[Q] Does switching ROMS require data wipe? - G Tablet General

First, thanks to all the great developers here for your efforts and help. I am using TNT-Lite with NI Sniffer, NI Browser, and Swype, and loving the G-Tab.
I want to try Vegan 5.1 and I have read conflicting messages on whether it is necessary to do a data wipe in CWM after flashing to a new ROM.
So, should I (a) just flash and reboot or (b) flash, wipe data, reboot and then do a Titanium restore? And, if the latter, restore (i) just apps or (ii) apps and data?
Thanks!

smalis said:
First, thanks to all the great developers here for your efforts and help. I am using TNT-Lite with NI Sniffer, NI Browser, and Swype, and loving the G-Tab.
I want to try Vegan 5.1 and I have read conflicting messages on whether it is necessary to do a data wipe in CWM after flashing to a new ROM.
So, should I (a) just flash and reboot or (b) flash, wipe data, reboot and then do a Titanium restore? And, if the latter, restore (i) just apps or (ii) apps and data?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its typically recommended - especially if you run into problems. However, I myself switched from TnT Lite to the Pershoot kernel and VegaN yesterday without wiping any of my apps or data without any issues at all - my marketplace even stayed intact and my tablet started showing up in the web market so for me its a win/win! But again, your milage may vary. I'd suggest backing up your data just in case, giving it a shot but be prepared to have to wipe if things don't go your way

Sounds silly, I think, but I just do whatever the author of the ROM recommends.
Most of the guys in the accompanying remarks and instructions usually tell whether or not they recommend any data wipes or not.
Rev

I decided to try a switch from TNT-Lite to VeganTab without doing a data wipe. Worked perfectly, no problems, and I am loving VeganTab.

