Database Users

[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] Transfer FROM Tablet TO USB Drive

Hi guys,
I'm getting tired of not being able to transfer files from my Nexus 7 [rooted] to a USB flash drive. I have Nexus Media Importer software installed, but it will only allow me to transfer files from the FlashDrive to the Tablet but not the other way...it's just plain dumb.
I usually download stuff via torrent to my Tablet and then distribute it to my friends, but when the files are over 4gb, bluetooth is way to slow and forget about the PC option, I don't have any PC to use...so don't tell me to transfer to a PC and then to the flash drive...
Any ideas?
EDIT: Also tried Stick Mount y USB Host Controller :/ NO LUCK!

Perhaps dumb questions, but since you didn't mention these details, everybody who reads your post is forced to guess.
1) Did you check the mount points (in each case) to see whether they were read-write (rw) or read-only (ro) ?
2) Should we assume that the USB stick only has a single partition, and that it is formatted in a FAT32 fashion? Or something else? What device/OS did you use to format the USB key to begin with?
If you are using any file system excepting FATx, the kernel you are using is also important - and you also failed to mention that.
BTW, I have successfully written large-ish files TO a FAT32 USB key on a OTG cable mounted via StickMount with a lightly-rooted stock N7 (essentially a stock ROM and stock kernel). "Large-ish" in this case is about 2.5 GB. (FAT filesystems are not capable of writing individual files larger than 4GB)
cheers

bftb0 said:
Perhaps dumb questions, but since you didn't mention these details, everybody who reads your post is forced to guess.
1) Did you check the mount points (in each case) to see whether they were read-write (rw) or read-only (ro) ?
2) Should we assume that the USB stick only has a single partition, and that it is formatted in a FAT32 fashion? Or something else? What device/OS did you use to format the USB key to begin with?
If you are using any file system excepting FATx, the kernel you are using is also important - and you also failed to mention that.
BTW, I have successfully written large-ish files TO a FAT32 USB key on a OTG cable mounted via StickMount with a lightly-rooted stock N7 (essentially a stock ROM and stock kernel). "Large-ish" in this case is about 2.5 GB. (FAT filesystems are not capable of writing individual files larger than 4GB)
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No dumb questions at all, I just started this thread really quick because I am at work and can't be 'on the internet' for too long.
1) I just checked and Nexus Media Importer says 'read only', I haven't seen that :/ (that's dumb)
2) The owner of the USB Stick tells me he formatted it with Windows 7 but never changed the format, it's FAT32 since he bought it. The file I attempt to transfer is 4.1Gb...
About the kernel and ROM, both stock and ROOTED.
The owner of the USB Stick tells me that he recently used it to boot Win7 and install it on a friend's PC and maybe that's why it is on 'read only'. I've checked for the usual 'lock' switch but it doesn't have one...so that must be why. Don't you think?
Also, I could never use StickMount..it just times out attempting to mount :/
EDIT: One more thing, I downloaded 'USB Host Controller' (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1468531). I attempted to mount at /mnt/sdext and many other points but none of them worked...I'm using ES file explorer to look for the mount point but it doesn't exist.

Nanopane said:
1) I just checked and Nexus Media Importer says 'read only', I haven't seen that :/ (that's dumb)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the name of the app includes the word "importer". That seems to imply only one direction, but I've never used the app so I don't know.
Nanopane said:
2) The file I attempt to transfer is 4.1Gb...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No matter how you mount a FAT32 filesystem, you will not be able to write a file to it which is greater than 4,294,967,295 bytes in length (2^32 - 1).
Apparently there is something called "exFAT" that is intended for large flash devices, but it seems to be not ready for prime time with Android yet. (Search titles here on XDA for "exFAT"). Also, the Wikipedia page for exFAT says that it is patent-encumbered. That's a deal-breaker for Android I suspect.
Nanopane said:
The owner of the USB Stick tells me that he recently used it to boot Win7 and install it on a friend's PC and maybe that's why it is on 'read only'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hard to say. Re-format it in windows and try again.

