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Need some help moving forward with rom installation. Have been reading and playingback guides and articles in the last few days on rooting and roms. Just rooted AT&T S3 I747 ver. 4.1.2 and have access to SU. Installed Revovery Tools from DsLNeXuS and Titanium Backup Pro. Made a backup with Recovery Tools and stopped.
I'm going back and forth between guides noticing some of them were written over a year ago. Have been using these guides below.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=Flashing_Guide_-_Android
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1802160
Questions. Are Recovery Tools and Titanium Backup Pro used for the same purpose? Is the toolkit below an alternative to both these tools, RT and TBP?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1746665
Do I need to run RUU flashing?
Thanks.
Thanks.

Recovery backups are for if something happens to your phone you can restore phone its original sate by choosing backup from recovery.
With Titanium Backup you can backup your applications and data. Tomorrow if you install a new ROM you can just restore applications along with data from Titanium Backup.
When you flash anew ROM you will loose all your current apps and Titanium Backup is used to restore them.

Thanks. Sounds like I don't need to have both recovery programs but Titanium Backup will do.
When backing up apps is it necessary to back up all the at&t apps?
I am still at a lost with RUU. Do I still need to Flash RUU?
thanks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

camb003 said:
Thanks. Sounds like I don't need to have both recovery programs but Titanium Backup will do.
When backing up apps is it necessary to back up all the at&t apps?
I am still at a lost with RUU. Do I still need to Flash RUU?
thanks.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You use titanium backup for backing up apps and the associated data (logins, settings, game progress, etc). For installing custom ROM you need a custom recovery such as CWM or TWRP. Samsung stock firmware uses ODIN vice RUU.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

aphowif tow-boat
aybarrap1 said:
You use titanium backup for backing up apps and the associated data (logins, settings, game progress, etc). For installing custom ROM you need a custom recovery such as CWM or TWRP. Samsung stock firmware uses ODIN vice RUU.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I'm hearing "restoring data from one rom to another can cause problems". This will be my first rom install. I've already backed up all apps and data. Do I have to pick and choose which apps I want to restore after flashing a new rom?
Thanks in advance.

camb003 said:
So I'm hearing "restoring data from one rom to another can cause problems". This will be my first rom install. I've already backed up all apps and data. Do I have to pick and choose which apps I want to restore after flashing a new rom?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could cause problems. If it occurs, it is usually when switching from a Touchwiz ROM to an AOSP ROM and vice versa. If you are going from stock TW to a custom ROM based off stock (or AOSP to AOSP), you will likely have few to no issues. App compatibility with a new android version is another matter (I.e. ICS to JB 4.2). It could happen over changes in android versions but it is not likely and even less so over minor variations (4.2 to 4.3 for example).
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747

camb003 said:
So I'm hearing "restoring data from one rom to another can cause problems". This will be my first rom install. I've already backed up all apps and data. Do I have to pick and choose which apps I want to restore after flashing a new rom?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Restoring "System" data from another ROM will usually give you problems.
Also, it might be a good idea to copy your EFS folder from the root of your phone, using a file explorer program, to your SD card or computer before you start flashing ROMs, as most people who later had data connection problems (lost their IMEI numbers) never got around to doing it.

shortydoggg said:
Restoring "System" data from another ROM will usually give you problems.
Also, it might be a good idea to copy your EFS folder from the root of your phone, using a file explorer program, to your SD card or computer before you start flashing ROMs, as most people who later had data connection problems (lost their IMEI numbers) never got around to doing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any file explorer program recommendations to copy EFS folder?
Are "custom ROM based off stock" and "Samsung based ROM" the same thing?
I am currently running AT&T Android Version 4.1.2, Baseband I747UCDMG2. Can you recommend a couple of known stable Samsung based ROMs?
On backing up apps and data. When preparing for the very fist ROM flash, does it make sense to not backup all the bloatware apps AT&T has in 4,1,2.?
Thanks in advance.

