Develop Bugs

ROM Manager, CWM & Backing Up / Restoring

I have the latest ROM Manager (5.0.1.5) and the latest CWM (5.8.4.9) installed and am a little confused about backing and restoring. When I used RM/CWM on my old EVO 4G it was very straight forward but doesn't seem to be the case with my new GS3.
When I use RM to backup my current ROM, it seems to be successful but doesn't show up in the list of backups when I go to RM and click on "Manage and Restore Backups". However, if I go into Recovery I can find it by navigating to backup and restore. I'm assuming the problem is that RM automatically backs up to my external SDCard while RM only reads from the internal SDCard. I was able to manually backup to the internal SDCard from Recovery and it shows up in the list in RM but the date & time are all messed up (not to mention I can't rename it in Recovery).
I suppose it's not impossible to use but it seems "messy" to me. How is everyone dealing with this?
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Also how do you manage the backups via Recovery? I now have 6 backups that I made via RM which ended up in the external SDCard but I can't seem to delete them in Recovery. I'm also not sure where they are when I browse in FTP as there is nothing under the clockworkmod directory.

CWM is fastly becoming old school, do some searching for installing TWRP using goomanager. It is an awesome recovery tool with many, many new features not found in CWM.

evoer said:
CWM is fastly becoming old school, do some searching for installing TWRP using goomanager. It is an awesome recovery tool with many, many new features not found in CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Twrp is good for backups and being able to run commands but is definatly missing some features.ROM manager has gone to hell but there is an option in settings for using external storage. Ur backups are in clockworkmod/backups. And you can rename ur backups qhile in cwm recovery w/ this. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1646108. And if ur gna use twrp, get it from their site and flash in mobile odin. Goo manager sucks and its interface is confusing. Takes an hour to find **** in there. An accident waiting to happen

Thanks for the recommendation. So far so good.
billard412 said:
Ur backups are in clockworkmod/backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I figured but the directory is empty even though CWM shows at least 3 backups

woshiweili said:
Thanks for the recommendation. So far so good.
That's what I figured but the directory is empty even though CWM shows at least 3 backups
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's odd did you check internal and external?

billard412 said:
That's odd did you check internal and external?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see what it is. I was accessing it through the app, FTP Server and that app can only read internal SDcard, where the backups are not located.
Thanks for your help.
I'm now all TWRP'ed up and so far it is nice.
---
Under "Wipe" in TWRP I see Cache, Dalvik Cache, Factory Reset, System, External Storage, Internal Storage and Format Data.
Normally when I flash a new ROM with CWM I would wipe data, cache & dalvik cache. With TWP, when I click on Format Data, it says this wipes all media, including backups & removes encryption. Is that right? Or do I wipe System, which says "This will wipe your ROM"? Thanks.

Noob questions

1. What is the difference between the following terms: adb. fastboot, bootloader, recovery.
I understood a bit from efrant's thread but I still need some more clarity.
Correct me if I'm wrong - ADB is a mode which can be accessed by either booting into recovery or booting normally into android. and FASTBOOT is a mode which can be accessed by booting into the bootloader.
A key question still remains in my mind - what is the difference between booting into bootloader and booting into recovery?
2. How do I open command prompt in a specific folder? The instructions listed in efrant's thread don't work in Windows 7.
3. I can flash PA as long as I have an unlocked bootloader even if device is not unrooted?
4. Where do I get the fastboot.exe file and adb files (the .exe and two .dll files for Windows) being talked about in efrant's thread and what are they used for?
5. Are custom ROMs flashed to system partition?
6. Do I use ChainsDD's Superuser, or Chainfire's SuperSU?
Note:
Efrant's thread: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29733879#post29733879

TheMysteriousOne said:
1. What is the difference between the following terms: adb. fastboot, bootloader, recovery.
I understood a bit from efrant's thread but I still need some more clarity.
Correct me if I'm wrong - ADB is a mode which can be accessed by either booting into recovery or booting normally into android. and FASTBOOT is a mode which can be accessed by booting into the bootloader.
A key question still remains in my mind - what is the difference between booting into bootloader and booting into recovery?
2. How do I open command prompt in a specific folder? The instructions listed in efrant's thread don't work in Windows 7.
3. I can flash PA as long as I have an unlocked bootloader even if device is not unrooted?
4. Where do I get the fastboot.exe file and adb files (the .exe and two .dll files for Windows) being talked about in efrant's thread and what are they used for?
5. Are custom ROMs flashed to system partition?
6. Do I use ChainsDD's Superuser, or Chainfire's SuperSU?
Note:
Efrant's thread: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29733879#post29733879
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The bootloader is Google's interface for flashing the phone with stock images. Recovery (stock) is used to flash OTAs & perform a Factory reset.
3. You need a custom recovery (either TWRP or CWM) to flash a custom ROM, your phone does not need to be rooted.
4. Look for efrant's (stickied) return to stock thread in the general section, it has the needed fastboot & adb files attached to the OP.
5. Yes & they also generally include a kernel (some have a stock kernel some use a custom)
6. AFAIK Chainfire's SuperSU is more reliable ATM on Jelly Bean.

