I'm a newb at all of this and this is just a suggestion. One of the things that has stopped me from flashing is the well-known time-consuming process of re-installing programs, settings, tweaks, etc. i imagine after doing it a dozen or so times, it gets faster and easier, but I'm still leery.
What if it were possible to create a package of common and not-so-common programs/tweaks, etc. that could be installed via backup package? It would require at least one volunteer (mostly likely the ROM cooker but it could be anyone). This is how I see it working:
1) Person A installs a new ROM.
2) Using that fresh ROM, Person A would then install demo versions of the most popular commercial apps and also install the most popular freeware titles, tweaks, etc.
3) Person A would then do a backup using Sprite or SPB Backup.
4) Person A would then make that backup, a New ROM Install Pack, available to other users of the identical ROM.
5) Anybody who has installed that same ROM could then simply use that backup to re-install all of the apps and registering the commerical apps with their own serial numbers. They could also simply delete the programs they don't want.
The commercial apps are all demo software so there are no warez or copyright issues involved.
Yes, it would be time-consuming for the volunteer and that person could be rewarded with Paypal Praise or simply a very kind thank you. Restoring from a backup takes maybe 10 minutes. Hundreds and thousands of other users could forever be spared the hours and hours of re-installing apps.
What do you all think?
diar,
While that may sound all good the realitity is that it doesn't work out for the better.
First who's to say everyone uses all those apps? What free apps do you use? I use my phone for work so i have ftp, tftp, putty, wifi apps, vpn, mail apps, biz contacts apps, etc. I don't care for the Audio apps or the 10083829 games or whatever.
Second, it makes the ROM too big and slow. And personally the reason some of us move to these roms is to make them smaller and faster.
Also have you actually tried using that sprite backup or and backup feature where you backup form one phone and go to another? Its horrible. sure if you must use it go for it but it is never quiet the same. i've even had problem with that on the same phone.
However your intensions are in the right place and that is why you have apps like pmmbackup to help you with these kind of things. but another thing you can try doing is learning to create cab files to do the things you want. Heck before the network config wizard was put into the roms i created a cab file to configure all my network settings to i would have to enter my AT&T settings, and with the 8525 i had to have a cab for the keyboard settings. Etc.
Check it out this forum has many how tos to get you started and if not live.com is always there for you.
-Other
I haven't tried it myself but i was just browsing the spb website (great stuff!)
The Program 'spb clone' might do what the topic starter hates to do (re-install all the settings and programs)
or am i wrong and is 'spb clone' not working with different roms..?
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/clone/
No experience with clone, but I'm fairly certain that it assumes all the hardware is identical and running the same ROM.
Problem with backup/restore software is each ROM is unique, has slightly different software installed or not. If you do a backup with Voice Command embedded in the ROM but then restore it to a ROM without it, I don't think it works...
Related
Greetings everyone! First off, thank you for a wealth of information on this site as well as the coolest apps and ROMs. I'm glad I came across this site.
I've been trying out different ROMs by different developers. They're all great! I feel like a dude driving a different sports car every week! My question is, how can I create a "disk image" of my current setup? Is there a program for WM6 like PQDI or Norton Ghost?
Thats a good question... this is what we need... than ill test more roms ^^
This part is tricky.
There are two major backup utilities: Sprite and SPB backup.
Trouble is that while they both create a full backup including registry, messages and apps you can not deploy this backup on a different ROM (specially if it is different AKU version or different OS 5 / 6) without serios side effects.
This is because some internal structures (like PIM.VOL) and registry settings are different in these ROMS.
Thats why it is recommended that you backup your contacts, emails and stuff to outlook then sync and reinstall all the apps on the new ROM.
Alternatively, both apps allow you to manually select what is backed up. You can play with that option to only backup "generic" stuff.
Understood.
What I was hoping to find is a utility that takes a snapshot of my current setup and creates one file, or one EXE. It's kinda like swapping hard drives with each having a different OS's. I'd have one "favorite" ROM though (with my personal settings, including keyboard layout, ringtones, contacts, WiFi key info, voice commands, etc) and if I'm done testing someone else's ROM, I can reload that 'favorite' one to continue on with my day, all with one flash.
problem is that many difference between roms also is what registrys are set to what
so if you take that with you some optimezes could be lost
Really?
