[Q] Are apps stored on SD or internal memory? - Nook Color Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I am running CM7 on a 16GB Sandisk Class 4 uSD. I'm very new to this, so I hope someone can help me with my question. When I download apps from Google Play, where does it get stored? When I go to Settings -> Storage, I see the following: SD card/Total Space = 13.31 GB, SD card/Available space = 13.22 GB. Under Internal storage/Total space = 0.93GB, Internal storage/Available space = 680 MB. Under Additional storage: /mnt/emmc Total space = 1.0GB, Additional storage: /mnt/emmc Available space 1.0GB.
So it looks like the apps are being stored in "Internal storage", but I'm not sure whether that is in NC's internal memory, or the SD card. On the one hand, the SD card shows 13.22 GB available out of 13.31 GB, so it looks like it is not being used. But on the other hand, Additional storage: /mnt/emmc Available space is 1.0 GB, so I assume that is my 1.0 GB allotted to me by B&N, so it also doesn't look like I'm using up the NC's internal memory.
So where are my apps being stored? If they are not being stored on the SD card, how can I move the existing apps to the SD card, and also how do I set it up so that all apps (and book) downloads go to the SD card in the future?

Your apps are running on your SD card's "internal" partition which is still on the SD card.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA

Size of Internal Storage?
If Internal storage is on the SD card, why is it only 0.93 GB? Shouldn't it be (in the case of a 16GB card) 13 GB? How can I use the 13 GB that is left on my SD card?

voyager28 said:
If Internal storage is on the SD card, why is it only 0.93 GB? Shouldn't it be (in the case of a 16GB card) 13 GB? How can I use the 13 GB that is left on my SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In CM terms, internal storage means your /data partition. For SD installed CM, your /data is still on your SD, just in a separate partition. And when play store installs an app, it installs the application files to your /data partition on the SD.
When your SD was first set up, several partitions were created on it, one of which was /data. The size for the /data partition was set when your SD was partitioned. This partitioning is why your 16GB looks like it now only has 13GB. Some of the space was set aside for other uses.
The 13GB is your media partition on the SD. It is named 'sdcard' in CM terms. It is to be used for your media files, books, movies, pictures, etc. And installed apps use it to store any files they need to (like files they download, etc.).
Sent from my Nook Color running ICS and Tapatalk

Re-sizing Partitions
j8048188 and leapinlar, thanks for explaining to this noobie where apps are stored. Is it possible to re-size the /data and /sdcard partitions, to say, 3GB and 11GB, without wiping out the apps I already downloaded? If so, how could I do it?

voyager28 said:
j8048188 and leapinlar, thanks for explaining to this noobie where apps are stored. Is it possible to re-size the /data and /sdcard partitions, to say, 3GB and 11GB, without wiping out the apps I already downloaded? If so, how could I do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, no, not with Windows and not once you have installed a ROM and there is information stored in /data. Windows does not know how to read the data format that /data uses. Windows based partition managers can manipulate the /data partition if there is no data in it. And the only time that is true is just after you have booted the new SD, but before you have installed your first ROM. (However, if you have Linux, you can use partition manager software there to resize with data in it since Linux knows how to read the data).
So if you have Windows and you want it set bigger, you have to catch it before you install your first ROM on it. You can back up your installed apps with titanium backup, start over with your SD again, manipulate the partitions before installing the ROM and restore your apps later. If you decide to do that, use Mini-Tool Partition Manager and make partition 4 (media) smaller and partition 3 (data) larger. Be sure to copy the titanium backup files to your PC because they will be wiped out if you start over.

leapinlar said:
Unfortunately, no, not with Windows and not once you have installed a ROM and there is information stored in /data. Windows does not know how to read the data format that /data uses. Windows based partition managers can manipulate the /data partition if there is no data in it. And the only time that is true is just after you have booted the new SD, but before you have installed your first ROM. (However, if you have Linux, you can use partition manager software there to resize with data in it since Linux knows how to read the data).
So if you have Windows and you want it set bigger, you have to catch it before you install your first ROM on it. You can back up your installed apps with titanium backup, start over with your SD again, manipulate the partitions before installing the ROM and restore your apps later. If you decide to do that, use Mini-Tool Partition Manager and make partition 4 (media) smaller and partition 3 (data) larger. Be sure to copy the titanium backup files to your PC because they will be wiped out if you start over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Leapinlar, I'm running Ubuntu on one of my computers, so any advice you can give me will be appreciated.

voyager28 said:
Leapinlar, I'm running Ubuntu on one of my computers, so any advice you can give me will be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In ubuntu, use gparted to resize the partitions on the sd. Shrink partition 4 (leaving space in front of it) and expand partition 3 to fill it. And usually people say 2GB is large enough for partition 3. If you find later it is not big enough, just do this again.

leapinlar said:
In ubuntu, use gparted to resize the partitions on the sd. Shrink partition 4 (leaving space in front of it) and expand partition 3 to fill it. And usually people say 2GB is large enough for partition 3. If you find later it is not big enough, just do this again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, leapinlar! I will try this tonight!

