Develop Bugs

[Q] How does everyone "store"/create their ROMS and back-ups?

Currently, I am saving the ROMS I download into a folder on my SD card named "ROMS". Within that folder I have "Froyo", "Gingerbread" and "add-ons".
Once I finish flashing a ROM (ie. reset apps, contacts, get screens set the way I want, make sure all works..etc.) I create a back-up for that ROM and name it. If I ever add new apps or anything, I reback-up..overwrite the orginal back-up..and so on..
I leave the "ROM" folder alone. Is there any reason for me to keep the orginal ROM zips when I keep updating the "back-up" folder?
I think I am just using extra space on the card that is not needed by keeping BOTH the "back-up" folder and the orgianl ROM downloaded zip file??

xavier2404 said:
Currently, I am saving the ROMS I download into a folder on my SD card named "ROMS". Within that folder I have "Froyo", "Gingerbread" and "add-ons".
Once I finish flashing a ROM (ie. reset apps, contacts, get screens set the way I want, make sure all works..etc.) I create a back-up for that ROM and name it. If I ever add new apps or anything, I reback-up..overwrite the orginal back-up..and so on..
I leave the "ROM" folder alone. Is there any reason for me to keep the orginal ROM zips when I keep updating the "back-up" folder?
I think I am just using extra space on the card that is not needed by keeping BOTH the "back-up" folder and the orgianl ROM downloaded zip file??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best thing to do is backup all your stuff on your computer then you can delete whatever you want but leave your backups alone just invade you need them In a hurry
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

I do kind of the same thing....I have a folder on my SD card named ROMS and folders inside of that. After I install the ROM I delete the zip from the SD card. When I download a new ROM (Warm Z TwoPointTwo Nightlies) I backup using Recovery in CWM and I also backup my apps using TitaniumBackup.
Then I flash the new ROM and restore my apps. If anything goes wrong (so far it has not) I can always restore from the Recover backup.
Hope this helps

I keep a text file in the directory where I backup my Nandroid backups which is a legend of the backups (which ROM's, mods, etc.). I tend to delete earlier backups where a subsequent backup is of the same setup only updated. I also note which backups are still on my SD card. Since I have a 32gb card, I tend to keep the stock ROM, my last good backup, and the last backup of any prior ROM (i.e. 3 backups) on the card, in case I can't get to my computer and need a quick restore.

I use either Rom Manager or CWR to create my back-ups. I have seen alot of references to Titanium. I recently flashed a CM7 ROM where Titanium is pre-installed. What is the benefit (if any) to using Titanium instead of RM or CWR?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App

hgoldner said:
I keep a text file in the directory where I backup my Nandroid backups which is a legend of the backups (which ROM's, mods, etc.). I tend to delete earlier backups where a subsequent backup is of the same setup only updated. I also note which backups are still on my SD card. Since I have a 32gb card, I tend to keep the stock ROM, my last good backup, and the last backup of any prior ROM (i.e. 3 backups) on the card, in case I can't get to my computer and need a quick restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A text file? Sorry..new to most of this..but is storing as a text file less storage space used? Also, is it a simple matter of going into root explorer..changing the file type to .zip to access it again if needed?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App

I think he means making a legend as a text file and leaving the zips as is. Plus you wouldn't see much size difference by changing the extension to .txt and you'd be screwed if you got a bootloop since you'd have to change it back somehow.

SD Card for EVO 4G

Hi,
I was wondering if someone could recommend a good SD card for my Evo 4G.
I want this card to be able to format it to the recommendations of the Synergy Team and not crap out on me in 12 months.
I appreciate any advice given.
Thank you ,
Roc

Any card should be fine. Get the highest class you can afford. And NEVER buy memory cards on ebay, there are TONS of fakes. Only buy from authorized retailers.

If any, what files would I need to transfer over to the new card?

Don't need to transfer any files, only the ones you use (pictures, music, nandroids, backups, and if you use the purchased version of TB the license text document to the root of the card, etc). Or, once you have backed up your old card to your computer, just set the partitions the way you want them on your new card and copy everything back over, totally up to you and what you want/need.
You could just move the ROM zip to the sdcard by itself and flash it in recovery with nothing on the card, it will make all the files on the sdcard that it needs (don't forget making the folder on the sdcard for synergy if you want sense, etc). Way too many options, but you probably get the jest of it.

