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Enabing the Note II as a Mass Storage Device

Okay, I'm not sure how many people posting, that are unable to view the phone's internal and external storage are, are newbs, but here is another simple thing to check.

After plugging the phone into the computer using a microUSB>USB plug, pull down the notification bar and click the notification that identifies the phone being plugged in. Your phone should then give you the option to see the phone as a mass storage device. Make sure that is selected.

That's the only other "simple" or "rational" explanation I can have for all these people not being able to see the phone's drives when connected.

Unless, there are people posting without even reading through the entire thread (which has posted majority of the solutions), then I really don't know what else to say except that maybe the phone is defective.

I believe it was even posted earlier in this thread that you have to be sure that you're using a microusb>usb cable that actually allows for data sync. There are some older microusb>usb cables that are "charge only" cables.
 
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My AT&T Note II just works out of the box. I plug it in to my home laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit and my work laptop running Windows XP - SP3 and both could see the phone drive without me doing anything.

I have no idea why others could not get it to work. Maybe it only works on the AT&T version?


I can see the phone's two folder in My Computer, but they are listed under "other", so I can't navigate to then (with windows explorer) as I would my D drive etc...
I can, of course, copy and paste files from my pc to the phone and vice versa.

At the moment, the way I sync up my Music folder on the phone is to update it manually. Pretty much file by file as I have "artist" folders on the phone.

If I can find a way of navigating to the phone's folder using explorer I could set up syncing automatically. Or direct Media Monkey's output straight to the phone. At the moment, I can't do this.

Alternatively if I could set my music folder on my phone as a network share then it might pop up in explorer that way.
 
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Okay, I'm not sure how many people posting, that are unable to view the phone's internal and external storage are, are newbs, but here is another simple thing to check.

After plugging the phone into the computer using a microUSB>USB plug, pull down the notification bar and click the notification that identifies the phone being plugged in. Your phone should then give you the option to see the phone as a mass storage device. Make sure that is selected.

That's the only other "simple" or "rational" explanation I can have for all these people not being able to see the phone's drives when connected.

Unless, there are people posting without even reading through the entire thread (which has posted majority of the solutions), then I really don't know what else to say except that maybe the phone is defective.

I believe it was even posted earlier in this thread that you have to be sure that you're using a microusb>usb cable that actually allows for data sync. There are some older microusb>usb cables that are "charge only" cables.
Once again....

It has been determined that some USB cables also do not allow for the phone to interface with a windows computer. Just for reference, I have a couple 9 foot USB cables that do not work. The stock cable works. Then I have another short 4 foot cable that also works.

First off, lets not degrade people by calling them "newbs". There is an issue, and it has to do with the cable length of quality of some kind. It doesn't have anything to do with people being stupid or not able to plug in a cable correctly.

If you are encountering this problem, then try the cable that came with the phone OR try a different cable. So far, the only issue I have found with the USB cables interfacing with the phone are the 9 foot cables that Verizon sells with a charger since we have a couple of them here.
 
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I can highly recommend DoubleTwist - particularly when used with the optional AirSync to effortlessly handle my sync needs between PC and my SGN2 (and previously, my crappy-but-reliable BB Torch 9810).

DoubleTwist functions as a stand-alone media player, transfer interface w/ desktop iTunes (all content) and PC folder sync for stored video and photos.

Buying the optional AirSync is recommended as you can sync over your LAN.

Lots of optional modules you can add in - no experience with those and don't seem to need. Even with the upsell (i.e. enhanced EQ, album art, etc.) the entire setup is still quite affordable and very capable.

And yes, the SGN2 works just fine as an external mass storage device. Most file sync programs work fine with it. I'm using the 64gb Sandisk micro SDXC and it works great. I've already used this setup to produce a couple of training videos for work and easily export them to my PC for distribution.
 
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Once again....

It has been determined that some USB cables also do not allow for the phone to interface with a windows computer. Just for reference, I have a couple 9 foot USB cables that do not work. The stock cable works. Then I have another short 4 foot cable that also works.

