Problems with forum

[sixtythree]

New people of android phones with little knowledge of use get little helpful advice. Most people here are so knowlegable that they do not understand simple questions form people like me. Advice given is of little help unless you already know what you need to know.

I asked for what I thought was a simple question
"how to get a ringtone that has already been downloaded to the phone. It exist in the download folder. I go to the folder and its there. But when I go to assign it the phone does not see it in the download folder.

The instructions I was given does not match my phone.

Please move the file from the download directory to the SDcard>Media>Ringtones folder.

Thoes directories do not exist on my phone or I do not know how to find it. can anybody with limited knowledge help me out?

 

[woop]

You have to create those folders manually, which can be done via mounting your phone as a drive on your computer and/or using some type of file explorer app.

 

[Frisco]

Welcome to Android Forums, sixtythree. Thank you for explaining so well your difficulties here.

I understand your frustration, trying to find responses to your phone questions that fit your experience; that's hard to do in a forum you're not familiar with.

Woop answered your main question, having to do with making folders. Once you use the Market app in your phone to acquire a file manager (do a search in Market for "file manager") you can use the menu in that app to learn about how to make folders; you'll likely see a setting for "new folder," etc.

Astro is a great file manager, for example.

Please post back how you're doing so we can continue helping you.

 

[sixtythree]

You have to create those folders manually, which can be done via mounting your phone as a drive on your computer and/or using some type of file explorer app.

with the above being the case then what folder is the ringtones that came with the phone located. It seems I should be able to place them there and they sould work. Why would they not be downloaded to the right folder in the beginning. Why did'nt instructions on this proceedure come with the phone? Amazing that they would sell it without one of the most used features standard operating proceedure.

Speaking of mounting as a drive- How the h== is that done?

 

[Frisco]

Speaking of mounting as a drive- How the h== is that done?

Go to menu > settings > applications > development. Once there check the "USB Debugging" box.

Plug the USB (charging) cable from your device to your computer. After a moment or so you'll see a prompt on your phone to either just charge it or use it as a drive/move files: select move files.

On your computer, after a few moments, you'll see the choice to view files.

 

[takeshi]

with the above being the case then what folder is the ringtones that came with the phone located. It seems I should be able to place them there and they sould work.

They're located in /system/media/audio/ringtones but you won't be able to copy them there. They need to go into the ringtones folder on your SD card. The exact location of the ringtones folder doesn't really matter, just the name of the folder. Mine is located in /sdcard/media/ringtones but many duplicate the folder structure in system by setting it up like /sdcard/media/audio/ringtones.

Why would they not be downloaded to the right folder in the beginning.

The app/OS isn't psychic. All it knows is that you're downloading a file. If you're using the browser to download all it does is place all downloads in the download folder. Further, the app/OS has no idea how you intend to use the audio file. It could be a ringtone. It could be a notification. It could be an alarm. It could just be music that you intend to add to your library. It could be none of the above. How is the app or OS supposed to know where to place it?

I asked for what I thought was a simple question
"how to get a ringtone that has already been downloaded to the phone. It exist in the download folder. I go to the folder and its there. But when I go to assign it the phone does not see it in the download folder.

The instructions I was given does not match my phone.

Please move the file from the download directory to the SDcard>Media>Ringtones folder.

Thoes directories do not exist on my phone or I do not know how to find it. can anybody with limited knowledge help me out?

You really have to be very specific about your situation when asking questions. If an answer doesn't seem to fit your situation then follow up the answer with the appropriate questions and/or additional information. This is a discussion forum, like any other discussion forum site. You don't have to take answers as-is. You can ask for clarification or additional details.

When I give curt answers, it's because I expect the person asking the question to do a bit of legwork as well. It's extremely rare that questions haven't been asked before and it's no different in this case as the question of where to place files for ringtones, notifications and alarms is an extremely common question discussed in many threads. If you need assistance with searching for information, feel free to ask as well.

Why did'nt instructions on this proceedure come with the phone? Amazing that they would sell it without one of the most used features standard operating proceedure.

You'd have to ask the manufacturer of your device that question. Generally, though, manufacturer documentation is pretty lacking IMO and you'll be better equipped if you learn to use discussion forum resources to answer your questions. I can't even begin to count what's missing from my Droid's documentation. The manual that comes with your phone is really just for the end user to get started. Anything other than that is going to require some initiative on your part to find answers and solutions. Consider this, did you PC come with a full set of printed manuals for Windows that detailed every possible feature and function of the OS? Your Android device doesn't run a desktop OS but it's still quite sophisticated and I personally wouldn't expect the manufacturer's guide to cover everything even as a basic end user.

