SDCARD/MicroSD confusion - AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note I717

I took a new 32GB mSD, copied directories of music, ringtones, TiBu files, etc. to the root directory of the mSD in preparation for the Note (using a computer, directly to SD). I do this with all of my new Android devices.
I rooted the Note before I did anything with it, and popped in the mSD and started the phone.
The first thing I noticed was that TiBu did not find any files in the default backup directory. After some looking, I found that all those directories I copied to the root (again, using a computer), are now under a directory called external_sd.
I shut down the phone, took out the mSD, popped it into the computer, and all I see are the directories I copied, right off of root.
Using Root Explorer--I see that /sdcard is /dev/block/vold/179:28 and external_sd is mounted at /dev/block/vold/179:33.
Why is this? I have had about fifteen Android phones and none behaved like this.
Thanks.

When you hook your note up to the computer do both sd cars mount separately ?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

I have only used Samsung Android devices, but out of all of them that I have had, each one has behaved this way. They mount the external sd card inside a folder inside the internal sd card.

The Note (and other galaxy phones) use the internal storage as the "SDcard". The actual SD card will show up like you said under external_sd. Most if not all apps work off the SDcard. You can however direct TB to use the external_sd.
I have a separate problem all together were my music files do not show up on either storage.

This is because the Samsung Galaxy line (and the Infuse) have a 2 gb system partition as well as in internal 16gb SD card which is labeled SD and an external SD card slot which will accept up to a 32gb MicroSD card. The external SD card is referenced as external_SD on your phone. It's just the mount point that Samsung chose for the external SD card.
Hope this helps. If so, hit thanks, over there -------------------------------->
--Mike

MobileData said:
This is because the Samsung Galaxy line (and the Infuse) have a 2 gb system partition as well as in internal 16gb SD card which is labeled SD and an external SD card slot which will accept up to a 32gb MicroSD card. The external SD card is referenced as external_SD on your phone. It's just the mount point that Samsung chose for the external SD card.
Hope this helps. If so, hit thanks, over there -------------------------------->
--Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Sandisk 64gb MicroSD in mine and its been perfect. Several others on the note forums have the 64gb as well. 32gb isn't the maximum size.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium

Thanks for all the replies and explaination. I have an Epic 4G, which is a Galaxy S, but it does not have the internal SD. I will have to check my Galaxy Nexus to see how it is.
Follow up questions:
1) I used SanDisk Memory tool and saw that the Internal Memory is shown as being "x.x (bytes) of 10.8 GB Free". I thought the Internal is 16GB?
2) Is there a way to force the phone to use the external SD as the SDCARD? I have a class 10 card, I'm not concerned about performance, and I rather have a memory card that I can remove. It makes it easier to transfer large video, picture, backup, or music files.
Thanks.

I have an infuse and anything I put on the external microsd is seen by the phone- apps installer sees the apk's, e-readers can find my books, etc.
On the note, I have the same set up on my external sd card. But the apps installer does not see the apk's, the books are not seen. The only way I can install the apk's is thru the file explorer- the stock one. I am completely stock. When you go to the storage, you see the ext. sd card has content by the amt of space left.
What the Note did find were my ringtones- sms and reg. ringtones- and were selectable by the Note sound settings and contacts.
So the external micro sd cards are being seen differently by the Infuse and the Note.

deleted...

If you go in preference of ti, u can tell it to search whole device it will find it on micro sd.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk

Related

[Q] Apps use internal storage as SD card, can not see actual SD card

New Atrix, unmodded. Tested on default storage setting set in either internal storage, or sd card.
16g sd card.
Card contains music, books and pictures.
File manager of the phone can see it and folders on it just fine, music player can see music files on it just fine.
Market bought music player( Power Amp) does not see SD card, it can only see internal storage as SD card.
Cool Reader- same- it thinks internal memory is SD card.
Neither can browse to the SD card.
Both apps worked with droid x and nexus s phones succesfuly before.
Apps that have ability to browse internal memory (tiny player and fbreader)- can go to /sdcard-ext/ and find files there.
Is there any way to make sure that apps, that are built to use SD card for their media would be able to see and use SD card, instead of "virtual" SD on the Internal Storage?
Thank You
onna said:
New Atrix, unmodded. Tested on default storage setting set in either internal storage, or sd card.
16g sd card.
Card contains music, books and pictures.
File manager of the phone can see it and folders on it just fine, music player can see music files on it just fine.
Market bought music player( Power Amp) does not see SD card, it can only see internal storage as SD card.
Cool Reader- same- it thinks internal memory is SD card.
Neither can browse to the SD card.
Both apps worked with droid x and nexus s phones succesfuly before.
Apps that have ability to browse internal memory (tiny player and fbreader)- can go to /sdcard-ext/ and find files there.
Is there any way to make sure that apps, that are built to use SD card for their media would be able to see and use SD card, instead of "virtual" SD on the Internal Storage?
Thank You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I had the same issue with a app called Slideshow Bob. I came from a Samsung Captivate and the file system was such that the external card was seen as a subdirectory of the internal card. I never had a problem with this arrangement in apps. However, the Atrix sees the external card as completely separate and some apps simply could not "see" the external card. My solution? I used a different slideshow app. Not exactly the ideal solution, but I had spent enough time trying to work around it. I don't know how other android devices have the external card arrangement, but this may be a bigger issue than we'd like until app developers change their apps or Motorola decides to change it's storage arrangement. Hope this helps.
Thank you for your answer,
using different apps is a work around.
I used different one- moved my content to the internal storage.
Both work.
What I realy would like to see is - those apps work as intended, the way they do work in most android phones from Droid to Nexus S.
onna said:
Is there any way to make sure that apps, that are built to use SD card for their media would be able to see and use SD card, instead of "virtual" SD on the Internal Storage?
Thank You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
contact the developer
Has anyone tried to replace the Music folder on internal storage with a symbolic link to the Music folder on external? Not sure if Android supports symbolics or not...
Should have known it would'nt be this easy. Tried it on existing SD and found that symbolic links are not supported on FATx. Reformatted my SD to EXT3/2 and booted back up. I get a SD format not recognized error.

[Q] wasting space sdcard & externalSDcard

Hello.
I just bought a MicroSD, and saw on ESExplorer that the phone mounts the externalSD inside the sdcard folder /sdcard/external_sd
That way, it thinks I only have 11.5Gb available and everything I put inside my external_sd actually fills the internal memory.
I should have 11.5+8=19.5 but I don't.
Any way to fix this?
Thanks a lot!
I can't believe no one has a Galaxy S2 with an external Sd card!
SirDVV said:
I can't believe no one has a Galaxy S2 with an external Sd card!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings menu/storage and did you format it there first? Or do you use Kies and what is it using for sending stuff to your memory (Internal or External First?)
In settings/storage do you see both cards? In mine I can see SD card 29.81gb & USB storage 11.5gb.
Yes it shows the external card folder in the internal file explorer. It doesn't mean files are saved on the internal card. It was also like that on the S1 as well.
When you connect to PC in USB mode the PC will show both cards separately.
Sent from my GT-I9100
external_sd is just the mount point. You will only have ~12gb available on your internal memory because the phone uses some memory for the OS. I only have 7.4gb usable on my 8gb external sd. The available memory is always smaller than advertised
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Samsung memory storage/apps2sd

Hi this is my first Samsung Android, and I'm kinda confused about the storage layout. Iam on 2.3.4 stock, unrooted. It has regular internal sd memory, external memory(sd card), and device memory. I have the apps2sd app, but when I move the app it just goes to the regular internal memory, how do I get it to save to my actual sd memory card? Also what is the device memory and what gets saved there, or used for?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
There's 2 'memory cards' The phone has 16gb of internal storage and you can install your own Micro SD memory card in as well. Pending your rom or kernel/recovery the designation... *at least as far as the phone cares* of which card is which can change.
Also some Rom will have an option in the settings and will ask you where you'd like to install yours apps. *system/internal, sd card, or let the system decide.*
Experiment and you'll get it with time.
Connect it to your computer - it should mount internal and external as two different drive letters. When you're looking at files while *on* you phone (in stock, at least), you should see an "external_sd" under /mnt/sdcard - that's the removable memory card.