dpilcher said:
Don't need to transfer any files, only the ones you use (pictures, music, nandroids, backups, and if you use the purchased version of TB the license text document to the root of the card, etc). Or, once you have backed up your old card to your computer, just set the partitions the way you want them on your new card and copy everything back over, totally up to you and what you want/need.
You could just move the ROM zip to the sdcard by itself and flash it in recovery with nothing on the card, it will make all the files on the sdcard that it needs (don't forget making the folder on the sdcard for synergy if you want sense, etc). Way too many options, but you probably get the jest of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really appreciate your time and information
Thank you ,
Roc

dpilcher said:
Don't need to transfer any files, only the ones you use (pictures, music, nandroids, backups, and if you use the purchased version of TB the license text document to the root of the card, etc). .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you please tell me the directories where I can find these?
Thank you ,
Roc

Would recommend you copying your current sdcard to a folder on your computer and keeping it current (frequency depends on your comfort level). You can then move all the contents to the new card if you want. Remember, ext partitions and apps to sdcard will cause issues when just copying information from computer to phone and installing a rom, those files won't be seen and you'll have some ghosting. I'll put a couple links at the bottom that others have put together, but the locations for your main question are:
Pictures /sdcard/DCIM
Music /sdcard/MUSIC
Nandroid /sdcard/nandroid
If you have a licensed version of Titanium Backup, then the file name is TitaniumBackup_license.txt and put that on the root of the sdcard.
SMS_backup /sdcard/sms_backup (If you used the stock SMS app and did a backup from within the texting app via the menu button)
Now, keep in mind, I'm not sure how your have your old card set up. If you have created ext2-3 or if you have moved any apps or storage to the sdcard, you may lose that data for those apps if you have not done a backup and then restore it after you replace the card. I'm not talking about system data, just apps that you use and be very careful about restoring any system data when jumping to a new rom, often causes issues that look rom related but are user generated.
Even thought these do not pertain to your question, a lot of good info at these links and they direct you to others.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1121538
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865204

dpilcher said:
Would recommend you copying your current sdcard to a folder on your computer and keeping it current (frequency depends on your comfort level). You can then move all the contents to the new card if you want. Remember, ext partitions and apps to sdcard will cause issues when just copying information from computer to phone and installing a rom, those files won't be seen and you'll have some ghosting. I'll put a couple links at the bottom that others have put together, but the locations for your main question are:
Pictures /sdcard/DCIM
Music /sdcard/MUSIC
Nandroid /sdcard/nandroid
If you have a licensed version of Titanium Backup, then the file name is TitaniumBackup_license.txt and put that on the root of the sdcard.
SMS_backup /sdcard/sms_backup (If you used the stock SMS app and did a backup from within the texting app via the menu button)
Now, keep in mind, I'm not sure how your have your old card set up. If you have created ext2-3 or if you have moved any apps or storage to the sdcard, you may lose that data for those apps if you have not done a backup and then restore it after you replace the card. I'm not talking about system data, just apps that you use and be very careful about restoring any system data when jumping to a new rom, often causes issues that look rom related but are user generated.
Even thought these do not pertain to your question, a lot of good info at these links and they direct you to others.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1121538
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865204
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for all the information you have given me. I really appreciate your time and assistance.
Regards,
Roc

[Q] Clockworkmod Blobs?

Hi,
I just noticed a folder named "Blobs" in my Clockworkmod folder that is eating up some space. What is this for? Anyway I can move it to my external sd card at all? After some research I know it's from previous backups. What if I deleted those backups? What I do is when I make a nandroid backup, I usually move it to my computer, and if I need it at all, I put it back into my clockworkmod folder, and restore. Will this still work?
Edit: It's taking up about 2Gb of space on my sdcard, and I only have one backup on there.

Papaniz said:
Hi,
I just noticed a folder named "Blobs" in my Clockworkmod folder that is eating up some space. What is this for? Anyway I can move it to my external sd card at all? After some research I know it's from previous backups. What if I deleted those backups? What I do is when I make a nandroid backup, I usually move it to my computer, and if I need it at all, I put it back into my clockworkmod folder, and restore. Will this still work?
Edit: It's taking up about 2Gb of space on my sdcard, and I only have one backup on there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats your acual backup of your rom from what I understand. Whenever you backup again it keeps certain information and deletes the rest. I usually erase the blob folder whenever I am starting over with an absolutly new rom for the most storage. Last time I did that the blobs folder was over 6gigs.
Now I do use Rom Manager and in settings it does give you the option to use external memory but mine is greyed out. Anybody know how to activate it?

