Database Users

[Q] In simple terms, how to access/use storage on CM7 SD

I have spent the last week reading and searching the forums in an attempt to find out how to be able to access and use the empty space left on a CM7 boot sd. Some of the posts were confusing and others seemed to be targeted to those who are already very familiar with the file structures of these systems. The only paritioning experience I have is dividing a boot drive before putting on XP. I am using a Sandisk 8gb and it looks like there is about 5 gig free. Win XP is the os I am running.
So the questions I have are:
1) In simple terms, exactly what has to be done to a boot CM7 SD card to be able to use the empty space for books, mp3, etc? On the recommendations I read in different threads, I downloaded easus partition master, gnome partition editor, and minitool partition wizard. They all pretty much do the same of being able to display the 4 partitions, but what do with the programs then?
In the near future I would like to get a 16g or 32g and wouldn't want all of that space going to waste.
2) Is it possible to have it so that the NC stock boot can read the books downloaded in CM7? I have not been able to find where CM7 stores books.
Thanks to all whose work helped me get to this point. The NC is a fascinating piece of hardware.

Hey! Using the remaining storage on your SD card is quite easy. Just download and install this program on your NC. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=952456 open the program and select the 4th partition to be mounted. Now when you plug your nook into the PC, the partition which holds media etc. Will be mounted you can now transfer mp3's, roms for Emulators etc.
As for #2, Your cm7 books should be on the previously mentioned partition, which is the 4th.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App

Imbroglio said:
I have spent the last week reading and searching the forums in an attempt to find out how to be able to access and use the empty space left on a CM7 boot sd. Some of the posts were confusing and others seemed to be targeted to those who are already very familiar with the file structures of these systems. The only paritioning experience I have is dividing a boot drive before putting on XP. I am using a Sandisk 8gb and it looks like there is about 5 gig free. Win XP is the os I am running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5G sounds about right for the /sdcard partition. The rest of the partitions on an 8G card are /boot, /system, and /data. Use Root Explorer to poke around; you can tell when you jump partitions because the used/free numbers at the top will change.
/boot is not normally mounted.
The root filesystem is in-memory and is initialized from /boot/uRamdisk by default.
So the questions I have are:
1) In simple terms, exactly what has to be done to a boot CM7 SD card to be able to use the empty space for books, mp3, etc? On the recommendations I read in different threads, I downloaded easus partition master, gnome partition editor, and minitool partition wizard. They all pretty much do the same of being able to display the 4 partitions, but what do with the programs then?
In the near future I would like to get a 16g or 32g and wouldn't want all of that space going to waste.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The original instructions in the size-agnostic install thread detail what happens to various sizes of card; for anything above 2G /sdcard gets all the extra.
Any apps that use /sdcard for storage will use this space. App-specific config data and small databases are generally in /data unless instructed otherwise (I'm using less than 300M of my /data partition as yet). The app info or permissions will often give clues; if the permission for "read and write SD card" is requested or required, the app can or must use this space. Some apps (like BeyondPod) will always use /sdcard.
So, your space isn't wasted, it's just unused until you fill it.
2) Is it possible to have it so that the NC stock boot can read the books downloaded in CM7? I have not been able to find where CM7 stores books.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CM7 SD boot cleverly uses the built-in memory for both /cache and (at least some) media storage; the "media" stock partition pre-1.2 is mounted as /emmc; I don't know how the SD boot uses the newer partitions. The NC app stores books in "/emmc/B&N Downloads/Books" and magazines in ".../Magazines". You can move your music files to "/emmc/My Files/Music" and the stock music player will automagically find them there, freeing up even more space in your SD. This partition is mounted the same for emmc-booted NCs, making an easier transition if you get to that point (it took me months to decide to go ahead and do it, and I'm happy with the choice). Other apps may look there, or can be told to look there, but since it's a new-ish Android "feature" (convention, really), it's not universal.
When you use USB mounting by plugging your charger cable into your PC's USB socket, by default the two "drives" mounted are /sdcard (named "CM7 SDCARD") and /emmc ("MyNookColor"), so you can use your PC to explore, backup, and move files back & forth to experiment. Both partitions are FAT32, so all PCs should be able to handle them. Remember to tell the PC to unmount them in software before unplugging the cable, like any thumb drive.
Thanks to all whose work helped me get to this point. The NC is a fascinating piece of hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is, isn't it? I haven't regretted buying one for a minute.

