I tried doing a Factory Data Reset in the settings menu and CWM factory reset and wipe. The phone still has all app data and folders for stuff. What gives??
A CWM wipe protects the internal "SDcard" so that people don't delete their music and pictures when switching ROMs. You have to wipe that too to get rid of everything.
1. What is the difference between the following terms: adb. fastboot, bootloader, recovery.
I understood a bit from efrant's thread but I still need some more clarity.
Correct me if I'm wrong - ADB is a mode which can be accessed by either booting into recovery or booting normally into android. and FASTBOOT is a mode which can be accessed by booting into the bootloader.
A key question still remains in my mind - what is the difference between booting into bootloader and booting into recovery?
2. How do I open command prompt in a specific folder? The instructions listed in efrant's thread don't work in Windows 7.
3. I can flash PA as long as I have an unlocked bootloader even if device is not unrooted?
4. Where do I get the fastboot.exe file and adb files (the .exe and two .dll files for Windows) being talked about in efrant's thread and what are they used for?
5. Are custom ROMs flashed to system partition?
6. Do I use ChainsDD's Superuser, or Chainfire's SuperSU?
Note:
Efrant's thread: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29733879#post29733879
TheMysteriousOne said:
1. What is the difference between the following terms: adb. fastboot, bootloader, recovery.
I understood a bit from efrant's thread but I still need some more clarity.
Correct me if I'm wrong - ADB is a mode which can be accessed by either booting into recovery or booting normally into android. and FASTBOOT is a mode which can be accessed by booting into the bootloader.
A key question still remains in my mind - what is the difference between booting into bootloader and booting into recovery?
2. How do I open command prompt in a specific folder? The instructions listed in efrant's thread don't work in Windows 7.
3. I can flash PA as long as I have an unlocked bootloader even if device is not unrooted?
4. Where do I get the fastboot.exe file and adb files (the .exe and two .dll files for Windows) being talked about in efrant's thread and what are they used for?
5. Are custom ROMs flashed to system partition?
6. Do I use ChainsDD's Superuser, or Chainfire's SuperSU?
Note:
Efrant's thread: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29733879#post29733879
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The bootloader is Google's interface for flashing the phone with stock images. Recovery (stock) is used to flash OTAs & perform a Factory reset.
3. You need a custom recovery (either TWRP or CWM) to flash a custom ROM, your phone does not need to be rooted.
4. Look for efrant's (stickied) return to stock thread in the general section, it has the needed fastboot & adb files attached to the OP.
5. Yes & they also generally include a kernel (some have a stock kernel some use a custom)
6. AFAIK Chainfire's SuperSU is more reliable ATM on Jelly Bean.
http://wiki.rootzwiki.com/Android_SDK
That's the link I used to set up adb. Just make sure you get the nexus drivers set up right. To test it when you think you've got it all set up, make sure you have adb debugging checked in developer options, plug your phone in, open command prompt and type adb devices. It should spit out a line of numbers. If it's blank that means the phone drivers aren't set up right. If you want to test it further you can try an adb push command.
Where are Nandroid backups stored? Are the backups still there after a factory reset?
Where are Titanium backups stored? Are the backups still there after a factory reset?
Using adb you choose where to store your nandroids.
For titanium open the app and it shows where on the main screen.
Don't forget to thank those who helped
Edit: backups remain as long you don't wipe internal or external storage
namtombout said:
Using adb you choose where to store your nandroids.
For titanium open the app and it shows where on the main screen.
Don't forget to thank those who helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But where do I store the backups so that I can access them even after a factory reset?
Does a factory reset delete everything literally?
TheMysteriousOne said:
But where do I store the backups so that I can access them even after a factory reset?
Does a factory reset delete everything literally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/sdcard/clockwordmod/backup -- copy the whole folder with the date and time on it. replace it in the same location if you want to restore from it
edit: for titanium backup, copy the whole folder on the root of your sdcard labelled "titaniumbackup"
Create a folder named nandroid in your internal storage.
Factory reset won't wipe any of your files in your internal storage.
namtombout said:
Using adb you choose where to store your nandroids.
For titanium open the app and it shows where on the main screen.
Don't forget to thank those who helped
Edit: backups remain as long you don't wipe internal or external storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you understood what I was trying to say.
Suppose I make a Nandroid backup now and then perform a factory reset. Will that nandroid backup still be a available on the phone?
TheMysteriousOne said:
But where do I store the backups so that I can access them even after a factory reset?
Does a factory reset delete everything literally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on CM10.1 and the backup I made with CWM was stored in data/media/clockworkmod/backup. Its an odd location but I have done factory resets in order to install other ROMs and the backup remains. And a factory reset does not wipe the Internal storage. A factory reset pretty much just resets the system files back to stock. The only thing you really lose is your apps. All your personal files (pictures/videos/etc.) are left alone.
namtombout said:
Create a folder named nandroid in your internal storage.
Factory reset won't wipe any of your files in your internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then what exactly does a factory reset do - what do I lose in a factory reset?
