Repartitioning the flash - Revision history

193.6.168.10: /* Using GParted - Resizing made simple */

193.6.168.10 — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:49:48 GMT

Using GParted - Resizing made simple

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:49, 5 February 2013
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	''It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This also gives you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write).''		''It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This also gives you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write).''
		+
		+	''It is a third option, to use NITdroid for accessing the full eMMC. If you have installed it to the SD Card, it can export the full eMMC as USB mass storage.''

	Because of hardcoding etc. it is easiest to leave your partitions in the same order and filesystem: MyDocs vfat(/dev/mmcblk0p1 mounted on /home/user/MyDocs), /home ext3 (/dev/mmcblk0p2), and swap (/dev/mmcblk0p3). Generally you will want to shrink MyDocs and grow /home. You can also grow the swap space, which is easier than setting up a [[swap on microSD]]. However this may not really result in much benefit (see the linked page for more information). You can then create a 4th partition if you wish.		Because of hardcoding etc. it is easiest to leave your partitions in the same order and filesystem: MyDocs vfat(/dev/mmcblk0p1 mounted on /home/user/MyDocs), /home ext3 (/dev/mmcblk0p2), and swap (/dev/mmcblk0p3). Generally you will want to shrink MyDocs and grow /home. You can also grow the swap space, which is easier than setting up a [[swap on microSD]]. However this may not really result in much benefit (see the linked page for more information). You can then create a 4th partition if you wish.

bzzz: add new method using backupmenu

bzzz — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:42:40 GMT

add new method using backupmenu

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:42, 17 April 2012
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	''' Don't forget to repeat the "Start flasher" procedure with '''<code>sudo flasher-3.5 --disable-rd-mode</code> '''to disable R&D mode.'''		''' Don't forget to repeat the "Start flasher" procedure with '''<code>sudo flasher-3.5 --disable-rd-mode</code> '''to disable R&D mode.'''

-	=== Solution #7: arbitrary size for /home and MyDocs (PR 1.2/3 compatible) ===	+	=== Solution #7: Custom repartitioning from a linux PC without R&D mode ===
		+	Shorter variant of #6, using a boot manager instead of R&D mode (no flasher on host required)
		+
		+	* Install backupmenu package first (see [http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=63975 Announce Thread] for details)
		+	* If you want to change file systems (like ext3 to ext2), do that now
		+	* Shut down N900
		+	* Start with slider open, USB cable removed
		+	* BackupMenu will show up.
		+	* Insert USB cable. Press '''w''' to enable USB mass storage mode
		+	* The internal memory will now show up as additional device on your computer, like /dev/sdb. Unmount if automounted and do your resizing.
		+	* Remove device, press '''d''' on the N900 to disconnect
		+	* Press '''q''' and close the slider immediately. The N900 will reboot and the job is done
		+
		+	=== Solution #8: arbitrary size for /home and MyDocs (PR 1.2/3 compatible) ===
	This solution is based off solution #3. The key difference is that this solution uses a MicroSD card as a temporary /home, so Maemo will be able to reboot in the process, thus making this solution PR1.2 and 1.3 compatible. '''MyDocs will be deleted, make a backup of it!''' This solution is tested on a PR 1.3 reflashed device, but it should work on non-clean devices aswell. If done correctly, you won't lose any settings/calendar/etc (just MyDocs), but as repartitioning is a risky proces: '''backup everything!'''		This solution is based off solution #3. The key difference is that this solution uses a MicroSD card as a temporary /home, so Maemo will be able to reboot in the process, thus making this solution PR1.2 and 1.3 compatible. '''MyDocs will be deleted, make a backup of it!''' This solution is tested on a PR 1.3 reflashed device, but it should work on non-clean devices aswell. If done correctly, you won't lose any settings/calendar/etc (just MyDocs), but as repartitioning is a risky proces: '''backup everything!'''

estel: Keeping last 64 mb of eMMC isn't needed, and using it doesn't affect anything. Editing genfstab.awk should be preffer over rcS-late.

estel — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:11:46 GMT

Keeping last 64 mb of eMMC isn't needed, and using it doesn't affect anything. Editing genfstab.awk should be preffer over rcS-late.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:11, 13 December 2011
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	''It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This also gives you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write).''		''It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This also gives you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write).''

