unwanted mounting and writing to other drives - Remix OS for PC

Remix OS is mounting and writing to every partition on my computer. Is there a way I can stop this? I only wanted it to access two of the six partitions.
Drive 1 part 1: Ext 4 Linux root.
part 2: Ext 4 Linux home.
part 3: Ext 4 Large file storage.
Drive 2 part 1: NTFS Win 7
part 2: Fat 32 Remix (50 gig)
Part 3 Linux backup
I installed remix with only drive 2 connected. After connecting drive 1 and rebooting. Remix mounts and writes to every partition.
Thanks for any assistance.

I experienced this. I solved it by encrypting the drives of the other OS's. Not a direct solution, but it may help you.
All the best,
Dan

Thanks for your response. I thought of that, but it seems a bit of a pain to get around what should be a simple problem. If I do come up with a simple solution I will post it here.

If you use lvm for linux install. It won't mount.

Thank you for your response. I've never used LVM, but after reading about it it sounds like a great idea. Especially because I multi-boot 3 or more operating systems. I enjoy trying different flavors of Linux and other operating systems like remix OS.
We give a certain amount of trust to software Developers. When an operating system mounts and writes to every drive, to me it puts a big question mark in the trust category. That's why I got on top of this. I'm not suggesting that developers of remix OS are doing anything they should not , but the potential for abuse is there.
I think remix OS is an excellent project and I wish that developers much success. They need to give you a method of unmounting permanently drives on your system that you don't want it to access. Remix also needs to break its dependency on Windows. Right now it is part operating system and part windows program.

cssr said:
Remix OS is mounting and writing to every partition on my computer. Is there a way I can stop this? I only wanted it to access two of the six partitions.
Drive 1 part 1: Ext 4 Linux root.
part 2: Ext 4 Linux home.
part 3: Ext 4 Large file storage.
Drive 2 part 1: NTFS Win 7
part 2: Fat 32 Remix (50 gig)
Part 3 Linux backup
I installed remix with only drive 2 connected. After connecting drive 1 and rebooting. Remix mounts and writes to every partition.
Thanks for any assistance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi if you have system R/W enabled you can simply go to root command line and type pm disable com.jide.filemanager
This has stopped the unwanted access for me. I use Solid Explorer instead.
Hope this helps

Well I feel like an idiot. I have not used fat32 in about 15 years ( running Win98 then ) I forgot about the 4g limit, so reformatted remix partition to NTFS and reinstalled. Also as sharktm pointed out there is a simple way to fix this problem.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/remix/remix-os/completely-hide-partitions-remix-os-t3482161

Related

Windows and Multiple SD Partitions

The only way that I've found to allow Windows to recognize more than just the first listed SD partition is to install drivers to make the card a Local Disk instead of a Removable Disk.
This would be extremely useful for users who run the SD version of CM7, where the image creates a four partitions with the 4th being all of your user data.
Here is the tutorial on how to modify and install the Local Disk drivers:
http://www.getusb.info/usb-hack-turn-a-usb-stick-into-a-hard-drive-or-local-disk/
In theory, if you use a USB to SD adapter, this should work, but it's not working for me. I thought all XP drivers were compatible with Windows 7, but maybe that isn't correct.
Anyone else want to give it a shot?
Ahh, the old hitachi drivers. I posted a guide about them some weeks ago. They will work on Windows 7, just not the 64bit version of it. Where exactly are you having problems with it?
Sent from my 8086 using xda retrograde.
I have problems exactly where you say. It seems that the drivers aren't compatible with my 64bit operating system.
Any chance I could modify the driver to make it work?
Solar.Plexus said:
The only way that I've found to allow Windows to recognize more than just the first listed SD partition is to install drivers to make the card a Local Disk instead of a Removable Disk.
This would be extremely useful for users who run the SD version of CM7, where the image creates a four partitions with the 4th being all of your user data.
Here is the tutorial on how to modify and install the Local Disk drivers:
http://www.getusb.info/usb-hack-turn-a-usb-stick-into-a-hard-drive-or-local-disk/
In theory, if you use a USB to SD adapter, this should work, but it's not working for me. I thought all XP drivers were compatible with Windows 7, but maybe that isn't correct.
Anyone else want to give it a shot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What happens if you install a 32-bit Windows XP virtual machine on you 64-bit system. Would that allow you to use XP the drivers?
I don't have an XP .iso handy at the moment to run in VirtualBox, but I'm going to test this on an XP OS and a Windows 7 x86 OS within a day or two.
Solar.Plexus said:
I don't have an XP .iso handy at the moment to run in VirtualBox, but I'm going to test this on an XP OS and a Windows 7 x86 OS within a day or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can download the XP Virtual Machine from the Microsoft web site -- it's free.
PJLLB said:
You can download the XP Virtual Machine from the Microsoft web site -- it's free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except I didn't pay Micro$oft the big bucks for Professional or Ultimate. I'm running Home Premium on my desktop which doesn't allow XP Mode. Stupid Windows...
I will check it using another OS shortly.
If you're going to use a virtual machine, then why don't you just use Ubuntu? It will mount everything just fine.
slgooding said:
If you're going to use a virtual machine, then why don't you just use Ubuntu? It will mount everything just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because they want a solution which doesn't require dual booting and is immediately available. Unfortunately the crap support for other file systems will continue to be a big problem for them. (EDIT: Or did you mean to run Ubuntu in a virtual machine?)
Running Ubuntu or PC-BSD or any other more FS robust OS in Oracle's VirtualBox (which is free and relatively easy to use) is probably the best solution for many here.
I know all partitions and all file systems mount in Ubuntu, but the point of this is to get multiple partitions to be readable/writable in Windows, since the majority of users run this as their main OS. The idea of running XP in a virtual machine was simply to check and see if the drivers were compatible; the idea was not meant to be a permanent solution.
As for Windows mounting Linux file systems (Ext2 and Ext3 specifically), this would be my next step. I believe the solution does exist. Check out the freeware Ext2IFS and ExtFsd if you're interested. I haven't gotten the chance to try them because I'd like to get multiple Microsoft partitions readable first.
Anyway, after trying a USB drive and a SD card in an MMC reader on both a 32bit Windows 7 Home and XP Home this morning, I have not been successful.
I can confirm that the USB Local Disk drivers are in fact compatible with both of these operating systems, but Windows is still recognizing the drives at Removable Disks instead of Local Disks. I will try to work on it a bit more in a little while.
Total Commander has support for ext bases file systems.
So, can cm7 use an ext sd file system just like fat 32?
slgooding said:
Total Commander has support for ext bases file systems.
So, can cm7 use an ext sd file system just like fat 32?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe so. In fact, the SD card version of CM7 final uses two ext4 file systems, one of them being the partition used for the "internal storage."
Solar.Plexus said:
I believe so. In fact, the SD card version of CM7 final uses two ext4 file systems, one of them being the partition used for the "internal storage."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm able to manually mount the sdcard as ext4, however CM7 doesn't recognize the sdcard, and won't mount it for me.
Does anyone know what we need to change to get CM7 to recognize an ext4 sdcard?
Thanks!
Little bit of a thread hijack going on, but that's okay.
Is your vold.fstab mounting the correct partition?
Okay, so I got all the different partitions of my SD card to mount this morning, even an Ext3 file system. I might do my own How-To later for the CM7 users on here and so that it appears using more tags in someone's Google search.
Solar.Plexus said:
Okay, so I got all the different partitions of my SD card to mount this morning, even an Ext3 file system. I might do my own How-To later for the CM7 users on here and so that it appears using more tags in someone's Google search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for resurrecting an old thread but I need to know: Did you ever document somewhere how you got this working under Windows 7 64-bit?
I'm in the same boat as you, needing to be able to mount and read an ext2 partition on my Windows 7 64-bit. I've got the necessary drivers that'll let me read ext2 and above but having access to that 2nd partition while the card is in my Windows laptop is where I'm stumbling.
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
In fact, I actually did manage to find the drivers for x64 Win7. Check out post #7 of this thread right here to see the details.

