Develop Bugs

[Q] Advanced ROM flashing techniques

I just learned how to root and flash ROM's for my evo a few days ago and I had a few questions now that I got the basics down.
1) Do I have to do a "data wipe, then cache, then Davlik" if I am just flashing a kernel and/or theme?
2) Is there a way to save NAND backups onto my computer so I have multiple versions of a rom/kernel combination?
3) Is there a way to save sense and all of my programs before I flash a ROM so that after I flash I don't have to type my username/password in all of my programs and reorganize my UI?
4) Are there any useful tips out there to make this process easier?

nitrosilver said:
I just learned how to root and flash ROM's for my evo a few days ago and I had a few questions now that I got the basics down.
1) Do I have to do a "data wipe, then cache, then Davlik" if I am just flashing a kernel and/or theme?
No you do not have to wipe data cache and dalvik for themes and kernels. some may say they advice it but personally i have literally flashed them hundreds of time with out and never had an issue. the exception is if the dev says you should flash ... always listen to the dev.
2) Is there a way to save NAND backups onto my computer so I have multiple versions of a rom/kernel combination?
Yes just conenct the phone to a computer navigate to where the nand are stored and copy them over. for clockwork it is ussually int he clockwork folder for amon ra the backup folder.
3) Is there a way to save sense and all of my programs before I flash a ROM so that after I flash I don't have to type my username/password in all of my programs and reorganize my UI?
It is not advised. while you can back up all your apps and there data it is not recommended to restore the system data between roms. The reason being it can cause conflicts with changes made by the dev. It is a little bit of a hassle but it is best to type back in your username/password and reset up your home screen.
4) Are there any useful tips out there to make this process easier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Back u apps with titanium back up (if you dont have it get the paid version) otherwise it is going to take a few minutes to set up your rom once you flash it there isnt much you can do that is "safe"

1. Thats the way Ive always done it.
2. Yea copy the nand folder to your computer.
3. I use my backup pro, its simple quick and easy. Some people like Titanium backup but every time I used it its always caused problems for me.
4. My method: Backup apps+app data using backup app, nandroid backup, wipe+cache+dalvik, flash ROM, download backup app and restore.
A little tip, I always add the backup apk to my ROM using winrar so I can restore my apps immediately after I flash.

Thanks! That was quick. This forum is awesome!

What is the proper way to rom hop?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Q] Lose data with flashing a new rom?

I have several apps and data on my Desire... Currently I am running a MIUI-rom. I already made a backup of the rom... If I decide to flash a new rom, does that mean I will lose all my data, like saves from games and stuff like that?

hi,
so if you dont backup them you will lose them probably
TitatniumBackup can save your user apps + data, so this will not be lost
but system data(wifi spots, contacts, bookmarks, ...) could also be backuped but with care!
if you change the android version most of the system apps change and also if you change rom type it will probably not work.
i can tell you how i do save all my data.
1. i do a complete nandroidbackup (if you want 2 go back from where you came)
2. a Titanium´Backup (sometimes system data could also be restored)
3. i use MyPhoneExplorer to backup my Contacts
4. MyBackup Root, to save my Sms/mms and other stuff (exept from Contact wich are put in the Google Account i like the app
Sounds a little bit much, but most of the apps have advantages at some point but also flaws on a other point!
ps.: yep i know most of them could be stored in the cloud but i like it lokal

I use the Google backup feature when registering my account on first boot.
Last time, all my user apps and data restored, plus wifi profiles, system settings etc (even my wallpaper) were reapplied. I did nandroid and TiBu also but didn't use them at all!
To use this you could nandroid backup, wipe everything, restore and check the options re backup when registering. Then wipe everything again, flash rom of choice, and wait. You may need a reboot for all the changes to take effect!

that kind of datas are stored in SDCard, so if you don't format it, you should not have problems, but always do a backup before flashing

[Q] Problems after restoring backup (Virtuous 1.0.2). Need help! What I did wrong?

