Database Users

[How To Guide] Access A500 microSD card and/or USB from PC

For those of you that would like the ability to transfer files between the internal memory, microSD card, and/or usb data drive from your PC, there is a way. Download and install QtADB.
NOTE: I have updated the instructions. This should work without having to download the Android SDK.
1. First you need to download and install the flavor of Java you require (x86 or x64). This is required for ADB and AAPT.
2. Next download QtADB. Copy the "QtADB_0.8.0_windows_with_libs" folder to the "C:\Program Files\" folder.
3. Finally, download ADB and AAPT binaries for windows. Copy the files to the "C:\Program Files\QtADB_0.8.0_windows_with_libs" folder.
Here is the link for Java: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk-6u26-download-400750.html
Here is the link to QtADB: http://qtadb.wordpress.com/download/
Here is the link for the ADB and AAPT binarie files: http://www.mediafire.com/?yegi0lp9ik5xuk0
Once you get it all loaded, connect your A500 to your PC via the micro USB port. Launch QtADB. The first time you run QtADB, it will ask you for the path to ADB and AAPT. This should be "C:\Program Files\QtADB_0.8.0_windows_with_libs" folder. You should be able to access all your storage internal and external to your A500. I am no expert on this application, but will try to help if I can.
Attached are screenshots of QtADB abd attached to my A500. The Apps and Messages tabs do not work, but so far everything else seems to. Enjoy.

So, no one wants to be able to directly transfer files from thier PC to thier external microSC card? I see a lot of views, but no comments. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for you? Anyway, happy day.

dalepl said:
So, no one wants to be able to directly transfer files from thier PC to thier external microSC card? I see a lot of views, but no comments. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for you? Anyway, happy day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@dalepl - to answer your question I have posted this SIMPLE method previously. I have emphasied the word SIMPLE because it's not as clever and structured as your method but is probably more suited to us non-programming noobs.
For anyone who wants to see the contents of their sd card on their PC and be able to copy/transfer files from one to the other, why not give this a try, it is very simple and works for my A500.
Before you start you need your A500 to be rooted and you need "USB Mount All version 1.3" from the Market cost $1.99
(1) Have your PC switched on, don't connect your A500 yet but switch the A500 on.
(2) Run USB Mount All and you will see your sd card as a "Device" named "ext_sdcard".
(3) Press the tab "Mount" next to your ext_sdcard. You will see two messages "Mount has been granted Superuser permission" and "Device successfully mounted".
(4) Press the "Menu" tab in the top Right hand corner of the screen, this opens a small box entitled "Settings". Press on "Settings" and you get 3 options, make certain all 3 options are ticked, ticking them if they are not. (The important thing is to have "Mount on Bootup" ticked"). Press the Back Arrow twice to get back to Home Page or where ever you started from.
(5) Re-boot the A500 and after it is back running connect it to your PC using mini usb connector.
(6) Now check your PC and open Windows Explorer, you will find under your A500 Device most of the folder/directories that are in /mnt/sdcard (which isn't all that relevent to this) BUT importantly you will find a folder/directory entitled "ext_sdcard" which for those of you who noticed is the exact name that "USB Mount All" called your sd card.
(7) Now use Windows Explorer to copy and paste whatever you want into the "ext_sdcard" folder.
(8) Please note that when you start to copy files you will get up a warning box stating "Do you want to copy XXXXX to your device?". You are given 2 choices (1) No skip this file or (2) Yes.
(9) Put a tick in the box at the bottom Left and click on "Yes".
(10) When finished safely disconnect your A500 from your PC and re-boot your A500.
(11) After re-boot go back into "USB Mount All", chose top Right menu and settings box and remove the tick from the 3rd option "Mount on Bootup". Each time you are going to copy, move or delete files first of all put the tick back in the 3rd box and when you're done take it out.
Your Done. If you use any File Explorer to look at /mnt/external_sd you will see all the files residing on your sd card including those you've just copied.

I think the reason is people wish there were a simpler way than to have to download 13 programs and do this do that...
But still, thanks.

Johnny0906 said:
I think the reason is people wish there were a simpler way than to have to download 13 programs and do this do that...
But still, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may be right. Looking closer I am going to change the directions. You do not have to install the SDK to get this to work. You can download ADB and AAPT files from the QtADB site.

I believe someone else in another thread mentioned Droid Explorer. Works great for me.

tomlogan1 said:
I believe someone else in another thread mentioned Droid Explorer. Works great for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took a look at this one and although it does look good and does most of the same thing QtADB does, I still perfer QtADB. For one, I can delete, move, and copy files from the A500 external storage to the PC and vice versa from right within QtADB. I did not spend much time with Droid Explorer and it may be able to do the same thing, but I did not find it. All in all, I guess it will be up to each user to pick the one they like. Both seem to be good options.

