Develop Bugs

[Q] Installing other ROM's than CM7

Hey Guys!!
So I have some question to flashing new ROM's and I would greatly appreciate your answers.So first off I'm going to tell you what I already did do.
Permrooted my HTC DESIRE Z
Flashed CM7
So, now I see plenty of roms here in the android development section and here is are my questions:
1.If I want to flash these roms, do I just have to put them into the root of my SD cart and flash them per clockword recovery?
2.I know that I have to wipe data and cache before flashing, but is there a way to backup my current ROM(So my current homescreen, installed apps,saved messages) in case I don't like the new ROM?
Thanks very very much for your answers!

whitis said:
Hey Guys!!
So I have some question to flashing new ROM's and I would greatly appreciate your answers.So first off I'm going to tell you what I already did do.
Permrooted my HTC DESIRE Z
Flashed CM7
So, now I see plenty of roms here in the android development section and here is are my questions:
1.If I want to flash these roms, do I just have to put them into the root of my SD cart and flash them per clockword recovery?
2.I know that I have to wipe data and cache before flashing, but is there a way to backup my current ROM(So my current homescreen, installed apps,saved messages) in case I don't like the new ROM?
Thanks very very much for your answers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash any ROM just as you did CM7; as for backing up, which you should always do just incase the flash fails, there's an option to backup your current ROM in CWM. Sadly, it gives the backup a generic date/time name so I'd recommend backing up via RM which allows you to name the backup.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

use this app titanium backup (pro is preferred)https://market.android.com/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup&feature=search_result
then redownload it in your new rom and everything should be good....
oh and since your new instead of manually wiping flash superwipe for cleaner installs then install your new rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044992

master.peterm said:
use this app titanium backup (pro is preferred)https://market.android.com/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup&feature=search_result
then redownload it in your new rom and everything should be good....
oh and since your new instead of manually wiping flash superwipe for cleaner installs then install your new rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044992
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also recommend getting titanium backup Pro, its only a few $$ and it batch restores your apps. its a time saver if you flash ROMs often.

go to rom manager and click back up rom and name it the name of the rom and the date you backed it up
download titanium backup then open that and click batch then backup all apps and system data
then make a folder and call it ROMS and keep all your roms in there so its nice and organized
wipe and all that good stuff
then go back and flash the new rom the same way you did cm7
then install titanium again then click batch then restore all apps system data
if you dont like it just go back to rom manager and click manage backups and click on it and click restore and itll go back to your cm7

rickyiswhite said:
go to rom manager and click back up rom and name it the name of the rom and the date you backed it up
download titanium backup then open that and click batch then backup all apps and system data
then make a folder and call it ROMS and keep all your roms in there so its nice and organized
wipe and all that good stuff
then go back and flash the new rom the same way you did cm7
then install titanium again then click batch then restore all apps system data
if you dont like it just go back to rom manager and click manage backups and click on it and click restore and itll go back to your cm7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, no, no ... Never restore system data unless flashing between like ROMs. You want to backup/restore apps and data (not system data).
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

OriginalGabriel said:
No, no, no ... Never restore system data unless flashing between like ROMs. You want to backup/restore apps and data (not system data).
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS. Do not restore system data. The only reason to backup and restore system data is if you're planning on doing a complete wipe then re-installing CM7 (for example if you're trying to fix an issue) and want your settings back. Otherwise, don't backup system data!
Also, there's no need to make a new folder called "ROM's" or whatever. All of your backups will be organized (by date by default, but you can rename them) in the Clockwork Recovery folder on your SD card. Its best not to mess with these files (you can remove them and put onto your desktop if you need SD card space, but just leave them if you're worried). These backups don't necessarily have to be initiated by ROM manger either, they can be made while you're in recovery also, which saves you the trouble of having to wait for a reboot before wiping to flash the new ROM

