xcopy problem from one mem card > PC > new mem card

[NorrinRadd]

Hi,

New to this forum. Came by when looking for help with copying contents of an old smartphone memory card to a new smartphone memory card.

I referred to http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=132416.0 which was helpful, but each I time ran it, only some files and dirs got copied, even though the output said all got copied. I tried this 3 times same results.

I xcopied the old memory card to my PC to a folder 8gb, and see all the ~25k files / 269 folders / 6.7gb.

D:\8gb>dir
 Volume in drive D has no label.
 Volume Serial Number is 6266-B611

 Directory of D:\8gb

07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          .
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          ..
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          .adobe-digital-editions
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          .android_secure
05/27/2013  09:13 PM                84 .avg
03/19/2012  12:42 PM    <DIR>          .bookmark_thumb1
07/10/2014  01:49 PM               236 .config_c38
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          .data
03/25/2013  11:07 AM                 7 .enref
11/06/2011  10:01 PM    <DIR>          .fdhttpd
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          .jota
04/30/2013  09:04 AM    <DIR>          .mmsyscache
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          .remove_ad
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          .showme
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          .youversion
12/04/2010  12:10 PM                 0 354855021447221.ndif
12/04/2010  05:27 PM    <DIR>          Activenotes
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          aedict
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          AK_Notepad_Exported_Notes
04/04/2012  01:53 PM    <DIR>          Alarms
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          Android
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          aquery
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          astrid
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          Battery Savior
10/05/2012  03:20 PM            17,141 battery_history.txt
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          BeyondPod
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          bugreports
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          CallRecorder
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          clusb
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          ColorWallpaper
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          com.appyet.feedplus
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          com.good.android.gfe
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          data
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          dcim
04/29/2013  10:17 AM    <DIR>          Documents
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          Download
07/21/2015  10:17 PM    <DIR>          EasyVoiceRecorder
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          Evernote
11/28/2013  07:23 PM    <DIR>          Facebook
07/21/2015  10:09 PM    <DIR>          GOLauncherEX
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          Images
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          InkPad_Notepad
07/09/2015  10:27 AM    <DIR>          iTunesTopPodcastPlayer
07/21/2015  10:17 PM    <DIR>          JA_Sensei
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          jed
12/14/2014  05:22 PM    <DIR>          LINE_Backup
07/08/2011  07:32 PM    <DIR>          LOST.DIR
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          media
04/04/2012  01:53 PM    <DIR>          Movies
07/21/2015  09:54 PM    <DIR>          Music
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          My Documents
11/21/2013  07:53 PM    <DIR>          myalbum
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          myrecord
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          noteeverything
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          Notifications
09/27/2012  08:22 AM    <DIR>          opera
12/04/2008  04:12 PM    <DIR>          Others
11/07/2011  09:31 AM           151,262 pcsc_pcsc_00001.vcf
07/21/2015  10:09 PM    <DIR>          Pictures
12/05/2010  08:55 AM    <DIR>          Playlists
04/04/2012  01:53 PM    <DIR>          Podcasts
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          Power Toggles
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          private
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          resource
07/21/2015  10:09 PM    <DIR>          Ringtones
07/12/2011  11:45 PM    <DIR>          rosie_scroll
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          sg_transport
05/01/2012  02:42 PM    <DIR>          SMSBackupRestore
07/21/2015  10:09 PM    <DIR>          SmsContactsBackup
07/21/2015  10:09 PM    <DIR>          sms_backup
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          Sounds
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          SwitchWidget
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          sys
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          system
07/21/2015  10:18 PM    <DIR>          tapeatalk_records
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          Themecert
12/19/2011  07:42 AM    <DIR>          TitaniumBackup
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          tmp
07/21/2015  09:55 PM    <DIR>          Videos
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          WhatsApp
07/21/2015  09:56 PM    <DIR>          Yahoo!
               6 File(s)        168,730 bytes
              75 Dir(s)  26,563,760,128 bytes free

Then I copied from that dir to the new card:

C:\Windows\system32>xcopy /S /I /E /H /Y /O D:\8gb  L  >d:\output.txt

The tail of output.txt has:
......<truncated output>
D:\8gb\WhatsApp\Media\WhatsApp Voice Notes\.nomedia
D:\8gb\WhatsApp\Profile Pictures\.nomedia
25844 File(s) copied

