Related
Right now I've got 6 back ups of different ROMs, including a stock ROM. This seems somewhat high to me, but perhaps you guys keep more?
I use to backup every time before I flashed a ROM, and probably had a stockpile of like 4-5 backups. Then I realized those backups are worthless to me. Titanium Backup makes a backup of my apps and all other data is synced to some other system in one form or another.
The only reason I was making backups was because I thought I might need to revert back to one in the case of a bad flash. In reality, if I have a bad flash...the first thing I'm going to do is use Odin to restore to JF6 and try the flash again, NOT restore my Nandroid backup.
Once I had that realization, I saved quite a bit of time in my ROM flashing "procedures" since I didn't have to wait for a Nandroid backup to complete, and then move it off the phone to a desktop.
^ what he said
Edit
I think the nandriod backup is mostly best used for phones like the evo. With us, we have roms and builds and kernals and modems from galaxy s devices all over the world. Sometimes clockwork doesn't save all that to the backup, so going stock is the best thing to do before reverting back.
From a phone
I've just come to that realization after a bad flash with Axura. The ROM is great, but I tried Nandroiding and doing CWM recovery and neither time did my back up work. This has happened before and I'm sure as hell glad I bought Titanium Backup. I don't regret that one bit; same goes for ROM Manager Premium.
I back up the last 3 I used .....but save some apks from earlier ROMS. I used to have all of them but there is no point in having earlier Beta ROMS that were flashed months ago and since improved. They are ususally available online anyway.
This doesntl count the original Stock ROM and 1 click Odin.....Always need that one
boborone said:
^ what he said
Edit
I think the nandriod backup is mostly best used for phones like the evo. With us, we have roms and builds and kernals and modems from galaxy s devices all over the world. Sometimes clockwork doesn't save all that to the backup, so going stock is the best thing to do before reverting back.
From a phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^this^^
So I can't answer that poll because there is no zero option. I've never had a nandroid backup work.
Rooted last night with Buddy's and so for everything seems to be working. I am assuming it was a success. I installed Titanium Backup and it allows me to remove the ATT bloatware etc...Is there anything I need to check to verify I am rooted and if so, correctly? I went through all my apps that I restored from ""MyBackup" app and everything is working.
I guess the next step is to learn how to use the installed ROM Manager and Superuser. Not sure what it is all involved but willing to learn. I am using Buddy's stock ROM that came with the program. Any negatives using this ROM? Before trying others, I have to figure out how to flash a ROM. I will be looking for a ROM without bloatware and sense. I use launcher pro and will stick with it. I prefer a smooth fast and solid performance.
I think my first mod would be to change my battery indicator in my notification bar and customize this area a bit. Any suggestions were to get started?
Thanks
If you want fast and stable w/ being senseless, di11i's Gingerbeast is as good as it gets. If you want fast, stable w/ a lil more tweaking capabilities, CM7 is for you.
I use both on a regular basis and each has their pros.
Tx
There are guides on every rom thread for flashing roms. If you don't do well with reading instructions and are more hands on I found this video and it helped me the first time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9yrg9W6X9U
Great guys thanks!
swatcop1 said:
Rooted last night with Buddy's and so for everything seems to be working. I am assuming it was a success. I installed Titanium Backup and it allows me to remove the ATT bloatware etc...Is there anything I need to check to verify I am rooted and if so, correctly? I went through all my apps that I restored from ""MyBackup" app and everything is working.
I guess the next step is to learn how to use the installed ROM Manager and Superuser. Not sure what it is all involved but willing to learn. I am using Buddy's stock ROM that came with the program. Any negatives using this ROM? Before trying others, I have to figure out how to flash a ROM. I will be looking for a ROM without bloatware and sense. I use launcher pro and will stick with it. I prefer a smooth fast and solid performance.
