[Q] How to create an Apps2SD partition. - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm using ClockworkMod Recovery 2.5.0.1 and i've seen a couple of guides where I go into the recovery and do some bits and bobs there to create it, but the only options I seem to get are to mount the sd-ext partition, which fails because it doesn't exist, or to format it.
I'm guessing there is a step beforehand i'm missing?
Thanks

download rom manager from market , open it , then create a ext3 partionion ... done
before you create a partition , backup your sd card!!

y2viks said:
I'm using ClockworkMod Recovery 2.5.0.1 and i've seen a couple of guides where I go into the recovery and do some bits and bobs there to create it, but the only options I seem to get are to mount the sd-ext partition, which fails because it doesn't exist, or to format it.
I'm guessing there is a step beforehand i'm missing?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem.
You can create the partition using the ROM Manager app downloaded from the market as yasars said.
Alternatively, if you want to do it manually, you can format the card on a *nix system. The Gparted Linux app lets you edit the partitions in a nice and simple GUI. Just remember the order of the partitions: first fat32, then about 512 MB of ext2/3/4 (ext4 may not be supported by all ROMs so better to use ext3) and lastly a swap partition of about 32 MB (totally optional). The size of the fat32 partition is whatever is left over after you've allocated the 512 MB for the ext2/3/4 partitions (and the 32 MB for the swap if you decided you wanted it). For instance, for a 2GB card, leaving 512 MB for the ext2/3/4 partition (no swap) leaves us with about 1.5 GB for the fat32 partition. You do the calculations for your card in your head or on paper and use those values in Gparted.
HTH.

Thanks for the help guys
I think i'll just get it up and running using the ROM Manager and if I find the need I'll do a manual version

Foolowing this guide I partitioned my sd card with GParted Live CD.

gianton said:
Foolowing this guide I partitioned my sd card with GParted Live CD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have no Idea how cool it is for me that my tutorial was useful... ;-)

chrysochire said:
You have no Idea how cool it is for me that my tutorial was useful... ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it should be a sticky!

Having a problem when I try to use ROM Manager.
I select the 512 for EXT and 32Mb for Swap and the phone reboots.
It then shows the big triangle with Mr Android next to it until I press some buttons and then I get the recovery screen with the following messages
Finding Update Package....
Opening Update Package....
Verifying Update Package....
E:failed to seek in /cache/update.zip (Invalid Arguement)
E:signature verification failed
Installation Aborted.
I don't have a cache folder on my sd card so i'm guessing it's looking in the internal memory?
Not sure what to do here

BACK-UP sd card before you do this.
For windows users
have clockwork recovery and rom manager on your desire
then format sd in windows.
put it in your desire and go to rom manager.
select Partition SD Card
select your space i used 32 swap 512 ext
than reboot and your sd card has the ext partition.
than put your files back on your sd card and Done

y2viks said:
Having a problem when I try to use ROM Manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem with ROM Manager. My solution was to downgrade ClockworkMod Recovery to v2.5.0.0 (in ROM Manager) and then partition the card. Worked on first try.
When you're done you can upgrade to latest version again if you want.
I don't think you should use a swap partition, so just set it to 0 MB.
Good luck!

Do i just need to find the 2.5.0.0 update.zip file and flash?

going to 2.5.0.0 worked
so now i have the ext partition do I need to do anything for apps to be installed there, or will they install there by default?
Also i've heard that the ext partitions can be 2 3 or 4. I'm presuming higher is better. How do I go about finding what mine is and how can I upgrade it if it need it?
Thanks

chrysochire said:
You have no Idea how cool it is for me that my tutorial was useful... ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm also going to give your guide a go. Just one question, do I have to do it with the SD card still in the phone or can i do it with a SD USB adapter?
Thanks,
Joe
I read the tutorial again and you can use an SD adapter, worked a treat. Cheers