martonikaj said:
THIS. Do not restore system data. The only reason to backup and restore system data is if you're planning on doing a complete wipe then re-installing CM7 (for example if you're trying to fix an issue) and want your settings back. Otherwise, don't backup system data!
Also, there's no need to make a new folder called "ROM's" or whatever. All of your backups will be organized (by date by default, but you can rename them) in the Clockwork Recovery folder on your SD card. Its best not to mess with these files (you can remove them and put onto your desktop if you need SD card space, but just leave them if you're worried). These backups don't necessarily have to be initiated by ROM manger either, they can be made while you're in recovery also, which saves you the trouble of having to wait for a reboot before wiping to flash the new ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good tip! But I don't see an option to backup apps and data. Just batch app buckup or batch app buckup + system data.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Murrzeak said:
Good tip! But I don't see an option to backup apps and data. Just batch app buckup or batch app buckup + system data.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just hit menu > batch. Then hit "Backup all user apps". That'll back up the apps with the data. Titanium Backup inherently includes the app data with the app backup, it doesn't just backup the plain .apk's.
Also remember that you need to re-backup all the apps before you flash a new ROM, that way the backups are up-to-date with the latest changes you've made to them.

Wow thanks for all your replies, you guys really helped me out!!
So, If I', allowed to, I'd like to ask if there is a way to get my original ROM back(The one what came with the original phone) on my phone.
And also I want you to ask if CM7 slows my Wifi down, because it feels kind of slower.
Thanks again, you guys are awesome

whitis said:
Wow thanks for all your replies, you guys really helped me out!!
So, If I', allowed to, I'd like to ask if there is a way to get my original ROM back(The one what came with the original phone) on my phone.
And also I want you to ask if CM7 slows my Wifi down, because it feels kind of slower.
Thanks again, you guys are awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you backed up your stock ROM just restore it, otherwise check the sticky in the dev forum or the wiki to download the stock ROM
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

whitis said:
So, If I', allowed to, I'd like to ask if there is a way to get my original ROM back(The one what came with the original phone) on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you've made a backup with ROM manger (nandroid backup) then you can simply restore this. I'm assuming you didn't if you're asking though. Check the wiki or dev section to find a stock rooted ROM. Make sure you get the stock rooted version, otherwise you're going to unroot yourself.
whitis said:
And also I want you to ask if CM7 slows my Wifi down, because it feels kind of slower.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you done speedtests to confirm? This could be any number of issues, and I'm sure you're not the only one who has experienced WiFi slowdowns, but there's no known issue in CM7 that affects WiFi speeds.

martonikaj said:
Have you done speedtests to confirm? This could be any number of issues, and I'm sure you're not the only one who has experienced WiFi slowdowns, but there's no known issue in CM7 that affects WiFi speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I didn't, but i saw The wifi Symbol in The notificationbar showing less bars than IT showed me on my stock ROM.
But i assume it's a Kind of Placebo effect because The wofür symbol in cm7 has Overall less Bars to fill then the stock one
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

whitis said:
No I didn't, but i saw The wifi Symbol in The notificationbar showing less bars than IT showed me on my stock ROM.
But i assume it's a Kind of Placebo effect because The wofür symbol in cm7 has Overall less Bars to fill then the stock one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, less bars doesn't mean worse signal necessarily. CM7 reports signal with bars pretty accurately, moreso than the stock ROM for sure. If you want to know for sure, run comparative speed tests, or go to settings > about phone > status and see your WiFi signal strength.

martonikaj said:
THIS. Do not restore system data. The only reason to backup and restore system data is if you're planning on doing a complete wipe then re-installing CM7 (for example if you're trying to fix an issue) and want your settings back. Otherwise, don't backup system data!
Also, there's no need to make a new folder called "ROM's" or whatever. All of your backups will be organized (by date by default, but you can rename them) in the Clockwork Recovery folder on your SD card. Its best not to mess with these files (you can remove them and put onto your desktop if you need SD card space, but just leave them if you're worried). These backups don't necessarily have to be initiated by ROM manger either, they can be made while you're in recovery also, which saves you the trouble of having to wait for a reboot before wiping to flash the new ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did I say backups? No, I said roms. When you download roms and put them into a folder called ROMS instead of having them scattered around your SD card. He's asking for suggestions. Not someones opinion on someones suggestion. I'm telling him what I would do. Sorry I don't do everything the way you do it.
Sent From My T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

