SDcard contents exist, but I can't see them!

[mendy817]

been running Axiom ROM and for the last few versions, but i think this is an issue a few people have had with any rom running 4.0.3... i've run into this odd sdcard issue:

• plugged in to win7, the computer doesn't see the contents of the sd card beyond the stuff that comes stock
• whether its the gallery app, picking ringtones, etc., i can't see the contents of the sd card on my phone
• the only places i CAN see the true contents are in a file manager on the phone (root explorer, etc.) or when in recovery (when i flash your rom for example, i can see the rest of the contents listed)

i've searched everywhere and can't find anyone with an answer to what to do... any advice?? its insanely annoying

 

[Jawbone]

I see this as well and I am stock rooted 4.0.2

I do notice that after a reboot or two and some time the new files that never showed before start showing up. I first noticed it when I was doing titanium backups and none of the recently backed up files would show so I have been trying to use dropbox for everything which has worked great so far.

I would like to know what is going on as well. I am also on Win7 if that matters

 

[mendy817]

yeah its very odd... i see the folders that came "stock," so anything i put in those show up (i.e. the Downloads folder), but nothing else. its annoying because in order to set a new wallpaper i have to go through root explorer, and i can't set up ringtones that didn't come with the rom (i used to use my own mp3's).

 

[xkape]

I don't have an answer, just suggestions.

I can see my files both at home (using the PDA.Net drivers) and at work (Using the Drivers from Samsungs website). I would first ask what drivers you are using. If you just stick the usb in and let windows do it, you will not see the sdcard contents. I noticed this when I first got the phone. If that doesn't answer it, I will toss some more idea out there for you.

 

[EAK]

Make sure you got all the drivers installed on your computer and make sure USB debugging is turned on.

 

[mendy817]

Make sure you got all the drivers installed on your computer and make sure USB debugging is turned on.

all drivers are installed and usb debugging is on... i don't think its a drivers issue because i can't see anything on my phone either (except for in CWM or a file manager)

 

[mendy817]

I don't have an answer, just suggestions.

I can see my files both at home (using the PDA.Net drivers) and at work (Using the Drivers from Samsungs website). I would first ask what drivers you are using. If you just stick the usb in and let windows do it, you will not see the sdcard contents. I noticed this when I first got the phone. If that doesn't answer it, I will toss some more idea out there for you.

i have the proper drivers installed (its a newer problem, and i haven't changed the drivers on my computer). what makes it so odd is that i can't see the contents on my phone either, its not just my computer. yet i know they're there because i can see them in CWM and when using a file manager (just not within apps, such as gallery or when picking ringtones, etc). so confused. and i've flashed 2 roms, completely wiped the phone, and everything... still nada. i'm not freaking out because i know everything is on there, but since the g-nex doesn't have a removable sdcard i can't mount in recovery and fix it that way (like i would have using the OG or DInc)

 

[captdroid]

Is there an echo in here?

 

[smalltowngirl13]

Threads merged...please avoid cross-posting the same issue in more than one forum/sub-forum.

 

[Detonation]

Because of the way MTP works, new files will not be visible until the phone's Media Scanner Service indexes them. This may not necessarily happen between creating a new file and connecting the phone, but there is an app that can force it to happen:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bero.sdrescan

You can actually run the scan while your phone is connected and watch the files show up.

 

[mendy817]

Because of the way MTP works, new files will not be visible until the phone's Media Scanner Service indexes them. This may not necessarily happen between creating a new file and connecting the phone, but there is an app that can force it to happen:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bero.sdrescan

You can actually run the scan while your phone is connected and watch the files show up.

i tried SDRescan... it just said "scanning" and never finished. i actually left it on overnight and still nothing :blink:

 

[prowler85]

Every now and then it seems like I plug in my phone, and my PC sees it, but when I click on the drive it doesn't show anything. Seems like when it does this I have to unlock my screen and get to my homescreen, then all of a sudden I can see the folders. Other times I plug it in and it sees everything instantly. Guess I need to troubleshoot more to see if there is a pattern.

 

[mendy817]

well i've flashed another rom and STILL the same problem. very very very confused :frown:

 

[mendy817]

i'm gonna bump this thread, because i'm STILL having the same issue. still can't see anything on my computer or on my phone (unless i use a file explorer)

 

[blueman]

i tried SDRescan... it just said "scanning" and never finished. i actually left it on overnight and still nothing :blink:

I have been having the same issue reported in the OP. I downloaded SDRescan as mentioned in other threads and it does seem to get stuck at the "scanning" screen. However, I just closed the SDRescan app, reconnected my phone to my pc and the files and folders showed up. I do not believe SDRescan is accurately reporting what it is doing and I do believe just launching it initializes the Media Scanner Service scan.

I had a similar problem in the other direction. Added MP3s to my phone from a PC, but the Music app would not see the MP3s. Reboot phone and everything else I could try and the songs would not populate. I ran SDRescan, after a few seconds of "scanning" force closed the app and all my songs started appearing in the Music app.

There is definitely an issue with SDRescan not reporting what it is doing accurately, but I do believe it works. I just wish the Nexus had a built in option to force Media Scanner Service. I would wish for the USB connectivity that my Droid X had, but in actuality the MTP process works out best. When I connect my phone to a PC to transfer files, I do not lose access to those files from the phone. This is kind of nice when all my ringtones and notifications are located on the phone. With the Droid X, connecting to a PC made those sounds revert back to default. Still, it would be nice if there was a simple option in the storage settings to initialize the Media Scanner Service.