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.
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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.

[DEV] AndroidLib.dll Expansion Project

Description:
The AndroidLib Expansion Project was created to bring support of more Android devices to my AndroidLib.dll project I'm working on. This project is a Windows executable (compiled batch script) that you will run on your computer with your Android device connected. This will NOT run automatically; it will give you a prompt to run after opening.
The main purpose of this project is to collect data about new phones for AndroidLib.dll, not about your specific phone, but about how it transfers specific data through it's shell and through the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), and more importantly, how that output is formatted.
This information will not be shared with anyone other than myself, and will only be used for further developing AndroidLib.dll to support many more Android devices than it currently does.
Source Code is available under "Download Info"
What it does:
Starts an Adb server
Checks Device List
Checks Device Type
Checks Device Serial (only for unique .zip filename)
Checks For SU
Checks UID
Checks BusyBox
Checks File System
Checks Battery Statistics
Checks Running Processes
Checks /data/system/packages.xml for existance
Checks Build Properties
Checks Shell Environment
Creates Zip of Data Above
Opens Upload Form in Browser After Exiting
NOTE: Does NOT Upload Automatically
Usage:
Download the Windows Executable below and run from any directory on your computer with your Android device connected.
Requirements:
Windows Computer
Android device to test
Download Latest Release
AndroidLibExpansion.exe
Download Info
AndroidLibExpansion.exe MD5: 3a8971f452ab7e3da63e375a859033d4
VirusTotal Report
Source Code

No zip file on my desktop to send...

drcell said:
No zip file on my desktop to send...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the Desktop folder in %USERPROFILE%\Desktop as well instead of just the graphical desktop. I have tested it working on 5 different computers here...

Can you upload to another site
Like http://www.mediafire.com/

TarekNajem04 said:
Can you upload to another site
Like http://www.mediafire.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you can, if you send me the link to it.. but I just wrote that upload script so it would just go straight to my server.. Upload it to mediafire if you would like.

I realize now that this exe may not have worked correctly. I've had 3 reports now of no zip being created on the desktop. I am working to solve this issue, as you see in the source.. it really has no reason not to be creating on the desktop.

I'll be glad to help, if only it created a zip file for me to upload.
EDIT: I checked the %USERPROFILE%/Desktop as well as running a search for anything containing "androidlib" in C:\Users... nothing.

2 things.
1st, it won't make a zip file for anyone that doesn't have 7zip or the required folder structure (there is no standard environment variable of %myfiles% - just use %temp% instead), and it's assuming subfolders exist for output of the adb commands.
2nd, why is it an exe file when it's a batch file? Please link the bat file instead of an exe. I'm running the bat file I copied and pasted from the source and it runs just fine.

Archer said:
2 things.
1st, it won't make a zip file for anyone that doesn't have 7zip or the required folder structure (there is no standard environment variable of %myfiles% - just use %temp% instead), and it's assuming subfolders exist for output of the adb commands.
2nd, why is it an exe file when it's a batch file? Please link the bat file instead of an exe. I'm running the bat file I copied and pasted from the source and it runs just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if you knew who I was or looked at anything else I have written, you'd realize that I know what I'm doing, and that I would not assume everyone has the standard environment variable %MYFILES% or have 7zip installed. I am assuming in this program, actually, that the end user does NOT have the android sdk set up (or in their path) and does NOT have any 7 zip binaries. I created a self extracting exe out of my batch file that includes adb.exe, the 2 required adb dlls, and the 7 zip binary, all in the global variable %MYFILES% (aTemp folder in %temp%). It works fine. Just need to figure out why it creates a zip on all of my computers, and not any of yours. I appreciate the feedback though.

FredFS456 said:
I'll be glad to help, if only it created a zip file for me to upload.
EDIT: I checked the %USERPROFILE%/Desktop as well as running a search for anything containing "androidlib" in C:\Users... nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for letting me know you ran a full search and nothing came up still, that actually does help me out, telling me it didn't write to anywhere else. I'll have a working version for you guys in a little bit.

Ok guys, fixed the problem. Works great now. Check the source code and VirusTotal report in the first post if you need to. Thanks again for everyone helping with this! And special thanks to nebenezer for testing the new builds!

regaw_leinad said:
Well, if you knew who I was or looked at anything else I have written, you'd realize that I know what I'm doing, and that I would not assume everyone has the standard environment variable %MYFILES% or have 7zip installed. I am assuming in this program, actually, that the end user does NOT have the android sdk set up (or in their path) and does NOT have any 7 zip binaries. I created a self extracting exe out of my batch file that includes adb.exe, the 2 required adb dlls, and the 7 zip binary, all in the global variable %MYFILES% (aTemp folder in %temp%). It works fine. Just need to figure out why it creates a zip on all of my computers, and not any of yours. I appreciate the feedback though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol - calm down mate. I wasn't criticising - I was trying to help. I get why it's an exe now you've explained and that makes sense. Glad you got it working anyway. I'll upload a couple of files for you later.

Archer said:
Lol - calm down mate. I wasn't criticising - I was trying to help. I get why it's an exe now you've explained and that makes sense. Glad you got it working anyway. I'll upload a couple of files for you later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks for clarifying. The way you presented your self in your post sounded like somewhat of "this n00b doesn't know what he's doing, and I'm gonna let him know that" lol I'm a pretty chill guy, I just don't appreciate when people do that.
And thank you for doing some uploads later! I appreciate it!

This is my upload link because i couldn't upload with your page. It says "The file you are trying to upload is not a .zip file. Please try again."
http://db.tt/0HoRAK11

It works and I have uploaded the zip
Burned from my laser torch using pencil cells

Uploaded .zip file.

regaw_leinad said:
Ok thanks for clarifying. The way you presented your self in your post sounded like somewhat of "this n00b doesn't know what he's doing, and I'm gonna let him know that" lol I'm a pretty chill guy, I just don't appreciate when people do that.
And thank you for doing some uploads later! I appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies if that's how I came across - it wasn't intended. I've just uploaded a couple of zip files for you.

