[Q] HTC Desire unable to mount SD card - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi All,
I have a problem with my SD card. My phone doesn't recognise SD card after I created ext4 partition through partition magic on windows 7. Here is what happened.
- I have rooted desire running CM 7.0.3.
- I wanted to go back to Starburst 1.4 rom.
- I have class 4 16 gb sd card (fat + ext3) with 512 mb of ext3 and rest fat32 (this was when everything was running good)
- I flashed the new rom through CWM, but only got like 54 mb on sd left.
- So I manually formatted ext3 and changed it to ext4 using partition magic on windows 7 (connected sd card through a reader).
- After that I flashed the new rom, but still got the same size left.
- After that I went back to CM7.0.3 which is working fine for me.
However, at this time, my phone doesn't recognise my SD card.
- I saw that I can't format ext in recovery as i get this error
E:Can't mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p2(File exists)
Error mounting SDEXT: !
I believe I was able to install CM7.0.3 coz it was a small rom was fit directly into phone's internal memory.
At this time, I can't see my SD card on phone. Can't play music or install any files or anything.
Looking for some quick help.
Thanks,
Satyam

Hi,
I had the same problem.
I got someone to format my SD card in there phone, then reverthing worked.
Regards
Matt

topgunmatt said:
Hi,
I had the same problem.
I got someone to format my SD card in there phone, then reverthing worked.
Regards
Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Matt,
So are you saying that you got your SD card formatted by someone else using Rom Manager ?
- As of now, when I click on the inbuilt ROM Manager in CM7, it says " The SD Card needs to be mounted to use ROM Manager!"
That means my SD card is abviously not read by my phone.
Looking for some help. I don't want to do something silly at this time.
Atleast, as of now my phone is not bricked and is working, just the SD is not.
Any suggestions/comments or link to my problem is more than welcome.
Thank You

Hmmm, i smell another usb brick here, we've had so many these days, and all by people using cwm and flashing gb sense roms...just to prove i'm right, can you connect the phone to your pc? If you're not able to do that, then u have 100% chance it's a usb brick.

OMG !! yeah you're right.. now when I connected my phone using a USB, it doesn't give me the option to "mount USB".
What do to from here ? I don't know what is a USB brick and am pretty poor with linux commands !!!
Plz help.. However I can see a a couple of ROMs through recovery mode in my SD card, but can't flash those which require an EXT.
Plz help !!!!!

sroy001 said:
OMG !! yeah you're right.. now when I connected my phone using a USB, it doesn't give me the option to "mount USB".
What do to from here ? I don't know what is a USB brick and am pretty poor with linux commands !!!
Plz help.. However I can see a a couple of ROMs through recovery mode in my SD card, but can't flash those which require an EXT.
Plz help !!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, calm down its'no biggie believe me
Here you can find a tutorial on how to fix it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=691639
Feel free to ask if you need further help (bus is farkin boring).

vnvman said:
Haha, calm down its'no biggie believe me
Here you can find a tutorial on how to fix it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=691639
Feel free to ask if you need further help (bus is farkin boring).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Are you saying that formatting SD card and making fresh ext partition through a media reader will not help in this case ?
I am very confused so to say.. I read the link that you posted, it talks about CID which I'm not able to find.. Can't see that option in fast boot (recovery).
Is there some other way to fix all this ?
Any more tricks/ suggestions are more than welcome..
Please see detailed info about my issue in the post

sroy001 said:
Hi,
Are you saying that formatting SD card and making fresh ext partition through a media reader will not help in this case ?
I am very confused so to say.. I read the link that you posted, it talks about CID which I'm not able to find.. Can't see that option in fast boot (recovery).
Is there some other way to fix all this ?
Any more tricks/ suggestions are more than welcome..
Please see detailed info about my issue in the post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope: i'm sorry but there is no other way...the problem lies in the misc partition, and that one doesn't get touched by simply toying with your sd, it's on nand, and no rom flashing/nandroid restore can touch it either. This process is the only way to go. CID can be obtained via adb command, i hope you'll have it installed and set up correctly.

i just fixed my brick lol . i found out bcuz i coulnt enable bluetooth

vnvman said:
Nope: i'm sorry but there is no other way...the problem lies in the misc partition, and that one doesn't get touched by simply toying with your sd, it's on nand, and no rom flashing/nandroid restore can touch it either. This process is the only way to go. CID can be obtained via adb command, i hope you'll have it installed and set up correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Okay I get it.. I need to fix my nand partition, now question -
1) I can figure out the 1st step "Find out your CID. Go into fastboot mode, and do 'fastboot oem boot" - Nothing happens when I click on fast boot option in recovery mode. The other method CID generator also asks for CID.. how do I get that.. that's my biggest question.
2) How can I see the rom version.
I know, I might me sounding stupid, but I'm not a pro.. used to love flashing new ROMs earlier and this time I just messed it up.
Need some step-by-step help.. I might be asking for too much, but I trust this forum and believe Android has too many fans hooked to it.. so I will get some help

