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Help with Nandroid files.

I'm just looking for a clarification here.
I understand that by doing an Nandroid backup, it backs up EVERYthing, from Rom, to apps, to data, all they way down to texts and every intimate detail about settings. I was wondering, when I do a Nandroid backup, and it saves the "nandroid" folder on my SD card, is this EVERYTHING I need?
Reason being is this.
I WAS running CyanogenMod6. I have a nandroid backup on my SD Card of it.
I switched to Ava's froyo rom.
I want to go back to Cyanogen using my nandroid.
Could I:
Transfer the Nandroid from my SD to my computer then create a NEW nandroid on my SD of AVA and have these be two complete backups of everything minus the special folders on my SD that isn't a Nandroid folder?
I guess in easier terms im asking, is the ENTIRE nandroid backup stored in the nandroid folder and contain just the
boot/data/system images along w/ the md5 file?

What recovery are you running? If you're on AmonRa you can just make another nandroid backup of your current ROM, then go into restore and pick the prior backup (they're catalogued by date/time of backup).
I'm not sure how ClockworkMod recovery works, if it's the same or not.
I have something like 7 backups on my SD card. I need to pare that down though so I just have my original stock 2.1 ROM setup and then my current ROM as those are the only two I really need.

phobos512 said:
What recovery are you running? If you're on AmonRa you can just make another nandroid backup of your current ROM, then go into restore and pick the prior backup (they're catalogued by date/time of backup).
I'm not sure how ClockworkMod recovery works, if it's the same or not.
I have something like 7 backups on my SD card. I need to pare that down though so I just have my original stock 2.1 ROM setup and then my current ROM as those are the only two I really need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm Running CWM right now for recovery. Kind of wanted to switch to the AmonRa, searching on how to do that.

[Q] SDCard almost full due to backups

So I have done a few updates to OS, form stock ROM to CM6.1 RC3, RC4 Stable, and Pershoot's kernel. All of these have I have done a Nand Back up which stores to my SDCard. Well my 8GB card is sitting not to pretty at 714MB right now. I don't have much in there, and pretty much removed all my music.
So the question are:
* What is the best way to manage these backups so that I can save them, but not clutter up the sdcard?
* I saw a folder in my sdcard that had some backups, but they did not account to 2GB each or any where near that. Where should I look?
Really looking forward to a solution to this, otherwise my sdcard is basically rendered useless due to system upgrades/updates.
Thanks in advance for your help

You can save the backup files to your computer and then delete them from your SD card.
If you ever want to take a stroll down memory lane, then simply make some room on your SD card and transfer the backup to the card and restore via recovery or ROM manager.
As far as the missing memory goes, do you have a lot of camera pictures or video?

gee one said:
You can save the backup files to your computer and then delete them from your SD card.
If you ever want to take a stroll down memory lane, then simply make some room on your SD card and transfer the backup to the card and restore via recovery or ROM manager.
As far as the missing memory goes, do you have a lot of camera pictures or video?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gee one...no, not many pic s or videos. Before making any backups I was somewhere around 7.4GB or so. I did have alot of music which I removed once I started making backups due to lack of space.
Edit: I found the location of the backups and saved them to my pc. Thanks! I thought it was a bit more involved than that!

these backup files are stored in the /clockworkmod/ directory on your SDcard, not the backup one.
I only keep a few backups on my device - one that I made as soon as I'd rooted - it's stock, and then the one that I made before I make any changes to my phone (flash updates, etc)
IMO, there's no need to keep multiple backups of the same ROM

the orange bandit said:
these backup files are stored in the /clockworkmod/ directory on your SDcard, not the backup one.
I only keep a few backups on my device - one that I made as soon as I'd rooted - it's stock, and then the one that I made before I make any changes to my phone (flash updates, etc)
IMO, there's no need to keep multiple backups of the same ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's what I did.
I found them under /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup/ and I kept only the original from stock and the final one, but I also made a backup of the stock rom one.
I now have 4.1GB available on my card, up from 714MB.

[Q] How does everyone "store"/create their ROMS and back-ups?

