After some 2+ years of constantly changing ROMs, I've noticed that my i9100 shows more often than not the message of "your storage is getting full" or whatever it says. It does not work by clearing apps' data or even removing some of them because it ends up showing the warning soon. Also, factory reset has proved not to do much, since it just does a data wipe.
So I have decided to proceed with a format by entering Recovery > Mounts & storage > Format sdcard.
I just want to check first wether I will be able, after the format has finished, to flash CyanogenMod back from the same recovery (having placed it in the external SD card, which I understand is not formatted together with the internal storage) and have it working all ok, or the format will disable me from doing something else.
So my questions are:
That 'format sdcard' option in the Recovery means the internal storage, right?
The external SD card (the actual physical one) is not affected by the format, right?
Will I be able to flash CyanogenMod back again from the same Recovery after the format?
In case yes, any reboot in between the format and the flashing would brick my phone?
Help is much appreciated! :laugh:
jago84 said:
After some 2+ years of constantly changing ROMs, I've noticed that my i9100 shows more often than not the message of "your storage is getting full" or whatever it says. It does not work by clearing apps' data or even removing some of them because it ends up showing the warning soon. Also, factory reset has proved not to do much, since it just does a data wipe.
So I have decided to proceed with a format by entering Recovery > Mounts & storage > Format sdcard.
I just want to check first wether I will be able, after the format has finished, to flash CyanogenMod back from the same recovery (having placed it in the external SD card, which I understand is not formatted together with the internal storage) and have it working all ok, or the format will disable me from doing something else.
So my questions are:
That 'format sdcard' option in the Recovery means the internal storage, right?
The external SD card (the actual physical one) is not affected by the format, right?
Will I be able to flash CyanogenMod back again from the same Recovery after the format?
In case yes, any reboot in between the format and the flashing would brick my phone?
Help is much appreciated! :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well as i had flashed a lot of Roms too, maybe i can help you...i'll try!
after formatting sdcard, u wont lose ROM. u will just format your sdcard(12 gb i think).
1) i think the "format sdcard" option is supposed to mean the internal storage. but in some roms that i flashed, sometimes the sdcard mean the external sdcard and EMMC means the internal sdcard...so first take a look. go to install zip and select install from internal sdcard or external sdcard and look up in the screen, if it shows that u are in /sdcard or in /emmc, so u can know what sdcard are u really going to format
2) if u select to format the internal sdcard, it will only format the internal sdcard. nothing else.
3)well, as i said in the beginning, you won't lose rom in the format...u just formated sdcard, the rom and its stuff are still there, in the device storage(not sdcard or external sdcard, but in a card that is only for system/phone stuff(its like the phone has 2 cards. one u can use and send stuff(12gb) and the other one is for system files(2gb))
4) i think it would not brick it, since u just formated the sdcard, the rom is still on your phone but in the device storage, like i said above.
the ROM files arent stored in internal sdcard or external sdcard(those u can send files by usb), they are stored in the storage of the device that is only for system files. so if u do a format it wont affect Rom or Recovery.
hope it helped a little...cheers
Short notice from my side: I doubt formatting your sdcard will help to solve your original problem (low memory). This message appears if the /data space (those 2GB where all the system settings and application data are stored) is almost used completely. The easiest way to clean up this data is a system reset (which will make you loose all your data) or you need to look whether there are applications occupying much data there and remove these apps / tell them to store their data on /sdcard (if this is possible) or to selectively remove some log files / temp data. But in this you should be very careful, because removing the wrong data might cause strange system behaviour.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
AndDiSa said:
Short notice from my side: I doubt formatting your sdcard will help to solve your original problem (low memory). This message appears if the /data space (those 2GB where all the system settings and application data are stored) is almost used completely. The easiest way to clean up this data is a system reset (which will make you loose all your data) or you need to look whether there are applications occupying much data there and remove these apps / tell them to store their data on /sdcard (if this is possible) or to selectively remove some log files / temp data. But in this you should be very careful, because removing the wrong data might cause strange system behaviour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that is not quite the problem I am faceing now. I explain myself: when I get that "storage almost full" message, if I check on Settings > Storage, the Internal Storage section (1,97 GB in total) shows an availability of only 205 MB and the bar is half full (see attached). First incoherence. I try to update any small app such as, for example, Bitcoin Wallet (1.3 MB) and it says it can't be updated because there is not enough space. Incoherent with the bar shown. Also, if I navigate to /data, it shows there is an amount of 2.31 GB inside that directory (incoherent with the amount shown by the Storage Manager. Other data folders, such as the one in /sdcard/data or the one in /data/data, are always smaller (3 MB and 425 MB respectively, also don't match any of the figures shown by the Storage Manager).