Hi,
I have searched around not found clear answer about this. I've been having Virtuous Sense w/Fixes & Enhancements : DZ Base 1.85.72.2 (v1.0.2) ROM -installed for a little while with stock kernel working fine. It was getting so slow, so yesterday I decided to try out Virtuous Unity Sense 3.0 based on Pyramid with Streamline SenSe Test Kernel v2 2.6.35.13 for Virtuous Unity Sense 3.0 because someone recommended it.
So I did full backup with Clockwork Mod recovery (the same as nandroid?), did full wipe and tried it out. Did not like it and thought too much work with starting everything all over again. So I went to clockworkmod recovery and restored backup I took earlier. After it I had an idea, I could install Virtuous kernel to make things run smoother. So I installed Virtuous Advanced 1.1.2 kernel which is recommended for Virtuous 0.9.5 or newer. Since I have 1.0.2 it was ok.
When starting system, my wallpaper and almost every app data was gone. Home screens were empty. I thought it should have restored my earlier settings completely? Does new kernel cause this? But I could have lived with it. Except
Virtual keyboard did not have finnish laoyout, no ä's and ö's. Neither there were international layout in settings. Outer keyboard works though.
HTC Clock/weather cannot find my city. In weather app when you search manually, there is about only 5 cities from Finland. Why?
Screen flickers sometimes and won't turn on if I dont' rape it on.
There is nothing in SMS, my messages are lost! I thought they were supposed to be synced in from Google like usually?
EDIT: Oh and yeah, Android Market website says "No devices detected"
Only good thing is this runs smooth and fast unlike any kernel I've used before. The problem is I want it to work without problems, like before. Did I install wrong kernel? What is good kernel for virtuous, with finnish weather and layout? How to fix these things?
How I can restore the kernel I had before? How can I fully reset the phone like how it was when I bought it?
I would really appreciate the help! Thanks in advance!

From what you are describing it looks like you're data partition was not restored, you can reboot in clockworkmod and format data and cache, afther that from the advanced restore menu you can restore only the data partition, that way you will have the new system with the advanced kernel, and you old data.
If you want to completely restore the old system you have to format data and cache, from the "mounts and storage" menu format /system and from advanced format dalvik cache, after that you can restore you're backup.
When I flash a new rom after all my settings I always do a nandroid backup, that way in case of something goes wrong or the rom becomes laggy, I restore the nandroid backup and I don't have to go thru all the pain of customizing the phone again.

Just wanna make sure I'm understanding correctly..
All your data was fine after you restored your nandroid; it wasn't until you flashed the advanced kernel that things went wrong?

tun4f1sh said:
Just wanna make sure I'm understanding correctly..
All your data was fine after you restored your nandroid; it wasn't until you flashed the advanced kernel that things went wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answers!
Sorry for being unclear. No, the first time I restored nandroid I didn't see my wallpaper and all my app data seemed to be lost. I thought it was because of I tried Unity with different kernel, but of course it could not have been, because nanroid should restore everything as it was, right?
I have now installed Unity again to test, but I don't like it, some bugs and so much to do all over again, so I'm going to try to restore the earlier virtuous 1.0.2 backup again, will report here how it goes...
The thing is, I'm not sure if the backup went right, because when I backuped it I didn't check the output message. The backup size is 1,3 gigs so I guess it went right... but i'm officially f*cked if the space ran out during the backup or something like that... but tryin to restore it again now...

So what I did now again (this is what I also did before) in this particular order:
CWM Recovery:
Wipe data/factory reset
Wipe cache partition
Advanced -> Wipe Dalvik Cache
Backup and restore -> Restore -> 2011-07-03.18.40.43/
Reboot
(took about 15 minutes)
The result: "Loading... this could take few minutes." everything seems to look fine, but there is default wallpaper and empty home screen with home button and long press -tutorials. It is syncinc, so some credentials are there, but for example foursquare app asks for accounts... the app info are mostly not there. This is what my problem was in the first place when restoring. Could Unity installation somehow affect my files, or something?
If you want to completely restore the old system you have to format data and cache, from the "mounts and storage" menu format /system and from advanced format dalvik cache, after that you can restore you're backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trying this now. Just made the point out what was my problem. Thanks! Will report, if it's okay to you.

ionut.micu said:
If you want to completely restore the old system you have to format data and cache, from the "mounts and storage" menu format /system and from advanced format dalvik cache, after that you can restore you're backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I tried it like this:
wipe data/factory reset
wipe cache partition
mounts and storage -> format /cache
mounts and storage -> format /data
mounts and storage -> format /system
advanced -> wipe dalvik cache
backup and restore -> restore -> 2011-07-03.18.40.43/
reboot
...and the result is the same stated in first message. Things buggy / missing.
ionut.micu said:
When I flash a new rom after all my settings I always do a nandroid backup, that way in case of something goes wrong or the rom becomes laggy, I restore the nandroid backup and I don't have to go thru all the pain of customizing the phone again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I always nandroid backup also, but this time it did not restore as expected.