And if factory reset doesn't wipe everything, what does?
jsgraphicart said:
And a factory reset does not wipe the Internal storage. A factory reset pretty much just resets the system files back to stock. The only thing you really lose is your apps. All your personal files (pictures/videos/etc.) are left alone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use twrp recovery. Wiping internal or external storage wipes everything
namtombout said:
I use twrp recovery. Wiping internal or external storage wipes everything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But a simple factory reset doesnt wipe the internal storage. There may be options in there to do so but I thought we were just talking about a factory reset.
TheMysteriousOne said:
Then what exactly does a factory reset do - what do I lose in a factory reset?
And if factory reset doesn't wipe everything, what does?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its simple.
Factory reset wipes /data (where all your play store/side loaded apps and data (app settings, etc) are stored)
and /cache
it does not touch the /data/media which is your internal storage. since there is no external storage on the nexus, there is nothing to worry about there
/system does not get touched unless you flash a new rom or wipe it manually from recovery
if you wipe /system, you better have another rom to flash in its place....or the phone wont boot into the OS, because /system contains the OS
TheMysteriousOne said:
Then what exactly does a factory reset do - what do I lose in a factory reset?
And if factory reset doesn't wipe everything, what does?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you asking because you WANT to wipe everything or are you afraid of losing stuff?
You Sir are correct. Just quoted you to help answer op questions.
namtombout said:
Create a folder named nandroid in your internal storage.
Factory reset won't wipe any of your files in your internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note: nandroid backups get created on /sdcard aka /data/media.
TheMysteriousOne said:
I don't think you understood what I was trying to say.
Suppose I make a Nandroid backup now and then perform a factory reset. Will that nandroid backup still be a available on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answered by the poster above, thank him. I corrected him, as well.
TheMysteriousOne said:
Then what exactly does a factory reset do - what do I lose in a factory reset?
And if factory reset doesn't wipe everything, what does?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answered below.
jsgraphicart said:
But a simple factory reset doesnt wipe the internal storage. There may be options in there to do so but I thought we were just talking about a factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pirateghost said:
its simple.
Factory reset wipes /data (where all your play store/side loaded apps and data (app settings, etc) are stored)
and /cache
it does not touch the /data/media which is your internal storage. since there is no external storage on the nexus, there is nothing to worry about there
/system does not get touched unless you flash a new rom or wipe it manually from recovery
if you wipe /system, you better have another rom to flash in its place....or the phone wont boot into the OS, because /system contains the OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's an option in twrp at least, that allows to format the internal storage. if you do it by accident or need a fresh start/don't care about the data, of course you'll need to know how to use adb to push stuff back to it, previously pulled from it to the PC.
What I'm saying is that it only matters as much as you care about your data stored up until that point. I keep regular, tarball backups of /data/media in my PC.
Sent from my i9250
So, Nandroid backs up all 13 partitions?
Note: nandroid backups get created on /sdcard aka /data/media.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this /data/media that you talk about?
I read that Nandroid backup gets stored on /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup
Edit: Also, http://www.vikitech.com/10347/perform-nandroid-backup-restore-android-device says "A point to note here is that your SD Card data is not backed up."
TheMysteriousOne said:
So, Nandroid backs up all 13 partitions?
What is this /data/media that you talk about?
I read that Nandroid backup gets stored on /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup
Edit: Also, http://www.vikitech.com/10347/perform-nandroid-backup-restore-android-device says "A point to note here is that your SD Card data is not backed up."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The backup will be in either location. Some phones put it on the sd card. I just recently got a Nexus and found out it was backed up to data/media/clcockworkmod/backup. To get to that location, you need a root browser. I use Root Explorer and love it. Once you get one, you can go to the root directory of your phone and start going into each folder data/media/clockworkmod/backup.
/data/media/ is the same as /sdcard/
You must backup your own sdcard. Adb push /data/media to a computer
Hi there,
I'm currently using Scott's stock ROM(rooted) and I noticed that performing factory reset via main menu or wiping via TWRP doesn't actually do anything. I tried it a few times but it still leaves pictures and app folders in the tablet. I also tried formatting data & internal storage but it bricked my tablet so I had to learn a few new things the hard way.
Am I just doing it wrong? Factory reset on my Note 2 worked just fine.
I'd appreciate any comments. Thank you!
Code:
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot erase cache
k26 said:
Hi there,
I'm currently using Scott's stock ROM(rooted) and I noticed that performing factory reset via main menu or wiping via TWRP doesn't actually do anything. I tried it a few times but it still leaves pictures and app folders in the tablet. I also tried formatting data & internal storage but it bricked my tablet so I had to learn a few new things the hard way.
Am I just doing it wrong? Factory reset on my Note 2 worked just fine.
I'd appreciate any comments. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory reset doesn't erase contents of the "virtual" sdcard (ie /data/media)
You need to erase that separately yourself, either through file manager, custom recovery, or fastboot.
Thanks for the comments!