rickyiswhite said:
Did I say backups? No, I said roms. When you download roms and put them into a folder called ROMS instead of having them scattered around your SD card. He's asking for suggestions. Not someones opinion on someones suggestion. I'm telling him what I would do. Sorry I don't do everything the way you do it.
Sent From My T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settle down. Seriously. Either way there is no need to create a folder for them. I'd be surprised if he had so many ROMs on his SDcard that he couldn't distinguish between them. They're all named appropriately or you can rename them. Also, there's no need to keep the .zip's on the SDcard after you've flashed anyways.

martonikaj said:
Settle down. Seriously. Either way there is no need to create a folder for them. I'd be surprised if he had so many ROMs on his SDcard that he couldn't distinguish between them. They're all named appropriately or you can rename them. Also, there's no need to keep the .zip's on the SDcard after you've flashed anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So say somehow you lose your rm backups and something goes wrong, then you have re download the rom and if you don't have a pc near by, you have to download it from your phone and all of us tmobile users know that downloading a rom uses a good amount of data, so if you wanna download a new one on your phone if you have to, have fun being throttled quicker. A friend of mine had that happen to him, he was ****ed so I let him use my sd card to flash the rom. And I only have glite and the rom I'm running now, I don't have every single rom on xda
Sent From My T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

rickyiswhite said:
So say somehow you lose your rm backups and something goes wrong, then you have re download the rom and if you don't have a pc near by, you have to download it from your phone and all of us tmobile users know that downloading a rom uses a good amount of data, so if you wanna download a new one on your phone if you have to, have fun being throttled quicker. A friend of mine had that happen to him, he was ****ed so I let him use my sd card to flash the rom. And I only have glite and the rom I'm running now, I don't have every single rom on xda.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you lose your ROM manager backups, chances are you lost your SDcard, which also contained your initial ROM .zip's (aka lose one, you lose the other). Just keep the .zip's on your computer, its wasted space to have the originals and the backups on the same SDcard. Storage space ain't free.
I don't understand why you would download ROMs continuously over 3G when you can simply wait and download on a computer. Who needs to download a ROM that bad that they would be willing to go over their data cap for it? Seems to be a weird use-case, you clearly wouldn't download a ROM on 3G if you were close to your data throttle. I'm sure at that point your current ROM can last you the rest of the day till you get to a computer.
If you're "somehow losing" your ROM manager backups you might have other issues to deal with first.

[Q] general CWM

So, I am slowly workign my way through NoSudo's post on how to get CWM installed.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1615881
Root no problem
Unlock No Problem
Recovery ?
There is a warning about renaming the /etc/install-recovery.sh file. before step 4 of ptesmoke's post here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1601663
I quess just for safety reasons, why am I renaming this file? Would I ever need to put it back? What does that file do? etc?
What do I do when I want to add crossix memory swap mod? It requires the use of a modified version of that file.
Do I just change the name of the file prior to flashing things through CWM?
What happens to the tablet if I am running the memory swap, and then disable the file like that so I can load a different rom? If I have like 10 GB of apps on the card at the time, it can't exactly dirty swap the memory back to the internal?
probably shoulda asked before I started, but hey better late then never right. At least I ain't bricked it yet
Any and all help is a appreciated.