Don't forget to read the stickies and FAQ's.

 

[sixtythree]

Go to menu > settings > applications > development. Once there check the "USB Debugging" box.

Plug the USB (charging) cable from your device to your computer. After a moment or so you'll see a prompt on your phone to either just charge it or use it as a drive/move files: select move files.

On your computer, after a few moments, you'll see the choice to view files.

I am pluged in right now. I am on the internet thru the android phone. I click on my computer and am unable to access the phones directories. I remember having access at one time but not anymore.

 

[sixtythree]

They're located in /system/media/audio/ringtones but you won't be able to copy them there. They need to go into the ringtones folder on your SD card. The exact location of the ringtones folder doesn't really matter, just the name of the folder. Mine is located in /sdcard/media/ringtones but many duplicate the folder structure in system by setting it up like /sdcard/media/audio/ringtones.


The app/OS isn't psychic. All it knows is that you're downloading a file. If you're using the browser to download all it does is place all downloads in the download folder. Further, the app/OS has no idea how you intend to use the audio file. It could be a ringtone. It could be a notification. It could be an alarm. It could just be music that you intend to add to your library. It could be none of the above. How is the app or OS supposed to know where to place it?


You really have to be very specific about your situation when asking questions. If an answer doesn't seem to fit your situation then follow up the answer with the appropriate questions and/or additional information. This is a discussion forum, like any other discussion forum site. You don't have to take answers as-is. You can ask for clarification or additional details.

When I give curt answers, it's because I expect the person asking the question to do a bit of legwork as well. It's extremely rare that questions haven't been asked before and it's no different in this case as the question of where to place files for ringtones, notifications and alarms is an extremely common question discussed in many threads. If you need assistance with searching for information, feel free to ask as well.



You'd have to ask the manufacturer of your device that question. Generally, though, manufacturer documentation is pretty lacking IMO and you'll be better equipped if you learn to use discussion forum resources to answer your questions. I can't even begin to count what's missing from my Droid's documentation. The manual that comes with your phone is really just for the end user to get started. Anything other than that is going to require some initiative on your part to find answers and solutions. Consider this, did you PC come with a full set of printed manuals for Windows that detailed every possible feature and function of the OS? Your Android device doesn't run a desktop OS but it's still quite sophisticated and I personally wouldn't expect the manufacturer's guide to cover everything even as a basic end user.

Don't forget to read the stickies and FAQ's.

I actually have read many of the threds in surch of the answer. I have done surches without success. I think maybe using the phone as my internet access has in some way prevented me from accessing the files on it. One of the replies mentioned turning on debugging. Well its on. So I was playing around in it and loss internet access for a couple of days. Finally figured out how to get it back. In the process however I did access the phone as a drive. Can not figure our how to get back to it. I am trying .

 

[dan330]

hey.. I am glad you are trying..
you will get such a feeling of accomplishment.. when you do figure it out. This newly acquired knowledge will help you with other issues you will face down the road with the phone.

everyone has been giving you good info...
to add a few more..

there are a lot of directories that you can not view. they are hidden from you for your "protection". one of the reasons to ROOT your phone, is to get access to these directories and files. It is not a good idea to start messing with them.. if you dont get a better understanding of what they are and what they do.

yes, it should.. when you plug your phone into your PC; .. the option will come up .. if you want to use as: charge, share internet, or as a drive. you can not do internet and drive at same time. what phone do you have and the PC?

in the main directory of your SD card.. create 2 new directories:
1. notifications
2. ringtones
what you put in them will show up on your options to use.

it is not hard to do.. sorry about the confusion.
if you dont give us more info on what you know and your situation and what hardware /software you are facing.. how are we to answer your questions?? The phone can not read your mind, neither can we. all we have is what you give us.

For everyone asking about similar questions...
I for one.. dont want to teach everyone how to create a new folder/directory; and I dont want to explain to them what a folder or directory is each and every time! we just assume they know that part.

If they say.. I dont know what a forlder is and so forth... then we will adjust our response accordingly.

have fun...welcome to the forum

 

[sixtythree]

yes, it should.. when you plug your phone into your PC; .. the option will come up .. if you want to use as: charge, share internet, or as a drive. you can not do internet and drive at same time. what phone do you have and the PC?

in the main directory of your SD card.. create 2 new directories:
1. notifications
2. ringtones
what you put in them will show up on your options to use.

The above was very very helpful. I went in and created the directories. placed my two ringtones in. Now I must go back and read the post on how to assign a ringtone to a specific individual.

I have a toshiba laptop satellite
android galaxy s is phone