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Ok, so I'm a noob at all this Rooting, Rom'ing, flashing and whatnot. Infact I'm a noob at Smartphones in general. The G2 is my first..
When I did the Clockwork flash of baconbits it asked me to backup, so I did. Is that the same thing as a nandroid backup that everyone talks about with such importance?
Or will I need to get a backup from somewhere? Would someone elses backup even work with my phone?
Yes.
......
lol. Sorry, my title and post are a bit jumbled. What were you saying yes to?
Do I even need a "nandroid" backup? Or is the clockwork backup I made the same thing?
FrenicX said:
lol. Sorry, my title and post are a bit jumbled. What were you saying yes to?
Do I even need a "nandroid" backup? Or is the clockwork backup I made the same thing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe from what you said in the first post, yes it performed a nandroid backup, then flashed the kernal. If you want check in your clockwork folder on sd card and see if theres the backup you made earlier. I recommend putting that onto your pc in a safe place....just in case sd card gets error or somethtnig.
FrenicX said:
Ok, so I'm a noob at all this Rooting, Rom'ing, flashing and whatnot. Infact I'm a noob at Smartphones in general. The G2 is my first..
When I did the Clockwork flash of baconbits it asked me to backup, so I did. Is that the same thing as a nandroid backup that everyone talks about with such importance?
Or will I need to get a backup from somewhere? Would someone elses backup even work with my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, a backup in cm recovery is same as nandroid backup only it does it through the cm recovery as opposed to stock recovery.
There are stock roms with root and some other features provided in the development forum that you can flash using rom manager.
Thanks guys. Now that I've figured that out with your help, I have been having a blast trying all these roms. Next up is Villains stuff.
I just did a CWM backup of my awesome ROM before I flasha new one (like I always does) and noticed it backed up awfully fast.
I just flashed the new 6.0.0.5 touch recovery so I booted back into Android before flashing a new ROM and noticed my backup folder in CWM was 20 megs...
Did my ROM really get backed up with data? Is all the info now in the "blobs" folder?
I am honestly tempted to just reflash the older CWM and do a backup just in case.
Is this normal?
Normal.
Backups are handled VERY differently for CWM now.
From what I understand:
Each file is diffed from the backup you're currently making to any old backups.
If the file was modified...a copy is made for your new backup.
If it wasn't...a reference to the file is made so that it doesn't have to copy said file over...it just says: Yes. File exists...it's here.
This cuts down on the a)
TIME. By a lot.
b)
Size...of incremental backups.
Edit:
This is just how my brain is processing the new CWM's features.
I've read nothing that states how it works...all I know is that YES, the above sizes are normal.
I'm generally pretty close in my assumptions...but I'm not a dev. Just...intuitive.
So if I'm wrong ::: Don't shoot me.
Makes sense.
here goes nothing...
Have done some reading a yesterday about this since I wanted to see if this was worthy of leaving my Old Touch Recovery.
It was worthy because the one feature that caught my eye was that it makes files smaller by compressing and preventing duplicated files in a back up.
This is why the back up is smaller(ish) and faster to back up and restore.
--------------------------------------------------
If I have helped you.... hit that sexy thanks button. ^_^
How can we safely delete old backups? I've read up on how it works, but it's still not clear. If I delete my oldest backup, will it render all the new ones useless because they don't have the duplicated files?
Well the ROM I flashed was fubar, couldn't get past the boot-animation, so I had to ADB enter recovery and did a CWM restore on 6.0.0.5 Touch, seems to work fine.
grantith said:
How can we safely delete old backups? I've read up on how it works, but it's still not clear. If I delete my oldest backup, will it render all the new ones useless because they don't have the duplicated files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a good question. I'm thinking the same thing. If I have backup #1, #2, and #3 (the newest) where #3 is incremental differences from #1 and #2 will backup #3 be trash if I delete backup #1 and #2??
VTENGR said:
This is a good question. I'm thinking the same thing. If I have backup #1, #2, and #3 (the newest) where #3 is incremental differences from #1 and #2 will backup #3 be trash if I delete backup #1 and #2??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You delete the entire CWM folder and do a fresh backup.
Some of you may be thinking "well, how do I delete a backup?".
First, never delete the blobs directory. This would actually delete all your backups by rendering them unusable.
Simply delete the usual backup directory, and the next time you run a backup, all the unused hash files will be automatically delete (a process known as garbage collection). The recovery will show "Freeing space..." while this is happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1757146
"Simple delete the usual backup directory." Unfortunately I don't really get what that means. Any ideas?
grantith said:
How can we safely delete old backups? I've read up on how it works, but it's still not clear. If I delete my oldest backup, will it render all the new ones useless because they don't have the duplicated files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to add, it looks like the app data and such is stored in the blobs folder, so if you delete an old "backup" from backup folder, but keep the blob folder intact, it will still restore fine.
grantith said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1757146
"Simple delete the usual backup directory." Unfortunately I don't really get what that means. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly what I just said above
This jump in recovery version confuses the hell out of me, I honestly don't understand it. I have 9 different rom's backed up on my phone and I want to update them but I've read stories of people having issues restoring old backups. My question is do I need restore to each rom with a version of clockworkmod 5 then flash clockworkmod 6 and back up with clockworkmod 6?
masully84 said:
This jump in recovery version confuses the hell out of me, I honestly don't understand it. I have 9 different rom's backed up on my phone and I want to update them but I've read stories of people having issues restoring old backups. My question is do I need restore to each rom with a version of clockworkmod 5 then flash clockworkmod 6 and back up with clockworkmod 6?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I did.
