using removable memory - for idiots
 

Is there any information posted that walks some one who does not understand all the jargon used here (or explains it when it uses it) how to use a removable memory card in an 810? I assume from reading other posts here that this is cloning? but nowhere have I found an explanation that doesn't assume a good deal of familiarity with jargon and developing. I'd like to learn how to use this card to expand the capacity of my 810 but nothing I've read so far gives me a clear sense of how to proceed.

Sorry if I'm being dense. :confused:

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Search for "cloning made easy" on the home page. And come back with specific questions.

I knew nothing about Linux or the N810 2 months ago but most of these tutorials are really easy.

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Could you please be more specific? "Using" the memory card would simply be store files (music, videos, text documents...) on it.

"Cloning" is a very specific use of the memory card that uses it instead of the internal memory for the whole operating system.

Which do you want?

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Cloning.

Diesel, you're really out of your depth here. I'd recommend taking a step back and reevaluating if you're actually ready and willing to invest the time and energy it's likely to need. My guess is that no, you're not. :)

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

This cloning post is the one that I've reviewed but can't quite unpack all the new language to me and the options they imply. I'm left not being sure enough to move forward with confidence. That's why I requested an intermediate source for info. Tablet school was useful but basic...then one is left working with the forums which can be pretty sophisticated for some one not used to thinking about devices and software such as the 810.

But thank you...if my next step is to simply start asking questions at a minute level, I'll do that.

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Are you serious? What kind of crap advice is that? Is that actually helping the community grow? Why even waste a post with that?

Can we say...

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

My initial thought was to use the removable memory to store pictures, documents, and music. But I am quickly realizing that I may need that space to run/store the programs I am loading (very slowly and cautiously and only as I need them) onto my 810. So I'm just getting that there is a difference, what that might be, and that I might be able to figure out how to proceed.

But I'd like to better understand the implications of each...so again, I was looking for an intermediate source of information that might assist me to learn.

So the answer is, I'm not sure yet, but I think the latter.

Thanks.

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Well, yes, I am. I am learning. And yes, I am a professional in another field (with its own jargon and complexity) with a family and a busy life so I don't have hours to do the resarch I'd like on this.

Nevertheless, I'm trying to figure this out, need a little intermediate help and information and thought asking might get me closer.

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Diesel....

I think you are not interested in the cloning option at this time. Cloning is using your memory card to boot the operating system. From your posts, I believe you have questions about using the memory card for storage.

Your tablet has some internal memory and then you can use the external card to store more data/movies/music/etc. You need to be careful that you do not fill up the internal memory with programs and files because maxing out that memory can give you some problems (I have never done this, but I believe you have to re-flash your tablet to fix it).

I generally load my data to my external memory cards, and have some programs on the internal memory. I am not certain if there is a "best practices" way to do this, but I am sure that others have a scheme of their own for data and program storage.

Hope this helps.

ET

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Just to get this one out of the way:
Insert card. It should show up in the file manager (and in windows that ask you to select files/folders) automatically. You can just move your documents there from the pre-defined standard folders, create your own folder structure etc. etc.

There's nothing special to it, it works the same way as on your desktop. Plus: It will, of course, free up space on the internal memory which in turn becomes available for installing applications.

I'd very much doubt that you have problems with this approach.

This is, indeed, the more interesting part. Not only will it give you more memory to install applications, it will also speed up things. Internal memory has a compressed file system, like a large ZIP file. While this is good in terms of storage space, the downside is that things become slower (again, like with a ZIP-file that needs to be unZIPped first).

This thread is a more in depth discussion, this one offers an easy, automated solution. The results should be more or less the same. ;)

The only thing I'm not sure of is:
If you don't yet know exactly what you need and why... And if you're not yet a semi-expert on the tablet so you can easily fix things just in case something goes wrong... And if you don't yet run out of space on your internal memory... Will it be worth it?

I'd personally recommend you'd stay with the current setup until you know what's important for you, what you use your tablet for, what eats memory and what doesn't.
It might be that you find out the coolest thing is to have a collection of SD-cards full of video files and pick one or two for each journey... If this is what you'll use your tablet for in the future, cloning to external memory is more or less out of the question (or at least useless) unless you clone to all SD-cards you'll ever use in advance. (Just an example)

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

It's advice intended to help save a lot of pain and suffering. Based on the content of the first post, it seems to me that Diesel probably doesn't have the time or inclination to start down this road, so I'm flagging him away before he starts down it.

Cloning to SD isn't a simple procedure, and certainly isn't intended for everybody. The reality is is that there are many procedures that shouldn't be attempted by every single tablet user, and cloning to SD is one of them. Working under the assumption that everybody should try everything just leads to a lot of reboot loops and a lot of frustration.

Now, if he really wants to invest the time to learn enough to be able to understand the process, then that's fine, but I judged that he didn't and based my advice on that judgement.

No, don't, clearly you're more interested in starting another flamewar and not in being constructive. So just stop right here. :)

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

now that i understand the whole point of cloning, it makes sense. the n810 has only 256mb of storage, which after all the programs i install and try everyday, runs low pretty quick. I have to get a large memory card first but, I am looking to do that in the near future. Even though I am a newbie, every once in a while I get tempted to try the tough stuffs.