camb003 said:
Any file explorer program recommendations to copy EFS folder?
Are "custom ROM based off stock" and "Samsung based ROM" the same thing?
I am currently running AT&T Android Version 4.1.2, Baseband I747UCDMG2. Can you recommend a couple of known stable Samsung based ROMs?
On backing up apps and data. When preparing for the very fist ROM flash, does it make sense to not backup all the bloatware apps AT&T has in 4,1,2.?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Root explorer is good. But it's a paid app.
2.Yes
3. S3Rx, Dandroid, Intergalactic, and Graviton are some excellent touchwiz ROMs.
4. Do not restore system apps!!

gamptic patronymic
DMF1977 said:
1. Root explorer is good. But it's a paid app.
2.Yes
3. S3Rx, Dandroid, Intergalactic, and Graviton are some excellent touchwiz ROMs.
4. Do not restore system apps!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
I currently have Recovery Tools, Titanium Backup and ROM Manager installed.
Do Recovery Tools ans ROM Manager do the pretty much the same thing? I see a lot of info for ROM manager. Will I be able to do everything by keeping only one(ROM Manager?)?
Is it better to always flash from external SD card instead of internal?

Slim Bean
Figured it out. Running Slim Bean 4.2.2.build.8-OFFICIAL. Don't think I can ever go back. Well worth contribution to developer.

[Q] Full Restore

What app do I use to back my phone up to do a complete restore to where it was pre-flash. TB only restores the apps and data but not the Launcher and the way i had everything set up pre-flash. Any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance.

Need to flash a recovery and do a nandroid. TWRP 2.6.3.7. Goo manager to flash the twrp.
sent from my sm-900t.

@rbiter said:
Need to flash a recovery and do a nandroid. TWRP 2.6.3.7. Too manager to flash the twrp.
sent from my sm-900t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long been A fan but I just completed my first successful flash, and I used TWRP 2.6.3.1. So could you be a little more specific. I appreciate your help but I have been searching and there are explanations out there i just don't understand them. thanks again in advance.

I think 2.6.3.1 has been working for some people but I would recommend flashing .4rc2 or higher. I think all the kinks have been worked out since .4rc2. You need to hit backup and rmemeber what is ticked. Now untick that and backup efs first and store that separate and maybe even backup to sdcard or computer. Then go back and tick at least system and data for your nandroid. If you plan on flashing kernels, do boot.IMG too. Not sure about cache. I did it anyways for hahas my first backup. I don't know if you need to reset up your phone or not. And I think there have been problems with titbackup restores because of Samsung and Knox stuff. Need to read up in that for specifics. I've seen a couple custom kernel descriptions say their kernel fixes TB issues but like I said need to look around on your own as I don't really use TB. Had too many small issues so I manually cherry pick data I need and just start fresh each phone. Also been awhile since I've flashed anything because my note2 had insane chip so I didn't do anything crazy to trigger SDS. I spent all weekend researching recovery myself before I proceeded. Make sure you do the efs backup first!! In cade something bad happens youmight need that.
sent from my sm-900t.

@rbiter said:
i think 2.6.3.1 has been working for some people but i would recommend flashing .4rc2 or higher. I think all the kinks have been worked out since .4rc2. You need to hit backup and rmemeber what is ticked. Now untick that and backup efs first and store that separate and maybe even backup to sdcard or computer. Then go back and tick at least system and data for your nandroid. If you plan on flashing kernels, do boot.img too. Not sure about cache. I did it anyways for hahas my first backup. I don't know if you need to reset up your phone or not. And i think there have been problems with titbackup restores because of samsung and knox stuff. Need to read up in that for specifics. I've seen a couple custom kernel descriptions say their kernel fixes tb issues but like i said need to look around on your own as i don't really use tb. Had too many small issues so i manually cherry pick data i need and just start fresh each phone. Also been awhile since i've flashed anything because my note2 had insane chip so i didn't do anything crazy to trigger sds. I spent all weekend researching recovery myself before i proceeded. Make sure you do the efs backup first!! In cade something bad happens youmight need that.
Sent from my sm-900t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you so much!!!!

