Help 232/ICS, no option to connect to USB for Charge Only?

[desmofan]

I just installed the Nook ap, and added some free books to my library online to see if I like the reader better than the Kindle or Google Play. My Bionic was about to die (makes sense since it's been off the charger for over 6 hours, but that's another thread), so I plugged it into my laptop to charge while I downloaded the books to my Bionic. The Nook app won't let me do this because it says there is no SD card mounted. This is because my Bionic is connected by USB as a mass storage device, and there's no option to set it to connect for charging only. This is the first version of the OS that I have not seen this option, and it's ridiculous. Am I missing something?

 

[OhBe1]

I just connected to test this out, and you're right: there is no "charge only" option. I only recently installed .232, and I hadn't noticed this.

I guess this is o.k. for me, since I haven't had any device conflicts like you're experiencing. Hopefully someone with more expertise will chime in. Anyone?

 

[johnlgalt]

Charge only mode is there, but now only shows when you're in a dock of some sort.

 

[Maddog241]

I just installed the Nook ap, and added some free books to my library online to see if I like the reader better than the Kindle or Google Play. My Bionic was about to die (makes sense since it's been off the charger for over 6 hours, but that's another thread), so I plugged it into my laptop to charge while I downloaded the books to my Bionic. The Nook app won't let me do this because it says there is no SD card mounted. This is because my Bionic is connected by USB as a mass storage device, and there's no option to set it to connect for charging only. This is the first version of the OS that I have not seen this option, and it's ridiculous. Am I missing something?

The charge only option was eliminated in ICS when connecting to computer by USB. When you plug in, you should see a menu of options. MTP mode is media transfer protocol and should work for you. The phone will charge and you can transfer back and forth. Also, the phone must be unlocked for transfer to work.

 

[johnlgalt]

The charge only option was eliminated in ICS. When you plug in, you should see a menu of options. MTP mode is media transfer protocol and should work for you. The phone will charge and you can transfer back and forth. Also, the phone must be unlocked for transfer to work.

If you look at my screenshot, and read what I posted while you were typing, you'll see what is really going on:

 

[SirEagle]

Looks like you go to Settings/Storage, then hit your Menu button, then select USB computer connection, then check one of the other settings instead of mass storage and see it it works.

 

[SirEagle]

There's no charge only mode though.

 

[johnlgalt]

Charge only mode is there, but now only shows when you're in a dock of some sort.

I have the screen caps already from previous builds - it showed in a car dock, and it showed in webtop.

 

[Maddog241]

I have the screen caps already from previous builds - it showed in a car dock, and it showed in webtop.

I see what you are saying. What I meant ( and probably didn't explain clearly) was that the charge only option does not appear when you plug straight into a computer via USB anymore.

I thought that was what the OP was referring to.

Was the information I provided incorrect?

 

[desmofan]

I'll try one of the other settings to see if it allows access to the "SD Card" from the phone, as that is what I was trying to do. The reason I noticed this is I was trying to open Nook and download a book while charging my phone through the USB. Nook requires access to the SD card, and when it is unmounted, due to being attached to my laptop, this is not possible. It strikes me as very odd that Google would remove this option, because there does not seem to be a reason.

 

[Maddog241]

I'll try one of the other settings to see if it allows access to the "SD Card" from the phone, as that is what I was trying to do. The reason I noticed this is I was trying to open Nook and download a book while charging my phone through the USB. Nook requires access to the SD card, and when it is unmounted, due to being attached to my laptop, this is not possible. It strikes me as very odd that Google would remove this option, because there does not seem to be a reason.

It should work in the other mode. I transfer files with no issue using MTP mode.

 

[johnlgalt]

I see what you are saying. What I meant ( and probably didn't explain clearly) was that the charge only option does not appear when you plug straight into a computer via USB anymore.

I thought that was what the OP was referring to.

Was the information I provided incorrect?

No, we were both saying the same thing in different manners.