SimmIsengard said:
Thats your acual backup of your rom from what I understand. Whenever you backup again it keeps certain information and deletes the rest. I usually erase the blob folder whenever I am starting over with an absolutly new rom for the most storage. Last time I did that the blobs folder was over 6gigs.
Now I do use Rom Manager and in settings it does give you the option to use external memory but mine is greyed out. Anybody know how to activate it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I probably wouldn't delete it, one of the purposes of the Blobs is to reduce the backup file size, and from what I know, it deletes the useless files in the blob folder when you make a new backup. Does anyone know if this is right? This is what I understand to my knowledge at the moment.

[Q] nandroid backup doubts

can someone help me?
the wonder is my first android and I wanted to learn while before hacking on it ...
last night I did the root and installed ClockworkMod 6.0.1.2 to make a nandroid before flashing a ICS rom.
but I have come some doubts:
1) the nandroid with clockworkmod is done either on internal mem on external sd right? I tried with the internal memory and I did a backup of 17MB ... I have copied to the PC the folder ClockworkMod always 17MB: they seemed to me just a few for a nandroid backup... I did it again ... the same ...
2) then I added the external sd and I deleted the two previous backups from internal mem and redid the backup to external sd ... the process took about twenty minutes (slower then before), and in fact has made ​​a backup of 790mb
3) I try to copy the backup on the PC with the phone attached but it don't work .... I removed the SD card and copied the folder on pc with win7: I did not copy some files because they are "too long" (???)... then I tried to copy it on a pc with ubuntu and makes the copy but when the transfer is finished tells me that the number of files copied is right but instead of 790mb is only 725mb: I need to trust this backup? ?? better to delete and redo everything? I do not want to flash something and do not have a working nandroid...
another question: when I flash a rom and do ALL wipe the sd external is reset? no I think, right? and to put on the contacts and messages and the settings I use those saved using kies or do I need to do a better titanium backup or save contacts synced to gmail?
sorry for the many questions but as I'm a true noob and before I do damage I want to have in mind what I was doing
I'm waiting your reply before flash a rom... thanks

bennymax said:
can someone help me?
the wonder is my first android and I wanted to learn while before hacking on it ...
last night I did the root and installed ClockworkMod 6.0.1.2 to make a nandroid before flashing a ICS rom.
but I have come some doubts:
1) the nandroid with clockworkmod is done either on internal mem on external sd right? I tried with the internal memory and I did a backup of 17MB ... I have copied to the PC the folder ClockworkMod always 17MB: they seemed to me just a few for a nandroid backup... I did it again ... the same ...
2) then I added the external sd and I deleted the two previous backups from internal mem and redid the backup to external sd ... the process took about twenty minutes (slower then before), and in fact has made ​​a backup of 790mb
3) I try to copy the backup on the PC with the phone attached but it don't work .... I removed the SD card and copied the folder on pc with win7: I did not copy some files because they are "too long" (???)... then I tried to copy it on a pc with ubuntu and makes the copy but when the transfer is finished tells me that the number of files copied is right but instead of 790mb is only 725mb: I need to trust this backup? ?? better to delete and redo everything? I do not want to flash something and do not have a working nandroid...
another question: when I flash a rom and do ALL wipe the sd external is reset? no I think, right? and to put on the contacts and messages and the settings I use those saved using kies or do I need to do a better titanium backup or save contacts synced to gmail?
sorry for the many questions but as I'm a true noob and before I do damage I want to have in mind what I was doing
I'm waiting your reply before flash a rom... thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thing: Why do you need to copy the backup to your PC? I can certainly assure you that the backup is working fine. Just leave your SD card within your device upon backing up. And just leave it there. If you ever really wanted to copy the backup to your pc, well don't get the file size(s) wrong. They will certainly be different since the systems you are trying to copy the files to uses a different file system. So it's normal for them to have different file sizes. To add to that, the CWM uses generated MD5 to confirm that the backup (it's related files) are correct before it will restore a certain backup. If something is wrong or the backup got corrupted, CWM will not continue in restoring it.
Second: when you flash, your personal files in your sd card will remain intact. Flashing (may) be only wiping an SD-EXT if you created such partition in your card since apps uses this. So don't worry.
For most customized ROM, I'm afraid components regarding the communication of your device and Kies won't be integrated since devs prefer your system to be our of bloats as possible. So upon flashing a custom ROM, you might not be able to use Kies anymore. In flashing, internal data such as contacts, messages, APN, wifi(s), etc. will be erased as the system will be erased. So;
For your contacts: Sync it with Google or export them to our SD for later import.
For your APN and messages: There's an app in the Play Store that allows you to backup and restore them.
The titanium backup is a very good tool too. Use it.

