Database Users

[Q] How to Partition SD Card

Searched before, never did found a good tut for partitioning a SD Card with Success.
Like to partition a SD card to ext/swap/fat32 properly.
Also always wonder, can I install apps on to SD card fat32 partition or ext? rather than the Cell build in memory?(myTouch 3G 1.2)
Can some one point me to a good tutorial to do this?
Or a video tutorial?
Cheer!
ND

Use the option in your recovery image. I think AmonRA's should work just fine.

The ROM your using will decide whether you can install apps to FAT or to EXT partitions. Honestly I would use the EXT partition out of the two because if loaded to FAT you'll lose your Alps when you unmount your SD card. Honestly you've got plenty of internel storage so you shouldn't need it.
Sent from my HTC Magic using XDA App

[Tutorial] How to partition your SD Card for DT: Apps2SD

A lot of custom ROMs out there for the Android utilizes Dark Tremor’s A2SD which of course enables you to store your apps and phone’s dalvik cache in the SD card and saves you more free memory for more apps.
This is good especially if you download lots of games to your phone.
Requirements:
SD card reader – since you need to connect your SD card to the PC.
A partitioning tool. – I suggest Partition Wizard by Mini-tool – http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html
How to partition the SD Card:
Connect your SD card to your PC and let Partition Wizard detect it.
Delete all your current partition in the SD card. Make sure to back up your files first.
Using the partition wizard, create a Fat32 filesystem. Make sure that it’s set as primary and has a 32kb cluster. Leave space for the ext4 partition. (if your SDcard’s size is 4gb, then just allocate around 3.4gb for the Fat32 parition.)
Using partition wizard, create a ext4 filesystem on the remaining unallocated parition of the SD card. It is advisable that you allocate 512mb for your ext4 partition.
Once done, you can now flash/install your custom Android ROMs that utilizes Darktremor’s Apps2SD.
PS: I wrote this because I always see people asking everywhere on how to partition their SD cards.

And what about this tutorial..?
Just use Search Button...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=SD_card_partitioning

ingbrzy said:
And what about this tutorial..?
Just use Search Button...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=SD_card_partitioning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I admire you for searching that. I found that too. However, I'm getting tired of newbies asking around the threads and just getting that same answer.
That's why I wrote this. The intention of this is good. Don't spoil it.

Yes you are right...
For people is easier just ask a question than try to search answer by yourself...

Thanks this gonna help once i get the card reader xD
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA App

Thanks for this

hey bro. maybe you could add some reasons why ext4 is better than ext2 or ext3. thanks!

mine says damaged sd card. format? like that.
help!

do i really need a card reader? Is it not okay to just connect phone to PC with SD card in it?

zuheltzer said:
do i really need a card reader? Is it not okay to just connect phone to PC with SD card in it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Most SD cards will have a problem when flashed that way. So better use a card reader.

How do i know if the script is working? I've started A2SDGUI, but in the tab that should show me used and free space SD-EXT entry is the same as /cache, that is 24mb total (I've created 512mb ext4 partition).

Does the DT: Apps2SD work on gingerbread already? it has been the only thing stopping me from upgrading ever since couldn't stand that out of memory notification

Has anybody tried partioning their 2gb default sd card?
Sent from my GT-S5830 using Tapatalk

Can I have ext4 on my 8GB SDHC Card??

danish. said:
Has anybody tried partioning their 2gb default sd card?
Sent from my GT-S5830 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can be partitioned but not advisable if you use stock samsung 2gb class 2 for a2sd, yes a2sd will run but it may give you a poor phone performance. buy a class 4 atleast sd card.

AxleFolie said:
Can I have ext4 on my 8GB SDHC Card??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can partition ext4 on your 8gb sd card, i recommend 1gb for ext4 if you play heavy games. BTW you can adjust the size of partition using minitool partition home, search the forum for link.

royskeyz said:
Yes you can partition ext4 on your 8gb sd card, i recommend 1gb for ext4 if you play heavy games. BTW you can adjust the size of partition using minitool partition home, search the forum for link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh btw i got class 2 8gb sdhc card..

AxleFolie said:
Oh btw i got class 2 8gb sdhc card..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh! you can try if you observed laggy poor performance it could be due to your low class sd card.

royskeyz said:
oh! you can try if you observed laggy poor performance it could be due to your low class sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you link me on how to make ext4 im having a hard time.. Btw, im using FirstUA V1.1 Rom..