sroy001 said:
Hi,
Okay I get it.. I need to fix my nand partition, now question -
1) I can figure out the 1st step "Find out your CID. Go into fastboot mode, and do 'fastboot oem boot" - Nothing happens when I click on fast boot option in recovery mode. The other method CID generator also asks for CID.. how do I get that.. that's my biggest question.
2) How can I see the rom version.
I know, I might me sounding stupid, but I'm not a pro.. used to love flashing new ROMs earlier and this time I just messed it up.
Need some step-by-step help.. I might be asking for too much, but I trust this forum and believe Android has too many fans hooked to it.. so I will get some help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also just want to let the forum know that I'm running a custom ROM (CM 7) and don't see the option of software info under Settings>About phone. Any other way to find out rom version ???????/

Ok, sorry man, i was out for a ride
To see the CID you have to type "fastboot oem boot" in the terminal, after navigating to the path where you have the sdk, for example:
"cd c:/sdk/tools"
"fastboot oem boot"
Then you should get all the info, together with the CID ofc...obviously you need to have adb installed and working in order to do that (there ia a lot of tutorials for that, just use the search function).
As to rom version, you don't need it, just download the mtd0.img, open it with the hex editor and mod it with your CID, then go for the next step

I dont believe you have bricked your phone, i think you have created a partition on it without making it a primary partition along with the fat32 parition.
boot into recovery and mount your SD card to your PC. Reformat the whole card and then it should work again, you may just be able to go into your partition software and amend to show 'primary' on each, if not read on. Couple of options then, download ROM manager from the market and reformat the ext3 using rom manger if not do it via your windows software but make sure both partitions are set to 'Primary'.

vis-tec said:
I dont believe you have bricked your phone, i think you have created a partition on it without making it a primary partition along with the fat32 parition.
boot into recovery and mount your SD card to your PC. Reformat the whole card and then it should work again, you may just be able to go into your partition software and amend to show 'primary' on each, if not read on. Couple of options then, download ROM manager from the market and reformat the ext3 using rom manger if not do it via your windows software but make sure both partitions are set to 'Primary'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a usb brick, not a plain brick: when you plug it to pc the phone usually doesn't even light up the led.

sorry, i read that he had full use of his phone bar the SD card

- I saw that I can't format ext in recovery as i get this error
E:Can't mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p2(File exists)
Error mounting SDEXT: !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, seems you got bad partition on your sd card, since it s normal that you can't mount sd while plug on usb.
did you already put out your sd card out the phone and try to read it with a usb scard reader plug on your computer??
cid error mean you have messed-up your misc partition which is the one in your nand where the recovery is located... didn't see any error about this in your thread...
in the boot, should fail with error misc partiton cid unknown etc...
have a try about sd card reader it's easer than misc error fix
give a try on this site and try using gparted cd live... don't need to be expert in linux command (it s a graphical interface) should you know that FIRST FAT32 PRIMARY partition and LAST EXT3 (is less fast but really more stable and relyable fs) PRIMARY partition

hi, still me sorry for spamming, just found a nice TUT using gparted on xda http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=535914

fragargon said:
hi, seems you got bad partition on your sd card, since it s normal that you can't mount sd while plug on usb.
did you already put out your sd card out the phone and try to read it with a usb scard reader plug on your computer??
cid error mean you have messed-up your misc partition which is the one in your nand where the recovery is located... didn't see any error about this in your thread...
in the boot, should fail with error misc partiton cid unknown etc...
have a try about sd card reader it's easer than misc error fix
give a try on this site and try using gparted cd live... don't need to be expert in linux command (it s a graphical interface) should you know that FIRST FAT32 PRIMARY partition and LAST EXT3 (is less fast but really more stable and relyable fs) PRIMARY partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fixing misc doesn't take more than a minute if you have a working adb...repartitioning micro sd card takes loads of time instead, especially if it's big, coz you have to backup all of your data then copy them back, and that's a pain, especially if the sd isn't very fast.
Anyway you might be right there, just the other day a guy had a similar issue caused by multiple ext partitions not being recognized properly. I just thought it was a usb brick coz it's very common since the new gb sense roms rolled out and people started partitioning like crazy with cwm (which really SUCKS at that), and this either cause misc corruption or messed partitions on sd card: i'd suggest everyone to partition with amon them flash back any 3.0+ cwm to flash the rom, if you don't have the chance of using linux live cd (but you really should).

All sorted --------- RESLOVED !!!!
Okay Listen all Desire Owners-- I was able to fix this USB brick without having to go through all which was available on internet..
What I did -
1) Came home and formatted my EXT4 to ext3 and simply reflashed cm7 rom
All worked like charm - Now My SD card is mountable and works perfectly

Good for you
Anyway make sure you set up adb properly on your pc, it will save your life some day: it takes a while but it's worth it...i wouldn't get inti the rom flashing thing without it. Just a suggestion
Bests.

