SUroot

Contents


Apps2SD+ / A2SD+
What is apps2sd+?
Isn't this in Froyo (2.2) anyway?
Are there any other advantages over moving apps in Froyo?
Is it any better in Gingerbread?
Are there any advantages over moving apps in Gingerbread?
How do I get it?
How do I make it work?
If I wanted to do it, is there a step by step process?
Yes but what ROM supports A2SD+?
I already have a ROM that supports a2SD+, now what?
How do I check it has worked?
It says "Information Unavailable" What's going on?
What? Internal memory is still going down though....
I have got Dark Tremor a2sd and my internal memory is smaller than expected
What is an EXT partition?
Whats the difference between EXT2/EXT3/EXT4?
OK, I used "Move to SD" but I haven't saved any space?
Are there other options when rooted?

Alpharev partition Tables

What is this?
How does that help with internal memory?
What new sizes are available ?
How do I do this?
How do I do undo this?
How easy is this to do?

Custom MTD partition layout


What is this?
How does it work?
Sounds too complicated, is there a guide?
Sounds Interesting and I am an advanced user, is there a guide?
Can it be reverted?
Custom MTD partition FAQ is not very comprehensive. Why?


Apps2SD+ / A2SD+


What is apps2sd+?
Apps2sd+ (or a2sd+) is a script / hack for use on rooted, custom roms. It uses a partition on your SD card for apps storage.
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Isn't this in Froyo (2.2) anyway?
No, this is different. Froyo allows you to move certain apps to the SD card. This relies on the developer coding the app to allow this.


A2SD+ allows all apps to be moved (automatically) and their associated Dalvik cache. Using a2SD+ will move more of an app than Froyo "Move to SD card"
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Are there any other advantages over moving apps in Froyo?
Yes, Froyo moves apps to your SD card's FAT partiton. Widgets and some apps will not function correctly here. Not only that, if you mount your SD card on your computer, some of the apps on SD will not function at all.

A2SD+ uses a partition which is not mounted when you mount your SD card. All apps will function and all widgets run without error.
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Is it any better in Gingerbread?
Yes Gingerbread "move to SD" is better than Froyo "Move to SD". It moves more than Froyo. It now moves the lib files of an app too. A2sd+ does not currently, so Gingerbread "Move to SD" moves more of an app than A2sd+ currently does.

Its worth noting that the Latest Dark Tremor a2sd+ Beta has the ability to move the data/data content to SD too, however, it is a BETA. Not a final release. If / When this works correctly, it will possibly move more than Gingerbread "move to SD"
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Are there any advantages over moving apps in Gingerbread?
Yes, the same other advantages as the "Other advantages" in the froyo section above.
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How do I get it?
You need to go through a rooting procedure (unrevoked recommended) and install a custom rom which has support for a2sd+

You can also flash it separately onto any rom providing it has init.d support.

You can download the Dark Tremor Beta separately. See the "Which ROM" section later on.

Pretty much all custom roms have init.d support but stock roms do not. If you want to add init.d support (running scripts at start up [initialisation - hence "init"]) you will have to do this
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How do I make it work?
Once you have rooted, you will need to make a partition on your SD card in EXT format. 512MB - 1GB is about right. Swap should = 0. You will then need to flash the custom ROM of choice.

Make sure you have moved all SD Apps back to internal memory first. The "Move to SD" option will be redundant so you must undo this.
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If I wanted to do it, is there a step by step process?
Assuming you are rooted;

1) Backup your SD card contents to your PC
2) Download GParted and Burn to CD/USB or use the Gparted with VMware guide.
3) Boot into recovery and select the mount as usb mass storage option (cwm recovery) before plugging the usb in. Plug the usb in when Gparted is at the language selection/keyboard mapping section
4) Resize the existing FAT32 partition from the back, leaving space after it and create an EXT partition in the space. Steps for the GUI are below.