http://wiki.rootzwiki.com/Android_SDK
That's the link I used to set up adb. Just make sure you get the nexus drivers set up right. To test it when you think you've got it all set up, make sure you have adb debugging checked in developer options, plug your phone in, open command prompt and type adb devices. It should spit out a line of numbers. If it's blank that means the phone drivers aren't set up right. If you want to test it further you can try an adb push command.

Where are Nandroid backups stored? Are the backups still there after a factory reset?
Where are Titanium backups stored? Are the backups still there after a factory reset?

Using adb you choose where to store your nandroids.
For titanium open the app and it shows where on the main screen.
Don't forget to thank those who helped
Edit: backups remain as long you don't wipe internal or external storage

namtombout said:
Using adb you choose where to store your nandroids.
For titanium open the app and it shows where on the main screen.
Don't forget to thank those who helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But where do I store the backups so that I can access them even after a factory reset?
Does a factory reset delete everything literally?

TheMysteriousOne said:
But where do I store the backups so that I can access them even after a factory reset?
Does a factory reset delete everything literally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/sdcard/clockwordmod/backup -- copy the whole folder with the date and time on it. replace it in the same location if you want to restore from it
edit: for titanium backup, copy the whole folder on the root of your sdcard labelled "titaniumbackup"

Create a folder named nandroid in your internal storage.
Factory reset won't wipe any of your files in your internal storage.

namtombout said:
Using adb you choose where to store your nandroids.
For titanium open the app and it shows where on the main screen.
Don't forget to thank those who helped
Edit: backups remain as long you don't wipe internal or external storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you understood what I was trying to say.
Suppose I make a Nandroid backup now and then perform a factory reset. Will that nandroid backup still be a available on the phone?

TheMysteriousOne said:
But where do I store the backups so that I can access them even after a factory reset?
Does a factory reset delete everything literally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on CM10.1 and the backup I made with CWM was stored in data/media/clockworkmod/backup. Its an odd location but I have done factory resets in order to install other ROMs and the backup remains. And a factory reset does not wipe the Internal storage. A factory reset pretty much just resets the system files back to stock. The only thing you really lose is your apps. All your personal files (pictures/videos/etc.) are left alone.

namtombout said:
Create a folder named nandroid in your internal storage.
Factory reset won't wipe any of your files in your internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then what exactly does a factory reset do - what do I lose in a factory reset?
And if factory reset doesn't wipe everything, what does?

jsgraphicart said:
And a factory reset does not wipe the Internal storage. A factory reset pretty much just resets the system files back to stock. The only thing you really lose is your apps. All your personal files (pictures/videos/etc.) are left alone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use twrp recovery. Wiping internal or external storage wipes everything

namtombout said:
I use twrp recovery. Wiping internal or external storage wipes everything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But a simple factory reset doesnt wipe the internal storage. There may be options in there to do so but I thought we were just talking about a factory reset.

TheMysteriousOne said:
Then what exactly does a factory reset do - what do I lose in a factory reset?
And if factory reset doesn't wipe everything, what does?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its simple.
Factory reset wipes /data (where all your play store/side loaded apps and data (app settings, etc) are stored)
and /cache
it does not touch the /data/media which is your internal storage. since there is no external storage on the nexus, there is nothing to worry about there
/system does not get touched unless you flash a new rom or wipe it manually from recovery
if you wipe /system, you better have another rom to flash in its place....or the phone wont boot into the OS, because /system contains the OS

TheMysteriousOne said:
Then what exactly does a factory reset do - what do I lose in a factory reset?
And if factory reset doesn't wipe everything, what does?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you asking because you WANT to wipe everything or are you afraid of losing stuff?

