Develop Bugs

[Q] What should be backed up in Amon RA nandroid backups?

I recently upgraded my Amon RA to the latest build (2.3)
I like all the new choices but I'm confused about what I should be backing up when making a Nandroid.
I made one that backed these parts up:
[x] boot
[x] system
[x] data
[x] wimax
Is that good enough? Should I backup recovery too? I understand sd-ext and .android-secure backups will take more space and time to create. But are the ones I listed above pretty much the only essential things if I ever need to flash a backup?

yep...
I would make a backup of just wimax, then there would be no need to back it up again.

Depends on your amount of paranoia about being able to recover. I backup my entire phone, including my SD card, prior to flashing any ROM. So far I haven't had any issues recovering. Granted I'm new to rooting and flashing ROMs...so haven't had enough time to really bork things up.
I know my b/u is over kill, but I'd rather spend the few extra minutes getting everything than find out I missed something if I need to recover.
HTC Evo
Rooted, but still stock...for now
----------------------------------------
The program is designed to work, if it's not, we have a problem.

You are good to go with your backup scheme.

You don't need to backup WiMax every time. Just back it up once, separately, then backup boot, data, and system regularly.

i have four or five nands on my card that i checked every option for. cant hurt...

Thanks for all the replies guys.
I'll take it all into account and do an "in case of catastrophic data loss" backup (in other words, full on backup, full checks)
And keep it to the OP scheme i had for future backups.

@n00bhackin
I'm the same way. Better safe than sorry.

Yep, wimax is a seperate backup.
Before backup, wipe cache and dalvik cache (reduces size of backup file and forces dalvik to be rebuilt when recovered).
At a bare minimum: boot, system, data
If you use apps2sd, backup .android.secure also unless you want to reinstall some apps.
If you use apps2sd to a ext3 partition on your SD, backup SD:ext for the same reasons above.
If your not sure which apps2sd you are using;
1) check on your SD the folder .android.secure, got apps there then its option 1.
2) if you use dark tremors apps2sd, then you know what it does and you back up option 2.

It would be awesome to have a .ini file on the sd with various defaults already enabled.
Maybe next in the next version

[Q] Can I free up System ROM memory?

Okay so in Titanium Backup my free System ROM memory is 229MB. SD Card Maid says 211MB free. Im not sure why they both have different values but, can I make any of these unused MB converted to usable system space for more apps? I've tried making some apps system apps through Titanium Backup and that takes more ROM memory and makes the used internal memory less, but that just makes the apps unusable. Im using CM7 Nightly and CWM Recovery. Thanks for the help.

Well I probably found an answer in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=855424 but if anybody has another suggestion .....

Sure you can. I recommend using Titanium Backup to uninstall system apps. Be sure to make a full backup using whichever recovery you currently are using jiust encase you delete something important. I removed apps related to live wallpapers, friend streams, twitter etc. Features I don't use. Hope this helps.

I forgot to ask. Do you have a SD-EXT partition set up? May want to look into that.

Removing system apps doesn't free up storage for installing user apps. You can manually move apps into the system partition if you want, but you have to redo that after that app gets upgraded. The other option is to play with MTD partition size as mentioned in the thread you found.

You can't flash the apps to system/data?

sednafx said:
You can't flash the apps to system/data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/system/app is where they'd go. You don't necessarily need to flash them there, you can use Titanium or a root-capable file explorer to move them. Some apps need some extra steps to work with their native libraries though. In addition the problem I mentioned of updates going back to /data/app instead of updating in the system partition, you also have to keep track of what you've moved in and do it again if you flash an updated ROM (without wiping).

bkrodgers said:
/system/app is where they'd go. You don't necessarily need to flash them there, you can use Titanium or a root-capable file explorer to move them. Some apps need some extra steps to work with their native libraries though. In addition the problem I mentioned of updates going back to /data/app instead of updating in the system partition, you also have to keep track of what you've moved in and do it again if you flash an updated ROM (without wiping).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct. Good points.

I don't have an SD EXT but I'll look into that. The link I posted helped alot. Thanks for all your help guys.

hi guys .. i don't know if this is a dumb question .. i am not expert at flashing custom roms .. in my titatinum backup info .. my system rom got 200+mb free and now i want to flash a custom rom but its size is 300mb+ ?? should i still continue or is there anything else to solve this??

[Q] The process.android.XXXX has quit...

Hi
this is my first post, apologies if I'm going about things the wrong way. I've searched the forum and Google for the problem I'm experiencing but the hits I get back are for specific error and processes. My problem is this:
Flashing to Aurora or Runnymede results in my phone throwing up "the process android com.process.xxxx has stopped unexpectedly, please try again", they vary with HTC and Google errors. I get a lot of these errors (phone, camera, media etc) and then a blank HTC whitescreen. I get signal, however if I unlock my screen the errors pop up - I cannot do anything on my phone at all.
My device is S-OFF. I've successfully flashed MIUI and Cyanogenmod many times without error, and they work without a hitch. I've a feeling that with these Sense roms I'm missing some pre-installation procedure of which I simply cannot find what. What do i need to do to get either of these ROMS working?
Thanks for the help!
Edit: I have installed an app that moved certain items to the SD card that were taking up space on the internal memory. Not sure if this has anything to do with it?

