Hello.
My Father has a Galaxy S II , and he is always complaining that his phone is low on space.
The phone is 16GB and has another 16GB MicroSD card.
Most of his on-board integrated 16GB is free, and his MicroSD card is almost completely empty, the problem is that this phone has a very small Android OS 2GB partition, and every time he installs an app it always leaves something on the OS partition (even after manually moving every possible app to SD using the built in Move To SD, and placing all photos and videos on MicroSD). So even with very few Apps installed his phone is always begging for space since essentially he can only make use of 2GB of his 32GB of storage.
So I have considered maybe the best way to fix this his issue, is to install a Custom ROM on his phone, which only contains 1 Single Partition for the integrated 16GB of storage space, and another partition for the 16GB of MicroSD storage.
Thus eliminating the limited 2GB OS partition. (basically make it like every new Android phone since the galaxy S2)
I have never used a custom Android ROM so this is new to me ( i am more familiar with PC's).
So my primary question before I start looking for info and procedures on rooting and custom roms for this phone is as follows:
IS it possible to even install a new android OS on this phone which will have only one primary partition, or is this phone forever destined to only work as it is now with a small 2GB OS partition? In other words is there a hardware limitation which prevents this phone from addressing more than 2GB for its OS partition?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
mr_interested said:
IS it possible to even install a new android OS on this phone which will have only one primary partition, or is this phone forever destined to only work as it is now with a small 2GB OS partition? In other words is there a hardware limitation which prevents this phone from addressing more than 2GB for its OS partition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can repartition the phone using a modified PIT file. You will be able to increase the Data partition to avoid the "out of space" when installing or updating apps. The tradeoff is to have a smaller internal SD partition.
I have done it to my S 2.
There is a thread with clear instructions on how to do it. You will have to learn to use Odin, but that will be very useful as long as you have Samsung phones.
Here is the link: [MOD][GUIDE]Partition your internal memory for better App management (Pit Files)
svbarbosa said:
You can repartition the phone using a modified PIT file. You will be able to increase the Data partition to avoid the "out of space" when installing or updating apps. The tradeoff is to have a smaller internal SD partition.
I have done it to my S 2.
There is a thread with clear instructions on how to do it. You will have to learn to use Odin, but that will be very useful as long as you have Samsung phones.
Here is the link: [MOD][GUIDE]Partition your internal memory for better App management (Pit Files)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info.
Would it not be easier to just format the phone and start from scratch by installing a new custom Android OS ?
Will starting from scratch with a new OS allow me to set my partitions (just like on a PC) ?
Thanks again.
mr_interested said:
Thanks for the info.
Would it not be easier to just format the phone and start from scratch by installing a new custom Android OS ?
Will starting from scratch with a new OS allow me to set my partitions (just like on a PC) ?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You must use the Odin / Pit file to modify partition sizes.
And yes, that assumes you will flash a new rom.
svbarbosa said:
No. You must use the Odin / Pit file to modify partition sizes.
And yes, that assumes you will flash a new rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget to mention that re-partitioning your phone will delete all data so do a backup!!!!!
gsstudios said:
Don't forget to mention that re-partitioning your phone will delete all data so do a backup!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well said.
I did not mention it because it is the first step in the instructions.
But it is never too much to repeat. Backup! Backup! Backup!
Related
Hey everyone!
Is there a way to method yet for the S2 to rewrite the partitions? My S2 will be arriving today, replacing my Desire Z, and so the only reason I ask is because I like a simple partition where there is one for the phone and one for the sdcard (especially when it comes to using CWM and such).
Like on a harddrive, rather than having two partitions, like this case where there is the "internal memory" of 1gb or whatever it is, and then the remainder 16gig (not including the sdcard) is read AS an external. Could it be simply rewritten for the internal to be ~17gb? I do remember rewriting partition size on the G1 to get Cyanogenmod 6 to fit on it.