File transfer directly between PC and external_sd (WiFi)
dalepl said:
So, no one wants to be able to directly transfer files from thier PC to thier external microSC card? I see a lot of views, but no comments. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for you? Anyway, happy day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.

dweebken said:
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear. I saw many people asking in other threads about this ability, but had not seen anyone mention how except for taking your micrSD card out and using an adapter to hook it up to your PC. I have been using QtADB since I got my HTC Droid Incredible a year ago and gave it a try with the A500 and it worked, so I thought I would let everyone know. It is good that now there are three alternatives listed for everyone.

dweebken said:
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should just add, I think the default browse folder when you install it is /mnt/sdcard. Just change the default to /mnt in the app's menu, and then on the pc you can browse to either sdcard or external_sd from the local IP address the program gives you on the tablet.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

dweebken said:
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow this is awesome just tried it out and its nice
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

garbagecanman said:
Wow this is awesome just tried it out and its nice
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked for you.

I use ES File Explorer, its free and fairly straight forward. I can access any shared file on my PC and move/copy any file from my A500 to my PC and vise-versa. It also accesses Dropbox, which is handy. Probably not a perfect solution, but it works well enough for me. I'm sure there are other file explorer apps out there that do the same thing, but I've been using ES since I got my Archos 5IMT way back when so I'm used to it.

karlkarloff said:
I use ES File Explorer, its free and fairly straight forward. I can access any shared file on my PC and move/copy any file from my A500 to my PC and vise-versa. It also accesses Dropbox, which is handy. Probably not a perfect solution, but it works well enough for me. I'm sure there are other file explorer apps out there that do the same thing, but I've been using ES since I got my Archos 5IMT way back when so I'm used to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice. The real difference between using a file explorer on the tablet and the solution I gave is that no shared folders or dropbox are needed. You can access all the folders on the PC and all the storage on the A500. The interface is just like the Windows Explorer, so there is no big learning curve. I do like that this is showing people different ways to get to the same solution. Now they can use the one that best fits them.

Where are my files?

Hey guys, I hate to create such a silly post, but I really haven't had any luck searching... but.. I transferred some files from my PC to my kindle via connecting it as a mass storage device. However, I am unable to find them anywhere when I'm on kindle.. Where are they located?!
Thanks in advanced

higherbeing said:
Hey guys, I hate to create such a silly post, but I really haven't had any luck searching... but.. I transferred some files from my PC to my kindle via connecting it as a mass storage device. However, I am unable to find them anywhere when I'm on kindle.. Where are they located?!
Thanks in advanced
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are you trying to find them? If you're using a file manager, they will be somewhere on /sdcard
Sent from my Butta'd Kindle Fire using Tapatalk.

Well, they are PDF files.. I tried to use Adobe Reader, but that didnt work. Then I tried to just navigate to the files with ES File Explorer and Astro File Explorer, and I just can't find any of the directories that I see when I'm connected via USB. I just checked /sdcard/ and that folder is empty

Search for them by namebis ES File Explorer.
Sent from my Butta'd Kindle Fire using Tapatalk.

I tried that a couple times now... but it doesn't find the files.. just to make sure, I placed the pdfs in /books, /downloads and in the root of the drive that shows up when connected via USB.. but i cant find it

The root that shows up is /sdcard on yr kindle. Did you disconnect the kf properly? You may not have written the files if you just pulled out the cable!
Sent from my Kindle Fire using XDA

higherbeing said:
Hey guys, I hate to create such a silly post, but I really haven't had any luck searching... but.. I transferred some files from my PC to my kindle via connecting it as a mass storage device. However, I am unable to find them anywhere when I'm on kindle.. Where are they located?!
Thanks in advanced
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue. Boot back into twrp and mount and unmount the sd card. That should fix your issue.
I am assuming you are running a custom rom.

