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[Guide] Partition your Sd Card, Upgrade to Ext3, and Install Apps2SD

WARNING: DO NOT FOLLOW THE APPS2SD AS MOST ROMS ALREADY DO THIS FOR YOU.
If you do, it will break things.
-ivanmmj
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Here we go!
Things you need:
A Rooted G1 Phone
Cyanogen ROM - Download v4.0.2
Cyanogen Recovery 1.4 - Download
Apps2SD - Download
Clean SD Card
Note: This will remove ALL files on your SD Card so please back it up
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Install the New Recovery Image
Download the recovery image
Place the cm-recovery-1.3.1.img file in the root of your SD Card (Root = not in any folder)
Go back to your phone (Dont forget to unmount)
Open terminal and type in the following
Code:
su (wait for a screen to popup and press "allow")
flash_image recovery /sdcard/cm-recovery-1.3.1.img
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Install Apps2SD
Download the Apps2sd apk from above
Place the apps2sd.apk on your sd card
Download a file manager like Linda or Astro from Market (They are both free)
Go to Settings > Applications and check the Unknown Sources button
Open up the file manager you just downloaded and find the apps2sd on your sdcard
Press on the app and install the Package Installer and press on Install
Apps2sd should now be installed
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Partition Fat32/Ext2 with App2SD
Open up Apps2SD
It will show you a screen telling you that your card is not partition and you will have a sliding bar to choose the amount of space you want for an EXT2 partition
I suggest a max of 600mb for EXT2 space (I use 500mb)
Press Ok
You will get a Force Close screen DONT PRESS FORCE CLOSE PRESS WAIT
You will get a reboot message, Press Reboot
You now have a EXT2 partition
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Upgrading your EXT2 Partition to EXT3
Note: You do need the Cyanogen Recovery image for this to work!
Reboot into Recovery (Home + Power)
Go to console (Alt+x)
Press Enter
Type the following in the Console:
Code:
upgrade_fs
Wait for it to finish
Congrats! You now have a Fat32/EXT3 partitioned Sd Card!
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Installing the Cyanogen ROM with Auto Apps2SD
Download the ROM
Rename the file from cm-xxxxxxx.zip to update.zip
Place update.zip at the root of your sd card (Root = Not in any folder)
Reboot into Recovery (Home + Power)
Wipe (alt+w)
and Flash (alt+s)
Wait for it to finish and reboot!
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Congratulations! You now have a Fat32/EXT3 Partitioned SD Card with auto Apps2SD enabled. You can check if you have both partitions in Settings > Sd Card and Storage. Remember, this is Auto Apps2SD, that means the everytime you reboot it will move all your installed apps to your sd card AUTOMATICALLY!
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Format your EXT3 Partition (ADB is needed)
Code:
adb remount
adb shell
rm -r /system/sd/*
reboot recovery
then flash the update.
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Here is another way to partition your sd card!
Note: You will need The latest CM recovery image
This guide will partition your SD card with 32 mb swap, and 512 mb EXT4 partitions!
WARNING! This will erase EVERYTHING on your SD Card!
Note: ADB Is needed for this script to work. If you dont have ADb working please read the ADB Sticky in the Q & A Forum
Step 1:
Download the necessary files HERE
Step 2:
Place the sdparted.sh file in C:\ Note: Do not place it in any folders!
Place adb.exe and AdbWinApi.dll in C:\Windows\system32
Step 3:
Run sdparted.bat
Thats it! All done!
Thank you 51dusty for the sdparted Script!
Batch file made by me!

Great guide...again =] But this way is MUCH MORE stable.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=534714

ya i know i saw that guide. I decided to put this one up becuase it uses minimal commands and doesnt involve a lot of terminal usage and stuff. Just another way to partition i guess.

Ok I looked in settings and storage. This is what I have....sd card total 6,501mb available space 5,813mb sdcard secondary 1,048mb available space 829mb but for internal space it's showing 86mb. Did I do this process right? Is my internal space suppose to have much more space? When I download something it takes away the internal memory.

lazee_smurf said:
Ok I looked in settings and storage. This is what I have....sd card total 6,501mb available space 5,813mb sdcard secondary 1,048mb available space 829mb but for internal space it's showing 86mb. Did I do this process right? Is my internal space suppose to have much more space? When I download something it takes away the internal memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup! you are all good! 86mb for a cupcake rom is perfect! Congrats!