AxleFolie said:
Can you link me on how to make ext4 im having a hard time.. Btw, im using FirstUA V1.1 Rom..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you kidding me? its in the first page on this thread mate.

ext Partitions?

i accidentally created a EXT partition on my sd card using clockwork recovery, i cant seem to find how to undo, or remove this partition, any help would be appreciated, also , is there a way to retrieve the files from that partittion?

Well since I don't use an ext partition I can't be sure about this, but I believe that if you go to make the partition again in CWM that you can set the size to 0. As for the data you had before making the partition, it's gone. When you made the partition it had to format your SD card completely clearing it.

reformat sdcard from settimgs and it will go away (so will all data on sdcard)
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

ltdanno360 said:
reformat sdcard from settimgs and it will go away (so will all data on sdcard)
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not correct at all!
Formating the SDcard will format only the partition in FAT32 format and will nor remove partitions that are not in FAT32 format.
The only solution I can think of is repartition the SDcard from the recpvery and set 0MB in the ext size.
This will delete all your data from the SDcard so be sure you backup it prior to doing the repartitioning.

Moonshield said:
Not correct at all!
Formating the SDcard will format only the partition in FAT32 format and will nor remove partitions that are not in FAT32 format.
The only solution I can think of is repartition the SDcard from the recpvery and set 0MB in the ext size.
This will delete all your data from the SDcard so be sure you backup it prior to doing the repartitioning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then why when i made a partion for webtop2sd like 3 gig partion i was able to regain that space by formating the sd card?
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

Moonshield said:
Not correct at all!
Formating the SDcard will format only the partition in FAT32 format and will nor remove partitions that are not in FAT32 format.
The only solution I can think of is repartition the SDcard from the recpvery and set 0MB in the ext size.
This will delete all your data from the SDcard so be sure you backup it prior to doing the repartitioning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, hes 110% correct, i eneded up having to lose all my data... i went to settings>storage>unmount SD card> format SD card. and the EXT partition was removed

Moonshield thought you were talking about formatting from a Windows PC I think because that would reformat the non ext partition to fat32 leaving the ext partition there. He was correct, he just misunderstood the situation.

na just from the phone itself ive setup a custom webtop 3x then refomatted over it in the phone b4 Note formatting is really hard on.sdcard and they can only be rewritten.so many times. untill your sd card just fails
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

(Tutorial)How to use Swap!

This is my first first Tutorial thread in xda!
So,don't mind me and forgive me If i am done wrong something!
Swapper is simple application for "extending memory". Helps when you need some memory for non active applications (like music player + browser + maps + etc...).
Requirement: root, SD/SDHC card and custom kernel that support swap .
Warning: SD card will be used as swap space. It can (and will) shorten SD card lifespan.
1.Downlod Swapper 2 from market! Link: https://market.android.com/details?id=lv.n3o.swapper2
2.Install Swapper2 normally
3.There are 2ways to swap: first use swap by partition and another one is by none partition(But If you partition you can create more 256mb)
4.For using swap by partition u must partition your sdcard by using minitool or etc....(NOTE: partition to linux swap and primary)
5.After you partition you turn off yor phone and then back to xrecovery or cwm to clear cache partition
6.turn on n then open swapper2 normally and go to Preferences of swapper then you check safe to unmount and safe to remount
7.and then you go adavaned preferences and check the Use swap partition and Swap partition set it to /dev/block/mmcblk0p2
8.after that go back to swapper2 and turn it on (wait the process when it say All done It works)
9.Another one way is none using swap partition it easy because swap create it by itself but it can't more then 256mb
10.First Open Swapper2 then go to Preferences of swapper
11.Click on Swap size and click what number that u want to swap 32,48,64..etc
12.Then go back to Swapper2 and turn it on
13.For none using swap partition method It take a while 3minutes or more depend on class of your sd card!!!wait the process untill it say All done It mean that It works
Recommend: For me,I'm using micro sdcard 16G class10 so i partition my sdcard 1500mb for swap ^^ I alway free more ram about 90 to 120
Note: for swappiness it depend on your phone!!for me i can use swappiness 100 smoothy
If you have any question you can ask me more about this
I take my time for making this thread If you think I'm helped you Just Click THANKS for me

Remember: do it with your own risk and i don't warranthy if this method cause brick your lovely x8

the primary partition must be ext or can be fat or ntfs ?!
also do u notice real improvements ?

