Backup file - General Topics

Hi, I recently used the demo of Mobile Backup from pocketgear, unbeknown to me that once I tried to restore, I was ignored from my 14 day trial and told I had to fork up $20 in order to get my **** back (hard reset so all my data was gone), the file is in MBF format, and I've been trying many different ways to get my data back... They pretty much stole the data from me, the trial limitations said NOTHING about not being able to restore. Does anyone know a way to extract this mbf file and I can just restore the crap myself? I'm to the point where I just wanna pirate the damn app, restore my stuff, and never use it again... I don't wanna give my money to these crooks, I'll buy a different backup app...

On the pocketgear website it says the following
"Limitations of the Trial Version
14-day run period
PIM data may not be restored"
Sounds like a warning to me. If your willing to spend it on another backup solution why not just this one? Access sometimes can open this database file but I would make a copy or backup of it before since it does sometimes corrupt it.
I also believe that openoffice might be able to open this database, I haven't tried it myself but you can get some info here I have to warn you though, i would not know what to do once you open the file.

Related

Best Back Up? Question

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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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.

[Q] How to backup?

on my 4th ROM now, comfortable with the process...but i'm still not super clear on the best way to backup.
i use titanium backup, and i have it set to batch twice a week, i go in and manually nandroid backup once a week or so, and i figured out that if i do a backup in LauncherPro (my favorite launcher) that i don't have to re-do all my screens again, just the clock widget. i also backup my bookmarks in Dolphin.
something tells me i have a bunch of unnecessary steps. can you guys streamline my process? or am i failing to understand how to use titanium (i suspect this is the case)?
appreciate any advice.
Sounds pretty good. Are you also copying off your backups to a PC or network share? That's important in case you lose your phone. Set Titanium to backup to Dropbox and do that periodically.
hmmm no i have not been backing up to PC. should i just copy the entire SD card to PC periodically? i did figure out the trick to get TIBU to synch with my dropbox without having to pay for it, though.
Nandroid backups are useless if you are swapping between ROMs, as they are pretty much a snapshot of your entire phone at the time that you create it. If you just want a complete backup of everything exactly the way it is, then this is all you need to do.
For most other purposes, Titanium Backup is all that you will need to use, it WILL backup the layout of your screen when it creates the backup for LauncherPro, so that's a wasted step. It also gives you quite granular control over how your applications are restored (and which ones). One thing to take note of is that things like SMSs and call logs may not be compatible when swapping between certain ROMs and restoring with titanium backup. To get around this, use a dedicated SMS backup utility from the market (there are plenty of free ones) since it saves the SMS and call log in a different format.
When swapping from something like gingerbread to ICS (for example), you may find that some applications WILL NOT work if you try to restore them. There really isn't any way that you can get around this, and it isn't the fault of any of your backup methods.
Also, its probably worth the five or so dollars to buy Titanium Backup, assuming you want to get the most out of your phone. There are a lot of pro only features that are quite powerful.
innocencio said:
hmmm no i have not been backing up to PC. should i just copy the entire SD card to PC periodically? i did figure out the trick to get TIBU to synch with my dropbox without having to pay for it, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd just copy the nandroid backup directory to your PC periodically. The only downside is that the file is pretty big. No need to copy anything else to your PC as long as your syncing Titanium to Dropbox.

[Q] 2 q's on backup or well restoring

Hi there,
Short story, 2 q's:
1) Anyone know where BMA stores it's serial (or whatever you want to call the code it uses to generate it's time based passwords)
2) Anyone know where stock samsung firmware (SGS / Gingerbread) stores the SMS database?
============= Longer story =================
I've upgraded my SGS (Gingerbread) to the ICS ROM. This caused me to loose a lot. Made a nandroid backup (cwm) before proceeding and figured I would be able to get stuff back from it. Well... that's partially correct, could get some apps + settings back, some apps w/o settings and some things not at all.
There's only 2 major things left I really need. My SMS database and battle.net mobile authenticator. The authenticator was restored using appextractor or titanium backup pro. Restoration of the app went fine, but it lost it's key and is thus quite useless as I can't use it to log on.
Is there some hidden place it might store it's serial? If I can't restore it I'll have to go through a procedure to have it removed by Blizzard, which is somewhat cumbersome.
Don't want to restore an entire back-up (ie go back to gingerbread) as several apps have already been re-setup (amongst which my banking app which wasn't restored with it's data either causing me to have to re-subscribe/authenticate it and google authenticator (which btw came by out of backup fine, including it's accounts thus)).
Also am unable to find the SMS database. I have extracted the data.img with unyaffs, but there is no database under the usual com.android.providers.telephony. Samsung probably uses a custom app/location for the database, but haven't been able to find it. Neither titanium backup pro nor appextractor are able to restore the SMS's. Then again, they don't restore wireless either, but since I can just read the wifi/bcm_supp.conf file I don't really care . Just find it strange it doesn't restore whilst the file is that accessible, might be a non-default location as well however...
In case it matters, I run linux >90% of the time. Quite familiar with it, quite new to phones tho' . I do have windows so whatever tools might be required, both OS's are accessible to me.
TIA

[Q] How to backup sms with emoji?