You Sir are correct. Just quoted you to help answer op questions.

namtombout said:
Create a folder named nandroid in your internal storage.
Factory reset won't wipe any of your files in your internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note: nandroid backups get created on /sdcard aka /data/media.
TheMysteriousOne said:
I don't think you understood what I was trying to say.
Suppose I make a Nandroid backup now and then perform a factory reset. Will that nandroid backup still be a available on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answered by the poster above, thank him. I corrected him, as well.
TheMysteriousOne said:
Then what exactly does a factory reset do - what do I lose in a factory reset?
And if factory reset doesn't wipe everything, what does?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answered below.
jsgraphicart said:
But a simple factory reset doesnt wipe the internal storage. There may be options in there to do so but I thought we were just talking about a factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pirateghost said:
its simple.
Factory reset wipes /data (where all your play store/side loaded apps and data (app settings, etc) are stored)
and /cache
it does not touch the /data/media which is your internal storage. since there is no external storage on the nexus, there is nothing to worry about there
/system does not get touched unless you flash a new rom or wipe it manually from recovery
if you wipe /system, you better have another rom to flash in its place....or the phone wont boot into the OS, because /system contains the OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an option in twrp at least, that allows to format the internal storage. if you do it by accident or need a fresh start/don't care about the data, of course you'll need to know how to use adb to push stuff back to it, previously pulled from it to the PC.
What I'm saying is that it only matters as much as you care about your data stored up until that point. I keep regular, tarball backups of /data/media in my PC.
Sent from my i9250

So, Nandroid backs up all 13 partitions?
Note: nandroid backups get created on /sdcard aka /data/media.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this /data/media that you talk about?
I read that Nandroid backup gets stored on /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup
Edit: Also, http://www.vikitech.com/10347/perform-nandroid-backup-restore-android-device says "A point to note here is that your SD Card data is not backed up."

TheMysteriousOne said:
So, Nandroid backs up all 13 partitions?
What is this /data/media that you talk about?
I read that Nandroid backup gets stored on /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup
Edit: Also, http://www.vikitech.com/10347/perform-nandroid-backup-restore-android-device says "A point to note here is that your SD Card data is not backed up."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The backup will be in either location. Some phones put it on the sd card. I just recently got a Nexus and found out it was backed up to data/media/clcockworkmod/backup. To get to that location, you need a root browser. I use Root Explorer and love it. Once you get one, you can go to the root directory of your phone and start going into each folder data/media/clockworkmod/backup.

/data/media/ is the same as /sdcard/
You must backup your own sdcard. Adb push /data/media to a computer

[Q] more elegant way to wipe and then restore EVERYTHING

Hi-
If i want to not only wipe system, data, cache but the /data/media partition as well before installing a new ROM, what's the least onerous method for restoring all my data after flashing the new ROM? currently all i know to do is backup my data, wipe everything, then restore factory image via adb, then copy zips to the device, flash desired ROM, then copy back data via adb or from dropbox after installing app
Is there an easier way?

titanium backup is the easiest way.
just dont restore system apps.

1. Run a backup in titanium backup
2. Copy the contents of your /data/media partition to your PC via adb or MTP (this should include your TiBu backup)
3. Wipe System, Data, Userdata, and the caches via method of your choice
4. Copy the contents of your /data/media backup back to /data/media via adb
5. Use adb to push a ROM of your choosing to /data/media (assuming you didn't have one in your /data/media backup, and assuming you're not using fastboot to flash a stock image)
6. Flash away (Recovery, if needed, and System via either fastboot or CWM/TWRP)
7. Download TiBu from the Play Store
8. Restore non-system apps/data in TiBu
However, if you're going to make a backup of /data/media and then restore it immediately after wiping it, I have to ask why? It's a time consuming process (transferring gigs via adb is very slow) and would provide no benefit to your device.
Also, if you're going from Android 4.1.x to 4.2.x, make sure your /data/media backup goes back in /data/media/0, or the OS will not see the files as being on your "external" storage.