But checking the contents of the new 16gb card L:

L:\>dir
 Volume in drive L has no label.
 Volume Serial Number is ECE5-E17F

Directory of L:\

04/04/2012  01:53 PM    <DIR>          Alarms
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          LOST.DIR
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          .android_secure
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          .data
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          My Documents
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          Yahoo!
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          Android
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          BeyondPod
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          tmp
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          Notifications
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          .adobe-digital-editions
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          dcim
07/22/2015  04:57 AM    <DIR>          data
07/22/2015  08:58 AM    <DIR>          com.good.android.gfe
07/21/2015  09:54 PM    <DIR>          Music
               0 File(s)              0 bytes
              15 Dir(s)  12,455,051,264 bytes free

and

L:\>dir /ad-h
 Volume in drive L has no label.
 Volume Serial Number is ECE5-E17F

 Directory of L:\

04/04/2012  01:53 PM    <DIR>          Alarms
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          LOST.DIR
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          .android_secure
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          .data
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          My Documents
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          Yahoo!
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          Android
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          BeyondPod
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          tmp
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          Notifications
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          .adobe-digital-editions
01/01/1980  12:00 AM    <DIR>          dcim
07/22/2015  04:57 AM    <DIR>          data
07/22/2015  08:58 AM    <DIR>          com.good.android.gfe
07/21/2015  09:54 PM    <DIR>          Music
               0 File(s)              0 bytes
              15 Dir(s)  12,455,051,264 bytes free

L:\>dir /a/s
.......<truncated output>
     Total Files Listed:
             273 File(s)  3,460,960,116 bytes
             234 Dir(s)  12,455,051,264 bytes free

So a lot of files and folders are missing - this comes to about 3.2gb vs. the 6.6 on the original card and on the PC transfer dir.

My question is, have I used the wrong command or parameters to copy?

Or better yet, what's the best ways to simply copy all of the contents and permissions including hidden files from the old 8gb memory card to the new 16gm memory card?

[patio]

See Here...

[NorrinRadd]

Thanks, I referred to a similar reference on the xcopy parameters when I ran those commands.

That does not help me as I don't know what I've done wrong, and, I don't know what to do.

If this is a forum for experts only let me know and I'll seek help elsewhere and sorry to waste your time;

if this is a forum where an average user can ask questions and get help then I hope someone can advise what I've done wrong or how I can get the job done.

[patio]

It's a place where we help everyone...it's not a waste of time and sorry you got that impression...

There may be a good utility tool for this task at the smartphone manuf. site though...

[NorrinRadd]

Thanks again, and I think it is more of a DOS noob issue than an smartphone one, the file & dir copy situation would be the same.

Is there a missing or incorrect parameter in the xcopy command I used? 

Is it not copying subdirs, or large files, or aborting?

It's puzzling to me that the output says all files were copied but DIR says otherwise.

[Geek-9pm]

This post on another forum may be of some help:
http://www.cnet.com/news/help-im-confused-about-storage-on-my-smartphone/
Here is the essence of the answer giver.

In general, apps that either offer core functionality built into Android or that a carrier bundles with the phone cannot be moved to a microSD. Unless you root your phone, you don't have permission to access these folders. Apps that you have to pay for are also generally restricted. And you cannot save them to a microSD, because app developers don't want you distributing the app to another user via your microSD.

This means most modern Operating Systems (OS)require an application to be registered into a data table know to the OS. The location and name of such tables my vary a lot between even versions of the same OS. Most Smart Phones use some form of Android, which has a number of active versions out there.

This does no mean it is always imposable.  Rather, such simple functionality was not built into the system design.  Forum rules prohibit the posting of links to smartphone hacking sites. All I can say is they are out there and you can find them.

[foxidrive]

Or better yet, what's the best ways to simply copy all of the contents and permissions including hidden files from the old 8gb memory card to the new 16gm memory card?

Code: [Select]

robocopy e:\ f:\ /mir
E: drive is the source drive with the files - don't get either drive letter wrong or kaboom!

F: drive will have any extra files and folders deleted.

The /mir switch makes a mirror backup.

[NorrinRadd]

Sorry to say that nothing proved useful, and some responses indicate the points were missed.