I think my first mod would be to change my battery indicator in my notification bar and customize this area a bit. Any suggestions were to get started?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good job mayne. I used ATTN's method and the WiFi did not work with the ROM in that kit. I posted here asking about it right about the point where you are, waited 1/2 hour, said eff it, and flashed one of the custom roms from the Dev section, which fixed the issue.
I noticed my data speeds were not as good as stock, and I live in a backhauled area and was getting >7Mbps down stock. I noticed I didn't have the latest ATT OTA radio, so I read some more in the radio thread, and flashed the latest ATT radio and RIL's, and the data speeds I was accustomed to returned.
The ROM I flashed is really really nice. IT is Sense based, like the stock AT&T. Some of the ROM's people will suggest are basic Android UI, while others are Sense based. I don't mind the Sense. It is technically a memory hog, and I only use one of the Scenes provided, but I like it. There are many ROM's to chose from that are basically stable. I never got stock GPS to perform to my expectations. However, the first ROM I flashed combined with the latest OTA radio amazing fixed the effin GPS!! Wow it's really responsive now.
My first ROM had/has a couple bugs. One was taken care of with re-flashing the ROM I chose again. The ROM I have now has one really small minor bug. I am living with it, as stock also had more major issues (GPS). The bug is associated with the kernel. This is another thing one can flash and change. I tried another kernel out vs. the ROM, but decided t had other variables with the performance I was experiencing, while other posters here love the optional kernel. Choices choices...
Be careful with Titanium back up. In general, do NOT use it to back up system data as part of the ROM flashing process. Usually flashing different ROM's from different dev's require full system wipe, like you did with the rooting process. It looks tempting to use, but multiple issues are discerned by reading the thread if this selection is used in TB. I suggest just using it for App backup, and if a problem with the flashing, revert to your Nandroid backup of your last functional ROM. Learn about that too....
Anyway good luck. I doubt youare going to stay with whatever ROM is in Bubby's kit...so just trying to give you a few pointers...since you asked , and because I like this sentence in your OP", "Not sure what it is all involved but willing to learn." yes you will...the radio thread, the one stickied page of this forum, are invaluable places to start and bookmark...
swatcop1 said:
Rooted last night with Buddy's and so for everything seems to be working. I am assuming it was a success. I installed Titanium Backup and it allows me to remove the ATT bloatware etc...Is there anything I need to check to verify I am rooted and if so, correctly? I went through all my apps that I restored from ""MyBackup" app and everything is working.
I guess the next step is to learn how to use the installed ROM Manager and Superuser. Not sure what it is all involved but willing to learn. I am using Buddy's stock ROM that came with the program. Any negatives using this ROM? Before trying others, I have to figure out how to flash a ROM. I will be looking for a ROM without bloatware and sense. I use launcher pro and will stick with it. I prefer a smooth fast and solid performance.
I think my first mod would be to change my battery indicator in my notification bar and customize this area a bit. Any suggestions were to get started?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A few things that will make your flashing easier, because once you flash one custom ROM, you will end up flashing 10...
Create a Nandroid backup before flashing a new ROM. To create a Nandroid backup, follow these steps:
1. Get into Clockwork recovery. You can do this one of two ways: Go into ROM Manager and select boot into recovery. The other way is to boot the device while holding down the volume key. After the device boots, you'll see an option for Recovery. Select that. Also, some ROMs allow you to go into recovery by holding down the power button then selecting recovery.
2.Once in Clockwork recovery, select backup and restore, then backup.
The backup will be stored on your SD card in the \clockwork\backup directory.
This type of backup has EVERYTHING in it (except the radio). If you restore from this backup, and boot your device, it will be exactly as it was when you backed up--all apps, data, settings, etc.
I recommend backing up the backup directory to your PC. The backups are pretty big.
You'll end up with a whole collection of backups (I have about 10.), one for each ROM you've flashed. If you decide one day (or hour ) that you want to use a different ROM, all you have to do is copy the backup from your PC to your SD card and then restore from within recovery (wipe data/cache/dalvik first ).