Thanks a lot Mr!
I'm gonna use some other app just to try to get it done, with a 'smaller' file. And regarding the USB Stick, let's just leave that behind...I can mount NTFS systems and give my friend the files in a Ext-HDD
Luckily there is always another option

[Q] Transfer files from N7 to External Hdd

Good Morning
I am having a panic, i am going on holiday soon and i take lots of photos. I have just got the N7 and i have managed to put photos onto the N7 via an OTG cable + card reader with SD card inserted and using Nexus Media Importer. Now i can see them and select them in the gallery but when i plug in my Ext Hdd then N7 recognises it but i can transfer the photos over.
What am i doing wrong
Tansk in advance
Slaine

Be rooted and install StickMount.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

slainesco said:
What am i doing wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You failed to appreciate the significance of the word "Importer" in the app's name.

bftb0 said:
You failed to appreciate the significance of the word "Importer" in the app's name.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there a good exporter app then
when i attached my fat32 1tb hdd i use stickmount and it says MBR signature not found
any ideas

slainesco said:
is there a good exporter app then
when i attached my fat32 1tb hdd i use stickmount and it says MBR signature not found
any ideas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've barely said anything meaningful about your device - for instance if it is rooted (& what ROM and kernel you are using if so).
Your mileage will depend on both the kernel and ROM you have installed. I would think that most kernels should support FAT32, but the ROM used (e.g. stock) may not have an automounter/vold which will automatically mount the device as soon as it is plugged in.
For example, this is why people will use StickMount on lightly-rooted stock, but don't need it at all with CM10.1 - the stock kernel supports mounting of FAT HDDs, but the stock ROM doesn't take any actions automatically when they are plugged in.
Right now I'm running a recent CM10.1 nightly & just plugged into my N7:
1) a 8 GB FAT32 uSD card on a reader
2) a 150 GB HDD formatted in NTFS
In both cases, the USB device mounted (without any intervention on my part) successfully - but with the NTFS HDD in read-only mode. I would think it would have mounted the HDD in R/W mode had it been a FAT filesystem. Dismounting the devices was available via Settings->Storage.
Once you've got the device mounted, any root-aware file browser app should allow you (in principle) the ability to copy files bi-directionally. The "in principle" part is that I see reports on here complaining about successful mounts but no files showing up... so you are probably going to need to experiment.
good luck
PS I believe that SD cards in card readers can be written by Media Importer - why this doesn't extend to FAT HDDs I don't really know.

bftb0 said:
You've barely said anything meaningful about your device - for instance if it is rooted (& what ROM and kernel you are using if so).
Your mileage will depend on both the kernel and ROM you have installed. I would think that most kernels should support FAT32, but the ROM used (e.g. stock) may not have an automounter/vold which will automatically mount the device as soon as it is plugged in.
For example, this is why people will use StickMount on lightly-rooted stock, but don't need it at all with CM10.1 - the stock kernel supports mounting of FAT HDDs, but the stock ROM doesn't take any actions automatically when they are plugged in.
Right now I'm running a recent CM10.1 nightly & just plugged into my N7:
1) a 8 GB FAT32 uSD card on a reader
2) a 150 GB HDD formatted in NTFS
In both cases, the USB device mounted (without any intervention on my part) successfully - but with the NTFS HDD in read-only mode. I would think it would have mounted the HDD in R/W mode had it been a FAT filesystem. Dismounting the devices was available via Settings->Storage.
Once you've got the device mounted, any root-aware file browser app should allow you (in principle) the ability to copy files bi-directionally. The "in principle" part is that I see reports on here complaining about successful mounts but no files showing up... so you are probably going to need to experiment.
good luck
PS I believe that SD cards in card readers can be written by Media Importer - why this doesn't extend to FAT HDDs I don't really know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the lack off info. I have only had the N7 for over a week and it isnt rooted as up until one hour ago i hadnt a clue what that meant. So i guess it is stock and ive sinced realised Stickmount wont work.
I can mount a 32gb stick no hassles but the fat32 1tb external hdd with power supply just comes up with mbr signature not found
thanks

Reading OTG- USB

I gotta say, I'm struggling mightily here.
I'm running stock on my Nexus 10, with 4.4.2, rooted with TWRP installed as recovery and with SU installed.
I'm trying hard to see if I can watch movies on USB using the OTG cable. All my movies are MKV's on my HD. I could convert to .mp4 if I have to.....but
I've played around mounting the stick with Stickmount as well as Nexus Media Importer. Both will mount the drives but I can't read anything on them.
I finally got it to where I could read files if they were on my Hp 16 Gb stick formatted Fat, not NTFS or ex-Fat. It will not read my Patriot 64's in any format.
I went to Stickmount Playstore page to d/l the 2 zip files that would enable NTFS support and moved them over to /SDcard. Didn't seem to make any difference.
It used to be I could play any video file of any format, of any size, on any sized stick. What happened? Do any of the other roms do any better at supporting this? Are there known limitations to KitKat? Are there work arounds/enhancements/fixes available? Should I run a different kernel?
Any help would be most appreciated.