Currently, I am saving the ROMS I download into a folder on my SD card named "ROMS". Within that folder I have "Froyo", "Gingerbread" and "add-ons".
Once I finish flashing a ROM (ie. reset apps, contacts, get screens set the way I want, make sure all works..etc.) I create a back-up for that ROM and name it. If I ever add new apps or anything, I reback-up..overwrite the orginal back-up..and so on..
I leave the "ROM" folder alone. Is there any reason for me to keep the orginal ROM zips when I keep updating the "back-up" folder?
I think I am just using extra space on the card that is not needed by keeping BOTH the "back-up" folder and the orgianl ROM downloaded zip file??

xavier2404 said:
Currently, I am saving the ROMS I download into a folder on my SD card named "ROMS". Within that folder I have "Froyo", "Gingerbread" and "add-ons".
Once I finish flashing a ROM (ie. reset apps, contacts, get screens set the way I want, make sure all works..etc.) I create a back-up for that ROM and name it. If I ever add new apps or anything, I reback-up..overwrite the orginal back-up..and so on..
I leave the "ROM" folder alone. Is there any reason for me to keep the orginal ROM zips when I keep updating the "back-up" folder?
I think I am just using extra space on the card that is not needed by keeping BOTH the "back-up" folder and the orgianl ROM downloaded zip file??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best thing to do is backup all your stuff on your computer then you can delete whatever you want but leave your backups alone just invade you need them In a hurry
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

I do kind of the same thing....I have a folder on my SD card named ROMS and folders inside of that. After I install the ROM I delete the zip from the SD card. When I download a new ROM (Warm Z TwoPointTwo Nightlies) I backup using Recovery in CWM and I also backup my apps using TitaniumBackup.
Then I flash the new ROM and restore my apps. If anything goes wrong (so far it has not) I can always restore from the Recover backup.
Hope this helps

I keep a text file in the directory where I backup my Nandroid backups which is a legend of the backups (which ROM's, mods, etc.). I tend to delete earlier backups where a subsequent backup is of the same setup only updated. I also note which backups are still on my SD card. Since I have a 32gb card, I tend to keep the stock ROM, my last good backup, and the last backup of any prior ROM (i.e. 3 backups) on the card, in case I can't get to my computer and need a quick restore.

I use either Rom Manager or CWR to create my back-ups. I have seen alot of references to Titanium. I recently flashed a CM7 ROM where Titanium is pre-installed. What is the benefit (if any) to using Titanium instead of RM or CWR?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App

hgoldner said:
I keep a text file in the directory where I backup my Nandroid backups which is a legend of the backups (which ROM's, mods, etc.). I tend to delete earlier backups where a subsequent backup is of the same setup only updated. I also note which backups are still on my SD card. Since I have a 32gb card, I tend to keep the stock ROM, my last good backup, and the last backup of any prior ROM (i.e. 3 backups) on the card, in case I can't get to my computer and need a quick restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A text file? Sorry..new to most of this..but is storing as a text file less storage space used? Also, is it a simple matter of going into root explorer..changing the file type to .zip to access it again if needed?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App

I think he means making a legend as a text file and leaving the zips as is. Plus you wouldn't see much size difference by changing the extension to .txt and you'd be screwed if you got a bootloop since you'd have to change it back somehow.

[Q] nandroid backup doubts

can someone help me?
the wonder is my first android and I wanted to learn while before hacking on it ...
last night I did the root and installed ClockworkMod 6.0.1.2 to make a nandroid before flashing a ICS rom.
but I have come some doubts:
1) the nandroid with clockworkmod is done either on internal mem on external sd right? I tried with the internal memory and I did a backup of 17MB ... I have copied to the PC the folder ClockworkMod always 17MB: they seemed to me just a few for a nandroid backup... I did it again ... the same ...
2) then I added the external sd and I deleted the two previous backups from internal mem and redid the backup to external sd ... the process took about twenty minutes (slower then before), and in fact has made ​​a backup of 790mb
3) I try to copy the backup on the PC with the phone attached but it don't work .... I removed the SD card and copied the folder on pc with win7: I did not copy some files because they are "too long" (???)... then I tried to copy it on a pc with ubuntu and makes the copy but when the transfer is finished tells me that the number of files copied is right but instead of 790mb is only 725mb: I need to trust this backup? ?? better to delete and redo everything? I do not want to flash something and do not have a working nandroid...
another question: when I flash a rom and do ALL wipe the sd external is reset? no I think, right? and to put on the contacts and messages and the settings I use those saved using kies or do I need to do a better titanium backup or save contacts synced to gmail?
sorry for the many questions but as I'm a true noob and before I do damage I want to have in mind what I was doing
I'm waiting your reply before flash a rom... thanks