-	Because of hardcoding etc. it is easiest to leave your partitions in the same order and filesystem: MyDocs vfat(/dev/mmcblk0p1 mounted on /home/user/MyDocs), /home ext3 (/dev/mmcblk0p2), and swap (/dev/mmcblk0p3). Generally you will want to shrink MyDocs and grow /home. You can also grow the swap space, which is easier than setting up a [[swap on microSD]]. However this may not really result in much benefit (see the linked page for more information). You can then create a 4th partition if you wish~~. To be safe keep the last 64M of the eMMC unallocated, as is the case on the default partitioning~~.	+	Because of hardcoding etc. it is easiest to leave your partitions in the same order and filesystem: MyDocs vfat(/dev/mmcblk0p1 mounted on /home/user/MyDocs), /home ext3 (/dev/mmcblk0p2), and swap (/dev/mmcblk0p3). Generally you will want to shrink MyDocs and grow /home. You can also grow the swap space, which is easier than setting up a [[swap on microSD]]. However this may not really result in much benefit (see the linked page for more information). You can then create a 4th partition if you wish.

	Align to MiB, not cylinders! When you are done, apply your changes then disconnect and reboot your N900 and everything should load as usual. It would be very unlikely for something to go wrong if you only resized MyDocs and /home. If something does go wrong, you will need to reflash the eMMC. You should try again at this point. If you want to give up then you will need to restore your optfs from the BackupMenu backup as well as copy the MyDocs files back over.		Align to MiB, not cylinders! When you are done, apply your changes then disconnect and reboot your N900 and everything should load as usual. It would be very unlikely for something to go wrong if you only resized MyDocs and /home. If something does go wrong, you will need to reflash the eMMC. You should try again at this point. If you want to give up then you will need to restore your optfs from the BackupMenu backup as well as copy the MyDocs files back over.

-	If you want to have more than 4 partitions, create an extended partition. Always keep MyDocs as the first partition, and the first ext3 partition as /home. (Not sure whether an ext3 inside an extended partition would count.) You can edit genfstab.awk or rcS-late to automount any new partitions, or just mount them normally. (Remember to use mount options noatime, and maybe nodiratime,nobh as well)	+	If you want to have more than 4 partitions, create an extended partition. Always keep MyDocs as the first partition, and the first ext3 partition as /home. (Not sure whether an ext3 inside an extended partition would count.) You can edit genfstab.awk (more proper way, resembling how Maemo does it natively) or rcS-late (in this case, system does "double work", as it first proceed genfstab.awk, then overwrite commands by rcS-late ones) to automount any new partitions, or just mount them normally. (Remember to use mount options noatime, and maybe nodiratime,nobh as well)

	==Manual solutions==		==Manual solutions==

91.64.64.132: removed duplicate effort

91.64.64.132 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:39:34 GMT

removed duplicate effort

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:39, 10 November 2011
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	P.s. Solution #4 applies in the same way to this solution, as to #3		P.s. Solution #4 applies in the same way to this solution, as to #3

-	~~=== Solution #8: The GUI-Solution for arbitrary size for /home and MyDocs using a Linux Live-CD (PR1.3 compatible) ===~~
-	This solution is inspired by the methods [http://talk.maemo.org/member.php?u=46122 sub7] was promoting in a couple of posts in the talk.maemo.org forum like [http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=933474&postcount=48 here]

-	~~Lets face it: You are using a Linux phone, so make familiar with Linux! Grab yourself a Debian or Ubuntu based Live-CD.~~
-
-	~~Personally i recommend using an aptosid KDE4 Live-CD http://aptosid.com You will find the Downloads behind the Downloads/Mirrors link in the upper left corner. The image size is some 450MB~~
-
-	~~You need some prerequisites installed on your N900: You need either Backup-Menu or Backup-Menu-Multiboot by [http://talk.maemo.org/member.php?u=40462 RobbieThe1st] installed.~~
-
-	Start your PC with the Linux-Live-CD. Make sure to choose a fitting localisation for your keyboard layout. Restart your phone now with the keyboard ejected. Connect the phone to your PC via the USB. Choose the BackupMenu item. A boot screen like this http://robbiethe1st.afraid.org/BackupMenu/IMGP2653-small.jpeg will greet you
-	~~Choose 'w' from the menu of the N900, this will export the partitions of the N900 internal memory to the PC.~~
-
-	~~Now start the KDE-Partition-Manager from the menu, you will find it in the System section.~~
-
-	You will have to choose the N900 in the devices section to the left. It will open the device in the right. Click on the first partition (the MyDocs partition), choose resize/move from the toolbar. Select the handle to the right and resize the partition to the desired size. Now choose your second partition (the optfs partition, where you will have some more space for installable applications real soon :) ), resize it using the left handle and resize it to the available space.
-	~~Now apply the actions you were preparing. This will take some time, so stay patient.~~
-
-	~~After the process is finished shut down the PC and reboot the phone with typing 'q' in the backup-menu.~~
-	~~Voila, you are done!~~
-
-	~~P.S. I have still to figure out how to upload some screenshots. Stay tuned.~~

	== References ==		== References ==

94.170.92.180: /* Using GParted - Resizing made simple */

94.170.92.180 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:55:12 GMT

Using GParted - Resizing made simple

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:55, 29 October 2011
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	By far the simplest way to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable/, or GParted on a Linux system or use the GParted-Live-CD in VirtualBox on Windows or MacOSX. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install BackupMenu or BackupMenu-Multiboot.		By far the simplest way to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable/, or GParted on a Linux system or use the GParted-Live-CD in VirtualBox on Windows or MacOSX. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install BackupMenu or BackupMenu-Multiboot.

