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I'm really surprised that there is no documentation on this thing that I can understand. I'm having major issues with CM7 with DT A2SD. Every one of my widgets is broken. I can't tell what's installed to EXT and what's not. If I go into Manage Applications, all of the widget apps are installed to phone. I have next to zero internal space left.
I need to know how I can differentiate what's on internal, what's on Froyo SD, and what's on DT A2SD - As well as how to move them and tell where each app is going.
i honestly wish i knew. this is on my list to do, but i didnt feel like formatting my memory card cause there's so much on it, so i am just hoping gingerbread improved method will give me enough space.
i wish there was a tutorial or wiki for DT A2SD. you prob should just read that whole thread and it is explained there somewhere.
Some quick commands executed from adb shell or even the terminal on the phone can give you some more information:
a2sd check will give you basic diagnostic information from the DT a2sd script - this will reveal what is running where (apps on /sd-ext, data location, etc).
ls -al /data will help you understand what a2sd actually does for you. If a2sd is set up correctly, you should see an entry similar to "app --> /sd-ext/app", which indicates your /data/app directory is symbolically-linked to your /sd-ext partition (the ext-formatted partition on your SD card). This makes Android see /sd-ext/app and /data/app as the exact same thing, and everything within that folder will actually reside on the /sd-ext partition. The same thing applies to the dalvik-cache.
You can find out more about using a2sd via the a2sd help command, which shows an easy-to-understand listing of the various a2sd commands available.
All the documentation is in DarkTremor's thread.
There is no choosing in A2SD. If it's installed - all apps that are shown as "internal" go to EXT partition. But the phone doesn't know it, and you won't see it in OS visually in any place.
You can choose if you're sending your app data and your Dalvik-cache to SD also, that you can do from the Terminal (command line).
I should probably mention that all apps that are installed to SD using stock Froyo method, remain there - and cause a waste of space. So using A2SD you should move ALL your apps to "internal memory" (substituted with EXT partition).
This is a handy link for Darktremor users...
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=158826790833326
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Hmm.. maybe I should had included some more info.
If I use Root Explorer and check my sd-ext folder, it does have apps within, and from install date I can tell they're from my CM7 install (plus I wiped everything including SD-EXT before flashing anyway). The problem is that some of these apps are things I do NOT want on SD-FAT or SD-EXT, I need them on internal (basically anything that I use with widgets, and LauncherPro). Pretty sure having widgets on EXT is what's causing my home screens to **** the bed.
Checked Install Location, right now that's set to Automatic.
If I go to Manage Applications, these apps appear to be on internal (Move to SD card is available on the button). I've read the FB page and original thread, I still see no way to differentiate between Internal, SD-FAT and SD-EXT - or how to move them between with certainty.
/sd-ext is the same as internal for all intents and purposes. You don't choose what apps to run off of /sd-ext, they all do. This is not causing your widget issues.
If you use DT a2sd, "Internal" becomes synonymous with "sd-ext". They are one and the same.
You SHOULD, however, move all of your apps off of SD-FAT - that is the implementation of "apps to sd" that breaks widgets.
Ok, I moved all of my apps off of SD-FAT and back to internal.. seems to be going well so far. The only thing I'm curious about now is that I didn't really get any space back, I still only have 21MB free (cleared browser and market cache as well). I've obviously messed something up somewhere along the line. Any ideas? I'm such a n00b at this apparently.
I really appreciate the help thus far guys!
You shouldn't have. Your space doesn't change as a result of moving apps to SD and back anymore - because they're all either on EXT, or partially on EXT and partially on FAT32.
If you don't have enough space left on internal memory - which can happen, if you have a lot of apps and they use a lot of data - you can move app data to SD and also Dalvik-cache to SD. This is done using command line commands.
One of those is usually enough.
I prefer the Dalvik-cache on SD - it might be a bit slower (never noticed that), but at least system settings (that are stored in /data/data) remain on the phone's internal memory and aren't prone to corruption.
Jack_R1 said:
You shouldn't have. Your space doesn't change as a result of moving apps to SD and back anymore - because they're all either on EXT, or partially on EXT and partially on FAT32.
If you don't have enough space left on internal memory - which can happen, if you have a lot of apps and they use a lot of data - you can move app data to SD and also Dalvik-cache to SD. This is done using command line commands.
One of those is usually enough.
I prefer the Dalvik-cache on SD - it might be a bit slower (never noticed that), but at least system settings (that are stored in /data/data) remain on the phone's internal memory and aren't prone to corruption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On that note, moving the dalvik-cache is generally a better idea than moving /data/data. Better stability and compatibility and whatnot. Only bother with moving /data/data if you really really need the space.