Thanks foxidrive but didn't try your suggestion as I saw it after the one below, which worked.

On forums sometimes people don't know and say they don't know, which is ok; others send links or short answers to obfuscate their lack of knowledge to be dismissive or snarky; other times suggestions actually work.  When well-described points get glossed over or simply not answered it just wastes everyone's time.

This was on tomsguide and simply explains what to do. It worked.


Switched off then phone and took the existing 2GB microSD card out, and mounted it using an SD-adapter into my Windows PC, which added it as drive G: in the system.
Opened a command prompt, and ran following commands:
C:
cd /
md sd-card
cd sd-card
xcopy G:\*.* /S /E /V
Ejected the old microSD, and mounted the new one in the SD adapter, again, as drive G:, and re-opened a new command prompt window, and ran:
C:
cd /
cd sd-card
xcopy *.* G:\ /S /E /V


http://www.tomsguide.com/forum/id-1607981/moving-data-microsd-card-android-smartphone.html

So now you know too.

There is actually a little more to this solution aside from the copying, if there is interest.

[foxidrive]

When well-described points get glossed over or simply not answered it just wastes everyone's time.

You got an answer that you didn't try, and you're now complaining?

My answer won't work on every version of Windows either - but you didn't say which version you are using and it may be Windows XP or Windows NT4 etc

[Geek-9pm]

foxidrive,
Many here like your good work. 

Some people are frustrated and vent the anger. 

[BC_Programmer]

I wondered at the conclusion why one command would work, and the other would not. It seemed like they would behave very similarly. But I think it was something we all overlooked or dismissed as a typo. But it is repeated in a copy-paste from cmd, so I suspect it is the problem.

The cause? L is specified as the destination- that is, "L" and not "L:" as a drive specifier. It copies all the source files to an L folder in the current directory. My guess would be that you (reasonably) tried to copy using another means, such as Windows Explorer, first, and then found that didn't work, so moved to xcopy, and found that it didn't do anything differently than Windows Explorer. However the contents of L:\ were never changed because it was going to a directory. I was able to reproduce this pretty easily with the exact same command. No files were ever copied to the flash Drive I had as L:\, and they were all copied to an "L" directory within whichever directory I ran the command. Of course the version that fixes the issue specifies the drive root folder specifically, so it wouldn't have the same issue.

[patio]

I suspect he was never for a solution...

[NorrinRadd]

I wondered at the conclusion why one command would work, and the other would not.

It seemed like they would behave very similarly. But I think it was something we all overlooked or dismissed as a typo. But it is repeated in a copy-paste from cmd, so I suspect it is the problem.

The cause? L is specified as the destination- that is, "L" and not "L:" as a drive specifier. It copies all the source files to an L folder in the current directory.

My guess would be that you (reasonably) tried to copy using another means, such as Windows Explorer, first, and then found that didn't work, so moved to xcopy, and found that it didn't do anything differently than Windows Explorer.

However the contents of L:\ were never changed because it was going to a directory.

I was able to reproduce this pretty easily with the exact same command. No files were ever copied to the flash Drive I had as L:\, and they were all copied to an "L" directory within whichever directory I ran the command. Of course the version that fixes the issue specifies the drive root folder specifically, so it wouldn't have the same issue.

Thanks for the effort and your response, BC.

In the first attempt which I didn't post here, I used Teracopy in a straight copy&paste or drag&drop copy, and that is when I saw not all the files came over.

Also when I tried this a few weeks back by painstakingly copying dir by dir then fired up the phone with the new card, apps like Line didn't work so I knew something was missing and that kind of copy wouldn't work.

This time was via xcopy, which I hadn't used before, and using various reference sites and other forums, for the xcopy parameters, tried what I did above.

It was never that nothing (double-negative) was copied over, it was that not all was copied over, despite what the output said (above, "25844 File(s) copied" - which is all files vs. 273 File(s) / 234 Dir(s) or 6.6gb vs. 3.2gb). 

That is when this became an xcopy question and not memory card situation.

I had also experimented with "L" vs. "L:" and "\L" and  "\L:" and probably other permutations, but they either didn't work or had the same result.

This was all done in an Admin cmd window.

It was only the command string from tom's link that copied every folder and every file into the transfer dir, so from there it worked as well to the new card, which I had mounted on the phone.