Thread moved
The [Q] in your thread title should have been reason enough to post it in Q&A .
Please don't post Questions in General Section in the future.

bbmadzky said:
First thing: Why do you need to copy the backup to your PC? I can certainly assure you that the backup is working fine. Just leave your SD card within your device upon backing up. And just leave it there. If you ever really wanted to copy the backup to your pc, well don't get the file size(s) wrong. They will certainly be different since the systems you are trying to copy the files to uses a different file system. So it's normal for them to have different file sizes. To add to that, the CWM uses generated MD5 to confirm that the backup (it's related files) are correct before it will restore a certain backup. If something is wrong or the backup got corrupted, CWM will not continue in restoring it.
Second: when you flash, your personal files in your sd card will remain intact. Flashing (may) be only wiping an SD-EXT if you created such partition in your card since apps uses this. So don't worry.
For most customized ROM, I'm afraid components regarding the communication of your device and Kies won't be integrated since devs prefer your system to be our of bloats as possible. So upon flashing a custom ROM, you might not be able to use Kies anymore. In flashing, internal data such as contacts, messages, APN, wifi(s), etc. will be erased as the system will be erased. So;
For your contacts: Sync it with Google or export them to our SD for later import.
For your APN and messages: There's an app in the Play Store that allows you to backup and restore them.
The titanium backup is a very good tool too. Use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot bbmadzky, I understand what you say
I wanna copy backup in my pc to have a secure place where put the first nandroid of my wonder with stock rom as I have bougth it external sd can be corrupted or deleted and have a genuine nandroid of my phone I think is better
just do another backup to ha the certainty to have a good backup and now can I try to flash my first costomized rom
thanks a lot dude
ciao

It's been a pleasure in helping you with your doubt. Happy flashing and don't ever forget to do a nandroid backup.
Sent from my GT-I8150 using Tapatalk 2

This reply may be too late in coming...but I'll post it anyway. First, the size of your created nandroid....17mb.....WAY too small....the size of the backup I made was +/-800mb.
Second....if you REALLY have to copy it to a PC, zip it with minimal compression first....I found from personal experience that it copies MUCH more easily and safely....
Finally, keeping personal data (contacts, SMS, lists of installed apps [not including app data]) safe. You can install apps that will make data files of your texts and installed apps that can be accessed after flashing a custom ROM to enable recovery and re installation, and for your contacts (if you store them on the phone instead of the sim card) you go to your contacts, press the menu button and select import/export, then export to SD card. If you use these apps (appbak and SMS backup and restore) and the export to SD card function on your phone, you will find that data files have been created by using them.....these data files MUST be moved to your EXTERNAL SD card BEFORE flashing your custom ROM. They will be perfectly safe there as long as you haven't played around with the storage configurations on your phone....which I don't believe is possible with a stock ROM anyway....
Good luck and happy flashing
Hope this has helped....if it has, click thanks
Sent from my GT-I8150 using xda app-developers app

not so late dude
the problem is... I don't have a working backup still now!
I just flased cm9 and RemICS 1.5 rom and every time I tried to make a backup before flashing...
the first time I have the above doubt (as you can read above)
the second time I've tried to install CWM 6.0.1.0 instead 6.0.1.2 and the backup process is finish well (or it was what I belive ) then when I try to comeback to stock version an error has occurred in restore and I must re-do a flash with stock firmware because the SGW was freezed.
I don't know if there are problems with installation of CWM, the release of CWM (now I try with a CWM 5.5.0.4), with the type of backup files (n CWM6 you can choose the type of format file do you have from the backup process) but now before to flash another rom I want to have a WORKING nandroid!
thanks for your reply and your suggests too... maybe make I something wrong but I follow the tools on web and these are simple... maybe is only bad luck... I retry

Dude...if you read my thread here.......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1846449
And specifically the replies posted by IvanKurnia, you'll find the links (and installation method) for the version of CWM that I'm using.....with success. When you make your nandroid backup, you need to make sure you have enough space for it to complete as you don't get any warning about lack of memory....the backup process will simply stop....and unless you know what to look for, you may not realise.
I'm not totally sure if flashing different versions of CWM on top of each other will cause instability or not....maybe somebody else can answer that one.....
I'd advise getting as much info as you can about EVERYTHING! before you make any more modifications to your phone.....read as many threads and ask as many questions as it takes.....most members of this community will be happy to help (though there are one or two who have a superiority complex...lol)....it's better to ask a hundred questions and get it right, than to ask none and turn your phone into an expensive paperweight.......
CM9...I don't HAVE to.....I just.....can..

