14 replies to this topic

[squeakykleen]

I am sure this will seem like an ignorant & impertinent question. Sorry.

 

I'm just wondering how to get past Razr Maxx 8Gb fixed-size int storage, to utilize a ROM slot. Surprised this isn't FAQ. /sdcard/ partition is always 8Gb, always ~0 available. Thus I cannot establish a slot. Others have installed CyanogenMOD on XT912/spyder. That ROM doesn't install in stock, only in slot1. How's it achieved?

I've removed apps from internal to actual SD, and available internal remains effectively at zero. File Explorer reports several gigs available on Moto's other internal partition (media) but provides no means of migrating apps to it, in order to make space available on the HFS primary. 'Phone' & 'External' are only options for apps to live. Apps which can run from external, when moved there, still free up no space.
 

[Einsteindks]

I'm not quite sure I entirely follow you, but then again I'm no smart phone guru either. Have you tried to format the internal storage from the phone's menu?

sent via RazrMaxx over Tapatalk, y'all!

[johnthehillbilly]

Einstein is right...... The easiest way to gain space on internal is to format either on PC or thru the settings menu...... However, make sure you make a backup on PC prior to formatting..... Then you can restore only what is absolutely necessary.....

BTW that is absolutely not an impertinent question ..... It is actually one of the most pertinent questions involving installing a ROM and freeing up space for ROM slot

Edit.......FYI ... I will write up a how to on this today (since it seems to be becoming a more common question)

tapadriving.....hillbilly style

[squeakykleen]

Done a few backups, wipes, restores - of the SD-int.That doesn't address the situation of limited/fixed storage within that partition however. I'm pretty sure an unmount/mount procedure is necessary on these devices but it raises dangers so of course I need a step-by-step. Just surprised I couldn't find one anywhwhere.

[johnthehillbilly]

Indeed there are some risks but they really are few

Anyway.... The best way is to boot into stock (if you are on a custom ROM) plug into PC via USB, (in mass storage mode)
For windows, click start and click computer (or my computer) whichever you have then right click on your internal storage and hit copy..... Then you can past to a place of you choosing on your computer

This may take a few min to complete so be patient

Once that is done you can unplug your phone then go into menu/settings/storage and format internal storage

When that is done plug back into the computer ...... Open the internal storage and the location that contains the backup you just made ..... From there you can copy only the most important files/folders back to your internal storage

Primarily your safestrap folder as it contains your ROM slots

Be sure to eliminate any old/outdated backups as they take up enormous space

You can also leave out any music and videos and pictures as these can be copied to your external sdcard

When you have all you need back on your internal storage
You can unplug from PC and boot into safestrap wipe cache and dalvik cache on all ROM slots including stock ....

You should be able to boot normally from there

Make sure you boot normally and let the cache(s) be rebuilt then you can try to set up a new ROM slot

Depending on the size of your ROM slot(s) you should now have enough space left

I hope this helps you



Edit.... It looks as tho I have started writing the how-to right here LOL

tapadriving.....hillbilly style

[squeakykleen]

I will try this later today and post back. Thanks!!

[johnthehillbilly]

I will try this later today and post back. Thanks!!

You're welcome anytime

tapadriving.....hillbilly style

[squeakykleen]

If this is your template for a new HowTo, I'd start with SS backup instructions or a link to some, including advice on where to store them, since space is at issue.

[johnthehillbilly]

If this is your template for a new HowTo, I'd start with SS backup instructions or a link to some, includind advice on where to store them, since space is at issue.

Indeed :)

tapadriving.....hillbilly style

[squeakykleen]

Let me know if any of this is not what you had expected?

Okay, when I switch from Media Transfer Protocol to Mass Storage, Windows no longer displays DROID RAZR (*without* assigned drive-letter) and its two dependent storage areas 'Internal Storage' (0 bytes free of 8MB) and 'SD Card' (8GB free of 14.8GB). Instead it now reports CD Drive: MotoCast (which it assigned drive letter D: and contains setup files I've never run); MOT (F: - I think the /dev calls it sdcard0); and Removable Disk (G:) which is the actal external 16GB (unformatted) SD Card, now unmounted (sdcard1).
 

