Database Users

[Xoom 2] External HD+Hub+USB Pen: all working simultaneously, no external power

Hey guys,
I asked the other day if about this being possible, and turned out it already is!
I´m a noob, so I´ve just basically tried a little bit. All I did was:
1) Rooted my Xoom 2 10.1" Wifi following the Root Method by Dan Rosenberg
2) Installed "Drive Mount" from the Market (USB Mass Storage Watcher did not work for me)
3) Plugged my USB OTG adapter (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006R0XOLO/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details) to my HD IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER: adapter to HD, then both to the Xoom (I was getting constant freezes because I was plugging my HD to the adapter, once the adapter was already connected to the Xoom).
4) With Drive Mount opened, I mounted my old, NTFS, already partitioned, external HD, and it reads it fine!
Not only that, it even gave me enough juice to connect an old Conceptronic USB hub, then my external HD, then a 8 GB USB pen simultaneously, then move a 700 MB movie to and from the USB pen, without problems. I´ve even been able to watch a 4 GB movie from it!
More importantly for me, this actually makes the device capable of making copies on the go, and hopefully, replace the USB pen with a USB card reader, and download photos and movies from you camera to a HD, when you´re on the go. That´s great for me!
Like I said, I´m just a noob, so the only issue is that I have no idea if the Xoom´s battery could be "damaged", or its life expectancy seriously shortened, by connecting that many devices simultaneously. I´d appreciate if you guys could clarify this for me.
Enjoy!

andario said:
... so the only issue is that I have no idea if the Xoom´s battery could be "damaged", or its life expectancy seriously shortened, by connecting that many devices simultaneously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, as it's a near-certainty (anything else is amateur hour) that Moto installed current-limiting USB "VBus" regulators on the line you're drawing power from (limiting it to 1/2 Amp).

Thx for number 3. When i plug the adapter first to the tablet and then hard drive to adapter , touch screen stops respond (the tablet don't freeze but you can do anything ). I couldn't understand why sometimes worked and some didn't. Strange bug.
Sent from my XOOM 2 ME using Tapatalk

I have the exact same bug on my Xoom 2 Media Edition, also rooted.
When I plugin the USB OTG Adapter first in the Xoom and then a USB Stick in the Adapter the whole touchscreen is turned off, you can only force reboot with the back site hardware keys.
If i plugin the drive to the OTG and then the whole thing in my Xoom all is working great.
Have to try this with a Hub and two drives, would be awesome to save my Raw Files during Holiday.
Hope Moto fixes this bug, because sometimes i forget....

hello pals,
does it really need to root the device to use it as described in here?
can I do the same without rooting my xoom2 (10.1 inch)

Xoom 2 ME owner here, USB OTG working and mounting USB data traveller by kingston, working USB HUB, working mouse, running stock Honeycomb without any mods. Using a homemade OTG adapter.
Just passing...

Using USB OTG (No Rooting)

I have a Nexus 7 16G and right now I have attached a flash drive to the unit. From reading everything, it says I can use Es FileExplorer and get to /sdcard/usbStorage/sda1 - however, I cannot get to this folder. When I click on the /sdcard/ - I get clear history.
I tried using my Bluetooth keyboard to type, but that did not work.
Everything I have read speaking about rooting the device, which I do not want to do. How can I get to this folder?
I did get the Media Importer but that did not seem to work. I think it was because of too many connections. I found an article PSA: Amazon Has A USB OTG Cable For Less Than A Dollar With Free Shipping, So You Should Probably Buy It, which is a lot better that what I have.
But will the Nexus 7 support 64GB or 32GB? I called support and they said they did not know of a memory limitation.
Thank you!