• In the drop down menu (top right) select the SD card (be careful not to select your HDD)
• Right click on the FAT32 Partition and select resize
• Press the Up arrow on "Free Space Following" until you have the desired sizes
• Click Resize
• right click in unallocated space and select New> EXT format of your choice
• Click Apply

5) now you just need to flash your ROM with a2SD+ support.

Alternatively, you can download and ROM manager to partition the SD card, however you cannot easily check the partition is correct. Also, I do not recommend using ROM manager at all. It looks easy to use (and it is) but people using this can get into trouble and it takes away the requirement of knowledge on what it is doing, which is useful to help you get out of trouble.

If you want to change to a new SD card, take a nandroid backup first, copy the entire FAT partition to PC before following the above steps. Once complete, copy data back and nandroid restore.

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Yes but what ROM supports A2SD+?
Most custom ROMS have a2sd included and for those that do not, you can flash a2sd afterwards.

Check this post for lists of ROMS.
XDA - Everything Desire is Here!

Narrow down the kind of ROM you want, then read each thread to see what is included.

The post also links to a2sd scripts (Dark Tremor) for separate flashing.
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I already have a ROM that supports a2SD+, now what?
You should be able to so steps 1-4 above. If that doesn't work, step 5 is reflash your Rom. You shouldn't lose any data.
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How do I check it has worked?
Download "quick system info from" the market. It will show you an "a2SD" total size and free space.

If the free space is less than the total, the partition is being used for apps and it is working.
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It says "Information Unavailable" What's going on?
This means that 1 of 2 things are not working.

1) The Partition is not working correctly.
2) A2sd+ is not working correctly

If 1) boot back into your GPARTED live to fix / repartition.
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What? Internal memory is still going down though....
Yes, this will happen. Although it moves the app and dalvik cache to the EXT partition, app cache will always remain on internal memory so it will still go down.
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I have got Dark Tremor a2sd and my internal memory is smaller than expected
Dark Tremors latest a2sd script does not move Dalvik cache by default as before. You need to download "terminal Emulator" from the market and run it.

Type "su" and press enter
Type "a2sd cachesd" and press enter.

The desire will reboot and you will see a big chunk of additional free space on your internal memory

Full list of DarkTremor a2sd commands
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What is an EXT partition?
Its a partition using Linux File system. Linux is an alternative to windows, which Android is based upon. This is why you shouldn't try to partition EXT with Windows. Live CD's are bootable CD's using a Linux Base.
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Whats the difference between EXT2/EXT3/EXT4?
They're just different versions really. Newer incarnations of the same file system. Some ROMS don't yet support 4. Its still quite new. You should always be safe with 3 though.
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OK, I used "Move to SD" but I haven't saved any space?
Silly! I told you earlier you don't need to move anything. The script automatically does what you need. Move it back to internal memory.
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Are there other options when rooted?
Yes, titanium backup can move all apps to SD card, however again, this is not on a partition so has many shortfalls.

Also some custom ROMS allow the default installation location to be changed to external media, but this is the same as titanium.

There is something called data2sd which will allow you to move your entire /data partition to EXT. This is still in its infancy and does not work on all init.d roms. Read about it here
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Alpharev partition Tables

What is this?
Rooting opens up the phone to allow a lot more. However, HTC implement a security flag in the Radio NVRAM which prevents changes to system when android is running. Alpharev have devised a custom hboot flashing process that ignores the security flag (GSM devices only NOT CDMA). This is known as S-OFF. A guide to this process is here.
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How does that help with internal memory?
In itself it doesn't but it opens even more doors. Alpharev have also built custom hboot partition tables that can be flashed using fastboot.

Currently your partition is divided as follows:
/System 250MB
/Cache 40MB
/Data 147MB

/Data is where all your user apps and data is stored.