I never understood how to do it with terminal, so thanks for your help!

darknessx10 said:
I never understood how to do it with terminal, so thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your welcome
Sent from my X8 using xda premium

Finally a simple and fast tutorial,thanks!

ahmedz_1991 said:
the primary partition must be ext or can be fat or ntfs ?!
also do u notice real improvements ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Second partition must be linux swap and primary
Sent from my X8 using xda premium

I have a problem,when i format my sd card and put swap partition on mini partition tool,when i place my sd card back to phone its says "damaged sd card"...

I have swap running on 2 x8's. 1 is using 7000mb fat, 400 ext2 and 4-500 linux swap, however i cannot see the ext and swap partitions when i connect to pc, even though everything is working fine i would like to know how i can reformat my 8gb sd back to 8gb.
The other x8 has a 2gb unpartioned sd using the other method where a 256mb swap file is created. It works fine and is simple to set up but i have over 90mb free ram on partition set up and 70-80mb on the simple method.
All mine were set up with trial and error and there was no way to really confirm it was set up properly so this thread has confirmed my setup. It could have saved me time a few weeks ago but i'm sure lots of users will find this thread very helpful.
@ mods, I think its time to refresh the stickies as some are obsolete and i believe this thread would be an ideal sticky.
@OP, nice job. Thanks for your contribution to our little x8 section

corsav6 said:
I have swap running on 2 x8's. 1 is using 7000mb fat, 400 ext2 and 4-500 linux swap, however i cannot see the ext and swap partitions when i connect to pc, even though everything is working fine i would like to know how i can reformat my 8gb sd back to 8gb.
The other x8 has a 2gb unpartioned sd using the other method where a 256mb swap file is created. It works fine and is simple to set up but i have over 90mb free ram on partition set up and 70-80mb on the simple method.
All mine were set up with trial and error and there was no way to really confirm it was set up properly so this thread has confirmed my setup. It could have saved me time a few weeks ago but i'm sure lots of users will find this thread very helpful.
@ mods, I think its time to refresh the stickies as some are obsolete and i believe this thread would be an ideal sticky.
@OP, nice job. Thanks for your contribution to our little x8 section
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You want to know how to format your sd card with 7000mb fat32 400 ext3 linux swap 500mb
If you format it,it will back to 8Gb sd card
Sent from my X8 using xda premium

RodrigoOgasawara said:
I have a problem,when i format my sd card and put swap partition on mini partition tool,when i place my sd card back to phone its says "damaged sd card"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let partition by this method:
1.connect your sd card to pc
2.open minitool partition
3.right click on your fat32 sd card and choose the word resize
4.after you resize u will see your partition
5.right click on your new partition and choose word create
6.partition it to linux swap and primary
7.apply it and wait the process
7.Done and Cheers
Sent from my X8 using xda premium

what i do wrong?

its working only for custom kernels?

Well i have a 4gb class 4 sd card.I;ve made'it 3.2 gb fat32 128linux swap and the rest ext 3.And i have min 90 mb free mem ,max 120.

RodrigoOgasawara said:
I have a problem,when i format my sd card and put swap partition on mini partition tool,when i place my sd card back to phone its says "damaged sd card"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget to format after partitioning!
And with minitool for working swap and ext you must connect sd as phone's mass storage->not CWM mount usb storage, booted ROM and connect phone to PC.
Then you'll able to partition your sd. After all FORMAT and all will work.
+1 When you have a 4gb sd you must create FAT, when you have above 4 gb create FAT32. Create first a primary FAT(32), then a primary SWAP/EXT

I partitioned my SD card (4gb class 4) with this propieties
Primary: 3.4GB
Logical: 313MB
But when I put the sd card into the phone, it doesn't recognizes the SDCard.
It's weird because when I browse in my SD card via cwm it shows my files and folders :Z
Anyone knows what the hell i'm doing wrong?

junghyun01 said:
You want to know how to format your sd card with 7000mb fat32 400 ext3 linux swap 500mb
If you format it,it will back to 8Gb sd card
Sent from my X8 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it is only showing as 7gb. When I format it stays at 7gb and I can't see the other 2 partitions on the PC. They work with links2sd and swapper. Do I need to remove anything from the rom connected with apps2sd, I'm using kuyadroid with alfs kernel. I have removed everything from the modules folder but my phone storage is low and links2sd says only 2% of ext2 been used even though it successfully links my apps, or so it claims. Sorry for all the questions but if I know then I can help others thanks for your reply
Sent from my E15 using XDA App

darknessx10 said:
I partitioned my SD card (4gb class 4) with this propieties
Primary: 3.4GB
Logical: 313MB
But when I put the sd card into the phone, it doesn't recognizes the SDCard.
It's weird because when I browse in my SD card via cwm it shows my files and folders :Z
Anyone knows what the hell i'm doing wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all partition MUST set in PRIMARY no LOGICAL... For me let swapper2 make your sdcard partition is the safest & easiest way,@author 1question do i need to format my sdcard when i let swapper2 partition my sdcard...