I've used an old program called PQDI (just like Norton Ghost) and what I'd do is after doing a fresh load of OS on my PC, I'd start to load some of my favorite software like Premiere (I do video editing) and Sonar (I also do music). Then, I create a disk image of my hard drive. Months later, after installing tweaks and stuff, and if for some reason (and this has happened before) I screw up my registry, get a virus, or my PC starts to run slow because of junk that have collected over the months, I'd reload that image and the very next time I turn on my PC, it would have a fresh load of OS with Premiere and Sonar, and nothing else, it's just as if I had bought a new computer.
I was hoping it would be the same on my 8525. There is a feature right now called "Clear Storage" (installed on every WM device) that clears up every things and reloads the ROM. But that erases all the tweaks you've done and starts you off with a fresh load of ROM. :/
Ok, there is one thing you don't seem to be clear on:
On PC stuff you install and OS all can be treated the same because they all reside on an HD and if you can take and image of that you can restore it all whenever you want.
But on devices like the 8525 this is completely different. The ROM on each device is stored and encrypted in a different matter, and needs to be written in a special way so there can be no "generic" tool for ROM flashing. This is also why there are no apps that take complete image of a device (ROM + user apps and data).
Thanks for the clarification. It would have been great if there was, huh? That would make beta testing and reporting much more efficient. Oh well. I'll move on. Thanks again! (Hmm...now what ROM should I try next...)
Hi
I'm wanting to cook a myself a ROM that has everything i will ever need. Is there a way to cook my contacts list into a ROM so when i do a hard reset the contacts are all there?
Sorry if this is a stupid question
I have to ask why you'd really want to. When you edit the contact list, those edits would be lost when you hard reset. You'd have to recook your ROM every time you edited or added a contact. Plus you technically don't have a backup of your contacts should your phone be stolen/lost/destroyed. You are far better off using Outlook so you have a backup. It's not difficult to sync your contacts/tasks/appointments when you hard reset.
Also - FYI...I'm going through the ROM cooking learning curve right now. Alex's tools make everything relatively easy to get started. I evolved by creating packages for literally every piece of software I use. There are two problems with that....like the contacts issue, anytime a piece of software is updated your ROM becomes outdated (assuming you want the most up-to-date version). As such, I am now not cooking in those programs that get updated with any frequency. Also, there are technically two copies of many of the files for the programs you cook. While it really isn't a huge problem, it does negatively impact your storage. As such, I'm spending a lot of time scaling my ROMs back and using more cabs. The best thing I've spent my time learning is creating a cab file with all my personal settings and the programs I always install so I can customize any ROM super fast. FWIW from someone who has been there.
Maybe I am not understanding, but why not just save them to your sim card unless you have that many contacts that it is not possible to save all of them.
perhaps because the sim does only store one number per name?
Its way more comfortable to have one contact with alle the information in it...
A nice backup on sd card does the job well.
You could use this application to make a backup of all you contacts, after flashing use the same program to restore the contacts.....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=299705
Or I don't know call me old fashioned but you could use Outlook to save your contacts.
Well just been reading the Flashers Anonymous thread and started to get the hint that you could back up all of your settings rather than just things like contacts w/ PIMbackup.
What do you use and what does it do?
Thanks.
I use sprite backup 6.5.4. Backs up contacts, registry settings, installed programs, preferences...pretty much everything.
telegraph0000 said:
I use sprite backup 6.5.4. Backs up contacts, registry settings, installed programs, preferences...pretty much everything.
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hello , see the bottom of my signature, Sashimi, its awesome, take the time to see the videos he has, awesome app, it will set up just about everything after a new rom flash.
lupe
sorry, was trying to quote mcspikesky, not telegraph000, my bad
i sync with activesync
stuff on sd don't for obvious reasons require backup
and to get back to the org rom if need be is just flashing
that version rom
If you want to take my advise do NOT NEVER EVER backup any thing else than your PIM because every new ROM WILL have different registry settings and custom chef tweaks!!!
You may backup your username and opera settings using Sashimi and Opera Backup but keep everything else out of you backup.
You may also play with installed programs on the SD card. A lot of them do work just by creating a link into the Windows\Start Up\Programs folder.