y2viks said:
going to 2.5.0.0 worked
so now i have the ext partition do I need to do anything for apps to be installed there, or will they install there by default?
Also i've heard that the ext partitions can be 2 3 or 4. I'm presuming higher is better. How do I go about finding what mine is and how can I upgrade it if it need it?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you have an ext2/3/4 partition and the ROM you're flashing has A2SD support (check before you download the ROM), you are not required to do anything more. To check whether A2SD is working once you've flashed your ROM, download the Android Terminal Emulator app from the market and use the following commands
Code:
su
ls -l /data
You should see your app directory pointing to /system/sd/app and app-private pointing to /system/sd/app-private
I'm not sure which format ROM Manager defaults to, but you can always check the type of format used by mounting the card in Linux and using the GParted Linux app (you could use a card reader or use the 'Disk Drive' option in your phone to connect it to the computer). Also, ext3 should be fine for most custom ROMs. In fact, not all ROMs support ext4.

ikkokusenkin said:
As long as you have an ext2/3/4 partition and the ROM you're flashing has A2SD support (check before you download the ROM), you are not required to do anything more. To check whether A2SD is working once you've flashed your ROM, download the Android Terminal Emulator app from the market and use the following commands
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Another quick way is to install quick system info from the Market, it tells you infos about your system, including the use of your a2sd partition.... ;-)
- About ext 2/3/4 I would advise the use of ext3, as ext4 is poorly supported by Roms (even those who pretend seem to have issues...)
cheers

Does the decrease of available internal storage means apps22sd+ is not working? I've partitioned twice and installed seperate 2.2 roms with apps2sd+ included and every time I install more things I see internal storage drop.
You should see your app directory pointing to /system/sd/app and app-private pointing to /system/sd/app-private
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked this and it's doing what you said

ikkokusenkin said:
As long as you have an ext2/3/4 partition and the ROM you're flashing has A2SD support (check before you download the ROM), you are not required to do anything more. To check whether A2SD is working once you've flashed your ROM, download the Android Terminal Emulator app from the market and use the following commands
Code:
su
ls -l /data
You should see your app directory pointing to /system/sd/app and app-private pointing to /system/sd/app-private
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took the liberty of including this information into my tutorial. I added a reference to you. ;-)
I hope this makes it to Sticky one day... ;-)

bloosteak said:
Does the decrease of available internal storage means apps22sd+ is not working? I've partitioned twice and installed seperate 2.2 roms with apps2sd+ included and every time I install more things I see internal storage drop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not in itself, no. Those symbolic links mean that A2SD is working fine. However, from what I understand about the theory, even A2SD installs a part of the app into the internal memory. That may explain the drop you see. By the way, how much free memory do you see on your device? I usually have about 140 MB free on my Desire. I read somewhere that if A2SD wasn't working, that figure would be about 90 MB.

chrysochire said:
I took the liberty of including this information into my tutorial. I added a reference to you. ;-)
I hope this makes it to Sticky one day... ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Although, I can hardly claim to have come up with the idea myself.

ikkokusenkin said:
Not in itself, no. Those symbolic links mean that A2SD is working fine. However, from what I understand about the theory, even A2SD installs a part of the app into the internal memory. That may explain the drop you see. By the way, how much free memory do you see on your device? I usually have about 140 MB free on my Desire. I read somewhere that if A2SD wasn't working, that figure would be about 90 MB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
108 free total of 148
I just recently opened spare parts apps where it allowed me to change where apps2sd installs things. By default it was set to automatic and I'm guessing that was causing the problem. I set it to external and tried installing a browser while my disk was mounted and it wouldn't let me do it. Then I set it to charge mode and it installed normally.
Some roms probably default to external while some automatic.
edit: Just installed an app that I previously installed while using "automatic" and it still uses up internal storage instead of A2SD storage. Dunno what's wrong. I am using ext2 partitioned through rom manager.

