[Q] Sdcard entire formatted in ext2 / 3 or 4 - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Sorry if a question is repeated, but found nothing that was clear about this, how I wish. I would use hardlinks or softlinks in my sdcard, but the vfat does not support this, as I am linux user, I want to format my sd for a standard ext2 / 3 or 4 that the best fit, you can format the entire card for this format ? Because I found many people talking about the need for a vfat partition, but it is really necessary or changing the fstab I can use a card purely ext2/3/4??
thanks

Did it work? Because I am also a linux user and also want to get rid of vfat on sdcard. Stupid vfat does not allow my to even sync with dropbox since I have filenames which would blow the brains of microsoft out

Yes, according to a thread in nexus s, you can do it. The writing speed is faster that vfat too.
Accidentally sent from my Google Nexus S using XDA Premium

Actually that thread looks at internal sd card. I do not care much about that but would like to have external sd as ext2. I tried to plug it in but the system that that it is not recognized and asked for formatting.

snovik said:
Actually that thread looks at internal sd card. I do not care much about that but would like to have external sd as ext2. I tried to plug it in but the system that that it is not recognized and asked for formatting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use "gparted"
Accidentally sent from my Google Nexus S using XDA Premium

melvinchng said:
Use "gparted"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use it for what?
my problem is that I have an exf2-formated sdcard which android spits out saying that it can eat it only in vfat way. And I can not use vfat because I have filesnames with : and ? and so on. gparted is not going to solve my problem

snovik said:
Actually that thread looks at internal sd card. I do not care much about that but would like to have external sd as ext2. I tried to plug it in but the system that that it is not recognized and asked for formatting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
snovik said:
use it for what?
my problem is that I have an exf2-formated sdcard which android spits out saying that it can eat it only in vfat way. And I can not use vfat because I have filesnames with : and ? and so on. gparted is not going to solve my problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said your system asked you to format, so I recommended gparted.
And I Don't understand >>> And now what is android can "eat"it in vfat?
Accidentally sent from my Google Nexus S using XDA Premium

Related

How to format Internal SDCard to EXT4?