Just curious, please don't flame me if this is not feasible (or has been already done, again I don't have the phone yet and I haven't come across anything in my research, and yes I did search for it, even used "partition" to find anything).
mrmartin86 said:
Hey everyone!
Is there a way to method yet for the S2 to rewrite the partitions? My S2 will be arriving today, replacing my Desire Z, and so the only reason I ask is because I like a simple partition where there is one for the phone and one for the sdcard (especially when it comes to using CWM and such).
Like on a harddrive, rather than having two partitions, like this case where there is the "internal memory" of 1gb or whatever it is, and then the remainder 16gig (not including the sdcard) is read AS an external. Could it be simply rewritten for the internal to be ~17gb? I do remember rewriting partition size on the G1 to get Cyanogenmod 6 to fit on it.
Just curious, please don't flame me if this is not feasible (or has been already done, again I don't have the phone yet and I haven't come across anything in my research, and yes I did search for it, even used "partition" to find anything).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... Why would you want that? Explanation makes no sense.
You get about 500 MB system, 2 GB data, can't remember cache, then 11 GB as sdcard, with external sd optional.
You could modify the pit in theory but that's risky, and what you are trying seems confused or outdated for this phone
pulser_g2 said:
Hmm... Why would you want that? Explanation makes no sense.
You get about 500 MB system, 2 GB data, can't remember cache, then 11 GB as sdcard, with external sd optional.
You could modify the pit in theory but that's risky, and what you are trying seems confused or outdated for this phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I am just thinking from my experience with the Captivate that it poses some "oddness" when dealing with the sdcard and things like CWM, since when you put an sdcard it, it then has 3 partitions (internal, "internal extention," and the sdcard). Is there a reason the extra space is partitioned out instead of having it as part of the internal?
Hi I am using the Galaxy Player 4.0 (intl) and this is how my internal memory is laid out (check the attached zip file).
I wanted to ask, is this normal because I am pretty sure it isn't and I probably messed it up somehow will all the flashes I did to it.
Aren't the "two weird partitions" supposed to be merged?
Anyone? They only thing you have to do is either download DiskInfo, run it and tell me if you have the same layout or go to Task Manager > Storage and check your partitions from there.
Powernun said:
Hi I am using the Galaxy Player 4.0 (intl) and this is how my internal memory is laid out (check the attached zip file).
I wanted to ask, is this normal because I am pretty sure it isn't and I probably messed it up somehow will all the flashes I did to it.
Aren't the "two weird partitions" supposed to be merged?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is how it should be there's no worry.
The first weird partition is the "internal" sd card where when you plug your player, you can put on stuff there.
The second one is the /data partition which is needed by the OS and the applications to put out their data related stuff.
As those devices are pre-ICS ones, those 2 partitions aren't merged and I honestly consider it a plus (if someone messes /data, he or she doesn't mess all his or her internal space.) The same thing applies to the 5.0 as well. and pre-ICS devices.
zaclimon said:
This is how it should be there's no worry.
The first weird partition is the "internal" sd card where when you plug your player, you can put on stuff there.
The second one is the /data partition which is needed by the OS and the applications to put out their data related stuff.
As those devices are pre-ICS ones, those 2 partitions aren't merged and I honestly consider it a plus (if someone messes /data, he or she doesn't mess all his or her internal space.) The same thing applies to the 5.0 as well. and pre-ICS devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your reply.
I was concerned because I tried to install CyanogenMod 11 (by following your guide) but it had an error that said that I did not have enough space so I thought that my partitions were messed up but I guess I did something wrong so I am going to try again.
Hello, I have downloaded and installed the latest Cm11 and for some reason I am not longer able to use my internal sdcard. I can see and use the external sd but not the internal one. I just have the phone with 2Gb for apps and nothing else, unless I put the external sd.