Related

Partioning SD Card

Sorry, done a search and looked through all posts but can't seem to find a guide to partition sd card for use with apps2sd.
My phone is rooted and have rom manager installed where it looks I can perform the partition. Can someone point me to a noobs guide to partition or give us a hand. I have read about all different extensions to make the partition to but have no idea what they all are. Any help appreciated.
Swap - 0
Ext3 - as little or as much as you wish (usually 512-1024mb)
FAT31 - the rest
obviously this will wipe the sd card, what about all backups etc. Do i just copy to pc then copy them back when partition is complete?
Yes, but remember you will have less space on for data since a part of it will be taken up by Ext3 partition.
no problem, cheers for that
Make this sticky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
memphisuklf said:
Sorry, done a search and looked through all posts but can't seem to find a guide to partition sd card for use with apps2sd.
My phone is rooted and have rom manager installed where it looks I can perform the partition. Can someone point me to a noobs guide to partition or give us a hand. I have read about all different extensions to make the partition to but have no idea what they all are. Any help appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been trying to make this subject a sticky for a while.
I posted some tutorials in the Q&A Thread: See my post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=713643 (bottom of the page)....
Good luck!
does rom manager create the partition as ext 3 as default?
ok, seems I now have a problem. Did partition through manager 512mb/0 swap seemed to work fine but now phone won't boot, stuck at htc white screen. Any ideas?
Edit
Ok booted after 4th time of pulling battery. Doesn't look like it partitioned though. on windows I only have H: with 3.18gb
I used the Android Recovery Menu from Paul's old rooting tutorial which let me partion the memory card easily.
gave up for now, will have a look later on but don't want to mess with it that much as i`m using my stock sd card
I think you already have A2SD installed. I used Rom Manager to do the partition too and it was straightforward. No problems with rebooting though. If you reinstall your apps now, and if you check with a system info apps, you will find that you now have loads of internal memory.
ah, ok got 115mb free after installs(Used to have 10mb). So the defrost rom i`m using will automatically use apps 2sd when a partition is found?
Thought I had to set this up with spare parts?
How come I cant see the partition through windows?
Windows doesn't recognise linux partitions. Check with Quick System Info if A2SD is working correctly.
haha, feel stupid now. Working fine when checked with quick system info. Cheers for all the help guys, much appreciated
memphisuklf said:
ok, seems I now have a problem. Did partition through manager 512mb/0 swap seemed to work fine but now phone won't boot, stuck at htc white screen. Any ideas?
Edit
Ok booted after 4th time of pulling battery. Doesn't look like it partitioned though. on windows I only have H: with 3.18gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u have 4Gb card and in windows you see only 3.2Gb partition, then i think you have ext partition there ok. Windows wont see your ext.
Rom Manager will make ext3 partition in the end of your sd card.
With 512Mb ext + 0Mb swap you will get fat32 partition + ext3 in your SD card.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
On a similar topic, if I install a 2.2 ROM with Google APS2SD and legacy APS2SD, do I only need to create a partition for the legacy version of APPS2SD? If I just wanted to use the Google version can I just leave the card as it is?
yep, no formatting is needed for google app2sd
Here's my experience to Partition the SD card.
1) I rooted my Desire with "UnrEVOked"
2) Flashed the phone with a ROM
3) Then I went to "Market" and download "ROM manager", which has an option to "Partition SD card".
4) Reboot
dexter9898 said:
Here's my experience to Partition the SD card.
1) I rooted my Desire with "UnrEVOked"
2) Flashed the phone with a ROM
3) Then I went to "Market" and download "ROM manager", which has an option to "Partition SD card".
4) Reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a related thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=731531
I developed the most common methods of partition your SD Card, and answered some questions and asked some additional ones.
I would very much welcome it, if anyone wants to participate in assembling the infos about SD cards....
Not the best guide but does work, you may need to adjust the figures depending on what size card you got.