bennymax said:
can someone help me?
the wonder is my first android and I wanted to learn while before hacking on it ...
last night I did the root and installed ClockworkMod 6.0.1.2 to make a nandroid before flashing a ICS rom.
but I have come some doubts:
1) the nandroid with clockworkmod is done either on internal mem on external sd right? I tried with the internal memory and I did a backup of 17MB ... I have copied to the PC the folder ClockworkMod always 17MB: they seemed to me just a few for a nandroid backup... I did it again ... the same ...
2) then I added the external sd and I deleted the two previous backups from internal mem and redid the backup to external sd ... the process took about twenty minutes (slower then before), and in fact has made ​​a backup of 790mb
3) I try to copy the backup on the PC with the phone attached but it don't work .... I removed the SD card and copied the folder on pc with win7: I did not copy some files because they are "too long" (???)... then I tried to copy it on a pc with ubuntu and makes the copy but when the transfer is finished tells me that the number of files copied is right but instead of 790mb is only 725mb: I need to trust this backup? ?? better to delete and redo everything? I do not want to flash something and do not have a working nandroid...
another question: when I flash a rom and do ALL wipe the sd external is reset? no I think, right? and to put on the contacts and messages and the settings I use those saved using kies or do I need to do a better titanium backup or save contacts synced to gmail?
sorry for the many questions but as I'm a true noob and before I do damage I want to have in mind what I was doing
I'm waiting your reply before flash a rom... thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thing: Why do you need to copy the backup to your PC? I can certainly assure you that the backup is working fine. Just leave your SD card within your device upon backing up. And just leave it there. If you ever really wanted to copy the backup to your pc, well don't get the file size(s) wrong. They will certainly be different since the systems you are trying to copy the files to uses a different file system. So it's normal for them to have different file sizes. To add to that, the CWM uses generated MD5 to confirm that the backup (it's related files) are correct before it will restore a certain backup. If something is wrong or the backup got corrupted, CWM will not continue in restoring it.
Second: when you flash, your personal files in your sd card will remain intact. Flashing (may) be only wiping an SD-EXT if you created such partition in your card since apps uses this. So don't worry.
For most customized ROM, I'm afraid components regarding the communication of your device and Kies won't be integrated since devs prefer your system to be our of bloats as possible. So upon flashing a custom ROM, you might not be able to use Kies anymore. In flashing, internal data such as contacts, messages, APN, wifi(s), etc. will be erased as the system will be erased. So;
For your contacts: Sync it with Google or export them to our SD for later import.
For your APN and messages: There's an app in the Play Store that allows you to backup and restore them.
The titanium backup is a very good tool too. Use it.

Thread moved
The [Q] in your thread title should have been reason enough to post it in Q&A .
Please don't post Questions in General Section in the future.

bbmadzky said:
First thing: Why do you need to copy the backup to your PC? I can certainly assure you that the backup is working fine. Just leave your SD card within your device upon backing up. And just leave it there. If you ever really wanted to copy the backup to your pc, well don't get the file size(s) wrong. They will certainly be different since the systems you are trying to copy the files to uses a different file system. So it's normal for them to have different file sizes. To add to that, the CWM uses generated MD5 to confirm that the backup (it's related files) are correct before it will restore a certain backup. If something is wrong or the backup got corrupted, CWM will not continue in restoring it.
Second: when you flash, your personal files in your sd card will remain intact. Flashing (may) be only wiping an SD-EXT if you created such partition in your card since apps uses this. So don't worry.
For most customized ROM, I'm afraid components regarding the communication of your device and Kies won't be integrated since devs prefer your system to be our of bloats as possible. So upon flashing a custom ROM, you might not be able to use Kies anymore. In flashing, internal data such as contacts, messages, APN, wifi(s), etc. will be erased as the system will be erased. So;
For your contacts: Sync it with Google or export them to our SD for later import.
For your APN and messages: There's an app in the Play Store that allows you to backup and restore them.
The titanium backup is a very good tool too. Use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot bbmadzky, I understand what you say
I wanna copy backup in my pc to have a secure place where put the first nandroid of my wonder with stock rom as I have bougth it external sd can be corrupted or deleted and have a genuine nandroid of my phone I think is better
just do another backup to ha the certainty to have a good backup and now can I try to flash my first costomized rom
thanks a lot dude
ciao