Related

Un-partitioning SD card?

Hi guys,
I couldn't find anything about this (I did try searching before posting this thread, so I hope I am not repeating a common question!).... I wish to unpartition my sd card and just go back to a normal fat32 partition....
So far I have tired windows disk management and Rom Manager, which just allows you to ADD a ext partition with no luck!
Can anyone else guide me how to achieve this?
Regards!
Open Recovery Menu (green) per adb.
Partition SD Card
SWAP=0 MB
EXT=0 MB
Remainder - FAT32
good night
cargobr151 said:
Open Recovery Menu (green) per adb.
Partition SD Card
SWAP=0 MB
EXT=0 MB
Remainder - FAT32
good night
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:O Thanks, which recovery should I be using? :s
System recover? clockworkmod using the fake flash method? because I don't see the Partition SD Card menu anywhere else and i've tried both!
I know its right in front of me somewhere, I just can't see it, D'oh!
use the one from rooting folder
Bah,
I ended up using GPart live cd to undo it!!
Thanks for the responses guys, hopefully this will help someone else who needs it!
cargobr151 said:
Open Recovery Menu (green) per adb.
Partition SD Card
SWAP=0 MB
EXT=0 MB
Remainder - FAT32
good night
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for using your thread, however I don't have that Partition SD Card option on my Desire, when I go into recovery?
jacobtc said:
Sorry for using your thread, however I don't have that Partition SD Card option on my Desire, when I go into recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's fine, it's why I created the thread!
If you just want to partition you can use ROM Manager (but this requires root)
you need the recovery file (entitled 'pushfiles' or something) from the risk-free root package to partition/un-partition the card.
Else, you can use a GPart live CD, which makes it really easy!
Hope that helps buddy...
r5ingh said:
That's fine, it's why I created the thread!
If you just want to partition you can use ROM Manager (but this requires root)
you need the recovery file (entitled 'pushfiles' or something) from the risk-free root package to partition/un-partition the card.
Else, you can use a GPart live CD, which makes it really easy!
Hope that helps buddy...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already partitioned my SD card via GParted, got a 16 gb card partitioned as follows:
14 gb fat32
1 gb ext2
250 gb swap
However in recovery, when I try to mount sd-ext it fails to do so Don't know why...
jacobtc said:
I already partitioned my SD card via GParted, got a 16 gb card partitioned as follows:
14 gb fat32
1 gb ext2
250 gb swap
However in recovery, when I try to mount sd-ext it fails to do so Don't know why...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're using a2sd+ then you need to change your ext2 partition to ext3, Also, I don't believe that you need a swap partition anymore...
Try that!
r5ingh said:
If you're using a2sd+ then you need to change your ext2 partition to ext3, Also, I don't believe that you need a swap partition anymore...
Try that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, now I can mount the ext partition in recovery! Thanks!
jacobtc said:
I already partitioned my SD card via GParted, got a 16 gb card partitioned as follows:
14 gb fat32
1 gb ext2
250 gb swap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was that a 16gb card or a 265gb?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
GANJDROID said:
Was that a 16gb card or a 265gb?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, lets give the guy a break.... we all know it was a 256GB Flash card!
Anywhooo, I have another question, so I think i'll hijack my own thread!
Guys, whats the most efficient way to backup/restore and move apps between roms? I've ended up manually re-installing installed apps 2/3 times now, I was going between roms that did/didn't support a2sd. Also, should there be any consideration to any specific backup options available in the various tools?
Thanks in advance!
Hi, my phone got bricked using GPart live to turn my ext 2 into a 3 partition. Everything went fine using the program, turned off Usb storage, went into market and tried to download a program, when it started to install the screen when black.
Now I cant boot with sdcard in, I don't come past the white HTC screen
Without SDcard it starts loading the system but the loading is a never ending loop.
Tried to format SD with fakeflash, dosent help
Tried reflashing my rom with wipe and everything, dosent help
Any ideas?
prove said:
Hi, my phone got bricked using GPart live to turn my ext 2 into a 3 partition. Everything went fine using the program, turned off Usb storage, went into market and tried to download a program, when it started to install the screen when black.
Now I cant boot with sdcard in, I don't come past the white HTC screen
Without SDcard it starts loading the system but the loading is a never ending loop.
Tried to format SD with fakeflash, dosent help
Tried reflashing my rom with wipe and everything, dosent help
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would say, firstly try to get your phone working by wiping it clean and re flashing the rom. Use a different memory card just to get up and running. Then you can concentrate on fixing you card..
Although that seems like a very strange issue, are you sure you formatted your card correctly with GPart? (eg, exactly 512 MB/1024MB?) I'm a n00b myself so I would also wait for some of the more experienced users to offer their input. lol
r5ingh said:
I would say, firstly try to get your phone working by wiping it clean and re flashing the rom. Use a different memory card just to get up and running. Then you can concentrate on fixing you card..
Although that seems like a very strange issue, are you sure you formatted your card correctly with GPart? (eg, exactly 512 MB/1024MB?) I'm a n00b myself so I would also wait for some of the more experienced users to offer their input. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Solved it by using AM recovery, repair + new partition solved the problem! Gonna reflash 2.0 again since i messed up the wiping somehow and then keep this until the rooted 2.2 is out!

HELP! Formatted sdcard and have no sd access at all

Hi, I have problem guys.
After some problems reported under roms with A2sd+ when sdcard corrupted I decided to flash different rom. Before that I tried to format my sdcard so that ext3 partition would go away. But after that I couldn't boot.
Now I can get to recovery, but have no access to the card at all. Unfortunately I have no card reader at home either, so I cant reformat my card and try to flash another rom either.
Any suggestions what should I go next? Thank you so much!
Wont boot up without sdcard either... DAMN
.:george:. said:
Hi, I have problem guys.
After some problems reported under roms with A2sd+ when sdcard corrupted I decided to flash different rom. Before that I tried to format my sdcard so that ext3 partition would go away. But after that I couldn't boot.
Now I can get to recovery, but have no access to the card at all. Unfortunately I have no card reader at home either, so I cant reformat my card and try to flash another rom either.
Any suggestions what should I go next? Thank you so much!
Wont boot up without sdcard either... DAMN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can get into recovery you can "mount USB storage".. all depends wether you are running windows/linux/mac from there... try to scan and fix it
Before you wrote I tried to do RUU, will report how it goes...
Edit: oh man, RUU seemed to be working, I am now running stock 2.1 ROM... sdcard appears to work normally too.
Thanks for your interest anyway, I really appreciate it
Just buy a card reader, they're a couple bucks.
Then install your choice of free advanced drive manager software, delete all the partitions, create a new one, and format it FAT32 with 32k clusters.

[Q] EXT4 from CWM?????

Hi,
I have problem...
I tried to install Cool3D RunnyMede v5 ROM,which needs EXT4, but I have made mistake and forgot to create ext4 partition and installed ROM - so it couldnt start...
After powering phone ON it stops at HTC logo - i need to pull out battery.
After that I can go to HBOOT and to recovery.
I tried to wipe cahce,factory reset -nothing hepled - it still stucks at htc logo
I would like to ask you,if it is posible to create ext4 partition in this state of phone- because i cant get to my SD card (windows dont recognize storage),and I cant power phone to home screen...
Is it posiible to fix this problem (to make phone working) or create EXT4 partition from CMW(I have Revolutionary CWM 4.0) or from computer (ADB or something,im not expert in this stuff, im just guide follow monkey)...
I appreciate your help,im desperate
Thank you
ivipopi said:
Hi,
I have problem...
I tried to install Cool3D RunnyMede v5 ROM,which needs EXT4, but I have made mistake and forgot to create ext4 partition and installed ROM - so it couldnt start...
After powering phone ON it stops at HTC logo - i need to pull out battery.
After that I can go to HBOOT and to recovery.
I tried to wipe cahce,factory reset -nothing hepled - it still stucks at htc logo
I would like to ask you,if it is posible to create ext4 partition in this state of phone- because i cant get to my SD card (windows dont recognize storage),and I cant power phone to home screen...
Is it posiible to fix this problem (to make phone working) or create EXT4 partition from CMW(I have Revolutionary CWM 4.0) or from computer (ADB or something,im not expert in this stuff, im just guide follow monkey)...
I appreciate your help,im desperate
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to Gparted site http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php Download and burn it to CD or DVD. You will need an SD card adapter, when Gparted is on CD boot PC from CD and re-partition your card. You will need to enter BIOS if PC dont already start from dik and set it has first boot.
Before partition remember Backup data if you can.
or you could use ext4 recovery from the development thread - flash via fastboot. plenty of guides for that. I suggest you avoid the touch recovery for now as its not too stable (too large - bad blocks could cause brick...)
Thank you,
I have solved the problem - I found in recovery something like mount storage, and then i could acces to SD card,and then i flasthed EXT4 recovery...
Throught ext4 recovery i created EXT4 partition (it fprmated my sd card).
But it didnt solved the problem, maybe it was ROM problem,because I installed then Insertcoin,and it worked...
But thanks for answers anyway...
ivipopi said:
Thank you,
But it didnt solved the problem, maybe it was ROM problem,because I installed then Insertcoin,and it worked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you use the correct version for your hboot - as in the cm7r2 version if you have that hboot or stock hboot version.... also I'd suggest an sdext partition of at least 1024 (i like 2048 personally but i have a 16gb class 6 sdcard) for all sense 3.0/3.5 ROMs
I suggest you go and look at the "requirements" of the ROM you were trying to install, and ensure you have done a full wipe, and do not restore anything until after a couple of boots...

[Q] Couldn't see sd-ext from Ubuntu (Gparted)

I try to partition my sd-card using ClockworkMod Recovery 5.8.0.0.
It went ok, and I can see my partition using adb shell
Code:
# mount
...
/dev/block/mmcblk0p2 on /sd-ext type ext3 (rw,nodev,noatime,nodiratime,barrier=1,nodelalloc,data=ordered)
/dev/block/mmcblk0p1 on /sdcard type vfat (rw,nodev,noatime,nodiratime,fmask=0000,dmask=0000,allow_utime=0022,codepage=cp437,iocharset=iso8859-1,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)
I want to convert ext3 to ext4 so I plug my phone in the USB and mount it in the recovery.
However Gparted can't find any partition in my sdcard. When I try to view it using disk utilities It only shows the FAT32 partition.
I don't understand why gparted can't detect any partition ( it shows unallocated ). Something wrong with the partition table of the sd-card formatted by CWM ? Anyone have solved this before ?
Delete all partitions on your SD card and then partition again.
MatDrOiD said:
Delete all partitions on your SD card and then partition again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to delete them if I can't see them ? I try to re-partition using CWM but still the same.
Delete partitions with cwm, and then create 1 big fat 32 partition. Alternately use Linux fdisk, which will "see" it.
After one partition is created, use parted, or 4ext.
fdisk or parted both can't find any partition...
But anyway.. after installing MIUI which convert my partition to ext4 automatically the problem is gone, every partition can be seen... So it must be some problem with CWM partition script
It ought to detect the partitions if you use a micro sd card reader. I assume you connected it via the Desire, in recovery?
Droidzone said:
It ought to detect the partitions if you use a micro sd card reader. I assume you connected it via the Desire, in recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, maybe that's the problem. I connected it via the Desire in recovery.
What could be wrong ? Because now (after flashing MIUI_xj xpart), I can see all partitions though connected via the Desire.
UPDATE : I still can't see the sd-ext if I mount USB storage in the recover...
ikidntu said:
Yes, maybe that's the problem. I connected it via the Desire in recovery.
What could be wrong ? Because now (after flashing MIUI_xj xpart), I can see all partitions though connected via the Desire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, erase that crappy recovery from your phone. Then install 4ext. Should fix it.
Droidzone said:
First, erase that crappy recovery from your phone. Then install 4ext. Should fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... exactly what I thought atm
when you mount ur desire with usb mass storage option under recovery, it mount ONLY the FAT partition...
put the microsd in a microsd adapter on ur laptop..u will see both...
@droidzone come on, don't call CWM crappy ..every recovery is based on that..koush did a great work in order to write it for about every device (a tons of device support it now)..i agree it's a basic recovery (and maybe there are some limitations)..but it's thanks to that base recovery that now devs can easily mod it and improve it...it's like you and ur rom..ur rom its probably the best htc sense based rom for the desire, but you will never be able to do that without the crappy htc rom, and htc was never be able to do that without the crappy aosp rom made by google..i hope you got what i mean lol...modify is easy than create something from new
@andQlimax, my bone of contention is not with Koush's CWMR. It is with that half baked product called "Clockwork mod touch for Desire" that was recently released here without proper testing (the OP was using this, and his problems are directly caused by the faulty recovery). The very least the "developer" should test is to do a full backup and restore on his own phone after compilation. He has no right to treat poor hapless newbies as guinepigs. I wonder if that person even owns a Desire. If he did and he missed the fact that the recovery he released does not have the capacity to make sd-ext backups, I really feel for him.
People trust developers who release Recovery. If they cant trust their recovery to make proper backup, what's the point of calling it a Recovery software?
I have the utmost respect for Koush, Paul O'Brien and others for their development work. I dont intend to mean any sort of disrespect for those masters and pioneers of Android development. I also respect them for keeping CWMR; and Cyanogen for keeping CM open source despite all circunstances.
anyway i think the touch recovery posted in the dev section come directly from the koush build, he released it and it's on its site http://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager for some devices
koush usually ask some people to test the recovery for him before he release it, probably someone didn't noticed that bug
Thank you. I wasnt aware of that. But I see that the subversion has increased to 5.8.0.2 while yorzua has still attached the faulty 5.8.0.0.

Dead Internal SD Solution Galaxy S

Fully working Samsung Galaxy S - Using 16GB External Micro SD to run OS and function as External SD!!
Ok so to set the scene I will quickly explain the issue I had with my Samasung Galaxy S.
One day it worked....
Next day it didn't...from then on it would only boot to first screen then continually repeat this step.....
After day two of having no luck at fixing the issue I got an S3...great phone!
BUT DONT GIVE UP JUST YET! It can be fixed!!!
Overall I think I would have spent somewhere in the ballpark of about 40 hours trying to fix the Galaxy S...stubborn? Yes....and my Galaxy S was such a good phone I hated the idea of binning it.
I wont waste your time listing the hundreds of methods I tried or posts I read, but in the end all things pointed to a dead internal SD.
I should be able to run the OS off an external SD... shouldn't I? The answer is Yes!
Many hours were spent on this stage and for about a week I had a working pone with OS running on External SD, but no access to the camera or anything which required an external SD.
I now have a perfectly working phone, using a 16gb External SD to run the OS and remaining space on it recognised as the external SD.
I can't promise this will work for everyone but here is the last of WAY TO MANY methods I used which completely solved this problem for me.
Let me know if this works for you & GOOD LUCK!
Step 1:
Your phone must be rooted!
The best, easiest and only way I was able to do it is with the following guide, big thank you to the person who put it up. As my Internal SD was dead! my external SD was to be my new internal SD...so the standard add to zip method for rooting on external SD... would obviously not work for me! yes I worded that perfectly!
BIG IMPORTANT NOTE IN CAPITAL LETTERS! - Make sure you have your external SD inserted during the below process!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852546
NOW! You should have your phone booting as it used to back in the good old days! However.....some of you wont...if this is the case please follow Step 1B.
Step 1B:
If the above did not work for you then you need a way to connect your Micro SD to your PC (I did this using a USB adaptor).
1. Download and install EaseUS partition master
2. Insert Micro SD in PC
3. EaseUS partition master
4. Wipe all partitions/data.
5. Create EXT4 partition approx 2gb
6. Create FAT32 partition with remaining space.
7. Remove battery from phone
8. Insert SD, Battery back in.
9. Turn on, you should have your phone booting as it used to back in the good old days!
IF NOT THEN.....Start with Step 1B then do Step1 then if all looking as it should move to step 2. If not...sorry...I have failed you!
Step 2:
You phone should now have booted like the good old days....but if you go into SD/Storage on android OS, you will notice it does not recognise the remaining space on the External SD as an external SD...it must be very confusing for the green robot!
So next steps as follows!
1. Install script manager app and mount r/w app from Google Play (market)
2. Use mount r/w to Mount the system partition in r/w mode.
3. Browse using script manager app as root (change setting in config).
4. Go to /system/etc folder and change file permission for vold.fstab to rwxrwxrwx (This means tick all the 9 boxes on the left not the 3 on the right.....such a technical explanation)
5. Then edit the vold.fstab file as text and change the following
Change:
dev_mount sdcard /mnt/sdcard auto /devices/platform/s3c-sdhci.0/mmc_host/mmc0
to
dev_mount sdcard /mnt/sdcard auto /devices/platform/s3c-sdhci.2/mmc_host/mmc2
Change:
s3c-sdhci.0
to
s3c-sdhci.2
Change:
mmc0
to
mmc2
Save the file and reboot the phone!
If all has gone well then your sdcard partition will be mounted and old faithful is ready to ride once again!
I hope this worked for you, if it didn't...gutted and I guess you have moved onto the next post...good hunting!
Please note this solution was created from a pile of posts I trawled through to get a solution. The above vold.fstab solution was taken from the following post. Unfortunately this posts overall solution didn't work for me, but I would not have been able to mount remaining External SD Space as well...you know THE EXTERNAL SD! without his post, which is the best part!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1193010
Thanks for this, I'm going to try this again. Finally a good explanation of what to do.
I posted a thread yesterday with, I think, the same problem. Could you take a look and see if I have the same problem as you did?
Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1905284
EDIT
Does the EXT4 partition has to be the first and the FAT32 the second?
If so, isn't it a problem that windows can't read the FAT32 partition. In case I need to drop files on it? (because it only reads the first)
EDIT
Thanks in advance!
Good Luck!
Pindagus said:
Thanks for this, I'm going to try this again. Finally a good explanation of what to do.
I posted a thread yesterday with, I think, the same problem. Could you take a look and see if I have the same problem as you did?
Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1905284
EDIT
Does the EXT4 partition has to be the first and the FAT32 the second?
If so, isn't it a problem that windows can't read the FAT32 partition. In case I need to drop files on it? (because it only reads the first)
EDIT
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the EXT4 partition has to be the first and the FAT32 the second?
do EXT4 first, make both as primary partitions (NOT logical..probably obvious but just spelling it out )
If so, isn't it a problem that windows can't read the FAT32 partition. In case I need to drop files on it? (because it only reads the first)
with the method I used above you shouldnt need to drop any files on, let me know.
Quite similar except I couldnt acces my internal SD at all, let me know how you go!
Same issue ?
Hi,
My friend has Galaxy S, And he has similar issue. For him phone boots till splash screen and then reboots on its own.
He was able to go to recovery mode/wipe data/cache partitions etc. He was also able to go to download mode.
But he didn't try flashing custom ROM or anything instead he gave it to Samsung service center where they told him that his Motherboard has gone for toss and need to replace complete MOBO which would cost $110 (6K INR).
Though i didnt get time to check his cell myself i guess it is because of internal SD card has gone. Because he was telling in recovery page it was showing some mount error (not sure if it was internal or external SD card). If that is the case i can try this method to run OS from external SD card .
I have two questions here.
1] If MOBO was gone (like samsung service guy told) would it still boot at first place ? or even if it boots would it go to recovery or download mode ?
2] Where exactly Recovery image is stored ? internal SD or in some other memory ?
Thanks
Exactly the same issue! MOBO i doubt it!
happy20b said:
Hi,
My friend has Galaxy S, And he has similar issue. For him phone boots till splash screen and then reboots on its own.
He was able to go to recovery mode/wipe data/cache partitions etc. He was also able to go to download mode.
But he didn't try flashing custom ROM or anything instead he gave it to Samsung service center where they told him that his Motherboard has gone for toss and need to replace complete MOBO which would cost $110 (6K INR).
Though i didnt get time to check his cell myself i guess it is because of internal SD card has gone. Because he was telling in recovery page it was showing some mount error (not sure if it was internal or external SD card). If that is the case i can try this method to run OS from external SD card .
I have two questions here.
1] If MOBO was gone (like samsung service guy told) would it still boot at first place ? or even if it boots would it go to recovery or download mode ?
2] Where exactly Recovery image is stored ? internal SD or in some other memory ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly the same situation my phone was in, exactly.
I highly doubt there was any issue with the motherboard, as I understand it the internal SD is hard wired on the MOBO which is probably why they said to replace it as one piece.
1] If MOBO was gone (like samsung service guy told) would it still boot at first place ? or even if it boots would it go to recovery or download mode ?
As above! As i understand it it would not go into either mode if MOBO was fried, doubt you would get any response at all.
2] Where exactly Recovery image is stored ? internal SD or in some other memory ?
Il get back to you on this one
Same issue ?
--- deleted double post ------
Dead Internal SD Solution Galaxy S - HELP
reganstott,
First of all thank you for the hope.
1 - Your step 1, the link provided doesn't work (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1852546)
is there another link available?
In what step I ACTUALLY install the OS on the EXTERNAL SD, just asking to get the whole pic.
Is it possible, in order to just test it, use a 2GB SD card?
thanks
It seems to work, I only have to do a mount switch now.
The only thing is; I had the EXT4 (2GB) as first partition and FAT32 (5GB) as second, but now if I connect to my PC it sees only 2GB storage of FAT32. So I guess I have to switch them?
I'm going to try again and then do the mount switch.
EDIT
Confirmed this is working, running on CyanogenMod 9.1.0 right now.
I thank you really reaally much! I almost gave up, but luckily I saw your post in time.
Thanks!
help please
Hello,
I guess I have the same problem and wanted to know if you have to CORRECT links to the files
needed to do this.
thanks
p.s.
maybe a short EXTRA explanation on how you did it may help.
DannyBrazil said:
Hello,
I guess I have the same problem and wanted to know if you have to CORRECT links to the files
needed to do this.
thanks
p.s.
maybe a short EXTRA explanation on how you did it may help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just follow the steps, in case it is still unclear here exactly what I did;
Needed
microSDcard
Step 1
1. Wipe your external SD card and create 2 partitions; first one FAT32, second one EXT4 (about 2GB). Both has to be primary (not local)
I did this with Minitool Partition Wizard
2. Insert the SD card into your phone and install firmware from point 2: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852546
3. Install CF-Root link is also here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852546
4. Check if phone boots right (this goes slower than normal, so just wait)
5. If phone works right do Step 2 from first post
Step 2
My phone happened to have no Play Store after the root. If so, follow this step 2
1. Install this zip: will upload this file in a minute -> I can't post outside links yet -.-
This will to the mount swap (for firmware above)
OR
2. Install a root explorer APK through ADB and edit vold.fstab like Step 2 in first post
Now your phone has to be working. If not, check the steps and try again.
Otherwise your problem is others than ours.
p.s.
If you do flash another ROM don't forget to swap mounts! (edit /system/etc/vold.fstab in zip file from ROM)
Currently on Slimbean 2.5
Thank you
Hello,
First I want to thank you for the effort and time. I believe that my SGS has a very similar problem.
I try to flash it with many ROMS, uninstall the apps, but after reboot they always come back and I get TONS os FORCE CLOSES.
Can't Install new apps, so I guess the internal SD is the problem.
The thing is that my SGS is a Brazilian model I9000b (with TV) just wanted to make sure if it changes anything from the
instructions you gave me.
(I don't need a working TV, so I don't care for another firmware)
thanks
---------- Post added at 09:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 AM ----------
Just a question:
1 - I created 2 partitions on the EXTERNAL SD
