Database Users

Should I be able to format my MicroSD card?

I don't see an option to do so in settings.

gunnyman said:
I don't see an option to do so in settings.
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Not that i'm aware of.. you'll have to use a PC and format it to fat32.

The external sd support on honeycomb is appalling. It's almost as if google weren't expecting manufacturers to include external sd slots on their devices. I get no notification when I insert my sd, no options to format or safely remove either. Even my Nokia (and I hate Symbian) can do these things. Also haven't seen any news about this support being added in 3.1.

Have you been able to format your SD Card yet? One thing I can tell you I dont like is that the system is reading the internal memory as SD Card. So all the apps you use like titanium and SD card Tools to test the speed error out. They really need to fix that. As far as your card goes if you havent.
With Windows insert card right click on it and click format and select fat32.
With mac Use Disk utility and format through there and also select fat32.
A lot of SD card manufactures are not intializing the cards which is why if it is brand new needs to be put in your PC. At the current moment there is no partition table which is why the tablet can not read it.

tablet can read it as it's an old one I had. I just wanted to format it without having to pull it

Format new ext-sd card before using?

I just bought a new card because I believe my old one bit the dust. I would really like this card to be formatted to NTFS as opposed to FAT32. A lot of the media files I use are too big for FAT32. Can I just format the card in my pc first thing, then put it in the tablet? I see that people tend to use Flash Format in the settings, but I would guess that just sticks it back to FAT32.
I tried to format my sd card last night using Gparted (linux) and it will not complete the format. Through some web searching, the common answer to that is that your SD card is a goner. At this point, that card will not format, and will not be recognized by the tablet.
I ordered a new one, and would hope that I can just immediately format it. I know the tablet can read ntfs, because my usb drive is that format and it will read it.
Thoughts?
I just don't want to ruin a brand new sd card. Thanks.

YeeP said:
I just bought a new card because I believe my old one bit the dust. I would really like this card to be formatted to NTFS as opposed to FAT32. A lot of the media files I use are too big for FAT32. Can I just format the card in my pc first thing, then put it in the tablet? I see that people tend to use Flash Format in the settings, but I would guess that just sticks it back to FAT32.
I tried to format my sd card last night using Gparted (linux) and it will not complete the format. Through some web searching, the common answer to that is that your SD card is a goner. At this point, that card will not format, and will not be recognized by the tablet.
I ordered a new one, and would hope that I can just immediately format it. I know the tablet can read ntfs, because my usb drive is that format and it will read it.
Thoughts?
I just don't want to ruin a brand new sd card. Thanks.
Click to expand...
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You can use MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition. http://download.cnet.com/MiniTool-Partition-Wizard-Home-Edition/3000-2094_4-10962200.html

10507 said:
You can use MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition. http://download.cnet.com/MiniTool-Partition-Wizard-Home-Edition/3000-2094_4-10962200.html
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Thanks for your response. I will check that software out. However, I am just wondering if it will cause a problem if I do reformat the sd card, before using it. I think I will use gparted for formatting, it is a good tool on my linux box.
Based on your response I would guess you are saying that it is ok to format the sd card ahead of time. Right?

It's definitely OK to format an SD card before being used. What errors does GParted give you? It might also be worth trying to format it to EXT4, unless you plan to be able to read it outside of Android/Linux.

[Q] Rooted Nook Simple Touch, Help Partitioning micro SD card

Hi! Successfully rooted my Nook ST using Nook Manager, except I used a 32 GB micro SD card to do the rooting. After rooting, I ended up with two partitions on the SD card, Nook (239 MB) and Nook Manager (62.9 MB). I was wondering what I need to do to be able to utilize the rest of the space on the card? The reason I bought a 32 GB card was so I could store all my sideloaded books there, and now I find I'm just limited to the space/partitions showing up when I connect the nook via USB.

You need to repartition your card.
Partition Magic can do that.
If you want to use multiple partitions on the SD card (like 2 x 16 GB) you might want to look at:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2184495

Renate NST said:
You need to repartition your card.
Partition Magic can do that.
If you want to use multiple partitions on the SD card (like 2 x 16 GB) you might want to look at:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2184495
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Thanks, will download a copy of Partition Magic later. I really am completely clueless when it comes to programming though. In fact, I'm only here because the folks at mobileread told me I'd probably have better luck having my question/s answered here than there. So just to confirm, I can repartition the drive using partition magic so I'll have one extra partition for the books I want to sideload, and I'm good to go already when I re-insert the SD card into the Nook? Or do I have to attempt the code that you gave in the thread you linked?