Hi there,
I've tried to follow other "tutorials" (for another Android phones) to format my internal SD Card to ext4, but with no success.
My method was:
- Connect phone to Linux PC
- Enable USB Storage on Phone (the drive appears in Linux)
- dmesg | tail (to see new device and partition name, for example, /dev/sdb1)
- mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1
- Unmount partition in Linux
- Stop USB Storage on Phone
- Unplug Cable
And the result is.......... The phone formats the Internal SD again to vfat!!!
Why does this happen? Any ideas?
How can i surpass this? I have Latest stock rom (rooted).
Getting lost here... :\
Cheers,
Phk
1. Download Minitool Partition Wizard
2. Connect phone with USB mass storage
3. Open Minitool Partition en right click on the SD Card and choose format.
4. Choose file system EXT4 and 32KB cluster size
5. When you did all that, you click the "Apply" button in the top left corner.
6. Wait for it to finish and voila!
Hope this helps!
sorry for this question, but why do you want to do that? is it so that you can use the whole 16gb for apps and store media on your external SD only?
punshkin said:
sorry for this question, but why do you want to do that? is it so that you can use the whole 16gb for apps and store media on your external SD only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously to use HD-Video on the phone.
Files often exceed 4 Gigabyte, and for that filesystems like ntfs, exfat or ext4 are needed.
Going to give it a try soon, thanks nerotix!
nerotix said:
1. Download Minitool Partition Wizard
2. Connect phone with USB mass storage
3. Open Minitool Partition en right click on the SD Card and choose format.
4. Choose file system EXT4 and 32KB cluster size
5. When you did all that, you click the "Apply" button in the top left corner.
6. Wait for it to finish and voila!
Is there a way of doing this through windows? Also would it be worth doing it to my 16gb external SD. Thanx in advance
Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
You will need to patch some files for that to work. It's not bothered me enough that I want to fix it. If you restart your phone, it will reformat your internal SD-card to vfat, even if it's already ext4-formatted.
I'm also interested in this.
Really, it will change back to the original file system?
Which files would we have to patch to prevent this?
dyallo said:
I'm also interested in this.
Really, it will change back to the original file system?
Which files would we have to patch to prevent this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends, I believe alot of ROMs are ext4 supported, for those that are ext4 supported you dont have to patch anything I believe.
Guys please post only after testing. This is important to avoid deadlocks.....
Facts:
#1 - Current SGS2 Stock roms have rootfs and datafs formatted in EXT4 so they do support it
#2 - they force sd format to vfat so that is probably what needs patching.
Question is :
A - WHICH system app do we need to patch
B - Does the SD mount correctly as ext4 ?
Cheers and thanks
Phk
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App.... at 220km/h on a jet train
Phk said:
Guys please post only after testing. This is important to avoid deadlocks.....
Facts:
#1 - Current SGS2 Stock roms have rootfs and datafs formatted in EXT4 so they do support it
#2 - they force sd format to vfat so that is probably what needs patching.
Question is :
A - WHICH system app do we need to patch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the million dollar question indeed.
Phk said:
B - Does the SD mount correctly as ext4 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it does not.
Tried both a microSD inside and another SD external via USB-OTG.
The OS 'catches' the 'faulty' ext4 cards and prevents mounting, which should work perfectly allright seeing Fact #1.
PS: The minitool mentioned above does not allow cluster sizes of 32 KB, only 1, 2 and 4 (checked this with an 8 GB mSDHC and 16 GB SDHC).
As far as I can remember:
/init.rc:
Code:
exec apply_system_policy /dev/block/mmcblk0p11 vfat
and /init which only seems to support FAT mounted SD-cards.
So you can take a look here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14642927#post14642927
I think it will support NTFS soon when the devs are really interested in
sgstwo said:
As far as I can remember:
/init.rc:
Code:
exec apply_system_policy /dev/block/mmcblk0p11 vfat
and /init which only seems to support FAT mounted SD-cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANKS.
I'm going to comment the init.rc line and try manual procedure again.
Stay tuned
Phk said:
THANKS.
I'm going to comment the init.rc line and try manual procedure again.
Stay tuned
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh great.. Guess what.. /init.rc gets renewed at boot
rootfs is readonly, i've mounted it RW, edited init.rc, commented the vfat line, formatted the SD, and then reboot.
When the device booted, SD was clean and mounted with VFAT again
Suggestions?
MyrddinLXXIIX said:
That is the million dollar question indeed.
No, it does not.
Tried both a microSD inside and another SD external via USB-OTG.
The OS 'catches' the 'faulty' ext4 cards and prevents mounting, which should work perfectly allright seeing Fact #1.
PS: The minitool mentioned above does not allow cluster sizes of 32 KB, only 1, 2 and 4 (checked this with an 8 GB mSDHC and 16 GB SDHC).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it does allow 32KB and even 64KB, either u got an old version of the program or a crappy SD card
Phk said:
Oh great.. Guess what.. /init.rc gets renewed at boot
rootfs is readonly, i've mounted it RW, edited init.rc, commented the vfat line, formatted the SD, and then reboot.
When the device booted, SD was clean and mounted with VFAT again
Suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/init and /init.rc are part of zImage (the kernel). You must extract the initramfs, update the file, and write the changes back. You will probably get a yellow triangle (non-Samsung kernel message) if you manage to boot it.
sgstwo said:
/init and /init.rc are part of zImage (the kernel). You must extract the initramfs, update the file, and write the changes back. You will probably get a yellow triangle (non-Samsung kernel message) if you manage to boot it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about that?
If so, how can i extract initramfs?
Thanks
Phk said:
Are you sure about that?
If so, how can i extract initramfs?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get it working Phk? Keep us updated
Nope!
I PM'd Chainfire asking for help on rebuild initramfs, but he didn't care.
I saw on his CFRoot post that he built a toolchain for recompiling the initramfs, so his stuff would be pretty useful in this case....
.. come on chain, clear us out.. Or include this in your next kernel, whatever.. :\ SUCKS.
Phk said:
Nope!
I PM'd Chainfire asking for help on rebuild initramfs, but he didn't care.
I saw on his CFRoot post that he built a toolchain for recompiling the initramfs, so his stuff would be pretty useful in this case....
.. come on chain, clear us out.. Or include this in your next kernel, whatever.. :\ SUCKS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://bit.ly/jRSCxJ
Was that hard? You know how many projects he's carrying on? Why he'd have to waste his time for such a simple thing that a Google search can do?
Please if you think I've been too rude re-read the forum rules prior to answer this post... if you've ever done it...
Sent from my Galaxy SII
If you find this post usefull please press the "Thanks" button

[Q] Do the S3 still using 2gb partition for data and 12 as virtual sd?