DeciMA said:
Edit: I have installed an app that moved certain items to the SD card that were taking up space on the internal memory. Not sure if this has anything to do with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It probably is your problem. The roms you tried has some kind of apps2sd implementation already check the rom thread. Technically you don't have to use any app that move your apps to SD.

I will try that out tomorrow when I have some time.
NOw that I've restored my miui backup, I have noticed that same error pops up when the phone loads and I have to run the App, then the errors disappear. I'll post back tomorrow with my efforts!

Out of curiosity, what's the name of that app you are using to move apps to sd?

Root All to Data2SD (cant post links). I'm finding it difficult to move all the items back to the internal memory.

Just from the description of the app, it seems that it will screw up the set up.
Start fresh. Backup all your apps using Titanium Backup. Copy and save all the contents of your sd to a computer. I suggest you zip the titanium backup folder on your sd before transferring it to your computer, I often get errors about the filenames inside the folder being too long with Windows7 if they are unzipped.
Repartition your sd card with fat32 and ext4 or ext3 (depending on the rom requirement)
Put your files back to the SD card and unzip the titanium backup folder as well.
Flash the rom and restore your apps using titanium backup. Do the app restore by batches. The apps should be moved to the ext partition automatically. Check the rom thread for details on the apps2sd implementation they used. Some require to flash another zip after the initial boot. Just check the thread.

DeciMA said:
I've a feeling that with these Sense roms I'm missing some pre-installation procedure of which I simply cannot find what. What do i need to do to get either of these ROMS working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious, did you perform full wipe before flashing your new ROM/s??

777ace said:
Just curious, did you perform full wipe before flashing your new ROM/s??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure I did, which is why this is baffling me. I would've thought that flashing a new rom would replace all pre-existing required applications
To confirm, in Recovery its Wipe Data/Factory Reset?

Performing a full wipe before flashing has worked! I can get into these ROMs now finally! Thanks for the help!
I feel like an idiot

Nice.
I had the same issues many months back. I was going from LeeDROiD Froyo ROM to InsertCoin GB. No matter how many times I flashed, I got same results as you. Then someone aksed "did you full wipe"?
After that, no more problems!!

Where to put files so a wipe won't delete them?

I've already rooted and unlocked my bootloader and I'm just about to load a custom ROM, however where do I put the files so when I wipe/factory reset they don't get deleted? Thanks.

Your files don't get deleted. Only data and apps on android partition
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Brett3rThanU said:
I've already rooted and unlocked my bootloader and I'm just about to load a custom ROM, however where do I put the files so when I wipe/factory reset they don't get deleted? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anywhere outside /system. i.e. place them on the part of your sd card where your pics, music, etc... live.

Really? That doesn't seem right for some reason...I just unlocked & rooted my girlfriends new Verizon Nexus but didn't put a ROM on it right then (which I should have done ), and during that process all of her photos and apps were deleted. I luckily had backed up photos, sms backups, etc. off of the device so I was able to transfer those back, but it was bone stock (like nothing on it at all) after that process. Is that "wipe" different than the "wipe data/factory reset" we have to do before going onto most of the ROMs for the Nexus?
Sorry about my ignorance...I'm an Epic 4g Touch owner so I'm well versed in it, but just starting to learn about the Verizon Nexus. Thanks a lot guys.

Unlocking the bootloader wipes it all; but a wipe data/factory reset from CWM doesn't touch your virtual sd card, i.e. photos, etc... remain. The OP is already unlocked, so he's "safe".

I will answer your specific question, "Where to put files so a wipe won't delete them?" If you want to be safe, on your computer or on anything external other than the phone. I only say this because the phone does not have an external sd card. Ill repeat what I said in another thread...we don't backup for the disasters we foresee but for the ones we don't.

Only the factory recovery wipes the /data/media ("/sdcard") partition. Any third-party community-built recovery (like ClockworkMod Recovery or TeamWin Recovery Project) will wipe everything except /data/media.
So, to answer your question, as long as the files are on your phone's pretend SD card (the default for user-created content and files you transfer to your phone), they won't be wiped when installing a custom ROM.