Related

Stuck in boot loop every time I flash a rom

I've flashed a few roms now (masters stock rooted voodoo versions of nexus s firmware) and every time I do the boot logo just keeps on going until I do a battery pull and reboot, and then it's ok.
It's not a problem, I just wondered why this happens??
did you wipe dalvik, factory settings, cache?
did you change the kernel?
zephiK said:
did you wipe dalvik, factory settings, cache?
did you change the kernel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. These roms don't wipe anything and I don't want to lose my stuff. I don't think you are meant to wipe with them either.
buachaille said:
No. These roms don't wipe anything and I don't want to lose my stuff. I don't think you are meant to wipe with them either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was asking if YOU did wipe them because if you're going from one ROM to the other ROM you are supposed to wipe.
You lose your settings and apps. Back them up using Titanium Backup (Or any other related app).
Or.. better yet, just perform a nandroid backup. After that, wipe those 3 and reboot. See if the problem is resolved, if it is then you already know. If not then nandroid restore.
If you're going from one ROM to a completely different ROM made by someone else, you have to wipe data/factory settings!
If you're flashing an updated version of the current rom you're using, wipe cache/dalvik-cache.
If you're flashing different roms every other day, go buy Titanium Backup to backup your apps/settings.
And uh what ROM are u flashing where "you're not meant to wipe"
-Nexus S
nxt said:
If you're going from one ROM to a completely different ROM made by someone else, you have to wipe data/factory settings!
If you're flashing an updated version of the current rom you're using, wipe cache/dalvik-cache.
If you're flashing different roms every other day, go buy Titanium Backup to backup your apps/settings.
And uh what ROM are u flashing where "you're not meant to wipe"
-Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am new to this so I'm still getting my head around it.
From stock I went to the rooted voodoo version of this - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=971690.
From there I went to the stock rooted version of this - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=979851
In both cases it says:
Rom Information:
Does it wipe: No
Does it flash the radio: Yes
So since they don't wipe, I assumed I shouldn't wipe anything, but it looks like I was wrong. From your post it looks like I should have wiped the cache and dalvik cache. I know how to do this in CW but I've never done it and my roms are working fine.
So next time master releases an update I gather I should wipe cache and dalvik cache yeah?
Also, when I do this will it remove any of my settings or apps?
Hope you can answer these questions, and thanks for advice so far.
<<edit>>
Just did a bit of googling and it looks like you don't lose settings when you wipe dalvik cache and cache, so what does actually get removed.
There is a thread stickied in development called ref roms themes and kernels. It gives step by step directions on how to flash all three including what should be wiped. Check it out
Sent from my MattedBlues CM7 Nexus S from the XDA Premium app.
It says:
Does it wipe: No
Does it flash the radio: Yes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because its saying that the ROM doesn't wipe. Some ROMs are built in a way so that it automatically wipes your phone to ensure best performance. The creator is just saying that it doesn't do that BUT you need to wipe. The keyword does and need are two different things. The basic concept between going from 1 ROM to another (unless its the same ROM series) requires a wipe in all three: dalvik, cache, factory. If you're going from the same ROM to a newer version and encounter bugs, its best if you wipe.
I'm a more advanced user when it comes to Android since the first Android phone. I know what I'm talking about. When you go from stock ROM to another, its going to have bugs if you don't wipe.
If you're using Axura 1.1.1.0 and its fine, and he releases a new version. You can flash without wiping (but you can wipe cache & dalvik to be safe; none of your settings will be wiped). Wiping factory settings is the only one that will wipe your settings / apps.
If you're going to be a flasher, its best if you purchase Titanium Backup Pro (or MyBackup.. but I highly recommend Titanium Backup). Use this program and it will save all of your apps + settings to them. Just don't use it to save SYSTEM apps/files because it will cause FCs.
Dalvik Cache / Cache.. its nothing you need to know in particular. It's just removing cache that your phone set up to increase speeds. It just wipes them and gets the Android system to re-establish them. So no caches from the previous ROM will carry over onto the new one.
EDIT: n/m..............
zephiK said:
It says:
because its saying that the ROM doesn't wipe. Some ROMs are built in a way so that it automatically wipes your phone to ensure best performance. The creator is just saying that it doesn't do that BUT you need to wipe. The keyword does and need are two different things. The basic concept between going from 1 ROM to another (unless its the same ROM series) requires a wipe in all three: dalvik, cache, factory. If you're going from the same ROM to a newer version and encounter bugs, its best if you wipe.
I'm a more advanced user when it comes to Android since the first Android phone. I know what I'm talking about. When you go from stock ROM to another, its going to have bugs if you don't wipe.
If you're using Axura 1.1.1.0 and its fine, and he releases a new version. You can flash without wiping (but you can wipe cache & dalvik to be safe; none of your settings will be wiped). Wiping factory settings is the only one that will wipe your settings / apps.
If you're going to be a flasher, its best if you purchase Titanium Backup Pro (or MyBackup.. but I highly recommend Titanium Backup). Use this program and it will save all of your apps + settings to them. Just don't use it to save SYSTEM apps/files because it will cause FCs.
Dalvik Cache / Cache.. its nothing you need to know in particular. It's just removing cache that your phone set up to increase speeds. It just wipes them and gets the Android system to re-establish them. So no caches from the previous ROM will carry over onto the new one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a very helpful post and clears a lot up. Many thanks. Looks like I had better do it again and do it right this time.
I've got titanium backup. Bought it after I rooted, but never restored with it yet. Also, thanks for the info about no saving system files with it, as I currently do have it setup to backup all user apps and system data, so I will have to change that. I gather I should just change it to all user apps??
buachaille said:
That is a very helpful post and clears a lot up. Many thanks. Looks like I had better do it again and do it right this time.
I've got titanium backup. Bought it after I rooted, but never restored with it yet. Also, thanks for the info about no saving system files with it, as I currently do have it setup to backup all user apps and system data, so I will have to change that. I gather I should just change it to all user apps??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup all user apps is the one you want to do. You can backup bookmarks using Google sync or a app known as BookmarkSB
If you have system apps backed up, delete all backups using batch and reapply user app backup
zephiK said:
Backup all user apps is the one you want to do. You can backup bookmarks using Google sync or a app known as BookmarkSB
If you have system apps backed up, delete all backups using batch and reapply user app backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. I reflashed the rom and I did it properly this time. Had a bit of a problem with TB restore as I'm a noob but Joel from TB answered an email I sent him very quickly and I got it sorted (thanks joel).
How long does it take to flash a rom once you get good at it? Took me a while tonight because of mistakes.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
buachaille said:
Thanks for your help. I reflashed the rom and I did it properly this time. Had a bit of a problem with TB restore as I'm a noob but Joel from TB answered an email I sent him very quickly and I got it sorted (thanks joel).
How long does it take to flash a rom once you get good at it? Took me a while tonight because of mistakes.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can usually get from booting into recovery to having a usable device with most everything set up in about...10 minutes? Assuming I already downloaded the ROM lol sometimes those mirrors are slooooooow.