Related

[Q] Resizing Partitions

I used verygreen's size-agnostic installer with my 8GB SD card, and put CM7-107 nightly on it.
I ended up with the boot partition of about 100MB, two android partitions (one 450MB, the other 1GB), and the rest being "sdcard", around 6GB as FAT32.
I'd really like to take the 1GB android partition (my system stuff, and where apps are installed) and kick it up a bit in size, taking space away from the SDCARD partition. That way i have more room for app installs, etc.
I tried using EASUS Partition Manager, and while it'll let me take space away from the SDCARD/FAT32 partition, it's not letting me give it to any of the "other" (linux/android) partitions - doesn't give me an option to resize it, once I have unallocated space available on the SD card.
Any ideas? This is Windows 7 64bit, btw.

Want to use the 2GB internal memory for apps - how?

Hey there,
the U8800 has a 2GB partition which isn't used at all when an external SD-card is installed.
The internal 2GB partition is mounted to /HWUserData and is accessible. Now I want to use it for my apps. With the typical App2SD-apps that are available in the market I cannot move the apps to this partition. They are always moved to the external card.
Moving the apps manually is not very helpful as Android treats them as install-packages when I open them within the file manager.
tl;dr: The 2GB-partition does only show up within the file manager, how can i use it for apps etc.?
XphX
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1112857
Thank your for your answer; I do not want to use that program; I fear voiding the warranty. I have no problem with installing custom-ROMs, but I won't change the partitions of the internal memory.
I'll take out the external SD-card for a moment, maybe I can install the apps to the 2GB-part then...
Seriously, why does Huawei include 2GB of memory if it is not usable?
Use the default apps2sd option.
I've been thinking about this myself and thought about changing the mount points so the internal 2GB SD is formatted as ext then linked to /sd-ext and used as an a2sd partition. The advantage is that, unlike normal a2sd, you will still be able to remove the microSD card.
The problem would be that recovery images wouldn't like this as they always expect a2sd to be the second partition on the microSD. It would also stop the backups from working..
It's something I'll need to think about a lot.
flibblesan said:
The advantage is that, unlike normal a2sd, you will still be able to remove the microSD card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what I want to do. a2sd simply does not recognize the partition as it expects it to be a second partition within the external sd. Could changing the mount point resolve this issue? Where would I even mount it to? The external card will still be the one recognized (or not?)..

[Q] SD Card Method Android Link2SD

Hello Guys
I would like to know that if my SD Card 16GB has partition into 2 primary drive - FAT32, EXT3; and my android system is running on FAT32 partition, can I run the Link2SD to put all apps into EXT3 partition?
I try it and it shows the manual of the mounting partition. However, it shows the error message of mounting /dev/block/vold/179:2 on /data/sdext2 failed. I would like to use it even it is in SD version of Android so that I can minimize the usage of internal ROM. I use the traditional App2SD and the memory is gradually reduced when I install new apps.
Thanks
Wilson Fung said:
Hello Guys
I would like to know that if my SD Card 16GB has partition into 2 primary drive - FAT32, EXT3; and my android system is running on FAT32 partition, can I run the Link2SD to put all apps into EXT3 partition?
I try it and it shows the manual of the mounting partition. However, it shows the error message of mounting /dev/block/vold/179:2 on /data/sdext2 failed. I would like to use it even it is in SD version of Android so that I can minimize the usage of internal ROM. I use the traditional App2SD and the memory is gradually reduced when I install new apps.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SD Android uses no ROM. The applications are stored on what is read by the system as 'internal storage' but is actually a data.img file which is normally 1gb, therefore you already have 1gb of your SD card dedicated to storage of apps. I don't know if you still would like A2SD despite this, but I thought this would probably influence your decision.
Nigeldg said:
SD Android uses no ROM. The applications are stored on what is read by the system as 'internal storage' but is actually a data.img file which is normally 1gb, therefore you already have 1gb of your SD card dedicated to storage of apps. I don't know if you still would like A2SD despite this, but I thought this would probably influence your decision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. When downloading apps, Android will treat it storage at the internal storage, that is, the memory reduces very fast. Using App2SD will help to show higher memory storage, which is similar to NAndroid. However, the memory is still lowered as it seems to move the apps only to outside, keeping data internally. Therefore, it can download up to 60-70 apps, but it is impossible to store like 200apps. Link2SD could solve it, but I cannot link to EXT3 after using it. Any suggestion on it?