First off, lets not degrade people by calling them "newbs". There is an issue, and it has to do with the cable length of quality of some kind. It doesn't have anything to do with people being stupid or not able to plug in a cable correctly.

If you are encountering this problem, then try the cable that came with the phone OR try a different cable. So far, the only issue I have found with the USB cables interfacing with the phone are the 9 foot cables that Verizon sells with a charger since we have a couple of them here.

It wasn't meant as an insult. There legitimately could be very many "new" people that are affectionately called "newbs." Stop trying to make this into something where I'm degrading their intelligence or lack of tech savvy. I was just simply pointing out some obvious steps that might not be so obvious for people that are new to Android or new to smartphones.

Are you saying that it's not possible that new people will come in here and look at threads like these?...give me a break.
 
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Well, at least im not the only one experiencing issues when using usb extensions. On the topic of "newbs", that terms is hardly ever used in an affectionate way especially online but whatever, I'll leave that there. It seems people still live by the creed, high post count = high knowledge.

If you have a USA version phone you should not have to enabled usb debugging to use the phone as a mass storage device.
 
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It wasn't meant as an insult. There legitimately could be very many "new" people that are affectionately called "newbs." Stop trying to make this into something where I'm degrading their intelligence or lack of tech savvy. I was just simply pointing out some obvious steps that might not be so obvious for people that are new to Android or new to smartphones.

Are you saying that it's not possible that new people will come in here and look at threads like these?...give me a break.

I didn't make it into anything other than what you said. People can draw their own conclusions to the way you said it. I thought you were degrading others, but thats just my opinion. Which is why I merely said that this is a known issue that has affected people. Don't discount it because you haven't experienced it or because you believe people are new. Sometimes, people find things that you have not heard of.

IMHO, you could have approached the situation with a little more tact and a bit more open minded.
 
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Well, at least im not the only one experiencing issues when using usb extensions. On the topic of "newbs", that terms is hardly ever used in an affectionate way especially online but whatever, I'll leave that there. It seems people still live by the creed, high post count = high knowledge.

If you have a USA version phone you should not have to enabled usb debugging to use the phone as a mass storage device.

BTW, the high post count = high knowledge relation is typically only in the mind of the person with the high post count if there is a relation there. Thankfully, most people with high post counts are generally helpful on this thread. You have a few exceptions, but the mods do a good job and locking things down.
 
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I didn't make it into anything other than what you said. People can draw their own conclusions to the way you said it. I thought you were degrading others, but thats just my opinion. Which is why I merely said that this is a known issue that has affected people. Don't discount it because you haven't experienced it or because you believe people are new. Sometimes, people find things that you have not heard of.

IMHO, you could have approached the situation with a little more tact and a bit more open minded.

It's not about that and you can state that as your opinion all you want, but I'm telling you it wasn't intended in that manner. My intent was solely to say that there are many people that are new to android/smartphones and there are basic functions that they may not know.

I've seen it countless times on here and other forums, where people just don't know and as a former Guide, I just try to look at a broader picture and not assume that everyone knows. Furthermore, the purpose of these forums are so that people can become more knowledgable. You may think of "Newb" as a negative term, but the whole context behind that term was not started from a negative standpoint. It was just a playful way of teasing people who were "new," but by no means (in this situation) was it meant to disrespect or degrade people's intelligence.

If you're asking me to start singing kumbaya or add smiley faces in all my posts...sorry, I just don't have time for that. I just want to make sure that people who are new to the forums learn about basic functions...if people in this thread are already knowledgable, then it's obvious that the post wasn't intended to inform you because you're already informed!...LOL.
 
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It's not about that and you can state that as your opinion all you want, but I'm telling you it wasn't intended in that manner. My intent was solely to say that there are many people that are new to android/smartphones and there are basic functions that they may not know.

