XPost: comp.mobile.android, alt.comp.os.windows-10   
   From: marion@facts.com   
      
   On Fri, 31 Jan 2025 23:39:47 +0100, Carlos E.R. wrote :   
      
      
   >> Are we discussing the label, or the volume ID?   
   >   
   > He said label :-)   
      
   Hi Carlos,   
      
   I love your suggestion because it allows us to always add more value.   
   As the entire point of being on Usenet is to learn & disseminate value.   
      
   SD card terminology confuses people because there are at least 3 terms:   
   1. Volume ID (CID)   
   2. Volume Serial Number   
   3. Volume Name (aka Volume Label)   
      
   Some can be changed by the user and some can't be changed by the user.   
   But what matters is only what the software sees on the Android phone.   
      
   Particularly the filespec when you double the external memory size.   
   But I do agree with you that the terms can be confusing to some people.   
      
   Here's an old output from Gemini which helped explain the differences:   
       
      
   1. Volume ID (CID):   
      
       Purpose: This is the most fundamental and permanent identifier of the   
   SD card. It's a unique code programmed into the card's hardware by the   
   manufacturer.   
       Format: A 128-bit (16-byte) code, often represented in hexadecimal.   
       How it's assigned: Assigned by the SD card manufacturer and cannot be   
   changed by the user.   
       How it's used: Used for low-level identification and tracking of the SD   
   card at the hardware level. It's crucial for card authentication and   
   security.   
       User-changeable? No, this is locked by the manufacturer.   
      
   2. Volume Serial Number:   
      
       Purpose: A unique numerical identifier for the SD card volume   
   (partition). Think of it as a fingerprint for that specific formatted   
   instance of the card.   
       Format: A 32-bit number, usually displayed as 8 hexadecimal characters   
   (e.g., A1B2C3D4).   
       How it's assigned: Generated when the SD card is formatted. It can   
   change if you reformat the card.   
       How it's used: Primarily used by the operating system for internal   
   identification and tracking of the SD card volume. You might see it in   
   system tools or when using command-line prompts.   
       User-changeable? Yes, you can change the volume serial number using   
   third-party software like AOMEI Partition Assistant, or by formatting the   
   card.   
      
   3. Volume Name (or Label):   
      
       Purpose: A user-friendly name that you assign to the SD card volume.   
   It's like giving your SD card a nickname.   
       Format: A string of characters (letters, numbers, spaces) that you   
   choose.   
       How it's assigned: You set the volume name when you format the card or   
   later through the operating system's file manager.   
      
   How it's used: Displayed in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) to help   
   you easily identify your SD card.   
   User-changeable? Yes, you can easily change the volume name at any time   
   through the operating system's file manager.   
      
   Key Differences:   
      
       Permanence: The Volume ID (CID) is permanent, while the Volume Serial   
   Number and Volume Name can be changed.   
       Level: The Volume ID is at the hardware level, while the Volume Serial   
   Number and Volume Name are at the software (file system) level.   
       Purpose: The Volume ID is for secure identification, the Volume Serial   
   Number is for system tracking, and the Volume Name is for user convenience.   
      
   Analogy:   
      
   Imagine a library:   
      
       The Volume ID (CID) is like the library's unique registration number   
   for the book. It's permanent and unchangeable.   
       The Volume Serial Number is like the barcode on a specific copy of the   
   book. It's unique to that copy and might change if the copy is replaced.   
       The Volume Name (Label) is like the title of the book. It's   
   user-friendly and helps you find the book you're looking for.   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)