-	Boot your N900 with the keyboard exposed. At ~~his~~ point you ~~could~~ also back up your rootfs and optfs to a microSD.	+	Boot your N900 with the keyboard exposed to load BackupMenu. At this point you should also back up your rootfs and optfs to a microSD. Press w to go into USB Mass Storage mode (read-write), and connect up to your computer. You will now be able to access the whole eMMC. If you boot into Maemo rather than BackupMenu, then only the MyDocs partition will be visible.

-	''~~For your information:~~ It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This ~~will give~~ you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write)~~. If you boot into Maemo then only the MyDocs partition will be visible and you won't be able to partition properly~~.''	+	''It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This also gives you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write).''

	Because of hardcoding etc. it is easiest to leave your partitions in the same order and filesystem: MyDocs vfat(/dev/mmcblk0p1 mounted on /home/user/MyDocs), /home ext3 (/dev/mmcblk0p2), and swap (/dev/mmcblk0p3). Generally you will want to shrink MyDocs and grow /home. You can also grow the swap space, which is easier than setting up a [[swap on microSD]]. However this may not really result in much benefit (see the linked page for more information). You can then create a 4th partition if you wish. To be safe keep the last 64M of the eMMC unallocated, as is the case on the default partitioning.		Because of hardcoding etc. it is easiest to leave your partitions in the same order and filesystem: MyDocs vfat(/dev/mmcblk0p1 mounted on /home/user/MyDocs), /home ext3 (/dev/mmcblk0p2), and swap (/dev/mmcblk0p3). Generally you will want to shrink MyDocs and grow /home. You can also grow the swap space, which is easier than setting up a [[swap on microSD]]. However this may not really result in much benefit (see the linked page for more information). You can then create a 4th partition if you wish. To be safe keep the last 64M of the eMMC unallocated, as is the case on the default partitioning.

michaaa62: /* Using GParted - Resizing made simple */

michaaa62 — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 13:38:46 GMT

Using GParted - Resizing made simple

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:38, 24 September 2011
Line 20:		Line 20:
	By far the simplest way to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable/, or GParted on a Linux system or use the GParted-Live-CD in VirtualBox on Windows or MacOSX. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install BackupMenu or BackupMenu-Multiboot.		By far the simplest way to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable/, or GParted on a Linux system or use the GParted-Live-CD in VirtualBox on Windows or MacOSX. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install BackupMenu or BackupMenu-Multiboot.

-	Boot your N900 with the keyboard exposed. ~~Athis~~ point you could also back up your rootfs and optfs to a microSD.	+	Boot your N900 with the keyboard exposed. At his point you could also back up your rootfs and optfs to a microSD.

	''For your information: It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This will give you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write). If you boot into Maemo then only the MyDocs partition will be visible and you won't be able to partition properly.''		''For your information: It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This will give you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write). If you boot into Maemo then only the MyDocs partition will be visible and you won't be able to partition properly.''

michaaa62: /* Using GParted */

michaaa62 — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 13:00:06 GMT

Using GParted

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 24 September 2011
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	* Partitions on flash memory should be aligned to flash block sizes, which are multiples of 2, for example 32 KB. To be on the safe side use 128 KB or even 1MB.		* Partitions on flash memory should be aligned to flash block sizes, which are multiples of 2, for example 32 KB. To be on the safe side use 128 KB or even 1MB.

-	==Using GParted==	+	==Using GParted - Resizing made simple==

	By far the simplest way to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable/, or GParted on a Linux system or use the GParted-Live-CD in VirtualBox on Windows or MacOSX. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install BackupMenu or BackupMenu-Multiboot.		By far the simplest way to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable/, or GParted on a Linux system or use the GParted-Live-CD in VirtualBox on Windows or MacOSX. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install BackupMenu or BackupMenu-Multiboot.

michaaa62: /* By far the simplest way */

michaaa62 — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:59:11 GMT

By far the simplest way

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:59, 24 September 2011
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	==Using GParted==		==Using GParted==

-	== By far the simplest way ==	+	By far the simplest way to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable/, or GParted on a Linux system or use the GParted-Live-CD in VirtualBox on Windows or MacOSX. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install BackupMenu or BackupMenu-Multiboot.
-	to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable/, or GParted on a Linux system or use the GParted-Live-CD in VirtualBox on Windows or MacOSX. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install BackupMenu or BackupMenu-Multiboot.	+