These partition tables change how the same space is distributed. One thing to be aware of though, is that not all ROMs will fit into all partition tables.
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What new sizes are available ?
Table name, system,cache,data

Bravo N1 table, 145,95,197
Bravo Data++, 180,5,252
Bravo Sense, 180,40,217
Bravo Oxygen R2, 100,5,332
Bravo CM7 R2, 145,5,287

Please be aware as previously mentioned, not all roms are compatible with every table. Most ROM's state which table they fit into, but if they dont, you will need to know how much space the ROM takes up in /system.
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How do I do this?
Once you are S-OFF, you need to ensure you are set up on your PC to use fastboot. Follow the FAQ. You need to fastboot flash these tables as hboot.
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How do I do undo this?
There is little point undoing S-OFF itself. Returning the desire to stock using an RUU is the most sure fire way. Alpharev also supply the standard desire partition table, which if flashed using fastboot, returns the partitions to normal whilst maintaining S-OFF. On the R2 Hboots, the supplied downgrader may be required.
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How easy is this to do?
Please be aware although many of us find it easy, it will not be easy for everyone. We would strongly urge you to understand what all this means before actually doing it. We love to help, so please ask as many questions as you like before jumping into it.
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Custom MTD partition layout

What is this?
This has a similar result as the Alpharev partition tables and still requires S-OFF. This is a little bit more advanced though, so if you feel you do not understand this, it is not something you should attempt. For advanced users only.

The difference here is instead of using pre defined partition layouts, you can set the partitions to the exact specific sizes you want. The trade off is its more work to set up and a bit more work every time you flash a new ROM.
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How does it work?
This uses a text file on the SD card called mtdpartmap.txt. Within this file contains the sizes you define for your partitions (it defines only system and cache. data is mafde up of the remaineder).

Once the text file has the sizes you want, recovery must be patched using a patch tool. This tells recovery of the new partition sizes. Upon flashing a rom, another patch tool is used to patch the boot.img of the ROM. This will need to be patched every time you flash a new rom. recovery only needs to be flashed once with any set of sizes.
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Sounds too complicated, is there a guide?
No.
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Sounds Interesting and I am an advanced user, is there a guide?
Yes, there are 2 guides. There is the original for Clockwork mod found here

There is also one by Rastaman-FB for Amon RA here
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Can it be reverted?
Once set up, if you want to revert - it can be done. Easiest way is to fastboot flash an upnpatched recovery.
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Custom MTD partition FAQ is not very comprehensive. Why?
Its an advanced subject matter. The guides should explain what you need to know. I repeat again - it is for advanced users only.
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*thanks to everyone for your input in this, past or future.

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Last edited by SUroot; May 23rd, 2012 at 04:03 PM.

turbohobbit

Excellent guide! Quick question: if I flash the <[ROM] [15/11] Pre-rooted Stock Froyo (2.10.405.2) [Optional mods] - xda-developers> ROM with optional a2SD+, will I still get OTA updates or will I have to flash a new ROM every time a new version of Android is released?

SUroot

You wont get OTA updates. That said the next update is gingerbread and we dont know that the desire is getting that anyway.

If we dont get it no problem. If we do, you will probably get it sooner if you're rooted in the form of a custom rom.

Eris Ed

The choice of custom ROMS based on whatever flavour Android is around at the time is a big advantage for rooted phones, and they'll be available far sooner than OTA updates. I almost cry when I think about the long wait for the branded 2.2 update, won't have to worry about doing that again!

__________________

dinaro

good job on explaining A2SD+ this would have helped me alot before I rooted and applied all those mods

__________________
teppics Stock Froyo - ROM: 2.10.405.2 WWE | Radio: 32.44.00.32U_5.09.05.30_2 | HBOOT: 0.93 |
Kernel: richardtrip 2.6.32 v5e_SVS (with GPU+ and SD read fix)
Mods: A2SD+ | Updated Apps |Tweaks | Flash replacement |

Declan Carey

Have already flashed a Vanilla Froyo and have installed loads of apps and customisations. Anyway I can put Apps2SD on now without losing my current settings etc?