I think it was the wildcard syntax as that was not in any of my previous xcopy attempts.

So, in summary, what I would think to be a fairly common need or problem, as many people change their memory cards, and there are a lot of forums with people experiencing this situation, but there appear to be few with solutions.

[foxidrive]

So, in summary, what I would think to be a fairly common need or problem, as many people change their memory cards, and there are a lot of forums with people experiencing this situation, but there appear to be few with solutions.

The issue is that files have attributes and some are system and hidden files. 
xcopy will not copy them if you don't use the right switches.

Robocopy with the switch you saw will copy them.

Many here like your good work. 

Thanks mate.  Many nice people here too.

[NorrinRadd]

The issue is that files have attributes and some are system and hidden files. 
xcopy will not copy them if you don't use the right switches.

Thankfully the guy on the tomsguide site knew them. And now we all do.

[BC_Programmer]

The issue is that files have attributes and some are system and hidden files. 
xcopy will not copy them if you don't use the right switches.

This is true. However, their original command includes the appropriate /H switch. The 'fixed' version does not.

I can think of no difference between /S /E /V (The "working" version) and /S /I /E /H /Y /O that would cause the former to work, and the latter to not. The only difference is the target specification.

[foxidrive]

Thankfully

You're welcome.

[foxidrive]

This is true. However, their original command includes the appropriate /H switch. The 'fixed' version does not.

I can think of no difference between /S /E /V (The "working" version) and /S /I /E /H /Y /O that would cause the former to work, and the latter to not. The only difference is the target specification.

You're absolutely right.  In fact the "working" one has /S and /V which have absolutely no effect on what is copied at all, and it doesn't copy hidden or system files.

I suspect he was never for a solution...

It's looking very much that way.

[NorrinRadd]

Well if you're going to come after me like that twice now foxidrive then I'll respond.

The "thankfully" was earned by the poster on the toms forum, not you; your "It's looking very much that way" is your own snarky reaction to a legitimate question posted to this forum and the workable answer having come from a different forum.

You seem to take this personally, you shouldn't.

I didn't care who answered it, just needed the fix, got it, reported that back responsibly.

Posters like BC_Programmer add value to the thread.

[foxidrive]

 

[foxidrive]

I'm replying here to clear the air in this thread for future readers that may be misled by NorrinRadd's misunderstanding, and his total lack of ability to test the command lines, to confirm for himself if what he believes is true.

His claim is that this command line will copy every file from a source to target  - where in actual fact it will fail to copy hidden and system files - as pointed out by BC_Programmer

xcopy G:\*.* /S /E /V

This command line will copy exactly the same files, because /E does the same as /S but also copies empty folders - and adding /S does nothing extra.

xcopy G:\*.* /E

The /V switch does absolutely nothing except to check if each copied file is the same size - it doesn't verify the file contents that are being copied, despite being called the verify switch.

The commands above will not give a complete copy of all files regardless of file attributes.

The command line I provided for modern versions of Windows will create a mirror backup of all files including hidden and system and empty folders - and removes any extra or different files or folders on the target location (which is F: below)

robocopy e:\ f:\ /mir

We can only assume NorrinRadd's first failed attempt is due to hidden and system files, but it could have been a number of unrelated reasons, such as aborting the batch file/command line for one.

If he runs a test using the commands above then he can verify the truth of what I say for himself.
I won't hold my breath.

[BC_Programmer]

We can only assume NorrinRadd's first failed attempt is due to hidden and system files, but it could have been a number of unrelated reasons, such as aborting the batch file/command line for one.

The original Command Line did in fact have the /H switch, so my "theory" is that it was the typo in the target specification, as I noted. Though it was stated they tried all sorts of combinations (which they didn't really describe at the time), it would be consistent with what we've been told, I think; the only alternative would be xcopy ignoring switches and just doing what it wants.

1. standard copy from Windows Explorer Copy/Paste. This wouldn't copy hidden or system files (uness they were set to be visible, I think). This would be seen.
2. Original xcopy attempts. The command lines they used would copy to an L directory/folder, and not to the L: drive. The files on L: would remain unchanged, still being the same as the results from the Copy Paste, since the files would not be being copied there.
3. the "Fixed" one actually working as claimed leaves me rather stymied. It seems likely they fiddled with it a bit, and that it was not the actual command they ran, but rather a variant where they added extra switches.

