Develop Bugs

How to make a flashable ODIN backup?

Hey guys,
I'm looking for some info from a knowledgeable dev on how to create a custom ODIN backup that can be restored using the ODIN executable for Windows? My goal is to create a complete hard image of my entire device (including my apps/personal data) that I can restore at anytime (as if it was never touched since the backup) using ODIN.
If anyone can fill me in on the details I would highly appreciate this.
Thanks in advance.
EDIT: I see some other guides here, here, and here. But I noticed some of the blocks they reference are nonexistant on the Galaxy Nexus.
Update #1: Looking for answer to this - Link to post
Update #2: May have found it - Link to post
Info that may help #1
Info that may help #2

would also like to know how to backup with odin since my nandroids always fail at restoring data and then im forced to fresh install a rom

The Race To Die said:
would also like to know how to backup with odin since my nandroids always fail at restoring data and then im forced to fresh install a rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has this issue. Are you using Touch CWM 5.8.0.2? Or the regular 5.5.0.4?

open1your1eyes0 said:
EDIT: I see some outdated guides here, here, and here. But I noticed some of the blocks they reference are nonexistant on the Galaxy Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How are these guides outdated? They work just fine for the devices they were written for. The Charge uses a completely different device layout compared to the Nexus. They are meant for completely different phones, hence the reason stuff isn't the same. Someone needs to find the proper names for the items that are dumped, and then an Odin package can be put together, but every device will have it's own guide on how to make the packages.

open1your1eyes0 said:
Yes! Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has this issue. Are you using Touch CWM 5.8.0.2? Or the regular 5.5.0.4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't tried koush's touch yet. Doesn't look as good to me as the unstableapps touch recovery, but have no luck with unstable or regular cwm recovery
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

imnuts said:
How are these guides outdated? They work just fine for the devices they were written for. The Charge uses a completely different device layout compared to the Nexus. They are meant for completely different phones, hence the reason stuff isn't the same. Someone needs to find the proper names for the items that are dumped, and then an Odin package can be put together, but every device will have it's own guide on how to make the packages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, so each device has different blocks allocated. I wonder how people figure out what blocks go to what?
The Race To Die said:
Haven't tried koush's touch yet. Doesn't look as good to me as the unstableapps touch recovery, but have no luck with unstable or regular cwm recovery
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm assuming you're referring to the first Touch Recovery (Unofficial) that was released? But really? Even the regular CWM doesn't work for you? This is a serious issue if we can't restore backups. How are we the only ones who noticed?

Yes that is the one I am talking about. Creating backups works fine, but restoring always fails while restoring data.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

The Race To Die said:
Yes that is the one I am talking about. Creating backups works fine, but restoring always fails while restoring data.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm the same on the official Touch CWM 5.8.0.2 however I think I can recall making and restoring backups back when there was only the regular 5.5.0.4. Do you mind flashing that and testing if you can make a backup and restore it again?

open1your1eyes0 said:
I see, so each device has different blocks allocated. I wonder how people figure out what blocks go to what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look in /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name
Those are what you set your "if" path to.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

open1your1eyes0 said:
I can confirm the same on the official Touch CWM 5.8.0.2 however I think I can recall making and restoring backups back when there was only the regular 5.5.0.4. Do you mind flashing that and testing if you can make a backup and restore it again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure, will report back in a little. could it have been that i ran out of space? i only had 5 or 6 gigs left, but just erased all my backups and now have about 18gb

efrant said:
Look in /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name
Those are what you set your "if" path to.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll take a look right now.
The Race To Die said:
sure, will report back in a little. could it have been that i ran out of space? i only had 5 or 6 gigs left, but just erased all my backups and now have about 18gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is possible actually, I only had about 2-3GB left when I had the failed restores. Now that I redid my phone maybe it won't be an issue.