partition

I have pationed my sd card into 1 gb ext4 patition now I am using h9....now it shows only 6gb memory card....and my internal memory ia same...and the remaining 1gb is not found...hp to make that 1gb as my internal....
You need to use Link2sd & mount the partition then you can link apps
If link2sd doesn't give you the option to mount the ext partition you created it wrong
You can create your partition in cwm under the partitioning section - note that it will format your sd card so backup first to pc
Also note that your internal storage will not increase - this is a fixed hard drive and unless you magically fit a bigger one it will always be the same
What you are doing is creating virtual storage space on your sd card that acts like internal storage
The advantage is you can install more apps
The disadvantage is the more apps you link the more laggy the phone will get
marcussmith2626 said:
You need to use Link2sd & mount the partition then you can link apps
If link2sd doesn't give you the option to mount the ext partition you created it wrong
You can create your partition in cwm under the partitioning section - note that it will format your sd card so backup first to pc
Also note that your internal storage will not increase - this is a fixed hard drive and unless you magically fit a bigger one it will always be the same
What you are doing is creating virtual storage space on your sd card that acts like internal storage
The advantage is you can install more apps
The disadvantage is the more apps you link the more laggy the phone will get
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so how can delete this partition....?so that I get my memory back
–NigthFury– said:
so how can delete this partition....?so that I get my memory back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By either formatting the sd card with your phone or creating a new partition in cwm (this will delete everything on sd card so backup first to pc)
Or
Use mini tool on pc to format the partition & then merge the partitions or delete all partitions & create a new one