Thank you to everyone who has uploaded a zip so far! This is really helping development on AndroidLib. I am still accepting more uploads, so if you feel like helping develpment of AndroidLib, feel free to download and run the exe! I'm needing a few more Samsung devices in particular, those seem to vary in output between themselves.

Have you got an upload from an Motor ATRIX 4g yet? If not ill see if I can sort it for you.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA

The-Milkybar-Kid said:
Have you got an upload from an Motor ATRIX 4g yet? If not ill see if I can sort it for you.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope haven't got one yet, that'd be awesome! Thanks!

Can the Android SDK dev environment be made portable

I tried to make vmware of it and it works but too big to move around. Any other ideas? Thanks

pectin said:
I tried to make vmware of it and it works but too big to move around. Any other ideas? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put everything in the same folder. I put the android sdk into my eclipse folder (and keep my workspace in my eclipse folder too). Works fine for me. You will need to install the JDK/JRE though if I'm not mistaken. But other than that it's portable.

Delay while transferring files with adb (music not detected immediately)

I use LMDE and i really have no trouble using adb to transfer files, but the files that i push from my PC to the device aren't detected immediately, so, if i put some music in the device i have to wait like 10 minutes at least for the files to being accessibles.
So, my question is if there's some way to 'scan & list' all the files after i make the file transfer?
Thanks!
PS: This is happening with my Galaxy Nexus also, so i believe this is an adb problem.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

duqueso said:
I use LMDE and i really have no trouble using adb to transfer files, but the files that i push from my PC to the device aren't detected immediately, so, if i put some music in the device i have to wait like 10 minutes at least for the files to being accessibles.
So, my question is if there's some way to 'scan & list' all the files after i make the file transfer?
Thanks!
PS: This is happening with my Galaxy Nexus also, so i believe this is an adb problem.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as for scanning maybe u can try to use filemanagers to make the device search for the music files faster

as for scanning maybe u can try to use filemanagers to make the device search for the music files faster
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, but i already tried this, and i can see the files with a file manager, but i don't know why the Music Players (Play Music and JetAudio) aren't showing the files immediately.

Mounting FTP as local storage

I was able to use mount manager to mount a local Samba server as local drive on my Nexus 10.
Now I'm trying to do the same with an FTP server, and can't seem to figure it out yet.
I am running rooted with CM10 on the device, so it should 'FUSE' on it. But I'm not quite sure if how I would go about mounting the ftp server to local folder.
Anyone have any suggestions?

If you are on Windows http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/work-with-files-ftp-site#1TC=windows-7

peterk-1 said:
If you are on Windows http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/work-with-files-ftp-site#1TC=windows-7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, and that works for Windows as well as NetDrive for windows.
But I'm trying mount the FTP server/folder as a local drive on my Android (Nexus 10) tablet.
I may have posted in the wrong place? this may be more a general android question then a specific Nexus 10.

Sorry about the W7 link - day dreaming. Solid Explorer will connect to and bookmark ftp servers but that's not what you want I'd have thought that Mount Manager would have done it but looks like it doesn't. Look at SSHFSAndroid https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chaos9k.sshfsandroid ?

I found that app as well and emailed the developer if it supports ftp but have not heard back from him. But I went and bought it anyway since it was only a few bucks.
But I haven't been able to to get to connect to the ftp server. The app has shows alot of options and I've tried changing to port 21 which i know my ftp server is using. But still can't get it to connect.
I am also rooted and unsure if there is anyway to mount the ftp folder with busy box and terminal. I'm really not that versed in using busybox just yet.
Anyone else have know of any app or suggestions?

Es file explorer app can access ftp and then you can click and it makes an ftp URL it hands to the app which works with some apps. Or copy files local and use.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

nigelhealy said:
Es file explorer app can access ftp and then you can click and it makes an ftp URL it hands to the app which works with some apps. Or copy files local and use.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I can explore the FTP via ES file and other similar file managers, but it is not quite the same as actually mapping to a folder location where it looks as local content.
There must be a way to do it. I have used mount manager to mount samba share as local folders. But can't figure out yet out to map an ftp.

ptmuldoon said:
Yes, I can explore the FTP via ES file and other similar file managers, but it is not quite the same as actually mapping to a folder location where it looks as local content.
There must be a way to do it. I have used mount manager to mount samba share as local folders. But can't figure out yet out to map an ftp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can make a URL out of FTP
Code:
ftp://user:[email protected]:port/path
Applications which know FTP can then access it directly. All ES File Explorer does is build the URL and give it to the app.
You can't mount FTP at all on ANY OS, so don't look for a solutoin, it is technically impossible due to the nature of FTP. Duh. All platforms do the same as I described, it's down the app knowing how to do FTP, its not a mount question.
If you control the data source, you can offer a CIFS or NFS and a VPN and then mount it (if you insist on this functionality). I actually prefer to run Apache on my mine and http: access mine, it is faster than ftp:

@nigelhealy That was not very constructive... YES it is possible. curlftpfs in Ubuntu linux works fantasticly to mount an FTP server to a directory via FUSE... allows all applications to interact as if it was native directory...
we need a curlftpfs replacement/port for Android.

Sorry for digging out this old thread, but is there any solution by now?
Greetz

Dig out this old thread again as I'm also interested in mounting an ftp directory to the local directory of an Android system

And since a ban of dropbox I'm requesting the same... Digging this thread up to see if anyone has found a working solution of using FTP as 'local' mount.