If you want to have a single FAT partition on your SD card you can do that without much change.
It comes down to whether you want to be able to pull the SD card and plug it into random desktops and things.
If you want to have multiple partitions or ext3 partitions you will have to use the new vold in the link above.

if used windows 7,8. Insert a memory card into the card reader. Go to cmd(administrator mode) and run command:
Diskpart
List Disk
Select Disk 1 (#select sdcard)
clean (#clean partition sdcard)
create partition primary
active
format fs=fat32 quick
assign (#run command if not view sdcard in mycomputer )

Renate, I tried to repartition my SD card, but got a "disk is not formatted, do you want to format it now?" message. So I had no choice but to do a data recovery using EaseUs Partition Master first, then went ahead and clicked format now. Then I tried using Minitool Partition Wizard (couldn't find a free version of Partition Magic) to create new partitions in the formatted SD card so that the NookManager partition would be larger (27 GB) while the NookBackup partition would be 2 GB. Except that I can't seem to create any new partitions at all. And I also have no idea how to restore the data I'd backed up earlier either.

Sorry, I missed seeing this come up when you posted it.
When your Nook asks you if you want to format you should say "No!".
It could be that it misidentified the situation.
In any case, you want to look closer before formatting anything.
Here's a gotcha.
If you are using ext3 and the internal clock has reset itself then the last mount will be in the future.
That makes things angry. Check that the date/time on the Nook is correct.

You can use gparted to give the card the partition layout you need (i.e. first NookManager partition is big, second NookBackup partition is only large enough to hold a backup), then write the first partition from NookManager.img into first partition of the card (you need to do something roughly similar to this. Then you can use gparted to set the "boot" flag on the first partition and use the card to backup&root your Nook. Then remove the "boot" flag, and keep using the card for storage (it's a bit messy to have both user&app files AND NookManager boot files in the same place, but if you only have one card, then this is inevitable - i haven't found a way to mount the second or the third partitions from the card). The card will act as normal storage device when flag is not set, and as NookManager bootable card when flag is set.

[FIX] sandisk 64gb micro sd card

Like alot of you, I recently had alot of trouble with my sandisk 64gb micro sd card. this fix is pretty easy but it worked for me! so check it out:
you need two programs: SD formatter( can be found on the sandisk website) and easeus partiton master( you can use any program that lets you format partitions)
you will also need the sd card adapter to put you micro in, and an sd card reader
Step 1: connect your sandisk 64gb microsd card to the computer with the adapter it came with in the box. My laptop has the sd card reader built in
I dont think it will work unless you connect it this way.
Step 2: open sd formatter, it should have recognized your card if not click refresh. after its recognized click Options and set format type to full (overwrite) format the sd card. this will take a long while so you might wanna go watch tv or something?
step 3 : after its done formatting open partition master and right click on the sd card and format it to fat32. your going to have to click apply on the top right hand corner for it to work
you should be set. DONT FORMAT IN THE ANDRIOD SETTINGS. for some reason when ever i fixed the micro and tried formatting it in my phone it would mess up everything thing again.
I keep a 32 gb in my s4 now and use my 64 in my note 10.1 because i need the space there more. Let me know if this works for you!

britoskates said:
Like alot of you, I recently had alot of trouble with my sandisk 64gb micro sd card. this fix is pretty easy but it worked for me! so check it out:
you need two programs: SD formatter( can be found on the sandisk website) and easeus partiton master( you can use any program that lets you format partitions)
you will also need the sd card adapter to put you micro in, and an sd card reader
Step 1: connect your sandisk 64gb microsd card to the computer with the adapter it came with in the box. My laptop has the sd card reader built in
I dont think it will work unless you connect it this way.
Step 2: open sd formatter, it should have recognized your card if not click refresh. after its recognized click Options and set format type to full (overwrite) format the sd card. this will take a long while so you might wanna go watch tv or something?
step 3 : after its done formatting open partition master and right click on the sd card and format it to fat32. your going to have to click apply on the top right hand corner for it to work
you should be set. DONT FORMAT IN THE ANDRIOD SETTINGS. for some reason when ever i fixed the micro and tried formatting it in my phone it would mess up everything thing again.
I keep a 32 gb in my s4 now and use my 64 in my note 10.1 because i need the space there more. Let me know if this works for you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends on the troubles you have, most of them are some kind of incompatibility with the S4 firmware and the 64GB SD card and formating this will not help. My issue was each time i'd put music on my SD, my system status would trip to custom, also my music would not always show up at boot. This has been a recurring problem with the sandisk cards no matter how i formated it. And yes, i did use SDFormater 4.0 and still had the issue. My only solution was to get a Samsung 64GB SD and no issues since

Sometimes mine removes itself, but a media rescan or reboot fixes it. Doesn't really bother me.