...
Do not restore data using Titanium Backup if the backup was performed on a different ROM. It can really screw things up.
...
A lot of people ask about backing up and restoring SMS and MMS. The BEST way I have found is via Handcent sms. This is a great free replacement for the stock messaging app. It has an option to backup and restore both SMS and MMS messages. It work really, really well. The backup and restore does have a cost though. I think 3.99 a year.
To me, it's completely worth it. Using this with a Nandroid restore, and I can be up on a new ROM in 5 minutes, with all data up to date.
swatcop1 said:
Rooted last night with Buddy's and so for everything seems to be working. I am assuming it was a success. I installed Titanium Backup and it allows me to remove the ATT bloatware etc...Is there anything I need to check to verify I am rooted and if so, correctly? I went through all my apps that I restored from ""MyBackup" app and everything is working.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If titanium backup is working, then root is working. root either works or it doesnt
Four-Fifty-X said:
A lot of people ask about backing up and restoring SMS and MMS. The BEST way I have found is via Handcent sms. This is a great free replacement for the stock messaging app. It has an option to backup and restore both SMS and MMS messages. It work really, really well. The backup and restore does have a cost though. I think 3.99 a year.
To me, it's completely worth it. Using this with a Nandroid restore, and I can be up on a new ROM in 5 minutes, with all data up to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or you could just use GO SMS Pro (its free) to do the sms/mms backup restore....or an app called SMS backup+ (free) and it sends a copy of everything to your gmail so you dont have to restore all that stuff, its all in your gmail, mms and all
GO SMS PRO also gives the ability to back up messages and restore all messages... it's free app.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
Nickovtyme said:
GO SMS PRO also gives the ability to back up messages and restore all messages... it's free app.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trying it now... Thanks.
Pirateghost said:
If titanium backup is working, then root is working. root either works or it doesnt
or you could just use GO SMS Pro (its free) to do the sms/mms backup restore....or an app called SMS backup+ (free) and it sends a copy of everything to your gmail so you dont have to restore all that stuff, its all in your gmail, mms and all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think SMS backup+ does SMS. I'll try and find out...
Four-Fifty-X said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think SMS backup+ does SMS. I'll try and find out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it sure does
early on in the apps development it did not, but it does just about everything now.
Thanks, I am glad yall said something about the TB not backing up data. I was getting ready to pull the trigger on flashing. Doing a Nandroid backup right now. So for I did a ROM backup using ROM manager, A apps backup using TB and now doing a Nandroid backup as described above. I should be cover and ready to go. Already have the zip file loaded in my phone.
PS; Been using GO SMS Pro, its the beast IMO
swatcop1 said:
Rooted last night with Buddy's and so for everything seems to be working. I am assuming it was a success. I installed Titanium Backup and it allows me to remove the ATT bloatware etc...Is there anything I need to check to verify I am rooted and if so, correctly? I went through all my apps that I restored from ""MyBackup" app and everything is working.
I guess the next step is to learn how to use the installed ROM Manager and Superuser. Not sure what it is all involved but willing to learn. I am using Buddy's stock ROM that came with the program. Any negatives using this ROM? Before trying others, I have to figure out how to flash a ROM. I will be looking for a ROM without bloatware and sense. I use launcher pro and will stick with it. I prefer a smooth fast and solid performance.
I think my first mod would be to change my battery indicator in my notification bar and customize this area a bit. Any suggestions were to get started?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey isn't the ROM in buddy's kit froyo? If you want gingerbread you're gonna have to flash a custom ROM...
I am sending this thread with the WiFi hotspot teathering to my PC, that I opted not to enable stock because I have an unlimited data plan and I think paying 20 or whatever they want is stupid. My home internet is dropping in and out this morning for some reason..wah lah! I got tethering to phone's network and internet access! Woo hoo! And jsut as fast as my home WiFi. This is exactly one of the things I had in mind when rooting this phone. This is awesome!!!! Oh but back to the OP...