OK. So here's where I'm at. I now come to see that the only drive that will work is a FAT32 format and that it has to be 16 gb or less in size. It doesn't matter what format the file is in. It won't read NTFS or exFAT.
Is that the experience of everyone else or what?
I've also found that I cannot format a larger drive (eg: 64 gb) in windows. It only allows exFAT on this size. I can, however, use something like EaseUS Partition Manager (free) and format the drive that way into FAT32 at least allowing a greater number of movies on 1 stick.
Next hurdle though, is how to get around the 4gb size issue.

You can try using USB OTG HELPER without any limitations as to the type of stick or drive (FAT NTFS table format) you can use. The downside that I have noticed with all those programmes that enable OTG function via root methods is that they tamper system files which in turn cause future system file update errors. (I had to manually find and replace some files in order to make my 4.3 update from 4.2 happen)
Send from a GNEX YAKJU with stock ROM and custom recovery with root

increase 16gb harddrive space for roms/emu/android games? whats the best way? (use sd

and is there a guide to do this, is it using the sd?
what software apk files do i need?
thanks

I'm using default option to transfert apps on SdCard (after installing), on menu setting/applications.

does that transfer the big obb/data files?

kyrusdemnati said:
does that transfer the big obb/data files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did with Doom 3. All 4GB transferred to my SD card.
But YMMV depending on the app of course

I have bought Tales From the Borderlands, which BTW plays really nice with the Nvidia-controller. Whereas the app itself is installed on the microSD-card, the game data it self (e.g. the different seasons - and those are several megabytes) will load internally. That's sad.

Apps to externals HDD
ive been trying to figure out how to move apps from the internal memory to an external HDD i alread used the drive to create a TWRP backup, i can also see the drive in ES file explorer but i cant find any apps or method to move app OBB/DATA to an external HDD there are plenty for apps to SD but i need APP to HDD. can anyone shed some light on this? do you have this kind of thing working?

beefy143 said:
ive been trying to figure out how to move apps from the internal memory to an external HDD i alread used the drive to create a TWRP backup, i can also see the drive in ES file explorer but i cant find any apps or method to move app OBB/DATA to an external HDD there are plenty for apps to SD but i need APP to HDD. can anyone shed some light on this? do you have this kind of thing working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe Apps to USB storage will be available when we get an Android M update for the Shield TV.

any news on android m ?

If you happen to have xposed
Theres a module thats purpose is to "reroute" those internal folder contents to its counterpart on external sd card
Theres no mention of usb harddrive, but those in this situation thats willing to test and find out......
"Change path to internal SD card on OS level! Android Storage API tweaks.
This module changes path to internal SD card.
You can: change path to internal SD which is returned by System API, change path to obb dirs, app files, download dir (you can have everything on SD card!)
Control it in app settings."
[Xposed][MODULE][4.0+] XInternalSD
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/xposed-disablesignaturecheck-t2789267
Github
https://github.com/pylerSM/XInternalSD
If there are and it works, im sure future readers in this situation would appreciate the confirmation assuming theres no other way

Xposed
I'll try that out don't have xposed installed yet but I guess that will have to be the next thing on my list.

on full android i use link2sd.

@tailslol
Thanks for the tip with the app:good:

Apps to externals HDD
For apps to HDD you need folder mount tested and working

beefy143 said:
For apps to HDD you need folder mount tested and working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made a post about it here on xda in shield android tv general.

Why does Nvidia even keep putting 16GB options in these tablets and STB? I swear 32GB should be the absolute minimum.