[foxidrive]

The original Command Line did in fact have the /H switch, so my "theory" is that it was the typo in the target specification, as I noted.

2. Original xcopy attempts. The command lines they used would copy to an L directory/folder, and not to the L: drive. The files on L: would remain unchanged, still being the same as the results from the Copy Paste, since the files would not be being copied there.

I saw when you mentioned that and forgot to have a look.
I just did so and giggled as you're quite right and the fellow had no clue, yet got all aggressive about everything.

3. the "Fixed" one actually working as claimed leaves me rather stymied. It seems likely they fiddled with it a bit, and that it was not the actual command they ran, but rather a variant where they added extra switches.

Yeah.  Finger trouble. 

[NorrinRadd]

The original Command Line did in fact have the /H switch, so my "theory" is that it was the typo in the target specification, as I noted. Though it was stated they tried all sorts of combinations (which they didn't really describe at the time), it would be consistent with what we've been told, I think; the only alternative would be xcopy ignoring switches and just doing what it wants.

1. standard copy from Windows Explorer Copy/Paste. This wouldn't copy hidden or system files (uness they were set to be visible, I think). This would be seen.

2. Original xcopy attempts. The command lines they used would copy to an L directory/folder, and not to the L: drive. The files on L: would remain unchanged, still being the same as the results from the Copy Paste, since the files would not be being copied there.

3. the "Fixed" one actually working as claimed leaves me rather stymied. It seems likely they fiddled with it a bit, and that it was not the actual command they ran, but rather a variant where they added extra switches.

Thanks BC_Programmer, I will try to address your points:
 
The variations I tried I did describe, perhaps not clearly, where I mentioned the "L" vs. "L:" and "\L" and  "\L:" permutations.  I didn’t reformat the card after each attempt, and ran the commands one after the other, so that might account for your theory assertion.

In the end I reformatted the card once more before using the tomshardware command.  I didn’t fiddle with that and ran it exactly as posted. No alleged “Finger trouble”.

================================

Two other things – format and DIR
I mentioned there is another consideration, and wonder why no one asked or if it is in fact a factor - the manner of formatting the card before the copies. 

Before the tomshardware string I tried long form format and quick format, and at the time wondered if there was anything to consider regarding FAT vs. NTFS or some other formatting and if that was the cause of the initial problem.  The last format I did before the successful command was a quick format.

The xcopy command output said 24k files were copied, after that the DIR command showed far less, I put it out there to see if maybe I was doing something wrong with the DIR command to show all the files. No one said anything about it so I guess not.

================================

So hey, foxidrive, had I seen your robocopy command before the tomshardware one I would have certainly tried it out, it was just down to the timing.  After that there was no reason to do it again with a different command.  I started using the phone and the contents of the card changed from that point.

Calling me out with “got all aggressive about everything” whilst peppering your responses with that amount of condescending and pejorative language “Claim” “You're welcome.” “thankfully”  “It's looking very much that way” ”total lack of ability” ”giggled”  “the fellow had no clue,” won't hold my breath”, etc. is a bit pot/kettle/black.

I didn’t ‘claim’ anything – I stated the issue, posted what I tried, the failures, and the results.

Though while putting on a negative spin on how I attempted and achieved what I set out to do and posturing yourself as Guardian Of Future Readers, there is nothing in my content that should mislead and certainly was not my intent - I  have been completely transparent in my purpose, my failed attempts, and what I did to resolve it.

You seem to read into things that are not there - it may be an ego thing, a comprehension thing, or just pure misunderstanding.  You seem to struggle with this and look for opportunities to be adversarial and vitriolic.  And so I respond in kind.

The commands above will not give a complete copy of all files regardless of file attributes. 

I admitted then I didn’t know why what I tried at first didn’t work to try and understand it, and I admit now I don’t know why what I did in the end worked.  It is less “what he believes is true” and more the results.

The noob in me bows to your DOS prowess, but unless what DIR is telling me is wrong and hence my question at the top of this post, the reality is all the files, dirs and permissions came over with that tomshardware command.