Oh yeah!!!! If you flash a new ROM, or even notice with bubby's kit ROM now, that data speed is not what you expect, or doesn't work at all, check the APN settings under Settings>Wireless Networks>Mobile Networks>Access Point Names. The ROMs as flashed may not have all the settings correct. There are posts and threads about setting the proper APN's for proper AT&T network access and it's easy schmeezee. Just one little thing that took me a few minutes to figure out initially while I was getting data speed of 200kbps down vs. the 7Mbps I'm used to...
Hey regarding the mods you are considering, check out the status bar of the screenshot of my current set up by clicking the below thumbnail..is this something like you are talking about? Hee hee I am just getting into the theming thing after getting comfortable with all the other more technical stuff.
Pirateghost said:
it sure does
early on in the apps development it did not, but it does just about everything now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone tried to restore MMS? I'm asking because the market entry says it backs up MMS to gmail, but is says "MMS not supported yet" for restore.
swatcop1 said:
Thanks, I am glad yall said something about the TB not backing up data. I was getting ready to pull the trigger on flashing. Doing a Nandroid backup right now. So for I did a ROM backup using ROM manager, A apps backup using TB and now doing a Nandroid backup as described above. I should be cover and ready to go. Already have the zip file loaded in my phone.
PS; Been using GO SMS Pro, its the beast IMO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hee hee you didn't have to learn the hard way. Cool!
Ok just flashed my first ROM (Ginerbeast). Now how do I reinstall the nandroid backup I did prior? I just went the market and loader rom manager and TB again. Not sure were to go from here???
swatcop1 said:
Ok just flashed my first ROM (Ginerbeast). Now how do I reinstall the nandroid backup I did prior? I just went the market and loader rom manager and TB again. Not sure were to go from here???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Do not restore the Nandroid back up. That is for if you have problems with your new ROM, and need to get to a known good restore point. It is there if you need it....start checking out your new ROM .
ok think I might have it
Rom manger
reboot in recovery
backup and restore
advanced restore
pick my download
????
Then it ask, resore boot or restore system or restore data or restore casche or restore sd-ext
I am thinking I need to pick "restore sd-ext" correct???????? to download my nabdriod backup???
Ok then backing up and re grouping
The new rom is installed, it looks nice. Now I want to reload my apps and system settings?
Using TB to restore my apps at this time. It loading.....
So right now I'm using CWM to do my nandroid backups. I make one after I make any major updates or changes - call me a worry wort. I also use Titanium Backup.
With doing this, obviously it takes up a bit of room so I offload them to my computer. The issue here is if I do something detrimental and need to restore, I don't know of a way to get the backup files back onto the internal memory since you can't access them via CWM, if that makes sense.
I guess I can simply keep just the latest backup saved on the phone itself but I'm wondering if there's another method that I'm not aware of. Is there a way to get files copied to the internal memory if you can't fully boot into the OS?
Oh and one other question: Does a nandroid backup include every single item? Basically is it a 100% clone of the device or are some thing left out? Basically if I tried a completely different rom and then decided to go back to an entirely different rom, would I simply be able to restore it and be up and running? The last restore I did seems to indicate it does but that was going from different versions of the same rom.
nandroid is a clone of ur system.
diablo009 said:
nandroid is a clone of ur system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok that's what I figured; read something a bit ago which seemed to say something else.
So if I want to test a few completely different rom setups and make a nandroid backup of each one, I could essentially swap between them whenever I want by simply restoring them and I'll get back to the exact state as I was at the time they were made? Menus and all?
So apparently a kernel change will not get reverted via nandroid. Anything else? Just tried Entropy's daily driver and apparently it's a no go for me. Restored via nandroid and still freezes during 'X' boot animation.
I was running Infusion 1.1 and made sure to reset the VC O/C back to stock and reboot before updating...