Not sure if you "have to" but I didn't want to chance it.
orangekid said:
That's what I did.
Not sure if you "have to" but I didn't want to chance it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man, yeah it seems like the safest way to approach it
masully84 said:
Thanks man, yeah it seems like the safest way to approach it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it also sounds like it will conserve a lot of space because it won't double up on app data which matches your other ROMs.
Hey guys, now that we can backup our IMEI (Thanks to peoplearmy and geek!) I feel like flashing roms like a mad man. But before I start I was wondering if theres any differences between the CWM and TWRP? I want to be able to backup my current stock state and flash new roms.
Still new and it's taking a bit of time learning the vast ocean of android modding/development. When I hear people saying backup your stock rom before flashing, does this mean basically backing up the system or EVERYTHING including apps, music, sms etc? Correct me if I'm wrong but backing up with CWM or TWRP basically means just the system recovery kinda backup right? Like the CD's manufacturers give you when you first purchase a laptop.
Okay so if I'm correct on that, it basically means that if I were to flash a new rom or revert back to my stock rom. I'll lose all the files I've added on to the device aside from the factory starter apps/settings right? If this is the case than I would have to use QCOM Toolkit by mskip or titanium backup to backup all my apps (while i would have to manually backup photos,sms,music,videos etc through just normal USB?) or does our files get transferred over as well? I doubt that since it's basically a new "OS" right?
lol it's pretty cool learning all these new ideas as it'll be beneficial to everyone and myself on how to fully use the android phones. Now say if I want to switch roms with ease, is there such feature?
Last but not least, can all this be done with just the internal memory? I currently don't have any micro sd cards and waiting for the price drop on the 64gb sandisk because I have a huge playlist of FLAC files to add (living in Canada sometimes suck... all the good deals especially free shipping is in the usa lol..)
Thanks again xda-community
Intercrew said:
Hey guys, now that we can backup our IMEI (Thanks to peoplearmy and geek!) I feel like flashing roms like a mad man. But before I start I was wondering if theres any differences between the CWM and TWRP? I want to be able to backup my current stock state and flash new roms.
Still new and it's taking a bit of time learning the vast ocean of android modding/development. When I hear people saying backup your stock rom before flashing, does this mean basically backing up the system or EVERYTHING including apps, music, sms etc? Correct me if I'm wrong but backing up with CWM or TWRP basically means just the system recovery kinda backup right? Like the CD's manufacturers give you when you first purchase a laptop.
Okay so if I'm correct on that, it basically means that if I were to flash a new rom or revert back to my stock rom. I'll lose all the files I've added on to the device aside from the factory starter apps/settings right? If this is the case than I would have to use QCOM Toolkit by mskip or titanium backup to backup all my apps (while i would have to manually backup photos,sms,music,videos etc through just normal USB?) or does our files get transferred over as well? I doubt that since it's basically a new "OS" right?
lol it's pretty cool learning all these new ideas as it'll be beneficial to everyone and myself on how to fully use the android phones. Now say if I want to switch roms with ease, is there such feature?
Last but not least, can all this be done with just the internal memory? I currently don't have any micro sd cards and waiting for the price drop on the 64gb sandisk because I have a huge playlist of FLAC files to add (living in Canada sometimes suck... all the good deals especially free shipping is in the usa lol..)
Thanks again xda-community
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The differences in the recoveries that will matter for you, is that you're going to have an SD card in the future, currently only recovery 5.8.4.5 supports SD card in FAT32 format, later version recoveries don't have extSD support, the 5.8.4.5 images and zips are HERE
So after you've followed the root no-trip counter method, which is what is recommended, you can flash a different recovery from that thread, or just download the zip of the one you want, the recovery is inside the zip and can be pushed via ADB... refer to mrRobinson's thread for help with all that, and links to images... It'll need a recovery after getting rooted, might as well put the proper one on then...
Performing a backup is done from recovery, do an nandroid backup, it backs up the present state of your phone, so if you restore to it, it will be exactly like it was, when you backed it up...
No need for the toolkit, use Titanium Backup to backup apps or apps data if you want to restore them on a new ROM, and it's only recommended to back up USER apps and data, nothing system related, it will cause issues... The paid version is highly recommended if you're going to be relying on backups of your apps and such... I personally don't use it...
Without the SD, yea you'll be using internal memory... and it'll fill up quick with nandroids and ROMs... I never made an nandroid for my phone, but im sure its well over a gig in size...
B-Naughty said:
Without the SD, yea you'll be using internal memory... and it'll fill up quick with nandroids and ROMs... I never made an nandroid for my phone, but im sure its well over a gig in size...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct. Its quite a large file. Around 1.6GB
Sent from my GS3
B-Naughty said:
The differences in the recoveries that will matter for you, is that you're going to have an SD card in the future, currently only recovery 5.8.4.5 supports SD card in FAT32 format, later version recoveries don't have extSD support, the 5.8.4.5 images and zips are HERE
So after you've followed the root no-trip counter method, which is what is recommended, you can flash a different recovery from that thread, or just download the zip of the one you want, the recovery is inside the zip and can be pushed via ADB... refer to mrRobinson's thread for help with all that, and links to images... It'll need a recovery after getting rooted, might as well put the proper one on then...