I am very interested in this topic since the stock image for my phone is not available. I would like to have an option to restore the stock image in case of a warranty issue.
I was exploring using ADB backup. Would it make sense to do a factory reset before creating the backup image?
Stuck on 4.0.1

efrant said:
Look in /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name
Those are what you set your "if" path to.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you differenciate which one refers to which partition (data, dbdata, system, etc...). I think this is the main issue here.

open1your1eyes0 said:
How do you differenciate which one refers to which partition (data, dbdata, system, etc...). I think this is the main issue here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really sure what you are referring to. Each of those is a partition. User data is the data partition, system is the system partition, boot is the boot partition, etc, etc.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

efrant said:
Not really sure what you are referring to. Each of those is a partition. User data is the data partition, system is the system partition, boot is the boot partition, etc, etc.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDIT: Disregard I was looking in the wrong directory.

flashed 5.5.0.4 through rom manager
rebooted into recovery
backup completed fine
https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Public/IMG_20120208_204435.jpg?w=d80708cb
now making a backup through rom manager just for the hell of it to see if one works over the other

The Race To Die said:
flashed 5.5.0.4 through rom manager
rebooted into recovery
backup completed fine
https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Public/IMG_20120208_204435.jpg?w=d80708cb
now making a backup through rom manager just for the hell of it to see if one works over the other
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really hope it works.

efrant said:
Look in /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name
Those are what you set your "if" path to.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so I figured out which block goes to what partition (here). Now using this, how can I make a flashable package for ODIN? Also do the filenames of the "of" have to be a specific extension or name or it can be named anything? How does ODIN know which "of" file to treat as which partition in that case?

amazingly it worked! must not have had enough space to restore all of the data or something. now to figure out this odin thing. first samsung ive owned so ive never used it, had an og before my nexus.

The Race To Die said:
amazingly it worked! must not have had enough space to restore all of the data or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for testing this! I will stick to 5.5.0.4 for now and make sure I have enough space from now on.
FYI, I found another backup method: Link and More Info. For that you need to have the latest adb.exe from the Android SDK. I am attaching it to this post.

Preserving everything stock before flashing.

So I am now a very proud owner of a GN and I come from the Vibrant.
I'm used to flashing ROMs kernels etc, but know its different for every phone.
The one thing I didn't do was ever back up my IMEI or anything like that. So before I start flashing on the GN, can anyone help me out with how to back up everything in case I need to go back to stock. Thanks!

Do a Nandroid backup in CWM.

WiredPirate said:
Do a Nandroid backup in CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't think nandroid did that. I tout there was a separate file that needed to be saved and extracted.

jzero88 said:
I didn't think nandroid did that. I tout there was a separate file that needed to be saved and extracted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're correct, nandroid just backs up /system, /data (excl. /sdcar), boot.img and recovery.img. That's it.
I've seen other people back up the following, although I personally can't see a reason to if you don't plan on messing with them (simple rom flashing and wiping will not touch those areas):
the contents of /factory
the efs.img file

efrant said:
You're correct, nandroid just backs up /system, /data (excl. /sdcar), boot.img and recovery.img. That's it.
I've seen other people back up the following, although I personally can't see a reason to if you don't plan on messing with them (simple rom flashing and wiping will not touch those areas):
the contents of /factory
the efs.img file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya I think the efs.img is what I was thinking about. Plus people flashing and wiping their IMEI numbers which I need for ensquared insurance. But flashing back to a stock image would give you back your IMEI or no? "If wiped"
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

jzero88 said:
Ya I think the efs.img is what I was thinking about. Plus people flashing and wiping their IMEI numbers which I need for ensquared insurance. But flashing back to a stock image would give you back your IMEI or no? "If wiped"
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I'm not sure what would wipe your IMEI number.
I think it is stored in two places on your device, and neither of them are touched by flashing ROMs. But go ahead and back up what I mentioned above if you want. It certainly won't hurt (root required of course).

efrant said:
To be honest, I'm not sure what would wipe your IMEI number.
I think it is stored into places on your device, and neither of them are touched by flashing ROMs. But go ahead and back up what I mentioned above if you want. It certainly won't hurt (root required of course).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel pretty safe with CM9, but if i decide to flash anything else, I think I will. Thanks for the insight
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

[Q] How to wipe personal Data without losing root?