You can move the dalvik-cache to sd with the a2sd cachesd command in either the terminal or adb shell.
OH MAN THANK YOU! Moved dalvik to SD-EXT and that did it! 120MB free! Time for a downloading spree!
level5music said:
OH MAN THANK YOU! Moved dalvik to SD-EXT and that did it! 120MB free! Time for a downloading spree!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to help
CM7 can make you install apps on the sd card, how does it differ from app2sd or app2ext? i have been trying to decide if i should partition my new sd card or its not necessary. There must be an advantage to have app2ext right?
Thank you.
CM7 basically allows you to move all applications using Froyo's app2sd mode. Even ones that have disabled it (like live wallpapers and widgets as those won't work when installed that way).
app2sdext works differently as it will install apps directly to an ext partition on your sdcard (that you manually have to set up). This functionality is NOT build into CyanogenMod, but is easily added with a number of different apps/scripts. This will give you a lot more free space on your phone, and all apps can be installed there regardless of whether they have widgets or have services running. Most app2sdext options will also give you the option of moving the dalvik cache to the sdcard which will save you a substantial amount of space on your internal memory.
Basically, if you want a lot of memory intensive apps, your only decent option with a Nexus One is an app2sdext solution. (I have it with a 1GB partition, and I will soon either need to resize it or delete apps... adding app2sdext was the second best thing I ever did to my phone behind installing CyanogenMod on it.)
bassmadrigal said:
CM7 basically allows you to move all applications using Froyo's app2sd mode. Even ones that have disabled it (like live wallpapers and widgets as those won't work when installed that way).
app2sdext works differently as it will install apps directly to an ext partition on your sdcard (that you manually have to set up). This functionality is NOT build into CyanogenMod, but is easily added with a number of different apps/scripts. This will give you a lot more free space on your phone, and all apps can be installed there regardless of whether they have widgets or have services running. Most app2sdext options will also give you the option of moving the dalvik cache to the sdcard which will save you a substantial amount of space on your internal memory.
Basically, if you want a lot of memory intensive apps, your only decent option with a Nexus One is an app2sdext solution. (I have it with a 1GB partition, and I will soon either need to resize it or delete apps... adding app2sdext was the second best thing I ever did to my phone behind installing CyanogenMod on it.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why didnt i think of that? thank you for your reply... now i should decide whether to do it now or wait till i have reached maybe about a hundred apps. by the way does it have any effect on the speed of the phone if you do that?
I am on cm7 and decided to put cache apps on sd card using ta utility is there any other new apps like that? ta
Can you do this with rooted stock?
lolobabes said:
why didnt i think of that? thank you for your reply... now i should decide whether to do it now or wait till i have reached maybe about a hundred apps. by the way does it have any effect on the speed of the phone if you do that?
I am on cm7 and decided to put cache apps on sd card using ta utility is there any other new apps like that? ta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a class 4 32GB card, and I didn't notice any appreciable difference in speed. I have moved my apps and dalvik cache to the sdcard using DarkTremor's a2sd. I currently have 260 apps installed on my phone, and that is pushing the internal phone space and the 1GB partition I set up for ext. I am about to bug danger-rat for his instructions on how he resized his internal partitions to give the data residing on the phone more space (I will basically shrink the cache partition and I am looking at resizing my ext partition to 1.5GB or 2GB.
I couldn't live without this anymore. I don't know how I went so long without it. It is so nice to just browse the online market and click install on countless apps without worrying about your space.
If you want to try and move the app data (resides in /data/data) to the sdcard, I have heard that it is recommended to have a class 10 card to keep up with speed requirements. I am not sure how many apps support that.
brettbellaire said:
Can you do this with rooted stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you can. You would have to have a custom recovery. The main thing I am not sure is if it will mount the ext partition. If you have a custom recovery, do a nandroid backup (just in case it doesn't work), flash the zip for DarkTremor, and reboot the phone (the first boot will take longer).
brettbellaire said:
Can you do this with rooted stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you can.
bassmadrigal said:
I have a class 4 32GB card, and I didn't notice any appreciable difference in speed. I have moved my apps and dalvik cache to the sdcard using DarkTremor's a2sd. I currently have 260 apps installed on my phone, and that is pushing the internal phone space and the 1GB partition I set up for ext. I am about to bug danger-rat for his instructions on how he resized his internal partitions to give the data residing on the phone more space (I will basically shrink the cache partition and I am looking at resizing my ext partition to 1.5GB or 2GB.
