tablet "system settings" app, but (so far) haven't seen how to get at it myself, and haven't found an app which access it either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any file system application (ASTRO, Root Explorer) can access all storage devices in your system. The location for the storage devices is /mnt.
Note that the /mnt/sdcard directory is actually a FUSE mount of /data/local
The directories related to storage are:
/mnt/sdcard - a FUSE image of /data/local. This is internal storage.
/mnt/external_sd - The microSD card. Must be FAT32.
/mnt/usb_drive - A USB drive of some sorts...can be a thumb drive or a hard drive. Not sure about 3.1, but 3.0.1 needed this drive to be FAT32.
2. Is there an application, running on the PC, or an app running on the tablet, which let's me see the file systems on tablet, tablet's sdhc chip, thumb drive and PC storage in a unified way, so I can move things around without unplugging stuff? That is harder, but one of those networked file access utilities might do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answer...other than ADB, no (until Acer fixes that). When you mount your tablet to your PC, you are connecting to a FUSE partition, which is an image of /data/local. You can transfer files between /data/local (via FUSE partition) and your PC. Unfortunately, because you are accessing a FUSE partition, you are restricted to only /data/local (so you can't get to /mnt). ADB is a known exception (as it uses USB Debugging to access the tablet), but that isn't graphical at all (all command line, which means it is a lot of typing).

op mentioned ES file explorer
Use it myself - as I really like the interface and the LAN access works great for me.
You can see all your storage devices from es explorer
/mnt/sdcard = internal memory
/mnt/external_sd = microsd card
/mnt/USB_drive = USB based storage device
If you want to mount ntfs you need to root.

[Q] Sideloading/accessing folders in SD

I have built an SD bootable CM7 card as described by verygreen, but when I try to create folders on that drive from my PC (filled with APK files) I can't see them on the Nook. I have no problem doing this on my rooted emmc Nook, but when I boot to an SD card (that I am setting up for my daughter's Nook) I can't access any other folders/files.
What am I doing wrong? (The box is checked allowing Unknown Sources and I am currently running 177).

Are you connecting the nook via USB or putting the SD card in your computer directly?
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

The card is placed in a usb card reader (or a usd card reader), either one sees the files on the PC, but it will not find it on the nook. Even when I create a folder on the nook and move the disk over and copy a file into the new folder I can't see it on the nook.

You need to connect through the nook
Sent from my LG Optimus V using Tapatalk

Littlewhat said:
The card is placed in a usb card reader (or a usd card reader), either one sees the files on the PC, but it will not find it on the nook. Even when I create a folder on the nook and move the disk over and copy a file into the new folder I can't see it on the nook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is because the partition the computer sees is the boot partition... to access it in the nook... either in terminal or adb shell:
1. mkdir /sdcard/boot
2. mount /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 /sdcard/boot/
the items on the boot partition of the SD (including the folders and apks you put there) will be visible as /sdcard/boot
Pretty sure you'd have found it in the VG SASD thread and a few others... since I have posted this several times.

Thanks for the response. I'm not real familiar with ADB so I tried it with terminal and was able to create a directory but mounting gave me a 'permission denied' message.
(Sorry if this is old info, I've spent the morning combing the SASD thread and haven't found it yet, just too much info, thanks for taking the time to help some of us who are slower learners!)
Edit: learning slowly, used su to get into superuser (#) and made directory, but when I try to mount it says not found.

Littlewhat said:
I have built an SD bootable CM7 card as described by verygreen, but when I try to create folders on that drive from my PC (filled with APK files) I can't see them on the Nook. I have no problem doing this on my rooted emmc Nook, but when I boot to an SD card (that I am setting up for my daughter's Nook) I can't access any other folders/files.
What am I doing wrong? (The box is checked allowing Unknown Sources and I am currently running 177).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you asked this question 2 weeks ago, I might able to give you the exact answer but since I wiped out the uSD CM7, I can't remember correctly what would happen.
However, based on my experience (+/- my memory loss), what you describe is all correct and that's what it is. Odd? Maybe, but don't panic.
Let's go slowly
when I try to create folders on that drive from my PC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you meant you created a folder in the "boot" partition on the uSD card?
a. if so, it's not recommended. Using the left over FAT32 partition instead
b. if so, try to use Root Folder app (it's a paid app) to access root folder (boot partition) directly on the NOOK. If you see the folder you created earlier, move it to the eMMC storage.
c. if not, pls tell us more