Hi!
I have been searching for this on Google and in the forums, and I cannot find any answers. I see that the most of the sms/mms backup apps are using .XML files, and I read that they do not support emoji and would corrupt the .xml file if I try to restore it.
I have only had to restore sms one time and that time i used go sms pro since I read that they support emoji backup even though they didnt so my 14000 sms got corrupted when I tried to restore, also tried with Titanium without anyluck or maybe I did something wrong (luckly I had nandroid backup and didnt update ROM), this time i want to make sure that this would not happen again and I want to update rom without loosing my sms. I feel there is a simple solution, but I cannot find it.
Would be nice if someone could help out a newb
Bump
Dns94 said:
Bump
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This
I'd like to know toO!
Why do they have to make this so damn hard. Why can't I just drag a file from old android phone and drop it in new android phone? What is the best method to COMPLETELY backup and restore SMS/MMS on non rooted phones?
Try this app (find the latest beta from release folder) : https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/blob/master/README.md#readme
Used for years and did several restore while changing my rom. It push the backup into a Gmail label.
From what I saw, it saves pictures. So I guess it saves also emoji.
Hope it helps.
baudbox said:
Try this app (find the latest beta from release folder) : https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/blob/master/README.md#readme
Used for years and did several restore while changing my rom. It push the backup into a Gmail label.
From what I saw, it saves pictures. So I guess it saves also emoji.
Hope it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I'll give it a shot. I tired SMS Backup & Restore but for some reason when it restored them (which worked for the most part) it screwed up a bunch of the time stamps.
One year later and no good solution to my problem?
A solution I found
Dns94 said:
One year later and no good solution to my problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this thread was years ago, but I came across it while trying and failing to fix this issue, and after a ridiculous amount of time investigating I have a solution finally. I thought if I posted it here then others with the same problem might come across it too and it could help people.
Assuming you already have "SMS Backup and Restore" (though confusingly there are two apps in the Play Store called that, you want the one with the green icon by SyncTech Pty Ltd).
Select "Back Up Now" and send it to Dropbox (or another place, I found Dropbox the easiest). Most importantly though, click on" Advanced Options" and turn the "Emojis & special characters" slider OFF. xml doesn't understand emojis, and it will corrupt the file and cause "XML Parsing Error" when you try to open it.
There's an extra optional step to make the file easier to read (puts it in a nice table without bare code everywhere) but this website won't let me post the code because it contains two links (and because I'm a very new member, signed up just to write this). This step involves adding a file called "sms.xsl" and adding a line of code to the xml file to make it talk to the xsl file, but I can't find anywhere to download it with a quick Google search.
Let me know if anyone wants any more details.
This all worked for me very well at least, I hope it does for others.

I could really use some help. Backup before reset, but restore failed. Need to recover texts form a backup Google Driv doesn't see, but it is a backup

I had to reset my phone and I backed it up to both Samsung Cloud (Galazy A5 2017 using Android OS 8) and to Google Drive. Unfortunately the restore failed. What's worse, is that I was out at sea at the time and now both Samsung and Google only see a backup from AFTER the reset.
There is 1 possibility. I can see a backup on Google Drive, but it doesn't show up as a backup in Google Drive, so I can't choose it. The date on the zip file shows that it's from before the reset, but for some reason Google Drive doesn't recognize it as a backup. I've looked inside and it definitely has my phones files in it with "last modified" dates from before the reset.
Sad thing is, all I want are my texts! To put it more bluntly, I need my texts. :/
Samsung was no help because their backup is now after the reset. I haven't had any luck anywhere and I've been trying to find a solution or an answer for over a week now.
I copy/pasted the backup that Google doesn't see as a backup (which start with the word "takeout" followed by date and time) to my PC as an extra precaution but it's still on my Google Drive. Of course, right now that's useless to me since Google Drive doesn't see it as a backup for some reason.
So, simply put, how to get my phone to use this backup? Either from Google Drive, or from my PC. I don't care if I have to trick the phone into thinking I'm transferring the data to a new phone, and if it comes down to it, if the only way to do it is to root the damn phone then I'll do it. I'll be getting a new phone soon anyways.
Unfortunately I don't even know which file holds the text messages (cell texts, not FB messenger) so while I'm guessing the OS wouldn't let me just copy paste it over, I don't even know what I'm looking for.
Hell, I'd even take all the information saved as a text file if that was my last resort.
I'm seriously begging here. Can someone please help me!? This has been a huge stressors on me. I'll be damn sure to make a seperate, special backup of my cell texts from now on, but for now, I need a solution on how to use the info in those "takeout" zip files. There's actually 2, but I don't know if both are from 1 backup, or 2.
Thank you.
DM

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