Some ROM installs ago, I remember I was able to install around 190 apps and no problem at all, and now I'm 160 and have to keep removing apps when I want to install more.
That's why I think my problem is not related to data, or fixed by a data wipe or factory reset. I understand there are too many files inside that are just lost from ROM to ROM, and not even the system know where do they belong to. It is running everything but fluent. I don't even remember what Project Butter is :silly:
RonDelonge182 said:
well as i had flashed a lot of Roms too, maybe i can help you...i'll try!
after formatting sdcard, u wont lose ROM. u will just format your sdcard(12 gb i think).
1) i think the "format sdcard" option is supposed to mean the internal storage. but in some roms that i flashed, sometimes the sdcard mean the external sdcard and EMMC means the internal sdcard...so first take a look. go to install zip and select install from internal sdcard or external sdcard and look up in the screen, if it shows that u are in /sdcard or in /emmc, so u can know what sdcard are u really going to format
2) if u select to format the internal sdcard, it will only format the internal sdcard. nothing else.
3)well, as i said in the beginning, you won't lose rom in the format...u just formated sdcard, the rom and its stuff are still there, in the device storage(not sdcard or external sdcard, but in a card that is only for system/phone stuff(its like the phone has 2 cards. one u can use and send stuff(12gb) and the other one is for system files(2gb))
4) i think it would not brick it, since u just formated the sdcard, the rom is still on your phone but in the device storage, like i said above.
the ROM files arent stored in internal sdcard or external sdcard(those u can send files by usb), they are stored in the storage of the device that is only for system files. so if u do a format it wont affect Rom or Recovery.
hope it helped a little...cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help, dude! Much appreciated.
Anyway, I feel that, if formatting sdcard does not wipe everything, maybe then what I need is to go Recovery > Mounts and storage > format /system, format /data, etc. All of them except for the actual physical sdcard (wether it is /emmc or /sdcard) and the directory in which the recovery "lives".
So I have new questions now:
If I formatted /system, would the phone be bricked or the Recovery would still allow me to install a CM ROM stored in the sd card?
Is there any of the directories shown in Recovery > Mounts and Storage that represents the actual Recovery partition/space?
There's no recovery partition you can format.
You can format system, preload, and data partition.
But flash a ROM right after.
There are flashable scripts (ROM wipe or ROM nuke) you can use. It does all the formats and wipes, and even back up some of your folders.
Envoyé depuis mon Nexus 10 avec Tapatalk
jago84 said:
I think that is not quite the problem I am faceing now. I explain myself: when I get that "storage almost full" message, if I check on Settings > Storage, the Internal Storage section (1,97 GB in total) shows an availability of only 205 MB and the bar is half full (see attached).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a known bug, that Android's performance is decreasing very much as soon as there is less than 10% free on /data. Additionally I wouldn't trust the graphics you see, because especially if you have man small files, the space occupied on "disk" is much higher than the file size. If they are only adding the file size of the files stored there this will be misleading. As far as I know the block size is 4kb, so each file takes at least 4kb of the memory. You can try to move some apps to /sdcard, but this works only to an external one, so you can free some space. Otherwise have a look on /data/system/dropbox or /data/system/usagestats if you can find some files which can be removed.
jago84 said:
Thanks for your help, dude! Much appreciated.
