Develop Bugs

Amon v2.3 recovery backup question?

In the newest version of AMON Ra recovery v2.3 when you go to the nandroid backup it gives you a checklist of things you can backup. Which ones should be checked.
Theres:
boot
system
data
cache
recovery
wimax
sd-ext
.android_secure
I'm assuming that you only need to backup boot system data recovery and wimax right?

I believe that boot, system, and data are checked by default. They should definitely be backed. If you already have your wimax img then no need for that one. If not, then back it up at least once then for subsequent back ups, it's not essential. Some people check everything at least for the first back up, but if you go with what I mentioned at first, then you will be fine. Good luck

agentphantom said:
I believe that boot, system, and data are checked by default. They should definitely be backed. If you already have your wimax img then no need for that one. If not, then back it up at least once then for subsequent back ups, it's not essential. Some people check everything at least for the first back up, but if you go with what I mentioned at first, then you will be fine. Good luck
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I agree with phantom!

I did everything except sd-ext, which I think is only necessary if you set up a partition. The default ones should be ok, but make sure you have those wimax keys backed up somewhere.

So I backed all the boxes except the SD-EXT and I have a backup of my wimax.img. This was done with Amon v2.3 last month. I now have so many flashes I somehow lost my Wimax as I can't get onto the 4g network and Wimax Key checker from the market says I lost my keys. So I restore that backup that has the wimax.img and it restores with no errors except I'm stuck at the boot screen and won't go any farther. Pull the battery and reboot into Amon, wipe the cache and delvik cache and still same problem.
So can I take that wimax.img and move it to another backup folder and restore it from a differant backup?

What is the proper way to rom hop?

Greetings,
I want to be able to seamlessly switch from CM7 to MIUI to Sense, etc., keeping all of my settings, apps, etc for each setup. I assumed that I can do this by simply configuring each and doing Nandroid backups. But, when I try to restore my Myn's backup, I get an error.
Anyone know the proper procedure rom-hopping like this?
Thanks!
mike

1. Backup current apps and data in titanium backup
2. In recovery, backup current rom
3. Full wipe [factory/data, cache, dalvik]
4. Flash rom, reboot.
5. When booted into new rom, restore apps and data, NOT system settings.
6.
And if you want to switch back, go to recovery, backup current rom, then restore the backup you want; no need to wipe.
Also you'll get restore errors if you renamed the folder using invalid characters, or its corrupted.

Yes, you can just keep nandroid backups of each ROM you like after you get them set up and running how you want. Then you can restore whatever setup you feel like that day.
You can also back up your apps w/ titanium, that way if you install any new apps, when you restore another ROM, you can use ti to restore any missing apps that you've installed since the backup was made.

To the OP, your post is incomplete without the error message
Your steps seem like the proper way to go between roms. What you need to be aware of is, some apps store their data on the sdcard. Depending what is stored, you may get issues. Beautiful wigets comes to mind. It stores the skins on the sd card.
Are you getting error messages restoring from the backup image itself? What error. Are your image files intact?

Might be your version of recovery. I had a problem going from CM7 to anything else. I switched the recovery version in Rom Manager and fixed it

Sorry, I overlooked that. What error are you getting?
1. What % was your battery at? If it's below 30-40%, it won't restore or backup.
2. Have you renamed the backup? You can only use certain punctuation in the names or it won't work.

teh roxxorz said:
1. Backup current apps and data in titanium backup
2. In recovery, backup current rom
3. Full wipe [factory/data, cache, dalvik]
4. Flash rom, reboot.
5. When booted into new rom, restore apps and data, NOT system settings.
6.
And if you want to switch back, go to recovery, backup current rom, then restore the backup you want; no need to wipe.
Also you'll get restore errors if you renamed the folder using invalid characters, or its corrupted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice. One thing I'm curious about though. When you do a rom backup, it saves your apps/data etc. anyway, right? When you "restore" a ROM everything is exactly like you had it. So why is it necessary to do a Titanium Backup of all your apps/data (other than prudent good practice obviously) when your ROM backup will have the same. Is there another reason I'm missing?
Second, when you say backup "apps + data" but NOT system settings, what exactly do you mean? When you do a batch backup w/ Titanium Backup you can choose to do Apps or Apps + all system data. How can you quickly and easily backup apps + app data without all system settings? Manually go in and select certain (green) system data?

I do it in case I download any new apps while on one ROM that may not be included in my nand backup.
I don't restore app data, but theoretically you could restore the newer app data as well.