Performing a backup is done from recovery, do an nandroid backup, it backs up the present state of your phone, so if you restore to it, it will be exactly like it was, when you backed it up...
No need for the toolkit, use Titanium Backup to backup apps or apps data if you want to restore them on a new ROM, and it's only recommended to back up USER apps and data, nothing system related, it will cause issues... The paid version is highly recommended if you're going to be relying on backups of your apps and such... I personally don't use it...
Without the SD, yea you'll be using internal memory... and it'll fill up quick with nandroids and ROMs... I never made an nandroid for my phone, but im sure its well over a gig in size...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a specific reason why the toolkit isn't recommended? Wouldn't it be easier to just backup all the stuff to the pc?
Now if I can backup all the nandroid, ROMs, and app&data through to the pc. Then titanium wouldn't be needed and the differences between the TWRP and CWM would be non? And is it okay to have the nandroid and ROM backup on the computer and not the device or sd card, or is it a good idea to keep it on the deivce/sdcard? If thats the case I will go with the link you gave me which is 5.8.4.5 CWM, (not sure the difference between the Touch and just normal, and which one I should downloaded out of the three (I own the Telus which should be equivalent to the AT&T))
Lastly, you mentioned if I wanted a different recovery I would go and flash the one in Robinson's thread (which i did on my last root but un-rooted and went to factory after having some issues with the homescreen). The ones in his thread aren't SD-card compatibility are they? or Are they?
Intercrew said:
Is there a specific reason why the toolkit isn't recommended? Wouldn't it be easier to just backup all the stuff to the pc?
Now if I can backup all the nandroid, ROMs, and app&data through to the pc. Then titanium wouldn't be needed and the differences between the TWRP and CWM would be non? And is it okay to have the nandroid and ROM backup on the computer and not the device or sd card, or is it a good idea to keep it on the deivce/sdcard? If thats the case I will go with the link you gave me which is 5.8.4.5 CWM, (not sure the difference between the Touch and just normal, and which one I should downloaded out of the three (I own the Telus which should be equivalent to the AT&T))
Lastly, you mentioned if I wanted a different recovery I would go and flash the one in Robinson's thread (which i did on my last root but un-rooted and went to factory after having some issues with the homescreen). The ones in his thread aren't SD-card compatibility are they? or Are they?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just follow his steps to get it rooted and install a recovery, his thread is using a 5.8.4.5 version, you'll be fine with the SD card... keep at least one working nandroid on you device... and it's not that toolkit isn't recommended, it's highly useful, but to me thats one extra time you're hooking your phone to computer, doing something... just make sure it isn't backing up / restoring system apps, and only user apps... If you just want to feel safer and stuff, use to toolkit to back up what you'd like, and keep a working nandroid on your phone... It's all user preference, I never back anything up... some people back up everything they possibly can...
B-Naughty said:
Just follow his steps to get it rooted and install a recovery, his thread is using a 5.8.4.5 version, you'll be fine with the SD card... keep at least one working nandroid on you device... and it's not that toolkit isn't recommended, it's highly useful, but to me thats one extra time you're hooking your phone to computer, doing something... just make sure it isn't backing up / restoring system apps, and only user apps... If you just want to feel safer and stuff, use to toolkit to back up what you'd like, and keep a working nandroid on your phone... It's all user preference, I never back anything up... some people back up everything they possibly can...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol okay thanks a lot mate
I just have one last concern is it a good idea to make a nandroid backup while your in a different ROM from stock? Like for example if I downloaded some apps, got new sms, new settings etc and wanted it to maintain even though I switched ROMs or go back to stock, everything would transfer over but the ROM that I was in before (Kyan in this case) would also transfer so stuff like (apps) gallery, google chrome, google music, and other things that were special to the custom ROM?
If this is true, I guess the best thing to do is make a backup before switching ROM's than make separate backups of all the apps+data, sms etc before switching to either a stock or another custom ROM?
Intercrew said:
I just have one last concern is it a good idea to make a nandroid backup while your in a different ROM from stock? Like for example if I downloaded some apps, got new sms, new settings etc and wanted it to maintain even though I switched ROMs or go back to stock, everything would transfer over but the ROM that I was in before (Kyan in this case) would also transfer so stuff like (apps) gallery, google chrome, google music, and other things that were special to the custom ROM?
If this is true, I guess the best thing to do is make a backup before switching ROM's than make separate backups of all the apps+data, sms etc before switching to either a stock or another custom ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All ROM devs recommend that you make an nandroid before flashing their ROM just in case you need it... Most people made one on stock, and everytime before they flash something else... Like I said, I never make one, if I have issues I'll fix it some other way... and the backup will restore EVERYTHING back to exactly as it was when you made it... which is also why you don't need to backup apps with toolkit, etc... just make nandroids, and use TiBu for other stuff...
B-Naughty said:
All ROM devs recommend that you make an nandroid before flashing their ROM just in case you need it... Most people made one on stock, and everytime before they flash something else... Like I said, I never make one, if I have issues I'll fix it some other way... and the backup will restore EVERYTHING back to exactly as it was when you made it... which is also why you don't need to backup apps with toolkit, etc... just make nandroids, and use TiBu for other stuff...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know that, but what I mean is, is it okay to make a nandroid backup while your on a different ROM, and once you switch ROM is it safe to restore the nandroid you made backup of while in a different ROM?