I use a 64gb PNY class10 and its flawless for me.I think the issue is witg the sandisk bran.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

Figured this is a good thread to post my experience.
I had a MicroSD card I thought was bad. What happened was I was formatting the device to ext4 at the time using a older microSD USB adapter i had. Basically, the microSD card reader died while it was in that process. Using a microSD > SDAdater and a built in SD card slot on my laptop I was unable to format the drive in Windows or MacOS. (I was formatting the device via the USB reader on my Desktop in Ubuntu). Ubuntu does not see my card reader on my laptop so I was unable to use that). I thought I killed it. It was a SanDisk microSDXC 64gb card.
So I ordered a new Samsung microSDXC and a new microSDXC USB card reader. I got them both. New card worked great. I decided to play with the card a bit. Using Ubuntu, gparted specifically, with the new adapter I could no create or modify partitions on the old microSD card. It would fail out every time, different errors for ext4, exFAT and Fat32. So. In Gparted I went to Device > Write new partition table.After I did that I would able to format the drive in Ubuntu to whatever filesystem I wanted, and the card works in the phone, mac, windows, everything.
Just a heads up to help any others with issues. Rewriting the partition table may help if somehow it gets corrupt because of some write fail,

I ve 2 64gb sandisk 10x microsd with Samsung S4 I9005 with Android 4.3. I formatted with android, also Windows 7 64bit with various types of sizes on laptop. However on laptop or on phone after writing some files and disk scanning, it gives many disk errors. I wonder if it is software or microsd hardware problems. There is no problem with 32 gb.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Found the Culprit!
Considering I encountered this write protect error TWICE with the exact same product, and after having read forums that show it's a common problem, I conclude that the problem is with either this specific SanDisk product or a particular batch of this product:
Exact product specs: SanDisk Ultra 64 GB MicroSDXC Class 10 UHS-1 Memory Card with Adapter (SDSDQU-064G-AFFP-A)
These carry a lifetime warranty. A word of advice: if you go for a replacement, ask for a different 64GB model, or try a different size of the same model (I got 2 x 32GB cards instead). If they insist on giving back the exact same model, I'd suggest you use that card anywhere except a smartphone!

Micro SD card wont be mounted by Samsung Tab a6

So I have a Samsung Tab a6 7 T280 wifi and I've inserted a MicroSD card (128GB). I've done this with the stock os first and I just got the message card can be removed safely. and it wouldn't let me mount it.
Now I've installed the Tinker V5.1 Stock Rom over it and it still happens. (wanted a faster os on it).
I can reformat the card with twrp to be ext4 or exFAT and it doesn't change a single thing. if I insert the sd card I get a quick preparing card and then instantly the message card can be safely removed. clicking on mount sd card in storage from settings doesn't do anything except prompt same message.

I'd try a different sdcard.

Okay, so I hope I can help, I have the SM-T280, I do not use Tinker ROM, instead I debloated my stock ROM and use an SPA kernel by @_mone. If you're trying to extend storage to your tablet, you'll need to use a PC to partition the SD card two PRIMARY partitions. I used on Windows MiniTool Partition Wizard (free), and I used a FAT32 partition and an ext2 partition. With the stock ROM/kernel I had problems using ext4 or extFAT which didn't make sense to me but it is what it is, and I used the app Apps2SD to handle all the work.
The main thing, you need to make sure your SD card has TWO (2) PRIMARY partitions.
Good luck.

zenful said:
Okay, so I hope I can help, I have the SM-T280, I do not use Tinker ROM, instead I debloated my stock ROM and use an SPA kernel by @_mone. If you're trying to extend storage to your tablet, you'll need to use a PC to partition the SD card two PRIMARY partitions. I used on Windows MiniTool Partition Wizard (free), and I used a FAT32 partition and an ext2 partition. With the stock ROM/kernel I had problems using ext4 or extFAT which didn't make sense to me but it is what it is, and I used the app Apps2SD to handle all the work.
The main thing, you need to make sure your SD card has TWO (2) PRIMARY partitions.
Good luck.
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Click to collapse
What about the Sizes? As in one partition 60 GB the other one also 60 GB ? Or the fat32 partition 1 GB and the ext2 the rest?