[Q] Dual boot fail with Ubuntu/Windows 8

Im fully aware that this is more for the development of the Ubuntu Touch, yet because I wanted to start developing, I ended up attempting to dual boot Ubuntu 13.10 alonside Windows 8 to create a proper developing enviornment to learn more about kernel/AOSP build development. VMs wont cut it, as I was advised.
I ended up being able to dual boot Ubuntu 13.10 alongside Windows 8. I had troubles creating a partition for Ubuntu and seemed to have accidentally formatted the biggest drive, which I believe was where the Windows 8 OS was stored. I successfully put Ubuntu on there, installation working smoothly, or so I thought. Upon restart, I entered the GRUB boot selector. I first attempted to enter the Ubuntu OS, which brought me to a black writable page. I restarted the HP and tried booting into Windows 8. It gave me the error that the OS is missing. Now Im stuck in the bootloader and cant access my PC. I have an HP Dv6-6033cl laptop with a 750 hard drive I believe. Any help is appreciated.
Ouch.
If you formatted the Windows partition from NTFS over to ext3 and put Ubuntu on that partition... You've pretty much guaranteed you'll be starting over from scratch.
Ouch.
Before doing anything drastic, get a friend to burn a copy of System Rescue CD for you. Enter Bios and set Boot from CD as the first choice, then boot the Rescue disk. Inspect your drive with the G-Parted tool and find out where you stand with the various partitions.
If your Windows (the partition all the way to the left in the GUI) was indeed formatted to something like ext3, I'm not sure what can be done. If it is still NTFS and you have a Windows CD you can attempt a repair. There are programs out there that will help recover lost files if you can restore Windows, such as iCare Data Recovery.
Did I say "Ouch?"
Ouch.
It may just be a bad flag in the GRUB. Let's hope so. Otherwise... Ouch.
Well this is what it looks like so far:
I know I have two options; completely boot Ubuntu OS or Windows. Only issue is, Id rather not lose all my data.
*Please note - I am not IT trained - this is my amateur advice as someone who has had similar issues. Others (including trained persons) may have wildly different opinions on how you should proceed. I offer this advice in hopes it helps you recover your computer. I can make no guarantees. Proceed at your own risk. This is in no way superior to seeking a qualified repair at a reputable shop which would be the optimal solution.
OK it looks like you didn't overwrite/reformat your Windows partition. It does have issues. (It's labeled sda1/system.) The boot flag is missing, That's likely a bad GRUB install. The used and unused numbers don't add up so it's not being read correctly (possible damaged registry). sda4 is most likely the factory recovery partition for Windows.
Did you make a Recovery Disk? Tell me you did and you can find it...
If it was me, I'd do the following.
Insert your Recovery Disk and attempt a Windows repair
Assuming you can boot into Windows after the repair: make a full set of Backup disks
Make note of how much space Windows and associated program/files are using on the hard drive - you'll want this for reference later
If you have a Recovery Disk and a set of Backup disks you can get back to where you are at any time
Boot into System Rescue CD again, start GParted and begin work on your partitions
Your partitions are nonsensical - partition sda2 (Ubuntu) is only 200 MB which is way too small to be of any use for a working OS, you should probably wipe out partitions sda2, sda3, sda5 and the unallocated space - if it were me I'd take out sda4 as well (you have Recovery disks and you want that space)
Format all the partitions you are reclaiming as NTFS (for now) - Merge all contiguous partitions
Now you can make two separate and distinct choices:
EITHER
A) Keep your Windows install (sda1) and move it to the beginning of the drive (left side of the graphic representation bar) - Moving can cause data corruption (so they warn, but I didn't have an issue when I did this) - moving the partition will save you a lot of time
OR
B) Erase your current Windows by formatting sda1 as a new NTFS partition and merging it with the other space - you should then have one seamless NTFS partition - Use your Recovery and Backup disks to reinstall Windows and recover program/files - This takes longer, but a clean install is always nice.
If you use A) from above, you should have a free 124 GB partition at the end of the hard drive for your Ubuntu install. You can format it as ext3 or ext4 (using GParted) before installing Ubuntu... Or you can just let Ubuntu format it during the install.
If you use B) from above you should decide how much space you want for Ubuntu. Leave enough room for Windows to grow, but give ample space for Ubuntu as well. Create a new partition at the end of the drive in the size you've chosen for Ubuntu and format it as ext3 or ext4. Install and recover Windows files/programs to the NTFS partition at the beginning of the hard drive. Install Ubuntu to the ext partition at the end of the hard drive.
Good Luck!!!
I ended doing a full boot of Ubuntu, since I formatted my Windows 8 partition. I messed up pretty badly, but doing a full install of Ubuntu saved my computer. Unfortunately, I did lose my files. I believe so anyway. Thank you anyway. I will keep this tabbed and refer it to anyone that ever has any issue as I did!
xTurtlex said:
I ended doing a full boot of Ubuntu, since I formatted my Windows 8 partition. I messed up pretty badly, but doing a full install of Ubuntu saved my computer. Unfortunately, I did lose my files. I believe so anyway. Thank you anyway. I will keep this tabbed and refer it to anyone that ever has any issue as I did!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the screen cap you showed, it looks like Windows is still salvageable... Or did you do something else after the screen cap was snapped?
I completely formatted the hard drive to run Ubuntu. I doubt its salvageable without a huge fee.
RumoredNow said:
According to the screen cap you showed, it looks like Windows is still salvageable... Or did you do something else after the screen cap was snapped?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came across a forensic tool called TestDisk. I have an external hard drive I can use to back up all my lost files onto. Viable solution?
Ok just advice if your installing Ubuntu. When you get asked how u want to install ubuntu always hit 'something else' that's the safest way.
If u have windows installed ... then I feel sorry for you lol
After installing ubuntu on another partition on windows hdd you find only ubuntu is able to boot
Why not just edit grub config,
Add
Title windows
Set root='hd*,msdos*'
Chainloader +1
That will add an option under ubuntu boot screen [grub] to boot windows boot loader [dual booting]
Partitioning advice;
The reason to separate so much is iit makes it 100x easier to restore/backup if something goes wrong. [Ubintu once gave me an error after fresh install using a disk]
sda1 /boot
sda2 /
sda3 /home
sda4 /swap
sdb1 windows
sdb2 storage space to share between OS's
sd** [only good if you use linux alot] extra hdds in a lvm [turns all spare hdds into one folder e.g 1tb 500gb 250gn hdds will become a 1.75tb folder]
Another example of why to hate Windows 8. They started securing the boot loader to make it extremely difficult to dual boot another OS with it. I used to like Windows but it seems to get worse with each iteration.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
lalec said:
Another example of why to hate Windows 8. They started securing the boot loader to make it extremely difficult to dual boot another OS with it. I used to like Windows but it seems to get worse with each iteration.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup but its been crap since the original dos code was found in the bin.
So its been worthless from the start winxp was just about bare able.
Main problem with windows though is why should we have to pay for half ass work and then pay to patch up the holes with antivirus's
When I can install linux free be more secure and be free to change any part of os I please.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

Remix OS USB Harddrive increase internel storage?