Corey Bryant said:
I have a Nexus 7 16G and right now I have attached a flash drive to the unit. From reading everything, it says I can use Es FileExplorer and get to /sdcard/usbStorage/sda1 - however, I cannot get to this folder. When I click on the /sdcard/ - I get clear history.
I tried using my Bluetooth keyboard to type, but that did not work.
Everything I have read speaking about rooting the device, which I do not want to do. How can I get to this folder?
I did get the Media Importer but that did not seem to work. I think it was because of too many connections. I found an article PSA: Amazon Has A USB OTG Cable For Less Than A Dollar With Free Shipping, So You Should Probably Buy It, which is a lot better that what I have.
But will the Nexus 7 support 64GB or 32GB? I called support and they said they did not know of a memory limitation.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
N7 supports even hub (with external power source if you connect power-hungry devices)!
you can connect keyboards and mouses with no root but you have to root and install stickmount (from the play store) to manage external drives (hdd, flash drives, etc.). With stock kernel fat32 is supported as r/w, ntfs only read. You need to flash a custom kernel to get ntfs r/w support.
With no root, there's no way. Sorry.

Hm, I get different answers.
arkhan11 said:
N7 supports even hub (with external power source if you connect power-hungry devices)!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say hub, can you let me know exactly what you might mean? I think I know, but I would like to be sure. I would like to stop buying things and have them not work.

Example - I connected a non-powered, 4-port Belkin USB hub to the Nexus using the OTG cable. I plugged a thumb drive and a wireless mouse receiver into the hub and was able to simultaneously use both the mouse and the thumb drive (using Nexus Media Importer).
Dave
edit - I am not rooted.

OK, that is what I thought. So I do need that OTG cable and no need to root it.

Some say the OTG cables work with downloading media importer, others say you need to root to play large files.
I will know in a couple days.
Least I didn't waste money as Google play gave me 25 free bucks.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

reply
sorry, I didn't know about Nexus Media Importer.
Anyway the root access allow you to mount the drive as internal memory so you can play with ALL files in the thumb. Through Nexus Media Importer you play via MTP which doesn't allow some kind of files (eg. mkv) which with proper players (eg. mx player) the Nexus can handle. Read the description of that app for further details.
About usb powered hub
basically sth like this. It's needed just if you attach many things or an HDD. it would be good to use it always with more than one peripheral not to load the battery as it's not designed to discharge heavily this way.
About not working things
what did you buy which doesn't work?

[Q] Apoligies if repeat Q: will a usb hub work with Nexus 7?

I had read in some other random forum that if you have rooted your Nexus 7, which I have, and run app "StickMount" you can connect a usb thumb drive to the nexus and give yourself more space, even install apps to the USB drive to run from. I am wondering (and am going to test it out later this evening) if anyone has tried connecting a USB hub, so that you can have say 4 ports to add different drives or game controllers/whatever else and android will recognize the different devices?
As a realist, I'm just hoping the single USB stick connection will actually work as a storage expansion area, as we all know there is no micro SD slot. I actually have an old college friend I keep in touch with who works on the Nexus development team, who had no good answer as to why micro SD was removed, as well as the ability on devices with a micro SD no longer allow the installation of apps to the sd card. I was pretty convinced it was simply because the OEMs decided to name their internal memory /mnt/sdcard which used to be the external card's mount point name, but I'm told it is more complicated than that. Am I the only one that really feels like no apps to the SD in ICS or jellybean, is quite a downgrade? I understand we can use the "cloud" now ... but that's simply not the same, and surely not as fast as a local drive (maybe?) I then proceeded to yell at him to not let the group of stupid consumers influence the great features that the half-brained+ consumers know how to properly use, to no avail. Using the micro to full USB port to mount a thumb drive seemed to be the best way to add more storage locally. Thoughts? Thanks
- Herby
- Real-time embedded software developer going on 12 years, working in the satcom, medical device, aircraft display, and aerospace domains

NM - Just found app "USB Host controller" which does exactly what I asked Yayyyy!!
There are actually a whole slew of these that are even free, most require root however, which I recommend using the program with GUI interface developed specifically to unlock the bootloader, and then root the nexus 7. I think it was called Root_Toolbox or something like that. I am not at home or I would report back the official name. If anyone wants it just let me know. Thank you!