[Tutorial] Create SD-EXT Partition W/Clockwork Mod 1.2

No Need To Use G-Parted or other complicated tools!!!!
I have fully tested the new CWM 1.2 and can now confirm that you can now make SD-EXT partition for use with APPS2SD+. Below is a step by step guide on how to do it:
Download the CWM v1.2 from RaiderX's Post and remember to say thanks!!http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=898913
RaiderX Instructions for new user;
1. download one of the partition files, if you don't know which one you need, use the 250M one or check with rom developer.
2. Extract downloaded zip to a folder of your choice
3. Copy contents of copy_to_sd_root (initrd.gz and zImage) to the root of your sd card
4. boot into magldr and select USB Flasher option while phone is connected to PC
5. Run DAF.exe included in the zip and follow onscreen instructions.
6. After complete, again boot into magldr and select "Boot AD SD" option
7. ClockworkMod recovery should load, you can flash a rom from here.
Now once you have done this:
> GO to advance and then partition SD card
> Remember this will wipe the sd card so back everything up if need be
> Choose how much space you want on the partition then then choose 0MB for swap
>PLEASE NOTE PARTITIONING WILL WIPE THE SD CARD SO YOU WILL NEED TO GO INTO USB STORAGE MODE IN MAGDLER AND COPY THE 2 FILES FOR THE SD CARD FROM THE CWM DOWNLOAD
>and hey presto your done
> Remember you need to use an APPS2SD+ rom for this to work!
There are many benifits of this using EXT-Partition such as you apps will automatically transfer to your partition and many others you'll find out for yourself
Please Note: Not every app will get stored on the SD-EXT partition no matter what you do as there meant for the internal memory
i have 2 gb mcard,need help
Just follow the instructions doesn't matter on the size of your memory card, just choose an adequate size for your partition
raymando said:
Just follow the instructions doesn't matter on the size of your memory card, just choose an adequate size for your partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you might want to add that this will also wipe the CWM files off the SD card so will need to use the USB Mass Storage option in magldr to copy the files back over
good
Thanks for this simple tutorial, bro. But may I ask. What is swap. What the best recommended size for it. Sorry for noob question.
edit: just know to select 0mb. Thanks
OK thanks for that
the partition is only ext3
is that a problem?
m1167 said:
the partition is only ext3
is that a problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats not a problem as most roms support this its EXT4 that some roms don't support, but check the rom thread just in case
kangmas said:
Thanks for this simple tutorial, bro. But may I ask. What is swap. What the best recommended size for it. Sorry for noob question.
edit: just know to select 0mb. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i selected 256 Mb any problem ?
i have done partitioning before this posts arrival .. works with MDJ ginger bread i think...
I have the same question...whats the swap size ... I put 256
sathara said:
i selected 256 Mb any problem ?
i have done partitioning before this posts arrival .. works with MDJ ginger bread i think...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EclipseX said:
I have the same question...whats the swap size ... I put 256
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not flash yet. Quick question, What the internal storage size after you flash mdj gingerbread.
kangmas said:
Not flash yet. Quick question, What the internal storage size after you flash mdj gingerbread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
total 286
available 237 mbs
SWAP= 0MB
Its to do with having a external ram cache but you need to put 0MB!
i have a 16gb sdcard, and i was amazed at how quickly it formatted and partitioned my sdcard, but when i loaded my rom it hadn't done anything lol. so i tried one more time and then i noticed it was taking a bit longer so i felt it was working and it did. just sharing my experience. might take more than one try
wolfpack612 said:
i have a 16gb sdcard, and i was amazed at how quickly it formatted and partitioned my sdcard, but when i loaded my rom it hadn't done anything lol. so i tried one more time and then i noticed it was taking a bit longer so i felt it was working and it did. just sharing my experience. might take more than one try
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At first if you don't succeed try again!
If we do a SD-EXT partition for use with APPS2SD+, will installing/uninstalling app lag? And how is the performance when compare to installing in phone memory?
10507 said:
If we do a SD-EXT partition for use with APPS2SD+, will installing/uninstalling app lag? And how is the performance when compare to installing in phone memory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it will not lag and performance wise its should run faster as it has more space to place with and will not decrease the internal phone memory
raymando said:
No it will not lag and performance wise its should run faster as it has more space to place with and will not decrease the internal phone memory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will all applications be installed in this extension? And will it cause any error when application, that required install to phone, are installed in this extension. For example,in MDJ CM7 2.2, Angry bird is required to install in phone memory in order to work.
10507 said:
Will all applications be installed in this extension? And will it cause any error when application, that required install to phone, are installed in this extension. For example,in MDJ CM7 2.2, Angry bird is required to install in phone memory in order to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wont cause any error like i said before not all applications cant be installed to the ext partition so some applications will be installed to the internal phone memory, As for angry birds it will automatically install to the SD-Card partition as i have bot the season and normal version installed and they both run fine on the SD-EXT partiton
where could i get APPS2SD+ from ?