Zepius said:
titanium backup is the easiest way.
just dont restore system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh im definitely using titaniumbackup to restore apps, but i was mostly referring to restoring the contents of the sdcard
Thanks!

jackbane said:
Oh im definitely using titaniumbackup to restore apps, but i was mostly referring to restoring the contents of the sdcard
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using twrp I wipe cache, davlik, factory reset, and system and my sdcard is untouched. I was told by a dev to also delete the android folder in my sdcard using the twrp file manager.
No need to flash stock image when wiping everything just fast boot flash the rom you want and adb is the best way to restore your sdcard

Cilraaz said:
However, if you're going to make a backup of /data/media and then restore it immediately after wiping it, I have to ask why? It's a time consuming process (transferring gigs via adb is very slow) and would provide no benefit to your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, I know...I have this idea of after flashing many different ROMs and finding my keeper, that I would totally wipe the device and then install a super clean ROM, and start with a virgin /data/media partition, bringing back only what I want. I recognize that this is probably unnecessary and says more about my desire for neatnes than anything else.
But thanks for the detailed instructions. Until now, I have been using the GNex Toolkit downloaded from the sticky in the dev forum to handle all pushes and pulls and adb duties. I thought that to push a file to the device, it had to be in Android mode. This is why I found myself having to flash the stock rom just to copy back the contents of /data/media. It sounds like, from the posts in this thread, that I don't need to, that I should be able to copy the files from fastboot mode? Or do I temporarilty boot into an image to push files, then flash the ROM from TWRP. (I'm using TWRP 2.4.1.0, btw).
If I could avoid installing the factory ROM, just to copy back /data/media/, that's what I'm looking for. Do you know if this is possible using the GNex toolkit?
Thanks again!

you have full ADB access within any custom recovery. toolkits not required.

Zepius said:
titanium backup is the easiest way.
just dont restore system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always wondered about this. Does the stock browser qualify as a system app? Should i not use titanium to restore any of the gapps?

jackbane said:
I always wondered about this. Does the stock browser qualify as a system app? Should i not use titanium to restore any of the gapps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best option for titanium, is to select BATCH, RESTORE MISSING APPS+DATA
Go down the list and deselect anything you DONT want restored. everything else should be OK on that screen.
Also, make sure you have the pro license, otherwise batch jobs are a PITA
There is also an option in the MENU button - BACKUP TO XML
This option allows you to backup call logs, wifi networks, mms/sms, bookmarks separately from the other backups and works 100% going rom to rom.

Everybody is recommending TiBU, and I concur, but OP is talking about all the other contents of the sdcard..
I actually just did this today. I had been on cm10.1 but went back to cm10 for a while, getting the extra /0/ folder and all. I was going to just copy EVERYTHING over to my comp, but ended up just copying a few music folders and a few backup folders. After flashing cm10.1 and gapps, I formatted the sdcard. Now I'm transferring those few folders back. I had a FULL sdcard before, so it feels good to have some space, that is until I think of something I wanted that I didn't copy lol..

[Q] How does the file system work from a recovery standpoint?

So, this is my firsts phone without removable storage, and I'm used to having SDCard, EXT_SDCard, etc.
In recovery, I'm only seeing one location for files. Yes, my downloads are there, etc.. pictures, music, etc.
Can I keep that stuff, while erasing what's needed to completely wipe the system partition, etc. so I can install a new ROM? Obviously, I can format /system, etc., but is that enough with the One?
Curious what people steps are for doing a clean wipe before installing a new ROM.
Yes, I still want to keep the partition with my Pics, Music, etc.
Hopefully this is possible..
Thanks all!

dbornack said:
So, this is my firsts phone without removable storage, and I'm used to having SDCard, EXT_SDCard, etc.
In recovery, I'm only seeing one location for files. Yes, my downloads are there, etc.. pictures, music, etc.
Can I keep that stuff, while erasing what's needed to completely wipe the system partition, etc. so I can install a new ROM? Obviously, I can format /system, etc., but is that enough with the One?
Curious what people steps are for doing a clean wipe before installing a new ROM.
Yes, I still want to keep the partition with my Pics, Music, etc.
Hopefully this is possible..
Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically when no ext storage is detected wiping the system wont delete anything inside /data/media/ ( the real location of your data, i think /sdcard is just a link to /data/media). Unless you actually ask it too.
In twrp you can just use the standard wipe option and it will wipe what you need and leave your stuff intact.

jake.corey.jacobs said:
Basically when no ext storage is detected wiping the system wont delete anything inside /data/media/ ( the real location of your data, i think /sdcard is just a link to /data/media). Unless you actually ask it too.
In twrp you can just use the standard wipe option and it will wipe what you need and leave your stuff intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So just the "Factory Wipe/Reset" should be good enough? I can probably format system too and be safe. I just want to be thorough while making sure my stuff is still there.
Thanks for the input.