first of all: I wanted to write mate not dude sorry for my bad english...
thanks keithross
I read your thread and all the replies in it...
yes the metheod for flashing the CWM is the same I knew. I prefer to flash it whit odin.
I don't think I have problems flashing other versione because I must do a replace of stock firmware before: I set the cell in the status as new... then I reflash on it the CWM.
the only thing I don't have made is to set on USB debugging ON... uhmmm maybe is this the problem?
I try now to flash, make a nandroid, try recovery by nandroid to understand if nandroid works! If not... I try to instal CWM witn the method has showed by ivankurnia
for free space I have enough space in my SD ext card (3gb ca.) and not so many app installed... and yes I use often forum and I think these are the greatest resource on the web xda for android is "the bible" I think so!
p.s. your thread has so many informations I need...

Hi Bennymax, I found ivankurnias method the easiest to use....I'd tried ODIN without success....but successfully installed CWM on the first try with the terminal emulator/busybox method.....others have successfully used this method too. I do still stand by my concerns about flashing different versions of CWM on top of each other as I've come to believe that the recovery partition is separate to the ROM partition and that changing the ROM partition has no effect on the contents of the recovery partition. I hope I'm wrong about that, and that the issues you are having with nandroid backup and restore are as you say bad luck....but I'm not convinced.....having said that, I'm not a developer, and I could be wrong. I feel that it is something that needs researching just in case the luck you've had is not bad, but good in so far as you haven't bricked your phone yet......
Anyway, good luck however you decide to proceed....
Keith
CM9...I don't HAVE to.....I just.....can..

[Q] Titanium Backup can't find the files to restore after installing new ROM.

After several tries, I finally successfully installed Cyanogenmod 10.2 on my Rogers Samsung Galaxy S3 for the first time. Unfortunately, Titanium Backup can't find the files to restore app+data. I've gone to Preferences > Backup folder location to detect where the backup is...and it says it's empty.
The weird thing is, when I'm in Clockwork Recovery mode and browse through the folders, the folder structure is identical to before I installed the ROM. Like I see the folder I stored the .zip files in, my photo folders, and a lot of other folders. But when I browse through the File Manager on the phone or when it's plugged into the computer, that stuff doesn't exist.
I'm not really too knowledgeable in this sorta thing, but I've rooted/installed new ROMs on my old Galaxy S before and successfully restored apps+data using Titanium Backup. I'm not too sure what's happening here
Did wiping data during the installation delete the backup too? My photos are gone as well (this didn't happen on the Galaxy S...), I don't mind though since I already backed it all up on my computer, but it's still surprising.
Any help to restore my apps and data is much appreciated!!
[PS: During the setup, Google can also restore apps that it backed up for me...but I've tried this and it only restores the apps and not the data...so I'm really hoping Titanium Backup will do that for me]

If I recall, CM changes the sdcard locations. So say before CM you had sdcard (internal) then extsdcard (external). I believe CM creates an sdcard 0 and 1. Try looking in both places. Good luck.

pre4speed said:
If I recall, CM changes the sdcard locations. So say before CM you had sdcard (internal) then extsdcard (external). I believe CM creates an sdcard 0 and 1. Try looking in both places. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya I couldn't find the backup in sdcard0. I should also mention that I made the mistake of storing it in internal, rather than external (sdcard1). The folders within sdcard0 is what it would look like on a new phone...
Anyways, I'm determined to find out how to recover it because it's in the phone SOMEWHERE because the folder structure still exists when I'm in Clockwork Recovery.

poutineroutine said:
Ya I couldn't find the backup in sdcard0. I should also mention that I made the mistake of storing it in internal, rather than external (sdcard1). The folders within sdcard0 is what it would look like on a new phone...
Anyways, I determined to find out how to recover it because it's in the phone SOMEWHERE because the folder structure still exists when I'm in Clockwork Recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Menu, preferences, backup folder location, search whole device it will find then use current folder it will then restart and you're set

louvass said:
Menu, preferences, backup folder location, search whole device it will find then use current folder it will then restart and you're set
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that many times already. It says 'No backup location was found'...

poutineroutine said:
I did that many times already. It says 'No backup location was found'...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the exact same problem. Has this problem been solved?
Some help desperately needed here! Thanks!

This could all depend on if you backed everything up on your device or SD card? If internal then I want to say the AOSP rom will not recognize anything from stock. However if you stored all those files on the external SD card and all lose your data, then there is an issue.
Suggestion: flash stock and see if it all comes back. If so then move all data to external SD card. Flash AOSP rom then it will all be there. Let me know how it works out