I couldn't live without this anymore. I don't know how I went so long without it. It is so nice to just browse the online market and click install on countless apps without worrying about your space.
If you want to try and move the app data (resides in /data/data) to the sdcard, I have heard that it is recommended to have a class 10 card to keep up with speed requirements. I am not sure how many apps support that.
I believe you can. You would have to have a custom recovery. The main thing I am not sure is if it will mount the ext partition. If you have a custom recovery, do a nandroid backup (just in case it doesn't work), flash the zip for DarkTremor, and reboot the phone (the first boot will take longer).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply i think i read on darktremors post class 4 will do for the data2sd. I have class 4 16GB sd card would 1GB good for the ext? ty
It really depends on how much you think you will be installing. I did a 1GB partition on mine, but now that I install most of the Amazon free daily apps, that space is dwindling quickly. I have programs that will resize the partition for me, but most will have to wipe the card and partition it manually. I do have the install location set to automatic, so it allows developers to specify whether they want it in the "internal" (really it is on the sdext partition, but to the phone it is internal) or external using the froyo method. The Angry Bird apps all default to install on the sdcard, so my installed app base is even larger than 1GB.
bassmadrigal said:
... adding app2sdext was the second best thing I ever did to my phone behind installing CyanogenMod on it.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
is it true that cwm sets the partition to ext3 by default? unlike in ra recovery where you still need to convert it? ta
I have heard that it creates it in ext3, but right now, DTa2sd is showing that it is a ext2 partition. I can't figure out how to find out for sure while the card is in the phone. Either way, it is getting mounted as an ext2 partition.
temasek said:
I thought CWM will create ext3 by default? Your steps are ok, np.
Anyway when u read the ext partition type in android, most likely u will see ext2 if u are using official DT script cuz of the auto syntax it uses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then it maybe so, this was posted on the darktremor thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14134665#post14134665
Well, whether or not it is formatted as an ext3 partition, Android is still mounting mine as an ext2 partition.
Code:
mount | grep ext
NOTE: the "|" is called a pipe. On the keyboard it is the shift option on the backslash key "\". I don't know exactly where it is on the stock keyboard, but on swype it is located under the "D" key when the keyboard has the shift key pressed and you access it by longpressing.
To get your sdcard to ext3, you just need to turn on journaling. You can do this through adb while in the recovery (because you need the partition unmounted to do this).
Code:
adb reboot recovery
adb shell
mount system
e2fsk /dev/block/mmcblk0p2
tune2fs -j /dev/block/mmcblk0p2
reboot
Supposedly Android should auto-mount this as ext3 on boot (which you can check with the first command). At that point, I don't think it will matter what a2sd shows. As the writing of the journal (the big thing with ext3, since it helps minimize write errors on a bad shutdown) is done at the OS level, not the a2sd level.
do i need an a2sd mod for cyanogenmod roms or does the built-in one by cyanogenmod do the same thing?
why would one use a mod like a2sd or whatever rather than using the CM one?
Cyanogen has a built in a2sd but it is not a2ext which moves apps to the ext partition on your sd card which is a much simpler (once it's set up) and IMHO better way to do it because it tricks the phone into thinking that the ext partition is the internal memory so it installs the apps on it.
okay. so cyanogens installs them on the main partition?
if its on the main partition then ill get a2ext.. id rather have it on the ext partition
thanks
The two big options out there are DarkTremor's a2sd and S2E. I have used both extensively and prefer S2E (found on the market).
I know it was discussed a lot, but since things are constantly being updated i can't get a hold of what is working at the moment. I will be brief.
16 GB SD card, First partition is primary 14 GB FAT32, second partition is ext3 1 GB.
I am using Cyanogenmod 7 7.2.0 RC1 on Motorola Milestone. I also have androidiani open recovery and kabaldan's mmcfix module installed.
After the partitioning was complete (in card reader) i returned the SD card in the phone and booted to open recovery where I formated all caches and factory restored CM7 everything is clean.
Questions:
1. When I launch File Explorer (the one within the rom) SD-EXT on root is empty, no folders or anything, but if I launch terminal emulator and cd sd-ext then ls there they are. Why?
2. I play couple of memory intensive games (like Dead Space and GTA3), but since I have only 256 mb ram they often crash (without error) when loading a level or saved game (yes I have chainfire3D). Will moving dalvik cache and cache to sd-ext help free more ram so I can crash less?
3. What is the point of moving dalvik and cache to sd-ext and where can I find a guide how to do it?
Thanks.