NOOB Q About Memory

Hi All,
Hopefully this should be a very quick question. I'm loading CM onto my phone, and this is the first ROM I've ever used. I've loaded CWM, made a backup, and I'm about ready to go and load CW on. I've noticed though that out of the 5 or so gig the phone comes with for internal memory, about 4gb is used up. Is this just the system and the back up and apps?? It seems quite a lot. Will CM fill this up further? Will I encounter any issues?
I hope thats all clear, but excuse me for being a beginner.
EDIT: This is now even more relevant now CM is flashed. I've just looked in the file viewer, and there's still all the folders etc from the old samsung, and amazonmp3 etc etc. I thought the "wipe data/factory reset" in CWM would have cleared all this.....
Many thanks for looking.

floateruk said:
Hi All,
Hopefully this should be a very quick question. I'm loading CM onto my phone, and this is the first ROM I've ever used. I've loaded CWM, made a backup, and I'm about ready to go and load CW on. I've noticed though that out of the 5 or so gig the phone comes with for internal memory, about 4gb is used up. Is this just the system and the back up and apps?? It seems quite a lot. Will CM fill this up further? Will I encounter any issues?
I hope thats all clear, but excuse me for being a beginner.
EDIT: This is now even more relevant now CM is flashed. I've just looked in the file viewer, and there's still all the folders etc from the old samsung, and amazonmp3 etc etc. I thought the "wipe data/factory reset" in CWM would have cleared all this.....
Many thanks for looking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory reset only wipes the data partition. For the first time installing a custom ROM, and especially going from stock to cm for the first time, you should wipe the system partition which can be done from cwm.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.
Want to know how to boost your devices performance and battery life? See my thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2495269

iKlutz said:
Factory reset only wipes the data partition. For the first time installing a custom ROM, and especially going from stock to cm for the first time, you should wipe the system partition which can be done from cwm.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.
Want to know how to boost your devices performance and battery life? See my thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2495269
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi again.
So I finally got round to trying to get this sorted.... and I'm failing. I've booted into CWM, rerun the "wipe/data factory reset", rerun the "wipe cache" then went into "mounts and storage" and did a format of the system partition, but it still hasn't cleared any of the data.
Am I doing something incorrectly? I didn't want to play around with it too much, in case i bork it all. Any help would be massively appreciated.
Also, I'm a bit concerned about what formatting the system partition will do. Does it just clear the rom already on there, and I can then flash Cyanogenmod back on from my sd card?
Thanks

floateruk said:
Hi again.
So I finally got round to trying to get this sorted.... and I'm failing. I've booted into CWM, rerun the "wipe/data factory reset", rerun the "wipe cache" then went into "mounts and storage" and did a format of the system partition, but it still hasn't cleared any of the data.
Am I doing something incorrectly? I didn't want to play around with it too much, in case i bork it all. Any help would be massively appreciated.
Also, I'm a bit concerned about what formatting the system partition will do. Does it just clear the rom already on there, and I can then flash Cyanogenmod back on from my sd card?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Formatting system partition wipes the currently installed rom / system apps.
How do you know that it is not wiping the data? If you do a system format and your rom still boots then it isn't working properly.
It could be a problem with the version of recovery (cwm / twrp) that you're using. It can't hurt to update it, which could be the case here.
Good luck. Let me know how it goes.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.

iKlutz said:
Formatting system partition wipes the currently installed rom / system apps.
How do you know that it is not wiping the data? If you do a system format and your rom still boots then it isn't working properly.
It could be a problem with the version of recovery (cwm / twrp) that you're using. It can't hurt to update it, which could be the case here.
Good luck. Let me know how it goes.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for coming back so quickly!
So if you see the attached, this is what I'm looking at. The phone has 5.5gb internal memory, of which, looking at the below, I'm using about 1.5gb, BUT I only have 1gb left to use, and I get warnings about lack of memory.... So there's 3gb being used for.... I don't know.
When I first put cyanogen on, I noticed that the file structure from stock was still there (i.e. all the folder my old apps made). I expected when I put CM on that it would wipe everything, including all of those folders.