2 - inserted the EXTERNAL SD into phone.
3 - on ODIN, how he knows to install the new firmware ON THE EXTERNAL SD rather that on the INTERNAL SD??
---------- Post added at 10:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 AM ----------
when I try to apply the new ZIP from sd it doesn't recofnize the SD
actually it never did.
it is showing me the INTERNAL SD with all the folder of the apps I had, which I can't delete anymore.
3 - on ODIN, how he knows to install the new firmware ON THE EXTERNAL SD rather that on the INTERNAL SD??
I don't know how it works, but it does work.
when I try to apply the new ZIP from sd it doesn't recofnize the SD
Which ZIP do you mean? You only have to flash firmware and root through ODIN.
Great
Pindagus said:
It seems to work, I only have to do a mount switch now.
The only thing is; I had the EXT4 (2GB) as first partition and FAT32 (5GB) as second, but now if I connect to my PC it sees only 2GB storage of FAT32. So I guess I have to switch them?
I'm going to try again and then do the mount switch.
EDIT
Confirmed this is working, running on CyanogenMod 9.1.0 right now.
I thank you really reaally much! I almost gave up, but luckily I saw your post in time.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not a problem, glad it worked for you too. Not sure why the step 1 link isn't working anymore. Anyone else reading this.... I will post soon with the method for step one rooting exercise. (to put a up a brief its just using the odin way of rooting to avoid the issue of not being able to use external sd add zip method)
Info
Hey there,
2 important questions:
1 - My SGS is the Brazilian model I9000B, does it make any difference?
2 - Can I use a 2GB EXTERNAL SD, or it MUST be more than this?
3 - Do I need to have any knowledge in LINUX?
thanks again.,
I have managed to get it all done, modded .fstab file before applying new rom but after applying the new rom and booting in, I get encryption unsuccessful. (CM9.1.0)
Is this unfortunately the end of what can be done?
Nope..
KiDCady said:
I have managed to get it all done, modded .fstab file before applying new rom but after applying the new rom and booting in, I get encryption unsuccessful. (CM9.1.0)
Is this unfortunately the end of what can be done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use this method and then do a new rom...u have to do the whole process again...each time you put a new rom on you will need to change .fstab etc..
reganstott said:
If you use this method and then do a new rom...u have to do the whole process again...each time you put a new rom on you will need to change .fstab etc..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for getting back to me. I modded the rom to have the fstab use the correct settings but I still get the issue. I've tried with Darky and with CM.
Seems I will need to stay with jw4 and the app crashes until I get a new phone at the end of the year.
Pindagus said:
3 - on ODIN, how he knows to install the new firmware ON THE EXTERNAL SD rather that on the INTERNAL SD??
I don't know how it works, but it does work.
when I try to apply the new ZIP from sd it doesn't recofnize the SD
Which ZIP do you mean? You only have to flash firmware and root through ODIN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
Does my phone have a dead Internal Storage ?
after i install any (stock) rom by odin , it shows up in recovery 3e:
E:failed to mount /sdcard (File exists)
E:copy_dbdata_media:Can't mount /sdcard
your storage not prepared yet, please UI menu for format and reboot actions
E:format_volume: rfs format failed on /dev/block/mmcblk0pk2
and i try to flash new rom in External SDcard following http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852546,
odin don't know what i want , it puts new rom in internal sd which was broken so above error display.
I have formated my external sd by MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition with 2gb ext4 and 5.592 gb fat32.
but same errors.
What should i do to flash rom in external sd.
sorry about my English , i'm not native speaker.
reganstott said:
If you use this method and then do a new rom...u have to do the whole process again...each time you put a new rom on you will need to change .fstab etc..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean that after the new rom is applied and I get encryption unsuccessful, i need to access the root of the phone somehow (presumably android commander or something similar) and change the fstab that way while it is powered on and stuck on the error message?
Or do I need to modify the zip file I want to apply before I apply it and then deploy it? If so, then I have already done this with no success.
Also, is there a way to ensure that messages and contacts don't get lost everytime the phone loses power?
vietanhnc said:
Hello,
Does my phone have a dead Internal Storage ?
after i install any (stock) rom by odin , it shows up in recovery 3e:
E:failed to mount /sdcard (File exists)
E:copy_dbdata_media:Can't mount /sdcard
your storage not prepared yet, please UI menu for format and reboot actions
E:format_volume: rfs format failed on /dev/block/mmcblk0pk2
and i try to flash new rom in External SDcard following http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852546,
odin don't know what i want , it puts new rom in internal sd which was broken so above error display.
I have formated my external sd by MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition with 2gb ext4 and 5.592 gb fat32.
but same errors.
What should i do to flash rom in external sd.
sorry about my English , i'm not native speaker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, means your internal storage is dead. My advice - if you can get it replaced thru warranty do that, otherwise buy one on Ebay with broken screen (or/and any other parts) but with working motherboard and swap it. Last option - sell your phone for parts and get a new one...

Categories

Resources