Hello,
i would like to watch some maxdome, netflix etc. films and series in a place, we haven't got internet. Because you can't download videos for offline using on pc, I thought i can install Remix OS on a external Harddrive, install apps like maxdome to download films at home and watch it offline. It works, but you only have nearly 4 gb internal storage on this operating system. I found a tutorial on how to increase the internal storage, but this only works on harddrives formatted to NTFS. And you can't install Remix OS on a NTFS formatted external harddrive, can you?. Is there any way to increase the internal storage on FAT32? Will the developers of Remix OS increase the internal storage in the future?(Because it's only Alpha so far) Another problem is, that when i when I connect the laptop to the TV with HDMI, it only transfers the video, but no audio. Will this be fixed in the future?
Sorry, my english is not the best
I am trying to find a way to increase the "data.img" file that is generated on the USB stick... If I can't figure it how, the only option is installing on the HD and make the tuto's.
And I think its possible to install on an external drive and use the whole space. Gonna figure it out how 4 us, okay? \õ/
I think that the HDMI problem will be solved on the next updates. Anyway, its still on Alpha...
While its not solved, we can always use an P2-P2 audio cable ... haha.
The FAT32 file system has a limitation of 4GB files. There's no way to have a bigger data.img without making your flash drive NTFS
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Hello,
i would like to watch some maxdome, netflix etc. films and series in a place, we haven't got internet. Because you can't download videos for offline using on pc, I thought i can install Remix OS on a external Harddrive, install apps like maxdome to download films at home and watch it offline. It works, but you only have nearly 4 gb internal storage on this operating system. I found a tutorial on how to increase the internal storage, but this only works on harddrives formatted to NTFS. And you can't install Remix OS on a NTFS formatted external harddrive, can you?. Is there any way to increase the internal storage on FAT32? Will the developers of Remix OS increase the internal storage in the future?(Because it's only Alpha so far) Another problem is, that when i when I connect the laptop to the TV with HDMI, it only transfers the video, but no audio. Will this be fixed in the future?
Sorry, my english is not the best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My HDMI audio does not work right either.
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Hello,
i would like to watch some maxdome, netflix etc. films and series in a place, we haven't got internet. Because you can't download videos for offline using on pc, I thought i can install Remix OS on a external Harddrive, install apps like maxdome to download films at home and watch it offline. It works, but you only have nearly 4 gb internal storage on this operating system. I found a tutorial on how to increase the internal storage, but this only works on harddrives formatted to NTFS. And you can't install Remix OS on a NTFS formatted external harddrive, can you?. Is there any way to increase the internal storage on FAT32? Will the developers of Remix OS increase the internal storage in the future?(Because it's only Alpha so far) Another problem is, that when i when I connect the laptop to the TV with HDMI, it only transfers the video, but no audio. Will this be fixed in the future?
Sorry, my english is not the best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey
After a while searching and studying about this, I realised that I couldn't make it on the pendrive.
BUT
i successfully installed the OS on my SSD ( OMG, such fast booting ). I split my SSD, formatted to EXT4 and installed, and BOOM! 12 gigs of internal storage.
What does it mean? It means that you can install on a flash drive, such as USB stick or External HD, formatting as EXT4 partition, and run from there.
I'll make some tutos ASAP, teaching how to make those tricky stuff.
BRB!
o/
fleflis said:
Hey
After a while searching and studying about this, I realised that I couldn't make it on the pendrive.
BUT
i successfully installed the OS on my SSD ( OMG, such fast booting ). I split my SSD, formatted to EXT4 and installed, and BOOM! 12 gigs of internal storage.
What does it mean? It means that you can install on a flash drive, such as USB stick or External HD, formatting as EXT4 partition, and run from there.
I'll make some tutos ASAP, teaching how to make those tricky stuff.
BRB!
o/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks,
Which program do you use to get the iso on a ext4 partition?
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Thanks,
Which program do you use to get the iso on a ext4 partition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can't.
But, you can install on another USB Stick.
This weekend is "Carnaval" in Brazil (National Holiday). I'll try to make one video explaining 4 u, okay?
[EDIT] Sorry, I'm gonna be a little busy this weekend. What you can do at all is to install the iso normally in a USB Stick, run it with the "INSTALL=1" parameter, format another USB with EXT4 and install it on the stick. You should get it with the internal storage as the size as the USB stick.
I didn't tried it yet, but its a possibility.
Let me know if you're gonna do this.
o/
fleflis said:
I think you can't.
But, you can install on another USB Stick.
This weekend is "Carnaval" in Brazil (National Holiday). I'll try to make one video explaining 4 u, okay?
[EDIT] Sorry, I'm gonna be a little busy this weekend. What you can do at all is to install the iso normally in a USB Stick, run it with the "INSTALL=1" parameter, format another USB with EXT4 and install it on the stick. You should get it with the internal storage as the size as the USB stick.
I didn't tried it yet, but its a possibility.
Let me know if you're gonna do this.
o/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get it. What is INSTALL=1 parameter and which program should i use to install it on the ext4 stick?
tommy.deissenbeck said:
I don't get it. What is INSTALL=1 parameter and which program should i use to install it on the ext4 stick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just install normally the ISO on a USB sitck and boot it normally. When it appears for you select on the both modes ( resident and some other ), you press "E" on your keyboard, to edit the command line. There, you put INSTALL=1 parameter. Then , you'll install it normally, just selecting the right stick.