While I had an interest to understand the commands better while I still had the problem, once it was solved I no longer had that interest, and for future card upgrades I would most likely use the same command or try that robocopy suggestion.

So questions to the almighty foxidrive:  did you try these commands, do DIRs after them, and get different results?  Why did the tomshardware advice work the first time on a freshly-formatted card?

As the test can be done with any memory card, there is no real reason for me with my cards to do it.

When you can answer these then you can take the pebble from my hand.

You may well be a Good Guy on this forum, but as pretty much everyone puts their foot in it at some point, it’s about how you pull your foot out that people will remember you for.   

[BC_Programmer]

Formatting option wouldn't really matter- drive should be clear or equivalent either way. NTFS/FAT32 might make a difference since in your original command you specified the option to copy ACLs (permissions) which is only supported on NTFS, though I doubt that would cause files to just not be copied.

The xcopy command output said 24k files were copied, after that the DIR command showed far less, I put it out there to see if maybe I was doing something wrong with the DIR command to show all the files. No one said anything about it so I guess not.

Actually I had written about that originally but I removed it because I thought it looked douchey, but the command in the OP, "dir /ad-h"  will explicitly show everything except hidden files, as seen in the dir /? (- being a prefix meant to exclude an attribute). I had forgotten about it myself and moved forward with the assumption that the files were not being copied when it may be that the dir command you were using that was not showing them. After your original reply regarding the L/L:/etc. I must admit I thought of it again but I at that point I perhaps unfairly expected you might say you had tried other combinations as well in the same manner.

did you try these commands, do DIRs after them, and get different results?  Why did the tomshardware advice work the first time on a freshly-formatted card?

As the test can be done with any memory card, there is no real reason for me with my cards to do it.

When you can answer these then you can take the pebble from my hand.

I know this isn't directed at me but I did (as best I could) and that is what led to my original L versus L: stuff. Now, that said, I couldn't nearly reproduce your situation because I don't have any Smartphones or such that would have a similar folder structure, so the best I could do was with fake data with a few hidden files and such.

Really, the command you listed as working explicitly doesn't copy hidden or system files, thus why we aren't able to "accept" that it was a solution, so We (well, I'm) thinking perhaps another factor led to it seeming to work. Possibly changing how you verified the file copy?

[NorrinRadd]

Formatting option wouldn't really matter- drive should be clear or equivalent either way. NTFS/FAT32 might make a difference since in your original command you specified the option to copy ACLs (permissions) which is only supported on NTFS, though I doubt that would cause files to just not be copied.

Thansk for clearing that up, and what confuses it more is that I first copied using cut&paste which invoked TeraCopy, then for each or almost each successive attempt I created a new Dir on my PC to get the files there.

Now I can't remember if I tried a copy from one card to another card and bypassing the PC.

One other thing is as I tried so many options I'm not sure if one of the formats I did was on the phone itself, not mounted by the PC and run from a cmd window.

Actually I had written about that originally but I removed it because I thought it looked douchey, but the command in the OP, "dir /ad-h"  will explicitly show everything except hidden files, as seen in the dir /? (- being a prefix meant to exclude an attribute). I had forgotten about it myself and moved forward with the assumption that the files were not being copied when it may be that the dir command you were using that was not showing them. After your original reply regarding the L/L:/etc. I must admit I thought of it again but I at that point I perhaps unfairly expected you might say you had tried other combinations as well in the same manner.

I did try a few Dir switches, but aside from that, what confuses me is why the copy command in the OP has the output that 24k files got copied over to the PC folder, but when I DIRed that folder there was less than half were there (I think I still have that output) and the overall size was only !3gb out of the !6gb resident on that card.

I know this isn't directed at me but I did (as best I could) and that is what led to my original L versus L: stuff. Now, that said, I couldn't nearly reproduce your situation because I don't have any Smartphones or such that would have a similar folder structure, so the best I could do was with fake data with a few hidden files and such.

Well I do still have the original 8gb card with the original content. I don't have another card beside the one in my phone and I don't want to mess with that now, but could try copying to PC in a new folder.

Really, the command you listed as working explicitly doesn't copy hidden or system files, thus why we aren't able to "accept" that it was a solution, so We (well, I'm) thinking perhaps another factor led to it seeming to work. Possibly changing how you verified the file copy?

Yes I think that is possible, I should have that output