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Root Question to users of A2SD+, and windows Vista.

Nagrom

Android Expert
May 28, 2010
806
75
Cheshire UK
Hi Boardies.

Okay so I've decided to jump on the root wagon, and install a baked ROM, including A2SD+ from Modaco, and per this thread's advice

http://androidforums.com/all-things...-modacos-2-2-rom-sense-wow-2.html#post1267252

However......

I cant get my head around A2SD+. I've looked all over this forum, and the net for a simple explanation on how to set it up, and use it.

I know I need to make two partitions on my SD Card. first being a fat32, and the second being EXT3.

How do I make the EXT3 one?

I've used Partition Magic in the past, but my version (8) doesn't work on Vista. I'm running Vista 64bit, and I can find a program online that works on Windows. Only Linux.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Andy
 
Hi, I recently rooted and tried several 2.2 roms but found them to have too many bugs so went for a 2.1 rom with apps2sd+. Like you I had a lot of trouble partitioning my sd card. It took me 5hours to work it out but this is how I did it -

1. download rom manager to your phone from android market
2. rom manager will probably give you an error when you first start it up, click on the problem button at the bottom of the screen and this will give you the option to download something to cure the problem.
3. select 'partition sd card' and select a size for the ext partition where the apps will be stored (i went for 512), you don't need an swap partition so you can select 0.

Hope this helps.

Let me know how you get on with the 2.2 rom, if it runs well I'b be interested in upgrading. I was disappointed with the defrost 2.2 rom because of the bugs (web browser, settings and several other things force closed as soon as i opened them) and also because the apps2sd didnt work very well as apps have to be specially coded plus only part of the app is stored on the sd card.

apps2sd+ which is included in the modaco r3.1 rom im using is awesome, only a small part of an app is stored on the internal memory. I have twice as many apps on my phone as I could fit on before and my internal storage has only gone down from 130mb to 97mb.
 
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Hi, I recently rooted and tried several 2.2 roms but found them to have too many bugs so went for a 2.1 rom with apps2sd+. Like you I had a lot of trouble partitioning my sd card. It took me 5hours to work it out but this is how I did it -

1. download rom manager to your phone from android market
2. rom manager will probably give you an error when you first start it up, click on the problem button at the bottom of the screen and this will give you the option to download something to cure the problem.
3. select 'partition sd card' and select a size for the ext partition where the apps will be stored (i went for 512), you don't need an swap partition so you can select 0.

Hope this helps.

Let me know how you get on with the 2.2 rom, if it runs well I'b be interested in upgrading. I was disappointed with the defrost 2.2 rom because of the bugs (web browser, settings and several other things force closed as soon as i opened them) and also because the apps2sd didnt work very well as apps have to be specially coded plus only part of the app is stored on the sd card.

apps2sd+ which is included in the modaco r3.1 rom im using is awesome, only a small part of an app is stored on the internal memory. I have twice as many apps on my phone as I could fit on before and my internal storage has only gone down from 130mb to 97mb.

Okay colour me stoopid, but I used Rom manager as you suggested, and partitioned my card. Does it make the EXT3 partition automatically? When I've used partition programs on my PC before, they've always asked what type of partition I want.

And.....

How does A2SD actually work?

I always assumed that when you're installing an App, A2SD will ask you where you want it installing too. Or does it just automatically install apps to the card when you're installing them?

I've not found any sign of A2SD anywhere on my Desire with this new ROM.

A2SD virgin here LOL

Okay forget that post LOL. I just found another thread, on another board that told me I need to enable A2SD in the settings.

Told you I was an A2SD virgin LOL

Okay so I CAN'T see anywhere to "Enable" A2SD. However if I now go into Manage Applications, there's a "On SD Card" tab. Is this normal with 2.2, or does this mean A2SD is already working, and I DON'T need to enable it?

I'm REALLY stumped with this thing :eek:(
 
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Does it make the EXT3 partition automatically?

How does A2SD actually work?

I always assumed that when you're installing an App, A2SD will ask you where you want it installing too. Or does it just automatically install apps to the card when you're installing them?


Okay so I CAN'T see anywhere to "Enable" A2SD. However if I now go into Manage Applications, there's a "On SD Card" tab. Is this normal with 2.2, or does this mean A2SD is already working, and I DON'T need to enable it?

I'm REALLY stumped with this thing :eek:(


The ext3 partition is created automatically by rom manager. The rom I'm using stores apps on the sd card as default, I've not found an option to turn this feature on and off and I'm not sure why you would need to turn it off as apps2sd+ is superior to 2.2's apps2sd. I don't have 'on sd card' under manage applications so I think this must be a feature of 2.2.
 
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Okay so I CAN'T see anywhere to "Enable" A2SD. However if I now go into Manage Applications, there's a "On SD Card" tab. Is this normal with 2.2, or does this mean A2SD is already working, and I DON'T need to enable it?

A2SD (the froyo official android version)
  • lets you choose where to store the app.
  • BUT this is dependent on the application giving you the choice.
  • If you choose this, then part of the app will be stored in a folder called .android_secure on your sdcard

A2SD+ (The old style root variety)
  • tricks the phone into thinking the apps are on internal memory
  • apps are actually stored on an ext partition of the sdcard (you cannot see this on the sdcard yourself)
  • all apps are stored here, so its better than the default variety above.


If you use A2SD+, then in your settings, when you see the applications list, none will show to be on the sdcard (because you've tricked the phone into thinking they are on internal memory).

How to "turn on" A2SD+?
  • This differs from rom to rom
  • Some include it as default, by this i mean if your sdcard has an ext partition, then apps are stored here by default.
  • Some do not include it by default, to turn it on you may need to flash a zip that turns on the functionality.
 
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