	Boot your N900 with the keyboard exposed. Athis point you could also back up your rootfs and optfs to a microSD.		Boot your N900 with the keyboard exposed. Athis point you could also back up your rootfs and optfs to a microSD.

michaaa62: /* Using gparted */

michaaa62 — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:56:16 GMT

Using gparted

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:56, 24 September 2011
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	* Partitions on flash memory should be aligned to flash block sizes, which are multiples of 2, for example 32 KB. To be on the safe side use 128 KB or even 1MB.		* Partitions on flash memory should be aligned to flash block sizes, which are multiples of 2, for example 32 KB. To be on the safe side use 128 KB or even 1MB.

-	==Using ~~gparted~~==	+	==Using GParted==
-	By far the simplest way to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB, or parted on a Linux system. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install bootmenu or BackupMenu, and boot your N900 with the keyboard exposed. (Back up your rootfs and optfs to a microSD at this point.) It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This will give you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write). If you boot into Maemo then only the MyDocs partition will be visible and you won't be able to partition properly.	+

-	Because of hardcoding etc. it is easiest to leave your partitions in the same order and filesystem: MyDocs vfat(~~blk0p1~~ mounted on /home/user/MyDocs), /home ext3 (~~blk0p2~~), and swap (~~blk0p3~~). Generally you will want to shrink MyDocs and grow /home. You can also grow the swap space, which is easier than setting up a [[swap on microSD]]. However this may not really result in much benefit (see the linked page for more information). You can then create a 4th partition if you wish. To be safe keep the last 64M of the eMMC unallocated, as is the case on the default partitioning.	+	== By far the simplest way ==
		+	to resize your partitions is to use a GParted live CD/USB http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable/, or GParted on a Linux system or use the GParted-Live-CD in VirtualBox on Windows or MacOSX. To gain access to the whole eMMC, install BackupMenu or BackupMenu-Multiboot.
		+
		+	Boot your N900 with the keyboard exposed. Athis point you could also back up your rootfs and optfs to a microSD.
		+
		+	''For your information: It is also possible to access the full eMMC by loading the [http://wiki.meego.com/ARM/N900/Using_Rescue_Initrd Rescue Initrd and kernel]. This will give you an option to enter USB mass storage mode (read-write). If you boot into Maemo then only the MyDocs partition will be visible and you won't be able to partition properly.''
		+
		+	Because of hardcoding etc. it is easiest to leave your partitions in the same order and filesystem: MyDocs vfat(/dev/mmcblk0p1 mounted on /home/user/MyDocs), /home ext3 (/dev/mmcblk0p2), and swap (/dev/mmcblk0p3). Generally you will want to shrink MyDocs and grow /home. You can also grow the swap space, which is easier than setting up a [[swap on microSD]]. However this may not really result in much benefit (see the linked page for more information). You can then create a 4th partition if you wish. To be safe keep the last 64M of the eMMC unallocated, as is the case on the default partitioning.

	Align to MiB, not cylinders! When you are done, apply your changes then disconnect and reboot your N900 and everything should load as usual. It would be very unlikely for something to go wrong if you only resized MyDocs and /home. If something does go wrong, you will need to reflash the eMMC. You should try again at this point. If you want to give up then you will need to restore your optfs from the BackupMenu backup as well as copy the MyDocs files back over.		Align to MiB, not cylinders! When you are done, apply your changes then disconnect and reboot your N900 and everything should load as usual. It would be very unlikely for something to go wrong if you only resized MyDocs and /home. If something does go wrong, you will need to reflash the eMMC. You should try again at this point. If you want to give up then you will need to restore your optfs from the BackupMenu backup as well as copy the MyDocs files back over.

tetris11: /* Solution #2: shrink MyDocs to add additional partitions */

tetris11 — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:08:42 GMT

Solution #2: shrink MyDocs to add additional partitions

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:08, 17 September 2011
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	umount /home/user/MyDocs		umount /home/user/MyDocs
-	create a new partition layout in file "table" ~~(here 8 GB~~ MyDocs ~~were used for~~ an extended partition ~~with 3+5 GB~~ partitions):	+	create a new partition layout in file "table". Here MyDocs (mmcblk0p1) is shrunk to 19GB (39854080*512)/(1024^3), and mmcblk0p2 is an 8GB extended partition containing ext3 partitions mmcblk0p5 and 6 (4.7GB and 3.3GB respectively). Swap is mmcblk0p4 (768MB) and /home is mmcblk0p3 (2GB).
	unit: sectors		unit: sectors
	/dev/mmcblk0p1 : start= 64, size= 39854080, Id= 0		/dev/mmcblk0p1 : start= 64, size= 39854080, Id= 0