Thank you for posting the reply on the APP nook/cm7 file system.
Unfortunately, it still doesn't address HOW to sideload (DRAG AND DROP) books on the utilizing the empty portion of a CM7 SD card.
1. I put the SD card into an reader.
2. Windows xp detects the card.
3. I pull up windows explorer.
4. It only displays the "root" directory. Yes, I can drag and drop into the "my documents" folder but this partition only contains about 300 meg total storage.
5. It does not display the other partitions, thus I cannot drag and drop anything into the 5g partition.
Yes, I can drag and drop on the NC onboard storage, but not the CM7 SD card. Is the remaining 5 gigs only allocated for APP storage?
Now after 2 weeks searching this site and seeing numerous recommendations for software but not what to do with it or cryptic posts assuming that one already is very familiar with the android os, I am pulling my hair out over this. The only post I found that directly and simply addressed the issue requires that I reformat the SD with SDformatter to allow for full storage access but then I have install CM7 all over again.
I downloaded NookColorUMS-0.3b.apk using Opera, but that is all it did. I had to search again and it mentioned something about ADB (no idea what that is) which had to be installed. Aparently that doesn't work alone and it lead to another link to more required software - the Android SDK and then came a long list of more steps just to install that.
Hopefully, if I ever figure this out, I will write a simple to understand post that new NC CM7 people like me can understand.

Try this: unplug the charger cable from the "n"-shaped brick. Plug the cable into a USB port on your computer. Plug the other end into the NC as usual.
Tap the button(s) that pop up on the NC to allow USB mounting.
Two new drives show up on the PC. These are /emmc and /sdcard, but they'll have different names on the PC. Use Windoze Explorer to drag and drop. I might suggest /sdcard/download as a first try, but feel free to drop copies in multiple directories in order to experiment. Adobe Reader looks all over for its docs.
When you're done, click on the PC tray thing to release BOTH drives from the PC.
Poke around with your reader to find these files. Some readers might be better at looking around than others.
Let us know how you get along!
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App

So once you download the NookColorUMS.apk, use the file explorer on your nook, go to the 'download' folder and click on this file. It will open up and ask you if you can install the program. Click yes and let it install.
When you are done with that, open the program and mount the partition of interest(i think its 4 as a previous poster stated). Now when you plug your nook into your computer that partition will mount. There should be 4 partitions if you are using the CM7 on SD card.
You should be able to now drag and drop files on that partition. Just make sure you unmount properly as I have run into problems if you just unplug it.
extremepizza
Imbroglio said:
Thank you for posting the reply on the APP nook/cm7 file system.
Unfortunately, it still doesn't address HOW to sideload (DRAG AND DROP) books on the utilizing the empty portion of a CM7 SD card.
1. I put the SD card into an reader.
2. Windows xp detects the card.
3. I pull up windows explorer.
4. It only displays the "root" directory. Yes, I can drag and drop into the "my documents" folder but this partition only contains about 300 meg total storage.
5. It does not display the other partitions, thus I cannot drag and drop anything into the 5g partition.
Yes, I can drag and drop on the NC onboard storage, but not the CM7 SD card. Is the remaining 5 gigs only allocated for APP storage?
Now after 2 weeks searching this site and seeing numerous recommendations for software but not what to do with it or cryptic posts assuming that one already is very familiar with the android os, I am pulling my hair out over this. The only post I found that directly and simply addressed the issue requires that I reformat the SD with SDformatter to allow for full storage access but then I have install CM7 all over again.
I downloaded NookColorUMS-0.3b.apk using Opera, but that is all it did. I had to search again and it mentioned something about ADB (no idea what that is) which had to be installed. Aparently that doesn't work alone and it lead to another link to more required software - the Android SDK and then came a long list of more steps just to install that.
Hopefully, if I ever figure this out, I will write a simple to understand post that new NC CM7 people like me can understand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I am using Racks Phiremod/Honeycomb dual boot image but I don't see why this method would not work for your install. Rather than messing with mounting partitions and all that whenever I want to put something on the SD Card partition I will just plug my nook into the computer, copy and paste whatever file I need onto the nook's internal memory, and then use root explorer to cut and paste the file from the internal memory to the SD Card partition.

my emmc and sd card both show up and writable drives. I use stuff that I need faster access to in there, since the mount time is faster than the SD card.

[Q] How to use the "real" SD-Card as storage

Ok here is the deal, this is my first tablet with internal storage, I have the 16gb.
and having a lot of apps using HUGE amount of storage (comics, gps...) the 16gb are nearly full so I bought a microSD of 32gb but...
Ho to set the tablet to store some of this data on the sdcard (the real physical one) and not the internal one???
I tried to move some folder to the card but the "mv" command failed: "cross device link", the purpose was to move the folder and create a symlink.
I have been looking for an app or commands to do that but so far no success, any HELP ?

CarpeNoctem said:
Ok here is the deal, this is my first tablet with internal storage, I have the 16gb.
and having a lot of apps using HUGE amount of storage (comics, gps...) the 16gb are nearly full so I bought a microSD of 32gb but...
Ho to set the tablet to store some of this data on the sdcard (the real physical one) and not the internal one???
I tried to move some folder to the card but the "mv" command failed: "cross device link", the purpose was to move the folder and create a symlink.
I have been looking for an app or commands to do that but so far no success, any HELP ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use es file manager, it is free

Euh??? Believe me that will not work or please explain how
Sent from my A500 using XDA App

Can't use the mv command from one device to another. Can use cp (copy) then delete the source. However, you cannot create a symlink on the internal sdcard, because its formatted fat32.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

Euclid's Brother said:
Can't use the mv command from one device to another. Can use cp (copy) then delete the source. However, you cannot create a symlink on the internal sdcard, because its formatted fat32.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He can use mv. Learn linux commands better. He have to specify recursive parametters to do that. Single mv is not enough, because it is sufficient for single file or file masks only. Symlinks are not possible, true. But if he'll use loopback mounts (one big file, like ISO, internally formated to ext4) or reformat internal and external sd to ext4, then he'll be able to create symlinks even on sdcard. This will make another problem: mounting both storages to PC over usb. Both solutions will require him to have advanced linux knowladge. Not talking about kernel and init scripts modification beign involved.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Euclid's Brother said:
Can't use the mv command from one device to another. Can use cp (copy) then delete the source. However, you cannot create a symlink on the internal sdcard, because its formatted fat32.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so is there any solution to this, this is driving me nuts, what is the point to have a slot for SD-Card if I cant choose where the apps store their content...

CarpeNoctem said:
ok so is there any solution to this, this is driving me nuts, what is the point to have a slot for SD-Card if I cant choose where the apps store their content...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
External sd is expected to be used as an storage for pictures, movies and music. There is solution, but as stated before, not for generic users.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

Virnik0 said:
External sd is expected to be used as an storage for pictures, movies and music. There is solution, but as stated before, not for generic users.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true that ...
I also own the Notion Ink Adam and we have this "switcharoo" feature enabled ( can check out that forum for info )...Hopefully DEV can implemented in the near future.

UnicornKaz said:
true that ...
I also own the Notion Ink Adam and we have this "switcharoo" feature enabled ( can check out that forum for info )...Hopefully DEV can implemented in the near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you explain a bit more what is the switcharoo ?
As for linux knowledge, I have some but everything I try fails reformating the internal memory in Ext4 is possible but there should be a script or a determine process to automate that for some selected folders, at least I would love to see that

CarpeNoctem said:
Can you explain a bit more what is the switcharoo ?
As for linux knowledge, I have some but everything I try fails reformating the internal memory in Ext4 is possible but there should be a script or a determine process to automate that for some selected folders, at least I would love to see that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It actually called "toggle app"
it actually out of my league as I am no developer
but this dev for the Notion Ink Adam managed to created a program to swith the 2 locations ( due to the adam's internal is only 8GB...etc ) among other things like toggling the cell standby...etc
He had it successfully implemented
this thread is his creation ( but it has been awhile and us Adam's owner has moved on to HoneyComb..etc
.. see the part included "toggle app"...etc
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=987863
basically... it's about assigning a different mounting point as a startup script ( internal & external ).... but keep in mind... each device have different mounting name assigned as internal & external ( Xoom, Transformer, Galaxy...etc )
The DEV just basically created a program and went in and adjust the scripted so as to "switched" the mounting point.... switching the internal as external and vice versa
I just PM the DEV of that program... hopefully he will reply and I'll post it in the DEV section and ask the DEV there to dig into it
Then again... with 16GB or 32GB of internal... I don't see the need.... as the external can be use to hold music & large media.... the internal is plenty for apps.... then again... it's never enough. Remember how we used to thought the same thing about desktop's storage space ??? never enough ... LOL

Thanks a lot for you reply, hopefully the dev will reply that is the spirit of XDA after all

CarpeNoctem said:
Ok here is the deal, this is my first tablet with internal storage, I have the 16gb.
and having a lot of apps using HUGE amount of storage (comics, gps...) the 16gb are nearly full so I bought a microSD of 32gb but...
Ho to set the tablet to store some of this data on the sdcard (the real physical one) and not the internal one???
I tried to move some folder to the card but the "mv" command failed: "cross device link", the purpose was to move the folder and create a symlink.
I have been looking for an app or commands to do that but so far no success, any HELP ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't leave the app on internal and just move the data to external? For example, I'm using Komik as a comic book reader and all the comic data is on my external SD card.
If not, that's a development flaw of the app you're using, in my humble opinion.

Im still relatively new but it seems that external SD card is for storage of media - not for OS, apps, etc. However, I seem to recall seeing an app or 2 that had the ability to store content on the external space. For example, a GPS app that asks where you'd like to store your shape files and assets or an MMO game that lets you specify where you'd like to store the textures and sounds.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

It amazes me how arrogant some of the responses are to someone asking a question...
That is the purpose of these forums, so that us peers can assist others that might not be as knowledgeable.
I can think of two different ways:
1. Astro (or another) file manager to move the files. Might actually have to do a copy and delete.
2. Mount the tablet using the USB cable to a PC and suck off the files and copy them using a either a SD card adapter (notebook) or USB SD card reader.

Virnik0 said:
He can use mv. Learn linux commands better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A little harsh and uncalled for, don't ya think? Why do so many want to point out the failures of others.. even when they are trying to help? Sheesh..
I admit, I'm not a linux expert, nor an android expert. But that doesn't stop me from trying to be helpful.
The fact is, I've tried using the "mv" command to move a "Single file" from one device to another (no recursion needed for that, eh?) And it fails with a "cross-device" error. Maybe there is a option on the "mv" command that makes it work and I don't know it.. so I suggested a method that I *DO* know.

internetpilot said:
You can't leave the app on internal and just move the data to external? For example, I'm using Komik as a comic book reader and all the comic data is on my external SD card.
If not, that's a development flaw of the app you're using, in my humble opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't exactly call it a flaw.. more like a feature that the developer didn't foresee to include. Not all devices have external media storage, so apps are developed for the 'average' device.
As noted earlier, there are a few apps that allow you to store large data in other places.. (extra) Praise to those developers. It would be great if more developers considered this option, especially if they have a lot of data.

I just use File Manager HD ( https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rhmsoft.fm.hd&feature=search_result ) to move files around if need be.
About being able to run applications from SD: anyone tried remounting SD without the nosuid,noexec flags? Remounting it with that and then symlinking the files might work.

We have progress
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1175342
~~~~~

Nice Thinks you can do with a rooted A500 #1

Hi,
After I rooted my A500 via this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1307539 (read it ALL) I started making my A500 a tool for my business. As this is happening I will post thinks that you may find interesting and useful.
So this is my #1 think that I did with my A500
I make it a samba server
For those who don't know what samba is read here http://www.samba.org/. In short samba is a way to copy / move files between your A500 and your PC via the WiFi local network you may have. That is no cables, no sync problems, no extra software in your PC!
Steps
1. Download and install this excellent free tool https://market.android.com/details?id=com.funkyfresh.samba on your A500.
2. Run it and Accept the first screens.
3. Goto "Menu" --> Settings.
4. Click "Password" and set one (max 8 chars).
5. Click "Username" and set one.
6. Click "Workgroup Name" ans set it the same with your PC's workgroup name. Here is How you can find it http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-7/find-the-workgroup-name/.
7. Click "NETBIOS Name" and type a unique name for your network. For example "MYA500". It is better not to use spaces.
8. Exit the Settings and restart the program.
9. Wait until the message "Disabled - Not Running" appears right under the samba logo.
10. Now click the samba logo (the word "samba" at the top) and wait until a window appears that informs you about the service status.
11. If the message "Enabled - Running" appears then you are ready to go.
12. Open the run command on your pc (WIN KEY + R) and type \\<NETBIOS name> (for example \\MYA500) and press enter.
13. Enter the username and password that you set earlier and click OK.
Voila! Your A500 Internal's memory files at your disposal...
UPDATE:
ICONIA A500 SAMBA SERVER DELIVERED!!!
Make your A500 a Samba Server with the ability to share both Internal and External memory and even the root File System
Finally I made it happen. You can read a nice How to I prepared (It's a little bit long) here: http://www.chdcomputers.gr/en/mnu-kb-en/mnu-kb-android-en/mnu-kb-android-devices-en/mnu-kb-android-a500-en/258-art-kb000006-en
If you are an Advanced user who knows what he/she is doing then the trick is to replace the /data/data/com.funkyfresh.samba/files/samba-rc with the attached one and change its rights to rwxrwxr-x finally copy the 2nd attached file to the same directory and you are ready.
If you are not understand this then read the how to above it is very detailed and relatively easy to follow...
Thanks,
Christos
http://www.chdcomputers.gr

Nice!
Ty

works fine....nice to have this option...,.....cant access external sd though

Nice, thanks

@ bytemehard - you can see your external_sd card if you first use the market app "USB Mount All". When the mount all screen comes up just "mount" your external_sd card. Then you can see it on your PC through Samba.

bytemehard said:
works fine....nice to have this option...,.....cant access external sd though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because this cames from the original samba project it is possible to see every partition on your device (including external sd) from your pc. The developer has enabled only the internal storage for safety reasons. You have to enable the other partitions from the configuration files of the app but this is an advanced task with security risks. However I am preparing a how to for this because I need to access my external_sd as well, when the tests are done I will post it here...

???
metpolds said:
@ bytemehard - you can see your external_sd card if you first use the market app "USB Mount All". When the mount all screen comes up just "mount" your external_sd card. Then you can see it on your PC through Samba.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmmm......Why would I have to mount a card with 'usb mount all', when its already mounted? Anyone else with usbmountall tried this?

@ bytemehard - with respect - your external_sd does not become "mounted" by default (this is just the way Acer chose to implement the sd card). If you use the app "USB Mount All" you will see that your card is not "mounted" so you have to click the "mount" button alongside your external_sd card which (along with any USB hard drives that you have attached) is displayed.
The fact that your external card is not "mounted" in the true sense of the word does not stop you seeing it's contents when viewed normally through your A500.

chrishohl said:
Because this cames from the original samba project it is possible to see every partition on your device (including external sd) from your pc. The developer has enabled only the internal storage for safety reasons. You have to enable the other partitions from the configuration files of the app but this is an advanced task with security risks. However I am preparing a how to for this because I need to access my external_sd as well, when the tests are done I will post it here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know if it is for safety reasons as you suggest or just unfinished business....I see a media scan tab but it does nothing that i can see.
Still a nice app....Good luck with your project
---------- Post added at 03:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 AM ----------
@metpolds
If I hear what your saying, shouldn't drive mount or ntfs mount do the same. I did experiment with those with no luck.

See the external sd via Samba Server (Rough way)
A quick and rough way to "see" the external_sd in the samba shares is this:
1. Disable samba server and close the app
2. Open Terminal Emulator and type
su
mkdir /mnt/sdcard/externalsd
mount -o bind /mnt/external_sd /mnt/sdcard/externalsd
exit
3. Close Terminal Emulator
4. Open Samba Server and Enable it
Now you will be able to see your external's sd contents via the \\<your a500 NETBIOS name>\sdcard\externalsd directory in your pc.
This will not survive reboots and I don't think that is a good idea to put it in .rc files because if the external sd fails for some reason (or extracted by the user) it may have unexpected results...

bytemehard said:
I dont know if it is for safety reasons as you suggest or just unfinished business....I see a media scan tab but it does nothing that i can see.
Still a nice app....Good luck with your project
---------- Post added at 03:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 AM ----------
@metpolds
If I hear what your saying, shouldn't drive mount or ntfs mount do the same. I did experiment with those with no luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you are right. My first test indicates that the program may has unfinished parts but I 'll give it another shot when I have the time...
BTW MediaScan option works. What it does is to rescan media files in your sdcard to make them available in media programs in the device. For example if you copy some images from the pc to the device and you want to see them with the android image viewer you can use this option to make them available...

@ bytemehard - no argument with what you are saying - "USB mount all" was one of the first apps I installed after rooting my A500 and it does everything I want it to - "Drive Mount" does all these things as well - they both look after drives that are formatted other than Fat32 and basically there is not much to chose between them. I chose usb because I had aso installed a couple of other apps by the same developers and they were working fine and I suppose I thought "......why eat oranges when you have a case of apples" - lol. As for "ntfs" where's it gone? seems to have vanished from the market.
Anyway I can assure you USB works in Samba and shows the contents of the external card and I am certain Drive Mount will do the same.

on your pc are you seeing 2 seperate drives? one being the sdcard and the other externalsd.......or do you have a symbolic link in the directory sdcard of the externalsd?
also what are your settings in usb mount all.....?
Hey finally got 10 posts...

@ bytemehard
Using Win7 64 bit.
1. In Win Explorer you see the left hand pane and I see for example....... Computer >
Network> HENDON1(My PC name)>PETEA500(The netbios name I called my Tab in Samba)
2.If I open up "PETEA500" I get "sdcard" (not teaching you how to suck eggs but this is very
misleading due to Acer's weird setup and file naming convention because this is NOT your
external card.
3. If I open up "sdcard" I have a list of folders in the A500. Mine start off with - .dataviz -
eachscape_tmp - .FileExpert - .mobo - pfs - Alarms - Android ...... etc.etc. Obviously you will
have some folders different to me.
4. Go down the list until you see DCIM - documents - Download - ext_sdcard (this really
is your SD Card)
5. If you open up the folder ext_sdcard you will see all the folders and files on your
external card.
This is dependent on you having already used "USB Mount All" or "Drive Mount" to
"mount" your external card. There are no settings to set in "USB" you just run the app
and the screen is self explanatory.

I'm using Samba Filesharing app, and Drive mount.
My external SD card is mounted in Drive Mount.
I can access my internal files just fine over WIFI but can't see the external card.
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?
Thank You

I also cannot access my external sd card files, but that is because the Samba Filesharing only shows what is on /mnt/sdcard. And yes, my external sd card is mounted. In order to access that, you would need to be able to access /mnt/"your_ext_sd_card".
I'm thinking you can probably create a shortcut to /mnt/"your_ext_sd_card", and then move that shortcut to /mnt/sdcard, where it should be viewable from the Samba Filesharing.
I'll have to wait to get home from work and test this, though.

Nice. Thanks for sharing.

Digil said:
I also cannot access my external sd card files, but that is because the Samba Filesharing only shows what is on /mnt/sdcard. And yes, my external sd card is mounted. In order to access that, you would need to be able to access /mnt/"your_ext_sd_card".
I'm thinking you can probably create a shortcut to /mnt/"your_ext_sd_card", and then move that shortcut to /mnt/sdcard, where it should be viewable from the Samba Filesharing.
I'll have to wait to get home from work and test this, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since I mounted the card with Drive Mount I have two entries when I check using FileManager HD. One listed as External_sd and the second as is titled by DriveMount.
metpolds posted
3. If I open up "sdcard" I have a list of folders in the A500. Mine start off with - .dataviz -
eachscape_tmp - .FileExpert - .mobo - pfs - Alarms - Android ...... etc.etc. Obviously you will
have some folders different to me.
4. Go down the list until you see DCIM - documents - Download - ext_sdcard (this really
is your SD Card)
5. If you open up the folder ext_sdcard you will see all the folders and files on your
external card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that is correct one of the two listings for my SD card should appear on the internal list.
( I just checked details for both listings and they claim creation was December 31 1969.)

@GullyFoyle - I'm sorry to say that I have no idea why you can't see your external card. I note that you are using "DriveMount" which I don't have (as I've said I use "USB Mount All") so I don't know whether there are settings that should be set. Like you guys I only came to Samba as a result of this post and I can only say that my method was to switch on my tab, set up Samba as per OP's instructions and when I had it running I also could not see my external card but a couple of months ago while working with other apps I found the same problem and eventually realised I had to "mount" the external card in "USB Mount All" so last night that is what I did - restarted Samba and there it was.
@Digil - What I've said above applies to your problem in part, although I really don't know why you've got to change settings to get there. The "sdcard" folder (which is your Internal memory) shows through /mnt/sdcard but this is not your external card. Your external card is in the folder /mnt i.e. /mnt/ext_sdcard. As said above I can only really talk about using "USB Mount All". Sorry no suggestions. Perhaps someone with greater knowledge than me can explain it better.
For both of you - don't know if this affects anything? - I have not changed to HC 3.2 still running HC 3.1 rooted with Iconia Root._

USB Mount All
Yea, seems as though Drive Mount wont create a link to external sd in the sdcard directory .......It will create a link on the root directory and /mnt,
both not accessible using Samba fileshare.....
So Looks like usbmountall may be the way to go.
Thanks for the info

[Q] First impressions & SD card issue?

Hi,
Just Got the 7.7 3g - so far so good. Screen is as good as they say
The extra resolution defn. helps with web browsing.
Not finding any lag really.
7.7 is just about the limit for my two handed use but i would say the original 7" was a wee bit easier to handle but something with time should become more intuitive.
Just a few issues - external sd card is somewhat limited. Might be deliberate by Samsung but does not make sense.
Normal user apps cant access to the external sdcard. Using connect bot, i checked permissions and it seems that it is mounted by the os with system permissions, where as the internal sdcard is mounted as sd_rw.
This can't be correct? The only way to copy stuff to it is to use the samsung system file explorer as it has system permissions So copy to internal first then to external - this sounds like a bug?
I have not rooted this yet - might then chown to sd_rw get rid of this ?? There is a lot of entries in the vold.fstab to make sense of. Not a hacker so just looking around. A bit too early to start soft-bricking
But I take these don't have protected bootloaders so thats why we can root ?
Video playback is v.good but I am not able to throw on a bluray m2ts file (obviously with the sd card issue) and play smoothly. I found Dice player can handle m2ts by renaming it to a ts file. It then can use hardware decoding. Still drops frames but still watchable to a certain degree. For all other files mx player is still best. I have lossy transcoded some "native" blurays clips and seems that it handle high profile h264 1080p at high bitrates very well. Hoping, formatting sd card ext3/ext4 will improve things.
On the whole very impressive device - plus more ics goodies to come soon hopefully.

I've noticed some issues with the external SD card as well. Only the stock file manager can copy files from the internal storage to the external storage. I was able to transfer files to the ext. SD via Dooblou's Wifi Explorer, though. Although that would crap out a few times.
I'm hoping that we see some new ROMs with a different file system at any rate. The 4GB limit is so 1998.

Fix for external sd write issue
I've already posted a fix for this in our original thread?
davp said:
There is a fix for the write to external storage in this thread:
Samsung Galaxy Tab Plus->Galaxy Tab Plus General->unable to write files to external sd card
post #7
Requires root to apply fix.
There is a new permission that older file managers aren't asking for yet. The stock file manager knows to ask for it.
Fix worked for my P6810 wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thaloneus said:
I can't post a link to the original post on another forum that worked for me so I will quote it:
Simple solution for external sdcard write access on Android 3.2...if you're rooted
I've found a simple solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2) on Android 3.2. The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. Unfortunately, this permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to 3.2 so most file management utilities do not request it when they run...meaning they only have read access to the card.