Cause like you said and other the nandroid backups EVERYTHING to exactly how it was before. So that means the stuff that weren't or were in different ROMS will appear/disappear in the other ROM's I'm using?
EDIT: I'm just curious weather or not if I have to reinstall all the new apps i've downloaded and sms backup while in a different ROM to prepare myself for the reset on the new ROM
Intercrew said:
Yes I know that, but what I mean is, is it okay to make a nandroid backup while your on a different ROM, and once you switch ROM is it safe to restore the nandroid you made backup of while in a different ROM?
Cause like you said and other the nandroid backups EVERYTHING to exactly how it was before. So that means the stuff that weren't or were in different ROMS will appear/disappear in the other ROM's I'm using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No don't restore the nandroid unless you want to go back, or something has gone wrong and you have to... If you want to backup your apps and app data use Titanium Backup...
B-Naughty said:
No don't restore the nandroid unless you want to go back, or something has gone wrong and you have to... If you want to backup your apps and app data use Titanium Backup...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you lol
I just wanted to chime in and say thanks for the educational read. It's nice to see well articulated thoughts exchanged (with correct spelling might I add).
Cheers
Be careful as telus is NOT exactly the same as at&t. I'm rogers and although yes we have to use the at&t forum 747 and our 747m phones do have a few key differences so be careful. The cwm recovery is actually an older version that works for us as we can't install the newest version. And our modem or broadband is DIFFETENT then at&T's so that has to be remembered when flashing roms and mod'ing. Just some advise to remember with our Canadian variants.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium
pchemerys said:
Be careful as telus is NOT exactly the same as at&t. I'm rogers and although yes we have to use the at&t forum 747 and our 747m phones do have a few key differences so be careful. The cwm recovery is actually an older version that works for us as we can't install the newest version. And our modem or broadband is DIFFETENT then at&T's so that has to be remembered when flashing roms and mod'ing. Just some advise to remember with our Canadian variants.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow... I undertsood what you were saying... but then i dismissed it as drunken typing with nothing that makes sense... I understood you..
CWM 5.8.4.5 supports extSD
Modem doesn't have to be changed, so it has nothing to do with it...
Just out of curiousity for those using CWM:
Does your nandroid backup have incorrect date stamps?
Mine says my phone was backup in the 1970s
Sort if this is a dumb question but why cant we use the newest version?
Sent from my A501
twanskys204 said:
Sort if this is a dumb question but why cant we use the newest version?
Sent from my A501
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use newest version if you want, but only 5.8.4.5 supports extSD :good:
B-Naughty said:
You can use newest version if you want, but only 5.8.4.5 supports extSD :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are u sure the newest cwm works on the 747m variant? I was informed ( on several posts) that it doesn't and will cause problems and a few have posted them. Keep in mind this is the Canadian version not at&t. Even in the root sticky for this747m device it talks about this and why it gives the install instructions for the earlier version for our devices. Sure I could be wrong but there is plenty on this site to support what I'm saying.
---------- Post added at 05:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:31 AM ----------
B-Naughty said:
Wow... I undertsood what you were saying... but then i dismissed it as drunken typing with nothing that makes sense... I understood you..
CWM 5.8.4.5 supports extSD
Modem doesn't have to be changed, so it has nothing to do with it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol..I now get why u were saying this...I apologize cuz I just realized that i was talking about the modems in this thread and that was an accident...when I was replying here I had a lot of reply windows open and got mixed up..(I'm not a drinker btw so no drunken typing btw) ..but just as a very general point it still applies..be careful with "some at&t roms" as there are some differences that could cause issues...that's all..but as for cwm rec..its all good and I will have to look into this again about the latest versions because I was under the impression from some here that it is not advised...maybe wrongly. Thanks and I'll check it out.
pchemerys said:
Are u sure the newest cwm works on the 747m variant? I was informed ( on several posts) that it doesn't and will cause problems and a few have posted them. Keep in mind this is the Canadian version not at&t. Even in the root sticky for this747m device it talks about this and why it gives the install instructions for the earlier version for our devices. Sure I could be wrong but there is plenty on this site to support what I'm saying.
---------- Post added at 05:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:31 AM ----------
Lol..I now get why u were saying this...I apologize cuz I just realized that i was talking about the modems in this thread and that was an accident...when I was replying here I had a lot of reply windows open and got mixed up..(I'm not a drinker btw so no drunken typing btw) ..but just as a very general point it still applies..be careful with "some at&t roms" as there are some differences that could cause issues...that's all..but as for cwm rec..its all good and I will have to look into this again about the latest versions because I was under the impression from some here that it is not advised...maybe wrongly. Thanks and I'll check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I can't confirm whether it will work flawlessly like on an AT&T phone, or will it produce assert errors, because I don't have a Canadian variant... and mostly because I don't come into the Q/A forum very often, and read the threads... I'll just check to see if it's swamped the I'll help out...but the fact still remains that only 5.8.4.5 supports extSD.... Try one of these CWM recoveries, flash it in your current recovery... Worst that will happen is that you'll be changing recoveries again, if it throws script / assert errors...
Possibly someone with an I747M can chime in about which 5.8.4.5 to use for extSD support...
Hello again.
Since I am under 10 posts and not allowed to participate in the relevant thread plus searching didn't yield any results I am posting here.
