Can you borrow internal storage for ram use? - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi Guys, only a quick question really!
Is it possible to use internal storage as ram to boost the memory up a little?
reason i ask is that (for example) windows 7 lets you stick a usb stick in and boost the ram up.
I would have thought that the same could be achieved by some of the developers on here by borrowing some internal storage for use with ram.
( I searched and couldn't find anything that related to this. )
Paul. :fingers-crossed:

No
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

And why would you want to? It would be on the order of magnitudes slower than RAM.
RAM operates in nanoseconds whereas storage operates in milliseconds. (Storage is 1000 times slower..)

Look in the dev section. There is a mod where you can use part of your external sd card as a swap partition.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Siyah kernel supports swap partition. You need to have an external sd card for it. It's only for ics rom right now. More info? Check development section.
☞ sent from GS3 or Nexus

It's possible.
Here's how to do it.

Baldilocks said:
And why would you want to? It would be on the order of magnitudes slower than RAM.
RAM operates in nanoseconds whereas storage operates in milliseconds. (Storage is 1000 times slower..)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just had a crazy idea that id be able somehow to borrow 1gb from my 32gb card and run 2gb of ram. but if what you explained is correct ill leave it as it is as its not that big an issue, however....... i have Siyah kernel installed already, might have to read up on 'swap partition' hopefully giving me more internal storage for downloading large sized games etc. I keep running out of internal storage memory when downloading games and for some reason on the latest 4.0.4 sammy build i cannot move apps to sd card.
ill have a tinker with swap partition and see how that goes, thanks for your info guys.

A swap partition won't help you download bigger files and all you have to do is download directly to external memory, and it's impossible to move Apps to external memory unless you Root and use App called Directory Bind.

Geordie Lad said:
A swap partition won't help you download bigger files and all you have to do is download directly to external memory, and it's impossible to move Apps to external memory unless you Root and use App called Directory Bind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not the only app
there are other apps e.g. app2sd
dark tremors mod allows you to format part of the memory stick as either ext3 and use that to install apps on
this is done automatically on swedish snow which is a rom on zte blade,
i don't know if there is an app to do this on gs3 but it is possible to do it

shanky887614 said:
not the only app
there are other apps e.g. app2sd
dark tremors mod allows you to format part of the memory stick as either ext3 and use that to install apps on
this is done automatically on swedish snow which is a rom on zte blade,
i don't know if there is an app to do this on gs3 but it is possible to do it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope it's impossible to use any Apps like App2Sd because the external memory now uses ExFat format and mounted as a separate device so can't move the cache like other phones, so only way is to use Directory Bind to use Android's folder Binding function to trick Apps into thinking it's reading from internal memory.

I just had a crazy idea that id be able somehow to borrow 1gb from my 32gb card and run 2gb of ram
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look at another feature Siyah includes; zRAM. It basically reduces(!) your available memory by taking a chunk of it (up to 300MB can be set through STweaks) which is then used with GZip-Compression to create a in-RAM Swap partition.
This is based on the idea that in current phones/computers the CPU is far more powerful than is usually needed, so the performance impact of using it for Swap is not that high. On the other hand you don't save that much RAM - but it certainly helps without crippling down your phone and/or greatly reducing your SSD's capacity

Geordie Lad said:
Nope it's impossible to use any Apps like App2Sd because the external memory now uses ExFat format and mounted as a separate device so can't move the cache like other phones, so only way is to use Directory Bind to use Android's folder Binding function to trick Apps into thinking it's reading from internal memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use 'GL to SD' from the play store. Worked great on the S2 as well.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

joey jojo said:
Hi Guys, only a quick question really!
Is it possible to use internal storage as ram to boost the memory up a little?
reason i ask is that (for example) windows 7 lets you stick a usb stick in and boost the ram up.
I would have thought that the same could be achieved by some of the developers on here by borrowing some internal storage for use with ram.
( I searched and couldn't find anything that related to this. )
Paul. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Windows uses it more to reduce hard drive access as this is slower than a memory stick

m1ket said:
Windows uses it more to reduce hard drive access as this is slower than a memory stick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? No! Unless you have a USB 3.0 or a SATA supported flash memory of some kind, most other means are slower than HDDs which get around 100 mb/s read and write. Compare that to a Class 10 at 10mb/s...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

A solution I use is something somehow similar to app2sd.
To achieve it just crop the first partition of your external sd fitting to the size you want to use as second partition and create an additional partition with a supported format (I personally prefer ext4).
Move the content of your /sdcard/Android folder to the new partition and write a mount script where you mount the /dev/block/mmcblk1p2 device to /sdcard/Android.
Execute it with script manager with su rights and mark on boot and you will gain more internal space for games and apps and only have to worry about moving files if you downloaded to much with the browser or such.
Gesendet von meinem GT-I9300 mit Tapatalk 2

SlimJ87D said:
What? No! Unless you have a USB 3.0 or a SATA supported flash memory of some kind, most other means are slower than HDDs which get around 100 mb/s read and write. Compare that to a Class 10 at 10mb/s...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the "mb/s" stat is irrelevant in the case of ReadyBoost, the windows feature that boosts access time of cached files through flash memory on usb stick or memory card...
cant post a link but, wikipedia is your friend
the feature is more of a gimmick than anything else, but its there and it does what it say it does to the extent of its limitations which are very low...

Most Windows computers have HDD's and not like our S3 an SSD.
HDD's are faster than memory sticks ONLY in writing and continuous read (one big file without fragmentation)
Readyboost uses a SSD for small often-read fragments qualifying as random read where even your cheap USB2 stick is by far faster than a hard drive.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

Geordie Lad said:
Nope it's impossible to use any Apps like App2Sd because the external memory now uses ExFat format and mounted as a separate device so can't move the cache like other phones, so only way is to use Directory Bind to use Android's folder Binding function to trick Apps into thinking it's reading from internal memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But my external SD is not ExFat.
I know that because I format it myself.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using xda app-developers app

Related

[Q] Galaxy S II Storage Partitions: Can They Be Changed?

My GS2 came with 1.97GB of "System Storage" and 11.5 GB of "USB Storage"
I don't know if that's how everyone's has been set up, but I find that 1.97 GB to be a little too small, and would love to merge it and the rest of the USB Storage so that I just have two storage areas. The 1.97, at the moment, is where all applications are default installed, and the 11.5GB is where music and videos that I copy over through Kies goes.
Is there anyway to merge the two so I'm not so limited with the 1.97?
Thanks!
1.97 GB is way more than anyone should need for internal. My Evo has ~320MB left and that's about as good as it gets, with my 8GB SD card for music and whatnot.
But yes there should also be a way to change the partition sizes. Or just use A2SD to move all the apps you need to your SD card and that could help, but also sacrifices speed of the apps.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
empiire said:
1.97 GB is way more than anyone should need for internal. My Evo has ~320MB left and that's about as good as it gets, with my 8GB SD card for music and whatnot.
But yes there should also be a way to change the partition sizes. Or just use A2SD to move all the apps you need to your SD card and that could help, but also sacrifices speed of the apps.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I didn't know this was the wrong forum to post in, I just had a question, so I went to the Q and A forum. Sorry if it should have been somewhere else. I'm just looking for a way to merge the two internal storages.
If you'll let me know where I should ask this question, I'll ask it there instead.
Thanks

What is the purpose of the external SD card?

Let me start off by saying that I have yet to root my Flyer, but plan on it in the near future. My question is the purpose of having an external SD card (I recently got a 16GB)? It doesn't seem like you are able to store apps there, unless you're rooted of course using something like Link2SD.
So for the unrooted, stock Flyer users, is the external SD only for storage of files like mp3s, AVis, etc. that apps on the internal storage can read and run or am I missing something in the setup?
Nope, that's it...just more space for media etc.
globatron said:
Nope, that's it...just more space for media etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks globatron. All the more reason for me to hurry and root this thing. Any known issues with running Link2SD on HC?
In Gingerbread, you can move some of your apps to SD without root through settings>applications. You choose your app and then there is an option to move to SD card. In my experience, Honeycomb deals with app space differently, so there is no need for this option because I believe all internal storage is available to apps and media. At least this is how it is on my Honeycomb Archos 80.
You can also store app data on the SDHC card with root and judicious use of the mount command with the bind option. For example:
mount -o bind /Removable/MicroSD/com.iconology.comics.app /mnt/sdcard/Android/data/com.iconology.comics.app
I grabbed this line from my transformer as I'm just starting to set up my View but it shows the necessary goodness. Here's my attempt (as in I may have a typo) at the correct code for the Flyer or View to move the storage for the Comixology app:
mount -o bind /sdcard2/com.iconology.comics.app /mnt/sdcard/Android/data/com.iconology.comics.app
The first path can use any name for the folder with the files but I like to keep it the same as the one I'm moving from the internal storage. The second folder is the actual folder where the app data was stored until I moved it to the SDHC card. The big drawback is you'll need to do this for each folder you want to move to the SDHC. But I've found is 2 or 3 apps that use huge chunks of storage.
Then add this to the init.rc or any other startup run script file. I prefer to use Script Manager to run it as root at boot since that gives me a bit more control over the execution and I get to do it without modifying system boot files.
Sent from my PG41200 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk
Well, I wish there were 256GB or so cards available.
I have a lot of media. I can fill it just fine and use my View as a media server or something like that.
As of moving apps to SD: you guys are able to fill all your 24GB or so internal storage with your apps so you need to move them to the external?
I wonder what is that you are running.
Maine_Coon said:
Well, I wish there were 256GB or so cards available.
I have a lot of media. I can fill it just fine and use my View as a media server or something like that.
As of moving apps to SD: you guys are able to fill all your 24GB or so internal storage with your apps so you need to move them to the external?
I wonder what is that you are running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too many apps still aren't willing to write anywhere but /mnt/sdcard and don't deal with additional storage options. So if you can move a gig of apps to the SDHC card that's another gig of storage for those dumb programs. Doesn't directly relate to having 24GB of apps.
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[Q] Checkdisk and defragment apps

Hi,
Is there an android app that can check the file system and defragement the SD card?
After my 16GB card became read only I shut down the phone, removed the sd card and check it in windows. There were a few file problems (in a Google Currents directory).
Having fixed this problem I decided to check the fragmentation. It was 45%.
A utility that could do these functions while the phone is plugged in would be great.
Are there any?
chribonn said:
Hi,
Is there an android app that can check the file system and defragement the SD card?
After my 16GB card became read only I shut down the phone, removed the sd card and check it in windows. There were a few file problems (in a Google Currents directory).
Having fixed this problem I decided to check the fragmentation. It was 45%.
A utility that could do these functions while the phone is plugged in would be great.
Are there any?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know any app that can do it but you can do it on your computer just mount your SD card as mass storage and use a program like defraggler to defraggler your card.
Sent from my LG-P350 using XDA premium
You shouldn't defragment flash memory. It's life will be reduced if you do. Because flash memory has far lesser read/write cycles till it fails, compared to magnetic storage like a HDD. Defragmenting flash memory won't bring about too much of a speed improvement, because unlike a HDD where the disk physically has to move to reach fragments of data, there are no moving parts in flash storage.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
sashank said:
You shouldn't defragment flash memory. It's life will be reduced if you do. Because flash memory has far lesser read/write cycles till it fails, compared to magnetic storage like a HDD. Defragmenting flash memory won't bring about too much of a speed improvement, because unlike a HDD where the disk physically has to move to reach fragments of data, there are no moving parts in flash storage.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the advice. An Android app that does a checkdsk would be great. As nerot indicated today I am plugging in the card into an SD card reader and using the utility that comes with Windows.

Will we get App2SD support on JB?

Hello!
Do you think LG/Google will learn from their misstakes and enable Apps being Transferrable to the SD card? I Hope They do.
Eddiejo6 said:
Hello!
Do you think LG/Google will learn from their misstakes and enable Apps being Transferrable to the SD card? I Hope They do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mistake? no friend, that was no mistake they planned that. ics was a major change in android and the apps to sd card thing is history now (at least in stock roms)
and the reason is that external memory can never be as fast as internal memory in running and executing apps. imo
Eddiejo6 said:
Hello!
Do you think LG/Google will learn from their misstakes and enable Apps being Transferrable to the SD card? I Hope They do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mistake about app2sd? any rooted and open source rom and kernel, can enable this feature. where does jb comes in picture? people have been using it since froyo custom roms.
And yes there is a video wanna suggest you with one million hit and its beautiful to see that sex on the beach:laugh: watch carefully (with subtitles)
hamdimo said:
mistake? no friend, that was no mistake they planned that. ics was a major change in android and the apps to sd card thing is history now (at least in stock roms)
and the reason is that external memory can never be as fast as internal memory in running and executing apps. imo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
internal memory is fast i agree, but it is still not faster than class 10 memory cards.
when i transfer data to internal memory it never went above 8 mbps....but with my class 10 memory card i can transfer with 16 mbps speed....so flash memory isnt always the fastest one
hamdimo said:
mistake? no friend, that was no mistake they planned that. ics was a major change in android and the apps to sd card thing is history now (at least in stock roms)
and the reason is that external memory can never be as fast as internal memory in running and executing apps. imo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not history it's optional. It's a feature still embedded in ICS and Jelly Bean but it just needs to be turned on. They made it optional due to the devices like the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 which had no external memory. So having the feature would be pointless. It can be turned on though. I have a couple devices that has it work through your normal system settings.
psychoace said:
It is not history it's optional. It's a feature still embedded in ICS and Jelly Bean but it just needs to be turned on. They made it optional due to the devices like the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 which had no external memory. So having the feature would be pointless. It can be turned on though. I have a couple devices that has it work through your normal system settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
allow me to be noob to ask- how hard is it to turn this feature on in LG 769?
vaibhav rathi said:
internal memory is fast i agree, but it is still not faster than class 10 memory cards.
when i transfer data to internal memory it never went above 8 mbps....but with my class 10 memory card i can transfer with 16 mbps speed....so flash memory isnt always the fastest one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main issue with that is majority of consumers that are using these devices have no clue what a class is in relation to SD cards. Hell half of them think SD cards are SIM cards and vice versa and their pictures are on the SIM xD
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
Jrkoffjonson said:
The main issue with that is majority of consumers that are using these devices have no clue what a class is in relation to SD cards. Hell half of them think SD cards are SIM cards and vice versa and their pictures are on the SIM xD
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the modern consumer is anything but "brilliant", but pictures on a SIM card? Lol. That may be a touch harsh, though it did get me to laugh.
On a side note, my current devices happen to be the exact same as yours. Fancy that.
Just rooted p769, installed app2sd and want to move apps. When run app2sd get this message:
"the device does not have a real primary external storage, or the primary external storage is emulated. Moving app to SD function may not be supported by this device."
any alternatives or any way to remap without app2sd or link2sd? I have not tried link2sd yet but it'll probably be similar. Would like to remap or move apps until JB/CM is available which will likely have it integrated.
The script in this thread has been working great for me for a while. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2108775
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda premium
Tablechair said:
The script in this thread has been working great for me for a while. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2108775
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try it, thanks.
Now i have a total of 180 apps, most of them are system, pre-installed, removed most bloatware. Don't want to waste internal storage memory completely, would like to keep some apps in phone and have a few hundred megs free internal, the rest moved to externa sd. Hope it's possible.
On the JB there are app2sd but all data of applications is still saving in phone memory.
luq529 said:
On the JB there are app2sd but all data of applications is still saving in phone memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying they initially install on the phone but have the option to move to sd after they are installed or that the option is available but doesn't work to move apps to your sd card.
psychoace said:
Are you saying they initially install on the phone but have the option to move to sd after they are installed or that the option is available but doesn't work to move apps to your sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's saying that the larger apps such as for example real racing still save the data files to the sdcard. Now the difference is that you can move the actual app to the sdcard.
Virusbetax said:
He's saying that the larger apps such as for example real racing still save the data files to the sdcard. Now the difference is that you can move the actual app to the sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sorry for my bad English. We need to root this phone. Jelly bean is great.
I'm so jealous because I have the p769. I hope lg will update soon. I'm hoping with in another week.

[Q] Which method better for larger storage: app2sd or external2internal?

Hi there! I have an Android based set top box and I'm looking for buying a sdcard so I could bring more space to it. The thing is I don't know which method should I use between apps2sd or external2internal so I have more space to install big games. Actually it has a little more than 5gb of internal memory, which is very poor if I want to install few games, emulators with its rooms etc.
Nobody? Up!
If your android version is grater than 2.1.x you could just go to settings->aplications and move the apps to the sd, if not you can use the apps2sd
It's apples and oranges. a2sd is very limited and only moves a part of the apk but not the other data of the app which takes up more space than the apk typically. External2internal does the whole SD card so you'll have as much storage as your card has space on it.
es0tericcha0s said:
It's apples and oranges. a2sd is very limited and only moves a part of the apk but not the other data of the app which takes up more space than the apk typically. External2internal does the whole SD card so you'll have as much storage as your card has space on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ups sory, I did mess the 2 xD It´s is been I while since I used it.
Arucarde said:
If your android version is grater than 2.1.x you could just go to settings->aplications and move the apps to the sd, if not you can use the apps2sd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was asking this because although I'm on 4.2 there's no a2sd support. Anyway, with apps2sd I was referring to Darktremor's script, which moves data to an external ext3/4 partition in sdcard, versus external2internal thing.
I've installed ext2int but I don't know how to configure it because I can't figure out internal mount point. I think it's using fuse.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2399072

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