Root [FAQ]ROOT MEMORY: a2sd+ / partitions (updated 10th August 2011)

[SUroot]

I already know about it. What of it?

 

[Deleted User]

Hey dan. How do I backup my oxygen install which has app2sd+ already set up and working? Can I just nandroid, will that store all the extra apps, and then wipe settings to try out gingervillain?

 

[Hadron]

nandroid backs-up the sd-ext partition, so yes, it will fully back up your current oxygen including apps.

If you want to restore any of those apps and their data on GV you'll need to take a Titanium backup of them as well.

 

[Staggers]

Any chance you can link to the other thread if it's useful?

Not sure if this is the same thread ntebis found, but I used this one while going through the same procedure of switching to a bigger card: http://androidforums.com/desire-all-things-root/215596-buying-new-sd-card-rooted-desire-some-sd-card-questions.html

 

[SUroot]

Added the bold text below:

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 here

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

-------------------------------

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

-------------------------------

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

 

[togger161]

OK, I'm a noobie, and I'm getting a little lost - only had the phone 2 weeks. Rooted it and running custom rom Oxygen 1.0.4. Have a 16GB sd card and been moving my apps onto there. OK, I was chuffed at this point and thought that's all there was to it.

Then I started reading threads about creating an EXT partition that would allow all apps to be moved including widgets etc, and that these should always run and be available to the phone as the ext partition is always available to it as it's not mounted as a drive when you plug in to a PC. So I though OK, now this is a better way to go. I backed up my card, created an EXT partition and reformatted the remainder. Had a look at the sd-ext partition and it is being used, I have app, app-private dalvik-cache and lost+found on there, with 55mb of apps in the app folder. Great I thought, all working.

Problem I have is that I'm not sure installed apps are installing to the card by default, app2sd still gives alerts showing apps can be moved. Also I tried moving beautiful widgets to the sd card and it won't load, fine if I move it back.

So I'm not sure now I have this setup working fine, if I need to do something else to get it fully working or if I was just expecting it to do more than it is.

 

[SUroot]

The ext partition is not the same as the sd card you are being alerted to. You don't move anything yourself. All apps need to be moved back to internal memory for apps2sd+ to work.

This.is all in post 1 of this thread

 

[togger161]

OK, thanks for that - just to add it was apps2sd that popped the alert up saying the program could be moved so I just accepted it, I didn't use the manage apps move to sd card option.

So what you are saying is that if apps2sd says a program can be moved, you ignore it.

I wasn't sure if I'd done things in the wrong order and that was causing a problem. I had already flashed a rom and wasn't sure if it disabled something apps2sd needed as the card was not partitioned at the time of install.

Everything seemed to be working until I accepted apps2sd's offer to move beautiful widgets. When that didn't work I assumed I had a problem.

If I am understanding things correctly, the phone sees the ext partition as an extension to the internal memory and just gets on with making it all work without having to intervene.

 

[shauny13]

If I am understanding things correctly, the phone sees the ext partition as an extension to the internal memory and just gets on with making it all work without having to intervene.

You are correct.

 

[SUroot]

The apps2sd app does the same as move to sd in manage applications. It's just an easier way of using the functionality.

It's designed for un rooted phones.

You should uninstall the apps2sd app now. You won't need to use it again

 

[togger161]

OK, now I understand. very new to all this, as my wife says, I am trying.

As I've only had the phone 2 weeks, I have just done a wipe. Am installing everything from fresh and just letting the OS get on with it all. Removed apps2sd as well.

I appreciate your help, thank you.

 

[SUroot]

No worries. Enjoy you new found freedom!!

 

[scoobysnax]

Hi folks, trying to use GParted to create a partition on my sd card before I install a ROM.... running into a problem after following the instructions below:
Properly Partition SD Card For App2SD+ Android ROMs

Im getting to the step 7 and looks ok, only when i try to complete step 8, I cant do the step in bold below as the option is greyed out and unclickable...

1. 8: Similarly create another new partition in the unallocated space but set this one as

 

[shauny13]

have you tried refreshing devices after step 7?

 

[scoobysnax]

will give that a try, just re-loading gparted on the mac... get back in 5 mins

cheers for the reply.

Scooby

 

[shauny13]

if not, try right clicking on unallocated space and doing it that way, i think that's how i did it, although quite a while ago for me.

 

[scoobysnax]

hmm... tried refreshing after step 7 and still not able to ''create as'' logical partition, only allowing me to select primary or extended...

 

[scoobysnax]

am clicking on unallocated space and clicking new in the top left corner... as im using the mac there is no right mouse button. usually when in OSX I can just use two fingered click to get right click, but doesnt seem to work while booted from the GpartED disc.

 

[shauny13]

i dont know then. U could try with a card reader perhaps? and i've heard many people have success with "mini tool", but this might be a windows only app. Failing that pm Dan here (SUroot), he knows a lot more than me.

 

[SUroot]

You don't need to specify logical. Just click in unallocated space and create an ext partition

 

[scoobysnax]

Cheers folks, managed to do it... was just wary of trying it without specifying logical. Have now got Gingervillain 1.0 and am currently setting up the phone and getting my apps from the backup I made.

Thanks!

Scooby.

 

[SUroot]

Dont forget to download and install terminal emulator.

As per this FAQ, it uses dark tremor a2sd.

Run terminal emulator

type:

SU

press enter

Type:

a2sd cachesd

press enter.

Phone reboots, not dalvik cache is on sd ext too

 

[scoobysnax]

Cheers m8, forgot that...

Only one small problem, decided to use my personal gmail address this time round, just realised my previous (only a few mind you) paid apps are all in my other gmail address! Had a quick search but looks like there isnt a way to join the 2 accounts... (yet?)

 

[SUroot]

Dont think so. Youd have to factory reset to set up with your other gmail account to access those downloads.

 

[sameee781]

What should be the minimum class of miccroSD card to be used here? What is the recommended value of class.