BcWilk said:
So, I am slowly workign my way through NoSudo's post on how to get CWM installed.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1615881
Root no problem
Unlock No Problem
Recovery ?
There is a warning about renaming the /etc/install-recovery.sh file. before step 4 of ptesmoke's post here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1601663
I quess just for safety reasons, why am I renaming this file? Would I ever need to put it back? What does that file do? etc?
What do I do when I want to add crossix memory swap mod? It requires the use of a modified version of that file.
Do I just change the name of the file prior to flashing things through CWM?
What happens to the tablet if I am running the memory swap, and then disable the file like that so I can load a different rom? If I have like 10 GB of apps on the card at the time, it can't exactly dirty swap the memory back to the internal?
probably shoulda asked before I started, but hey better late then never right. At least I ain't bricked it yet
Any and all help is a appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what that file essentially did was revert the recovery to stock. and it was a script used by crossix for his sdcard swap mod i believe.
ive never had any issue with that script but ive never used the sdcard swap mod so thats probably why. so long as your bootloader is unlocked....even if your recovery gets overwritten just flash it again in fastboot. but if youve never used that mod id say your safe man.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium

Thanks man,
So basically the worst that can happen is that I accidentally overwrite CWM, and have to go back in and re-install it per your post.

BcWilk said:
Thanks man,
So basically the worst that can happen is that I accidentally overwrite CWM, and have to go back in and re-install it per your post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you got it boss. what people have been messing up is relocking their bootloaders and panicking and somehow screwing their recovery image and all sorts of amazing jazz lol.
if cwm gets overwritten u know its that file...delete it. boot into fastboot and flash cwm again...easy peasy.
the biggest thing to remember is Keep your bootloader unlocked! the only way to lock it is to reflash a stock rom that "updates" the bootloader. which is why i told everyone from day one of the unlock DONT REFLASH STOCK...unless u know what your doing!
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium

Seem simple enough, once you go custom stay there. No beer in the fridge tonight so I'll probably even remember that one.
Anyways, got it installed and running backups now. I just want to tryout flexreaper, and CM9. See what I like, and see if either fixes the crappy stack GPS lock performance. Once I pick I'll stay there for a long time. I suspect after I pick a rom that works for me I'll load up crossix mod for the extra space, I can really use it.
Thanks again for the help man.

Crap!
Ran into an issue. It errored out while backing up my data. I was able to just power down, and back up. When it came backup I noticed I had zero free space left internally so I know what the error was. I just can't for the life of me figure out how to change the backup location to the external card.

BcWilk said:
Crap!
Ran into an issue. It errored out while backing up my data. I was able to just power down, and back up. When it came backup I noticed I had zero free space left internally so I know what the error was. I just can't for the life of me figure out how to change the backup location to the external card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
currently its a bug with ics and cwm..it cant backup properly to the external...and the other problem is it backs up your entire internal....so basically if you have 4gigs taken up...its gonna exceed the 8gig.
sorry i didnt mention this as its not a huge bug for me as i dont have barely any data on the internal.
best bet is to delete that massive backup...and move some stuff (music,movies etc) over to your external. and re run the nandroid.
not a big issue but obviously a pita...
i would recommend cm9 personally...it will eventually be updated very frequently...were waiting on acer source to be released. also ive had better gps performance on cm9.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium

So, let me think out loud here. The smart way to do this would be
1. Use Titanium backup to back up all of my apps, and data to the external SD
2. Delete apps, and data until I have enough room left on the internal SD.
3. Move everything off of the external SD onto my computer
4. Full nandroid backup onto internal SD using CWM.
5. Back that up onto the computer
6. Flush everything using CWM
7. Flash CM9 or flexreaper and see what I like
8. Do crossix mememory swap mod
9. Restore apps and data from Titanium Backups, or just reload from app store
10. Relax
Does that seem safe, and in the correct order?