fleflis said:
Just install normally the ISO on a USB sitck and boot it normally. When it appears for you select on the both modes ( resident and some other ), you press "E" on your keyboard, to edit the command line. There, you put INSTALL=1 parameter. Then , you'll install it normally, just selecting the right stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much, it works!
You just have to install GRUB bootloader when it asks you, the other questions you can skip. Then it works!
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Thank you very much, it works!
You just have to install GRUB bootloader when it asks you, the other questions you can skip. Then it works!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome!
Hit thanks button, plz <3
Curiosity
fleflis said:
You're welcome!
Hit thanks button, plz <3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will it install grub to the USB. I dont want to overwrite grub on my HDD. Currently I have managed to have a USB formated with ext4 and swap, and was able to use unetbootin to put install files on. I dont use the install option as I havent used the two usb as you have here. I do have a full install on my internal ssd and have 56 gb to play with but would like to have a usb that can boot on any computer with the ability to access more than 4gb. I have tried a few ways and if it doesnt mess with the bootloader on my ssd then id be happy to know that.
Digitalnom said:
Will it install grub to the USB. I dont want to overwrite grub on my HDD. Currently I have managed to have a USB formated with ext4 and swap, and was able to use unetbootin to put install files on. I dont use the install option as I havent used the two usb as you have here. I do have a full install on my internal ssd and have 56 gb to play with but would like to have a usb that can boot on any computer with the ability to access more than 4gb. I have tried a few ways and if it doesnt mess with the bootloader on my ssd then id be happy to know that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I discovered somethings with my notebook. Its an Asus X550LN, and the BIOS is as secure as hell. So, I had to search on the partitions created the GRUB that the installer says it was installed. And my BIOS just read one type of File System ( I don't remember it right now, but its the one that Windows uses, not Ubuntu ). When I found the GRUB bootloader on another partition, i just copied the files from one partition to another, added a boot option for it to reach the bootloader and BOOM, "chooseable dual-booted". Yeah, its hard because I have to enter in the BIOS everytime I want the other OS, but its a step. LoL.
Anyway, I think you should try to make a 400MB Partition to install the bootloader on the stick, and the space left just format as ext4 and install the RemixOS there.
Yeah... I don't know if you understand what I'm saying.... It can be confusing, but its perfectly clear on my mind. :silly:
I really need to make a video explaining everything... ASAP.
Still Trying
fleflis said:
I discovered somethings with my notebook. Its an Asus X550LN, and the BIOS is as secure as hell. So, I had to search on the partitions created the GRUB that the installer says it was installed. And my BIOS just read one type of File System ( I don't remember it right now, but its the one that Windows uses, not Ubuntu ). When I found the GRUB bootloader on another partition, i just copied the files from one partition to another, added a boot option for it to reach the bootloader and BOOM, "chooseable dual-booted". Yeah, its hard because I have to enter in the BIOS everytime I want the other OS, but its a step. LoL.
Anyway, I think you should try to make a 400MB Partition to install the bootloader on the stick, and the space left just format as ext4 and install the RemixOS there.
Yeah... I don't know if you understand what I'm saying.... It can be confusing, but its perfectly clear on my mind. :silly:
I really need to make a video explaining everything... ASAP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can dual boot etc. I can do this through Ubuntu by editing the grub command, I have not tried using the REMIX bootloader because it will overwrite the one I am currently using. I have managed to have dual partitions on my stick, but alas cannot boot to the partition needed. Do you have any idea how to edit the lines for booting to the ext 4 on the stick? Its a little different than my Ubuntu grub edit and it just wonte see the secondary partition. Install went fine i look at the files and it's all there just cant figure out hot to edit the current boot config to boot proper -partition.
Thanks and totally get ya. :silly::laugh:
Digitalnom said:
I can dual boot etc. I can do this through Ubuntu by editing the grub command, I have not tried using the REMIX bootloader because it will overwrite the one I am currently using. I have managed to have dual partitions on my stick, but alas cannot boot to the partition needed. Do you have any idea how to edit the lines for booting to the ext 4 on the stick? Its a little different than my Ubuntu grub edit and it just wonte see the secondary partition. Install went fine i look at the files and it's all there just cant figure out hot to edit the current boot config to boot proper -partition.
Thanks and totally get ya. :silly::laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow... I had to mount the partitions manually on Ubuntu on the terminal ( like "mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/tempsda1" ). you should try somethings like that... just listing the partitions on all drives.
Good luck ! o/ :silly:
cannot navigate through disk options
tommy.deissenbeck said:
Thank you very much, it works!
You just have to install GRUB bootloader when it asks you, the other questions you can skip. Then it works!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI ALL!
Hi fleflis thanks for sharing your discoveries, so to make a bootable remix os usb stick that has more than 4gb internal android space is it difficult? im a total noob and i would like to know a step by step turtorial on how to do this. If you would be kind enough to tell me? i dont have ubuntu/linux only windows and android and i would like to use my 128gb usb 3.0 stick to boot android. Thank you very much in advance fleflis or anyone who can help.

