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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-
If i want to not only wipe system, data, cache but the /data/media partition as well before installing a new ROM, what's the least onerous method for restoring all my data after flashing the new ROM? currently all i know to do is backup my data, wipe everything, then restore factory image via adb, then copy zips to the device, flash desired ROM, then copy back data via adb or from dropbox after installing app
Is there an easier way?
titanium backup is the easiest way.
just dont restore system apps.
1. Run a backup in titanium backup
2. Copy the contents of your /data/media partition to your PC via adb or MTP (this should include your TiBu backup)
3. Wipe System, Data, Userdata, and the caches via method of your choice
4. Copy the contents of your /data/media backup back to /data/media via adb
5. Use adb to push a ROM of your choosing to /data/media (assuming you didn't have one in your /data/media backup, and assuming you're not using fastboot to flash a stock image)
6. Flash away (Recovery, if needed, and System via either fastboot or CWM/TWRP)
7. Download TiBu from the Play Store
8. Restore non-system apps/data in TiBu
However, if you're going to make a backup of /data/media and then restore it immediately after wiping it, I have to ask why? It's a time consuming process (transferring gigs via adb is very slow) and would provide no benefit to your device.
Also, if you're going from Android 4.1.x to 4.2.x, make sure your /data/media backup goes back in /data/media/0, or the OS will not see the files as being on your "external" storage.
Zepius said:
titanium backup is the easiest way.
just dont restore system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh im definitely using titaniumbackup to restore apps, but i was mostly referring to restoring the contents of the sdcard
Thanks!
jackbane said:
Oh im definitely using titaniumbackup to restore apps, but i was mostly referring to restoring the contents of the sdcard
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using twrp I wipe cache, davlik, factory reset, and system and my sdcard is untouched. I was told by a dev to also delete the android folder in my sdcard using the twrp file manager.
No need to flash stock image when wiping everything just fast boot flash the rom you want and adb is the best way to restore your sdcard
Cilraaz said:
However, if you're going to make a backup of /data/media and then restore it immediately after wiping it, I have to ask why? It's a time consuming process (transferring gigs via adb is very slow) and would provide no benefit to your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, I know...I have this idea of after flashing many different ROMs and finding my keeper, that I would totally wipe the device and then install a super clean ROM, and start with a virgin /data/media partition, bringing back only what I want. I recognize that this is probably unnecessary and says more about my desire for neatnes than anything else.
But thanks for the detailed instructions. Until now, I have been using the GNex Toolkit downloaded from the sticky in the dev forum to handle all pushes and pulls and adb duties. I thought that to push a file to the device, it had to be in Android mode. This is why I found myself having to flash the stock rom just to copy back the contents of /data/media. It sounds like, from the posts in this thread, that I don't need to, that I should be able to copy the files from fastboot mode? Or do I temporarilty boot into an image to push files, then flash the ROM from TWRP. (I'm using TWRP 2.4.1.0, btw).
If I could avoid installing the factory ROM, just to copy back /data/media/, that's what I'm looking for. Do you know if this is possible using the GNex toolkit?
Thanks again!
you have full ADB access within any custom recovery. toolkits not required.
Zepius said:
titanium backup is the easiest way.
just dont restore system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always wondered about this. Does the stock browser qualify as a system app? Should i not use titanium to restore any of the gapps?
jackbane said:
I always wondered about this. Does the stock browser qualify as a system app? Should i not use titanium to restore any of the gapps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best option for titanium, is to select BATCH, RESTORE MISSING APPS+DATA
Go down the list and deselect anything you DONT want restored. everything else should be OK on that screen.
Also, make sure you have the pro license, otherwise batch jobs are a PITA
There is also an option in the MENU button - BACKUP TO XML
This option allows you to backup call logs, wifi networks, mms/sms, bookmarks separately from the other backups and works 100% going rom to rom.
Everybody is recommending TiBU, and I concur, but OP is talking about all the other contents of the sdcard..
I actually just did this today. I had been on cm10.1 but went back to cm10 for a while, getting the extra /0/ folder and all. I was going to just copy EVERYTHING over to my comp, but ended up just copying a few music folders and a few backup folders. After flashing cm10.1 and gapps, I formatted the sdcard. Now I'm transferring those few folders back. I had a FULL sdcard before, so it feels good to have some space, that is until I think of something I wanted that I didn't copy lol..
i've been breaking my head over this problem for 2 days now, i installed twrp to find out it couldn't make androids because a leftover folder from a deinstalled game prevented it. i tried to remove the folder but failed so i put the phone back to factory settings. now wafter reinstalling everything but the game that prevented it previously it still gives me this error. anyone know how i can get rid of the folder?( see picture)
I cant see how an old folder stops you making backups, it will be an SD card error or a partition error?