CMNein said:
Unlocking the bootloader wipes it all; but a wipe data/factory reset from CWM doesn't touch your virtual sd card, i.e. photos, etc... remain. The OP is already unlocked, so he's "safe".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
codesplice said:
Only the factory recovery wipes the /data/media ("/sdcard") partition. Any third-party community-built recovery (like ClockworkMod Recovery or TeamWin Recovery Project) will wipe everything except /data/media.
So, to answer your question, as long as the files are on your phone's pretend SD card (the default for user-created content and files you transfer to your phone), they won't be wiped when installing a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome - thank you both for your responses. That's actually a pretty cool little feature. I wish my phone could have apps retained after doing a "data/factory reset" wipe, which is such a good idea when going between ROMS.
I am stating that correctly, right? Apps, app data/caches, pretty much everything but system apps will be retained after a 3rd party data wipe? I just want to be sure, especially since it's not my device I'd be messing with Thanks

DutchDogg54 said:
I am stating that correctly, right? Apps, app data/caches, pretty much everything but system apps will be retained after a 3rd party data wipe? I just want to be sure, especially since it's not my device I'd be messing with Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I'm afraid not. Applications will be wiped, as they reside on /data/app. The only item not wiped is the /data/media partition. Plug your phone up to your computer - the files and folders that you see listed will remain after a full wipe. Everything else will be gone.
Though, to be technical, a "factory reset" wipe primarily wipes /data (except for /data/media) and /cache. You'll generally have to manually wipe (through recovery) /system.

codesplice said:
No, I'm afraid not. Applications will be wiped, as they reside on /data/app. The only item not wiped is the /data/media partition. Plug your phone up to your computer - the files and folders that you see listed will remain after a full wipe. Everything else will be gone.
Though, to be technical, a "factory reset" wipe primarily wipes /data (except for /data/media) and /cache. You'll generally have to manually wipe (through recovery) /system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's what I was thinking...thought it was a little too good to be true. No biggie...that's what Titanium backup is for
So, just to play devils advocate...if I were to copy, for instance, the go sms backup file that's created when you backup files to the /data/media partition, theoretically that would be retained, correct? That's about the only thing that would be lost doing a 3rd party wipe that couldn't be TB restored...and when I talk about the go sms back up I would like to throw things like her circle launcher setup backup files, etc. in that ring...what do you think about that?

DutchDogg54 said:
Yeah, that's what I was thinking...thought it was a little too good to be true. No biggie...that's what Titanium backup is for
So, just to play devils advocate...if I were to copy, for instance, the go sms backup file that's created when you backup files to the /data/media partition, theoretically that would be retained, correct? That's about the only thing that would be lost doing a 3rd party wipe that couldn't be TB restored...and when I talk about the go sms back up I would like to throw things like her circle launcher setup backup files, etc. in that ring...what do you think about that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of apps (I can't speak specifically for those, unfortunately) actually keep their user-created backup files in a directory on /data/media, so those would be safe. I know that Nova Launcher, Titanium Backup, Tasker, and some others do that.

The SD card does not get wiped between rom flashes using Cwm. Only the first boot loader unlock does everything get wiped.
So all my files and pics on my SD card stay in tact when I wipe in Cwm or flash a new rom.

Hi all,
I have a similar question.. I'm wanting to know where I can safely put the ROM zip because I want to wipe the sdcard0 partitiion
If I put it in /data/media I should be able to select it from there in CWM recovery right?

lamenting said:
Hi all,
I have a similar question.. I'm wanting to know where I can safely put the ROM zip because I want to wipe the sdcard0 partitiion
If I put it in /data/media I should be able to select it from there in CWM recovery right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
after wiping sdcard partition, just use adb to push files to sdcard.

kyokeun1234 said:
after wiping sdcard partition, just use adb to push files to sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I rebooted into recovery, formatted the sdcard.
Now when I try to push the file in adb, it's not showing up.
Tried pushing to both /storage/sdcard0 and /sdcard but they're not showing up when i ls into them from shell. In fact I can't acces /sdcard at all, but /storage/sdcard0 is empty.
I can't mount /sdcard in CWM either.
Help!

lamenting said:
So I rebooted into recovery, formatted the sdcard.
Now when I try to push the file in adb, it's not showing up.
Tried pushing to both /storage/sdcard0 and /sdcard but they're not showing up when i ls into them from shell. In fact I can't acces /sdcard at all, but /storage/sdcard0 is empty.
I can't mount /sdcard in CWM either.
Help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try /data/media, as that is where the "sdcard" data actually resides. The other locations are just links that point here
You may need to use the recovery option to mount /data.

codesplice said:
Try /data/media, as that is where the "sdcard" data actually resides. The other locations are just links that point here
You may need to use the recovery option to mount /data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
I ended up flashing back to stock and then flashed a new ROM and it seems to be working OK.
In the future, though, what should I have done different to avoid not being able to access /sdcard?

lamenting said:
Thanks!
I ended up flashing back to stock and then flashed a new ROM and it seems to be working OK.
In the future, though, what should I have done different to avoid not being able to access /sdcard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd just try accessing it via /data/media instead. The other links may not be created before the system actually boots.

[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.
Click to expand...
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