Here is a easy tutorial for partition !
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/SD_card_partitioning

corsav6 said:
No, it is only showing as 7gb. When I format it stays at 7gb and I can't see the other 2 partitions on the PC. They work with links2sd and swapper. Do I need to remove anything from the rom connected with apps2sd, I'm using kuyadroid with alfs kernel. I have removed everything from the modules folder but my phone storage is low and links2sd says only 2% of ext2 been used even though it successfully links my apps, or so it claims. Sorry for all the questions but if I know then I can help others thanks for your reply
Sent from my E15 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you cannot see the others partition because the card reader or phone shows the 1st partition,you can see the other partition by using partition tool,coz the 1st partition is only mounted which is fat32...

[HELP]Can't read SD Card after formating

Guys help me please. I partition my sd card. few months ago. last night i formatted my SD card. after that. SD card can't mount. please help me. what to do ? also my computer can't read it please help me how to fix it . thanks in advanced.

first backup any data you have on your sd card
remove all partitions with minitool and create a new partition of fat32 and format it with minitool
next boot up your phone with the sd card in
goto
settings
storage
unmount sd card
erase/format sd card
now go into cwm - you sd card will now be mountable
for the 2nd partition create it in cwm
cant remember exactly where the option is from memory but its under something like partitions
just create a 2nd partition of 1024mb with 0 swap
you can then copy any backups back to sd card

marcussmith2626 said:
first backup any data you have on your sd card
remove all partitions with minitool and create a new partition of fat32 and format it with minitool
next boot up your phone with the sd card in
goto
settings
storage
unmount sd card
erase/format sd card
now go into cwm - you sd card will now be mountable
for the 2nd partition create it in cwm
cant remember exactly where the option is from memory but its under something like partitions
just create a 2nd partition of 1024mb with 0 swap
you can then copy any backups back to sd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't have any backups i format my sd card by using my phone. in the settings. after that. i put some files in my sd card. then a day after. my phone can't mount my sd card. even my computer can't read my sd card so minitool will not work on this what to do. my sd card is not readable.

ChristianMonteon said:
i don't have any backups i format my sd card by using my phone. in the settings. after that. i put some files in my sd card. then a day after. my phone can't mount my sd card. even my computer can't read my sd card so minitool will not work on this what to do. my sd card is not readable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are unable to read your sd card via a card reader on a pc (not via phone usb cable) in order to delete partitions and recreate them, its best you get a new sd card

marcussmith2626 said:
if you are unable to read your sd card via a card reader on a pc (not via phone usb cable) in order to delete partitions and recreate them, its best you get a new sd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how sad. btw. Thanks :good:

My computer also once was not able to read my sd card but minitool partition wizard detected it.... What i did then was that i deleted all the partitions and created a new one with
Label--Android-SD
Type - Primary
File type -- Fat32
After i did this .. My phone and computer both read the sd card...
Hope this helps for u too..
Press thanx if it helps you
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

Tanuj Chandolia said:
My computer also once was not able to read my sd card but minitool partition wizard detected it.... What i did then was that i deleted all the partitions and created a new one with
Label--Android-SD
Type - Primary
File type -- Fat32
After i did this .. My phone and computer both read the sd card...
Hope this helps for u too..
Press thanx if it helps you
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
minitool partition wizard cant read my memory card too

ChristianMonteon said:
minitool partition wizard cant read my memory card too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are using card reader or usb cable..?
U have to use card reader..
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

Tanuj Chandolia said:
You are using card reader or usb cable..?
U have to use card reader..
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that's not the problem, i use a MP3 player with USB
If you plug your sdcard on linux-based using anything it should be /dev/sdc
Do a dd if=/dev/sdc of=/home/[your user]/Desktop/sdcard.img
After that install WinImage http://www.winimage.com/
Open the img with winimage it will tell you where to connect,
choose first primary fat32 partition open menu -> extract all with subdirectories, :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best way to recover files but for the sdcard i think it will be better to buy a new one