Hey guys, I'm going to sell my GNex this weekend. I'm looking to erase all my data and personal information without losing the root? Will i even lose root if i do a system hard reset?
First off. I have a backup of stock ICS. First day I got it from Google Play Store. I rooted it that night. Right now I have JB installed, and it's backed up as well as a Nandroid. So i have Stock ICS and JB (which i'm currently using)
So my main question. Before i sell this device. How do i go about erasing all my private info. like messages/contacts/emails etc.. and have it like it's brand new without losing the root?
Thanks,

Delete all the files in /sdcard and do a factory reset. You will still have root.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

ThatTechShow said:
Hey guys, I'm going to sell my GNex this weekend. I'm looking to erase all my data and personal information without losing the root? Will i even lose root if i do a system hard reset?
First off. I have a backup of stock ICS. First day I got it from Google Play Store. I rooted it that night. Right now I have JB installed, and it's backed up as well as a Nandroid. So i have Stock ICS and JB (which i'm currently using)
So my main question. Before i sell this device. How do i go about erasing all my private info. like messages/contacts/emails etc.. and have it like it's brand new without losing the root?
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could just boot into recovery and just do a factory reset/wipe and then just reboot the phone.
works like a champ

Wolfbeef123 said:
You could just boot into recovery and just do a factory reset/wipe and then just reboot the phone.
works like a champ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will only work with the stock recovery. If he has cwm installed, it will leave the contents of /sdcard in place.

efrant said:
That will only work with the stock recovery. If he has cwm installed, it will leave the contents of /sdcard in place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have CWM installed. I saw that if you just do the factory reset. that'll get rid of all personal data.
What about what's inside the SDcard? are those files important?
Also since i'm selling this. Should I delete my JB Nandroid and Stock ICS Backup ?
Thanks

ThatTechShow said:
I do have CWM installed. I saw that if you just do the factory reset. that'll get rid of all personal data.
What about what's inside the SDcard? are those files important?
Also since i'm selling this. Should I delete my JB Nandroid and Stock ICS Backup ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do what I said above.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

My only fear (am I the only one that is paranoid) is that they will us a memory recovery tool to recover the contents. Is there a way to true wipe, write all 1's or 0's to the sdcard? If that is really a true wipe....
Just curious, I know there are programs out there that do it to hard drives.
Thanks

lugose said:
My only fear (am I the only one that is paranoid) is that they will us a memory recovery tool to recover the contents. Is there a way to true wipe, write all 1's or 0's to the sdcard? If that is really a true wipe....
Just curious, I know there are programs out there that do it to hard drives.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the following command will do that (issued in fastboot mode): fastboot format userdata
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

GOOD GOD, what have I done?

I've been rooting for the past 4 years, so I'm not a COMPLETE idiot. But I have no idea how I did what I just did. (Well, I do, but I'm in denial
I've used exhange for work email for last year and a half. Over this past weekend, I couldn't get in to email, and kept getting a popup to encrypt. I figured I had to, to get to my email(and probably so). So, I did it. And then realized I couldn't get into Recovery. In full agitation mode, and while in recovery, I fruitlessly tried wiping, and just as fruitlessly, tried to get to my data to try and just flash a new ROM over it(couldn't do either, because of the encrypted data). SOMEHOW, I freaking managed to format system by the time I was done.
SO, in summation- I can get to recovery, can't restore a backup, can't get to my data, and can't get my phone to boot.
What the crap do I do now? From what I've read, it would appear I have to unroot and flash a stock/unrooted image, is that correct? Will I wipe out all data on the phone in the process? Can someone push me in the right direction for the easiest way to do it? (keeping in mind, can't get my frigging data, nor can I mount).
Oy Vey.
Many thanks in advance!

I think you should download a stock image from google at https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images and just install it. I assume you can still get in fastboot mode. Of course you will lose your data, and I don't think you can omit flashing the userdata because I think you will wipe the encryption salt. I think someone with more expertise should answer this.

Dlnp22 said:
I've been rooting for the past 4 years, so I'm not a COMPLETE idiot. But I have no idea how I did what I just did. (Well, I do, but I'm in denial
I've used exhange for work email for last year and a half. Over this past weekend, I couldn't get in to email, and kept getting a popup to encrypt. I figured I had to, to get to my email(and probably so). So, I did it. And then realized I couldn't get into Recovery. In full agitation mode, and while in recovery, I fruitlessly tried wiping, and just as fruitlessly, tried to get to my data to try and just flash a new ROM over it(couldn't do either, because of the encrypted data). SOMEHOW, I freaking managed to format system by the time I was done.
SO, in summation- I can get to recovery, can't restore a backup, can't get to my data, and can't get my phone to boot.
What the crap do I do now? From what I've read, it would appear I have to unroot and flash a stock/unrooted image, is that correct? Will I wipe out all data on the phone in the process? Can someone push me in the right direction for the easiest way to do it? (keeping in mind, can't get my frigging data, nor can I mount).
Oy Vey.
Many thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try flashing TWRP through fastboot. I think it has support for decryption. I'd look it up first though.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