It's been a pleasure in helping you with your doubt. Happy flashing and don't ever forget to do a nandroid backup.
Sent from my GT-I8150 using Tapatalk 2

This reply may be too late in coming...but I'll post it anyway. First, the size of your created nandroid....17mb.....WAY too small....the size of the backup I made was +/-800mb.
Second....if you REALLY have to copy it to a PC, zip it with minimal compression first....I found from personal experience that it copies MUCH more easily and safely....
Finally, keeping personal data (contacts, SMS, lists of installed apps [not including app data]) safe. You can install apps that will make data files of your texts and installed apps that can be accessed after flashing a custom ROM to enable recovery and re installation, and for your contacts (if you store them on the phone instead of the sim card) you go to your contacts, press the menu button and select import/export, then export to SD card. If you use these apps (appbak and SMS backup and restore) and the export to SD card function on your phone, you will find that data files have been created by using them.....these data files MUST be moved to your EXTERNAL SD card BEFORE flashing your custom ROM. They will be perfectly safe there as long as you haven't played around with the storage configurations on your phone....which I don't believe is possible with a stock ROM anyway....
Good luck and happy flashing
Hope this has helped....if it has, click thanks
Sent from my GT-I8150 using xda app-developers app

not so late dude
the problem is... I don't have a working backup still now!
I just flased cm9 and RemICS 1.5 rom and every time I tried to make a backup before flashing...
the first time I have the above doubt (as you can read above)
the second time I've tried to install CWM 6.0.1.0 instead 6.0.1.2 and the backup process is finish well (or it was what I belive ) then when I try to comeback to stock version an error has occurred in restore and I must re-do a flash with stock firmware because the SGW was freezed.
I don't know if there are problems with installation of CWM, the release of CWM (now I try with a CWM 5.5.0.4), with the type of backup files (n CWM6 you can choose the type of format file do you have from the backup process) but now before to flash another rom I want to have a WORKING nandroid!
thanks for your reply and your suggests too... maybe make I something wrong but I follow the tools on web and these are simple... maybe is only bad luck... I retry

Dude...if you read my thread here.......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1846449
And specifically the replies posted by IvanKurnia, you'll find the links (and installation method) for the version of CWM that I'm using.....with success. When you make your nandroid backup, you need to make sure you have enough space for it to complete as you don't get any warning about lack of memory....the backup process will simply stop....and unless you know what to look for, you may not realise.
I'm not totally sure if flashing different versions of CWM on top of each other will cause instability or not....maybe somebody else can answer that one.....
I'd advise getting as much info as you can about EVERYTHING! before you make any more modifications to your phone.....read as many threads and ask as many questions as it takes.....most members of this community will be happy to help (though there are one or two who have a superiority complex...lol)....it's better to ask a hundred questions and get it right, than to ask none and turn your phone into an expensive paperweight.......
CM9...I don't HAVE to.....I just.....can..

first of all: I wanted to write mate not dude sorry for my bad english...
thanks keithross
I read your thread and all the replies in it...
yes the metheod for flashing the CWM is the same I knew. I prefer to flash it whit odin.
I don't think I have problems flashing other versione because I must do a replace of stock firmware before: I set the cell in the status as new... then I reflash on it the CWM.
the only thing I don't have made is to set on USB debugging ON... uhmmm maybe is this the problem?
I try now to flash, make a nandroid, try recovery by nandroid to understand if nandroid works! If not... I try to instal CWM witn the method has showed by ivankurnia
for free space I have enough space in my SD ext card (3gb ca.) and not so many app installed... and yes I use often forum and I think these are the greatest resource on the web xda for android is "the bible" I think so!
p.s. your thread has so many informations I need...

Hi Bennymax, I found ivankurnias method the easiest to use....I'd tried ODIN without success....but successfully installed CWM on the first try with the terminal emulator/busybox method.....others have successfully used this method too. I do still stand by my concerns about flashing different versions of CWM on top of each other as I've come to believe that the recovery partition is separate to the ROM partition and that changing the ROM partition has no effect on the contents of the recovery partition. I hope I'm wrong about that, and that the issues you are having with nandroid backup and restore are as you say bad luck....but I'm not convinced.....having said that, I'm not a developer, and I could be wrong. I feel that it is something that needs researching just in case the luck you've had is not bad, but good in so far as you haven't bricked your phone yet......
Anyway, good luck however you decide to proceed....
Keith
CM9...I don't HAVE to.....I just.....can..

[Q] ROM Hopping Help

I want to hop to a new ROM, but it is a real pain to restore everything. Is there a quick way?
I am on Wompasaurus. Before was LJ1 stock rooted then MA7 DeOdexed then Womp. I want to try some more but hours and hours it takes to get everything running is ridiculous.
I have Titanium Backup, TWRP(GooManager), ROM Manager, ROM Toolbox and SManager. If I need something else, I get it.
SIDE NOTE: I was able to backup the 4.2 Gallery. But Titanium backup cannot find the 4.2 Camera.

Lord Sekhmet said:
I want to hop to a new ROM, but it is a real pain to restore everything. Is there a quick way?
I am on Wompasaurus. Before was LJ1 stock rooted then MA7 DeOdexed then Womp. I want to try some more but hours and hours it takes to get everything running is ridiculous.
I have Titanium Backup, TWRP(GooManager), ROM Manager, ROM Toolbox and SManager. If I need something else, I get it.
SIDE NOTE: I was able to backup the 4.2 Gallery. But Titanium backup cannot find the 4.2 Camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Titanium Backup and Backup Your Mobile. Titanuim backup for apps and data. Backup Your Mobile for call logs, sms, mms, user data dictionary and wifi networks. I believe ROM Toolbox will do all of that and more. However just make sure that you save your backups to external sd and not internal sd as you will lose them if you do a full wipe of internal memory when you switch ROMs.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

Small problem. I use extsd2internalsd2.
Where should I put the backup?. Currently I transfer all my backups to my desktop.
EDIT : I installed Backup Your Mobile and ran it. THANKS!!

Lord Sekhmet said:
Small problem. I use extsd2internalsd2.
Where should I put the backup?. Currently I transfer all my backups to my desktop.
EDIT : I installed Backup Your Mobile and ran it. THANKS!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Extsd is your external sd which is where you want to keep your backups as well as always keeping a copy some where else like a desktop.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

In case anyone is reading my thread for help / ideas, I figured out a shortcut.
When every app is working, use TB Batch Action -user apps. Save this to some place safe. Before doing a full wipe re-backup apps with changing data . i,e. games

After you get your ROM setup exactly like you want it go into twrp go to backup and make a nandroid backup. Backup your data, boot, and system I believe they are. (The first three options) choose the option to compress the backup as it will save it the exact same way just save space by compressing it and shaving 40-50% off the size.
Then after it says backup wad successful. Reboot system. Use ROM toolbox and backup all your user apps+data. Then go to your contacts choose export to sd.. Make a"V card" export all your contacts to your sd. Then download sms backup&restore app.. backup all your texts. Then after these steps are done reboot to recovery (TWRP) go to wipe and wipe (assuming you already have other ROM zips on your sd or external sd saved and ready to flash) wipe cache, Dalvik cache, system, factory reset, system, factory reset.. In that order. Back out to main TWRP menu. .
Choose Install and install your ROM zip of your choice. After it installs successfully and reboots setup your phone and get to home screen. Go to market install rom toolbox again. After that is installed open and scroll to backups. Restore all Apps+data that you want. While that's restoring open contacts choose import from sd.. choose vcard files... choose the one you just made and restore...
Once your apps restore open sms backup&restore them restore your texts... setup any thing else you want/need widgets settings options etc..
After the new ROM is setup to your liking. Scroll back to the top and repeat till you have solid Nandroid backups (Twrp backups) of all the ROM'S you want.
Then anytime you want to change between then you reboot to recovery (twrp) wipe with above said method then hit restore choose the ROM you want to restore to and voila you'll literally be where you left off to a T even the same messages and websites still open... Only thing you might want to do between nandroid flashes is backup any NEW apps you downloaded recently. Our make a new backups of text messages with sms backup&restore if you want your texts always up to date...
If this helped which I hope it did cause its laid out, then hit the Thanks button:good:
Have a great afternoon
-Tw1steD