[Q] Data2ext - N00b questions

[LeifAlbor]

Hi Guys,

I would have tacked this onto the back of an existing thread, but the only relevant ones I could find were in development (I’m still under 10 posts) – and this is more of a general usage question anyway.

I’m running CM7.0.2 and been I’ve been using Apps2SD (darktremor) for a month or so. The onboard memory for apps on the Legend is abysmal, so freeing space up and being able to have more than half a dozen apps is great. I was looking to take up Data2ext too. I’m still S-ON (I haven’t found a serious need for S-OFF yet, and I figure the less access I have to the bowels of my phone, the less likely I’m gonna brick it), so still using CWM2.x and obviously not running EXT4 yet.

Just wanted to ask a couple of stupid n00b questions before I try anything (I’d rather ask this now, then be posting “help I ****** up my phone” later on).

- Am I right in believing that that data2ext only moves app data, not the apps themselves to the SD car so I need to continue using apps2sd as a companion script?
- Does data2ext need its own additional partition setting up prior – or does it create its own partition/utilize an existing partition? If there needs to be a preconfigured partition, any recommendations on how much space to allocate?
- Is there anything in particular that I need to know before I run through TGF’s guide (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=902395)?

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[TheGrammarFreak]

data2ext will use the partition that darktremor currently uses, and you don't want to have dark tremor and data2ext on at the same time, funny things happen.

Data2ext remounts the entire data partition to a partition on the SD card. So anything that gets written to /data (apps, app data etc) goes to the SD card instead.

You need to know that this could go wrong, but I think the first post covers most of it.

 

[LeifAlbor]

That makes sense. I previously wasn’t sure if data2ext only moved app data only, and apps2sd still needed to be used to move the actual apps themselves. As that’s not the case, it’ll make things much easier not having to **** around with 2 different scripts to hopefully get them to play nicely.

I did actually end up stepping up to Blayo’s fake-flash CWM 3.0.1.3 yesterday; though I’m still trying to work out partitions/file systems with it – creating partitions in CWM recovery defaults to EXT3 with no option to set EXT4, and after manually creating an EXT4 partition in GParted CWM wouldn’t let me mount /sd-ext. As your initial post already details formatting /sd-ext to EXT4 anyway, it’ll be interesting to see how nicely this plays with 3.0.1.3.

Thanks for the disclaimer on the risks involved. Without intending to sound patronising; I’m well aware there is the ever present potential to really **** things up, and that I do only have limited knowledge compared to a lot of people posting on xda – which is why I try and get any/all information available before hand, and follow instructions given closely.

 

[TheGrammarFreak]

Coo'. Just shout if you need help, I'm subscribed to this thread so I should see it

 

[LeifAlbor]

Seems to have worked like a charm.

One question though – I know you can confirm data2ext is successfully running by launching "data2ext --enable" a second time after the final reboot, but is there any means to monitor the used/available space on /sd-ext?
Both Titanium Backup and a2sdGUI allowed me to keep tabs on this, but Ti is unable to see the /sd-ext partition now (I haven’t bothered installing a2sdGUI, not really any point).

It might be a small thing, but if possible I would like to be able to see it fill up, just to give me piece of mind all is OK.


*edit* scratch that last part, just noticed Android and Ti now sees the Internal Memory as a total combined capacity the internal memory + /sd-ext. Eitherway, I'm up and running

 

[tushar_beriwal]

i no my question is noob but still.....i m using CM7 nd CWM 2.5.0.7....if i use d optioned partition ur sd card....is dat data to ext ? ndnd wat is swap size ? also how to check what claSS SDCARD I HAVE... I HAVE 16GB KINGSTON SDCARD!

 

[smilingguy07]

I've a noob question too, if the sd card is partitioned to allow some internal apps to run on this special partition what is currently the safest procedure to do this?

 

[whitetigerdk]

i no my question is noob but still.....i m using CM7 nd CWM 2.5.0.7....if i use d optioned partition ur sd card....is dat data to ext ? ndnd wat is swap size ? also how to check what claSS SDCARD I HAVE... I HAVE 16GB KINGSTON SDCARD!