I already have a Safestrap backup on my PC and on the external card (sdcard1/TWRP/BACKUPS/stock-date-blah/ cache.ext3.win; data.ext3.win; system.ext3.win; and md5 hashes for each) but I guess that's going to become useless now?

Anyhow I'm doing a Copy now also. Taking awhile, yes.

When you say to

 

Open the internal storage and the location that contains the backup you just made ..... From there you can copy only the most important files/folders back to your internal storage

I understand you to mean the copied files, but if it's going back to Internal Storage it seems to me that it would get overwritten by any subsequent flashing? so I'm just confused as to the point with that. I know instinctively it must make sense but I'm having a conceptual problem I guess.

I'm also having trouble seeing how this set of procedures is any different from leaving everything in place and using someting like file explorer / root explorer to cull or move unneeded files - something I had already done but which has had no impact on the device's reported available space.

[robocuff]

There's an app called

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you can use that will show you what is using the bulk of your internal memory or, for that matter, any other part of your phone.  Perhaps you should have a look at it. 

[squeakykleen]

That app didn't do anything useful for me.

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however has been quite handy. I've moved everything it's possible & practical to move and deleted every cache file, thumbnail, empty folder and everything else with bytes, from sdcard0. When I boot into recovery and select Boot Options, ROM-Slot-1, I'm at the "Create ROM Slot: rom-slot1" screen.

 

System partition size is set to 640 MB

Cache partition size is set to 260 MB

Data partition size options are 1GB, 2GB, 3GB.

 

Free Space: 67 MB

Thus no matter which selection I make for Data partition size, the "Create ROM Slot" button does not activate.

If there is anyone else with a Droid Maxx XT912-CDMA/spyder / JB who has *not* repeatedly encountered this when attempting to install a ROM that requires Slot1, I would like to offer them a firm handshake.

[johnthehillbilly]

That app didn't do anything useful for me.

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however has been quite handy. I've moved everything it's possible & practical to move and deleted every cache file, thumbnail, empty folder and everything else with bytes, from sdcard0. When I boot into recovery and select Boot Options, ROM-Slot-1, I'm at the "Create ROM Slot: rom-slot1" screen.

 

System partition size is set to 640 MB

Cache partition size is set to 260 MB

Data partition size options are 1GB, 2GB, 3GB.

 

Free Space: 67 MB

Thus no matter which selection I make for Data partition size, the "Create ROM Slot" button does not activate.

If there is anyone else with a Droid Maxx XT912-CDMA/spyder / JB who has *not* repeatedly encountered this when attempting to install a ROM that requires Slot1, I would like to offer them a firm handshake.

what all did you copy back to the internal storage? (after backup/format/wipe, etc) ...... it appears that there is a ton more stuff living on your internal than is necessary.....

[robocuff]

Try running chkdsk from windows on the internal drive.  If that doesn't turn up anything, I'd try uninstalling and reinstalling safestrap.  Others have had odd problems of sorts and had success by reinstalling safestrap.  Otherwise, I'd try starting with the internal memory clean.  If you still have things copied to your PC, format the internal storage and then, before copying anything back, try creating a rom. You can always copy the stuff back later.

[squeakykleen]

I'll try that sometime soon, likely over the weekend, thanks.

I should attempt again to clarify. First, chkdsk found no errors. My phone's data partition does have many apps installed to it but the way Motorola configures it, there's no way to move the moveable ones to the other, nearly-empty internal media partition evidently reserved solely for the proprietary Motocast media storage, or whatever they call it. Apps will run only from sdcard0 (int/data) or (I think?) from the actual SDCard (external, which is where my media lives). There's plenty of space internally and no way to access it, f%$kyouverymuch, Moto. Although in an apparrent bid to deliberately confuse their customers, the button in app settings that exists to move each moveable app is labeled "Move to Internal Storage" (where it already resides!).

 

There's no valid reason I can see that Motorola chose to call its internal storage "sdcard" except to cause frustration.

So, again, it seems to me - and maybe I'm mistaken? - that the many docs available online on forums like this one, and gizmodo-type informational sites wherever custom ROMs are discussed, don't acknowledge Motorola's douchebaggery nor offer specific step-by-step plans to work around it, beginning with the safe and recoverable backup storage of my data.