CeBits said:
I know it was discussed a lot, but since things are constantly being updated i can't get a hold of what is working at the moment. I will be brief.
16 GB SD card, First partition is primary 14 GB FAT32, second partition is ext3 1 GB.
I am using Cyanogenmod 7 7.2.0 RC1 on Motorola Milestone. I also have androidiani open recovery and kabaldan's mmcfix module installed.
After the partitioning was complete (in card reader) i returned the SD card in the phone and booted to open recovery where I formated all caches and factory restored CM7 everything is clean.
Questions:
1. When I launch File Explorer (the one within the rom) SD-EXT on root is empty, no folders or anything, but if I launch terminal emulator and cd sd-ext then ls there they are. Why?
2. I play couple of memory intensive games (like Dead Space and GTA3), but since I have only 256 mb ram they often crash (without error) when loading a level or saved game (yes I have chainfire3D). Will moving dalvik cache and cache to sd-ext help free more ram so I can crash less?
3. What is the point of moving dalvik and cache to sd-ext and where can I find a guide how to do it?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) The File Manager bundled with CM7 doesn't have ROOT access, which is required to read the files on /sd-ext. Try using Root Explorer, for example.
2) No, it won't. What will probably help you is to disable JIT (gives you more free RAM), install V6 Supercharger by zeppelinrox (reorganizes how RAM is used) and remove ChainFire3D (it only helps if you reduce the texture quality to 16-bits, otherwise it's just one more layer between your apps and the GPU).
3) The point of using sd-ext is to overcome the storage limitations of the Milestone (not its RAM limitations), allowing you to install more apps without using app2sd (which renders apps on the SD unusable when you plug the device to a computer).
I hope it helps (=
Disabling surface dithering also helps.
I tried 7.2.0-RC2 without V6 and it works great, plus no more side effects, like Maps "forgetting" pre-cached areas =D
Hi. I followed pontomedon's guide to partition my 8GB card with OpenRecovery (parted & tune2fs). So I got 1 GB ext3. And installed CyanogenMod 7.2.2.
But in the CM Settings "Use internal storage" is grayed out and says "This device doesn't have expanded internal storage". Has something gone wrong? What's the best way to confirm that SD ext is working?
If ext would work, would the phone's memory still be used fully first, and SD ext only after that, or how does it go? I've now set Install location to "Internal".
I've heard of S2E (simple2ext) app, maybe I'll try it next.
mantokoski7 said:
What's the best way to confirm that SD ext is working?
If ext would work, would the phone's memory still be used fully first, and SD ext only after that, or how does it go? I've now set Install location to "Internal".
I've heard of S2E (simple2ext) app, maybe I'll try it next.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your storage as in FAT partition on sdcard is working?
You can "mount | grep sd-ext" and "df /sd-ext" to check if sd-ext is mounted and how much space it has.
sd-ext is treated as internal memory. All user installed apps are moved to ext partition. Internal storage (data) is used for app data (configuration, etc.)
Thanks. Why does it show it as ext4. 8% is used... I guess it's working after all. Now let's install some games!
/dev/block/mmcblk0p2 on /sd-ext type ext4 (rw,noatime,nodiratime,barrier=1,data=ordered)
Filesystem /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 1K-blocks 936666 Used 70298 Available 816397 Use% 8% Mounted on /sd-ext
I installed Root Browser Lite and it shows the installed apps in sd-ext, also Dalvik-cache for those apps is there, which is good I think.
how to format?
mantokoski7 said:
I installed Root Browser Lite and it shows the installed apps in sd-ext, also Dalvik-cache for those apps is there, which is good I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, my question is very close to this topic : when I try to install another rom I got all the old applications coming from the previous install. Is there a way to format the ext 2 in the same time we update or change CM?
Thx
Use -FuFu-'s MiniMod Recovery - it has an extended wipe menu, including ext-wipe.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1091787
Eiertschik said:
Use -FuFu-'s MiniMod Recovery - it has an extended wipe menu, including ext-wipe.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1091787
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using 2ndBootOR . What is the differcnce between them?
bibile said:
I'm using 2ndBootOR . What is the differcnce between them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With 2ndbootOR you can use "wipe_ext2.sh" from MiniMod by -FuFu, or any other script. Just copy file to "scripts" folder.
FuFu's latest OR is based on the 2ndbootOR, so it does everything the 2ndbootOR does, but it also has additional scripts. So it really worth a try.