Anyway, I feel that, if formatting sdcard does not wipe everything, maybe then what I need is to go Recovery > Mounts and storage > format /system, format /data, etc. All of them except for the actual physical sdcard (wether it is /emmc or /sdcard) and the directory in which the recovery "lives".
So I have new questions now:
If I formatted /system, would the phone be bricked or the Recovery would still allow me to install a CM ROM stored in the sd card?
Is there any of the directories shown in Recovery > Mounts and Storage that represents the actual Recovery partition/space?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, as Sergeileduc said, u can't format Recovery. so answering your questions:
1) yes, you would still be able to flash any other Rom, since formatting /system does not affect recovery. Wiping this partition will remove Android from the device without rendering it unbootable, and you will still be able to put the phone into recovery or bootloader mode to install a new ROM.
2) i dont think so...u can't format recovery...
hope it helped you...cheers!
well the 4rth question is no it wouldent brick your phone it will just hang at the galaxy s logo p.s thanks for helpin me on the other fourm
Just to add my own experience.....
Some months ago, my phone was suffering from poor performance (I was running CM10.1 at the time)
I decided to do a full format to totally "pristine" wipe my phone and start fresh. I copied a fresh version of the rom and gapps to my removable micro SD card and rebooted into CWM. I formatted cache, dalvic, preload, emmc and sd.....then just to be certain, I factory reset too.....
After that and while still in CWM, I flashed the rom and gapps and rebooted without issue......I believe this is what you want to do, so to answer your question. ...yes it is safe and possible to do this.....my phone is proof of that.....
Sent from my Rooted, De bloated Stock JB powered S2 via PhilZ kernel and Tapatalk 2....
keithross39 said:
Just to add my own experience.....
Some months ago, my phone was suffering from poor performance (I was running CM10.1 at the time)
I decided to do a full format to totally "pristine" wipe my phone and start fresh. I copied a fresh version of the rom and gapps to my removable micro SD card and rebooted into CWM. I formatted cache, dalvic, preload, emmc and sd.....then just to be certain, I factory reset too.....
After that and while still in CWM, I flashed the rom and gapps and rebooted without issue......I believe this is what you want to do, so to answer your question. ...yes it is safe and possible to do this.....my phone is proof of that.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Great feedback.
Just to complete my question, did you notice a significant performance improvement after the wipe-and-reinstall process?
It seemed to help a bit, but not as much as I'd anticipated. ..
Sent from my Rooted, De bloated Stock JB powered S2 via PhilZ kernel and Tapatalk 2....
Hi. I own a i9100 with a custom ROM. After I installed some apps i got the "Low Memory" message.Not a persistent one in the notification bar,only messages when i try to update/install apps. I get this on other roms too. As i searched the internet i saw that all of them have 2 internal storages (and SD card) and the first one always had 1.97GB free space. I have this problem with a 16GB i9100. My question is why my phone takes the first internal storage as primary and why are there 2 internal storages?
I did searched the forum and i found some threads with the *#9900# option but i get a message and can't enter. I will attach some screenshots.
Maybe a repartition will solve my problem with the 2 internal storages and low memory?
Thank you.
alexarg98 said:
Hi. I own a i9100 with a custom ROM. After I installed some apps i got the "Low Memory" message.Not a persistent one in the notification bar,only messages when i try to update/install apps. I get this on other roms too. As i searched the internet i saw that all of them have 2 internal storages (and SD card) and the first one always had 1.97GB free space. I have this problem with a 16GB i9100. My question is why my phone takes the first internal storage as primary and why are there 2 internal storages?
I did searched the forum and i found some threads with the *#9900# option but i get a message and can't enter. I will attach some screenshots.
Maybe a repartition will solve my problem with the 2 internal storages and low memory?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to XDA alexarg98!
