Nook Color Won't install apps

[mroseto]

Hello all, My wife's nook won't install all the apps. She is able to download the app but it won't install. It will go from download to downloading to install and back to download. Nothing I have been able to find hasn't worked. Has anyone run into this and were you able to fix it? Thanks

[NookGardener]

Won't install ALL apps, or just some apps?  You could try archiving and unarchiving first.  Do you have an SD card installed?  If not, does the app require an SD card? (Like evernote?)

[NookGardener]

And read this thread about uninstalling, restarting, etc. 

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/NOOK-Color-Support/Apps-say-quot-Download-quot-to-no-avail/m-...

Oh, and what device are you using? Color or Tablet? If a Color, when purchased and what's the partition for apps? (Originally when sold, very small partition.  You had to take it into store to get repartitioned for more apps.)  And if Tablet, what is the size? 16G or 8G?  They have different sizes for B&N content too.

[mroseto]

Hello, Thansk for quick responses.

It is a nook color purchased about 2 years ago I think. How do I check the partition size?

[NookGardener]

If neither of you brought it into the store to get it repartitioned, that's probably it.  B&N came up with a way to repartition device after app store opened up.  Only way to do it is in store. (Newer devices may have been sold with expanded partiion.)

Don't have device on me. Try to get to SETTINGS and see if there is anything that will tell you from there.  I'll see if I can find a reference.

In the meantime, you can probably archive apps that she doesn't use (at all) or only uses infrequently.  That may free up some space.

[mroseto]

Ah ok so this more of a problem with storage size than actual software issues. I know we have apps that can be archived off. This should help a lot. It would also make sense why only the apps don't work but her books/magazines do.

[NookGardener]

Yes, has to do with storage space for apps.  All can remember right now is that it was somewhat limited and B&N created method where you went into store to get it repartitioned for more apps.  Don't remember sizing limitations. Two things you should know before you bring it into the store for repartitioning: 1) Process can't be undone. 2) You want to make sure you have a copy of anything you have sideloaded or directly downloaded.  If I remember correctly, it wipes the device.  Oh, and since no one has even talked about this process in a long time, would call the store first before you go over there --- make sure who ever is on duty a) knows where the disk is and b) knows how to do the repartioning.

If there are apps she's not using, archiving those should help in the interim. Hope that helps.

[NookGardener]

Ok, here's the thread that explains it fairly well (I miss Mark_OB1) 

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/NOOK-Color-General-Discussion/Out-of-App-memory/m-p/1022474/h...

Read through the whole thread including the links.  Pretty certain you do lose your sideloaded content when they repartition it as they reduce the size of that partition.  If your wife has a lot of sideloaded content, you can add an SD card to make up for the lack of space on the device. 

About halfway through the thread he explains where you can find how much space is available:

Settings/ Device Settings / Device Info --- should tell you how much space you currently have available for B&N content

[whiteoakBR]

Yes - you do lose all sideloaded material and you have to re-download any and all B&N materials, books, apps.  They should, when they re-partition it, re-download and install all the software updates that came along since you bought the NC.

I had this done in May (I was going on a long plane ride and wanted the app space for activities) and it took the better part of an hour to re-download all my books and apps.  I also lost all game data.

The other thing to keep in mind is that after the re-partition you won't be able to see any of the B&N materials when you hook your NC up to your computer.  All B&N materials (including books) are now in the "hidden" partition.  You also won't have as much room for sideloaded materials, an SD card will take care of most of this.