Full easy instructions for running remix os off usb stick without errors for noobs

This is a working usb install media creator method for remix os installation and legacy bios + MBR format and not GPT and circumventing all known errors made for noobs including USING full drive internal storage space etc.
You will be able to use this usb stick for future creation of other usb install media
you will have the choice to also install to hard drive
you will need 2 x usb drives and require drive write speed to be higher than 10 mb/s
the first drive will be the installer drive and the second will be the actual usb drive used to run remix os.
For first installer drive it will be basic fat 32 install. you will need rufus usb boot media creator
after creation of the installer drive keep it safe i reccommend you use a 4gb drive $4/£2 off ebay but get something thats got a write speed higher than 10 mb/s or else install will fail!
Format the second drive with the size of your choice to ext 4 on your pc with minitool partition or acronis disk manager (make sure the drive is formatted as primary and set to active flag)
1. Create fat 32 usb boot disk with first usb drive and rufus usb boot media creator and the remix os iso version 2.0402
2.make sure after creation you boot up the usb drive and enter remix os then shutdown and boot up again to write the config files
3.make sure you dont boot up the ufi version of the boot up, only use the legacy version (it will have ufi next to boot drive in bios usb boot up list)
4.after you enter remix os go to settings and download the update (ota) (this is the main fix for version 2.0402 which updates to version 2.0403)(if this update fails you cannot proceed further with instructions unless you have version 2.0403 iso)( this update DOSENT APPLY TO REMIX OS version 2.0403 or 3.0+ INSTALLATION)
5. After ota update reboot and enter remix os again and let android upgrade
6.after this stage is complete your fat32 remix os usb bootable drive is ready to create a usb drive that runs remix os from the drive itself using full drive internal storage space.
7.insert the second drive in a usb hub and boot up the computer with both drives in the computer and boot from the first drive (the usb remix os installer drive)
8.boot up and at the grub boot menu (it should look blue with yellow writing not the black ufi version) press tab and type: INSTALL=1
9. then press enter then you will enter usb media creation menu select scan usb drives and select the second drive (the remix os running drive)
10. It will ask you what you want to format the drive as so select do not format option (becus you already formatted it)
11.then it will ask you to install first grub boot menu say yes
12. Then it will ask you to install second boot grub efi menu say yes
13. Next it will ask you if you want to format the boot partition or something like that say *** no ***
14. Then it will ask you if you want read/write privelage say yes
15. It will proceed to write the remix os onto the drive
16. When finished it will ask to restart (at this point i just switch the pc off by holding power button then restart and boot off the new second drive to run the os from it already upgraded too)
**** Newbie Errors to avoid******
1. make sure you format the drive correctly, sometimes errors at this stage will create errors later on and affect later installation and will create boot up failures
2. i have to stress this once again as once i formatted the same drive with the same settings in minitool partition manager but in different order for example: instead of formatting it ext 4 then applying changes then setting it to primary then applying changes then setting the partition to active flag and applying changes, i did format ext 4 and change partition to primary all at once then applied changes then set it to active flag and applied changes and later after remix os install the usb wouldnt boot saying "missing operating system error" so caution.
3. after you format the drive with ext 4 partition the usb drive will be unrecognizable in windows. (do not use windows unplug usb drive feature to remove the drive, just pull it out)
4. make sure you pull the first installer drive out before booting the newly created ext 4 usb as it may affect boot up
5. sometimes for power saving reasons the screen might go blank while installing as installing takes time dont panic just press power button or any key to revive the system
6. if you dont get a usb drive faster than 10 mb/s then you will have problems if you continue with the installation and alot of system lag
7. its happened to me many times before so listen carefully: if you dont format the drive correctly even the drives transfer write speed can be greatly affected for example i formatted the usb drive and made a mistake but it was not detectable as it said all was fine i think i formatted the usb drive fat32 without first deleating the existing partition (just converted it) then with remix os installation at the stage where you boot up the installed drive for the first time to do a drive write speed test it was telling me the drives speed was below 5 mb/s ( the drive was a lexar p23 usb 3.0 16gb 150 mb/s read 60 mb/s write) and warned me about install failure then i formatted the drive again this time deleting the patition first then applying changes and doing the rest of the steps one by one each time applying changes after only changing one setting then at the remix os installation speed test this time it was reporting 60 mb/s write speeds!
8. remix os works like a charm on intel cpus and intel integrated gpus and i dont have other makes to test so this tutorial is only for legacy bios and intel cpu and gpu (tested all working)
9. This is something so basic but having a data indicator led on your usb drive or usb hub will save you waiting hours! most waiting is due to not knowing whats happening or not knowing if there is an error or not so try and get a usb drive with an led that tells you if the system is currently writing/working to disk and when that led stops blinking for a long period e.g 2 mins then you will know the install has crashed or android is not loading. Also with slower drives the waiting period is longer as the system takes longer to write to the drive (a 544MB/s msata SSD FLASH drive takes 5 secs to install while a usb 3.0, 60 MB/s write drive will take 15 mins) but if you have a data status led which shows its still blinking then atleast you will know the installation/loading is still working and no need to abort it. Also Android os constantly writes to the drive when running so you will see the data status led constantly blink too and if that ever stops you know you have encountered a system crash. Also the led shows how well remix os is running as regards speed of the operating system, for example at the start of loading remix os or when doing a task the led stays constanly blinking RAPIDLY but after loading or finishing the task the led defaults to a blink per second (this is classed as normal operation and healthy) but when the led is constantly blinking RAPIDLY without pauses or stays on for a long time then it means the operating system is not running smoothly as it should and then you should check if theres a problem formatting or if its a fake drive etc.
10. Using slow usb drives or fake usb drives will get very HOT and will cause the error "not responding...wait or close" error while very fast drives will always stay COOL without system lag and errors.
note: If wanting ntfs version of remix os then its a little complicated than this and you will need to use imgtools to increase the data.img file on the ntfs drive after creation with the first usb media creator drive.
The remix os ota update 2.0403 addresses the boot media creation errors of remix os 2.0402 . After the ota update all drives created with the grub menu installer boot up as they should but only ufi boot up option hangs!
Hope this helps hit the thanks dont forget so i know how many people were helped by this! enjoy.
I have the ativ pc pro xe700t1c the uk version with intel core i5 quad core and its also a convertible tablet with msata ssd as hdd drive and as you all probbaly know android was created for fast flash memory and linux format os so the best combination is an ssd and ext4 linux file format. I have a 64gb 544 mb/s msata drive in a usb 3.0 enclosure which i use to boot remix os and run it off it. Its perfectly smooth and fast enough 5 secs to boot and the ativ pc pro convertible laptop/tablet is fully compatible hadware software wise, no problems at all. The 5 year old Ativ pc pro gets 123,000+ score in antutu benchmark same as the latest LG G5 with the latest adreno 530 gpu/snapdragon 820 cpu which costs approx £600 now in retail!!! I bought the Ativ pc pro convertible laptop/tablet for only £200 two weeks ago with accessories (ethernet dock etc) worth alone £100 on its own off ebay!!! On top of all that its also a windows 10 pro convertible laptop/tablet system which on its own without android was initially worth £1200 five years ago and still costing approx £500 even now in retail. So what im trying to say here is that for only £200 i get a £600 android 6.0 laptop/tablet and i also get a £500 windows 10 pro laptop tablet ALL IN ONE. Muahahahahahaha haaaaa hahahaha kekekeke.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New...549634?hash=item33bcb8a542:g:UFYAAOSwQItUFG7S ( 128GB Msata SSD 544 MB/s read write )