Everything is looking good now
Performing a Hard Reset on your device is simple as pie. The difference between a Factory Reset and a Hard Reset is:
Factory Reset
The 'lighter' of the two reset options. It can be done either in settings or via recovery menu. It wipes all user data and firmware settings but leaves the contents of your internal SD Card intact.
Hard Reset
Restores a smartphone to its basic factory settings, which erases all applications that were installed by the user as well as all user data. Hard Reset wipes everything including the contents of your internal SD Card. Whatever firmware you last flashed will be the firmware you get back, but everything else will be wiped.
Clear? Ok, let's proceed with the Hard Reset for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
Turn your phone off.
With the phone off, press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key. You'll see the Android recovery screen.
Scroll to Wipe Data/Factory Reset using the Volume Up or Down keys. Select with the power key.
Scroll down to Yes, Delete User Data and select it.
Back on the first screen, scroll down to Wipe Cache Partition and select it.
Your factory reset is now complete.
Go to Reboot System Now to restart the phone.
Let us know if you have any questions or problems.
zoya1 said:
Performing a Hard Reset on your device is simple as pie. The difference between a Factory Reset and a Hard Reset is:
Factory Reset
The 'lighter' of the two reset options. It can be done either in settings or via recovery menu. It wipes all user data and firmware settings but leaves the contents of your internal SD Card intact.
Hard Reset
Restores a smartphone to its basic factory settings, which erases all applications that were installed by the user as well as all user data. Hard Reset wipes everything including the contents of your internal SD Card. Whatever firmware you last flashed will be the firmware you get back, but everything else will be wiped.
Clear? Ok, let's proceed with the Hard Reset for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
Turn your phone off.
With the phone off, press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key. You'll see the Android recovery screen.
Scroll to Wipe Data/Factory Reset using the Volume Up or Down keys. Select with the power key.
Scroll down to Yes, Delete User Data and select it.
Back on the first screen, scroll down to Wipe Cache Partition and select it.
Your factory reset is now complete.
Go to Reboot System Now to restart the phone.
Let us know if you have any questions or problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well not to rain on your parade but they are one and the same. Also most users here have a custom recovery which replaces what you are saying. Volume up + home + power gets you into recovery menu which almost everyone here has a custom version (philz, clockwork mod, or twrp) making your directions useless.
Not that I am trying to knock what you are saying. Only that I am stating both things you state are one and the same. Also very few if any are using a stock recovery.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
So after tinkering around with the AFTV (mounting external usb as internal, etc) , i decided to start fresh. I did a factory reset, but noticed that there's stuff that's still around. for example, I noticed there's an /emulated/legacy folder with some old stuff like my XBMC folders even though after the factory reset I installed SPMC. Also when I installed the ikonoTV app again, it already had the XBMC icon switched in still. Is it correct that the factory reset just wipes a certain portion and leaves others (the "SDcard" portion of the AFTV)? If so, how do i fully go fresh start with everything wiped?
Thanks
Boot into clockwork recovery, wipe /data and /system and reflash the pre rooted software version you want. It will even make you watch the welcome video again. Make sure you have updates blocked on router because com.Amazon.dcp will not be disabled until you disable it again.
Thanks! I guess I need to wipe /system as well then.
Router is blocking the updates so should be good.
barrist said:
Thanks! I guess I need to wipe /system as well then.
Router is blocking the updates so should be good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory reset will not FORMAT /data, but just delete everything but /data/media, which is /sdcard. There is a separate option for wiping /data & /data/media. If you wipe /system you must be extra careful you NEVER attempt to reboot before reflashing something onto it.
Do you think it's useful to wipe the system or should wiping data media be enough for a fresh start ?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
barrist said:
Do you think it's useful to wipe the system or should wiping data media be enough for a fresh start ?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you didn't change /system, there is no point in touching it. But like I said, if you do, make absolute sure to reflash something.
I got a bit of a problem here.
I extracted two .obb folders with FolderMount to my usb drive and then set my aftv (running your pre-rooted 51.1.4.0_514006420) back to factory settings + did wipe cache, data and dalvik in recovery.
all runs fine except I can not enter the usb drive.
stickmount shows it is mounting "sdcard/usbStorage/sda1" but I can not access it, neither in ESFile explorer nor FolderMount.
sdcard/usbStorage/sda1 is showing the two empty .obb folders and I can not change them.
I just reinstalled 51.1.4.0_514006420 from recovery but saw there is a lot of junk left + the same problem with the usb drive.
how can I safely wipe to a totally clean 51.1.4.0_514006420 ?
best
rbox said:
As long as you didn't change /system, there is no point in touching it. But like I said, if you do, make absolute sure to reflash something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, sorry to jump on this discussion but I think I may well of done this exact process and rebooted before reflashing.
My fire tv will now only boot to the White Amazon logo and won't revert to factory restore at all using the alt-print screen-I method. All I can manage is constant reboots.
Any ideas?
Does this mean I have in fact bricked my fire to and there's no way back for me?
Paul