Using Defrost 6.0e

SUroot

Yes, you can do the partition. You MAY need to reflash the Rom. This won't lose any data though. The rom only over writes the system partition. Not the data partition.

That said, i asked a defrost user to test this without flashing the Rom and it did work

Basically steps 1-4 in the mini guide above should work fine

turbohobbit

Thanks for the answers folks. So I presume if I select "Partition SD Card" from ROM Manager, it would wipe all the data that's currently on the SD card, leaving a bland card but now with a 512Mb EXT partition?

Also, as this is also my Goldcard, would I have to recreate it as a Goldcard after this?

SUroot

Anoniemouse did rigorous testing with formatting goldcards and came to the conclusion that once a goldcard, always a goldcard.

formatted goldcard

turbohobbit

Grand! So If I partition using ROM Manager, I'll lose everything that's on there but the card will still be a goldcard. Wild. Thanks Dan!

But then I guess if I've rooted and I'm thinking of installing a custom ROM - thereby removing the possibility of OTA updates anyway - it doesn't matter whether or not the card is Gold, does it?

Last edited by turbohobbit; November 18th, 2010 at 04:58 AM.

SUroot

If you're rooted, if you do get an ota, best to avoid.

You should have a goldcard if your handset is originally branded. This is a recovery.measures if you ever need to use an ruu

turbohobbit

Righto. Yeah, my phone was Orange branded but I debranded it. I'm 99% sure the card in my phone is a goldcard, but I'll make a spare (probably using the original 4Gb card) before I do anything rash...

Eris Ed

That's a very interesting thread! It makes sense really, making a gold card changes the details of the card itself, not the data on it. So formatting will wipe data and create partitions but the edited gold card sectors remain unchanged.

flyte

This is exactly what I am looking for, excellent post.

So I want to do this, but I am not sure if I have a "rom which has support for a2sd+". Not being able to wait for Telus to push out froyo, I followed the instructions in this post: Telus - htc desire 2.2 to create a gold card and installed the Froyo HTC ROM from this post (Froyo RUU update available) (link to the actual ROM is Shipped ROMs)

Now I'm guessing that this HTC ROM doesn't have support for Apps2SD+ ?

In other words, is there any chance of me using Apps2SD+ without unbranding my Telus desire? Wouldn't a custom ROM unbrand?

Last edited by flyte; November 18th, 2010 at 05:00 PM.

dinaro

If you already installed the stock HTC RUU then yer technically unbranded already. I had the same thing as you but I took a rooted stock froyo rom from here and installed extra mods as necessary. Custom roms will unbrand as well.

[ROM] [15/11] Pre-rooted Stock Froyo (2.10.405.2) [Optional mods] - xda-developers

flyte

Hmm.. I don't think I am unbranded. The lock screen has Telus on the slider, and the notifications bar has Telus on it. I don't think I am unbranded, but I did install that RUU mentioned above.

I want to do this (Apps2SD+) soo bad, but I want to at least remain branded so that if I happen to bring it back to Telus, they won't be able to (easily) discover a rooted / unbranded ROM.

SUroot

If you installed an ruu, you're not rooted unless you rooted since?

There were methods to install a2sd+ pon stock roms but I found them unreliable.

You should install a custom Rom. There is a TELUS ruu. You just need to install this like the one you installed before to return to stock if you ever need to.

They can easily tell if you're umbranded by the numbers I'm the software build number.

They'll also tell if you're rooted. May as well go the whole hog and get a faster,pre battery efficient super Rom

Last edited by SUroot; November 19th, 2010 at 01:08 AM.

dinaro

Well, I still have the Telus branding on the phone as well after I installed everything that I just quoted above. Does that make me still branded? Probably not.

And I agree with dan there. If you're already mucking around with the idea of rooting to get A2SD+ it's going to change quite a few things with the phone already which will be easily detected. Just take the plunge like me, I haven't regretted anything I did if it makes you feel any better. Just be a little more careful not to drop your phone and buy accessories to protect it

Oh and make sure you read a ton before you start because if you're unclear on anything it could be nerve racking at times.