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231736235624?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT ( USB 3.0 Msata enclosure )
alz_uk said:
This is a working usb install media creator method for remix os installation and legacy bios circumventing all known errors made for noobs including USING full drive internal storage space etc.
You will be able to use this usb stick for future creation of other usb install media
you will have the choice to also install to hard drive
you will need 2 x usb drives and require drive write speed to be higher than 10 mb/s
the first drive will be the installer drive and the second will be the actual usb drive used to run remix os.
For first installer drive it will be basic fat 32 install. you will need rufus usb boot media creator
after creation of the installer drive keep it safe i reccommend you use a 4gb drive $4/£2 off ebay but get something thats got a write speed higher than 10 mb/s or else install will fail!
Format the second drive with the size of your choice to ext 4 on your pc with minitool partition or acronis disk manager (make sure the drive is formatted as primary and set to active flag)
1. Create fat 32 usb boot disk with first usb drive and rufus usb boot media creator and the remix os iso
2.make sure after creation you boot up the usb drive and enter remix os then shutdown and boot up again to write the config files
3.make sure you dont boot up the ufi version of the boot up, only use the legacy version (it will have ufi next to boot drive in bios usb boot up list)
4.after you enter remix os go to settings and download the update (ota) (this is the main fix for version 2.0402 which updates to version 2.0203)(if this update fails you cannot proceed further with instructions unless you have version 2.0403 iso)(DOSENT APPLY TO REMIX OS version 2.0204 or 3.0+ INSTALLATION)
5. After ota update reboot and enter remix os again and let android upgrade
6.after this stage is complete your fat32 remix os usb bootable drive is ready to create a usb drive that runs remix os from the drive itself using full drive internal storage space.
7.insert the second drive in a usb hub and boot up the computer with both drives in the computer and boot from the first drive (the usb remix os installer drive)
8.boot up and at the grub boot menu (it should look blue with yellow writing not the black ufi version) press tab and type: INSTALL=1
9. then press enter then you will enter usb media creation menu select scan usb drives and select the second drive (the remix os running drive)
10. It will ask you what you want to format the drive as so select do not format option (becus you already formatted it)
11.then it will ask you to install first grub boot menu say yes
12. Then it will ask you to install second boot grub efi menu say yes
13. Next it will ask you if you want to format the boot partition or something like that say *** no ***
14. Then it will ask you if you want read/write privelage say yes
15. It will proceed to write the remix os onto the drive
16. When finished it will ask to restart (at this point i just switch the pc off by holding power button then restart and boot off the new second drive to run the os from it already upgraded too)
**** Newbie Errors to avoid******
1. make sure you format the drive correctly, sometimes errors at this stage will create errors later on and affect later installation and will create boot up failures
2. i have to stress this once again as once i formatted the same drive with the same settings in minitool partition manager but in different order for example: instead of formatting it ext 4 then applying changes then setting it to primary then applying changes then setting the partition to active flag and applying changes, i did format ext 4 and change partition to primary all at once then applied changes then set it to active flag and applied changes and later after remix os install the usb wouldnt boot saying "missing operating system error" so caution.
3. after you format the drive with ext 4 partition the usb drive will be unrecognizable in windows. (do not use windows unplug usb drive feature to remove the drive, just pull it out)
4. make sure you pull the first installer drive out before booting the newly created ext 4 usb as it may affect boot up
5. sometimes for power saving reasons the screen might go blank while installing as installing takes time dont panic just press power button or any key to revive the system
6. if you dont get a usb drive faster than 10 mb/s then you will have problems if you continue with the installation and alot of system lag
7. its happened to me many times before so listen carefully: if you dont format the drive correctly even the drives transfer write speed can be greatly affected for example i formatted the usb drive and made a mistake but it was not detectable as it said all was fine i think i formatted the usb drive ext 4 without first deleating the existing partition (just converted it) then with remix os installation at the stage where you boot up the installed drive for the first time to do a drive write speed test it was telling me the drives speed was below 5 mb/s ( the drive was a lexar p23 usb 3.0 16gb 150 mb/s read 60 mb/s write) and warned me about install failure then i formatted the drive again this time deleting the patition first then applying changes and doing the rest of the steps one by one each time applying changes after only changing one setting then at the remix os installation speed test this time it was reporting 60 mb/s write speeds!
8. remix os works like a charm on intel cpus and intel integrated gpus and i dont have other makes to test so this tutorial is only for legacy bios and intel cpu and gpu (tested all working)
9. This is something so basic but having a data indicator led on your usb drive or usb hub will save you waiting hours! most waiting is due to not knowing whats happening or not knowing if there is an error or not so try and get a usb drive with an led that tells you if the system is currently writing/working to disk and when that led stops blinking for a long period e.g 2 mins then you will know the install has crashed or android is not loading. Also with slower drives the waiting period is longer as the system takes longer to write to the drive (a 544MB/s msata SSD FLASH drive takes 5 secs to install while a usb 3.0, 60 MB/s write drive will take 15 mins) but if you have a data status led which shows its still blinking then atleast you will know the installation/loading is still working and no need to abort it. Also Android os constantly writes to the drive when running so you will see the data status led constantly blink too and if that ever stops you know you have encountered a system crash. Also if the the led shows how well remix os is running as regards speed of the operating system, for example at the start of loading remix os or when doing a task the led stays constanly blinking RAPIDLY but after loading or finishing the task the led defaults to a blink per second (this is classed as normal operation and healthy) but when the led is constantly blinking RAPIDLY without pauses or stays on for a long time then it means the operating system is not running smoothly as it should and then you should check if theres a problem formatting or if its a fake drive etc.
10. Using slow usb drives or fake usb drives will get very HOT and will cause the error "not responding...wait or close" error while very fast drives will always stay COOL without system lag and errors.
note: If wanting ntfs version of remix os then its a little complicated than this and you will need to use imgtools to increase the data.img file on the ntfs drive after creation with the first usb media creator drive.
The remix os ota update 2.0403 addresses the boot media creation errors of remix os 2.0203 . After the ota update all drives created with the grub menu installer boot up as they should but only ufi boot up option hangs!
Hope this helps hit the thanks dont forget so i know how many people were helped by this! enjoy.