Herby6262 said:
I had read in some other random forum that if you have rooted your Nexus 7, which I have, and run app "StickMount" you can connect a usb thumb drive to the nexus and give yourself more space, even install apps to the USB drive to run from. I am wondering (and am going to test it out later this evening) if anyone has tried connecting a USB hub, so that you can have say 4 ports to add different drives or game controllers/whatever else and android will recognize the different devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A hub works great. I've had 3 flash sticks mounted at once along with a mouse and everything has worked without a hitch.
The caveat here is to ensure you're not pulling too much current - the OTG max current source spec is alot less than the 500mA a normal USB PC host port is able to source.

OTG - Is it possible? - Yes it is

Well I know its been talked about in the other threads of the possibilities. So now since we have the devices here, are proceeding with unlocking and rooting the devices. Has anyone had luck?
Sadly I do not have a OTG cable yet to test this but at least wanted to start somewhere.
Edit: Yes it is, see post below for link. Device needs to be rooted for it to work!

Says he was able, after root, to mount 2 drives simultaneously.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=43991406&postcount=9

Nburnes said:
Says he was able, after root, to mount 2 drives simultaneously.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=43991406&postcount=9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brilliant! Thanks

Has anyone try this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
It doesn't require root so it should be good for stock users.

I can confirm a stock non rooted N7 I threw in a USB flash drive and read files and played a movie real quick earlier just to see if it all worked, didn't try much more then that but can try some more tomorrow. Still busy transferring and reinstalling apps from old N7.

I cannot get Nexus Media Importer to work on stock. It reports all memory sticks as protected.

I have a non rooted stock nexus 7 2013. The media importer doesn't work for me also.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Now rooted using Stickmount, still not working. The drive can be seen but it seems only small files can be viewed, and you can't copy them or do anything with them. Non of my, larger, movie files show up.

I was able to copy a 3GB movie file from a flashdrive to the onboard memory with no issues. Maybe try a powered USB hub? I didn't have to in this case but it might help.
I tried to read an external hard drive and had to use a powered USB hub to even have it mount. Alas, couldn't read anything. Don't know if it's because the hard drive was formatted NTFS or because it was 750GB.

USB OTG Helper works for me. It also supports NTFS drives.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Can anyone tell if it's possible to to use OTG while wireless charging the device?
Need this for my car dashboard tablet replacement.

I think the problem with that would be that it would drain after than it charges. Qi charging doesn't have great amperage.
Sent from my Nexus 7

J_M_H said:
USB OTG Helper works for me. It also supports NTFS drives.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
works for me as well, I am wondering if there will be a root flash-able mod like the original N7 had to turn OTG on.

Why does Google not allow OTG to be active out of box? Is the lure of trying force people into using the cloud that strong? Clouds drain more battery compared to local content and wifi connections do not have 100% coverage like local does.
The reality is the reason this device is priced at near break-even pricing IS the cloud, so this is why there is no SD slot or full OTG, out of box. Most people do not mod, so most people will be part of their cloud control strategy. I would rather pay $50 more and let Google make a profit on the device, that way I could have a micro sd slot and OTG out of box. Curse Google and their quest for content control and data mining! :silly:

Earlier I said it wasn't working, without knowingly changing anything both Stickmount and Nexus Media Importer now work. I am rooted and perhaps Stickmount is making NMI work.

J_M_H said:
USB OTG Helper works for me. It also supports NTFS drives.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stick Mount works 100% fine for me, just watched a movie from my thumb drive. I am stock+Root. Open file system and on SD card look at the USB Storage folder if you are unfamiliar with Stick Root.

Is otg ok with usb pen drive or 2.5 hard disk without power supply?

sasu85 said:
Is otg ok with usb pen drive or 2.5 hard disk without power supply?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and I also used it with a USB External HD and it worked fine there, too.

I had issues with OTG on my first N7 2013. It was a flaky connection and would go into a connect/disconnect loop and then just stop all together. I returned it and picked up a different. That one seems to work fine.
Stock, not rooted, and using Nexus Media Importer.
Some people may want to try rebooting their N7 as well.... If you look at the NMI app in the Play Store the developer knows there are a few issues with Android 4.3 when first using the app.