times_infinity said:
You could try flashing TWRP through fastboot. I think it has support for decryption. I'd look it up first though.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 on TWRP! Back from the dead. GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Now on to to this freaking pesky encryption. What a mistake.
At least now I can copy my data off the phone, then wipe/revert to stock to get rid of the encryption(I hope?) then re-root.
I rooted well before the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit came out. Assuming there's a one click(or multiple clicks ) for unrooting and rooting?

Dlnp22 said:
+1 on TWRP! Back from the dead. GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Now on to to this freaking pesky encryption. What a mistake.
At least now I can copy my data off the phone, then wipe/revert to stock to get rid of the encryption(I hope?) then re-root.
I rooted well before the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit came out. Assuming there's a one click(or multiple clicks ) for unrooting and rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could just flash the factory images, flash recovery through fast boot afterwards, and flash a superuser zip if you're gonna run stock rooted or just flash ROM of choice.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

times_infinity said:
You could just flash the factory images, flash recovery through fast boot afterwards, and flash a superuser zip if you're gonna run stock rooted or just flash ROM of choice.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
***edit: I think I'm good to go! Thanks for everyone's help!!!

Phone is rooted now I need help with installing cyanogen mod.

Good day everyone.
I have successfully rooted my S3 1747.
I have done a backup after installing Rom manager. I also have a nandroid and titanium backup completed.
I would like to install cyanogen mod but its very important that I am able to get my contacts back.
I plan to install through the so called easy method in rom manager.
Am I able to get my stuff back after the install?
Thanks in advance

Most system app data will not be compatible. I don't know about CM, but in TW there's an option to export contacts to SD. It'll save them in a .CSV file. Maybe you can import them to CM contacts like this. Might want to confirm that first though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to do this later. Does cyanogen live up to the hype?

Everyone has their own preference. I personally like touchwiz better. There are plenty who would agree and disagree.
If you've got a nandroid backup of your current set up, its pretty easy to flash a bunch of different ones to see what you like, and then go back if none keep your interest.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

Thanks again for the response and sorry for my late thanks. I was busy at work and overlooked the post.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

You can use google to back up all contacts and restore them on any android with your google account on it....as for the install I believe our s3 is compatible with the cm installer

crazymonkey05 said:
You can use google to back up all contacts and restore them on any android with your google account on it....as for the install I believe our s3 is compatible with the cm installer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say cm installer. I assumes you are talking about the app and pc program that does everything automatically. It says my phone is compatible however wouldn't work originally. I had to root and use twrp. Can I use that to update from now on or should I continue to use twrp?
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

Edit - double post

Well for me cwm is the easiest to use as you just wipe and flash.....its purely up to you, if your gunna use twrp just download the zip boot recovery wipe system, cache, dalvik cache, data (factory reset), and hit install zip and bam you got cyanogen

I wouldn't wipe /system before a flash. If the rom fails to flash youll have no OS to boot into, and it can be a huge pain to get it back. If the rom does flash, its first step will be to format /system, so it gets done anyway.
I think this may be one of those things people used to have to do on some older devices, and was carried on to newer ones. I just think its an unneeded extra step, and more than a few times ended up taking a day or two to help people get their device working right again.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

DocHoliday77 said:
I wouldn't wipe /system before a flash. If the rom fails to flash youll have no OS to boot into, and it can be a huge pain to get it back. If the rom does flash, its first step will be to format /system, so it gets done anyway.
I think this may be one of those things people used to have to do on some older devices, and was carried on to newer ones. I just think its an unneeded extra step, and more than a few times ended up taking a day or two to help people get their device working right again.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good advice that would have helped me a lot. All the instructions I followed online said to wipe/format everytime.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

Yeah, its extremely common advice. I see it all the time. There are rare times when it is necessary to format system, but I dont feel a rom flash is one of them.
Its still possible to end up with no OS after a failed flash, but the chances are greatly decreased by eliminating that one step!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk