This is not a "how to root" post.
I finally said F it and installed clockworkmod and flashed a ROM but I just did a basic one to get my feet wet.
My basic question is how do ROM upgrades get installed. Say I install the latest EaglesBlood ROM and there is an update for it. Do I have to do a complete data/cache clear and re-flash with the newest ROM or is there some sort of updater or is each developer different?
Thanks.
That really depends on what was updated. Most of the time if you are upgrading to a newer version of the same rom, you can get away with just flashing over it, and keeping your data intact. Clearing /cache and the dalvik-cache is recommended. However this is not always the case. Some changes require data wipes to be effective. Usually best to ask in the rom's thread if a wipe is needed.
Also, sometimes you can just do a nandroid backup, install new rom, then reboot into cwm and do an advanced restore just restoring the data partition. Again, it really depends on the rom, and what was upgraded.
Related
When upgrading a ROM with only few changes is this the correct procedure? Install the new ROM wipe cache/dalvik without data and you have apps and settings and everything?
Almost.
Wipe Dalvik and Cache FIRST
THEN overlay the new ROM update.
Always make a nandroid backup first just in case anything goes screwy, especially when you are dealing with CM nightlies. Every once in a while one will have an update that breaks a bunch of stuff. You don't want to be stuck with a broken ROM.
Sorry if this has been covered way too many times but I want to make sure.
I have rooted my phone that was running 3.20.502.52 with the AAHK so now I'm on the version it sent me back to and I have done nothing since. I am getting ready to switch to the Jellytime R29 ROM. I know to make a Nandroid backup but I was a little concerned about getting back to the state my phone is right now should anything go wrong or if I don't like it, go back. It seems that I can't just restore my Nandroid through CWM without flashing a different kernel since I'd be coming from a JB ROM.
My current setup is:
Android: 2.3.3
Sense: 2.1
Kernel: 2.6.35.10-gd2564fb
Software 2.47.502.7
So, in order use my Nandroid in case the Jellytime messes up, do I simply have to do a factory reset, and wipe cache, and dalvik-cache (this is considered a "full" wipe, yes?) and then flash a compatible kernel then restore my backup? And if so, can I find that exact kernel somewhere to flash or is there another one you guys can recommend me to use in my situation? OR, can I just straight up restore the Nandroid since the backup should cover the kernel too?
Sorry I'm a newb. I'm trying to learn. All help is greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to flash Jellytime as soon as I know how to recover from it.
1. Welcome!
2. The kernel is included in the backup. You also don't need to wipe anything; just restore the nandroid. Make sure you use a fully updated recovery; make sure using ROM Manager for CWM or the 4ext Updater or Play Store app for 4ext.
3. A full wipe is system, data, and cache. Dalvik is already included if you wipe those. A factory reset only wipes data and cache, leaving system unwiped. In 4ext just choose "wipe all partitions except sdcard."
Alright. I already flashed Jellytime a while ago and so far I see no reason for wanting to go back although I did a quadrant standards test and scored lower than stock. Not sure why, but either way, this was a nice first ROM. What I wiped in cwm was the reset, cache, and dalvic. So far everything is working if I missed anything.
Didn't know wiping wasn't necessary for using backups. Must of missed that in my reading. Thanks though. I'll become less of a newb over time.
I'm just wondering if my procedure for updating my ROM is correct, as I've only owned a smartphone for about a month, and have only flashed once.
Basically before I was running AOKP build 2 and Franco kernel r79 (or thereabouts) on my Nexus 4. I wanted to upgrade to AOKP build 3, so I backed stuff up, booted up in recovery, wiped my data, cleared the cache, then cleared the Dalvik cache before rebooting. Then it took me back to the initial setup screen, but I got confused when AOKP and Franco Kernel was still installed. I figured I should just open up the browser, download build 3 to the device (since everything is wiped), and then I'll flash that on top of build 2.
Am I supposed to flash back the stock ROM and kernel, or does it not matter since I will be running the same custom ROM?
Likewise, if I wanted to change my custom ROM (like install PA3 or something), then I would definitely need to flash back the stock rom and kernel before proceeding, am I right?
Smeghead_ said:
I'm just wondering if my procedure for updating my ROM is correct, as I've only owned a smartphone for about a month, and have only flashed once.
Basically before I was running AOKP build 2 and Franco kernel r79 (or thereabouts) on my Nexus 4. I wanted to upgrade to AOKP build 3, so I backed stuff up, booted up in recovery, wiped my data, cleared the cache, then cleared the Dalvik cache before rebooting. Then it took me back to the initial setup screen, but I got confused when AOKP and Franco Kernel was still installed. I figured I should just open up the browser, download build 3 to the device (since everything is wiped), and then I'll flash that on top of build 2.
Am I supposed to flash back the stock ROM and kernel, or does it not matter since I will be running the same custom ROM?
Likewise, if I wanted to change my custom ROM (like install PA3 or something), then I would definitely need to flash back the stock rom and kernel before proceeding, am I right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well since I really only have experience with a tablet and older cell phone I can only speak of my experiences with those. My tablet runs 4.2.2 and the phone 2.2. With both devices I have never had to flash them back to stock to flash an update. Usually a data and cache wipe was sufficient although I will wipe the whole system when flashing a huge update on the tablet.....like from GB to JB.