I flashed the Octane ROM and now have the rainbow screen. I am told I need to flash a Gingerbread bootloader but I cant figure out a 100% sure way of doing this. I have read I also need some sort of kernel just not sure what one. All I did to the phone so far was get clockwork recovery working and flash the Octane ROM. Sorry for the noobish question but I am completely new to these Samsungs and theyre a little more involved than the HTC's I have previously worked with.
silentsnow31802 said:
I flashed the Octane ROM and now have the rainbow screen. I am told I need to flash a Gingerbread bootloader but I cant figure out a 100% sure way of doing this. I have read I also need some sort of kernel just not sure what one. All I did to the phone so far was get clockwork recovery working and flash the Octane ROM. Sorry for the noobish question but I am completely new to these Samsungs and theyre a little more involved than the HTC's I have previously worked with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you're coming from Froyo. You should check out the SGS 4G Bible here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1117554. Look under ODIN ROMs and install Chadster's KG4 ROM (last one listed). That's the first GB ROM to have the bootloaders on it. After that, you should be able to drop whatever other GB ROM you want on it.
stephen_w said:
I'm guessing you're coming from Froyo. You should check out the SGS 4G Bible here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1117554. Look under ODIN ROMs and install Chadster's KG4 ROM (last one listed). That's the first GB ROM to have the bootloaders on it. After that, you should be able to drop whatever other GB ROM you want on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent thank you! Could I backup the current ROM in clockwork recovery, flash Chadster's KG4 then just restore my backup? Or would that also restore my old bootloader? The phone is my girlfriends and she just got it setup the way she likes and I would hate for her to have to do it all over again. Shes not as patient as I am when it comes to this kinda stuff.
I believe that would be ok
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium
silentsnow31802 said:
Excellent thank you! Could I backup the current ROM in clockwork recovery, flash Chadster's KG4 then just restore my backup? Or would that also restore my old bootloader? The phone is my girlfriends and she just got it setup the way she likes and I would hate for her to have to do it all over again. Shes not as patient as I am when it comes to this kinda stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. Glad to help. Did it all work?
If you're coming from Froyo, DO NOT advanced restore your data on a GB ROM!
That will cause multiple issues on your phone. One of them being no incoming phone calls.
In order to move from Froyo to GB, your only option is to use Titanium Backup. Backup all user apps and data and restore them when you're on GB.
GB to GB is fine, but you must flash the Bali kernel (yes, it is a Froyo kernel) to perform an advanced data restore. You must be sure to flash the kernel back to a GB kernel afterwards. If not, you will be in a boot loop.
As for keeping HOMESCREEN settings and such, unless if your girlfriend has a custom launcher on, like ADW or LauncherPro, you will have to manually set up everything again.
In terms of PHONE settings, you'll have to set up everything again.
I hope you see this post before flashing, or else you'll have to reflash everything for your girlfriend!
bkoon1218 said:
If you're coming from Froyo, DO NOT advanced restore your data on a GB ROM!
That will cause multiple issues on your phone. One of them being no incoming phone calls.
In order to move from Froyo to GB, your only option is to use Titanium Backup. Backup all user apps and data and restore them when you're on GB.
GB to GB is fine, but you must flash the Bali kernel (yes, it is a Froyo kernel) to perform an advanced data restore. You must be sure to flash the kernel back to a GB kernel afterwards. If not, you will be in a boot loop.
As for keeping HOMESCREEN settings and such, unless if your girlfriend has a custom launcher on, like ADW or LauncherPro, you will have to manually set up everything again.
In terms of PHONE settings, you'll have to set up everything again.
I hope you see this post before flashing, or else you'll have to reflash everything for your girlfriend!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume by advanced restore you mean some sort of restoring through Clockwork Recovery?
I only use Titanium Backup for backup and restore of apps. So backing up the apps on Froyo and restoring them on the GB ROM through Titanium is fine correct? I hope so cause I have already done this once lol.