Yes, the SD card was accessed on my PC thru a USB adapter and a folder called 'APKs' was created in the boot sector. (I have also tried just adding the files into one of the other folders, but anything I add is invisible to the Nook).
So if I need to create a folder in other than the boot sector, I would need to use something like Easeus Partition Master to make that sector active and then create the folder and add appropriate files? (When I rooted my Nook directly to emmc it sure seemed a lot easier to access folders created by my PC.)
(Thanks again for all your help.)

That's much clearer, m8
Now, I think it's easier to get straighten.
1. From PC, using SD slot or usb-sd adapter, move (remove) the "APKs" folder off your NC to your PC, save it there, then eject the uSD off PC.
2. Insert the uSD into the NC and turn it on, make sure it boots into CM7 properly.
3. Wait until it completely load. Now using usb cable to connect the NC and the PC.
4. Watch the notification status bar on the NC, tap on it then turn on usb mass storage.
5. PC should recognize the NC and ready for use.
6. Move your "APKs" folder from PC into your uSD (it would probably named as CM7SDCARD)
Update: on item 6, I prefer to move the folder to the eMMC storage. I'm not 110% sure if the NC see "it" (it means the left-over FAT32 partition on the uSD card) or not, but I do believe, 99% it will.

Deleted folder on SD card (from PC) and verified reboot ok.
Connected USB cable to PC then to Nook, no notification bar comes up, but battery icon shows charging as well as the lighted n on the cable.
Tried to use Nook Tweaks to begin USB connection (both boxes checked).
Still no recognition from the PC that anything is connected.
Edit: I am using my rooted Nook to build this SD card for my daughter's new unrooted Nook and when I plug the rooted Nook into the PC I don't get any verification from the PC on it either. No change on the Nook either, just the charging light and icon indicator.

Tried to use Nook Tweaks to begin USB connection (both boxes checked).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the NC with me now so I don't know what "both boxes" are and need to be checked or not.

The USB Settings from Nook Tweaks has a "USB Host Mode" (to enable host mode to connect peripherals) and an "External VBus" (to allow charging and hosting).
Both boxes were checked.
I've read that some of these issues can be caused by a faulty cable. If so, are there other alternatives to connecting thru the cable to open this up.
I have also tried the MiniTool partition program but I have not been successful in getting the active partition to 'stick' . (It immediately reverts back to the root being active after I apply the changes.)

You definitely have to UNCHECK the "USB Host Mode".
I'm not so sure with the "External VBus" status but suggest leave it by default.

With nothing checked in the Nook Tweaks section, USB cable connected to the Nook and then the PC, there is no recognition or acknowledgment that the Nook is there from the PC. (This is true whether I use my rooted version or try after booting to the sd card.)
If it is a cable problem, I will need to replace that, but aren't there other ways to make the sd card usable?
I've tried making the 4th partition action using Minitool and also Easeus but it didn't work. (Minitool just reverts back to boot partition active immediately after I apply the changes.)

Slow down, MiniTool and partitioning have nothing to do with this. Don't make more mess.
a. when plugging NC to PC, do you see any indication on the NC's status bar? like usb debugging?
b. when plugging NC to PC, do you see any indication on the PC (running Windows)? like removable drive?

There is no indication on the PC of any new connection.
The only indication on the Nook is the lighted n at the end of the cable and the recharging icon in the status bar.
Edit: the reason I was providing info on the MiniTools experience I was having is because my original question was how to access a folder (and files) created on my sd-bootable disk on my PC but the Nook can't see it. One way to accomplish this is to write the folder/apks directly to the Nook thru the USB cable. Other alternatives are to use windows to access it on my PC but I need to be able to access the 4th partition (if my reading of the various posts is correct). MiniTools and Easeus are two options that allow you to activate the 4th partition but it has not worked for my yet.
The USB cable connection problem appears to be there whether I boot to emmc or to sd.
Edit: I was able to find a non-nook cable (for my Blackberry) and using it my Nook recognizes when I connect to the PC and executes the USB Mass Storage Utility which allows me to turn USB storage on/off. Unfortunately the PC doesn't add any new logical drives in My Computer. The device manager shows 2 B&N Ereader Disk USB devices but with the yellow ! by them.