BcWilk said:
So, let me think out loud here. The smart way to do this would be
1. Use Titanium backup to back up all of my apps, and data to the external SD
2. Delete apps, and data until I have enough room left on the internal SD.
3. Move everything off of the external SD onto my computer
4. Full nandroid backup onto internal SD using CWM.
5. Back that up onto the computer
6. Flush everything using CWM
7. Flash CM9 or flexreaper and see what I like
8. Do crossix mememory swap mod
9. Restore apps and data from Titanium Backups, or just reload from app store
10. Relax
Does that seem safe, and in the correct order?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure does man. good luck!
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium

{Help} flashed nandroid and dont have my apps

I just came from a jelly bean from. I did nandroid restore to go to cm9. Im back on cm9 but None of my apps are on my phone. What did i do wrong? Any suggestions? I have twrp recovery.

hotboyray said:
I just came from a jelly bean from. I did nandroid restore to go to cm9. Im back on cm9 but None of my apps are on my phone. What did i do wrong? Any suggestions? I have twrp recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds like before you made the nandroid backup you didnt checkmark to backup the data partion. it wont back it up unless you tell it to. whats the size of your backup?

simms22 said:
sounds like before you made the nandroid backup you didnt checkmark to backup the data partion. it wont back it up unless you tell it to. whats the size of your backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the size of the back up is 4.71 GB... I dont know what the problem is. I dont remember clicking or unclicking backup data partion. I was just so used to using cwm recovery.

hotboyray said:
the size of the back up is 4.71 GB... I dont know what the problem is. I dont remember clicking or unclicking backup data partion. I was just so used to using cwm recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at 4.71gb(that is huge!), your apps should be there, with their data too. you try restoring it again? watch the restore, see if there is an error when on the data part.

simms22 said:
at 4.71gb(that is huge!), your apps should be there, with their data too. you try restoring it again? watch the restore, see if there is an error when on the data part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just restored this back up for the like the 3rd time today. I tried my other back ups also and none of them restored my apps and data. It said the restore was successful. there were no errors when restoring the data. this is what it said
[DAta]
skipping md5 based on user setting.
wiping data without wiping /data/media
...restoring data
... done restoring...
[data done(386 seconds)]
I didnt see any error messages on the log.
when the phone came on i didnt have my background. I have the stock live wall paper showing. google was asking for location consent again. Disabled apps were enabled again. Its like i didnt even have a backup. Its kind of just like stock. only certain things actually backed up. (for example lockscreen settings, (but no lock code just the options i set it as), it still has the message i set for the lockscreen,) My phone is not even logged in to my google account which is werid.

hotboyray said:
I just restored this back up for the like the 3rd time today. I tried my other back ups also and none of them restored my apps and data. It said the restore was successful. there were no errors when restoring the data. this is what it said
[DAta]
skipping md5 based on user setting.
wiping data without wiping /data/media
...restoring data
... done restoring...
[data done(386 seconds)]
I didnt see any error messages on the log.
when the phone came on i didnt have my background. I have the stock live wall paper showing. google was asking for location consent again. Disabled apps were enabled again. Its like i didnt even have a backup. Its kind of just like stock. only certain things actually backed up. (for example lockscreen settings, (but no lock code just the options i set it as), it still has the message i set for the lockscreen,) My phone is not even logged in to my google account which is werid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that backup is huge. i have a lot of apps, a lot! and lots of big games with lots of data, and my biggest nandroid took only 2gb. when you made the backup, was it with cwm recovery or twrp? my only other guess is that there is a corruption somewhere, or its too big to fit in the right partitions.

simms22 said:
that backup is huge. i have a lot of apps, a lot! and lots of big games with lots of data, and my biggest nandroid took only 2gb. when you made the backup, was it with cwm recovery or twrp? my only other guess is that there is a corruption somewhere, or its too big to fit in the right partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made the back up with twrp. I think i do have a back up with cwm but its very old. I didnt see any error messages so maybe it is too big. i do only have like 10gb of free space. maybe the reason my nandroid was so big is because of my google play music? (isnt the offline music saved as data for the app?)
Should i delete everything and try to restore the nandroid?

hotboyray said:
I made the back up with twrp. I think i do have a back up with cwm but its very old. I didnt see any error messages so maybe it is too big. i do only have like 10gb of free space. maybe the reason my nandroid was so big is because of my google play music? (isnt the offline music saved as data for the app?)
Should i delete everything and try to restore the nandroid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahh.. google music, makes sense. it could possibly be that you dont have enough space.

simms22 said:
ahh.. google music, makes sense. it could possibly be that you dont have enough space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a galaxy nexus also? what should i delete to free up some space?