Panslothda said:
What about the Sizes? As in one partition 60 GB the other one also 60 GB ? Or the fat32 partition 1 GB and the ext2 the rest?
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Click to collapse
FAT32 is not for large capacity storage. Use exFat. There isn't much point in having such a large ext2 partition. It's incompatible with media transfer protocols unless you use a Linux system.
This device fully supports exFAT. I use a 64gb sdcard no issues.

ashyx said:
FAT32 is not for large capacity storage. Use exFat. There isn't much point in having such a large ext2 partition. It's incompatible with media transfer protocols unless you use a Linux system.
This device fully supports exFAT. I use a 64gb sdcard no issues.
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Well my current one is exfat formatted. works perfectly fine on PC only thing is its 128 GB.... I mean is that maybe the issue? that its to large?

Panslothda said:
Well my current one is exfat formatted. works perfectly fine on PC only thing is its 128 GB.... I mean is that maybe the issue? that its to large?
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I wouldn't think so, I'm sure it supports 128gb cards.
Just partition it into to halves. First partition exfat. Leave the other unformatted and see what happens.

ashyx said:
I wouldn't think so, I'm sure it supports 128gb cards.
Just partition it into to halves. First partition exfat. Leave the other unformatted and see what happens.
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partitioned into a 40 GB exFAT partition and left rest unpartitioned. Didn't change anything. if I pop it in the tablet I get a short preparing sd card notification then immediately an SD card safe to remove notification...
I'm really confused by this. The tablet is new so I doubt that it's broken but I don't know. Do you know if there's a way to check any kind of logs on Android like dmesg on Linux as an example to see what happens with the sd card?

Panslothda said:
partitioned into a 40 GB exFAT partition and left rest unpartitioned. Didn't change anything. if I pop it in the tablet I get a short preparing sd card notification then immediately an SD card safe to remove notification...
I'm really confused by this. The tablet is new so I doubt that it's broken but I don't know. Do you know if there's a way to check any kind of logs on Android like dmesg on Linux as an example to see what happens with the sd card?
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It's best just try out another card to rule out the card.

ashyx said:
It's best just try out another card to rule out the card.
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Click to collapse
Welp gotta buy one first then :/

Panslothda said:
Welp gotta buy one first then :/
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Nobody can lend one for a few minutes? Or try the card in someone else device?

Panslothda said:
So I have a Samsung Tab a6 7 T280 wifi and I've inserted a MicroSD card (128GB). I've done this with the stock os first and I just got the message card can be removed safely. and it wouldn't let me mount it.
Now I've installed the Tinker V5.1 Stock Rom over it and it still happens. (wanted a faster os on it).
I can reformat the card with twrp to be ext4 or exFAT and it doesn't change a single thing. if I insert the sd card I get a quick preparing card and then instantly the message card can be safely removed. clicking on mount sd card in storage from settings doesn't do anything except prompt same message.
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Click to collapse
According to Samsung, the T280 will support a 256gb SD card BUT I know from experience that SD cards over 32gb can be VERY touchy. If you use a PC to remove all of the partition and then let the tablet try to do its own formatting and it still doesn't work, I'd say you have an incompatible SD card. That doesn't mean the card is bad but that it just won't work in the T280.
As an example, a Samsung EVO+ card (which can be found on eBay for $30) will probably work while a "no name" card from China, probably won't.

lewmur said:
According to Samsung, the T280 will support a 256gb SD card BUT I know from experience that SD cards over 32gb can be VERY touchy. If you use a PC to remove all of the partition and then let the tablet try to do its own formatting and it still doesn't work, I'd say you have an incompatible SD card. That doesn't mean the card is bad but that it just won't work in the T280.
As an example, a Samsung EVO+ card (which can be found on eBay for $30) will probably work while a "no name" card from China, probably won't.
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I always use Samsung EVO cards and they always work perfectly. Price per GB they are very reasonable too.

Scandisk ultra i find ok no matter what size
Sent from my SM-T585 using XDA-Developers Legacy app