Thanks for this informative post.
Just to verify that it is recommended that we back up the EFS separately then backup the DATA/SYSTEM/BOOT partitions next? I would like to make sure that I will have everything needed just in case I/phone mess up somewhere along the line of flashing ROMS and themes. There seems to be more occurrences of boot-loops with the GN3 than there ever was with the GN2.
When restoring, I presume we just flash the backups then reboot as usual?
Thanks

Yeah. I backed up my efs first. Then backed up to my laptop. Then I backed up modem for haha's and to laptop. Then I backed up boot, system and data. If you don't wipe data when you're flashing around you should only need to flash boot and system. I haven't run into problems yet so I havent had to flash data. It's always been there and settings and apps have been fine.
sent from my sm-9005.

[Q] Help! Rooted 4.3, Backed up, and now cant restore backup

Hello, I recently rooted my wifes Note 2 that was on the latest OTA 4.3. Was not easy BTW. I did a back up in recovery of boot, system, and data. I figured I was good to go and start trying out other roms.
The first one I flashed was Macks Allstar 5.0 rom. Everything was great. Then my wife informed me that she did not have all of her contacts backed up to google and some were only saved to her phone. So then I figure I could just restore the original backup and extract the contacts and be able to install them to any rom.
Thats when everything went wrong. Everytime I tried restoring the back up,it would crash and recovery would do like a reboot. After many attempts I figured id try another version of recovery. After flashing many earlier versions of twrp and trying to restore, I finally was able to complete a restore from version 2.6. I was ecstatic. But then my heart sank again when boot always hangs on samsung logo. And that is where I'm stuck. I am able to flash other roms no problem but cant restore my original backup.
Needless to say my wife is ready to kill me.
Please if anyone could help me I would really appreciate it. I have searched throughout this forum and internet for hours and can not seem to find any help with this issue.
I am thankful to have been able to get this far with the help from the XDA community posts I never needed direct help even with prior phone rootings but this one has got me stumped. Thanks in advance

You need to flash Phil's recovery version 6.0.7.9. If you cant restore your backup with Phil's then I'm thinking you might be sol. Make sure you know where you saved the backup to. It's either on the phone's internal sd or external sd card. Choose the correct location in Phil's recovery and if it isn't corrupt it should work. You may also want to copy your backup onto your pc just in case because that's your only backup and doing a full wipe or odin restore could permanently delete it. Good luck.

tx_dbs_tx said:
You need to flash Phil's recovery version 6.0.7.9. If you cant restore your backup with Phil's then I'm thinking you might be sol. Make sure you know where you saved the backup to. It's either on the phone's internal sd or external sd card. Choose the correct location in Phil's recovery and if it isn't corrupt it should work. You may also want to copy your backup onto your pc just in case because that's your only backup and doing a full wipe or odin restore could permanently delete it. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. I am at work right now and left the phone with my wife with a working rom. I will try phils recovery when I get home. As far as backups, I have two copies. One on my SD card and the other on PC but if they're both fried I guess that negates my efforts in redundancy. It's hard to believe the backup got corrupt so quickly. I have another backup of the 2nd rom I flashed and that one wont install as well.
Is there something I am doing wrong? If the backup file is corrupt, is there a way to extract contacts seperately out of backup?

Method b.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2648855
My wife does that too. Sorry

ColeTrain! said:
Method b.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2648855
My wife does that too. Sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Life of a married man. Haha!
Well, as my backup file was done with TWRP, I tried method B with TWRP recovery and it wont work so now I'm in the process of trying method A. Will update once I tried it.
I think my problem has to do with TWRP not playing friendly with 4.3 ROMS. If that is the case method A looks like it will work.:fingers-crossed:

alexandnen said:
Life of a married man. Haha!
Well, as my backup file was done with TWRP, I tried method B with TWRP recovery and it wont work so now I'm in the process of trying method A. Will update once I tried it.
I think my problem has to do with TWRP not playing friendly with 4.3 ROMS. If that is the case method A looks like it will work.:fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly right. Bootloader isn't playing well with TWRP recovery. Phil"s 6.0.7.9 seems to be compatible in most ROM vs bootloader situations. Don't use latest version of Phil's recovery as it doesn't work as well and most people recommend this as well.
If Phil's recovery won't flash your restore then Odin all the way back to stock unrooted LK8 ROM then root it with the Toolkit and flash TWRP from the toolkit at the same time. Then see if you can restore at that point.