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

A word if caution is definitely justified here. one of the main reasons i've never tried booting from an SD card is because i'm afraid of messing things up during cloning and losing data when i am left with no choice but to reflash, and i consider myself a power user (not a developer, but not a newbie, and pretty comfortable with the tablet jargon). One more thing to consider here, though: there's nothing to lose if your tablet is brand new, right? reflashing is one of the easiest things to do with a tablet. nokia's wizard (in windows) walks you through. :) if i could go back, knowing all of the benefits, i might have tried cloning much earlier on in my tablet journey.

That being said, I'd advise against cloning UNLESS you consider yourself the kind of person that really wants to "play" with the tablet--trying to "fix" things that aren't "broken", messing with settings, trying lots of different programs, trying to do things not officially supported by nokia (like plugging a USB keyboard and mouse into your tablet), and you don't mind if your fiddling results in putting your device temporarily "out of commission" on occasion--for it to be worth your while to dive into something like that. you would learn a few things along the way, but it could also be a frustrating and time-consuming process.

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

I second that Penguinbait made an easy DEB (package) that you just click and install and voila.. you've cloned your tablet. It's already been linked to.

I mimick both GA and Benny in that... Just because someone did make it easy.. doesn't make it flawless.. You are likely to lose data you didn't anticipate (IE: your entire SD card)... and you may very well end up in a reboot loop where you'll have to reflash to fix it.

If you didn't understand this post... You need to have the time to do some serious research before attempting this. If you are a professional in another field.. use specifically the stuff on your tablet that helps you in that area... and keep the basics.

Granted.. you could always go to PB's thread.. click install.. break everything.. and come back here explaining your problem. There's a dozen people here that will help you - although a few will laugh at you at the same time as helping you - but you're likely to wind up fixed at some point... if you have patience.

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Diesel -- I'm with you, friend...

Relative newbie here. Got my 810 a few months ago (w/Diablo 4.2008.30-2). Spent days reading through various internet tablet boards trying to learn how to best exploit its abilities. With a 4 Gb card installed, I spent a couple of days downloading various apps (including applet showing status of available memory for internal and SD card) from the hundreds listed on Maemo.Org. Unlike with my N95-3, which prompts me EVERY TIME to assign each download to either the internal memory or the microSD card, I was never able to successfully figure out in the 810's application manager a method to assign a download to the SD card. Thus, after every download, the memory applet continued to show my SD card still with 3.8 Gb of available memory. Predictably, and as other contributors to this thread have intimated, in short order my internet tablet experience came to a crawl. Or locked up, requiring reboot. Not fun.

Earlier this evening I decided to start over, so I reflashed (and updated to 4.2008.36-5). Now I am where you are -- trying to determine what to assign to internal vs. external memory. I suppose cloning is an option -- I'm probably game in attempting the exercise -- after all, "life's a journey, not a destination," and I'd be wiser for it, even if I fail in the attempt -- but I'd prefer to avoid ending up where I was before -- with basically a useless, doggedly slow device.

I considered the 810's memory card slot to be a huge selling feature (over, say, the fixed memory of an iPhone), and thus I intended to store my apps for weather, maps, RSS feeds, etc., on this card. But if these apps are to be stored internally, and if every app upgrade notification from Nokia goes straight to the internal, then what's the point..? If I'm wrong in making this assumption, please correct me. Similarly, if there is a relatively simple method to ensure that a downloaded app (and, just as importantly, its update) is assigned to the external card, I'd appreciate a link.

And to the regulars here -- please don't assume that all newbies are idiots who have made no attempt to find answers to their questions before posting here. I'm sure I'm not that different from many who lurk here who have spent not just hours, but days trying to find answers from many internet threads. Like Diesel, we post here only after exhausting other avenues. We post because we want to learn.

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Ok, I think that people are talking too fast here. Its really confusing.

This is the "Cloning" in a super simple nutshell...

1) The N810 has two types of memory:

Flash
SD Card (One internal, one external)

2) The flash is where all the programs are stored, but it is VERY small.

3) Programs can NOT be stored on the SD Card, because they are not "Linux" file systems, they are "Windows".

4) How to work around this roadblock? Simple, change the "Windows" into "Linux." This was called UnionFS, and it was not the best solution.

5) Now, what if we simple forget about the flash, and put everything on the SD card? That would work, right? So, we make one half of the card "Windows," and one half "Linux." Then, we copy everything into the "Linux", and trick the tablet into thinking the "Linux" is the flash.

It works, and it is faster. This is because Nokia, realizing that the flash is very small, compresses everything. No longer is this needed!



For me, cloning was very easy, and Penguinbait is even making a GUI installer!

Just run "Install Tools." Then, for added reassurance, run "bootmenu installer". Done!

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

"And to the regulars here -- please don't assume that all newbies are idiots who have made no attempt to find answers to their questions before posting here."

That is a two way street my friend, don't assume that people are not trying to help you just because you are not getting the answer you wanted to hear.

Re: using removable memory - for idiots
 

Speaking of reboot loop, help! No, I have not tried the clone to sd card. For some odd reason this morning my N810 started doing that. I had maemo mapper running for the last couple of days and yesterday I downloaded some maps trying to get some clear view of NYC at the different zooming levels and I think from there I ran out of memory. Still everything was working fine as long as I didn't download any more maps until this morning on my way to work I was playing music using Mediabox and at one point it just frozed. When I tried to closed all the running apps to start over, it started this reboot loop thing. Why does this happen? Thanks