I saw the partition on via parted is a fat32, but can mount nor format it on CWM recovery nor on my PC. At the end of the day I lost 12Gb of memory on my phone. Is there any way to remove and reformat the UMS partition (12Gb) with parted or any other application without having to put the stock ROM back? I also try Aparted application but is not able to see the partition at all.
BTW I would like to have 8Gb for apps and 8 Gb on my internal sd card, but I really do not know how to do it with Odin without bricking my phone. Any guidance on this? I want to keep using CM11 of course but could not find the md5 files to be used with Odin for CM11.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Phone SII GT-I9100 (16 Gb)
CM 11 M4 Snapshop
Thanks a lot.
DiegA70 said:
Hello, I have downloaded and installed the latest Cm11 and for some reason I am not longer able to use my internal sdcard. I can see and use the external sd but not the internal one. I just have the phone with 2Gb for apps and nothing else, unless I put the external sd.
I saw the partition on via parted is a fat32, but can mount nor format it on CWM recovery nor on my PC. At the end of the day I lost 12Gb of memory on my phone. Is there any way to remove and reformat the UMS partition (12Gb) with parted or any other application without having to put the stock ROM back? I also try Aparted application but is not able to see the partition at all.
BTW I would like to have 8Gb for apps and 8 Gb on my internal sd card, but I really do not know how to do it with Odin without bricking my phone. Any guidance on this? I want to keep using CM11 of course but could not find the md5 files to be used with Odin for CM11.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Phone SII GT-I9100 (16 Gb)
CM 11 M4 Snapshop
Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Return to stock flash the pit file and tge back to cm11
bhavstech said:
Return to stock flash the pit file and tge back to cm11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Where can I find the right pit file to go back to a stock? Can I flash another pit file to get a better usage of the phone's memory?
I would like to get 6Gb for the phone itself and the rest for the SDCard. Is that possible ? How can I do it?
Thanks again for your guidance.
You really are intent on trying to turn your phone into a paperweight, aren't you ? Do the smart thing & leave the partitions alone once you've fixed it.
DiegA70 said:
Thanks. Where can I find the right pit file to go back to a stock? Can I flash another pit file to get a better usage of the phone's memory?
I would like to get 6Gb for the phone itself and the rest for the SDCard. Is that possible ? How can I do it?
Thanks again for your guidance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
search for it on google there are many threads for it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...es/mod-partition-internal-memory-app-t2538947
MistahBungle said:
You really are intent on trying to turn your phone into a paperweight, aren't you ? Do the smart thing & leave the partitions alone once you've fixed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitively not. I am trying to find the proper pit files to do it as well as to recover my sdcard space. I trust on this forum, that is why and looking for help here. Frankly, to leave the partitions alone is my first option, however I think that 2Gb for the phone apps is not enough for heavy phone users. Thanks.
bhavstech said:
search for it on google there are many threads for it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...es/mod-partition-internal-memory-app-t2538947
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot, I have been trying to find something like this thread for days already. I will be reading comments and experiences before going for a different partition, I think is risky, but I would like to try, whether the comments on the thread you have just sent me, are in favor of doing it. I think 2Gb for apps is not enough for heavy users. Thanks again.
Hi guys, so I've got this tablet for free with my new contract and I want to root it to play a bit with it . Do you guys have any idea how to do it ? I haven't managed to find any tutorials on the web .
Vonino Onyx QS root request
+1 on this issue.
I too have a Vonino Onyx QS tablet running on Android 4.4.2. The device is decent enough, but storage management is awful! Despite being advertised as an 8 GB tablet in terms of storage, the Onyx QS runs aground at about 900 MB of installed apps (including related data and cache) and starts yelling that there is "Insufficient storage available". This renders the tablet virtually unusable after installing just a few essential apps. Emails stop working, apps will no longer update and data-intensive apps such as Google Earth will simply refuse to run. The 32 GB external SD card I've added makes no difference. It's almost like the OS has no clue what to do with it.