Looks like this project has come to an end. My wife likes her new rom and doesn't want to let me work on her phone anymore. She was able to get most of her contacts back I will make sure she backs her contacts to google and I will try to convince her to install Titanium backup to backup all her app data.
Unfortunately all I have is a work issued iphone that I have no interest in jailbreaking. I really don't see the point.
I am still confident that I could have eventually restored her backup successfully with the help here.
Thank you tx_dbx_tx and coletrain for your help.

Put my original nandroid backup back on, but now issues.

I am just tired of wiping, trying a new rom, setting it up, finding problems too big to live with and repeating the process. So I used TWRP to put my backed up system back on the phone but when it boots up tons of things are missing. Google apps are all gone, no root. Did I do something wrong? I backed up all the tick boxes when I made my backups, yet so much is missing?

Flash th stock through odin. Then flash twrp and this time restore only data from nandroid.

sasank360 said:
Flash th stock through odin. Then flash twrp and this time restore only data from nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I did flash my original firmware just now via odin, but I thought that would resolve my encryption problem. I made a thread about it here, I don't know if you could chime in on that thread if you have any ideas on my new issue? Thanks: http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/help/questions-relating-to-fresh-odin-t3057860

Lost Mobile Network after flashing twrp-2.8.6.0-t03gub.img.tar

Hi Friends in deep trouble..
i am on dn4 v2.1
i just flashed twrp-2.8.6.0-t03gub.img.tar from here http://twrp.me/devices/samsunggalaxynote2n7100.html
i thought this is the latest TWRP
now i have lost my mobile network
can some one help me plz ...

vinodxxx said:
Hi Friends in deep trouble..
i am on dn4 v2.1
i just flashed twrp-2.8.6.0-t03gub.img.tar from here http://twrp.me/devices/samsunggalaxynote2n7100.html
i thought this is the latest TWRP
now i have lost my mobile network
can some one help me plz ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just restore efs

erljayp said:
Just restore efs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friend had the same problem..he has a efs backup but both of us dont knw how to restore it back (tried few methods post googling but none worked even after saying successful)

Unbelievable how many of us fell into the same trap. I also flashed this recovery because I wasn't paying enough attention to what I downloaded. And I also lost my IMEI. I hope you backed up your EFS or you could be in trouble.
If you backed up your EFS then just recover it with the same program that you used to make the backup. If that doesn't work try flashing the stock Samsung ROM and try again. You can also try to flash the modem. This helps sometimes.
I had a backup of my EFS. I tried to restore it in CM12, didn't work. I tried to restore it in Ditto4, didn't work. Then I used an old STOCK Samsung ROM. First I got a generic IMEI whereas I got null/null on custom ROMs before. Making progress. Then I tired to recover my IMEI eith EFS. Didn't work. Then I flash the modem with modem_XXDME4__ (i'm from central Europe) and voila, IMEI back.
This is of course all possible only if you backed up your EFS file. If you did not, chances of getting the phone back are quite slim. I've read about a hunderd threads while trying to recover my phone and some say that when you don't have a backup of your EFS partition, just flashing your stock Samsung rom might work. By stock Samsung ROM I mean the one that was preloaded when you bought your phone.
Good luck.

doctor_droid said:
My friend had the same problem..he has a efs backup but both of us dont knw how to restore it back (tried few methods post googling but none worked even after saying successful)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As what @Sheeptar (Thanks ) said, you can try to restore the efs using the method you used to back it up.
Else, try flashing a stock rom. This happened to me too and I was in the middle of flashing a new rom, so I flashed a stock rom using odin, and didn't have a problem while using the new rom.

I guess that version has no modem support, trying flashing previous version

thanks a lot guys ...
had a full twrp back and restored same ....
u ppl are so supportive ....keep up d good work ..
lolz i restored d full backup
didnt tried only efs...

another possible way..
This worked for me once.. Restore the stock version. E.g. Verizon. Then use the setup/phone/reset to factory option. I flashed the wrong note 2 room onto my i605 . Restoring via twerp didn't work, but the above did.