[Q] Titanium backup question

Searched and didn't find this specific question or anything close - so I'll post
I've been flashing roms a lot now that I've got the hang of it, but I think I was creating a problem for myself with titanium backup, which I think I've maybe now solved, but I'm not absolutely sure.
On the last couple of nighlies of CM that I've flashed I've been getting unfixable FC of the phone app (rom manager fix permissions didn't fix it and neither did wiping dalvik cache).
So I flashed ns-collab and I like it, but today I got the same FC problems and had to restore my nandroid to get the phone working (I was at work).
NS-collab is meant to be stable so I was starting to think that it's not the roms that are at fault but something I'm doing, and I had a feeling it was what I do with TB. So here is exactly what I do when I flash a new rom.
____________________________
I have TB set to "backup all user apps". That's it - no system data.
Before flashing the rom (even if it's just an update) I clear data, cache, and dalvik cache.
When I've got the new rom flashed I do not allow google backup to restore my stuff as I want it done with TB.
In TB restore I run "Restore all apps with data". When I do this I select the app+data checkbox in TB before clicking "Run the batch operation".
___________________________
So, I had a look at the apps that get restored when I run TB "Restore all apps with data", and I noticed there is quite a lot of android stuff in there like the dialler and lots of other services that are part of the android os and don't need restored with TB really.
I've just flashed the updated version of ns-collab and I removed all these android services from the TB restore before I ran it so I'll see if any problems crop up now.
But my question is, was I causing the phone to be unstable by allowing these android services to be restored by TB. Remember I did not select to restore system data, but I am wondering if system data was restored anyway because there were android apps in the list and I had the app+data option selected.
Hope the above isn't confusing and any advice will be appreciated.
Lot of information but I say you found your problem yourself.
I have not had issues in the past restoring: bookmarks, contacts/calls storage, SMS/MMS/APN Dialer storage, SMS/MMS PREFS etc.
I do think you are giving yourself a little extra work than needed. It is not necessary to do a data wipe before updating a ROM, wiping cache and dalvik cache should be sufficient and a lot of people don't even do that. Of course a good clean wipe every now and then is good and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside like after you change the oil in your car
In general, I do not recommend a full batch restore like restore all apps and data. I find when restoring with TB it is a good time to clean up and only restore the apps your really want back on your phone. I also do a batch restore, de-select all and just go down the list and pick out the stuff I HAVE to have.
irishrally said:
I have not had issues in the past restoring: bookmarks, contacts/calls storage, SMS/MMS/APN Dialer storage, SMS/MMS PREFS etc.
I do think you are giving yourself a little extra work than needed. It is not necessary to do a data wipe before updating a ROM, wiping cache and dalvik cache should be sufficient and a lot of people don't even do that. Of course a good clean wipe every now and then is good and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside like after you change the oil in your car
In general, I do not recommend a full batch restore like restore all apps and data. I find when restoring with TB it is a good time to clean up and only restore the apps your really want back on your phone. I also do a batch restore, de-select all and just go down the list and pick out the stuff I HAVE to have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are right about me giving myself work. Because I'm still a noob I'm still over cautious I think.
Maybe I'll try doing it your way. Sounds sensible.
Anybody know definitively whether me restoring everything via all apps and data would have contributed to the FCs I have been getting?
buachaille said:
I think you are right about me giving myself work. Because I'm still a noob I'm still over cautious I think.
Maybe I'll try doing it your way. Sounds sensible.
Anybody know definitively whether me restoring everything via all apps and data would have contributed to the FCs I have been getting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try fixing permissions? I only use the batch for Backup all user apps.
Backing up bookmarks.. I use BookmarkSB and SMS (i know theres a app for that) but i use GVoice so i dont need it
I've never had a problem restoring user apps with data. Instead of restoring all, choose restore missing user apps with data or something like that.
Although, I've had problems restoring SMS and certain data for system apps on the NS. Can't figure out why it doesn't work but whatever.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I would suggest you install app2sd & move your application to the sd-card. Each time you flash a new rom just wipe the /cache, dalvik-cache and battery stats. This is all you would ever require.
Thanks for all the replies. Quite a few suggestions there which I will try out.
Didn't have any FC problems at all at work today, so I'm hoping my more cautious restore last night might have done the trick.
buachaille said:
Thanks for all the replies. Quite a few suggestions there which I will try out.
Didn't have any FC problems at all at work today, so I'm hoping my more cautious restore last night might have done the trick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah FCs happen when you backup system apps / bookmarks etc. It could interfere