Last edited by dinaro; November 19th, 2010 at 07:29 AM.

SUroot

Yeah, Putting a custom Rom on doesn't change the start up splash.

nivin

Hi,
I just bought an unbranded Desire running 2.1-update1 and I rooted it using unrevoked3 n also downloaded ROM manager and partitioned my SD card as instructed. I am currently thinking of flashing this custom ROM. I also want A2SD+. But I really don't know how to perform a clean wipe as mentioned. Can anyone help me out? I'm a newbie (previous phone was an N95!) And will clean out all my settings and apps? Sorry..but I really need some help on this!

SUroot

Look at the rooting faq in my Sig. Search for wipe in that thread

flyte

Any risk in going larger than 512MB? Many of the newer phones come with 1GB of internal storage. Can we increase to that?

Also, what exactly is to be done with the apps already installed to the SD card? After doing all of the above, are we supposed to move all apps back to the phone, and let Apps2SD+ do its thing?

In other words, we never will select "move to sd card" any more, and only install apps onto the new "internal storage"? What if we hit the 512MB limit and want to continue installing to the SD card? What happens then?

So we know creating a gold card, then formatting / wiping it remains a gold card. What about the inverse? What about taking an existing SD card and making it into a gold card. Is everything wiped in the process?

SUroot

1) no risk, no point.

The internal memory still gets used for app cache. It will fill up too, possibly not letting you go beyond 512 by much anyway.

You could repartition your internal space to give more internal memory but this is for advanced modifiers only. See how you get on first and revisit this idea if needs be.

Formatting to 1GB on advance can'thurt, you just won't be able to use it all yet


2)move them back

3) no idea. I advise backing io content before doing this anyway

droidzone

Isnt the first step in creating a gold card, connecting it to a card reader and formatting it?

__________________

I dont subscribe to every thread I reply to, so post in relevant official threads for a speedy response. Alternately use the official Supernova forum

nivin

"You should do a full wipe in recovery before installing the ROM" - Does this mean that I need to wipe it using ClockworkMod??

SUroot

Where did I say that?

But yes, thats what it means. Wipe data in recovery.

nivin

thanks a lot dan! i copied that line off this thread - [ROM] [15/11] Pre-rooted Stock Froyo (2.10.405.2) [Optional mods] - xda-developers ..might bother u some more if i face some trouble!

nivin

Dan,

Any chance that u could tell me how exactly this wipe can be done?

SUroot

I mention this in the Rooting FAQ in My sig that I pointed you to earlier.

Put the above information together with the below:


...and you get this:

From off, Hold Volume down and press Power.

There is a recovery option here. You need to use volume up and down to navigate the menu, then power to select the recovery option. This then loads your custom recovery.

Now you can use the track ball to navigate the recovery menu.

Wipe data/factory rest.

Last edited by SUroot; November 20th, 2010 at 07:00 AM.

nivin

Thanks!! sorry..but I did not want to mess things up..

giladgaron

Migrating to a new SD card question.
I bought a new SD Card (16gb) and I would like to transfer all my data from my original 4gb SD (which I used your guide on).

So, my data is not the problem of course because I can just move it to the new card.
But can I do something about the app2sd+ partition? can I partition my new card with ROM manager and after that move the original SD app2sd+ partition content to the new SD? will it work?

Thanks.

Eris Ed

Deleted: incorrect reply

SUroot

Take a nandroid backup, then copy data to pc.

Insert new card. Boot and partition. If it won't boot, wipe data.

Partition with Rom manager.

Copy data back to card.

Nandroid restore.

giladgaron

Thanks, Is there a way to access that partition in windows or do I need to use Linux?

