Why are my SD apps disappearing when using USB

[InTenSityX]

I needed to get some pictures off my phone and into my computer.  Now whenever I use the USB cord to charge the phone my apps are disappearing off the screens and I have to add the shortcuts again.  

GB is installed and I never had that issue before.  Anyone know how to stop this from happening, it is annoying to have to add the shortcuts everytime I connect to a computer.  The apps that are disappearing are from the SD card, if they are installed on the phone they stay.

[pool_shark · Accepted solution]

1. The DX has enough internal storage so you don't have to move apps to the sd card.

2. When you connect the X in USB mass storage mode, it can't see the sd card anymore. I assume that's why your apps are leaving.

[Wildman]

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pool_shark wrote:

1. The DX has enough internal storage so you don't have to move apps to the sd card.

2. When you connect the X in USB mass storage mode, it can't see the sd card anymore. I assume that's why your apps are leaving.

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Exactly. the apps are stored on the sd card and when you mount it the pc is the only one that can access the card until it is unmounted...  The card can only be accessed one place at a time, the Phone or the PC but not both...

[bearone21]

"When you connect the X in USB mass storage mode, it can't see the sd card anymore. I assume that's why your apps are leaving."

who are you kidding, i added folders to the sd card, drag/dropped entire pic folders and can see what's in other folders on the sd card.

op:

you're better off charging the phone in a wall charger.

[Wildman]

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bearone21 wrote:

"When you connect the X in USB mass storage mode, it can't see the sd card anymore. I assume that's why your apps are leaving."

who are you kidding, i added folders to the sd card, drag/dropped entire pic folders and can see what's in other folders on the sd card.

op:

you're better off charging the phone in a wall charger.

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I do not understand your statement, this is a fact that the information on the sd card can not be accessed when using the Mass Storage option. 

[bearone21]

well then how did i create folders on it if i can't see it when connected to the usb?

i just looked and can see pics/folders and all the music i added.

[Wildman]

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bearone21 wrote:
well then how did i create folders on it if i can't see it when connected to the usb?

i just looked and can see pics/folders and all the music i added.

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Then you voided warrenty because the method required to save files on the device requires you to load unauthorized software to the device...   I am not tring to start any arguing contest but the purpose users voids their warrenty is to do just what you are saying you are doing because the root directory is restricted to avoid hacking and modification to the OS and if you can write to the root of the device you are not running a stock device.

The device only saves personal files to the SD Card and you can not have device used as a Mass Storage device and still access the SD files on the device, sounds like you are in charge mode not Mass Storage as the user reported..

[bearone21]

void the warranty. i don't think so. maybe you ought to look at p 50 in the dx manual, here it is for you about drag/drop music:

Note: The first time you use a USB connection, your
computer may indicate that drivers are being installed.
Follow any prompts you see to complete the
installation. This may take a few minutes.
1 With a memory card inserted, and your phone
showing the home screen, connect a Motorola
micro USB data cable from your phone’s micro USB
port to a USB port on your computer. Your phone
should show in the status bar.
Note: Make sure to connect the phone to a high
power USB port. Typically, these are located directly
on your computer.
2 On your phone, flick down the status bar to see the
USB connection options.
3 If you want to use Media Share, touch Media
Share, then OK.
To access your phone’s memory card from your PC,
touch Memory Card Management, then OK.
Your phone’s memory card appears as an icon under
“My Computer” on your computer. Open “My
Computer” and then the icon for your memory card
folders.
Note: You can’t use the files on your memory card
with your phone while it is connected to the
computer.
Drag and drop files between your computer and
memory card folders. When you’re done, use
“Safely Remove Hardware” on your computer
before disconnecting the USB cable.

[Wildman]

  You are funny because that copies to SD not the device, and during that time you can not open the phone to the SD Card because the PC is using the card....   But what ever, you keep thinking you are coping to the internal memory if you want when you do this...   Even your post says what I reported.... 

Note: You can’t use the files on your memory card
with your phone while it is connected to the
computer.

Good day.   I have answered the OP question they can take it as a answer or not.

[bearone21]

i never said i was copying to the internal memory.

re-read my posts at 1245p, 1317p & 1809p.

you're right, you can't use the files on the sd card but you can see 'em with the usb connected.

do i need to take a pic of my music/pic files of the dx files, on the pc, in windows explorer, with my wife's camera and email it to you?

[pool_shark]

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bearone21 wrote:

i never said i was copying to the internal memory.

re-read my posts at 1245p, 1317p & 1809p.

you're right, you can't use the files on the sd card but you can see 'em with the usb connected.

do i need to take a pic of my music/pic files of the dx files, on the pc, in windows explorer, with my wife's camera and email it to you?

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You should really consider thinking before you post.

Yes, connected via USB mass storage you can see the files on the PC, but I was telling the OP that once the device is connected via USB mass storage, the DEVICE can no longer see the SD card.

If you want proof, connect via USB mass storage and use your file explorer of choice to view the files on the device, it will tell you that the sd card is not mounted.

[bearone21]

whatever

[bcram11]

Have you tried turing your USB connection back to "charge only"? Next time you connect your X to your computer, go into the USB menu on your X, should be in the notification bar, and select charge only. 

Hope this fixes the issue.  

[#14]

That's a good question. If you are using USB mode you won't see pics or videos on the phone itself while it is connected to the computer, but I have not seen an issue with the apps disappearing. Is your USB debugging turned on or off? I would suggest toggling that feature to see if that helps. Go to Settings>Applications>Development. 

[metalliqaz]

The phone unmounts the SD card when you activate USB mode.  When your PC is accessing the SD card as if it was a USB flash drive, then the phone can't access the card at all.  I would expect everything to disappear.  If you've installed apps to your SD card, then they will be inaccessible until you unplug the phone.  Then the SD card is remounted and everything will appear again.

[Wildman]

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metalliqaz wrote:

The phone unmounts the SD card when you activate USB mode.  When your PC is accessing the SD card as if it was a USB flash drive, then the phone can't access the card at all.  I would expect everything to disappear.  If you've installed apps to your SD card, then they will be inaccessible until you unplug the phone.  Then the SD card is remounted and everything will appear again.

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That exactly correct when the card is mounted the system sees that the file is missing and assumed it uninstalled so it removes it from the launcher until the card is unmounted and the file is accessible...  Easy way to verify this is to go to the location that app is stored on card and move the file into a folder and you will see the app will disappear and then place it back and the file will return.

Android isn't like windows it detects the apps in a specific folder and place the links to this file in launcher unlike Windows has a registry that identifies the apps location to the system.  With android you can simply drop the apk into the folder that gets scanned for apps,  and set security and it will show in list, so this is perfectly normal for Android..