Sub-Negro said:
Why does Nvidia even keep putting 16GB options in these tablets and STB? I swear 32GB should be the absolute minimum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyway the beta 6.0 is comming with native app to SD support.

tailslol said:
Anyway the beta 6.0 is comming with native app to SD support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the apps to SD support in 6.0 move everything? Obb and Data.
Also will it support moving to USB or external HDD?
If not I would say it's still pretty useless to me.

beefy143 said:
Does the apps to SD support in 6.0 move everything? Obb and Data.
Also will it support moving to USB or external HDD?
If not I would say it's still pretty useless to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything,yes but sd only,not USB.
It mount USB as a external device.

There is no "best way" until we can figure out a way to get the Shield TV to support EXT4 file system.
I installed a custom kernel on my Galaxy Note 10.1 v2014 16GB tablet so I can use my 64GB external micro SD as "internal" storage. It works fairly well. It's not perfect, but it works well.
Once I got my tablet to recognize EXT4 file system, I was able to format my micro SD to EXT4 use a Windows app, there are several.
Then, I used Link2SD to mount the card as "internal storage".
My internal storage has only 10gb free when it's stock with no apps installed. I cleaned out the bloat and managed to recover another 0.4gb.
Using Link2SD, I'm able to install another 11gb of apps and games onto my tablet. My real internal storage now is about 8.82gb free. The rest of the data is stored on the micro SD.
For a lot of apps, it's able to store 100% of the app's data onto the micro SD.....I mean 100%!
BUGS:
Because of the way my tablet mounts the micro SD, if I ever have to reboot my tablet, then I have to reboot it twice. First, I do a "hard" reboot". Second, I do a "soft" reboot. The first reboot mounts the micro SD. But, because Links2SD loads before the micro SD mounts, it doesn't see it. So, I do a "soft" reboot, which only reboots the Android UI. Links2SD has a built-in feature to do this. After the soft reboot, Link2SD sees it. You have to buy the paid version to move 100% of the data to the micro SD but it was only $2-3.
Once in a blue moon, my NOVA launcher acts weird. I just do the process above and it resets it.
Without directory linking, which is how Link2SD works, then there is no BEST WAY to do this because there's no way Android will move 100% of the app to the external storage. Link2SD creates symbolic link on the internal storage, so when you look at the App Manager, it still thinks it's internal and even gives you the option to MOVE TO SD but don't do that! It's already on the SD.
So, bottom line, if you want this to work for our Nvidia Shield TV's, then you need to spread awareness to Nvidia and devs here about EXT4 file system support and hope that someone can port it to our machines!

Neo3D said:
There is no "best way" until we can figure out a way to get the Shield TV to support EXT4 file system.
I installed a custom kernel on my Galaxy Note 10.1 v2014 16GB tablet so I can use my 64GB external micro SD as "internal" storage. It works fairly well. It's not perfect, but it works well.
Once I got my tablet to recognize EXT4 file system, I was able to format my micro SD to EXT4 use a Windows app, there are several.
Then, I used Link2SD to mount the card as "internal storage".
My internal storage has only 10gb free when it's stock with no apps installed. I cleaned out the bloat and managed to recover another 0.4gb.
Using Link2SD, I'm able to install another 11gb of apps and games onto my tablet. My real internal storage now is about 8.82gb free. The rest of the data is stored on the micro SD.
For a lot of apps, it's able to store 100% of the app's data onto the micro SD.....I mean 100%!
BUGS:
Because of the way my tablet mounts the micro SD, if I ever have to reboot my tablet, then I have to reboot it twice. First, I do a "hard" reboot". Second, I do a "soft" reboot. The first reboot mounts the micro SD. But, because Links2SD loads before the micro SD mounts, it doesn't see it. So, I do a "soft" reboot, which only reboots the Android UI. Links2SD has a built-in feature to do this. After the soft reboot, Link2SD sees it. You have to buy the paid version to move 100% of the data to the micro SD but it was only $2-3.
Once in a blue moon, my NOVA launcher acts weird. I just do the process above and it resets it.
Without directory linking, which is how Link2SD works, then there is no BEST WAY to do this because there's no way Android will move 100% of the app to the external storage. Link2SD creates symbolic link on the internal storage, so when you look at the App Manager, it still thinks it's internal and even gives you the option to MOVE TO SD but don't do that! It's already on the SD.
So, bottom line, if you want this to work for our Nvidia Shield TV's, then you need to spread awareness to Nvidia and devs here about EXT4 file system support and hope that someone can port it to our machines!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are a bit late but this is ok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtPGPBN5PJQ