I'll try one of the other settings to see if it allows access to the "SD Card" from the phone, as that is what I was trying to do. The reason I noticed this is I was trying to open Nook and download a book while charging my phone through the USB. Nook requires access to the SD card, and when it is unmounted, due to being attached to my laptop, this is not possible. It strikes me as very odd that Google would remove this option, because there does not seem to be a reason.

It should work in the other mode. I transfer files with no issue using MTP mode.

I think the problem is that while charging the microSD is unavailable (b/c it is unmounted) to the Phone. Maddog may be right, I've never tried to see if the phone can see the microSD in the other two modes before. Won't hurt to try.

 

[Maddog241]

I'll try one of the other settings to see if it allows access to the "SD Card" from the phone, as that is what I was trying to do. The reason I noticed this is I was trying to open Nook and download a book while charging my phone through the USB. Nook requires access to the SD card, and when it is unmounted, due to being attached to my laptop, this is not possible. It strikes me as very odd that Google would remove this option, because there does not seem to be a reason.

Did you get this resolved?

 

[Thom]

In 5.9.905 the access to the SD and SD-Ext cards that are permitted are shown in the attachment. I don't know what they are in any ICS leak.

... Thom

 

[desmofan]

Did you get this resolved?

I had not tried again, because my phone charged the other day, so I disconnected it from my laptop. I just tried, and the MTP connection still did not allow access to the SD card, so it was still unmounted, but the Camera mode (PTP) seemed to leave the card mounted, and allowed the battery to be charged via USB simultaneously.

 

[Maddog241]

I had not tried again, because my phone charged the other day, so I disconnected it from my laptop. I just tried, and the MTP connection still did not allow access to the SD card, so it was still unmounted, but the Camera mode (PTP) seemed to leave the card mounted, and allowed the battery to be charged via USB simultaneously.

When I connect my Bionic, set to MTP mode, I get a "Droid Bionic" entry in my windows explorer. When I open that I get Internal Storage and SD Card. I can open either one of those and access files and folders.

Do you have the latest Moto drivers?

 

[desmofan]

When I connect my Bionic, set to MTP mode, I get a "Droid Bionic" entry in my windows explorer. When I open that I get Internal Storage and SD Card. I can open either one of those and access files and folders.

Do you have the latest Moto drivers?

Sorry for the long delay in answering. I can access my Bionic from the laptop well. What I was having a problem with was charging my Bionic from my laptop and accessing the SD card from an app on the phone. Connecting the Bionic via USB in any manner except Camera Mode (PTP) unmounts the SD card from the phone, making it inaccessible.

 

[HopeMcCloud]

The corporate policy at my job is to disallow any foreign usb device from connecting to my pc. Therefore, I NEED the charge only option, and I do NOT have a docking station for my Droid Bionic. Or, I could violate the corporate policy. Or, I can carry a wall-charger to work.

Any way to ask for this feature to be returned in a future release?

 

[Thom]

It is doubtful that it will return. I suggest you use a wall charger. You could get an OEM wall charger and leave it in your office.

... Thom

 

[Richy_T]

The corporate policy at my job is to disallow any foreign usb device from connecting to my pc. Therefore, I NEED the charge only option, and I do NOT have a docking station for my Droid Bionic. Or, I could violate the corporate policy. Or, I can carry a wall-charger to work.

Any way to ask for this feature to be returned in a future release?

Would something like this be acceptable?

Amazon.com: PureGear Charge Only Cable for Universal Micro USB - Retail Packaging: Cell Phones & Accessories

Has the advantage that you wouldn't be at risk of accidentally leaving your phone on mass-storage and breaking policy.

 

[SNeitzel]

So I brought my car mount in and was playing with it here at my desk.
When the phone is in "car" mode and connected to my PC, it will charge, the SD cards are accessible from the phone and Win7 does not try to mount anything. So, if there was an app that fools the phone into thinking it is in a dock and puts it in car or media mode that would work.
It's too bad the magnet trick from the OG DrOID doesn't work on the bionic...

 

[johnlgalt]

I think this might do the trick....

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.cwfk.ig88.carmode

Let me test it.

There was also BIONIC Dock Modes - let me see if that still works.

 

[johnlgalt]

I can't find the latter, and the former is not loading car mode.