For my part I DO have a full backup all the time in case a ROM hard resets and you reinstall it but for new ROM flashes please use only PIM backup. Though SPB Backup for example offers a backup/restore mode to restore "after new ROM flash" it DOES NOT WORK if the new ROM has dramatic changes!
Note:
If you have programs which don't work linked really take a look into the Sashimi installer.
Right...I backup a rom to try out a new one...and if I don't like it, I go back to the previous one and restore. Yes...Sashimi rocks...
*Proud member of XDA's flashers anonymous.
Sashimi is a great way to go; it's a little more flexible than UC in my opinion, and I think it's a good idea to import your settings and install your cabs after you've messed around with the new ROM instead of during customization. That way, you know what cabs to install. I've got a small library of some useful reg settings over here, as well as some settings files and what-not that you can install to back up things (I need to update it one of these days). I've also got a step-by-step that does an ok job of backing up manila settings (it's far from perfect). In the very least, you should back up reg keys that hold registration info for software you've bought, like sk tools or mobile shell. It's easy to find the keys, and you really don't want to waste your time re-entering crap like that every time you flash, do you?
I agree, though, you don't want to do a wholesale import of the entire registry, which is what Sprite backup will do for you. That's just crazy. You want to be as selective as possible. I think that even using something like the rom upgrade backup mode with spb backup is a bad idea. There's a good chance you'll over-write some nice performance tweaks cooked in by the chef with old reg settings that don't work as well. You'll also never really know how well the new rom works, because you won't get to use it with the proper settings.
Is there any good software for backing up email account settings? I hate setting them all up after each rom flash.
Backing up email accounts and settings
I use SPB backup, well worth the money, to back up my PIM data and emails.
Didn't miss a single beat over God knows how many flashes.
I just back up prior flashing, flash, restore, done.
I have both Sprite & PIM running scheduled backups every day - but after a flash only use PIM to restore to prevent the registry complications.
Also have a decent UC setup installing apps, editing the registry for me etc, and have made some cab files (or edited install cabs) to register anything which requires it.
I've found that syncing with activsync before running the PIM restore prevents me getting duplicate contacts / meetings, but this might just be because i have a setting wrong!
Never tried Sashimi, i got UC working, and it does everything i need it to!
@ Maxh - i have an XML file which is called in the UC setup which restores all my e-mail accounts and settings (only leaves the password blank for me). UC isnt easy to get sorted first time, so have some patience, and build it up slowly (mine calls 33 cabs & 16 XML files, so if i change anything, i dont have to re-write the whole thing, just edit out the removed / changed file)
people should realize though that
take
joe have a tmobile branded rom version 1.234 that his device came with
joe upgrades to custom blabla rom version 1.567 don't like it and want to go back
joe will not get more back by flashing a backup he made himself of the 1.234 rom
then he will be just flashing the rom 1.234 he can download at tmobile
a rom is a rom and it makes no difference if it was the very bits originally stored on his device
then a rom from the site as long as version and branding is the same
After two weeks... and several soft resents and only two hard resets... I now have everything set up and working well and smooth on my TP2 (Sprint). All my email, preferences and setting are exactly what I want themn to be.
My question is. What is the best way to back ALL of this up. Is there a programs that can save this 'state' and created a sort of restore point; so that is everything goes kablooey, I can get the device back to this exact state easily? Freeware preferable, but not a must.
I know I am noob, but I am trying to learn so thanks. It was a long time coming and WinMo 6.1 is a so different to me that the Palm system I was using until now.
Please let me know... It is greatly appreciated.
Matt
As far as I know, you have 5 options
1) PIM Backup - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=299705
FREE
Really good at backing up ALL your text messages, contacts, appointments, etc. It can run automatically if desired. I've had issues when trying to restore emails and email accounts to my phone, but those aren't that hard to setup without it.
2)Microsoft MyPhone - http://sn1-p3.myphone.microsoft.com/mkweb/Start.po
FREE
Service works well. It backs up your info (Text, contacts, appointments, email) to the "cloud". It will even backup your files too, like photos and songs. You can also have this run on a schedule as well. Also has tools to locate your phone if you lose it (GPS location, make your phone rings even if it's on silent) but you gotta pay for them.