Use a file manager and go into sdcard - clockworkmod - backup - 2011-07-03.18.40.43, can you confirm that you got data.img in that folder, if not then your data wasn't backed up (in my backups data.img is about 150mb).
If data.img was backed up
Reboot into clockworkmod
backup and restore
Advanced Restore
2011-07-03.18.40.43
Restore data
If that doesn't help your data partition was not backed-up correctly and I think there is nothing you can do.

ionut.micu said:
If that doesn't help your data partition was not backed-up correctly and I think there is nothing you can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to be the case that it did not backup the whole thing, space run out or something. I did not double check the backup result, my bad... This is confirmed because I just restored the 2011-04-28.09.01.03 backup and it took about half an hour, a lot more than the most recent backup which was supposed to be bigger.
I will remember from now on, double check backup every time before full wipe!

What do you recommand as backup strategy when playing with custom ROM?

Hi,
I begin timidly to try flashing some custom ROMs. Each time it is quite time consuming to restore system settings. So far each time I flash a new ROM, I re-enter all the system settings, then re-install Titanium Backup and restore user apps (that I backed up previously). I didn't try the batch job "Backup all user apps + system data" Titanium Backup. Because I am concerned that restoring the system data from one ROM over another ROM may freeze the device.
Question: What are the best practices to backup & restore user apps + system settings ?
Thanks in advance for any help.

when changing roms:
best practice of all: don't restore anything
good practice: restore user apps
normal practice: restore user apps+data
bad practice: restore system apps
really bad practice: restore system apps+data

bk201doesntexist said:
when changing roms:
best practice of all: don't restore anything
good practice: restore user apps
normal practice: restore user apps+data
bad practice: restore system apps
really bad practice: restore system apps+data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Wow, best = dont restore anything?!? That sounds quite time consuming. Can you elaborate on the technical reasons which makes restore a risky operation?

2LoT said:
Oh Wow, best = dont restore anything?!? That sounds quite time consuming. Can you elaborate on the technical reasons which makes restore a risky operation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
restoring user apps if just as fine as not restoring anything, unless you are the roms you are changing between have different ui's or android os's like going from ics to jelly bean. But for the most part its fine. The reason you shouldn't restoring certain things is risky is because one rom may have a certain data structure with some features built-in as apps, which are incompatible with another rom without that structure. Its just a matter of the way the developers code their roms

restoring the app also restores its cache i believe, which may cause issues because caches are hash signed by each rom flash, thus switching to a new rom and restoring may cause the app to fail (it expects a different hash sig, from the previous rom), until you clear dalvik cache/cache. not risky, just makes you loose time as well, since you'll have to boot again to recovery and wipe cache again after restoring.
anyways, restoring user apps is a good practice, and apps shouldn't have anything to do with system ui. system apps and definitions is another thing.
i often fresh-start flash. i only use 4 or 5 apps, so.. not that big of a deal. i used to install any junk on my pc's, a long time ago. furthermore, i rather have a clean rom with few apps than a rom full of apps which makes it way harder for me to control whats going on.

Oh cool thanks for the explanation. I "Wipe data/factory reset" + "Wipe cache partition" before flashing the ROM. I hope that it should be safe enough to restore the user apps + data. Just did that yesterday and so far it seems like it's working OK.

2LoT said:
Oh cool thanks for the explanation. I "Wipe data/factory reset" + "Wipe cache partition" before flashing the ROM. I hope that it should be safe enough to restore the user apps + data. Just did that yesterday and so far it seems like it's working OK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget to wipe dalvik cache as well.
Allons-y

Great question and useful information for those new to this. I for one would say you CAN successfully restore SOME system data if you do so carefully. I for one always backup and restore Phone / Messaging Storage via Titanium Backup as this will copy over my SMS and MMS archive, as well as APN settings. Note this is only recommended when switching between Jelly Bean roms.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

This is what I personally do when I play around with custom ROMs...
Backup:
-Backup user app using App2zip (Zips all user apk), you can also backup system apk, but not recommended
-Backup user app+some system data (includes data usage, sms history, etc..) using Titanium Backup
Restore:7
-After flashing ROM and mods, flash the zip file made by App2zip
-Restore ONLY the data of user apps and system apps
-Reboot to recovery, and clear cache and dalvik
-Reboot
Successful all the time for me