The simple solution, if you're rooted, is as follows:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your tablet.
After this change, any apps that request the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (which includes almost anything that access either of the sdcards) will gain group membership in both sdcard_rw AND media_rw, giving them r/w access to both sdcard filesystems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Rooted and then applied this change.
Can write to ext sdcard !!!!
Cheers

Will apply as soon as i get tad, should be getting it today, cant wait
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

I think you have to format the sd card in the tab. I been able to transfer files no problem. Maybe its due to the mtp for the internal sd.
Sent from my GT-P6800 using xda premium

will6316 said:
I think you have to format the sd card in the tab. I been able to transfer files no problem. Maybe its due to the mtp for the internal sd.
Sent from my GT-P6800 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using downloaded apps or the stock File Manager app? Because I formatted the SD card in the Tab and nothing else can write to it. Now, I can drag and drop stuff from my computer via MTP, but that's not the same issue.

Ok, I'm trying to add the permission and it doesn't seem to save after a reboot. I'm rooted and made sure to mount that directory as R/W. After I edit platform.xml and reboot it simply reverts. Can anyone offer a more granular description to this n00b?
Thanks.
Edit: Nevermind. I edited the file on my computer and copied it over the original and am good to go.

burhanistan said:
Ok, I'm trying to add the permission and it doesn't seem to save after a reboot. I'm rooted and made sure to mount that directory as R/W. After I edit platform.xml and reboot it simply reverts. Can anyone offer a more granular description to this n00b?
Thanks.
Edit: Nevermind. I edited the file on my computer and copied it over the original and am good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Burhanistan. I had this problem too and did what you did to get around it. Now I can read/write to the external SD with any file explorer.

Hello,
I can access the external SD with no problem, only issue is Titanium backup showing 440Mb capacity on the external SD (32Gb card).
Anyone with the same issue? Any fix?
Thanks.

No problem for me
davp said:
I've already posted a fix for this in our original thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Things must have changed as i got my P6800 recently did the upgrade from samsung and tried to copy to external sd and no problem for me. I never tried to do it pre upgrade but maybe the upgrade fixed that. Re i can copy and paste to device from my pc when its connected - to both device and sd. I can also copy using the the stock file manager from device to sd card.

No Issues here also
I recieved the tap a week ago. Now my 32GB Sandisk SD is here.
The Tap did at the first startup and using the described 12 MB Android update via internet conn.
Until now there is no issue between writing from/to SD over PC/MTP, copying between internal and external SD. Used preinstalled Filemanager and ES File Ex.
I tried it unrooted and rooted but not before the Android update.

davp said:
Simple solution for external sdcard write access on Android 3.2...if you're rooted
I've found a simple solution for gaining write access to the external sdcard (/mnt/sdcard2) on Android 3.2. The sdcard is mounted r/w, but the owning group is media_rw which is linked to the WRITE_MEDIA_STORAGE permission. Unfortunately, this permission was not required for access to the external sdcard prior to 3.2 so most file management utilities do not request it when they run...meaning they only have read access to the card.
The simple solution, if you're rooted, is as follows:
1. Using a root-enabled file manager, navigate to /system/etc/permissions and make sure you have mounted the file system r/w.
2. Edit platform.xml and find the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission.
3. Add an additional group definition for this permission...<group gid="media_rw" />
4. Save the changes to the file.
5. Restart your tablet.
After this change, any apps that request the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission (which includes almost anything that access either of the sdcards) will gain group membership in both sdcard_rw AND media_rw, giving them r/w access to both sdcard filesystems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people are reporting the above procedure is no more needed, however, with several apps (like Titanium backup, and a SAMBA explorer), writing to the sdcard (extstorage/.../sdcard) is still impossible (GT6800 updated to latest samsung firmware).
I have used this procedure and can state that Titanium backup works now with the SD card.
Thanks to many reading within the XDA forum, I have found this simpler procedure :
- download / install the "Root Browser Lite" app from the android market
- add write access to group and other to the following directory: /system, /system/etc, /system/etc/permissions (with root browser Lite, press on the directory name during 3 seconds to get a contextual menu allowing to change the permissions)
- add write access to group and other to the file platform.xml in /system/etc/permissions
- use the editor of "Root Browser Lite" to modify the file platform.xml as described above (you should have two <group gid= ...> lines within the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE xml block.)
- save the file. Verify that a .bak file has been created and that the date of platform.xml changed.
- remove the write access.
- Turn off the GTAB, then turn it ON.