The 4th partition you mentioned about should be taken care during the installation, using verygreen's instructions, if you do correctly. There is ABSOLUTELY no need to mess around with MiniTool or the a-like.
Another question, have you turn on the USB Debugging feature? (I don't remember where, NC not with me now). If it not, check it box, try to plug in PC using usb cable again. I expect at least the usb debugging indicator will lit up.

I checked the debug feature (part of settings/applications/development/) and it was not checked. I checked it and now I get the robot icon (USB debugging conntected) and the USB icon to toggle storage on/off. Still nothing in My Computer and the drives shown in device manager are still yellow ! .
The device manager says "This device cannot start. (Code 10)"

I know it would be too early to say but I gonna to say anyway "congratulation".
When you see those icons on the NC status bar, it's 99% that it would work.
Now, back to the reality.
1. Connect usb cable between NC and PC running Windows
2. As you can see those icons, tap on the status bar to bring up then tap on "USB Mass Storage" (or something like "connect to computer for file/folder transfer, NOT the debugging). Read the warning then tap to enable USB connection
3. Now, pay attention on the PC, if it goes smoothly as expect, by now, you now can access both storages (eMMC and left-over of the uSD card) from PC. If so, move your "APKs" folder over.
I wish you luck

1- cable connected, icons on nook show up
2- tapping on status bar gives access to USB Mass Storage utility and option to turn on/off USB storage - with USB storage set to 'on' there is no recognition on the PC
Device manager shows two entries under disk drives for B&N Ebook Disk USB device but both are tagged with yellow ! (which a right click shows "This device cannot start. Code 10")
Is there something I need to do to download a usable driver for this?
(OBTW thank you for your help and patience)
Edit: within device manager I uninstalled the two drives (while the nook was still connected and USB active) and then had it search for new hardware. This time it loaded the drivers and NO yellow ! . At that point the PC recognized the drives and I have been able to create a folder that is accessible by the Nook and the PC. Thank you for help in this.
I have also contacted B&N and have a replacement cable on the way (which seemed to be a large part of my problems). Thanks Votinh for sticking with me while I got this resolved.

[Q]Transferring files on cm9/10?

I have been trying to search the forum but having no luck. I switched from cm7 to cm10 recently and I am looking for a way app/utility whatever to have my sd card mount on my pc when I plug in usb so I can transfer files to my storage partition. I was using USB Mass Storage Watcher app(I think it was called) before, but it doesn't like cm10 very much. If there is no way to see usb connection from android to pc, what would be the next best option?

Hedgerow said:
I have been trying to search the forum but having no luck. I switched from cm7 to cm10 recently and I am looking for a way app/utility whatever to have my sd card mount on my pc when I plug in usb so I can transfer files to my storage partition. I was using USB Mass Storage Watcher app(I think it was called) before, but it doesn't like cm10 very much. If there is no way to see usb connection from android to pc, what would be the next best option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That setting is built into CM10. Go to storage, then hit menu and USB configuration pops up. Select that. Select mass storage and back out. Now when you connect to PC both emmc and sdcard should show up as disk drives. The only app that I might use with that is my modified NookColorUMS app that I modified to work on CM9. It also works on CM10. Get it on my tips thread linked in my signature. And read about it in the second post in that thread. It allows you to mount any partition you want with UMS.

You might also look into using one of the transfer-over-wifi apps to get your data files onto Nook, I use WifiFileExplorer to this effect and never hassle with USB cords/connexions. Quick and sees everything.

Anniraff said:
You might also look into using one of the transfer-over-wifi apps to get your data files onto Nook, I use WifiFileExplorer to this effect and never hassle with USB cords/connexions. Quick and sees everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love Wifi File Explorer Pro. I haven't taken an sd card out of my devices in months.

Thanks
Beautiful, I didn't think to hit menu after I was in the storage settings. I'll check out the wifi explorer too. Thank you guys!