So what goes into the secondary storage because if I download something the internal space gets used

lazee_smurf said:
So what goes into the secondary storage because if I download something the internal space gets used
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just reboot and your app will go to your sd card.

nephron said:
just reboot and your app will go to your sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help!

Greetings
I knew it all could'nt go as smoothly as the new rom install ^_^
When I try to run apps2sd wether out of astro or from the app panel, it goes to a black screen, and thats it. The phone is not locked, I just hit home (after waiting for minutes for something to happen) and I'm back at my home screen.
I did'nt think I skipped any steps. Idea's ?

Thanks for the Sticky Guide

upgrading filesystem
I have the right recovery if I upgrade from ext2 to ext3 will I lose all my apps?

installed app2sd it asked if I wanted to reboot, I hit reboot and now I'm stuck on the G1 screen

maybeoneday said:
installed app2sd it asked if I wanted to reboot, I hit reboot and now I'm stuck on the G1 screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why you don't partition your sdcard using this. It works most of the time but not always. Wipe and reformat your sdcard. Then reflash ROM

pistol4413 said:
I have the right recovery if I upgrade from ext2 to ext3 will I lose all my apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you will not.

sweet
alritewhadeva said:
No you will not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet man thanx!

ext3 slowed my g1 down
I jus upgraded my partition using this guide and my fone seems WAY SLOWER. Is there anyway to downgrade safely back to ext2 without wiping the partion clean? Or do u recomed an app I already have an overclock app.

fixed problem!
I fixed the issue. Lol I feel kinda dumb. Just has to many processes running that where eating memory.

I am lost. I have the newer SPL and JF 1.51 adp. Why all of these steps for apps2sd?
Should it not be:?
1. Format card using a partition program and create ext3 / FAT partitions
2. Install newest Cy rom
3. It automatically moves the apps when it sees the ext3 related parameters.
Why all of the steps in this thread? Am I missing more brain than I normally do?
Why would I need the 1.3.1 recovery rom? Are all of these steps if you do not already have a JF rom?
Thanks!

rushless said:
I am lost. I have the newer SPL and JF 1.51 adp. Why all of these steps for apps2sd?
Should it not be:?
1. Format card using a partition program and create ext3 / FAT partitions
2. Install newest Cy rom
3. It automatically moves the apps when it sees the ext3 related parameters.
Why all of the steps in this thread? Am I missing more brain than I normally do?
Why would I need the 1.3.1 recovery rom? Are all of these steps if you do not already have a JF rom?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps2SD2 detects if your card has been formated with an ext2 partition. If not it will format your sd card for you therefor not needing a computer program. The new reocvery 1.3.1 allows you to run the upgrade_fs command to format the ext2 to ext3 and also has other features such as gparted and fix ext filesystem.

my question is this...I already have cyanogen's rom installed...I have been away from a computer and the internet for about a week so I'm still on 3.6.5...which is fine with me.
In Cyan's thread, he says:
DO NOT RUN ANY OTHER APPS2SD APPLICATIONS ON THIS BUILD. YOU WILL BREAK YOUR SYSTEM. THEY ARE NOT NECESSARY BECAUSE THIS ROM WILL DO A2SD AUTOMATICALLY AND BETTER!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
however one of the steps to partitioning the sd card in this post is installing apps2sd..
i want to partition the card...but I don't want to break my system...am I missing something? clarification please?

A2SD In Fresh 2.1.2 Question

I just partitioned my card, installed fresh's rom. It says I have a2sd running but when I install applications, even after reboot, my internal memory keeps dropping. Am I missing something?
lrwxrwxrwx root root 2010-05-27 03:43 app-private -> /system/sd
/app-private
lrwxrwxrwx root root 2010-05-27 03:43 app -> /system/sd/app
Starting Darktremor A2SD version 2.7 update 1
[ ] Mounting /system as read-write
[ ] Mounting /data as read-write
[ ] Starting A2SD in check mode
[ ] Running A2SD Check Program.
[ ] Searching for Mount Point...
[!] Mount point found..no further action required.
[ ] Checking for ext partition
/dev/block/mmcblk0p2 /system/sd ext3 rw,noatime,nodiratime,errors=continue,data=
ordered 0 0
[*] Ext partition found and already mounted.
[ ] Checking A2SD links.
A2SD Status Report
================================================== =============
Apps -
[*] Linked to SD Card.
[*] File .noa2sd not found.
[*] Programs run from SD card
To run from internal storage, type a2sd remove
Private Apps -
[*] Linked to SD Card.
[*] File .noa2sd not found.
[*] Private Programs run from SD card
To run from internal storage, type a2sd remove
Dalvik Cache -
[*] Regular directory.
[*] File .dalvikcache not found.
[!] Dalvik runs from Int. Storage.
To run from SD card, type a2sd cache.
Swap -
[*] Partition present.
[*] File .noswap not found.
[*] Swap starts.
To deactivate swap, type a2sd noswap
ZipAlign -
[*] Running at boot.
Property Patch - Property found.
cm.filesystem.ready or dc.filesystem.ready
[*] Boot image init.rc patched.