After one month of using my nexus I want to play with it and try some custom things that all people talk so much about.Fact is I first want to backup current state where everything works fine in case something goes wrong.
I 've already backed up my apps and their data with Titanium Backup.
Now I need current OS state bootloader, etc.Am I right to believe this is the NANDROID backup? Is this the backup that can bring the phone back to its current state?
Second thing is that the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit v7.8.0 I am using recommends backing up the EFS partition.Did some research that revealed this hidden partition is about the IMEI - I can't understand how such a valuable data isn't hardcoded inside the phone.But nevertheless I would like to know where are those backups (NANDROID and ESF partition) stored (already checked backups folder in toolkit).
My phone's current state is: unlocked bootloader, CWM recovery, rooted and on stock 4.1.1.No mods or any other custom file.
Another question regarding the CWM recovery.How is it possible to go back to the stock recovery? By flashing the stock ROM?
Also from GN Toolkit I flashed CWM Touch but after trying an update through CWM ROM Manager I got the manual version (both 6.0.1).Can I reflash the touch version from Toolkit?
Sorry if some of those questions sound silly but I am new in Android and prefer the safe path.
Thank you in advance.
TR-909 said:
Hello again.
Since I am under 10 posts and not allowed to participate in the relevant thread plus searching didn't yield any results I am posting here.
After one month of using my nexus I want to play with it and try some custom things that all people talk so much about.Fact is I first want to backup current state where everything works fine in case something goes wrong.
I 've already backed up my apps and their data with Titanium Backup.
Now I need current OS state bootloader, etc.Am I right to believe this is the NANDROID backup? Is this the backup that can bring the phone back to its current state?
Second thing is that the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit v7.8.0 I am using recommends backing up the EFS partition.Did some research that revealed this hidden partition is about the IMEI - I can't understand how such a valuable data isn't hardcoded inside the phone.But nevertheless I would like to know where are those backups (NANDROID and ESF partition) stored (already checked backups folder in toolkit).
My phone's current state is: unlocked bootloader, CWM recovery, rooted and on stock 4.1.1.No mods or any other custom file.
Another question regarding the CWM recovery.How is it possible to go back to the stock recovery? By flashing the stock ROM?
Also from GN Toolkit I flashed CWM Touch but after trying an update through CWM ROM Manager I got the manual version (both 6.0.1).Can I reflash the touch version from Toolkit?
Sorry if some of those questions sound silly but I am new in Android and prefer the safe path.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
toolkit is not a safe path for you.
read these:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1812959
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1529058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351
learn how to troubleshoot and search, you'll be a whole lot happier. don't use toolkits.
TR-909 said:
Now I need current OS state bootloader, etc.Am I right to believe this is the NANDROID backup? Is this the backup that can bring the phone back to its current state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nandroid doesn't backup the bootloader. if you ever need to go back to a specific bootloader version (which you won't), it is available online.
bk201doesntexist said:
toolkit is not a safe path for you.
read these:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1812959
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1529058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351
learn how to troubleshoot and search, you'll be a whole lot happier. don't use toolkits.
nandroid doesn't backup the bootloader. if you ever need to go back to a specific bootloader version (which you won't), it is available online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a lot of reading.
Anyway thanks for pointing me to those threads (I don't mind reading hehe) but still I don't understand why toolkit is so bad.In my view the toolkit just automates a set of commands which otherwise I would have to give through a command prompt.Only good thing I can find avoiding a toolkit, is getting a deeper knowledge on the subject but maybe the risks of doing something wrong are increased (say a typo)?
Anyway let me read those and I may be back.
TR-909 said:
That's a lot of reading.
Anyway thanks for pointing me to those threads (I don't mind reading hehe) but still I don't understand why toolkit is so bad.In my view the toolkit just automates a set of commands which otherwise I would have to give through a command prompt.Only good thing I can find avoiding a toolkit, is getting a deeper knowledge on the subject but maybe the risks of doing something wrong are increased (say a typo)?
Anyway let me read those and I may be back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Toolkit is a automated set of other people's command, programme are coded by humans and human errors are bound to happen, not to mention if something went wrong somewhere, you won't know what went wrong. By doing the steps yourself, you will know exactly what went wrong, and it will simplify things should you have to ask questions here, which you most likely don't have to once you know how to use adb and fastboot, trust me.
Typos while doing your commands won't hurt because it simply will fail and not do anything. Immediately you will know you typed something incorrectly and know you have to do it again. With the kit you will not know at which step it failed so figuring out something will become a task. Doing it yourself sounds like it's longer and difficult but once you do it you will see how easy and simple it is plus you will understand what you did and why.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
TR-909 said:
[snip]
Now I need current OS state bootloader, etc.Am I right to believe this is the NANDROID backup? Is this the backup that can bring the phone back to its current state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and yes.
TR-909 said:
Second thing is that the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit v7.8.0 I am using recommends backing up the EFS partition.Did some research that revealed this hidden partition is about the IMEI - I can't understand how such a valuable data isn't hardcoded inside the phone.But nevertheless I would like to know where are those backups (NANDROID and ESF partition) stored (already checked backups folder in toolkit).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I won't comment on the toolkit, but nandroid backups are stored in /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup/ on your device.
As for the efs partition, you could back it up, but I don't really see what the necessity of it is. That partition is never written to by any ROM (stock or otherwise), so the only way it will get messed up is if you do something to it.