[Q] Can't make apps move to SD card

Heya,
Today I flashed a fresh Defrost 6.1a (Which is said to support A2SD+), Flashed Gapps. So far so good.
I took my 8GB SD card and partitioned it in Ubuntu using Gpareted. I set the FAT32 partition first, then a ext3 partition (512MB) second.
Ubuntu read both with accurate sizes.
I put the card back into the phone and looked "SD card & phone storage", it no said my SD card is only 6.89GB, but the Internal phone storage was still low.
I decided to check a little more with Titanium Backup, which surprisingly said that my ext3 partition is only 256MB and is half full (talking about a fresh ROM here).
Can someone point me to where I did wrong?
Maybe format using ext4?
Put the ext partition first?
Reflash ROM after partitioning?
TNX
I have never got A2SD working either. I think you need to install a script or something. Here is a post about A2SD. Also, Android 2.2+ supports moving apps to SD anyway.
If you want more space to install apps, you can install one of AlphaRev's HBoot templates which can increase the /data partition, that's if you have S-Off.
I couldn't be bothered farting around with A2SD and so I did that instead.
CoreOxide said:
Maybe format using ext4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it will not make it work and will only increase your memory card's wear.
CoreOxide said:
Reflash ROM after partitioning?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you flashed the a2sd enabled ROM on the device which didn't have memory card prepared? I always thought such enterprises would end in a boot loop. Flash it again if this is the case.
GoogleJelly said:
Also, Android 2.2+ supports moving apps to SD anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not teh same thing!
erklat said:
How do you inspect if a2sd is working? Coz I think u r doing it wrong. Install Quick system info and check what it says under a2sd storage and if it slowly decreases when you install apps, which means it is working. You don't have to set default install location anywhere, the script does that for you.
What you are referring to here, is Froyo's built-in a2sd which requires the app to be optimized for app2sd, that's why only some of your apps seem to be on the SD card. Furthermore, it will transfer the apps to FAT32 partition, that you don't want for it to do since Android first loads apps which need to be loaded at startup, and afterwards it mounts the SD card, which will lead to some apps failing to start after boot.
a2sd tricks the phone into thinking that ext partition is it's internal memory. Froyo app2sd != a2sd script, don't confuse those two, they are not the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

RCMix S 2.0 ROM Market issue

Flashed RCMix S 2.0 ROM, now market seems to be missing. I cant find Android Market. How can I fix it?
sthbr82 said:
Flashed RCMix S 2.0 ROM, now market seems to be missing. I cant find Android Market. How can I fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the market apk files from computer and put it into SD card.
Then istall it by ES File Explorer
Look in my sig?
i was thinking of Flashing this ROM, so im curious to know why Market is not in the ROM or if it was just a odd issue the OP ran into?
it was in mine when i flashed it yesterday
Reinstalling the ROM fixed it, but now can't install any more apps. Keep on getting no space left error messages. Had created 512MB Ext partition to begin with. Any idea how can I create a 1gb partition from ROM manager, it doesn't allow me to create partition more than 512MB
Gparted doesn't seem to work, windows doesn't detect the FAT32 partition after repartitioning in Gparted.
sthbr82 said:
Reinstalling the ROM fixed it, but now can't install any more apps. Keep on getting no space left error messages. Had created 512MB Ext partition to begin with. Any idea how can I create a 1gb partition from ROM manager, it doesn't allow me to create partition more than 512MB
Gparted doesn't seem to work, windows doesn't detect the FAT32 partition after repartitioning in Gparted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u are not worried about losing data boot into recovery and Partition you're Sd card
Meaple said:
Look in my sig?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Meaple !
how to change the displayed % battery, but don't want to change the font ..? UOT do shall both?
Appears creating ext4 doesn't work in my SD card. Created 1GB ext3 partition. Everything's working now.
For those wanting to know the Market app IS there but it's part of Robocik's auto-install so it's not on the /system partiton any more. Personally, I moved it back to /system/app before flashing