You might have to flash back to stock and then bump TWRP again.
As you can read in my op i already tried that also tried rzmoving it with rm -r as su, then i get a I/O error.
How did you restore to stock? The only way to get your desired results is to use cse flash with kdz or use the tot method.
Oh tought it was ok to do it trough pcsuite... Anyway is there a way to solve this trough terminal as well?
Ok so here's an update. I cse flashed a kdz. But the folder is still there, how is thzt even possible?? Any ideas how this can be solved? Could i use twrp to wipe the data partition?
so anyone who knows if i can use tarp to wipe the data partition?
so i had a brain fart when prepping for a new rom install and wiped internal storage. now i have no rom to install and i've already wiped the system.
at this point i have nothing to reboot into right? not sure what to do now. i need to get the rom file back on the tablet obviously but don't want to reboot the device at this point since there's nothing there.
help!
byproxy said:
so i had a brain fart when prepping for a new rom install and wiped internal storage. now i have no rom to install and i've already wiped the system.
at this point i have nothing to reboot into right? not sure what to do now. i need to get the rom file back on the tablet obviously but don't want to reboot the device at this point since there's nothing there.
help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the very least you need to fastboot flash the system image which you extract from inside the factory image. Which is what I would do. Or you can flash the whole factory image using the flash_all.bat file. Either way you will need the sdk installed. If your storage was not wiped you can modify the flash_all batch file by opening it up with notepad and removing the -w from the text which will keep the storage from being wiped when flashing the factory image. I've always used the sdk but you can probably use one of the toolkits like Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit v1.8.9 or One Click Factory Restore. So... you have multiple choices!
I know I saw this process in a recent thread but I've misplaced it. If anyone can point me to it, I would be grateful.
I want to clean flash CM 13 on my OP3.
From what I remember, I'm supposed to store the CM 13 zip file and gapps file in the SD Card folder. Is that truly correct? The OP3 doesn't have an SD Card though I did find a folder.
If I do a factory reset and wipe everything, won't that folder also get wiped? Then how would I install the ROM from the phone?
Sorry, I know this is a straightforward process for many of you, and dirty flashing is easy. But I think a clean flash is better and I'd rather not guess and end up with a bricked phone I have to fuss with.
Again, I know this exact process is in a thread somewhere but I can't find it.
the phone storage is /sdcard/
u can use something like ES File Explorer and create a folder called CM13 or whatever u want
u do have ur bootloader unlocked and twrp installed, correct?
yes u will just the get cm zip file and put it in a folder (ex. /sdcard/CM13/)
i put the gapps in the same folder
create a nandroid backup
wipe/advance wipe - wipe caches/data/system !!!!Do NOT WIPE - INTERNAL STORAGE OR OTG!!!
then flash cm zip and gapps
Hi, thank you. Yes, bootloader unlocked, twrp installed and I've done it in the past on a different phone but couldn't sort out clean flashing from dirty flashing. I've done it correctly in the past, and it's also gone very wrong for me. I think I mistakenly wiped internal storage once and that was a disaster.
Somewhere I've also read about a factory reset through trwp.
I don't need to do that, or wiping caches/data/system is the same thing?
.
digger16309 said:
Hi, thank you. Yes, bootloader unlocked, twrp installed and I've done it in the past on a different phone but couldn't sort out clean flashing from dirty flashing. I've done it correctly in the past, and it's also gone very wrong for me. I think I mistakenly wiped internal storage once and that was a disaster.
Somewhere I've also read about a factory reset through trwp.
I don't need to do that, or wiping caches/data/system is the same thing?
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you wipe internal storage, you will lose the zips for your ROM and GAPPS. You can connect your device and have it recognized on your PC from within TWRP if you do accidentally wipe your internal storage.
Factory reset doesn't wipe the system partition as that would remove your OS. Most Roms will wipe your system partition before it installs itself so generally you don't have to wipe the system partition manually, but it's good practice.
Clean flash = wipe dalvik, cache, data; then install ROM (which will wipe system before it installs, or manually wipe system before the ROM install for good measure).
Dirty flash = flash ROM, then wipe dalvik and cache. The only time you should do this if the ROM you're looking to flash says it can be done (ie. CM nightlies).