I think the offline music is saved in the "sdcard" location that isn't normally part of a nandroid backup. Clean that up for sure.
Try cleaning up as much space as possible on the internal while leaving the backup intact. If you have at least 6 GB free the restore should go fine.
Plan B: Titanium Backup Pro allows you to open a nandroid backup and restore apps with app data.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

cmstlist said:
I think the offline music is saved in the "sdcard" location that isn't normally part of a nandroid backup. Clean that up for sure.
Try cleaning up as much space as possible on the internal while leaving the backup intact. If you have at least 6 GB free the restore should go fine.
Plan B: Titanium Backup Pro allows you to open a nandroid backup and restore apps with app data.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently have about 14.51GB of space free out of 28.13GB. the backup still didnt restore my data. I guess im going to have to try the titanium back up pro. which sucks because i dont want to really buy the pro version.

simms22 said:
sounds like before you made the nandroid backup you didnt checkmark to backup the data partion. it wont back it up unless you tell it to. whats the size of your backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should cache be selected too when making nandroid backups?

hotboyray said:
Should cache be selected too when making nandroid backups?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, cache has nothing to do with restoring apps+data.

Force close when I try to get into 3G hotspot settings

I am getting a force close when I try to get into 3G hotspot settings, this is most likely related to the fact that I can no longer use my phone as a hotspot with ease.

Okay.....
What ROM are you using? Are you rooted?
Need more information.

Jizzylax said:
Okay.....
What ROM are you using? Are you rooted?
Need more information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooted, running andi bones.
it use to work fine, now I restore some backups but none cure the problem.
I have tried factory reset, and every backup I have and the problem is still there.

OK, I ended up going back to stock and installing the original rom I was running, now it's working, I think this got messed up when I tried UKB rom, and all my backups newer than stock would not take care of the problem.
Now I want to delete some of the backups and save a new backup, but I have not found the location of the backup files.

Lino. said:
OK, I ended up going back to stock and installing the original rom I was running, now it's working, I think this got messed up when I tried UKB rom, and all my backups newer than stock would not take care of the problem.
Now I want to delete some of the backups and save a new backup, but I have not found the location of the backup files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want help you've got to give us info. What recovery are you using? For twrp there is a folder on your sd card called twrp. I don't remember the name for the cwm folder because I haven't used it for a long time. I've never used 4ext, so if you are on that you'll have to wait for someone else's input.

gtdtm said:
If you want help you've got to give us info. What recovery are you using? For twrp there is a folder on your sd card called twrp. I don't remember the name for the cwm folder because I haven't used it for a long time. I've never used 4ext, so if you are on that you'll have to wait for someone else's input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I got it.

gtdtm said:
If you want help you've got to give us info. What recovery are you using? For twrp there is a folder on your sd card called twrp. I don't remember the name for the cwm folder because I haven't used it for a long time. I've never used 4ext, so if you are on that you'll have to wait for someone else's input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4ext backups to cwm folder
I'm so fresh you can suck my nits...

Lino. said:
Thanks I got it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mind posting your solution in case someone else has the same question?

[Q] Restore backup from boot.img?

Hi,
I'm new to both the forums and to rooting, which should be obvious when I say I soft-bricked my phone tonight. After about 3 hours of pouring over these forums and trying numerous things, I was finally able to factory reset my phone. It sucks, but I'm glad to have it at least working again!
Before I went messing around, I created a Nandroid backup using the Samsung Galaxy S3 Toolkit v7.0, but now, since all the files on my droid are gone, that backup only exists on my PC. So, the question is, how do I restore my phone to this backup?
I have an S3 1747M 4.1.1
The files in my backups folder are:
\backup
-\2013-03-23.05.11
--boot.img
efs.tar
efs.img
system.ext4.201303230727.tar
I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find it and I'm going crosseyed after spending so much time here tonight :silly:
Thank you!