Partitioning for CM7 and App2SD

I am using Cyanogenmod 7 and App2SD (as explained here). I want to move EVERYTHING to the SD card (including data) and use ext4. How should I partition the card (using Gparted) to have it working properly?
I tried doing it with Clockworkmod but it is very limited (only 1 partition+swap?) and does not ask me if it should be ext4.
yah its better if u use gparted live cd..cwm create by default an ext3
but be aware that any cwm recovery below 5.x will format ur ext partition in ext3 as soon u do a wipe or a restore on it! to use an ext4 u should use cwm 5.x and up (or alternative amon_ra 2.0.1)
My question was: How should partitions look on the card. What types, sizes and for what purpose. For 4gb and 8gb card. I checked the default partitioning done by CWM and it was 1.8gb fat + 1.8gb ext3 + swap. Why the division? Why fat? Can I do it differently, like 10mb fat + 3.8gb ext4?
Dont make your EXT partition over 2GB
All the data moved from the phone to SD card though app2SD - would they be kept on ext or fat partition? Is the FAT partition the one visible on the computer if the phone is connected as a USB storage?
impactor said:
All the data moved from the phone to SD card though app2SD - would they be kept on ext or fat partition? Is the FAT partition the one visible on the computer if the phone is connected as a USB storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to be clear on your definitions before we can answer that.
Do you mean:
1)apps2sd = /manage applications/<application name>/Move to sd?
2)apps2sd = App on teh market that uses the mechanism in 1) to move in bulk?
3)apps2sd = a2sd/+ script that moves apps to ext partiton?
Yes, FAT is the main data storage partition
I have installed app2sd and then done
Cache2SD
adb shell
/sd-ext/userinit.d/10cache2sdext-binds enable
Data2SD
adb shell
/sd-ext/userinit.d/11data2sdext-binds enable
Now, after reset there is not a single installed application, not even gmail. Even those installed on system partition before (not moved to SD card) are gone and I can't even access Market to reinstall them.
Is this normal? What can I do now?
gmail is not installed with cm, and if u not find it on the market mean is not available in ur country
this is not related to app2sd things..ur orignal problem was the space..with the app2sd u should have solved it now..reinstall all ur apps (leave ur apps on the internal memory, they will automatically moved on the ext) and u shouln't get anymore low space messages
How can I reinstall them if I don't even have Market anymore?
impactor said:
How can I reinstall them if I don't even have Market anymore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe u didn't read cm instructions ya?
after flash cm, u have to flash in recovery the gapps package here
this contains the market
I didn't reflash CM. I only installed App2SD
impactor said:
I didn't reflash CM. I only installed App2SD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
before u said "after reset"..what means?
I mean "after reboot".
I just tried installing gapps for CM but evne though the installation looked successful, after reboot I still cannot see any new apps, including the market.
I also cannot install any nightly build over current RM 7.1 as I am getting an ERROR during installation attempt.
After few tries, I managed to install newest nightly build (7.1 RC won't install at all as it says the zip is BAD even though md5 is correct).
Anyway, I installed google apps afterwards, but I only got google talk in the app menu. Still no Market...

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