New multiple entries "Unisoc 4001" created in pcmanfm-qt Devices section under Lists pane when I connect laptop with smartphone to access the internet with a USB cable

[rajibando]

The lxqt system of my laptop:
LXQt About Version | 2.1.0
LXQt Version | 2.1.0
Qt | 6.8.2

My smartphone, Nokia C12, has a B-type USB port. I use a USB-cable to access the internet, when not using Wi-Fi.

As and when I use the said phone to access the internet via USB cable two of these said entries are created in the created in pcmanfm-qt-s Devices section under the Lists left pane Section of my pcmanfm-qt version 2.1.0.

Debian version; Trixie 13. Synaptic package manager: 0.91.7. Apt 3.0.3. System is updated.

I tried to look into the /dev directory. Didn't find anything familiar/similar to the said entry.

The multiple times I connect the phone with my laptop two of these entries are added. Over time the list continues to grow.

When I disconnect the phone from the USB cable the said entries aren't automatically removed. I have to toggle to Directory Tree then back to Lists to find them removed. Otherwise, the entries stick around.

This issue is way out of my domain. Not that I am a software professional who would be hugely benefited by this insight. But the entries are an eyesore. Something alien, which I am unsure will not cause any problem in the long run.

An insight/advice/input would highly be appreciated.

[tsujan]

The items you see under Devices are recognized by GVFS/GLib. PCManFM-Qt/libfm-qt just shows them and can mount them (see Preferences → Volume).

So, your question is rather about GVFS. I'm afraid I have no idea why the version of GVFS you have there works in that way.

pcmanfm-qt version 2.1.0

It's quite old, but the problem (if there is a real problem at all) is caused by GVFS.

When I disconnect the phone from the USB cable the said entries aren't automatically removed.

For some reason, "mount/volume-removed" or "mount/volume-changed" isn't issued by GVFS.

[stefonarch]

Edit →Preferences → Volume → Auto Mount

[stefonarch]

No AI but 2 humans at the same time ;)

[rajibando]

PCManFM-Qt window → Edit menu → Preferences (the last item) → …

Thank you once again for working with me on the issue.

Yes, I said I did already. But the Ghost Drive icon issue isn't solved. My option is as per this screenshot:

[rajibando]

No AI but 2 humans at the same time ;)

👌👍
Thanks

[tsujan]

My option is as per this screenshot:

I suggested the removal of all check-marks (= un-checking) under Auto Mount ;)

[tsujan]

Anyway, it should be about an old gvfs-mtp issue, because of which, the volume may not receive the "change" signal with some smartphones. Take a look at the code comment: https://github.com/lxqt/libfm-qt/blob/76a68bc2b8b5b03ecbb337f5a02f0419cb21262c/src/placesmodel.cpp#L412-L419

Your GVFS should be old, but I won't be surprised if the issue persists in the latest version too. Actually, such problems may be hard to fix because some devices may have a weird behavior.

[tsujan]

I got curious and re-read the code. For the reference, and in more technical terms, this is what happens:

1. GLib/GVFS tells that although the mount is removed, its volume exists (g_mount_get_volume is not NULL).
2. Then libfm-qt tries to update its item.
3. But, most importantly, the signal "volume-removed" is never received. So, libfm-qt has no reason to remove its item.

When you switch to the directory tree and list view again, the list is completely recreated and, of course, the nonexistent volume isn't added to it.

I see no acceptable workaround; recreating the list just because of this GVFS issue isn't an option — to say nothing of an arbitrary delay that it would need. Whether the issue is really in GVFS or even deeper, in the device itself, I don't know, but libfm-qt already does its best in this situation.

[rajibando]

Thank you for getting back. Now I am loaded with guilt for having wasted your time. The issue isn't something that invites a fatal risk. If I toggle between Lists with Directory Treeoption & back the icon is gone.
Could be because of the device,as you've said, could be not.
I could live with this minor eyesore.
I am so sorry for having wasted your precious time! You could have used it in more productive problem-solving.
I apologise.
Let us close this thread. I would have you exercise the action to Close this discussion, although I could have closed it myself.
Yesterday, I tried adding & removing the phone within a short time. The icon got removed.
But then when I left it connected for a longer time, for a couple of hours, the icon stayed even after the device's removal.
May be, this persistence has something to do with time period the device is plugged in.
But in the either cases a toggle between Lists with Directory Treeoption & back removes the icon(s). So a refresh isn't automatically happening.
I am really sorry for wasting your time in an IGNOBEL effort.
Once again thank you for clarifying the issue & helping me arrive at a calculated decision/choice to ignore the issue as something minor.

But before closing this Discussion, just one question remains to be asked. Let us go back to the Screenshot I had posted on pcmanfm-qt → Edit → Preferences

Volume option:

Auto Mount
🔘 Mount mountable volumes automatically on program startup
🔘 Mount removable media automatically when they are inserted
🔘 Show available options for removable media when they are inserted

When removable medium unmounted:
🔘 Close tab containing removable medium
🔘 Change folder in the tab to home folder

If I disable the first three options on Auto-mount, how do I mount when a removable device is inserted? The old method of mount /dev/sdx code?

[tsujan]

If I disable the first three options on Auto-mount, how do I mount when a removable device is inserted?

Its item in the side-pane has a right-click menu with the possible actions. Also clicking it mounts the volume.

I've un-checked all of those boxes and don't use any command-line, but I suggested that to you just for testing. Actually, it's better to do mounting, un-mounting and ejecting operations through pcmanfm-qt, because it uses GLib, which is a great library and does things in the best possible ways.

So a refresh isn't automatically happening.

As I explained in my previous comment, that's because the signal "volume-removed" isn't received. The problem is in gvfs-mtp or deeper.

As for GVFS, please also read https://lxqt-project.org/wiki/Pcmanfm-qt.html#gvfs

… for wasting your time …

I didn't feel my time was wasted :) It's good to recheck the code and make sure it's OK once in a while.

[rajibando]

Ok. The perception that the issue isn't nothing serious but under control facilitates a relaxed state while I use the laptop.

So thank you for this interaction.

Its item… side-pane …right-click menu … possible actions. … clicking …mounts …un-checked … boxes… don't use …command-line … just for testing.

Yes, I understood, but presently I don't switch off my system, when I go out, just down the lid & let the system switch to a state of suspension, then flip the lid back up & continue from where I had left, when I am good to go. I have a lot of windows open & continuing operations, so will have to keep the testing in abeyance until the system becomes sluggish to use after an n number of such cycles of suspension & resumption.

it's better to do mounting, un-mounting and ejecting operations through pcmanfm-qt

Ok. Will remember.

Thank you once more.

The discussion could safely be closed now.

Best wishes.