3) Flexilis Mobile - https://beta.flexilis.com/
FREE
Same as Microsoft MyPhone, but it's all free. They're still working on the GPS location function for the TP2, however their "scream" function is pretty cool, even works of the phone is set to silent too.
EDIT: forgot to mention, I wouldn't advise setting up the firewall on this program, I've had issues when trying to connect to ANY wifi spot (even my home's) when the firewall is on.
4)SPB Backup - http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/?en
$24.95
Haven't actually tried this one but from the looks of it, it can backup "System Data" which I think means system preferences.
5) Resco Backup - http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/backup/
$19.99
Looks like it will backup EVERYTHING, the new version will also upload your backup to the FTP server of your choice. Haven't tried this one yet either
Also I know there is a program floating around the Rhodium forums that will re-installed ALL your programs. I forgot the link though.
I use MS MyPhone and SPB Backup... SPB is pretty easy to use, but so is MyPhone, but with MyPhone there have been some glitches in the past (which I experianced, like the contact restore issue) but those seem to be resolved now at least ( I know I havent had the issue again since getting the new version). SPB costs money, MyPhone does not. Both are simple, and easy to use. I would suggest trying them all, find the one you like best and stick with it.
I use SunnySoft BackupManager 4.x.
This software will restore you to whatever point in time it was when you did the backup. This software can be customized to backup the whole device or just parts of it.
I tried SPB on previous winmo phones and did not like it.
I also have had no issues with getting the software from 1 phone to the other. All it took was an email with my new phones key sent to them to get a new code for the new phone.
+1 for SPB its worth the money backs up and saves everything.
Sprite Backup isn't bad. Used it a lot on my MotoQ9c with no issues.
huntm856 said:
Sprite Backup isn't bad. Used it a lot on my MotoQ9c with no issues.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, just make sure you use the same version for restore as you did while backing up. Tried to restore my roommates palm treo (a couple years ago) and the program didn't want to because it said that the version I backed up with was to old.
+1 on SPB Backup. And when they say it backs up everything, they mean everything. Data, apps, the works. Great program and well worth the money IMHO.
I've tried Sprite Backup but it gave me problems. I tried doing a backup, reflashed my ROM, and when I tried to restore the file wouldn't work. All my data was gone. So -10 for Sprite Backup.
Sprite works for me
I've used Sprite on my Wizard and on my Fuze/Raphael.
This is the copy I'm using now, copied from my Fuze, and it is working fine:
http://www.mediafire.com/?jnxk4wzojh3
One thing you might find is that it usually works best to restore to a device that is factory fresh, i.e. hard reset to factory specs, or to your base ROM whatever that is. If you have a stock ROM you may get an error when you try to run the restore file directly.
I keep a copy of the Sprite Backup.CAB on my storage card, and load it after the hard reset, then use it to open the backup file.
If you have a cooked ROM you probably can just run the exe backup file.
colorado_al said:
If you have a cooked ROM you probably can just run the exe backup file.
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Click to collapse
I am think about this... but I have not the first clue on how to flash a new ROM, where to find one that is right... is there a faq on this whole process.
I just want a nice stable system...
My vote is with SPB backup.
It makes backups on schedule, I do one every day, then automatically copies the backups to my desktop when I connect it by activesync.
Smooth, reliable, I've restored 1/2 a dozen times without a problem.
Worth the money.
Can someone please help me, when i upgrade from 1.48 to 1.66 and then put back the backup with spb backup it removes also the upgrade. But i would like to keep my phone like the way it is now, i meen the icons and theme stuff like that.
second i would like to post my today screen but how do i make a 'photo' of it?
thx
Most people do not recommend to make a full recovery of an old or previous version of any ROM backup to something new. If you do so, you should select the "ROM Upgrade" mode to avoid copying old registry settings.
For personal data, many people use software like "PPC PIM Backup" or Microsoft "MyPhone", and for an automated installation of your preferred tweaks, mods and programs, there are other solutions (such as Sashimi).
For screenshots, you can use different solutions, either via your PC or directly on your phone. Myself, I prefer "MyMobiler", as it does many other things, too. Please use the search function, you will find all you need.