Same problem here.

Did you partition before flashing? Also I don't think Fresh supports ext4, so make sure you are on ext3
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App

I was under the impression you partitioned before flashing so did that. Don't remember having to change extensions at that time. So, i though i needed to partition after. Did that after installing fresh 2.1.2. Now my phone is stuck in a boot loop? Keeps restarting to dancing android!!
HELP PLEASE! Can't use phone right now.
On a side note: Once you load a rom, do you have to keep the zip on the sd or can you delete it (i removed fresh 2.1.2). Could that be my problem.
Thanks

You need to partition before flashing fresh, because the implementation in fresh is auto sensing and only turns on when it sees you have your card partitioned. For best results you should be using a class 6 SD card and your ext partition should be ext3. You do not need to keep the zip on your SD card. Also, after you partition run an ext wipe before flashing.

It's Dalvik-cache. When you flash Fresh 2.1.2, the dalvik-cache stays on the internal storage (same with the Darktremor A2SD 2.7). Dalvik-cache will always consume internal memory until you move it to the SD card.
To move it, type a2sd cache in an adb shell or terminal program to move the cache.

I was kind of wondering the same thing. I installed fresh rom 2.1.2 and am noticing the same thing that my phone storage is shrinking as I install apps. I wasnt sure if it was safe and stable to move the cache to the card? Also when I look on the sdcard I see no files that look like app files. Where are they stored at on the card and what do they look like? Im not sure if its working. I did format the card in advance. I dont need to do anything to "activate" aps2sd once the fresh rom is installed do I?

[Q] App2sd question

ok I just switched from mytouch. The app2sd worked there alright. However, I cant get apps to install on on sd card on nexus one.
I formated to ext4 512mb, sawp 0. I set app to install external in cyanogenmod settings. I dont see any other option for app2sd in cyanogen mod7 nightly?
The apps just keep installing to internal memory!!
I even try flashing DT app2sd and samething happens. Am I missing something here?

Once you install DT, just open a terminal emulator and type in "a2sd reinstall".
Alternatively, you could type "a2sd cachesdreset", which will also move your dalvik to sd (much better).

With the "external" command, this will install the apps into the .android_secure folder on the root of the sdcard. This folder is locked by Android, so you can't view the contents. You can find out which apps are installed to the sdcard by looking at the sdcard tab under Settings -> Applications. But this only installs a portion of the app (some apps, it is the majority, others, not so much), but all the data the app generates will still be on the internal memory, so you will continue to see it go down.
And I don't think danger-rat meant alternatively (maybe he did) with DT and cachesdreset, but you can actually do both of those, and that is what most people do.
a2sd reinstall will move all your apps onto the sdcard's ext partition. a2sd cachesd (or cachesdreset which erases all the dalvik cache requiring a rebuild when the phone boots back up) will move all the dalvik cache to the sdcard's ext partiton. I have both done on my phone and leave the internal memory for just the data that the apps generate (it is possible to move that to the sd as well, but it is recommended to have a class 10 sdcard).

Need to have install set to internal. DT used ext partition as "internal" memory.

[Q] How move apps to sd card?

I have Xperia X8 with android 2.1 and I want to move apps in SD card. How do this?

Just use app2sd or link2sd .... U hv to root first of course ..