Question on how to sideload kindle books on nexus 7

Hello there,
I was hoping you guys would be able to help me with sideloading my mobi files for the kindle app to the nexus 7. I tried creating an ebook folder and that didnt work. I was trying to search for a "Kindle" folder when I plugged in my nexus 7 into my computer and I could not find it. The nexus 7 does not have an sd card slot so I was wondering how would I transfer the kindle books to my nexus 7 and I have it be recognizable. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Tried using Calibre?

bustyshrimp said:
Hello there,
I was hoping you guys would be able to help me with sideloading my mobi files for the kindle app to the nexus 7. I tried creating an ebook folder and that didnt work. I was trying to search for a "Kindle" folder when I plugged in my nexus 7 into my computer and I could not find it. The nexus 7 does not have an sd card slot so I was wondering how would I transfer the kindle books to my nexus 7 and I have it be recognizable. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they're Kindle books (from Amazon), can't you use the Kindle app (or is it not compatible..I noticed the Amazon Mobile app is not compatible..yet).

bustyshrimp said:
Hello there,
I was hoping you guys would be able to help me with sideloading my mobi files for the kindle app to the nexus 7. I tried creating an ebook folder and that didnt work. I was trying to search for a "Kindle" folder when I plugged in my nexus 7 into my computer and I could not find it. The nexus 7 does not have an sd card slot so I was wondering how would I transfer the kindle books to my nexus 7 and I have it be recognizable. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I created the folder "kindle" on the root of /sdcard. Drag and dropped my files in it and rebooted the N7, launch the app there they are.

bustyshrimp said:
Hello there,
I was hoping you guys would be able to help me with sideloading my mobi files for the kindle app to the nexus 7. I tried creating an ebook folder and that didnt work. I was trying to search for a "Kindle" folder when I plugged in my nexus 7 into my computer and I could not find it. The nexus 7 does not have an sd card slot so I was wondering how would I transfer the kindle books to my nexus 7 and I have it be recognizable. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you install the kindle app it makes a folder on the sd called kindle so Just place the actual mobi files in the root of the kindle folder.. Not a folder in the folder.. It may take a min for the app to update but that works
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

DJLamontagneIII said:
When you install the kindle app it makes a folder on the sd called kindle so Just place the actual mobi files in the root of the kindle folder.. Not a folder in the folder.. It may take a min for the app to update but that works
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh thanks alot guys. I was able to find the Kindle folder. I wonder why it didnt show up before when I downloaded and installed the app. I guess it takes a while to show. Anyways, I solved my problem. Thanks again.

DJLamontagneIII said:
When you install the kindle app it makes a folder on the sd called kindle so Just place the actual mobi files in the root of the kindle folder.. Not a folder in the folder.. It may take a min for the app to update but that works
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip! Just found this after googling for a while. This worked like a charm.

you probably have a good reason why not, but:
just install kindle on the nexus 7, go to manage my kindle in the kindle store on your pc and send the books in your library to your Nexus from there, it will be listed as "my android tablet" or something similar. Then go into the app on the Nexus and click the sync option in the app menu, it will download your books.

Thanks for that tip very helpful.

You can also email mobi files to kindle with your kindle email address . I did it the other day and took a few to show up but worked fine.

Do I have to have my nexus rooted before I can move the mobi to the kindle folder to view them?

undeadbutcher said:
Do I have to have my nexus rooted before I can move the mobi to the kindle folder to view them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to root it for the folder to show up.
Just download the app and wait for the folder to show up.
If it doesn't, just restart your phone and plug it in again. ( coincidence probably just worked for me)
However if you root it, you can write the folder "kindle" on the /root of your sdcard otherwise use the run-as command in the adb shell.
:good:

Transferring app data...

I will be sending my nexus 7 back and receiving a replacement. I am not rooted, nor do I want to, but I really want to keep my save data for Final Fantasy 3 (and a few other games). Does anyone know how to do this without rooting?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Most settings are stored in the /data folder, see if there is a Final Fantasy folder there. You can make a backup of these folders, or everything in /sdcard by installing FTP Server such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=lutey.FTPServer on your tablet and then installing FileZilla FTP Client on your Windows PC to access and make a copy of these files.
edit: found this post - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1750401 You might be out of luck if root is needed to access those save files.

Thanks. Looks like I have to root. No big deal, I suppose I'll just start over
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

PDF Files

Some of my PDF files I transfer to my tablet won't allow me to open them.. When I'm looking at my Nexus 10 storage on my computer it shows the files as PDF files, but on the tablet it doesn't. When I try to open the file on my tablet it says "Activity Not Found".
See attachment.
When I open the files on my PC they work fine. Any ideas on the problem?

I'm gonna take a guess and say they are copyright locked judging by the names. Have you installed kindle and see if it opens them?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

I have Amazon's Kindle app but I can't figure out how to open PDFs with it without going through a file manager.

12Fully said:
I have Amazon's Kindle app but I can't figure out how to open PDFs with it without going through a file manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think for kindle to open a file, the file has to be in the kindle folder. Or, using esfile explorer, long press the icon for the file and a menu box will open with the option to open the file with kindle.