I have the ativ pc pro xe700t1c the uk version with intel core i5 quad core and its also a convertible tablet with msata ssd as hdd drive and as you all probbaly know android was created for fast flash memory and linux format os so the best combination is an ssd and ext4 linux file format. I have a 64gb 544 mb/s msata drive in a usb 3.0 enclosure which i use to boot remix os and run it off it. Its perfectly smooth and fast enough 5 secs to boot and the ativ pc pro convertible laptop/tablet is fully compatible hadware software wise, no problems at all. The 5 year old Ativ pc pro gets 120,000+ score in antutu benchmark same as the latest LG G5 with the latest adreno 530 gpu/snapdragon 820 cpu which costs approx £600 now in retail!!! I bought the Ativ pc pro convertible laptop/tablet for only £200 two weeks ago with accessories (ethernet dock etc) worth alone £100 on its own off ebay!!! On top of all that its also a windows 10 pro convertible laptop/tablet system which on its own without android was initially worth £1200 five years ago and still costing approx £500 even now in retail. So what im trying to say here is that for only £200 i get a £600 android 6.0 laptop/tablet and i also get a £500 windows 10 pro laptop tablet ALL IN ONE. Muahahahahahaha haaaaa hahahaha kekekeke.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New...549634?hash=item33bcb8a542:g:UFYAAOSwQItUFG7S ( 128GB Msata SSD 544 MB/s read write )
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231736235624?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT ( USB 3.0 Msata enclosure )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for the instructions. I managed to use this method to install Remix OS 3.0.102 onto the seconds USB drive on my Macbook Pro. Once the installation process finished I hit Run Android_x86 instead of reboot and it started just fine. The problem is that after I removed the first USB drive with the Remix OS installer and I rebooted the second drive doesn't show up as a boot option. So now I can't get back into it.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Daniel
phantasma2983 said:
Hey, thanks for the instructions. I managed to use this method to install Remix OS 3.0.102 onto the seconds USB drive on my Macbook Pro. Once the installation process finished I hit Run Android_x86 instead of reboot and it started just fine. The problem is that after I removed the first USB drive with the Remix OS installer and I rebooted the second drive doesn't show up as a boot option. So now I can't get back into it.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Daniel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you did the last proccess wrong! you need to follow step 16 properly! It tells you not to run android x86 option or restart option, infact it tells you to switch your pc off then remove the first installer drive then start the pc with the second drive and boot from it. If you run android x86 option at the end it will run but make next boot broken. Please follow instructions carefully.
if you didnt backup your files then you can still boot from it but the boot might not stick unless you reinstall remix os onto the drive again.
do steps 7 to 13 again to the second drive and when you get to step 14 "do you want to write privelage" part just switch the pc off and boot from the second drive again and this time boot should be fixed but might not boot again after that like i said before.
I tried multiple variations and I end up with 2 outcomes (always shut the computer down once the last options was on screen):
1) If I don't tell it to format on step 13 (like in the instructions) I end up not seeing the USB drive as a boot option after restart.
2) If I tell it to format on step 13 I see the USB and I can select it but then I get the Minimal Bash Grub instead of it booting
P.S. I'm doing this with the latest version of Remix OS 3.0.102 on a 2015 Macbook Pro. Have you tested the instructions on a Mac or only a Windows PC?
phantasma2983 said:
I tried multiple variations and I end up with 2 outcomes (always shut the computer down once the last options was on screen):
1) If I don't tell it to format on step 13 (like in the instructions) I end up not seeing the USB drive as a boot option after restart.
2) If I tell it to format on step 13 I see the USB and I can select it but then I get the Minimal Bash Grub instead of it booting
P.S. I'm doing this with the latest version of Remix OS 3.0.102 on a 2015 Macbook Pro. Have you tested the instructions on a Mac or only a Windows PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All i can say my freind is there are too many numerous variables that can go wrong. all the way from having the correct bios setup and correct boot mode eg legacy or eufi to formatting the drive correctly and using the already complicated and buggered up installer. you just have to trial and error like i did and after a few days i got it all sussed for my pcs (not macs though sorry, not a mac person never was and never will be lol).
the method i have written works 100% for legacy bios and mbr hard disk (not gpt), windows, fast flash drive and for all versions of remix os upto date so far. ive tried it on different flash drives too.
This has to be mentioned , there is alot that jide is doing to prevent users from doing things like what we are doing here now so they are always changing things to make it harder for people to have it their own way! jides way is making money from the masses while our way is a free os! clearly jide will carry on trying to prevent people like us from doing what we want to do such as using full drive internal storage space etc etc. so watch out folks!
Thanks for the answer. I'll just keep trying until I get it to work. There must be way, even if it means learning how to configure grub manually from scratch. It worked just fine on first install until reboot so it has to work somehow.
It would've been nice if Jide provided more info or support on the issue since this is suppose to be a final product. The purpose of free products is to attract attention to other paid products and to their company. That, they have achieved but if said free product is a hacky nightmare full of bugs and lacking documentation it only puts them in a negative light. Then again, in my case this might also be Apple's fault with their closed platform approach and lack of support for certain file systems and standards.
Anyway, have a good night and all the best.
If I manage to get it working I'll be sure to post it here.
i use Unetbootin to install android-x86 or remixos to hdd or usb, easy
Sent from my AOD255 using XDA-Developers mobile app
wizmart said:
i use Unetbootin to install android-x86 or remixos to hdd or usb, easy
Sent from my AOD255 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To my understanding the only way to have Remix OS use the entire space of the USB drive is to have it formatted as ext4. Unetbootin cannot use an ext4 formatted drive so yes, I can have it work in multiple ways either using unetbootin or just dd-ing the image to the drive but in both cases I end up with a 4gb storage space in Remix OS. That is why this method seemed like the best one.
hmm..
Yumi also supports android x86 (easyway to make usb stick) and change grub menu
The android installer from XDA hacked version.. seems to create 3 partitions on the USB stick (fat32/ext4/ext4)
-for those how just wish to use a big usbstick.. to run RemixOS (note removing the partitions can not be done with diskmanager from windowz)
any note.. i have on this tuturial... missing: is what if you have nvidia card
then it needs : i915.modeset=0 nouveau.modeset=1 INSTALL=1
Cheers..
phantasma2983 said:
To my understanding the only way to have Remix OS use the entire space of the USB drive is to have it formatted as ext4. Unetbootin cannot use an ext4 formatted drive so yes, I can have it work in multiple ways either using unetbootin or just dd-ing the image to the drive but in both cases I end up with a 4gb storage space in Remix OS. That is why this method seemed like the best one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try and use this windows app to create usb boot disk, it supports uefi bios and legacy bios + 64 bit/32 bit iso and img files. And your right only ext 4 allows full drive internal storage space without modification of any sort out of the box. With NTFS you need to use imgtools to increase the internal storage space.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/winapp-android-x86-installer-uefi-t3222483
unetbootin can use an ext4 if you use it from linux(ubuntu), from windows you install first to hd on reboot inside unetbootin menu you add INSTALL=1 on your entry then choose usb ext4 on drive choice thats how i do
Sent from my AOD255 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Worked great!
Followed your instructions and loaded Remix OS " Remix_OS_for_PC_Android_M_64bit_B2016091202" version: 3.0.205 onto a Sandisk 128GB USB drive with no problems and full access to entire drive. Using the Remix OS installer only gave 64 GB of Data.
Thank you so much for the guide!

