How to free up space on disk C on the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

Published by Steve Litchfield at 18:27 UTC, May 10th 2009

Click here for a complete list of All About Symbian's Nokia 5800 XpressMusic tutorials

Starting out with 88MB of flash memory on its internal disk ('C'), you'd think this would be enough for the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. And it would be, in a perfect world. But intensive use (e.g. installing, trying and removing third party applications, web browsing of Flash-based web sites, map-using, using the built-in 'Device updates' system to upgrade the firmware over the air)  means that it's easy for these 88MB to disappear. From my own experiences, as much as 40MB (i.e. almost half the entire disk space) can be, apparently, 'lost'.

[text updated 10am Fri 15th May 2009, thanks to commenters on the piece who have contributed ideas!]

Before we get to the most drastic step, here are some easy ways to reclaim space (do make a note of your starting figure, as quoted in 'File Mgr' and then compare at each stage)

• delete any known large attachments from Messaging and/or Nokia Messaging
   
• delete any direct downloads you've done 
   
• remove any trial applications you've installed to 'Internal memory'
   
• use Y-Browser (or similar) to delete the '\cache' folder on C: (deleting the cache from inside Web isn't as reliable)
   
• (if a Google Maps user) use 'Options | Tools | Reset' - this frees up memory used for cached maps
   
• again in Y-Browser, delete 'C:\system\temp' , there are sometimes Megabytes of .SWF (Flash) files here
  

The text below is for situations where you've run through the list above and deleted everything non-essential that you can think of and yet you know you're still (potentially) tens of Megabytes 'short'.

Here's how to reclaim as much space as possible of your Nokia 5800's internal flash memory.

1. Go into 'File Mgr'. You'll find this in the 'Applications' folder. Note the current free disk space on 'C' (often labelled 'Phone memory').
    
2. Double-tap on 'Backup' and check that 'Backup contents' is set to 'All'.
    
3. Use 'Options | Back up now' to do a backup (to card). You can say 'Yes' to the prompt about overwriting a previous backup, if applicable.
    
    
    
   It's also now a good idea to check that you know which applications you've installed to disk C and that you know where to download/restore the SIS files from - in case you have to reinstall at the end of the procedure.
    
4. When finished (the backup takes a couple of minutes to run), go to the dial pad (on the home screen) and tap out *#7370#, the 'hard reset' sequence for S60 phones. Effectively, this completely wipes the C disk and forces the Operating System to start its system folders from scratch. Your phone will restart as part of this sequence and note that the startup will take a bit longer than usual.
    
   PS. The 'lock code' for a Nokia handset is '12345', unless you've changed it or unless you have a
   network-branded phone and the network has changed it!!
    
   
    
5. Once restarted, go back to 'File Mgr', to check free space on disk C again (about 88MB, but this will vary according to the exact 5800 variant you own)
    
6. Tap on 'Backup' again, but then tap on 'Options | Restore'.
    
7. Check all the content boxes and then tap on 'OK'. Wait while your data, settings and applications are restored from the backup.
    
   
    
8. Restart the phone.
    
9. Go back into 'File Mgr' and you should see that you now have significantly more free disk space on 'C'.
    

You should now be up and running, but may have to complete the following steps:

• Reinstate your Bluetooth pairings (e.g. with your headset and desktop
   
• Re-organise your application folders again, if needed, as the assignments of apps to folders will have been reset to the default. So you'll need to fiddle with these.
   
• Re-install any applications that had been installed to disk C, if needed. Google Maps is one that you will need to do.
  

Phew! Depending on how much you had to do, you've still earnt yourself a coffee or beer! Most importantly, you've had a good spring clean and have a lot more space to play with on your phone's internal memory.

(C) Steve Litchfield, All About Symbian

Click here for a complete list of All About Symbian's Nokia 5800 XpressMusic tutorials

Categories: How To, Hardware
Platforms: S60 5th Edition

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered This was looking good at first with 77.1MB free on C: But when I tried to restore my backup from the microSD card. I then got "file manager: memory full" error message followed by one telling me the phone will restart... Any ideas?

Phew that was a bit buttock-clenching for a few mins but I've managed to get my data back from a Nokia PC Suite backup I did 3 days ago (so glad I make regular backups!). Everything seems to be back to normal except I lost my contacts bar entries and the PhoneTorch app for some reason.

Yes, strange I (and it seems at least one other person) got a low memory message even though we've actually freed memory. Mine's now up from 48MB to 62MB.

If it's of any interest my "blue" 5800 came with v11 and is now on v20.

as i mentioned earlier, a restore can cause a faulty app.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered Hi! I followed your instructions to the tee! anyway, when I tried to restore everything I got the "memory full" message too. So I went back in and restored everything separately. The only thing I can't restore is Files - it now says error every time I try and restore them. So - can you help please?!! Also, I know this isn't that important, but before my backup and restore, I had Nimbuzz installed on my phone and was loving it! Since the restore, it won't install at all! any ideas? Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered I REPEAT, DO NOT DO THIS! After following the instructions I got the infamous now "Not enough RAM. Close some applications first". But not only that. It also messed up my modem (I can't access internet thru AT&T's internet or thru Wi-Fi). Both AT&T (my service provider in the US) and Nokia have NO IDEA how to fix it. I might be having to ship it tomorrow to them (Nokia) to fix it. They said it's the only way. Again, DO NOT DO THIS. The representative at Nokia said it was foolish to backup in the phones memory, it would've been smarter to do it in a PC.

*#*#*#*#*ISSUE RESOLVED*#*#*#*#*

OK, first of all, sorry for rushing and blaming this entry. Although partially guilty, it had some other unforeseen events. Secondly, thank God I managed to resolve it. This is how/why:



I had downloaded (as many of you might) a little app named Kaspersky Mobile Security. After the backup/hardreset/hardrestore session, this app (KMS) failed to be restored. Some how it was blocking the internet access. If you have the same problem the steps to follow are very simple:

1. Re-install KMS.
2. That's it! After you're done re-installing it, reboot the phone and Shazam! it should be back and running and all good.

Sorry again, and you're welcome if this thread solved your issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slitchfield The SMS problem is plain weird though - sounds more like a corruption or glitch in your OS installation. Anyone else?

Could well be what you say although I did try re-installing the OS via NSU. V21 loaded back onto the handset fine but SMS problem wasn't fixed, it took the big 'Nuke Your Phone' reset to solve.

An odd one for sure. I'm tempted to see if I can replicate.

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