Alpine- said:
Good advice. One thing I'm curious about though. When you do a rom backup, it saves your apps/data etc. anyway, right? When you "restore" a ROM everything is exactly like you had it. So why is it necessary to do a Titanium Backup of all your apps/data (other than prudent good practice obviously) when your ROM backup will have the same. Is there another reason I'm missing?
Second, when you say backup "apps + data" but NOT system settings, what exactly do you mean? When you do a batch backup w/ Titanium Backup you can choose to do Apps or Apps + all system data. How can you quickly and easily backup apps + app data without all system settings? Manually go in and select certain (green) system data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason for backing up your apps and data is because when you install a new rom, like going from CM7 > MIUI, you should always do a full wipe, which will erase your user apps; erases all phone content. When you boot into the new rom, the titanium backup data is on the sdcard, and can be restored from there; that's why. And doing a full wipe when flashing a new rom kills off a lot of problems, like random fcs, ect.
No, you do the batch operation for backup user apps + system data, just to be safe that you get the data for the apps. That makes it easiest. When you RESTORE, you go into batch, there's an option for restore only user apps and data, right above apps + system data.

Question about nandroid backup if you have DarkTremor A2SD

As anyone with DarkTremor's A2SD is well aware, the sd-ext partition is utilized as a symbolic link from within /data.
As a user of a custom recovery with the nandroid backup/restore feature, you're also well aware that you can back up both data and sd-ext.
If you choose to back up both, you end up with two large img's... the one for sd-ext being slightly larger than the one for data. Both of these img's contain all of the stuff within data (what a waste of space!).
Since sd-ext includes data (when using DT's A2SD), is it sufficient to only back up sd-ext, and not data as well? Basically, what should I be backing up? Seems wasteful to back up both-- If I back up only sd-ext, I'm concerned that the /data dir will never be created. And if I back up only /data, I'll miss the extra 30 or so megs that the sd-ext img has over the data img (what makes up that difference, I'm not quite sure).
Any thoughts?

Make a backup in each form that you discribed and check the results after trying to restore your backup of question.
Sent From DEEZ

popper668 said:
Make a backup in each form that you discribed and check the results after trying to restore your backup of question.
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Yeah, I COULD do that... but I figured at least a hundred people on here have already figured this one out before me.

No risk no reward!
Sent From DEEZ

I use a2sd and I nandroid everything, but cache and regularly go back to nandroids of my stock/rooted ROM and back with no problems. That's the reason I back up all of it, just in case. I'd rather be safer than sorry.

popper668 said:
No risk no reward!
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Click to collapse
No sh!t, but there's likely some who've already done it. Isn't that the point of the Q&A forum-- so those who aren't sure about taking risks can ask questions, and gain expertise from those who already have?

You my friend are lazy and snotty, sorry I replied.
Sent From DEEZ

BigMatza said:
No sh!t, but there's likely some who've already done it. Isn't that the point of the Q&A forum-- so those who aren't sure about taking risks can ask questions, and gain expertise from those who already have?
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I don't back up sd-ext personally because I never wipe it before a flash. There is no real need, unless you are using newer mik roms.

popper668 said:
You my friend are lazy and snotty, sorry I replied.
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Click to collapse
I'm looking for someone to explain a little bit about the difference between backing up data and sd-ext when using DT's A2SD. You haven't offered any explanation-- you only pointed out the obvious.
There are a LOT of lazy questions in this forum. Unless you happen to know the answer to mine or can show me where my search failed, go harass someone else ya f*ckin' troll.
I do, however, appreciate that your replies continue to bump my thread... so thanks for that I guess.

If DTA2SD is utilized then the APKs are not on the phones internal storage, they are on the sd-ext.
However all of the saved information from the apks (logins/game saves and such)are not on the sd-ext, that is stored on the internal memory.
So, lets say you do a nand backup without the sd-ext.
1 - if you wipe the sd-ext then nand back, your apks will not be restored, but when you re-install the apks, your saved info from the time you backed up will be restored. All you have to do is re-install the apk.
2 - if you dont wipe the sd-ext and then nand back, all of your info and apks will still be there, but if you installed another apk after you did the nand, any info you have saved from that particular apk will be gone(not the apk itself).
Now, lets say you do a nand backup with the sd-ext.
All apks and information from the time you did your backup will be restored, but again if you have installed any apks after the nand, they will be gone, along with any saved information.
Side note:
Because the saved information is not on the sd-ext, there is no need to wipe the sd-ext before flashing a new or updated rom. It is the same as having apks pre-installed. Doing this keeps you from having to redownload all of your favorite apps, but any saved info will be wiped out.
The only exception is when developers move system apps to /data(such as the newer mik roms). If they do that, then you may have to wipe the sd-ext before flashing new or updated roms.
If you wish to keep the saved information from your apks between rom flashes, then I would suggest backing up the data through Titanium backup. However you may experience problems restoring data from certain apks, so to be safe i only restore data from apps i know do not cause issues. Most games do not cause issues, but retoring data from apps like lookout have been known to cause bootloops and such.
Hope this helps.