I've seen it countless times on here and other forums, where people just don't know and as a former Guide, I just try to look at a broader picture and not assume that everyone knows. Furthermore, the purpose of these forums are so that people can become more knowledgable. You may think of "Newb" as a negative term, but the whole context behind that term was not started from a negative standpoint. It was just a playful way of teasing people who were "new," but by no means (in this situation) was it meant to disrespect or degrade people's intelligence.

If you're asking me to start singing kumbaya or add smiley faces in all my posts...sorry, I just don't have time for that. I just want to make sure that people who are new to the forums learn about basic functions...if people in this thread are already knowledgable, then it's obvious that the post wasn't intended to inform you because you're already informed!...LOL.
Fair enough. I hear what you are saying, and I understand where you are coming from.

As for informing others that the issue exists, its obvious you didn't know about it. Now I have done my job by informing you and others here that the issue that the OP posted does exist. Just because I am informed doesn't mean others are, which was apparent by your post and others here who posted they had the same issue. Which is why I posted my findings so others could learn. Even you are now more informed.

So now everyone is aware of it. No harm, no foul. :D

There was my obligatory smiley face since you won't post one.
 
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OK thanks!

I tried right away but there is NO change.

I still see my device in explorer, I can access the SD card open my music folder but like every time I try to copy something there the copy windows opens and stick at 0%. then the device is no longer accessible, my explorer is frozen and the only way is to unplug the USB cable...

I forgot to add that this only happens when I try to copy to the SD card. I also can't move a folder from the internal memory to the SD card... but I can copy music from Explorer to the main Memory...
 
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OK thanks!

I tried right away but there is NO change.

I still see my device in explorer, I can access the SD card open my music folder but like every time I try to copy something there the copy windows opens and stick at 0%. then the device is no longer accessible, my explorer is frozen and the only way is to unplug the USB cable...

I forgot to add that this only happens when I try to copy to the SD card. I also can't move a folder from the internal memory to the SD card... but I can copy music from Explorer to the main Memory...

Are you dragging and dropping or copy paste or have you tried both?

If you have tried both, I'm not sure why it's freezing your computer. Have you tried on a different computer? Maybe it's your computer?
 
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I have tried both methods. It's the same on my two computers.

The problem doesn't occur when I try to copy from the pc to a folder in the main memory, only from the pc to the SD card.

I also discovered that I can't copy anything from the main memory to the SD card, nor using the phone or windows explorer.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
 
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I have tried both methods. It's the same on my two computers.

The problem doesn't occur when I try to copy from the pc to a folder in the main memory, only from the pc to the SD card.

I also discovered that I can't copy anything from the main memory to the SD card, nor using the phone or windows explorer.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

I see that you have the International version. Have you activated USB debugging? Some people have mentioned that making it possible for file transfers from phone to PC and vice versa.

I own an international version and a Sprint version and haven't had any issues transferring files for either of my Note 2's.
 
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I am having the same issue here enabling my SGN2 as a Mass Storage device. First of all we should be clear on this; there is certainly some diferences between the different models and so we should not automatically assume that enabling USB debugging on any Note 2 would enable it as a Mass Storage device. Enabling debugging on my T-Mobile Note 2 made no difference for me, only available options are MTP and another option for transfer as a camera. So please if you know of any work around this folks, be specific and understand that all Note 2s are not the same.
Much Gracias.
 
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I am having the same issue here enabling my SGN2 as a Mass Storage device. First of all we should be clear on this; there is certainly some diferences between the different models and so we should not automatically assume that enabling USB debugging on any Note 2 would enable it as a Mass Storage device. Enabling debugging on my T-Mobile Note 2 made no difference for me, only available options are MTP and another option for transfer as a camera. So please if you know of any work around this folks, be specific and understand that all Note 2s are not the same.
Much Gracias.

There must have been a change with one of the updates because I connected my phone to my PC and noticed that instead of USB device, it said "Media Transfer". That didn't matter though because I was still able to see both my internal and external SD on my PC.
 
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