The Class should be written on the Card.. in a circle..

Sent from my Legend using XDA Premium App

 

[Konowl]

I got mine up and running last night... created a 1 gig partition for data... data2ext is active, but my phone is now SLOW as molasses. SD card is Class 10 and tests on a computer reveal it to be fast.

I'm at a loss.

 

[TheGrammarFreak]

I got mine up and running last night... created a 1 gig partition for data... data2ext is active, but my phone is now SLOW as molasses. SD card is Class 10 and tests on a computer reveal it to be fast.

I'm at a loss.

The card probably doesn't handle small files very well. Class 4 seems to be the best bet for data2ext

 

[Konowl]

You're kidding. Ugh! Maybe it was the method I used to format?

 

[Hitmax117]

The card probably doesn't handle small files very well. Class 4 seems to be the best bet for data2ext

Seriously?
So are you using a class 4 with your own cm data2ext script and in ext2 or ext4?

 

[whitetigerdk]

Serious.. It is mentioned several times before by Blay0. Even a fast card will work very slow with data2ext. Why do you even need data2ext? Are you a developed? If not app2ad should beer enough for you... NInge really needs data to be on as i they are not often changing system files..

Sent from my HTC Legend using XDA Premium App

 

[Hitmax117]

Serious.. It is mentioned several times before by Blay0. Even a fast card will work very slow with data2ext. Why do you even need data2ext? Are you a developed? If not app2ad should beer enough for you... NInge really needs data to be on as i they are not often changing system files..

Sent from my HTC Legend using XDA Premium App

easy man, i was just asking out of curiosity

i'm already using apps2ext and dont need data2ext, but it thought data2ext was slow on all card classes thats why i asked his setup just so i know

 

[reupugi]

Hi,

Since this is a noob thread I'm feeling free to ask for help.

Somehow without any knowledge I've managed to Root my Legend, Flash roms numerous times, make my Legend S-Off, twig and play with different options like splash screen and all sorts of stuff that you need a bit or more of development knowledge. I'm a psychologist - I have no knowledge whatsoever.

Now that I've flashed ogo2's rom found here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=987251, I have cut down internal space to about 20MB+-.

I need help with this whole data2ext, ext2/ext4 and all the commands I've never met in earlier development stuff I've done to my Legend.

Where do I start? Is there anywhere I can read a noob guide for these issues?

Please help!

reupugi

edit: Oh I forgot - I have 8 GB class 4 card.

 

[TheGrammarFreak]

What help do you need? Understanding what it is and how it works? Or just setting it up.

Are you planning on using the data2ext found in my thread, or somewhere else?

Sent from my Legend using XDA App

 

[reupugi]

Hi TGF,

I need help mainly with setting it up. I have no intention learning developing through trying here and there to implement different things others created.

My intention was to use the data2ext you created.

At the moment I've changed back to the nightly builds of CM7 (currently #153), since I had sync problems with ogo2's ROM. So I'm not so pressured space wise, but I'll still be glad to go through with the Data2ext.

Thanx,

reupugi

 

[TheGrammarFreak]

Ok, well the guide in the first post covers most of it, is there a specific bit you're stuck on?

Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

 

[reupugi]

It assumes I understand how to create ext2 or ext4, or to choose between the two. DO I have to backup my SD card when I create an ext2/4 partition?

Where do I use the commands in your post of data2ext?

 

[TheGrammarFreak]

It assumes I understand how to create ext2 or ext4, or to choose between the two. DO I have to backup my SD card when I create an ext2/4 partition?

Where do I use the commands in your post of data2ext?

You do need to backup your sd card, our you lose all your data. Rom manager has an option for creating ext partitions on your sd card, and I'd go for ext4, as it's safer. There's a section in that thread on upgrading from the ext2 version. Create your position with rom manager, then follow that section through. The commands can be executed on the phone using a terminal emulator, or from the pc using adb.

Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App