SD card for app storage

I'm using a 400GB SD card. I saw a comment about creating 2 different partitions on it as I want to use part of it for app storage and the other part for file storage, The second partition would be exFAT so I can remove the card and transfer my books, music, etc. to it by attaching the SD card to my laptop as I understand that Windows would not be able to recognize the partition that would be formatted as internal storage. I did format the SD card using my laptop as two separate partitions. My Samsung Galaxy Tab A saw both partitions. I selected the 96GB partition as I wanted to use that for app storage and selected the option to use it as internal storage. Unfortunately when I did that, it appears that the system set the whole CD card up for internal storage. Does anyone have any insight on how to accomplish this - use part of the SD card for internal storage and part of it for storage that would be recognizable by Windows? Thank you very much.
I have not tried, so take the advice as a suggestion, perhaps android can be "fooled", which I doubt.
After creating a bulk partition in android, move the SD to Windows and resize that partition, and create a second partition on the remaining capacity and hide it.
Now move the SD back to android and see what happens.
If android will reformat the partitions again then I can't advise anything else.
However, if android accepts the memory, then the next step is to discover the partition in Windows and recheck the SD in android.
ze7zez said:
I have not tried, so take the advice as a suggestion, perhaps android can be "fooled", which I doubt.
After creating a bulk partition in android, move the SD to Windows and resize that partition, and create a second partition on the remaining capacity and hide it.
Now move the SD back to android and see what happens.
If android will reformat the partitions again then I can't advise anything else.
However, if android accepts the memory, then the next step is to discover the partition in Windows and recheck the SD in android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I was trying to work on that and now the Android Storage module (in Settings) keeps crashing when I open it. IDK what happened here. I've reformatted the SD card, I've removed the SD card, I've rebooted the table multiple times. I'm almost to the point of having to restore the tablet from scratch ... again.
Try this:
Link2SD - Apps on Google Play
Complete app management, move to SD, clear cache, remove bloatware and more
play.google.com
JR1979 said:
I'm using a 400GB SD card. I saw a comment about creating 2 different partitions on it as I want to use part of it for app storage and the other part for file storage, The second partition would be exFAT so I can remove the card and transfer my books, music, etc. to it by attaching the SD card to my laptop as I understand that Windows would not be able to recognize the partition that would be formatted as internal storage. I did format the SD card using my laptop as two separate partitions. My Samsung Galaxy Tab A saw both partitions. I selected the 96GB partition as I wanted to use that for app storage and selected the option to use it as internal storage. Unfortunately when I did that, it appears that the system set the whole CD card up for internal storage. Does anyone have any insight on how to accomplish this - use part of the SD card for internal storage and part of it for storage that would be recognizable by Windows? Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're trying to convert a partition in sd card as internal storage and leave the rest as an external storage. Not possible as far as I know.
TheMystic said:
You're trying to convert a partition in sd card as internal storage and leave the rest as an external storage. Not possible as far as I know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats a bummer but that is what I was feeling was going to be the outcome. I guess I'll just go with it as internal storage then and be rlefated to wireless transfer of my books, etc. To the tablet. Any thoughts on why my Storage module keeps crashing now? Something definitely went nuts somewhere along the way here. It was running fine.. until I start poking around with this. I'll probably just do a rebuild again tonight.. if I can find my steps notes.
I also don't think it's possible to do what you have in mind. It's also important to remember that Windows will only mount the first partition of an SD card. It won't see any other partitions without 3rd party software installed.
JR1979 said:
Thats a bummer but that is what I was feeling was going to be the outcome. I guess I'll just go with it as internal storage then and be rlefated to wireless transfer of my books, etc. To the tablet. Any thoughts on why my Storage module keeps crashing now? Something definitely went nuts somewhere along the way here. It was running fine.. until I start poking around with this. I'll probably just do a rebuild again tonight.. if I can find my steps notes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason people want a micro SD card is to be able to move it around between devices, so it is not a good idea to convert it into 'internal storage' for two reasons:
1. You can no longer move the card around (not without reformatting it again).
2. This process would significantly slow down the system if the OS starts saving apps, data and files on the micro SD card because it sees this space as internal storage.
Because of how you partitioned the SD card and tried converting only a part of it as internal storage, my guess is the process caused corruption somewhere, and the system is crashing because of that. I'm afraid you'll have to do a factory reset and start from scratch. I hope your files are safe.
JR1979 said:
I'm using a 400GB SD card. I saw a comment about creating 2 different partitions on it as I want to use part of it for app storage and the other part for file storage, The second partition would be exFAT so I can remove the card and transfer my books, music, etc. to it by attaching the SD card to my laptop as I understand that Windows would not be able to recognize the partition that would be formatted as internal storage. I did format the SD card using my laptop as two separate partitions. My Samsung Galaxy Tab A saw both partitions. I selected the 96GB partition as I wanted to use that for app storage and selected the option to use it as internal storage. Unfortunately when I did that, it appears that the system set the whole CD card up for internal storage. Does anyone have any insight on how to accomplish this - use part of the SD card for internal storage and part of it for storage that would be recognizable by Windows? Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should NEVER use an SD card for internal storage. They are MUCH to slow for that purpose. Today's SoC have RAM chips mounted directly on top and are several times faster than the fastest SD card bus. And low end tablets, which includes ALL Tab A devices, use a USB bus with limited bandwidth. So using faster SD cards is pointless as they will still only be as fast as the bus. SD cards are fine for storing video, audio, text and downloaded files, but NOT for running apps. Doing so will cause the device to be laggy at best, and cause crashes at worst.
blaacksheep said:
I also don't think it's possible to do what you have in mind. It's also important to remember that Windows will only mount the first partition of an SD card. It won't see any other partitions without 3rd party software installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The two partitions on the USB flash drive can be seen* in Windows without third-party software.
*I don't have an English Windows interface.
ze7zez said:
The two partitions on the USB flash drive can be seen* in Windows without third-party software.
*I don't have an English Windows interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant that it won't mount the second partition, although you can see it in Disk Manager.
blaacksheep said:
I meant that it won't mount the second partition, although you can see it in Disk Manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows 10 mounts both of these partitions, assigns them letters and you can use them (read and write).
ze7zez said:
Windows 10 mounts both of these partitions, assigns them letters and you can use them (read and write).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stand corrected! Previous versions of Windows could not do that.
ze7zez said:
The two partitions on the USB flash drive can be seen* in Windows without third-party software.
*I don't have an English Windows interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something strange in that attachment. Since when do Android SD cards have NTFS partitions? As far as I know, the internal storage partitions that Windows couldn't read were formated as Ext3 or Ext4 and the external as either FAT32 or exFAT.
lewmur said:
Something strange in that attachment. Since when do Android SD cards have NTFS partitions? As far as I know, the internal storage partitions that Windows couldn't read were formated as Ext3 or Ext4 and the external as either FAT32 or exFAT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't suggest the volume label. Partition K: is FAT. The example shows that Windows can show two partitions on a USB stick.
ze7zez said:
Don't suggest the volume label. Partition K: is FAT. The example shows that Windows can show two partitions on a USB stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course it can. It can show several. But NOT the two partitions created on an Android SD card because one of then is formated in a file system Windows doesn't recognize and that is what the poster was talking about.
edit: Disk Manager will actually show the partition but it won't be assigned a drive letter because Windows can't mount it.

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