[Q] Need some help installing revolver please

Ok so I have mt TF rooted, CWM with backup done, I have the revolver rom on sd so do I need to do anything special like clear caches or anything and will I lose any of my installed games or apps ? I read that on Android rev hd you have to use super wipe lite and was wondering if you have to do that with revolver.
My tablet is brand new 3.2 HC but I do have some games and stuff I dont want to lose.
Thanks for your help.
I did not clear stuff for the first time, but it is recommended - and yes, if you wipe the system you'll lose your apps, but not what's on the internal memory (/mnt/sdcard)
As davebugyi said, it is not 100% required, but strongly recommended (you could run into issues if you don't do it) if you change roms. By that I mean switch between different roms, not just update your current one. I always do it when changing roms, using the CWM clear/wipe feature is usually sufficient (unless the ROM developer says otherwise in the intall instructions).
If you want to persist apps and app data, you can try one of the backup tools such as Titanium backup. I havent tried it yet with this device though..
Titanium backup
I use titanium backup to backup apps+data then do a complete wipe. Install revelover then restore titanium backup and all your files/games etc are restored.
Thanks Guys
I will do a backup with what you recommended and wipe then install. I just hope this revolver rom is worth it. Seems like everytime you look on the forum someone post a new rom.
best rom
The revolver rom is the best. One of it's features is when you click on the history icon it gives a list of history but they have a little red x in the top corner of each. Clicking the x closes the history for that screen. Keeps yout TF clean and fast. Other roms do not have that facility.
Enjoy

Flashing ROMs and glitches

I've been trying to flash a few ROMs. I had the Revolver ROM at first which was working without a hitch, but I wanted to try the others.
I followed the following steps: data wipe, cache wipe, dalvik cache wipe, install ROM from zip.
With each new ROM that I tried, I used titanium backup to restore my applications.
Both EEEBomb and KRAKD had an issue with skype and tinyshark. When I signed into skype, it would keep notifying me on the bottom that sky is signed in via popup notification. When I played a song in TinyShark, it would do the same thing with TS. Also, when the tablet went to sleep, the TS music would cut out, cut back in, and cut out again.
I was wondering if you all have any experience with this. Is it because I didn't do a step properly or are these issues due to restoring the apps with Titanium Backup?
What do you think?
thank you.

[Q] Partially Restore CWM backup?