You can try an app called es file explorer, it has a feature that fully scans the contents of the internal SD card.
It should show a list of all the folders from the old stock data folders. You can multi select and delete what you want.
Another option which is more efficient, is to make a full backup of all the internal data in your PC. Then fully format the internal SD card via cwm and transfer which contents you need back from the PC such as photos and music. Asides from photos, music and other media items, most of those internal SD contents aren't needed as Android uses these folders for app data etc.
Always make back ups.
Your welcome.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.

iKlutz said:
You can try an app called es file explorer, it has a feature that fully scans the contents of the internal SD card.
It should show a list of all the folders from the old stock data folders. You can multi select and delete what you want.
Another option which is more efficient, is to make a full backup of all the internal data in your PC. Then fully format the internal SD card via cwm and transfer which contents you need back from the PC such as photos and music. Asides from photos, music and other media items, most of those internal SD contents aren't needed as Android uses these folders for app data etc.
Always make back ups.
Your welcome.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I have got ES File explorer. I couldn't find a "scan" but I've gone through all the folder on my device and I can see the following:
/storage - 3.83gb
/mnt - 2.11gb
/sdcard - 893mb
A lot of this seems to be duplicated though.... The stuff on mnt seems to be a shortcut to whats in sdcard, and all that in storage seems to be in the other two. I don't technically think it's all duplicated, but different ways to get to the same stuff, which makes me very nervous about deleting any of it....

Just got a liitle program to give a break down. See attached.
Surely my system data shouldn't be that big?

I recommend you make a full back up in your PC and format the SD card and transfer the contents of your current SD folder back. I've done it before on different devices, I do it on first root / cm install coming from stock because of all the old obsolete data. Apps like clean master won't removing it because it's marked as important for stock users. It shouldn't be a problem.
Note:
Having different links to the data partition is normal. It's purpose is compatibility.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.
---------- Post added at 12:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 AM ----------
It's possible that's reserved for the system. Mine is similar. You can still use it if you convert user apps into system ones.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.

iKlutz said:
I recommend you make a full back up in your PC and format the SD card and transfer the contents of your current SD folder back. I've done it before on different devices, I do it on first root / cm install coming from stock because of all the old obsolete data. Apps like clean master won't removing it because it's marked as important for stock users. It shouldn't be a problem.
Note:
Having different links to the data partition is normal. It's purpose is compatibility.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.
---------- Post added at 12:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 AM ----------
It's possible that's reserved for the system. Mine is similar. You can still use it if you convert user apps into system ones.
Sent from the dark side of the moon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2083107
It's something to do with backups. I'm gonna read through that thread and see if I can find out what I can/can't delete without bricking the phone.
Massively appreciate your time and repsonses on this iKlutz. Just out of interest, did you do a backup when you installed a rom? Have you found that the backup is this big??

Use ES file explorer or other file manager with root explorer capabilities.
Go to /data/media
You should see:
0
clockworkmod
legacy
obb
In clockworkmod folder I've found a backup (2.0GB) that was made by mistake to internal sotrage, since I allways do backup in CWM Recovery to external SD.
Deleted and 2.0GB were gained.

luisbraz said:
Use ES file explorer or other file manager with root explorer capabilities.
Go to /data/media
You should see:
0
clockworkmod
legacy
obb
In clockworkmod folder I've found a backup (2.0GB) that was made by mistake to internal sotrage, since I allways do backup in CWM Recovery to external SD.
Deleted and 2.0GB were gained.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm. Data/Media is empty.... I might delete the back up from CWM. If the worst happens, I can always flash from the external SD card can't i? Do I "need" that back up of the device when it was stock?

floateruk said:
Hmmm. Data/Media is empty.... I might delete the back up from CWM. If the worst happens, I can always flash from the external SD card can't i? Do I "need" that back up of the device when it was stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not delete.
Copy the folder(s) that you have in the "backup" to the external SD card to the "backup" folder in the "clockworkmod" folder.
Then, you can delete the backup folder located in "data/media/clockworkmod/".
I allways save the backup of the stock ROM's.
To restore in CWM recovery, simply choose "restore from external SD card". And to backup, choose "backup to external SD card", or it will backup to the internal memory.

floateruk said:
Hmmm. Data/Media is empty.... I might delete the back up from CWM. If the worst happens, I can always flash from the external SD card can't i? Do I "need" that back up of the device when it was stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you solve the issue?

luisbraz said:
Did you solve the issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.... I don't really know what to do with it.
I've got an s3 mini with Cyanogen and CWM and the system data portion is only 54mb.
I might go into CWM and start deleting things. If I delete the backup I made of my stock phone when I first rooted and added CWM, I can't see too many issues.... I can always flash a stock ROM again can't I?

floateruk said:
No.... I don't really know what to do with it.
I've got an s3 mini with Cyanogen and CWM and the system data portion is only 54mb.
I might go into CWM and start deleting things. If I delete the backup I made of my stock phone when I first rooted and added CWM, I can't see too many issues.... I can always flash a stock ROM again can't I?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, using Odin you can flash stock ROM again.
Next time do the backups in CWM to the external SD card!