If the back up was created from a recovery just put it on a SD card a restore from recover
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Pbwizkid said:
If the back up was created from a recovery just put it on a SD card a restore from recover
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Erm... I don't have an external. Is it possible to move it to my internal to accomplish the same thing? I appreciate the help

GerPronouncedGrr said:
Hi,
I'm new to both the forums and to rooting, which should be obvious when I say I soft-bricked my phone tonight. After about 3 hours of pouring over these forums and trying numerous things, I was finally able to factory reset my phone. It sucks, but I'm glad to have it at least working again!
Before I went messing around, I created a Nandroid backup using the Samsung Galaxy S3 Toolkit v7.0, but now, since all the files on my droid are gone, that backup only exists on my PC. So, the question is, how do I restore my phone to this backup?
I have an S3 1747M 4.1.1
The files in my backups folder are:
\backup
-\2013-03-23.05.11
--boot.img
efs.tar
efs.img
system.ext4.201303230727.tar
I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find it and I'm going crosseyed after spending so much time here tonight :silly:
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not a system backup. The files in your folder do not match the files that you should be seeing in a nandroid folder. You made this in recovery?

xBeerdroiDx said:
This is not a system backup. The files in your folder do not match the files that you should be seeing in a nandroid folder. You made this in recovery?
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Click to collapse
This is, I *believe* what was output by the toolkit when I ran the nandroid backup option. Am I looking in the wrong spot? I also did an EFS backup, which could explain erroneous files.

GerPronouncedGrr said:
This is, I *believe* what was output by the toolkit when I ran the nandroid backup option. Am I looking in the wrong spot? I also did an EFS backup, which could explain erroneous files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what this is: an efs backup, not a nandroid.

xBeerdroiDx said:
That's what this is: an efs backup, not a nandroid.
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Click to collapse
OK, thanks for the info, that clears it up a little. However, just for crystal clarity sake, are you saying that the boot.img is EFS related also?
When I ran the Nandroid backup it gave me the option to save either externally or internally, IIRC. I saved internally because, as mentioned, I don't have an external. If this boot.img isn't what I need, then does that mean I lost my backup when I factory reset? :crying:

Whats the file size of system.ext4.201303230727.tar?

Quasimodem said:
Whats the file size of system.ext4.201303230727.tar?
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Click to collapse
I was wondering that too but at the same time, there's still a data & cache tar plus several other standard files I've always seen in a backup that aren't here

GerPronouncedGrr said:
This is, I *believe* what was output by the toolkit when I ran the nandroid backup option. Am I looking in the wrong spot? I also did an EFS backup, which could explain erroneous files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
xBeerdroiDx said:
That's what this is: an efs backup, not a nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Definitely an efs backup.
xBeerdroiDx said:
I was wondering that too but at the same time, there's still a data & cache tar plus several other standard files I've always seen in a backup that aren't here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are major files missing here.
TO OP: Do not attempt to flash any of this unless you are trying to restore your efs (which you should do ONLY IF you lost your imei). The tar file MAY be your system files and the boot.img just that, but that is it. You have none of the rest that is standard and if you are on a custom ROM things could go very wrong. If possible make your nandroids through TWRP or CWM. These will store nandroids properly. I believe both give you the option to store the nandroids on the internal or external (if you have one) memory. Make backups of these regularly if you really like the ROM.
I would HIGHLY recommend an external card...and for various reasons. It can be only a 2gig and that will be fine. This covers you in the event that your data/charging port should quit working for any reason (rare but it can happen). It also gives you a convenient way to backup those important things to you (pictures, music, etc.) and convenience to restore nandroids or revert to stock.