If you want to back it up on your device, just open a terminal window and type:
su
dd if=/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/efs of=/sdcard/efs.img
That will store it in /sdcard, and then just copy it off your device.
TR-909 said:
Another question regarding the CWM recovery.How is it possible to go back to the stock recovery? By flashing the stock ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just pull the recovery.img file out of the version of the stock factory image that you are currently using, place it in the same directory where you have your fastboot.exe file, reboot your device into fastboot mode and type:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Or, just save it to /sdcard on your device and type the following in a terminal:
su
dd if=/sdcard/recovery.img of=/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/recovery
TR-909 said:
Also from GN Toolkit I flashed CWM Touch but after trying an update through CWM ROM Manager I got the manual version (both 6.0.1).Can I reflash the touch version from Toolkit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't help you out with any toolkit, sorry.
Hello efrant.
Seems you are the n00bs hero in here! I was reading your FAQ and threw some basic ADB commands through cmd to see how it feels ,lol.
Well reading made some good, I backed up through CWM but the backup size baffles me - only 21.4MB in total.Is this normal?
Also took a fresh backup with Titanium for all apps and data - this is a lot bigger 728MB in total.Still Storage (in Settings) reports that applications and their data hold 3.54GB.Is there some kind of ultra compression involved?
As for the stock bootloader I found that image (recovery-stock-jro03c-maguro) which I think is for my GN (GSM).I am asking in case something bad happens and go for a warranty claim.In that case I believe I 'll need to flash the stock bootloader, stock ROM and finally lock the bootloader.
As for the EFS partition is it impossible to be harmed? Say File System corruption, sdcard bad blocks, etc?
It's ok.I clearly understand your position on the toolkit and any similar programms out there.It's just they are so "convenient" and "time savers".Still you 're all right that most of the time you do not understand what you are doing when using toolkits.
Thanks to all of you for your great help. :good:
PS - to test my progress I am going to flash stock recovery through flashboot.I just hope I won't mess it up. :fingers-crossed:
To clear a few things:
TR-909 said:
As for the stock bootloader I found that image (recovery-stock-jro03c-maguro) which I think is for my GN (GSM).I am asking in case something bad happens and go for a warranty claim.In that case I believe I 'll need to flash the stock bootloader, stock ROM and finally lock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
we don't have any custom bootloaders, as of yet.
TR-909 said:
As for the EFS partition is it impossible to be harmed? Say File System corruption, sdcard bad blocks, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not impossible, but many many users never had any issues. to be on the safe side, back it up.
TR-909 said:
It's ok.I clearly understand your position on the toolkit and any similar programms out there.It's just they are so "convenient" and "time savers".Still you 're all right that most of the time you do not understand what you are doing when using toolkits.
Thanks to all of you for your great help. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad you understand. just because something is convenient doesn't mean that it's the best for you.
TR-909 said:
PS - to test my progress I am going to flash stock recovery through flashboot.I just hope I won't mess it up. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
easy. you can't fail with fastboot. like said before, if you type it wrong, it won't go through. :good:
'fastboot flash recovery recovery.img'
done.
Regarding the nandroid, copy off the whole clockworkmod folder.
Will the next nexus have a longer screen?
@bk201doesntexist: yes you 're right I was reffering to the stock recovery image.Thanks for correcting me
@Mach3.2: I 've read just the backup folder is needed (the one with the date and time).
For the sake of learning, I started in ADB then:
adb devices : to check I am online
adb reboot-bootloader: to get into fastboot
fastboot devices: check again status
and then
fastboot recovery recovery-CWM-touch-6.0.1-maguro
blah...
blah...
blah...
Finished and voila CWM touch recovery installed. :victory:
I am going to try with stock recovery but I am trying to find an official source to download it (if any).
EDIT: I see the only way to find the original recovery img is to extract it from the official ROM.So I am downloading from Google a .tgz and will continue from there.
Any comments for my backup sizes?
Now with my backups in hand what is the possible way to verify them? In theory with nandroid (from CWM recovery) and Titanium, I can restore phone in today's state.Right or wrong?
I am thinking of going a bit further flashing the stock ROM again (wiping everything) and then recovering from the backup archives as my next learning exercise.I should obviously backup photos, music, etc but I was wondering if SMS history is taken care by Nandroid or have to use a seperate application.Contacts are in google's server so np on that.
Thanks again.
TR-909 said:
[snip]
Well reading made some good, I backed up through CWM but the backup size baffles me - only 21.4MB in total.Is this normal?
Also took a fresh backup with Titanium for all apps and data - this is a lot bigger 728MB in total.Still Storage (in Settings) reports that applications and their data hold 3.54GB.Is there some kind of ultra compression involved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using the 6-series CWM, it does backups a little differently (incrementally), and stores the backup in two locations in /sdcard/clockworkmod. I personally use 5.5.0.2, which does a full backup and stores it in one location.
TR-909 said:
As for the stock bootloader I found that image (recovery-stock-jro03c-maguro) which I think is for my GN (GSM).I am asking in case something bad happens and go for a warranty claim.In that case I believe I 'll need to flash the stock bootloader, stock ROM and finally lock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As was mentioned above, all bootloaders available are stock bootloaders. A list can be found in the bootloader thread (link in my signature).
TR-909 said:
As for the EFS partition is it impossible to be harmed? Say File System corruption, sdcard bad blocks, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if you have bad blocks in the efs partition, you would probably need to get a new device, at which point you have no need for the backup, no? But I guess yes, better safe than sorry.