Do the S3 still using 2gb partition for system and 12 as virtual sd?
kersh said:
Do the S3 still using 2gb partition for system and 12 as virtual sd?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
system partition is 1 gb afaik, not sure about the data partition.
I would really like to know this as well.
S2 had a 2gb partition for apps. 11-12 gb for user data.
I wish Android didn't need separate partition for apps. If the device advertise 16 gb of data, give us 16gb of data to use for anything. I find that ridiculous.
I hope they got rid of the partition for apps. If not, I hope they increase the space limit.
bala_gamer said:
system partition is 1 gb afaik, not sure about the data partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sorry, data partition I wanted to say.
ekjl said:
I would really like to know this as well.
S2 had a 2gb partition for apps. 11-12 gb for user data.
I wish Android didn't need separate partition for apps. If the device advertise 16 gb of data, give us 16gb of data to use for anything. I find that ridiculous.
I hope they got rid of the partition for apps. If not, I hope they increase the space limit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need the same, specially after the infinite reboot bug of the S2 and the note.
Galaxy nexus have only one daat partition of 16gb but.. i dont want a nexus.
I too hope the SIII have one partition, but looking at SII and Note running ICS, I don't think it is likely.
P.S. HTC One X (ICS) also have 2GB for apps and 25GB for user storage.
ekjl said:
I would really like to know this as well.
S2 had a 2gb partition for apps. 11-12 gb for user data.
I wish Android didn't need separate partition for apps. If the device advertise 16 gb of data, give us 16gb of data to use for anything. I find that ridiculous.
I hope they got rid of the partition for apps. If not, I hope they increase the space limit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most new ICS devices only have one partition, the only downside to this is they can't use UMS, only MTP, yes there are mods but well, there mods
Sent from my ice cream powered Nexus S
Anyone actually owning the phone can answer this?
kenkiller said:
Anyone actually owning the phone can answer this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not out yet
Sent from my ice cream powered Nexus S
DarkhShadow said:
Its not out yet
Sent from my ice cream powered Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not in your country....but some places already have it.
I bought the phone last night. Installed 16gb class 10 sd card. Can access it only throught builtin file manager not OIbrowser. Also can't shift apps to SD card even after rooting and using app2sd. The optino to move doenst show.
There is single partition now with about 10gb available and 1.1gb in use.
sak500 said:
I bought the phone last night. Installed 16gb class 10 sd card. Can access it only throught builtin file manager not OIbrowser. Also can't shift apps to SD card even after rooting and using app2sd. The optino to move doenst show.
There is single partition now with about 10gb available and 1.1gb in use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as per supecurio's report the whole internal sd is shared for both user data nd data, so we will be having the whole 11.5 gb for data, there is no need for app2sd afaik
bala_gamer said:
as per supecurio's report the whole internal sd is shared for both user data nd data, so we will be having the whole 11.5 gb for data, there is no need for app2sd afaik
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about installing on extSD? Any option or software?
Unless you install 11 gig of apps there's no news. Move your files to the as card and keep the nand memory for apps.
I saw one at store a few days back, and to me it seemed that on a 16GB model, it shows approx 14GB space in applications management. At that time it showed 0.9GB used and 13+ GB free.
Here is the output of df -h, I am using Omega v7.1, don't think it messes around with the partitions, hope it helps:
Code:
Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/mmcblk0p9 1.5G 1006.9M 505.0M 67% /system
/dev/block/mmcblk0p12
11.3G 1.7G 9.6G 15% /data
/dev/block/mmcblk0p8 1007.9M 17.3M 990.6M 2% /cache
/dev/block/mmcblk0p3 19.7M 8.3M 11.3M 42% /efs
/dev/fuse 11.3G 1.7G 9.6G 15% /mnt/sdcard
kersh said:
Do the S3 still using 2gb partition for system and 12 as virtual sd?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, they belong physically to the same partition. The internal sdcard is a subfolder inside data, so you can't actually use Mass Storage mode because you won't be able to unmount data partition while the operating system is running.
Take a look here:
[GUIDE] MTP and PTP (Media Transfer Protocol) vs UMC (Mass Storage Class)
/sdcard is mounted to /data/media and can totally be "umount" ed....
it's a different file system. They use FUSE to put an exFAT fs inside ext4
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
rootSU said:
/sdcard is mounted to /data/media and can totally be "umount" ed....
it's a different file system. They use FUSE to put an exFAT fs inside ext4
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said that you can't umount data, not sdcard, which can do umount, but can't access it from the computer in Mass Storage Mode, right?
Mass storage mode is not an option on the S3. The fact that you cannot umount /data is irrelevant. You wouldn't need to because /sdcard is its own filesystem
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