KR470S said:
I have Xperia X8 with android 2.1 and I want to move apps in SD card. How do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any custom ROM has native app 2 SD, plus you can follow
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1345872
To create a special partition in your SD card to which you apps can be automatically move, plus the swap space that will give you more free memory.
There are two good guides about custom roms:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1333865
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1222348
If you are new to this, it will take some time get used to these guides, tools, etc. But there are lots of fun on testing custom ROMs, overclock, benchmarks, different skins, launchers, etc.
A good start is the toolbox, from puppet13th post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1117100
It is text only, different from SuperOneClick, a really great tool too, but toolbox can root your phone, install some modules (overclock, cypress / synaptics dual touch), and most important, the dual recovery: freexperia (or xrecovery... I don't remember) plus clockworkmod. Some ROMs are designed for the first one, but most recent ones are for CWM.

how do you partition sd card? i use to be able to do that until i formatted my sd card...now i forgot how to!

tohno said:
how do you partition sd card? i use to be able to do that until i formatted my sd card...now i forgot how to!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this yesterday, following this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1345872
I would prefer another way to repartition my SD, as Linux GPartED, that can easily resize partitions and add new ones. But I couldn't find the requirements for that and had problems a couple of months ago, when I tried to replace my SD and it was reformatted (don't know why) automatically, with no warning.
So I almost followed the thread:
1) backed up all my files (I just mounted SD and copied the files, as I didn't had sd-ext yet)
2) reboot into clockworkmod. I backup here is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
3) mounted /system & /data, and unmount /sdcard
4) copied sdparted.txt to /sbin/sdparted (already rooted, otherwise it would not work)
adb push sdparted.txt /sbin/sdparted
adb shell chmod 755 /sbin/sdparted
5) As I was in a different ROM, MiniCM7 2.1.6, I didn't have parted, required by sdparted.
So I copied from GingerDX v21
adb push parted /usr/xbin/parted
adb shell chmod 755 /usr/xbin/sdparted
But if your ROM already have parted, you can skip this.
6) Now just run sdparted as mentioned in MarJar thread. I have a 8 GB SD, and I choose 512 MB for sd-ext and 256 MB for swap, leaving more than 7 GB for files. So mine was:
adb shell
sdparted -es 512M -ss 256M -efs ext4
(someone, somewhere, mentioned that ext4 would be faster. I saw some benchmarks for Linux telling the opposite... But ext4 jas journaling, so it should be safer)
Now you have a partitioned SD.
7) Copy userinit.tx from the thread to /sd-ext/userinit.sh. It will be automatically executed on startup and mount the enable swap:
adb push userinit.txt /sd-ext/userinit.sh
adb shell chmod 755 /sd-ext/userinit.sh
8) Now I would recommend, if you have installed your apps to your ROM, to mount the SD again and copy the files back to the SD. You can do it in clockworkmod, menu Partitions or something like that, choosing Mount SD Card.
I didn't, so when I rebooted the phone, the "Apps" (or whatever remained fromthem in /data) were move to /sd-ext automatically. But any previous ROM, as mine also, would keep files in SD. The result was the nothing was working. So I copied the files back to SD card and restored the backup I took in step 2 (that saved me ).
But if you restore the files back to SD before rebooting, I think you would be fine.
It worked gracefully for me after restoring the backup.
9) Reboot and enjoy.

[Q] Darktremor apps2sd problem

I followed the instructions on this site and did a 2GB partition. I downloaded the a2sd app from the Android Market and moved the Dalvik cache to SD-EXT. It seems to be working because on the A2SDGUI app, it is showing "Apps are on SD!" and "Dalvik Cache on SD-EXT".
I seem to be able to download a lot of small apps from the Android Market without any problem. However, when it comes to larger apps such as Angry Birds and Pocket Legends, this is the error I'm receiving: There is insufficient space on the device.
I have a Samsung 8GB Class 6 micro-SD Card with almost 2GB free space left. Here is a Screenshot of the System Info on the A2SDGUI app. I'm supposed to be having a 2GB partition but it is not being recognized for some reason. But I do not know if that is normal.
I'm using Squadzone's latest CM7 RC5 with all the 3 updates.

That's because your /cache partition stays the same - ~25MB.
1) You can use this script: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45530921/30mountcache.txt
(Put it in /system/etc/init.d/ and set persmissions, allow execute - do backup... just in case!)
2) Or you can use Amarullz or Ungaze scripts.

TheWhisp said:
1) You can use this script: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45530921/30mountcache.txt
(Put it in /system/etc/init.d/ and set persmissions, allow execute - do backup... just in case!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, if I use the script you provided, I will not have to disable Darktremor's a2sd and reflash the rom?
If yes, I will have to:
1) Download the "30mountcache.txt" to sd card.
2) Move to /system/etc/init.d
3) Rename it to just "30mountcache".
4) Set permission for Owner/Group/Others to execute.
5) Reboot.
I'm not very good at this.

30mountcache will not disable your a2sd. Put it there, rename, permissions and done

It's working. Thanks.