SUroot

You don't need to access it at all. Nandroid will back it up and restore it on the new partition providing you copied the back up to the new card

droidzone

I was going to suggest Titanium but if Nandroid will do it, that's awesome!

droidzone

Dan, I've seen the size of app data in Internal memory grow in size if I try manually moving them to sd with the built in Froyo option in a ROM which has A2SD+, meaning when I try A2SD in a ROM with A2SD+. Yes I know I shouldnt do that, and that A2SD+ is automatic, but do you know what's going on? When the script moves the data automatically to ext, apparently Froyo doesnt get that info, and it tries moving it too. In some cases, the size in Internal remains same, but in others, it increases. Why?

droidzone

I've got a qn which has nothing to do with A2SD, but since I saw this post, I'm asking it..

The process of creating a gold card reads the 32 bit CID number and after certain steps, writes certain other data physically on the card. Since that is so, why cant we physically access the data on the sdcard to read the CID by computer based software. I've asked this elsewhere including XDA, but noone seems to know..

There are applications which can read the actual bytes off an SD card. Since the CID is hardcoded at manufacture, this data should be there as bytes. Does someone know the actual 'sector' location of this data?

I feel the qn is pertinent because there are people (including me) who have semi-bricked their devices because they forgot to create goldcards. If a sdcard CID can be read independently without a device, that means a lot of hope..

SUroot

Honestly don't know the answer.

A2SD+ is a script which moves apps and dalvik cache to ext. Android doesn't see it as anything other than the phones internal memory. This is why froyo still allows it to be moved.

I believe a2SD+ moves the entire app and dalvik cache. Froyo just the app. Since you have already moved the dalvik cache, there should be only app cache on internal memory.

Perhaps a2sd leaves a minute part of the app behind?
Perhaps app cache is partly wiped.during the move?
Perhaps its a mistakes?

How much does the space increase? What happens on ext?

droidzone

Increases in Internal by a meagre amount like 5% or so.. I will post back details after getting my device from Service. Have to get it back after the SLCD brick I landed it in..

flyte

Took the plunge and I am now using teppic's ROM w/ power saving mod pack, tweaks, and of course Apps2SD+.

Quick System Info reports A2SD storage: total; 457MB, Free 304MB, after I had installed many of my apps back. (How do you quit Quick System Info without force closing it?)

Thanks danfrance for this thread and guidance - I wouldn't have had enough courage to do this with out it.

SUroot

Just press back

flyte

Yes that exits the application, but the 2 notification icons is what I am trying to have go away, which a force stop does. In other words, I don't want it to be running as a service.

SUroot

Ahhh, in QSI, go to menu, prefs and untick the "Show Icon" boxes.

They don't appear in my running services either way though.

faz1964

HI

If all the apps are installed on the partition which seems to be the case. What is left in the phones memory? The reason I ask is out of 147mb, I only have 53mb free?

Thanks

SUroot

App cache for individual apps cannot be moved by any method.

Things like map cache for google maps, emails from the email client, contacts storage, calendar storage etc...

Have a look in Manage applications and see what is taking up so much.

I've used up 55MB, with 80 Apps. I dont use the email app and my contacts arent huge.

faz1964

Looking at Manage Applications shows for instance

NFS Shift 39.08MB
Talking Tom 18.41MB
K-9 Mail 14.16

And the other 120 apps etc total way in excess of the 100MB used.

What about APK files. How much space do they take up and is it safe to delete these or can you suggest any other safe to delete files?

SUroot

To be honest, that is rather a lot of apps but that 55 MB of space won't easily be taken up with whatever else you install.

If you find after a short while that it is, I can hook you up with further methods

Apks are apps. It's not like Windows where the downloaded exe can be deleted.

Go through some of you apps. Click.om them.in manage applications and look at their cache size

Bam82

I followed the instructions for partitioning using ROM Manager and downloaded quick system info and got the information unavailable message.

Is this simply because I havent yet flashed a rom that supports A2SD+ or have I done something wrong?

Should I go ahead and flash a rom and see what happens or is there something else I can do first to make sure the partition has worked?

SUroot

Flash the rom and chck again