ext4 on sdcard

hi everyone
sorry if this is a stupid question but is it possible to use the ext4 format on a sdcard on cm7.2?
btw: i have already used the searchengine and found nothing...
sorry for my bad englisch
emyaz said:
hi everyone
sorry if this is a stupid question but is it possible to use the ext4 format on a sdcard on cm7.2?
btw: i have already used the searchengine and found nothing...
sorry for my bad englisch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its possible but not advisable to use a journalled file system on sdcards / usb sticks and their like.
pkfox said:
Its possible but not advisable to use a journalled file system on sdcards / usb sticks and their like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.... could he mean creating an ext4 partition and if its compatible with CM7? That was my first interpretation of the question.
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
gagdude said:
Hmm.... could he mean creating an ext4 partition and if its compatible with CM7? That was my first interpretation of the question.
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I didn't see him mention Cm7 ! But my reply still stands
yes its imposimble
No, its possible, you would need to write a script which automounts the ext4 partition at boot as vold won't do that and fixes permissions, as you would get lots of fcs without.
Gesendet von meinem HTC Vision mit Tapatalk 2
Yes it is possible. U need to install data2sd (flash from cwm/any custom recovery) or link2sd available in android market.
Search for link2sd and data2sd in google or here in xda.
finance.resat said:
Yes it is possible. U need to install data2sd (flash from cwm/any custom recovery) or link2sd available in android market.
Search for link2sd and data2sd in google or here in xda.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think he talks about formatting the whole sdcard with ext4 and mount that partition as sdcard for performance purposes. Correct me if i'm wrong, but thats how i understood that post. I actually tried the same a few months ago, there really seems to be increased perfomance of the sdcard and using fat32 on a linux devices doesn't make too much sense for me anyways.
Matze5800 said:
i think he talks about formatting the whole sdcard with ext4 and mount that partition as sdcard for performance purposes. Correct me if i'm wrong, but thats how i understood that post. I actually tried the same a few months ago, there really seems to be increased perfomance of the sdcard and using fat32 on a linux devices doesn't make too much sense for me anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes thats my question...
I always try and use ext4 in my sd cards. Performance seems to be better. The only reason I ever use FAT32 is so that I can view content in Windows.
No sir. U have to use a partitioning tool to format your SD vard. I am a noob. Learned this technique in xda. It's called a "minitool partition wizard home edition". U can create different number of formats all primary though. I used ext4 for a long time. But now I use ext2. The computer only recognises the first primary partition. So the ext2/4 will not be recognised by the pc and with the help of link2sd or data2sd U'll be able to use it as your internal memory if your phone memory is really tiny. It's related to performance but first its related to expanding your internal memory.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using xda premium
finance.resat said:
No sir. U have to use a partitioning tool to format your SD vard. I am a noob. Learned this technique in xda. It's called a "minitool partition wizard home edition". U can create different number of formats all primary though. I used ext4 for a long time. But now I use ext2. The computer only recognises the first primary partition. So the ext2/4 will not be recognised by the pc and with the help of link2sd or data2sd U'll be able to use it as your internal memory if your phone memory is really tiny. It's related to performance but first its related to expanding your internal memory.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know . I am using link2sd but i want to format the whole sd card with ext4 because ext4 is faster than fat32 but if its not possible then i let it...
Sorry for my bad englisch...

Remove EXT partition from SD-EXT

Hi all, I've accidentally partitioned the sd-card through recovery and I don't need any ext partition (from romracers recovery there wasn't any undo option). I've tried formatting it through windows or gparted. Windows recognise only the fat partition so that one is the only one it formats; gparted sees both but if I try to remove the ext and format everything as fat32, the phone reject the sdcard not mounting it and giving an error. Any solution please? I'd like to have the original storage space! Thank you all!
Delete all partitions with gparted, then partition/format in the phone.
ravilov said:
Delete all partitions with gparted, then partition/format in the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! What do you mean with "format in the phone"? Through recovery or from settings?
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
alberto88a said:
Thanks! What do you mean with "format in the phone"? Through recovery or from settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either one should work.
If one doesn't, try the other.
ravilov said:
Either one should work.
If one doesn't, try the other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try and let you know, thanks again
Format again in recovery. Then choose 0 as ext position size. It will be deleted.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2.
dedraks said:
Format again in recovery. Then choose 0 as ext position size. It will be deleted.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't because the minimum size tor ext partition id 128MB I'm on cwm touch
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
I think my microsd is half-broken but I managed how to use it until it leaves me forever. I surely have bad sectors because a llf encountered errors. I used a HP format tool to do a quick format and of course the phone told me the sd was damaged so i formatted and got the entire space...hope not to lose future data...any suggestion for pictures instant upload?
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
alberto88a said:
I think my microsd is half-broken but I managed how to use it until it leaves me forever. I surely have bad sectors because a llf encountered errors. I used a HP format tool to do a quick format and of course the phone told me the sd was damaged so i formatted and got the entire space...hope not to lose future data...any suggestion for pictures instant upload?
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to do it once...easiest solution i found was put the micro sd card in a nokia s40 phone (i used nokia x2) and chose format memory card
i would sugest you to go with gparted if you have access to linux system but i did not so had to do it this way