What helpful people told me when I asked the same question was...
When going to a very different (including the same ROM going to a new android version, ie 4.1 => 4.2) ROM (as in, not just doing a small update on the current one) :
Wipe both caches, wipe /system, wipe /data, and wipe internal sd card and factory reset.
Then flash what you want - ROM => Kernel (if desired) => GAPPs
Wipe caches again.
Done!
I don't know about your particular phone and those ROMs. Is AOKP 2 to 3 a big change ? If so, simply writing 3 over 2 could cause some major problems. I totally messed up and did something like that once and while it wasn't a huge deal I had to start over and do it again because it wasn't usable.
In regards to your description of what you did, you didn't wipe /system, so you didn't wipe your system and so it was still installed like you saw. You'll need to "start over" and wipe everything again. Since the N 4 doesn't have an external SD, I'm guessing you guys wipe /system and like, push the ROM to be flashed to the internal storage ? Maybe ? I have no idea - I've always had an external SD, but since it's a Nexus device I'm sure the procedure is well-covered !
My Kindle Fire tablet also does not actually have an SD card either.....the 8GB memory has been partitioned and originally I would have 5GB available out of 8 which would act as the SD card and 1.09GB for internal or "phone" memory. I have mine even more scrapped down as this one has the ability to either boot into CM7(GB) or the newest CM10.1(JB).
Say for example I went from Android 4.1.2 to 4.2.2.....that's a pretty big update......I would do a full wipe meaning doing it in this order: factory reset, wipe cache, wipe dalvik, and wipe system.
If I wanted to flash a little update of my current 4.2.2 where only some slight tweaks were applied I would just wipe cache and dalvik only. There are times when this simple flash wipe technique WON'T work and you'll probably realize it real quick. There could be any one of a million bugs that could occur and usually they are pretty noticeable. If that happens (sometimes it will, sometimes it won't) the worst case scenario is just going ahead and doing the full wipe.
I'm not knowledgeable on AOKP ROMs so I don't want to venture there. Boot loops are a whole different story and you might want to educate yourself as much as possible because they can happen. I had a couple occurances with a boot loop not too long ago as I was messing with a system font editor and it caused a boot loop. I didn't panic.....I already researched how to handle them so getting it back online was quite easy.
Hope my rambling has helped even a little bit.....
As long as you are just updating the same Rom, you can usually just flash it over (unless the Rom-maker says different).
If there are some fundamental changes in the Rom update, or you are switching to another Rom, then you should wipe it all.
To make it all a bit easier, you can use the Megawipe script:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832326
Along with the Aroma installer, it's just a few clicks to clean it all up, and ready for a fresh install
I am running CM-11 Stable version, which means I am rooted as well as custom recovery. If I update my ROM, will I loose any of my application's data?
e.g. if I upgrade to CM-11 Nightly, will be there any loss of data. Or if I want to install some different ROM's will there be any loss of data.
Is it possible to switch back to Stock ROM (Rooted) without loss of data.
Actually managing phone's data is big pain once you reinstall whole OS, So I am really doubtful here.
anshumangoyal said:
I am running CM-11 Stable version, which means I am rooted as well as custom recovery. If I update my ROM, will I loose any of my application's data?
e.g. if I upgrade to CM-11 Nightly, will be there any loss of data. Or if I want to install some different ROM's will there be any loss of data.
Is it possible to switch back to Stock ROM (Rooted) without loss of data.
Actually managing phone's data is big pain once you reinstall whole OS, So I am really doubtful here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean with data your storage or your apps, settings? If you install a new rom you always need to wipe data (that is not your internal storage). If you update you only need to wipe cache and dalvik. You can backup apps easily with titanium backup for example
You should always nandroid backup before flashing roms and always keep a local copy of a titaniun backup.
Flashing custom roms dont wipe data. However, you may have to wipe data yourself to get it to boot.
Rule of thumb is:
Upgrading to a new version of the SAME custom ROM, no need to wipe. If you then find something doesnt work, wipe
Changing to a NEW rom, wipe.
This is all covered in the sticky threads. Please click the link in my signature and read the info threads.
Was wondering if I could get some advice on the best way to install a couple patches in zip format for a rom I have...
Do I flash the rom as usual, re-boot and let it simmer a while, then go back into recovery, wipe and install the patches?
Or can I flash the rom, then wipe and install patches without re-booting until after all is done?
Also, If more than one patch, the same question applies as far as a re-boot, that is, do I need to re-boot each time after each patch or can I install the zips all at once, then re-boot?
And finally a related, much discussed issue, and that has to do with wiping the system when flashing...
Is there any harm in wiping the dalvik and cache right after a fresh rom install or rom restore from backup BEFORE re-boot?
The idea would be to have the new installation, regardless of a new system or a restored backup sitting on a clean base, as I understand, the install creates some junk in the cache, that's why it is suggested to wipe the system before you do a backup...
Thanks.