kyokeun1234 said:
This is what I personally do when I play around with custom ROMs...
Backup:
-Backup user app using App2zip (Zips all user apk), you can also backup system apk, but not recommended
-Backup user app+some system data (includes data usage, sms history, etc..) using Titanium Backup
Restore:7
-After flashing ROM and mods, flash the zip file made by App2zip
-Restore ONLY the data of user apps and system apps
-Reboot to recovery, and clear cache and dalvik
-Reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for suggesting App2Zip, can you please clarify:
Q1. What is the difference between "App2zip" and "Titanium Backup"? I suppose App2Zip doesn't save at all the user data?
Q2. How do you use Titanium Backup to backup data only? The closest I see is the backup batch job named "backup all user apps + system data". Is it overkill b/c I just want "All user data + SOME system data".
Q3. Where in Titanium can I select "some system data" and what does "some" exactly mean in this context? Providing a wrong system data restore would bring troubles. Can you please give an exact list of the system data which is safe to restore? I am interested in Wireless pwd, and settings related to Sound, Display, Language Input, Lock screen. So far I have no idea how to backup these settings.

2LoT said:
Thanks for suggesting App2Zip, can you please clarify:
Q1. What is the difference between "App2zip" and "Titanium Backup"? I suppose App2Zip doesn't save at all the user data?
Q2. How do you use Titanium Backup to backup data only? The closest I see is the backup batch job named "backup all user apps + system data". Is it overkill b/c I just want "All user data + SOME system data".
Q3. Where in Titanium can I select "some system data" and what does "some" exactly mean in this context? Providing a wrong system data restore would bring troubles. Can you please give an exact list of the system data which is safe to restore? I am interested in Wireless pwd, and settings related to Sound, Display, Language Input, Lock screen. So far I have no idea how to backup these settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A1: App2zip takes all the user apk and puts it into a zip file. So after you flash your ROM, you can just flash that zip file too in the recovery. It's faster for me, because I don't need to press "install" everytime
A2: You can't do data only... You can restore only the data after you backed up. Also you get to choose which system data you want to backup.
A3: I don't 100% know either, but here's things that I backup:
-data usage
-accounts
-SMS (For the SMS history, but you can also use SMS backup+)
-clock (For alarms)
-country,language,timezone
-email
-exchange services
-gmail
-phone/messaging storage
-wifi access points

kyokeun1234 said:
A1: App2zip takes all the user apk and puts it into a zip file. So after you flash your ROM, you can just flash that zip file too in the recovery. It's faster for me, because I don't need to press "install" everytime
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's true, this Install button in Titanium appearing at each app is really annoying. Does App2Zip also save and restore the user apps data/settings? I hope yes, b/c otherwise I can't really remember exactly what I have changed on each app over time.

2LoT said:
Yeah that's true, this Install button in Titanium appearing at each app is really annoying. Does App2Zip also save and restore the user apps data/settings? I hope yes, b/c otherwise I can't really remember exactly what I have changed on each app over time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly no, which is a HUGE bummer for me
But what I do is I backup also using Titanium Backup, and then when I need to restore, I just flash the zip file and restore ONLY the data using Titanium Backup. Works every time for me

kyokeun1234 said:
Sadly no, which is a HUGE bummer for me
But what I do is I backup also using Titanium Backup, and then when I need to restore, I just flash the zip file and restore ONLY the data using Titanium Backup. Works every time for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you do with Titanium to restore User Apps DATA only? Do you use the Restore Job "Restore missing apps with data"?

2LoT said:
How do you do with Titanium to restore User Apps DATA only? Do you use the Restore Job "Restore missing apps with data"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you restore ALL user apps+system apps. But after you press it, you will have a choice between restoring apps+data, data only, and apps only. Select data only

kyokeun1234 said:
No, you restore ALL user apps+system apps. But after you press it, you will have a choice between restoring apps+data, data only, and apps only. Select data only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Super cool, thank you very much for your help.

2LoT said:
Super cool, thank you very much for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no problem

Stop being a cheapskate and pay for titanium backup. Batch restore doesn't prompt with install button on every app

Pirateghost said:
Stop being a cheapskate and pay for titanium backup. Batch restore doesn't prompt with install button on every app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually didn't know that. Sorry for being "cheapskate", but doesn't that the same thing as what my backup pro does? I tried that using backup pro, but personally found it take longer time
Swyped on my Galaxy Nexus running AOKP with Trinity Kernel, overclocked to 1.4GHz

Pirateghost said:
Stop being a cheapskate and pay for titanium backup. Batch restore doesn't prompt with install button on every app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not a problem. I was looking for an advice about backup/restore not for how to save money. When I used Titanium to restore it stops at every app and asking to click on Install and when the app has been restored, it asks for another click on "Done". I am just reporting what I am seeing. Now that you said, I have checked the description of Titanium Backup Pro and may be what you said is the "0-click batch restore" feature which is available in the Pro version. I will give App2Zip a run and will see which one I like better.