I suck at Android. However, after a lot of digging for pieces of information I've come to undersand that these devices use separate partitions for the apps and other files. Some folks have also hinted towards the fact that the puny 0.9 GB app partition can be resized on a rooted device by means of a partition management app. Or apps could at least be moved to the SD card right before their installation (making use of an app such as Link2SD and, again, a rooted device).
This bring us full circle back to the OP's request: could someone please create and explain a rooting method for this tablet?
Just so you know, these are fresh screenshots of this fresh factory reset configuration. Thought it would fix the problem, but it didn't.
SilentGTX said:
Hi guys, so I've got this tablet for free with my new contract and I want to root it to play a bit with it . Do you guys have any idea how to do it ? I haven't managed to find any tutorials on the web .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Muravey said:
+1 on this issue.
I too have a Vonino Onyx QS tablet running on Android 4.4.2. The device is decent enough, but storage management is awful! Despite being advertised as an 8 GB tablet in terms of storage, the Onyx QS runs aground at about 900 MB of installed apps (including related data and cache) and starts yelling that there is "Insufficient storage available". This renders the tablet virtually unusable after installing just a few essential apps. Emails stop working, apps will no longer update and data-intensive apps such as Google Earth will simply refuse to run. The 32 GB external SD card I've added makes no difference. It's almost like the OS has no clue what to do with it.
I suck at Android. However, after a lot of digging for pieces of information I've come to undersand that these devices use separate partitions for the apps and other files. Some folks have also hinted towards the fact that the puny 0.9 GB app partition can be resized on a rooted device by means of a partition management app. Or apps could at least be moved to the SD card right before their installation (making use of an app such as Link2SD and, again, a rooted device).
This bring us full circle back to the OP's request: could someone please create and explain a rooting method for this tablet?
Just so you know, these are fresh screenshots of this fresh factory reset configuration. Thought it would fix the problem, but it didn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try with Kingo ROOT. You do it at you'r own risk.
Successful rooting of Vonino Onyx QS tablet
Paget96 said:
try with Kingo ROOT. You do it at you'r own risk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Paget96! Thank you so much for the solution!
I'm writing this to let you, the OP and everybody else know that Kingo Root did it! I have succesfully rooted the tablet and the process itself was quick and merely a matter of installing the software on my PC, connecting the tablet via USB and clicking my way through.
Afterwards I installed Link2SD Plus to manage the transfer of apps from internal storage to the external SD card (32 GB in my case). The app is dirt cheap and truly what you need, because the free version does not allow you to move app data, only the app itself and its libraries. As I've come to know, data and cache build-up is what ends up killing storage space.
Before installing Link2SD however, one must prepare the SD card by means of a partitioning program. Highly recommend you do this via card reader on an actual PC. Use MiniTool Partition Wizard, it seems to be very popular these days. Delete whatever's already on the card and make two PRIMARY partitions: the first one will be FAT32 and will store the media you consume (like music, photos, videos etc.), while the second partition has to be ext4 (ext2 did not work for me on this tablet) and will hold the apps and their data. You can go ahead and name them "Media" and "Apps" respectively to avoid confusion. Remember: both must be primary partitions, the first one is FAT32 for media, the second is ext4 for apps. I made my app partition 10 GB big. Overkill, you say? Hey, I'm done with insufficient storage space errors, ok? :silly:
While you're at it, you might want to add a third partition for swap space to add more RAM to your device. There are tutorials for it on the web.
Once you're done formatting the card, reinstall it in the tablet, open up Link2SD and choose ext4 at the script mounting prompt. From there on, moving apps from internal to SD card space should be intuitive.
Prior to all this fiddling I suggest you perform a factory reset on your device so you can start clean. Can't tell you anythihg about custom ROMs or stuff like that because I didn't have a need for them. This thing works fine apart from that silly storage limitation.
Phew! I can finally enjoy using my tablet... :fingers-crossed:
Muravey said:
Hi, Paget96! Thank you so much for the solution!
I'm writing this to let you, the OP and everybody else know that Kingo Root did it! I have succesfully rooted the tablet and the process itself was quick and merely a matter of installing the software on my PC, connecting the tablet via USB and clicking my way through.
Afterwards I installed Link2SD Plus to manage the transfer of apps from internal storage to the external SD card (32 GB in my case). The app is dirt cheap and truly what you need, because the free version does not allow you to move app data, only the app itself and its libraries. As I've come to know, data and cache build-up is what ends up killing storage space.
Before installing Link2SD however, one must prepare the SD card by means of a partitioning program. Highly recommend you do this via card reader on an actual PC. Use MiniTool Partition Wizard, it seems to be very popular these days. Delete whatever's already on the card and make two PRIMARY partitions: the first one will be FAT32 and will store the media you consume (like music, photos, videos etc.), while the second partition has to be ext4 (ext2 did not work for me on this tablet) and will hold the apps and their data. You can go ahead and name them "Media" and "Apps" respectively to avoid confusion. Remember: both must be primary partitions, the first one is FAT32 for media, the second is ext4 for apps. I made my app partition 10 GB big. Overkill, you say? Hey, I'm done with insufficient storage space errors, ok? :silly:
While you're at it, you might want to add a third partition for swap space to add more RAM to your device. There are tutorials for it on the web.
Once you're done formatting the card, reinstall it in the tablet, open up Link2SD and choose ext4 at the script mounting prompt. From there on, moving apps from internal to SD card space should be intuitive.
Prior to all this fiddling I suggest you perform a factory reset on your device so you can start clean. Can't tell you anythihg about custom ROMs or stuff like that because I didn't have a need for them. This thing works fine apart from that silly storage limitation.
Phew! I can finally enjoy using my tablet... :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
10gb is too big, you will broke your sd.
Better use 512mb.
Paget96 said:
10gb is too big, you will broke your sd.
Better use 512mb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you expand on that one, please? Why am I at risk of ruining the SD card?
Muravey said:
Could you expand on that one, please? Why am I at risk of ruining the SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brcause sd work without stop, that is not good.
SD prob
Hi, i have the same tablet ... and i managed to root it ... but i cant manage to increse the storage . l've done the exact stepts ... installed micropartition deleted my sd card (2gb micro sd samasung) i did the first partition fat32 primary with a size of 800 gb and when i try to make the second one ext4 the program says that windows cant see the second partion on a removable device but i continuued anyways ,,, and created the second one with ext2 and then with ext4 as primary ... my windows and my tablet cant see the second partion ... need a little help ... thx
I heave installed the drivers, and nothing happens. Its not connecting to my pc. I changed the pc too. I heave the error: Unfortunately, Mobile data has stopped. I tryed to repair this with recovery -- Wipe data, factory reset. Not working.
Hey everyone
Here's what's happening ... I have an Samsung Galaxy SM-J500FN 2015 model phone,
a while ago I rooted it (back then it was under Android v5) ... I wanted to tweak some settings but I did something terrible, I played with KNOX.
Apparently KNOX and root don't go well together, my phone wouldn't boot anymore (rebooting loop).
Anyway, it was nothing, I just used Odin and a fresh new Official ROM (Android Marshmallow v6.0.1) and my phone was working again.
But now I discovered something, my phone is supposed to have an Internal Storage of 8GB, and that's the amount my memory settings show, but something was wrong with that, so I searched and after some time I understood that even though it said 8GB, my true storage was 4GB.
(More exactly I had 8GB but 4GB were constantly full, not even used by the system).
After a day I understood what might have happened :
My older ROM that has crashed wasn't erased when I flashed the new ROM, so now half of my Internal Storage is occupied by default meaning that I have two partitions on my phone (similar to when you install Windows and Linux on one PC).
But I cannot find any way to erase/reset my phone totally to get back those 4GB of memory.
