PT Lite > unable to write to USB device

Question

I’m having trouble with PT Lite (9.0.6.26) and getting S/R to work with USB option. I get error, ‘unable to write to USB device.’ I tried to format USB via Android settings > storage > format. So I know the USB has been formatted (FAT32) currently for read/write within Android system. The USB can be explored within Android system default file manager. The USB is recognized and seen by the system. I was able to write to the USB from within the file manager with copy/paste of a photo from the internal storage to the USB storage.

I am using a generic OTG adapter and Kingston DataTraveler G3 USB. I have tried a different OTG and a different USB device, however still the same result, ‘unable to write to USB’.

Observations to note: The phone is a Redmi 7A. Android version: 9 PKQ1.[Phone Removed]The system file manager is able to read/write to the USB, however a third party app from Play Store such as ES File Explorer sees the device but cannot open the device to read the contents. It seems the USB device is protected by Redmi Android designed system for it’s system default apps only.

I was able to use the same OTG and same USB, on a Moto G5S Plus, running Android 8.1.0. PT Lite S/R to USB works without issue.

Has anyone else had issues with ‘unofficial’ Android flavors on mobile phones and using PT Lite S/R with USB? (The SD card option works fine for S/R and I couldn’t get Wifi Direct to play nice either between phone and PC.) Frustrated and bummed after spending $$$ on a new phone with the hopes a MTT could use it for PT S/R in a remote location.

Answer 1

So sorry to hear of your troubles with S/R. Thank you for your detailed information about the phone you are using, its operating system, and the steps you attempted to get this to work for you. We want you to know that we take your problem seriously. I’ll check back with the main developer to see if he thinks the latest unpublished version of PTLite may have some improvements in dealing with USB S/R, as I think some recent work was done to solve an issue that I was having on a test device. I will be on vacation for about a week, so I won’t likely be able to get back to you before that time. The main developer is on a mini-vacation for a few days also, so we probably won’t cross paths for the next week or so. Blessings, anon089134

Answer 2

I just looked back to see what the recent S/R fix was about and for which release. It turns out that it was for Android 10, and the fix was released in PTLite 9.0.6.26.

Answer 3

pbtpng.it:

I couldn’t get Wifi Direct to play nice either between phone and PC

Wifi Direct only currenty works between android devices.

If S/R with a PC, would be a solution for you, then I could possibly send you a tool that allows that. Private message me if you are interested in that and I could send you more details.

Comments

Just in case this is useful to anyone, here is an unsupported tool that can be used to S/R directly between an android device and a PC with Paratext installed.

docs.google.com

DirectSendReceive

DirectSendReceive is a tool that runs on a Desktop PC, with Paratext installed, that then allows Paratext Lite to S/R directly with that Desktop PC. Currently there is no installer, so one just downloads and extracts DirectSendReceive.zip and runs...

Answer 4

I tried to use this unsupported tool yesterday when trying to figure out how I might use WiFi direct between Paratext Lite and full version Paratext. It didn’t work though. I’m trying to remember what happened. I vaguely remember that it stalled out or didn’t get very far into doing anything. But now I’m wondering if this might have been the cause of the problems we’re now having with a project that I wrote about today in another thread called “User Setup again?!” and “Team member doesn’t see my name in Notes assignments.”

I realize that this tool is unsupported, but if this is the cause of the problems we’re having in Paratext, I’m hoping this will shed some light on how to get out of the mess we’re experiencing now in Paratext.

We are in the middle of the first translation workshop we’ve been able to host in 7 months since COVID hit us, so I’m hoping I can get this team up and running again soon.

Thank you,
Ben

Answer 5

Examining the project repo and talking to other people involved with this project confirmed that the DirectSendReceive tool was not the cause of this issue.

Comments

Okay, true. Sorry for raising an illegitimate alarm bell on the DirectSendReceive tool.

Ben