My HP TP Data/Media Recovery, Rom Notes + Install Guide
DISCLAIMER: I'm not a dev, nor do I play one on t.v. Use the information and links at your own risk. READ and UNDERSTAND what your doing before flashing is the best bet. I take no responsibility or credit for the information.
This is just an FYI, a work in progress, it should not be considered wholly accurate and is just a reference for all this data media stuff.
XDA version of this thread
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What is a data media build?
Previously on the HP Touchpad Android and WebOS shared SDcard space in the media partition. This was the space you saw when transferring data via the USB cable. It stored all your media like music, pictures and movies. Data media builds separate the Android and WebOS space by emulating a 2nd ext4 SDcard in the data partition. The place where your app data was stored, separate from the SDcard media partition. You will need to move the majority of your free space from the media partition to the data partition, by using flashable zips, Tailor or android apps. With this setup the data partition now becomes the main place where your apps and users files(Music, pictures, movies, ect) are stored. The left over space in the media partition is now separate and only used by WebOS. WebOS will be left with just a small amount of free space and the majority will be given to the Android Data partition. You will need to boot into WebOS to access its media SDcard space or use the Evervolv build which allows you to see both partitions from Android. Following these instructions will leave WebOS perfectly intact and it can be used for useful things like flashing the A6firmware [Fix Guide] How to Reflash the A6 Firmware.
What are the Advantages and Changes for Data Media Builds?
New data media builds change the default partition layout to more efficiently use the available space. You get a larger area for storing apps and mount an emulated ext4 SDcard all on the Data partition. The ext4 doesn't suffer from the 4GB file size limit that the older Fat partition had and gives you more space for large apps. In additon there is no longer a limit of 50+ apps like some users experienced with the non data media ROMs. The next advantage for HP TouchPad users is the updated 3.x Kernels all the new Android 4.4.2 builds use. The updated Kernel's more efficiently communicates and allocates resources between the hardware and software. However data media Roms require newer data media recoveries to accommodate the new partition format and SeLinux support.
What is a data media device? (TeamWin)
Do I really need to do all this, how can I go back to my old setup?
If you're happy with your current setup and Android version there is no urgent need to upgrade. However this is the direction that future builds will take and if you understand the basic concepts of flashing rom's and have previously install android with the ACMEInstaller, then you should be ready to test these new builds. Experienced users should backup all their data before trying out these new builds. If you wish to go back to your previous setup you can use Jcsullins' new CWM 6.0.4.9 DM and Jc's Philz CWM Touch DM recoveries (20140317) to restore your older nandroid backups. These two recoveries by JC can see both SDcards while restoring your backups. The Data partition will show up as SDcard and the Media Partition as SDcard1. Note that due to the larger size of data media backups (and SeLinux Context files) you cannot advanced restore the data partition of a data media back up on to a non data media rom.
Please leave ROM developers feedback in their respective threads. Reporting problems in the developer's threads and submitting alogcats can help to move development along and fix bugs.
HP TouchPad non Data Media build guide threads
[ROM GUIDE] How to install Android on the HP TouchPad "The Easy Way" - Recommended for first time installers to intermediate users
(Covers the basic setup of Java, Novacom, and use of AcmeInstaller etc commands. Forgot something, check it out)
[ROM GUIDE] How to Update/Install Android 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 Builds on the HP TouchPad
(Post 2 Covers Data/Media builds)
Important Posts You Should Read Before ANY Data Media Install:
Post 2: Data/media Build Recovery Notes (4-06-14)
Post 3: Data/media ROM SDcard Access Notes (4-8-14)
Post 4: Data/media Resizing Notes (3-31-14)
Post 5: Current ROM installation "Updater-Scripts" Notes (3-10-14)
_____ Includes a Special Request to the Devs! (A bit technical, feel free to skip this one)
Post 6: Troubleshooting Tools and Assistance Notes (3-10-14)
Post 7: How to move to CM10.2 Data/Media Build via "cminstall pack v2" - Part 1 (6-2-14)
Post 8: How to move from CM10.2 Data/Media to other 4.4 KK DM Builds - Part 2 (4-08-14)
Post 9: Option 2 - Clean Install Straight to a 4.4 KK Rom via cminstall v2 Pack (6-2-14)
6/2/14 UPDATE:
JcSullins has a new utility called TP Toolbox (thread here) for installing 'most' Data Media Builds and Recoveries. You can still use the install packs from post 7 & 9 if you prefer (while they are offered), but either way, the first 6 posts are still good background you should read ...
.Jcsullins said:Touchpad Toolbox (aka tptoolbox) is a completely self-contained and user-friendly system for the low-level management of the HP Touchpad.
TPToolbox replaces:
TPToolbox adds:
- ACMEInstallers
- ACMEUninstallers
- Various methods of resizing volumes (erroneously called partitions)
- Various methods of reflashing the A6 battery monitoring chip
- Various methods of completely wiping/recreating volumes
- A straightforward, reliable and easy-to-use method of installing the current (i.e. KitKat/Datamedia) versions of Android on the Touchpad.
- The ability to completely remove webOS.