TR-909 said:
In theory with nandroid (from CWM recovery) and Titanium, I can restore phone in today's state.Right or wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With a nandroid alone you can return to today's state.
TR-909 said:
I am thinking of going a bit further flashing the stock ROM again (wiping everything) and then recovering from the backup archives as my next learning exercise.I should obviously backup photos, music, etc but I was wondering if SMS history is taken care by Nandroid or have to use a seperate application.Contacts are in google's server so np on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wiping from CWM does not wipe the data you have on /sdcard, so no need to backup photos, music, etc.
SMS will get wiped, but both Titanium and a nandroid will back them up. However, you can use a third-party app (there are many of them) to do it as well, which is simpler actually.
TR-909 said:
@bk201doesntexist: yes you 're right I was reffering to the stock recovery image.Thanks for correcting me
@Mach3.2: I 've read just the backup folder is needed (the one with the date and time).
For the sake of learning, I started in ADB then:
adb devices : to check I am online
adb reboot-bootloader: to get into fastboot
fastboot devices: check again status
and then
fastboot recovery recovery-CWM-touch-6.0.1-maguro
blah...
blah...
blah...
Finished and voila CWM touch recovery installed. :victory:
I am going to try with stock recovery but I am trying to find an official source to download it (if any).
EDIT: I see the only way to find the original recovery img is to extract it from the official ROM.So I am downloading from Google a .tgz and will continue from there.
Any comments for my backup sizes?
Now with my backups in hand what is the possible way to verify them? In theory with nandroid (from CWM recovery) and Titanium, I can restore phone in today's state.Right or wrong?
I am thinking of going a bit further flashing the stock ROM again (wiping everything) and then recovering from the backup archives as my next learning exercise.I should obviously backup photos, music, etc but I was wondering if SMS history is taken care by Nandroid or have to use a seperate application.Contacts are in google's server so np on that.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The backup is just a shell, it's backed up in blobs, so you will need to copy the whole thing off.
You 're both right that in that the CWM recovery "image" is incremental and the base backup is the blops folder - now the total size is 1.75GB which is logical.
@efrant: thanks for clarifying on backup now it all starts making sense.I 've read Titanium Backup can pull individual files (may I call it selective restore) from a Nandroid backup, say a single app and its data.If that is so then the Titanium Backup could be used as a reserve app and that could save me some precious space.
efrant said:
SMS will get wiped, but both Titanium and a nandroid will back them up. However, you can use a third-party app (there are many of them) to do it as well, which is simpler actually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer to use less apps for doing the job so if Nandroid has the data it is fine with me.I hope it isn't that complicated to pull the data out.
@Mach3.2: You were right, my bad.The article I read was about CWM recovery 5.5.0.2 so now I copied the whole thing on PC. :good:
TR-909 said:
[snip]
I prefer to use less apps for doing the job so if Nandroid has the data it is fine with me.I hope it isn't that complicated to pull the data out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue is that SMS's are stored as data for a specific system app (I can't remember which one at the moment). If you change ROMs, it is generally not a good idea to restore system apps or system app data via Titanium Backup, as those apps/data could cause some instability. You may get lucky, you may not.
efrant said:
The issue is that SMS's are stored as data for a specific system app (I can't remember which one at the moment). If you change ROMs, it is generally not a good idea to restore system apps or system app data via Titanium Backup, as those apps/data could cause some instability. You may get lucky, you may not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Point taken.:good:
A bit more on the backup subject...
As I can see CWM recovery backups boot image, recovery image and the /system partition.I also saw in one of efrant's posts about different bootloaders but honestly I fail to comprehend the need for flashing a bootloader.
*In your "convert to latest yakju" post you recommend flashing it "5) Optional (NOT optional for n00bs) -- Flash the bootloader: fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-maguro-primela03.img (or whatever the name of the bootloader image that you downloaded)."
** Also the radio partition is a mystery so far.And I 've read a lot of guys talking of better connectivity (be it GSM, 3G, WiFi) through flashing custom (?) radio images.On list to be explored...
The recovery image is pretty straight and the system partition is the one with the OS - now all this can't be 1.7GB unless it backups the userdata partition too.
EDIT: It seems it also backups the data folder (hence the apps) so the size now makes sense.I reverted to 5.5.0.2 because incremental backup is fast and slick but brings two issues: first the "blops structure" gives me problems when I want to transfer those thousands of files via MTP and second it is much more practical when I want to backup completely different "builds" (that is my guess).
Also in between flashing ROMs a standard procedure is recommended about wiping data, clearing dalvik cache, etc
Could you please give me in details the series of tasks needed (or point me to a thread) for properly preparing a custom ROM installation when unlocked and rooted?
About restoration in the "new enviroment" I read this:
"If your bootloader is unlocked: yes, you can root (if you haven't done it already) and use TiB to backup apps + app data. Installing a ROM will not wipe your /sdcard. It's always a good idea to back it up though before a flash. Use TiB to restore apps + appdata to your new ROM. Be careful with system apps and settings, restoring such data can lead to issues."
Am I right in that "illegal" system apps are those painted with red colour in TiB?
Final steps I am going to backup SMS history and find a custom ROM to install.Any ROM recommendations for a "novice user" are welcome...
Off Topic: what would be the adb commands to push/pull folders (or files) from /sdcard to PC (eg. \sdcard\clockworkmod --> C:/Nexus) .Right now I am doing MTP transfers but would prefer the "adb way" if possible.