There are two internal storages because the 2GB one is for apps, the rest is for personal usage (the one you can access with a file manager). This is so that the device makes sure that you have adequate space for apps, otherwise people will start complaining that they have no space because all of the storage is taken up by personal files. A repartition will certainly fix your problems with insufficient space, just make sure to follow the instructions carefully from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...es/mod-partition-internal-memory-app-t2538947 or this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...ivatives/mod-increase-partition-size-t3011162
Note: You will lose all of your apps and you will need to reformat your internal storage so make sure to backup onto your PC or external sd card.
The *#9900# dial code is not available because you are using a custom rom, only stock based roms can access these *secret* menus.
regards, gsstudios
Thank you for your time and detailed answer. I will do the repartition and I will come back with the result.
Hey @gsstudios . I did try your way of repartition but when i formatted the sdcard,i got some errors like "unable to mount /emmc" . I wiped the /data /cache and /system and i proceed to the next steps. I did recovered my backup in recovery and again i got the "unable to mount /emmc" . Anyways my phone booted and now in the storage I have only one internal memory (6Gb) and my SDcard. My question is,do i have the other 10Gb for data? Or only my 6Gb. As long as my storage shows only that.
Thanks.
EDIT: I cannot put anything on my SD card or internal memory.. And Files app doesn't see my internal memory.
Although I can install apps.
I tried another .pit file / tried to format with CWM (succesfully) but i got the same problem with internal memory not recognizable in Files app or storage info in settings.
@alexarg
When did u format it ?
After or before flashing costom PIT file ?
U need to format it after flashing costom PIT file using costom recovery.
MikiGry said:
@alexarg
When did u format it ?
After or before flashing costom PIT file ?
U need to format it after flashing costom PIT file using costom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed the .pit first and then i formatted. I followed the tutorial step by step.
alexarg98 said:
I flashed the .pit first and then i formatted. I followed the tutorial step by step.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about using a different pit file? Which kernel did you use to format your internal partition? Did you try mounting your storage manually in the mounts and storage menu and format via your PC?
regards, gsstudios
gsstudios said:
What about using a different pit file? Which kernel did you use to format your internal partition? Did you try mounting your storage manually in the mounts and storage menu and format via your PC?
regards, gsstudios
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. So yesterday i did some tests and I found something to work out.
I used the 8GB .pit file , gustavo kernel and CWM Recovery.
Last time I flashed the CWM after the .pit and kernel, and yesterday i started all over and installed CWM and after .pit and kernel because i saw that CWM is able to format sdcard (internal). And so I was able to repartition my device.
Seems like TWRP can't repartition (at least for me).
So I wanna thank you @gsstudios for your time and guidance. And @MikiGry for helping too.
Have a good day.
Hi XDA,
I used to try out every new ROMs out there and today I just did the same. I downloaded and installed Dot OS and now the device's internal storage is not accessible. When I try to wipe the data it says unable to mount storage.
Nothing is found on the file manager.
I can't download anything from the internet since there is no internal storage available.
But it is available from Red Wolf a recovery mode. I can see all the files from the recovery but not able to see or access it from the file manager.
please help. Now I can't install new ROM since I can't download new one.
I haven't tried factory reset yet. Please help me if I can do something on the device or inside the recovery.
please help
Wipe everything through Recovery EXCEPT internal storage. Then there are three things you can do:
1. Try flashing any ROM you have saved in your internal storage.
2. If you have saved some ROMs on your PC (good habit), you can flash one using Adb side load.
3. Download a ROM using someone else's phone and use either a microSD or USB-OTG to flash it.
Found any fix for this issue
Because I'm also facing same problem
security
Flash any custom rom before remove all password (fp, pattern, pin, etc)
This is just an encryption problem you have to decrpt your phone. If your phone is encrypted your twrp will ask your password to decrpt and you have to remove password or pattern from twrp go-to youtube and search for how to remove pattern or password from twrp watch vj mehta's video and do it and enjoy but all file in internal storage will deleted so you must copy everything before you doing this ok