[Q] Mounting internal sdcard folder as usb mass storage

Is there any way I can mount a folder from the internal sdcard as USB mass storage?
( I am aware that I can mount an external sd but I don't happen to have one.)
jhonwds said:
Is there any way I can mount a folder from the internal sdcard as USB mass storage?
( I am aware that I can mount an external sd but I don't happen to have one.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once I connect my phone it shows internal and external as two drives. You just can't mount e.g. the system folders if I am right.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
No.
jhonwds said:
Is there any way I can mount a folder from the internal sdcard as USB mass storage?
( I am aware that I can mount an external sd but I don't happen to have one.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
And here is why:
On the newer phones there is no seperate phone memory and internal SD, its just one big memory. The good thing about ir is, that you can install a lot more apps, because the whole memory is usable for the phone. The bad side is, that you can only access it through MTP.
In order to make it available as USB mass storage it needs to be unmounted, but this is not possible, because it is used by the phone. If you do it, the phone will crash. Its just like pulling a memory chip out of a running PC.
A filesystem can be mounted on different locations. If more than one location has write access, it will cause irreparable damage though.
The main problem here is that that the device uses the ext4 filesystem which Windows cannot process.
As a fix (sort of) you can
- swap internal and external storage.
- use a Smb over Wifi app and mount the share in Windows
- use a pseudo-filesysem such as sshfs from your computer
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Jumbodriver said:
No.
And here is why:
On the newer phones there is no seperate phone memory and internal SD, its just one big memory. The good thing about ir is, that you can install a lot more apps, because the whole memory is usable for the phone. The bad side is, that you can only access it through MTP.
In order to make it available as USB mass storage it needs to be unmounted, but this is not possible, because it is used by the phone. If you do it, the phone will crash. Its just like pulling a memory chip out of a running PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think so and disagree with you... galaxy s i9000 and galaxy s2 i9100 also same. But they can mount internal and external as UMS or MTP.
Maybe the different in filesystem is the main cause.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
On the S3, the whole internal memory is one big chunk (called /data). How would you go about mounting that as UMP when android is running? Android is using /data, therefore you can't unmount it and remount is as UMS.
If I'm wrong (which I may very well be), then post valid proof.
Theshawty said:
On the S3, the whole internal memory is one big chunk (called /data). How would you go about mounting that as UMP when android is running? Android is using /data, therefore you can't unmount it and remount is as UMS.
If I'm wrong (which I may very well be), then post valid proof.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understood.. thanks for the info.. just found it out...
So internal sdcard is a mount point of folder /data/media
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
hopeful curious
syamsoul said:
Understood.. thanks for the info.. just found it out...
So internal sdcard is a mount point of folder /data/media
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI there, by chance are you able to recover from the "internal memory" after a factory reset, on a galaxy s3.
I am not sure what the consensus was-
-i recently thought google had all my photos backed up and did a factory reset, and lost everything.
Am hoping if I keep the phone that I can find a way to recover the photos.
Thank you.
resetrebel said:
HI there, by chance are you able to recover from the "internal memory" after a factory reset, on a galaxy s3.
I am not sure what the consensus was-
-i recently thought google had all my photos backed up and did a factory reset, and lost everything.
Am hoping if I keep the phone that I can find a way to recover the photos.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i myself never try but you can try this
XDA post
techiesstuff
Both same way
syamsoul said:
i myself never try but you can try this
XDA post
techiesstuff
Both same way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just wanted to say thanks for posting that second link. I've been looking everywhere for a way to export the raw mount to recover files from internal /sdcard.
Oh and in response to the first thread, I believe the reason they were getting that error (the thread is locked unfortunately) is because they used -1 (the number one) rather than -l (the letter L). I made this mistake too.
Edit: Probably should have used the 'thanks' button, sorry. Can't delete post.
If you have a custom recovery installed boot into that and mount ums from there, as recovery doesn't depend on the data partition it can unmount and remount it

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