NB: Titanium backup still reports a erronous free size on the SD card (401MB), but backups on the sdcard work.

can't save the xlm doc
davp said:
I've already posted a fix for this in our original thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I edit the file but when I try to save it I fail because it says original saved as .....xlm.bak, but I can't find that file and the one I find is unchanged, any ideas?

There is an automated installer for the fix here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=21670802
Is for the plus but worked fine for me
Sent from my SCH-I815 using Tapatalk

damm, must forget something, just followed exacty all the steps
still no writing on sd card
the automatic installer failed also

IS there a way to go into the (forgive the incorrect term) "registry" or similar, and have Android re-interpret/understand that instead of looking in "/sdcard"... it should instead look/point programs to "/mnt/sdcard/extstorages/sdcard"...
i heard that it might be called something like a "simlink" or "symbolic link"... maybe this could resolve the application installation issue to the sdcard as well as backups, transfers, etc... right now, not only do i run out of space too fast, can't install apps to the sd card, but as well, if i should run a hard reset... all my data erases! (yes, the internal "SD card" is erased in a hard reset)...
so, for all practical senses, when it says it will erase data, unless you KNOW you have copied ALL you user data to your "Real" SD Card, you will kill your data without even knowing it when you do a hard reset, even if you "thought" you were protected because "I saved my info to the SD card!"
(and yes, this was my experience today, so it's a fact.)
backup programs won't point to the sd card, (app manager, titanium, app list backup, etc)...
so unless you actively move files individually to the card (and know where to look)...
Bottom line... is there a hack/workaround on this that's not just "open up for file transfers" or is someone working on a ROM that might kill the partitioning and allow the /sdcard to actually point to a real external card?

Edited: Nevermind...

acess-rights-hell
hi forum
i would like to use the EzyKernel v1 - 23/02/2012 as in post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1513413&highlight=ezykernel
one of the prerequisites is a stock ZSKL firmware.
on the tab is/was XXKL4 AUT/CH
i successfully flashed the ZSKL2 - but that's where the nightmare started: i could not write to sdcard, busybox/superuser don't work properly, as i can't get root via su - which means to me, that there are messed up accessrights also in other places, not just the SD. the funny thing is, that i finally got the overclocking EzyKernel working, but not busybox + superuser.
does that sound familiar to anyone ?
i would really appreciate any ideas about this.
thank you
with best regards from switzerland
roland

could you please explain what "make sure you have mounted the file system r/w" means. And sorry for my noob question, but does this fix allow to install apps on the external sd card or I'm missing something.

Bind/Link to external sd card from folder within internal sd card

First of all, I just created a thread about this but apparently it never posted so if there are multiple threads by me I apologize.
Anyway, I am trying to create a folder in /sdCard that will link to /storage/extSdCard for apps that start in internal sd card but won't let me go up one folder so that I can navigate to external sd card. I did accomplish this on my s2 using directory bind but it doesn't seem to work on my note 3. I'm sorry if this is confusing. I will try to elaborate if needed.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

Can anyone help me, please?
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

Directory bind is old and no longer supported.
Check out the app "folder mount" in the play store. Worked a charm on my s4 so I'm sure it will be fine on the Note 3 as well.
Sent from my SM-N9005

Has anyone got folder mount to work with the Note 3 yet? I'm running stock MJ7 rooted with Chanfire easy root method, double and triple checked everything. Managed to get the app to move the original data from internal SD to my 64GB Sandisk Class 10 external SD but the link pin will not turn green.
It's driving me mad and I'm on the verge of selling the Note 3 and going back to my S2 (along with the very easy vold.fstab SD card swap mod)!!

Use solid explorer if you want to go up a folder to navigate to external sd. Also note 3 does app2sd so why the need for all this?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

uf21 said:
Use solid explorer if you want to go up a folder to navigate to external sd. Also note 3 does app2sd so why the need for all this?
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
App2sd moves the installed app files, not the SD data that many games download in order to play. Some are in excess of 1-2GB and if you have a few installed then your internal SD space soon runs out

Same issue
I created a thread idential to this earlier n however ot realising this one already existed my bad.
Ive had the exact same problem, the closest ive came is with File mount i was able to get Modern combat 4 to work succesfully, but nothing else and i tryed most of the top end games with massive data files.
No ideas why mc4 worked, and real racing 3 worked. All of the other games show up as binding correctly and when i run a check the directorys show as being mounted in the same way as MC4 and real racing 3 however when i run the apk the games cant find the data files and start re downloading.
Hopefully someone works away round this or creates a new programme cause its so restrictive, install the top 10 android games and all your internal memorys completely used up
i used to use apps2sd before directory bind was available but the reality is that its pretty useless now for most modern games,