Lots of good info there... thanks!
I know for sure that the data.img in my nandroid backup holds apks. If it didn't, there'd be no way it could be 300MB. Similarly, my sd-ext is a little larger (like 311MB).
So what happens if I don't wipe my sd-ext, but wipe my data instead? Since components of data are within sd-ext (specifically, the apks), wouldn't that in turn wipe most of sd-ext too (since it would follow the symbolic links)?

BigMatza said:
Lots of good info there... thanks!
I know for sure that the data.img in my nandroid backup holds apks. If it didn't, there'd be no way it could be 300MB. Similarly, my sd-ext is a little larger (like 311MB).
So what happens if I don't wipe my sd-ext, but wipe my data instead? Since components of data are within sd-ext (specifically, the apks), wouldn't that in turn wipe most of sd-ext too (since it would follow the symbolic links)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would only happen if DTA2SD was activated, which it is not while in recovery.

As far as I know, the only folders from /data that are moved to the sd-ext are /data/app and /data/app-private. All the other folders and info remain on the internal storage. Dalvik can be moved, but it isn't set to do so by default in most roms.
Edit: What Rom are you using? I looked at my data.img from synergy and it's 190.76MB, and the last time I backed up my SD-ext it was only 77.03MB

Few questions on using Titanium back up on GNEX.

I've used Titanium to do my back-ups on my old Galaxy Vibrant, so I have a general understanding of how it works. My question is this though, when I did back-ups in the past, they were saved to the SD card (I think), but the GNEX doesn't have an SD card. So if I do a back-up, won't the back-up I just made get erased when I wipe data before flashing a new ROM? Also, what about my pictures, will they get erased? I have hundreds of pictures on my phone, maybe even over 1000 TBH. I don't want to have to reload everything again. And last, does Titanium back-up your progress in games? I seem to remember that it does, but I don't remember for sure.
Any guides out there for doing Titanium back-ups on the Gnex? Why didn't those silly people just give us an sd card slot

ok even though it does not have a physically removable sd card it still does not get wiped when flashing roms and wiping the data cache partition. only if you do a factory data reset from the phone's settings. I've never needed to do that so dont worry i have 1000's of pics too. I'd back em up just in case on your laptop for safe measure though anyways. also when you backup th apps it does not save game progress unless you backup the app's data. then it should save preferences and progress and all that good stuff. Thank me if it helps!!

Ok, another thing I just thought of. After I flash the new ROM and enter my email, the phone is going to start automatically downloading all my apps, obviously I don't want to do that since I'm going to restore them with Titanium. How do I turn off the auto-downloading of apps?

After I flash the new ROM and enter my email, the phone is going to start automatically downloading all my apps
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Click to collapse
No it won't. It only restores your apps if you decide to not turn off the "restore my apps and settings" option. It's on by default, simply turn it off after you've entered your Gmail account. It's the next or the second screen after you logged into your Gmail account.

Ok, now my phone doesn't want to mount when I connect it to my computer. It charges, it just won't mount. ftw....

Hotstuff5964 said:
Ok, now my phone doesn't want to mount when I connect it to my computer. It charges, it just won't mount. ftw....
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Not sure about the mount issue but I will tell you to definitely leave the auto restore on and let the market automatically download your apps after a wipe. You want to do this because it will automatically install the apps where as titanium will take forever and you have to manually tap install. Then once the apps are installed go to titanium and just backup so data only which is you game progress and preferences and such. I found this out the hard way lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

In my experience, the restore and wipe cache (maybe wipe data too) only clean the system/ or /cache, and leave the sdcard/ untouched. So the data backup by Titanium back-ups should work rightly.
BTW, I have some problem about using Titanium back-ups. If I always want to keep the newest backup of both application and system data, are the any useful script?
Although there's a script could backup the new application that installed after last backup, but what about the new system app/data? Because sometimes I may have change ROM and it will add some new system app/data.
So far, I use the script that backup all the system/application data. But I wonder it may leave duplicate backup to some app, that's the condition I want to avoid.
Any idea?

[Q] What does a nandroid backup contain?