Hey Guys!
So I've been around the place for a while, usually passive. I rooted my phone a few months back, and left it at that coz i was too scared of bricking my new phone . But now getting tired of waiting for the official ICS (Not the buggy leak) has got me thinking of getting a custom Rom (cant decide between Victory or Romulus).
I've just installed CMW, and my phones backing up as we speak. My question is this, is it possible to restore a partial backup? Im hoping that once i get the custom rom up and running, i can restore my contacts, texts and apps onto my new rom. I know titanium backup can restore apps but i assume all that is gone once i format before installing the rom, right?
Thanks guys any help appreciated!
fire_fist_ace said:
Hey Guys!
So I've been around the place for a while, usually passive. I rooted my phone a few months back, and left it at that coz i was too scared of bricking my new phone . But now getting tired of waiting for the official ICS (Not the buggy leak) has got me thinking of getting a custom Rom (cant decide between Victory or Romulus).
I've just installed CMW, and my phones backing up as we speak. My question is this, is it possible to restore a partial backup? Im hoping that once i get the custom rom up and running, i can restore my contacts, texts and apps onto my new rom. I know titanium backup can restore apps but i assume all that is gone once i format before installing the rom, right?
Thanks guys any help appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you install any new ROM, you (usually) need to perform a full wipe through CWM including: wipe user data/factory reset, wipe cache, wipe Dalvik, then flash. Now, that will delete ALL of your stuff, contacts, texts, apps, etc. However, if you have access to WiFi, when your ROM flash has completed, you will be prompted to re-enter your Google account and, at which time, your contacts will re-populate (give it some time). Though, be sure you sync with Google's servers prior to your flash, so that any new contacts will be re-added once your account has been added after the flash. Also, if on WiFi, when your account has been entered, go to Google Play Store, and click the "my apps" button, and again after some time (depending on the number of apps you had) they too will re-populate. As far as texts, you could try a text backup app -not too familiar with this, as I don't ever have a need to save any texts- and you should be good. Word of warning: DO NOT use Titanium Backup to restore ANY application data, only the apps themselves. Also, another good alternative to TIB is App Backup & Restore. Hopefully, this clears up any doubts you have with your "stuff" and how to retrieve it after a flash...
Apex used capital letters in "do not restore app data" with good reason. Only a handful of times have I not followed those directions and every time I got weird fc's and an overall more unstable system. It's a shame there isn't a good way to do it but it only leads to heartache. Always keep a solid backup. I keep two. One original and another after a couple days on a new rom so that I'm able to experiment down the line.
I hope you have a good experience with your new system and learn a bit. It gets a little addicting.
Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2
Apex_Strider said:
When you install any new ROM, you (usually) need to perform a full wipe through CWM including: wipe user data/factory reset, wipe cache, wipe Dalvik, then flash. Now, that will delete ALL of your stuff, contacts, texts, apps, etc. However, if you have access to WiFi, when your ROM flash has completed, you will be prompted to re-enter your Google account and, at which time, your contacts will re-populate (give it some time). Though, be sure you sync with Google's servers prior to your flash, so that any new contacts will be re-added once your account has been added after the flash. Also, if on WiFi, when your account has been entered, go to Google Play Store, and click the "my apps" button, and again after some time (depending on the number of apps you had) they too will re-populate. As far as texts, you could try a text backup app -not too familiar with this, as I don't ever have a need to save any texts- and you should be good. Word of warning: DO NOT use Titanium Backup to restore ANY application data, only the apps themselves. Also, another good alternative to TIB is App Backup & Restore. Hopefully, this clears up any doubts you have with your "stuff" and how to retrieve it after a flash...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, once i clear everything and flash, to get back my apps all i have to do is reinstall "App Backup and Restore" then I can restore any saved apps? Because looking at the play store, the list in my apps (Not Installed) is too long, and contains apps that i simply installed to try and immediately removed.
One more thing as well, well actually 2. I was watching a video by mastermind278 on youtube on how to install custom Roms. He installs a rom by selecting restore from cmw recovery, so my question is, does that restore method work for installing most Roms, say for example, the Romulus rom? And finally, are the separate mods installed in the same way?
fire_fist_ace said:
So, once i clear everything and flash, to get back my apps all i have to do is reinstall "App Backup and Restore" then I can restore any saved apps? Because looking at the play store, the list in my apps (Not Installed) is too long, and contains apps that i simply installed to try and immediately removed.
One more thing as well, well actually 2. I was watching a video by mastermind278 on youtube on how to install custom Roms. He installs a rom by selecting restore from cmw recovery, so my question is, does that restore method work for installing most Roms, say for example, the Romulus rom? And finally, are the separate mods installed in the same way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can 'manually' select which apps you'd like to restore from within this app, so if there are some you'd rather forgo restoring, you can pick and choose.
As far as the flashing method through CWM, you'll just have to read and understand each of the ROM's flashing methods, as some of the GB ROM installs are different (flash or CWM restore). All of which are detailed in the threads for these ROM's. Along with that, any mods you'd like, you'll just need to refer to the install instructions for each...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

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