If you have some applications, tricks, advice of some sort that could help me, I would really appreciate
Thank you for your time.
TovMachin said:
Hey everyone
Here's what's happening ... I have an Samsung Galaxy SM-J500FN 2015 model phone,
a while ago I rooted it (back then it was under Android v5) ... I wanted to tweak some settings but I did something terrible, I played with KNOX.
Apparently KNOX and root don't go well together, my phone wouldn't boot anymore (rebooting loop).
Anyway, it was nothing, I just used Odin and a fresh new Official ROM (Android Marshmallow v6.0.1) and my phone was working again.
But now I discovered something, my phone is supposed to have an Internal Storage of 8GB, and that's the amount my memory settings show, but something was wrong with that, so I searched and after some time I understood that even though it said 8GB, my true storage was 4GB.
(More exactly I had 8GB but 4GB were constantly full, not even used by the system).
After a day I understood what might have happened :
My older ROM that has crashed wasn't erased when I flashed the new ROM, so now half of my Internal Storage is occupied by default meaning that I have two partitions on my phone (similar to when you install Windows and Linux on one PC).
But I cannot find any way to erase/reset my phone totally to get back those 4GB of memory.
If you have some applications, tricks, advice of some sort that could help me, I would really appreciate
Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, how are you sir.
Ok, first thing you should know, that if your phone is labeled as an 8GB phone then you will only get 4GB no matter what you do, now there is no way that there are 2 roms on one system partition, what may be taking the space could be old data from the old rom like in /android folder and could possibly also be media files from apps that was installed in previous rom like Facebook photos, WhatsApp videos, pics, and voice messages...etc, installing stock rom with Odin doesn't erase any files, but it completely replaces the rom in system partition with new rom.
Okay I see, thank you.
But still, I've explored that 'Android' folder a few times, checked photos, documents, everything ...
Now what I don't really understand is this :
You will only get 4GB no matter what you do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.
Why is that ? Isn't there a way to access this memory ?
BTW : I didn't flash with Rooted Stock ROM, I used an Official Android 6.0.1 ROM from Samsung's Website
EDIT : My phone when started in Recovery Mode first says "No Command" with the Android Red Error logo, then opens the recovery mode like there never was no error involved ... That's one the things that made me say that my phone definitely had some issues with my older ROM.
TovMachin said:
Okay I see, thank you.
But still, I've explored that 'Android' folder a few times, checked photos, documents, everything ...
Now what I don't really understand is this :
.
Why is that ? Isn't there a way to access this memory ?
BTW : I didn't flash with Rooted Stock ROM, I used an Official Android 6.0.1 ROM from Samsung's Website
EDIT : My phone when started in Recovery Mode first says "No Command" with the Android Red Error logo, then opens the recovery mode like there never was no error involved ... That's one the things that made me say that my phone definitely had some issues with my older ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the reason why you will get 4 only is because the 8GB includes system partition, data partition, cache, preload (if there is one) in addition to the space taken from the formatting, it's pretty much the same like when you buy a 8GB sdcard and you get only about 7.3GB, or when you buy a 16GB phone and you only have 11.5GB for media (my case..), or when you buy a 32GB phone and you find about 8GB already taken from the phone and you get to use about 23GB for media files (my dad's case and you'll notice that in any other 32GB phone), that's what i meant, you also can check any 8GB phone and you will find that he only has 4GB for media...i hope i explained it in an easy way.
in my case i have an s2 with 16GB
i only have 11.5GB for media, and there is 512mb system partition and 512mb preload, and 2GB data partition, and small cache partition.., so that makes it about 14.5GB in total, the missing 1.5GB is due to formatting as far as i know, same as the sdcards thing i said earlier..
p.s: those partitions are unaccessible by default, they are hidden from the user, only way to access them is by rooting the phone and using a root explorer.
Yes I knew about that, but I never knew it took so much place
Thank you for your answer, I guess my phone is totally normal