Dual boot with Remix on primary partition

Is there any guide or tutorial on how to setup a dual boot when Remix OS for PC is already installed on primary partition and wanting to install a second OS (Windows) on remaining empty disk space (NTFS)?
You might find some hints here https://goo.gl/N9S9zE
---------- Post added at 08:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:46 AM ----------
Should maybe add that the only diifference is that you will have to prepare the partitions using live media. Windows and Linux installers do the job, or GParted on a Linux USB-stick
The only difference with what?
You will want to shrink the partition to be able to create and format a ntfs partition on the disk space not needed by RemixOS. Don't think you can do that from inside RemixOS. If you already have empty space outside the RemixOS partition, you can just install to it - so then I don't understand you question.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
hallergard said:
You will want to shrink the partition to be able to create and format a ntfs partition on the disk space not needed by RemixOS. Don't think you can do that from inside RemixOS. If you already have empty space outside the RemixOS partition, you can just install to it - so then I don't understand you question.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's correct: I already shrunk this space and NTFS formatted it.
If I install a whatever other OS there on this partition - let's say WIN7 - how will I be able to select from where my computer will boot up when tuning it on?
If my primary partition has Remix and the secondary Win7 - at some point I will need to make a choice with which one I want to boot up my computer, right? My question is: how do I manage this dual boot choice?
Because my main boot on primary partition is currently Remix (and not Win).
OK, now understand that the question was about bootloaders. Assume you are using Legacy MBR rather than UEFI GPT. Windows prefers to be in the first partition on MBR - which you can achieve by moving the RemixOS partition with some cloning app like Clonezilla, or by using GParted in Linux. But it is possible to have Windows in the second position: I would use the Ranish Partition Manager, which allows you to change the position of the boot flag right after the Bios https://goo.gl/1bLYEE
Yep, that's it!
Many thanks for your ideas and the excellent resource site I discovered at the same time.
It happens I installed Remix OS on a laptop's FULL 500MB HD... and now I somehow regret the move.
Simply because this is too much wasted space for Android and there is a lot of empty space that I can use for something else.
Before installing I only changed in the BIOS the UEFI to legacy, and this, as far as I understand, should be MBR probably.
So, at this point, everything works fine. I could leave it as is.
But as I love running into complications and learn from them, I try to find something to do with some 300 MB disk space Android will never need for what I'm doing with it.
So, I much like your idea of changing the position of the boot flag but first I'll need to have a closer look at your video and better understand the process.
And also want to be sure my disk is MBR, if I find a way to securely verify that.
What steps would you suggest taking at this point?
And what option would you rather suggest - moving Remix OS or using Ranish?
Sounds like MBR if you do not have an EFI partition. I would go for Ranish, but I think you should consider wiping the drive, installing Windows 7 (suggest downloading the free ISO which includes SP1 from Microsoft) and reinstall RemixOS. Moving the drive is a quite tedious task. Then you can decide which bootmenu to use. I never learnt how to put RemixOS onto the Windows bootmenu (as I think Linux Grub2 is so much easier), but I am sure somebody can tell you howto. Or use the RemixOS bootmenu - by the way, which one are you using now Grub, Grub2 or something else? Or use Ranish!?
After double checking, it appears my partition is still UEFI...
Seems I was wrong with that.
Many thanks for your help and I think I'll follow your advice and start over again...
PS: I currently use GRUB2
hallergard said:
You might find some hints here https://goo.gl/N9S9zE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very helpful page, thanks for this!
Is there a way to convert a disk from GPT to MBR without losing data?
NO. But are you sure that your disk is GPT? Windows diskmgmt.msc or in Linux GParted.
Yes, 100% sure.
Maybe you should leave it as GPT. Main advantage for you would be quicker boot times and probably not having to reinstall RemixOS. How many partitions do you have? Which one is RemixOS and which is EFI? Do you see the grub2 menu (or is delay 0 sek)?
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
A single partition for Remix, the primary one.
Grub2 has a delay set to 0 but I can see it when I press F8.
So you have a GPT disk but have made a Legacy install, not a UEFI install. If you now make UEFI installation of Windows 7 you will probably not see your grub2 menu (even if changing the time) so you would loose booting into RemixOS. What you can do then is to reinstall RemixOS as a uEFI install on top of your present without formatting if possible. Just the same before reinstalling copy over the big data.img file to the Win-7 partition, and if you had to format, you can copy it back. data.img holds all your app installations etc.
I'm not sure I well understand. My disk is GPT and my PC's BIOS is set to support Legacy disks.
Remix was initially installed on a ext4 partition on the whole HDD.
Where is that data.img file?
In any case, my idea is not Win7 but, for particular reasons, I want to install WinXP at main partition and Remix on dual boot.
What would you recommend without, if possible, having to re-install all Android settings, data and apps?
The data.img file resides in the root folder RemixOS of the Remix partition. You can not see it from inside a booted RemixOS, but you can see it if your mount the partition from outside, easiest from Linux (could be from Live Media), but also from an active Windows partition (if you install a third party driver such as Ext2Fsd.exe).
I am not sure if you can install Windows XP on a GPT disk at all, not even in Legacy mode. You can always try, and if you do succeed you will be able to install Ext2Fsd, and copy data.img to your XP partition as backup.
In Legacy mode Win-XP would overwrite the drive's mbr which means that you could boot Windows-XP but not RemixOS. So how to add RemixOS to your Windows boot menu? I was thinking that if you install EasyBCD you would be able to add RemixOS as a Linux partition - but I am not sure if that will work. Probably this choice will be greyed out when EasyBCD notices that you haved a GPT disk. I never learnt how one are supposed to add to the Windows boot menu, using "Bcdedit" - maybe someone else can teach you.
So with Win-XP my advice is to redo from scratch and install Win-XP on the first partition of the MBR drive and RemixOS on the second.
Many thanks for your patience and sorry if I'm taking too much of your time but I find your comments very constructive and might also be helpful for other members here..
I now realize that my previous message was not very clear, and probably also not complete:
I was meaning that I wanted to start over again, by formatting my disk in MBR (2 partitions) and by keeping all my existing Remix settings and apps as they are.
For the first point, I think it's quite straight forward: I just format my disk and create 2 new partitions.
Knowing that I'll install WinXP on the first one and Remix on the second, what formats would you recommend for those partitions?
Then, for restoring my existing settings and apps, I understand that I'll need to copy and later restore at same location the file data.img - possible using a live boot USB such as Ultimate Boot CD (I prefer Windows tools)? I tried with Ubuntu Live USB but was unable to gain access to root...
I found some Android apps that are doing backup/restore of settings and apps data but your idea with data.img sounds better.
Will this single file do somehow the same job and contain all Android-Remix settings and app data+settings?
Now, the missing part of the instructions is what will happen next, after WinXP is installed at the primary partition?
How to install Remix on the secondary one and how to dual boot when turning the PC on?
I would really appreciate if you may follow-up with this. Many thanks!
I recommend NTFS for XP and ext4 for Remix.
Let me explain about data.img v. data folder. Remix is a kind of Linux system and the data and system folders will not function on NTFS or FAT32. Therefore there is the alternative data.img, one big bundle file with all the content of the data folder inside, this to be used when installing with a Windows system using the installer exe file. To get the data folder instead of the data.img you have to 1.) create a USB stick from the ISO file - I use Rufus.exe in windows 2.) edit the kernel command line (hit TAB) and add "INSTALL=1" and 3.) install to an ext4 partition. I usually prepare and format to ext4 beforehand, so I answer No to format, but you should format here. https://youtu.be/e-4lgdjT-4Q (the root folder used to be called RemixOS-date, but is now only RemixOS).
I have assumed that you have been using the official windows installer and thus have the big data.img file. And you have to rescue it before you format the disk, by copying the file, or cloning the partition (making a partition image) - probably in either case to a USB drive - to later reuse after partitioning of the drive. I would be interested to hear if you actually can install Windows XP on your present second partition, because if you can do that, it would be the easiest way to rescue the data.img file. And if you fail to install XP no harm is done.
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Now, the missing part of the instructions is what will happen next, after WinXP is installed at the primary partition?
How to install Remix on the secondary one and how to dual boot when turning the PC on?
I suggest you do Remix first. Either restore the partition image and proceed with the XP installation. Or install RemixOS, do not add "INSTALL=1" but format to ext4, Yes to grub (and grub2 if asked) and yes to system directory as read/write, and when asked to Run Android or Reboot, choose reboot. Rebooting will probably not work, but don't worry, just proceed with the XP installation.
In XP copy install Ext2Fsd and EasyBCD. Start Ext2fsd and give the second partition and drive letter, say D:. You will now be able to mount D: and copy over the data.img file (replace if you managed to boot) to the RemixOS folder (don't need to this in the cloning case). Run EasyBCD and third down Add New Entry, then second tab for Linux, add a name RemixOS and choose the drive and tap add entry. Go back to second down Edit Boot Menu and change Count down to something like 6 seconds and save. Now try rebooting, you should get a boot menu, chose RemixOS. And if it is not working, contact me so that we can edit out the Remix boot menu file.
I am a pensioner with plenty of free time, so I am only glad to help out.
Thanks for this.
OK for "NTFS for XP and ext4 for Remix" but I'm bit confused for the remaining...
I initially installed Remix by following this guide.
So yes, it's the official Win installer.
Now, for the remaining I still don't get it on how to backup this data.img file or folder... and also what the next steps you suggest are.
I don't well understand what you mean by working from within XP.
First I don't have XP installed yet because I really don't know how to install it on second partition and second if I ever was able to do this without touching my current Remix installation why should I backup/restore the data.img file? I mean that makes sense only if I have to start over again.
So, I'm really sorry but I'm lost at this point.
For the time being, I only have a Remix installation that works.
What should I do next precisely?

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