Thx I'll update my second phone (I have not seen these answers before)
Sent from my U8860 using xda app-developers app
Hi,
I have 7.2.4.c kabaldan milestone rom.
With sd card with 3 partitions : fat32/ext3 1gb / swap.
Since I can't move my app to the ext with basic app2sd kind of app, I tried S2E.
Well, with the option "intall app to INTERNAL", I guess that s2e were intalled on the ext partition... I hit someting and reboot the phone.
Now, I have lost all my apps, I looks like the stock clean rom AND I can't install any applications, even if I change automatic/internal/external options.
So I don't have access to the ext partition.
Is there a way to get my ext back without a wipe?
(I do have a complete backup, but its a couple of weeks old... my bad )
Thanks
You don't need any additional app to use the ext partition.
All of kabaldan's ROMs automatically detect and use it if it's there.
I don't know how to recover your apps, but I guess any attempt will end up dirty.
Restore your old backup and don't forget to make one everytime you try something fancy
Eiertschik said:
You don't need any additional app to use the ext partition.
All of kabaldan's ROMs automatically detect and use it if it's there.
I don't know how to recover your apps, but I guess any attempt will end up dirty.
Restore your old backup and don't forget to make one everytime you try something fancy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha, yeah I know, its my gf phone, she doesnt keep important stuff, its not a big deal.
With my phone don't worry, I do backups everytime .
You say that its automatic , but I dont understand why after a while I still have the "no more sapce available ". ext is around 200 mb of 1gb full...
Low space warning usualy means your /data is full, not /sd-ext. Try lib2ext.
btw, I do not know how to recover, I have no clue what s2e did to your data.
mrvek said:
Low space warning usualy means your /data is full, not /sd-ext. Try lib2ext.
btw, I do not know how to recover, I have no clue what s2e did to your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I understand, the 133mb is full, but all my app should install on the ext anyway?
I'm not the only one, but I still dont understand why I cant access to my apps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1507743
oVeRdOsE. said:
Yes, I understand, the 133mb is full, but all my app should install on the ext anyway?
I'm not the only one, but I still dont understand why I cant access to my apps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1507743
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The script that moves all user apps to ext partition can be seen here
You can't access them because there is probably some confilct between s2e and the inbuilt 07app2ext script that moves all your apps to sd-ext automatically. That is, it moves the apk part of application, there are some parts, like libraries, databases, etc., that remain in /data/data. And it is stuff in /data/data/ that is filling the space so the OS is complaining. Hence the recomendation to try to utilize lib2ext.
The simplest and probably the safest way to get back to track is to start from scratch. As mentioned, I have no clue what s2e did to your files and where it might have moved it. It might be lost, maybe it is on sd-ext but inaccessible because of messed up permissions, perhaps on sdcard somewhere... IDK.
Point beeing - third party apps and/or scripts are usually incompatible with inbuilt 07app2ext script that provides same/similar functionality.
oVeRdOsE. said:
Yes, I understand, the 133mb is full, but all my app should install on the ext anyway?
[...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The apps are installed to ext, but there is more to an app than just the .apk file.
There's dalvik cache, ordinary cache and other additional data
Those usually aren't moved to ext.
If you're running out of space despite having an ext partition enter the following into Terminal Emulator and reboot:
Code:
lib2ext 1
mrvek said:
The script that moves all user apps to ext partition can be seen here
You can't access them because there is probably some confilct between s2e and the inbuilt 07app2ext script that moves all your apps to sd-ext automatically. That is, it moves the apk part of application, there are some parts, like libraries, databases, etc., that remain in /data/data. And it is stuff in /data/data/ that is filling the space so the OS is complaining. Hence the recomendation to try to utilize lib2ext.
The simplest and probably the safest way to get back to track is to start from scratch. As mentioned, I have no clue what s2e did to your files and where it might have moved it. It might be lost, maybe it is on sd-ext but inaccessible because of messed up permissions, perhaps on sdcard somewhere... IDK.
Point beeing - third party apps and/or scripts are usually incompatible with inbuilt 07app2ext script that provides same/similar functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's make sense. I read some post found on google, and mostlikely, that's what they said.
I did a factory reset, and all my apps are back, but the save data. I'll put it back manualy from my nand backup.
Eiertschik said:
The apps are installed to ext, but there is more to an app than just the .apk file.
There's dalvik cache, ordinary cache and other additional data
Those usually aren't moved to ext.
If you're running out of space despite having an ext partition enter the following into Terminal Emulator and reboot:
Code:
lib2ext 1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I wish I can understand everything on andoird programming... I saw only the basic programing at shcool.