Landara said:
Yes and I also used it with a USB External HD and it worked fine there, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much!! I love OTG features...
This new Nexus 7 has OTG support and also Slim port connection (for hdmi)...SUPER GOOGLE!!:good:

Some questions before jumping in.

Dear N10 Community,
I have been looking around for a good 10 inch Android tablet and have more or less decided on the N10 over the Pipo M8 Pro and the 10 inch offers from Samsung.
However, the lack of microsd expansion bothers me and I wonder if you gentlemen and gentleladies might be able to help.
I intend to use the N10 for work as well as pleasure. At the moment, I carry all my files with me on a USB hub with 4 x 32Gb Sandisk Cruzer Fits attached.
I would like to access the files, both reading and writing, on these Cruzer Fits via OTG. For example I receive a file from my boss and I download it to edit. I would like to be able to save the file directly onto one of the Cruzer Fits and edit the file directly from there. Basically I want to bypass the N10 storage altogether (reserving that space for personal entertainment).
Would any of you be able to shed light on whether that is possible? And what I would need to do to make it happen? E. G. Root the N10, buy a particular app or something?
Best regards and merry Christmas
Jake.

You need a OTG adaptor, only a few quid off E-Bay, then an app to let you read/write to the USB. I bought this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer&hl=en and it does the job fine (doesn't require root)
Of course if you know you'll have access to wi-fi you can use Dropbox, Google Drive or Box which all have apps and it negates the need for the USB.

I use the same paid app too, and Stickmount which is free.

Thanks guys! I'll give it a shot!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

quojake said:
Dear N10 Community,
I intend to use the N10 for work as well as pleasure. At the moment, I carry all my files with me on a USB hub with 4 x 32Gb Sandisk Cruzer Fits attached.
I would like to access the files, both reading and writing, on these Cruzer Fits via OTG. For example I receive a file from my boss and I download it to edit. I would like to be able to save the file directly onto one of the Cruzer Fits and edit the file directly from there. Basically I want to bypass the N10 storage altogether (reserving that space for personal entertainment).
Would any of you be able to shed light on whether that is possible? And what I would need to do to make it happen? E. G. Root the N10, buy a particular app or something?
Best regards and merry Christmas
Jake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to root the N10. Most corporate use policies ban rooting meaning you're going to get frowned at, or must keep the fact you rooted it a secret (noone can really tell unless they look). Then install Stickmount (it needs root). The USB sticks are probably FAT32 formatted so will work, but if they happen to be formatted say NTFS then you'll need to follow the instructions for the app to copy ntfs-3g to /sdcard.
You sound like you want read-only which the above will do, if you want to copy files TO the USB stick from the N10 if its NTFS then you need SELinux Mode Changer app.
You said you want to watch films on the USB and NOT copy to the N10 but that means you are powering the stick from the N10 and accelerating battery drain. Even if you got the Pogo cable, it won't actually be taking in any charge when the USB is being used for Stickmount. Also, on my N10, I use a USB NTFS harddrive, and it doesn't stay working long enough to watch stuff, so I copy files off and watch locally, it needs only then work for a couple of minutes which is does perfectly ok. So I'd encourage you to think of temporarily connecting and copying files and deleting rather than watching it off the stick.
If there is another device able to share the same Wifi then you can also connect storage to that other device and stream via CIFS mount share or http, e.g. connect USB storage to a Rasberry PI and run Apache on it and link /var/www/something to the usb mount (/mnt/something). I guess that sounds scary if you're not a geek. I have such and 1TB drive connected to it as my primary datastore for media when at home.
Speed, I get about 2MB/s Wifi CIFS copy, 4MB/s Wifi FTP copy and 7MB Wifi http copy and about 21MB/s copying off USB harddrive so a typical HD film is about 1GB/hour, so 1.5GB copy off USB is say 71 seconds to copy or over http copy is 214s.
Best media play is MX Player, having tried them all. Oh and if you root you can install Adaway to block MX Player's ads when you pause.