New Note, lots of questions Part1

Got my new Note, this is my first droid phone, and I got LOTS of questions. I currently have the i717 version, unrooted.
1) Is currently is any reliable way to install ICS on the i717?
2) How do I check if there were any previous kernel or ROM flashes?
3) Is there a reliable way to root the device WITHOUT increasing the counter (assuming it is currently at 0)?
4) How do I move installed apps, which are currently under "System Storage" to "USB storage"?
I can answer all of your questions very simply. Search and read.
yep all ur answers are here just gotta read,
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Hi guys, found 2 answers so far, still looking for #1 and #4 if someone can point me to the right threads to ready it would be appreciated.
no ics for this device just yet and to move to sd there's an app u can use i just don't know the name or i think u can even use root explorer not sure on that one ill let someone else shine in on that
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
funziebear said:
no ics for this device just yet and to move to sd there's an app u can use i just don't know the name or i think u can even use root explorer not sure on that one ill let someone else shine in on that
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya from what I gathered, there is ICS for the international version. I have yet to see something for the i717.
I dont have an SD yet, I was referring to moving them from System to USB storage.
I will be getting as SD soon though.
GalNote said:
Ya from what I gathered, there is ICS for the international version. I have yet to see something for the i717.
I dont have an SD yet, I was referring to moving them from System to USB storage.
I will be getting as SD soon though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are two potential SD cards for the Note. One is the internal SD card. This is actually the part of the phone where you store your music and other files. It's the space allotted by the OS for storage. The Note comes with 16GB of internal storage, but 2GB is reserved for the system. You cannot access this for data storage. There is also a portion of the internal SD card that is used by the OS itself.
The remaining amount of storage is about 12GB. This is accessible through a file explorer such as Root Explorer, ES File Explorer, etc, and is located in the /sdcard folder. This is where any App2SD type app will move apps to. This is also where you store your music and other files like photos, etc.
The Note also has a slot for an external SD card. To access it, you take the battery cover off and right next to the SIM card, there is a little slot for the micro SD card. The Note is published as handling up to 32GB micro SD cards, but there are plenty of people using 64GB micro SD cards with their phone.
Using the external SD card would allow you to add additional music and photos and other files. It is not used at all by the OS or system, so you would have as much space on it as you can after formatting it. (You lose some space after formatting.)
So to summarize: the Note has 16GB, about 12GB available through the internal SD card. You can add additional storage using the external SD card (officially up to 32 GB, unofficially up to 64Gb).
lactardjosh said:
There are two potential SD cards for the Note. One is the internal SD card. This is actually the part of the phone where you store your music and other files. It's the space allotted by the OS for storage. The Note comes with 16GB of internal storage, but 2GB is reserved for the system. You cannot access this for data storage. There is also a portion of the internal SD card that is used by the OS itself.
The remaining amount of storage is about 12GB. This is accessible through a file explorer such as Root Explorer, ES File Explorer, etc, and is located in the /sdcard folder. This is where any App2SD type app will move apps to. This is also where you store your music and other files like photos, etc.
The Note also has a slot for an external SD card. To access it, you take the battery cover off and right next to the SIM card, there is a little slot for the micro SD card. The Note is published as handling up to 32GB micro SD cards, but there are plenty of people using 64GB micro SD cards with their phone.
Using the external SD card would allow you to add additional music and photos and other files. It is not used at all by the OS or system, so you would have as much space on it as you can after formatting it. (You lose some space after formatting.)
So to summarize: the Note has 16GB, about 12GB available through the internal SD card. You can add additional storage using the external SD card (officially up to 32 GB, unofficially up to 64Gb).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it, but still have a little question. I noticed when I install any app, it goes directly onto the 2GB system reserved space. What if I run out of that 2GB, what happens in that case, can I move the installed apps into the 12GB or I have to move it into the purchased/external SD card?
GalNote said:
Got it, but still have a little question. I noticed when I install any app, it goes directly onto the 2GB system reserved space. What if I run out of that 2GB, what happens in that case, can I move the installed apps into the 12GB or I have to move it into the purchased/external SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read this paragraph again.
The remaining amount of storage is about 12GB. This is accessible through a file explorer such as Root Explorer, ES File Explorer, etc, and is located in the /sdcard folder. This is where any App2SD type app will move apps to. This is also where you store your music and other files like photos, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^ got it, thanks.
K I researched and read, I still cannot find out if I can safely root my Bell i717, without increasing the flash counters.
Also, it seems there is no ICS yet available for this device.
Can someone please chime in?
wow this thread cleared up a lot for me. Still got a few questions though...so when i go to settings and click on an app and click "move app to sd" it moves it to the "internal sd" which has about 12gb of space? so then what goes on the external sd card? is the storage on the SD card ONLY accessible when you plug it into a computer and put it in mass storage mode? I remember when I had my nexus one, moving apps to sd actually put it on the external sd card..
The note is not a DROID. Droid is a verizon marketing term.
You can reset your flash counter. So even if you increase it by flashing CWM or rooting then just reset it back to 0. That's what I did.
Once CWM is installed flash all the ROMs you want through CWM. Just back up nandroid first and you can always go back.
I use a 64GB microSD card and store nandroid backups, photos, videos, podcasts, etc.
The internal SD (USB Storage) is used for app data.
GalNote said:
Hi guys, found 2 answers so far, still looking for #1 and #4 if someone can point me to the right threads to ready it would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root ir phone throigh odin then go search dev thread for the rom u want read the requiements then flash they r all good
note @ 1.83
... You don't need root to flash a ROM.
Instead of rooting with Odin, just flash CWM with Odin then flash the ROM from there.
The only reason to root first, is to run titanium backup if you so desire

Why don't Android ICS apps detect my external SD card?