aybarrap1 said:
TO OP: Do not attempt to flash any of this unless you are trying to restore your efs (which you should do ONLY IF you lost your imei). The tar file MAY be your system files and the boot.img just that, but that is it. You have none of the rest that is standard and if you are on a custom ROM things could go very wrong. If possible make your nandroids through TWRP or CWM. These will store nandroids properly. I believe both give you the option to store the nandroids on the internal or external (if you have one) memory. Make backups of these regularly if you really like the ROM.
I would HIGHLY recommend an external card...and for various reasons. It can be only a 2gig and that will be fine. This covers you in the event that your data/charging port should quit working for any reason (rare but it can happen). It also gives you a convenient way to backup those important things to you (pictures, music, etc.) and convenience to restore nandroids or revert to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 for the micro sd card. At $10 for a 16g, you can't go wrong. I keep a backup or 2 on mine, plus my current rom/gapps/recovery zips. Very handy.
Aybarrap1, that rom settling in well for you?

OK, well now that it's been pointed out to me I feel like an idiot. Size of .tar file in question is 0kb... So obviously backup failed and I just never noticed, because I didn't know what to look for. I saw the operation complete and assumed it was fine. I guess I just have to accept that I'm starting over from square one. Lesson learned from all this: Read more, ask first.
Thanks go out to everyone who helped me figure this out.

GerPronouncedGrr said:
OK, well now that it's been pointed out to me I feel like an idiot. Size of .tar file in question is 0kb... So obviously backup failed and I just never noticed, because I didn't know what to look for. I saw the operation complete and assumed it was fine. I guess I just have to accept that I'm starting over from square one. Lesson learned from all this: Read more, ask first.
Thanks go out to everyone who helped me figure this out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what we're here for, buddy.
Go back into recovery and make another backup so you'll have one. What's good is that you actually do have an efs backup. That's a very smart thing to do and something I keep on my micro sd card. Cheers

By the way, while we're on the topic of me not knowing what's going on, is it possible that through all of this, factory reset, stock boot, that my phone is still rooted? I started re-installing apps and one of them was the ROM Toolbox that caused my issue in the first place. I didn't do anything with it yet, but I didn't notice that it behaves as though I have SU access.

GerPronouncedGrr said:
By the way, while we're on the topic of me not knowing what's going on, is it possible that through all of this, factory reset, stock boot, that my phone is still rooted? I started re-installing apps and one of them was the ROM Toolbox that caused my issue in the first place. I didn't do anything with it yet, but I didn't notice that it behaves as though I have SU access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know exactly what steps you took to recover your device so I can't say specifically. However, you can download apps like rom manager and titanium Backup that require root to see if they work. Do you still have a custom recovery (cwm or twrp)?

xBeerdroiDx said:
+1 for the micro sd card. At $10 for a 16g, you can't go wrong. I keep a backup or 2 on mine, plus my current rom/gapps/recovery zips. Very handy.
Aybarrap1, that rom settling in well for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far. Of course, as with all ROMS, I can't say for sure until I have given it a couple of days. Thanks for asking. And regarding the micro sd...you are right. They are super cheap now so there is really not much of an excuse to not have one. For the cost of a couple of beers or eating out you can buy one that has ample memory.
---------- Post added at 09:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 AM ----------
GerPronouncedGrr said:
By the way, while we're on the topic of me not knowing what's going on, is it possible that through all of this, factory reset, stock boot, that my phone is still rooted? I started re-installing apps and one of them was the ROM Toolbox that caused my issue in the first place. I didn't do anything with it yet, but I didn't notice that it behaves as though I have SU access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are unsure, look for SuperSU or SuperUser in your app drawer. Or download TiBu and run it. If you have SU access it will prompt you (or open up if already installed). If you do not have root, try these methods here if you have a windows pc. You sound new to this so this would be easier than the learning all the steps you took to gain root. The toolbox is great but take your time to learn about each component before jumping in. Remember toolbox is more or less a roll up of multiple things root and otherwise. Take your time to learn one thing at a time. This will save you a lot of headache.

Yes, I have SuperSU, and I was successfully able to change my system font using the toolkit, so it seems I still have root access. I will definitely be moving more slowly with this stuff in the future! Thanks again for all the help, everyone!
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