Thanks a lot for your support and sharing of knowledge!
PS - So much reading!
Wow, that's a lot of questions for one post! I'll try to tackle some of them.
TR-909 said:
As I can see CWM recovery backups boot image, recovery image and the /system partition.I also saw in one of efrant's posts about different bootloaders but honestly I fail to comprehend the need for flashing a bootloader.
*In your "convert to latest yakju" post you recommend flashing it "5) Optional (NOT optional for n00bs) -- Flash the bootloader: fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-maguro-primela03.img (or whatever the name of the bootloader image that you downloaded)."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think anyone knows what changes are in each new bootloader revision (given that they are closed source), but some have had issues with running Jelly Bean on bootloaders older than LA03. I guess "newer is better" holds true in this case.
TR-909 said:
** Also the radio partition is a mystery so far.And I 've read a lot of guys talking of better connectivity (be it GSM, 3G, WiFi) through flashing custom (?) radio images.On list to be explored...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, no one know what changes are made in each radio revision. I personally have not noticed much difference among a lot of the radios, but others have said otherwise. (And no, there are no "custom" radios. All radios are stock -- just from different versions of Android. (A list of radios can be found in the radio link in my signature.)
TR-909 said:
The recovery image is pretty straight and the system partition is the one with the OS - now all this can't be 1.7GB unless it backups the userdata partition too.
EDIT: It seems it also backups the data folder (hence the apps) so the size now makes sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, it backs up the cache, boot, recovery and system partitions, and everything in /data except /data/media (which is /sdcard).
TR-909 said:
I reverted to 5.5.0.2 because incremental backup is fast and slick but brings two issues: first the "blops structure" gives me problems when I want to transfer those thousands of files via MTP and second it is much more practical when I want to backup completely different "builds" (that is my guess).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also like 5.5.0.2. I found it to be the most compatible, i.e., it has no issues flashing anything (that I have tried anyway), whereas other versions have issues with certain things.
And I personally wouldn't use MTP to transfer files -- it is flaky at best. ADB is much more stable.
TR-909 said:
Also in between flashing ROMs a standard procedure is recommended about wiping data, clearing dalvik cache, etc
Could you please give me in details the series of tasks needed (or point me to a thread) for properly preparing a custom ROM installation when unlocked and rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is not much to do:
1) Download ROM to /sdcard
2) Reboot into recovery
3) Nandroid
4) Wipe /data and /cache
5) Flash ROM
6) Reboot
TR-909 said:
About restoration in the "new enviroment" I read this:
"If your bootloader is unlocked: yes, you can root (if you haven't done it already) and use TiB to backup apps + app data. Installing a ROM will not wipe your /sdcard. It's always a good idea to back it up though before a flash. Use TiB to restore apps + appdata to your new ROM. Be careful with system apps and settings, restoring such data can lead to issues."
Am I right in that "illegal" system apps are those painted with red colour in TiB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so. I haven't use TB in a while, so I just checked and it looks like you are correct -- red.
TR-909 said:
Off Topic: what would be the adb commands to push/pull folders (or files) from /sdcard to PC (eg. \sdcard\clockworkmod --> C:/Nexus) .Right now I am doing MTP transfers but would prefer the "adb way" if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a read of the "basics" link in my signature. ADB is covered there.
Wow that's some great answers and a big motive for me to continue "digging".:good:
I will leave you in peace for the time being as here it's about to dawn.
Big thanks and have a nice day.
PS - To be continued...
There is a article on the main xda site about running a FTP server on your phone, maybe that will transfer the blobs faster than MTP.
Mach3.2 said:
There is a article on the main xda site about running a FTP server on your phone, maybe that will transfer the blobs faster than MTP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mach3.2.
FTP wouldn't help because WLAN (802.11g) can't beat USB 2.0 speeds.In fact it is quite slow for such file sizes.You 're right though in that through ES File Explorer I can send the whole Clockworkmod folder (and the blobs) normally to my PC without the "invisible files" issue I encountered with Windows Explorer and MTP.
Thanks for suggestion!
TR-909 said:
Hey mach3.2.
FTP wouldn't help because WLAN (802.11g) can't beat USB 2.0 speeds.In fact it is quite slow for such file sizes.You 're right though in that through ES File Explorer I can send the whole Clockworkmod folder (and the blobs) normally to my PC without the "invisible files" issue I encountered with Windows Explorer and MTP.
Thanks for suggestion!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With MTP, copying using FTP may just be faster
And just to mention, there's 802.11N on you devices, although it's only single stream w/ 1 antenna..
I'm currently running 4.1.2 on my GN. When I do a CWR backup, it runs really quick, almost too quick when completing the backup. When I go in root explorer to check the size of the backup, it's really small. My questions is that when you do a backup using CWR, does it back up? I thought it would backup the whole device or current ROM right? Am I missing something?
Thanks
Backup feature of latest cwm versions is incremental. Each time you backup, it will backup stuff that was changed after the last one. Seems a bit like git, in a way.
Sent from my i9250
bk201doesntexist said:
Backup feature of latest cwm versions is incremental. Each time you backup, it will backup stuff that was changed after the last one. Seems a bit like git, in a way.
Sent from my i9250
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I just wanted to make sure that if something happened and I needed to restore my ROM, everything would be restored with no problem.