When I perform a backup from recovery (or via a front-end such as ROM Manager), what exactly is saved?
Is it like a clone of a hard drive in the PC world?
Does it contain only data, and not the actual ROM?
How should I go about using such a backup when doing a restore? Should a ROM be installed first, followed by the restore? If so, must the ROM match the backup exactly -- that is, must it be the ROM under which the backup was performed in the first place?

kirkers said:
When I perform a backup from recovery (or via a front-end such as ROM Manager), what exactly is saved?
Is it like a clone of a hard drive in the PC world?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a pretty close analogy. Only difference is I don't think it captures partitions...but I'm not sure about that. (It's not clear to me, for instance, if you did a nandroid of a phone with the EXT4 mod implemented and tried to install it on a phone without the EXT4 mod, exactly how that would play out.)
As an example, though, I took a nandroid of my stock phone immediately after I rooted it and got S-off. I then played around with various CM7, CM9, and JB ROMs for a weekend, but reloaded the stock nandroid Sunday night before going back to work on Monday. (I need a reliable phone for work.)
My phone was restored to exactly the way it was when I took the nandroid snapshot. I had to re-download a handful of app updates and email that had arrived since the time I took the nandroid to "catch up" to the present time, but that's all.

kirkers said:
When I perform a backup from recovery (or via a front-end such as ROM Manager), what exactly is saved?
Is it like a clone of a hard drive in the PC world?
Does it contain only data, and not the actual ROM?
How should I go about using such a backup when doing a restore? Should a ROM be installed first, followed by the restore? If so, must the ROM match the backup exactly -- that is, must it be the ROM under which the backup was performed in the first place?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is everything on your phone at the current time when you made a backup. Including your rom, apps, files, boot animation and e.t.c.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

Impact of EXT4 partition on nandroid backup + restore?
sully9292 said:
It is everything on your phone at the current time when you made a backup. Including your rom, apps, files, boot animation and e.t.c.
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Click to collapse
MysticCobra said:
[The PC clone image is] a pretty close analogy. Only difference is I don't think it captures partitions...but I'm not sure about that. (It's not clear to me, for instance, if you did a nandroid of a phone with the EXT4 mod implemented and tried to install it on a phone without the EXT4 mod, exactly how that would play out.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarifications and the personal experience story. It helps calm my nerves. :fingers-crossed: Now it is clear that the nandroid is a full snapshot, close to being a clone image.
Can anyone address MysticCobra's point about the EXT4 partition?
As a rule, I have followed ROM Manager app's recommendation to partition the sdcard to allow apps to be stored on it. This is what the EXT4 partition is designed to do, as far as I understand such things.
If I format the sdcard with EXT4 (which in my experience wipes out all data on the card), and then restore a nandroid that came from an older EXT4-formatted sdcard of the same size or smaller than the new sdcard, would the nandroid restoration go smoothly?
What would happen if the new sdcard did NOT have an EXT4 partition?
Thanks in advance for further advice.
:good: Cheers!

kirkers said:
Thanks for the clarifications and the personal experience story. It helps calm my nerves. :fingers-crossed: Now it is clear that the nandroid is a full snapshot, close to being a clone image.
Can anyone address MysticCobra's point about the EXT4 partition?
As a rule, I have followed ROM Manager app's recommendation to partition the sdcard to allow apps to be stored on it. This is what the EXT4 partition is designed to do, as far as I understand such things.
If I format the sdcard with EXT4 (which in my experience wipes out all data on the card), and then restore a nandroid that came from an older EXT4-formatted sdcard of the same size or smaller than the new sdcard, would the nandroid restoration go smoothly?
What would happen if the new sdcard did NOT have an EXT4 partition?
Thanks in advance for further advice.
:good: Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid backup/restores don't touch the sdcard. They backup to the sdcard but the nandroid only handles /system, /data, /data/data, /cache, boot, and recovery.
The ext4 partition is not the same as the ext4 mod that MysticCobra mentioned. The mod converts /data, and /cache to ext4 and changes the ramdisk to mount them as ext4. The no data limit one also disables the mounting /data/data so the phone will share the apps and app data with a 750MB. Your app data is intact with the no data limit mod but a backup is still advised. No wipe updates don't touch the filesystem in /data or /cache but the mod may need to be flashed again for the ROM to boot correctly as the ramdisk is overridden on all updates. Technically with the normal data one you are good on later cm7 and ICS/JB ROMs as it's already ext4.
If you want to undo the mod the best thing is to wipe /data and /cache and reflash the ROM.
For further reading check the first link in the link below:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1623038