Hi guys I am new to android and I got myself a Micromax A110 running on android ics with 2 gb of internal SD card memory...
As you guys can figure, the internal memory just isn't enough for installing heavy games and storing and downloading large videos and music, so I added a 32 gb external micro SD card.. the card shows in my file manager and its contents are accessible, most apps like ttpod, ttorrent, vlc, chrome etc don't detect my external card. They only access the contents of my internal SD card, download to it.. I can't set the default directory to the external card...
When I installed nfs most wanted to my phone, it asked me to free up data in my SD card or insert another one as there was no space left due to obvious reasons of my internal SD card being filled with other apps.. I uninstalled and reinstalled it after setting the default storage location to the external storage... I found that the game installed in the internal storage this time and on startup, it gave the same message..
Is it a common problem or a limitation to the OS? Is there a work around for this? If so how? Does my phone needs to be rooted for the purpose? Please help as the problem is getting annoying.. my external card is lying almost empty...
Thanks in advance,
Extremely sorry for the long post...
Sent from my Micromax A110 using Tapatalk 2
It's because Google made the stupid decision, starting with Honeycomb (which is why the Motorola Xoom, the first Honeycomb device needed an update to enable use of it's MicroSD card slot) to merge the /data/ and /sdcard/ partitions. What that means is that the SD card becomes a virtual space (a folder, in fact) located in the same place where all your apps are stored. Why is it stupid? If you have a phone that actually has a MicroSD card slot, like yours or the Galaxy S III, the MicroSD card becomes a different "folder" (something like /sdext/, which stands for either extension or external). Only apps that specifically are programmed to look for that mount point/folder will be able to use it. Most music/video/picture players/viewers can, because it makes sense to automatically program to do that. But with large games, like you said, NFS Most Wanted (which I also have), it sucks because the game is like 2GB.
My Galaxy S3 has 16GB internal and a 32GB card. I'm forced to use the internal storage only for large games because they don't see the memory card. It sucks. The good thing about merging /data/ and /sdcard/ is that it simplifies things, like on the iPhone where your space is your space, no matter how you use it. It used to be that you had like 1GB or 2GB for apps (the APK files only, not the files that games download for example) (which the HTC One X does, but still only uses internal storage because there's no card slot), and the rest went to your MicroSD card slot. Now it's all to internal storage because your internal storage IS your MicroSD card slot at system level.
Product F(RED) said:
It's because Google made the stupid decision, starting with Honeycomb (which is why the Motorola Xoom, the first Honeycomb device needed an update to enable use of it's MicroSD card slot) to merge the /data/ and /sdcard/ partitions. What that means is that the SD card becomes a virtual space (a folder, in fact) located in the same place where all your apps are stored. Why is it stupid? If you have a phone that actually has a MicroSD card slot, like yours or the Galaxy S III, the MicroSD card becomes a different "folder" (something like /sdext/, which stands for either extension or external). Only apps that specifically are programmed to look for that mount point/folder will be able to use it. Most music/video/picture players/viewers can, because it makes sense to automatically program to do that. But with large games, like you said, NFS Most Wanted (which I also have), it sucks because the game is like 2GB.
My Galaxy S3 has 16GB internal and a 32GB card. I'm forced to use the internal storage only for large games because they don't see the memory card. It sucks. The good thing about merging /data/ and /sdcard/ is that it simplifies things, like on the iPhone where your space is your space, no matter how you use it. It used to be that you had like 1GB or 2GB for apps (the APK files only, not the files that games download for example) (which the HTC One X does, but still only uses internal storage because there's no card slot), and the rest went to your MicroSD card slot. Now it's all to internal storage because your internal storage IS your MicroSD card slot at system level.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man! Thanks for the reply....
Can you tell me how to work out a solution for this?
Is directory bind or fstab file hack the only solution?
Is it possible to overcome this without root?
And some apps do detect my Micro SD card... It is in the directory mnt/sdcard2
Please post questions one time only and in the proper Q&A section.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2019921

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