She does use ADW EX so restoring that wont be an issue.
So If I just backup all the apps with Titanium, then flash the ROM+Bootloader mentioned above, then restore the apps with Titanium Backup it should be fine?
I assume doing this would not have changed the kernel at all. Should I flash some sort of GB kernel while im at it?
I really appreciate all your guys help on this one. Im more nervous about doing this stuff cause the phone isnt mine lol. If it were mine I would be flashing all day long! But in this case I want to get it right the first time.
Just an update. I did the above and it fixed up the rainbow screen. Thank you all for your help. I couldnt have done it without you guys. GF is now happy with her newly updated Octane rom
silentsnow31802 said:
Just an update. I did the above and it fixed up the rainbow screen. Thank you all for your help. I couldnt have done it without you guys. GF is now happy with her newly updated Octane rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great! Glad to hear we could help. Best of luck!
Hey guys! I just bought the Galaxy S3 and I'm really loving it so far. However, it is my first Android device, so I'm still pretty new to all this rooting, flashing, ROM, etc. All I know is that rooting is similar to jailbreaking in iPhone (which I understand pretty well and use to do all the time) in that it allows you to do things you wouldn't originally been able to do. Because of that, I decided to root my Galaxy S3 following a Youtube video, which turned out really well and was pretty simple. After that, I watched another video to "flash a rom" (I think that's how you say it...) and installed CyanogenMod 10. I wanted Jelly Bean over TouchWiz ICS, so I'm liking it so far. Everything runs smoothly and that Project Butter is uh-mazing! However, I think I've noticed some bugs. For example, the camera's exposure settings don't work and every once in a while, my home button doesn't respond when I'm trying to wake it up from lock! I actually had to pull my battery out yesterday because it wouldn't respond and just froze ...Is there anyway that I can fix this? My Dolphin Browser doesn't play flash anymore too, but that's a little fine with me, since the stock browser is able to. And also, I noticed that when I flashed the rom, it pretty much wiped my phone clean, so is there a way to install all my apps and data back the way I wanted previously? I heard about somethings like Titanium Backup, but then I'm also confused about what the hell all that custom backup and recovery and ClockWork Mod and Rom Mananger is about ...Is it also ok that I installed Apex Launcher after getting CyanogenMod 10? I like how I can still customize it and whatnot.
Sorry for making this post so lengthy! I'm just really excited and curious about how all of this works. It's definitely a lot more complex (but a ton more fun and interesting! ) than just jailbreaking an iPhone. I've looked around the forum and have read some 101 Basics, but it's still quite a lot to understand all in one day. Anyways, if anyone can please provide some feedback, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you! :laugh:
I was using SynergyRom v1.7 for a few days but was really laggy on my device. Ive since switch over to CleanRom 2.0 SP1 running CleanKernel 1.0, using CWM 6.0.1.0 recovery, and so far seems to be running alot smoother and faster than Synergy. The only problem ive found with it is the Rom comes with the cpu set up to 1.9 Ghz even when I have it set at 1.5 on SetCPU, and if im putting a heavy load on my device, the back gets pretty warm. There is a post I remember seein something about that issue but cant find it.
If you would like to give this ROM a try, you can find it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070
The current version of cm 10 is nightly is not done and there is bugs. the only thing I got was the wake up thing but it never froze for me.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
fr8cture said:
The current version of cm 10 is nightly is not done and there is bugs. the only thing I got was the wake up thing but it never froze for me.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So your's doesn't wake when you push the home button too?! Thought it was just me...And do you know when CM10 will be fully stable? Or are there other roms out there that are?
lilaznandyx said:
So your's doesn't wake when you push the home button too?! Thought it was just me...And do you know when CM10 will be fully stable? Or are there other roms out there that are?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not using cm 10 anymore but try waking it with the power button, I'm currently using paranoid android and don't have the problem and its based off cm10
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
lilaznandyx said:
And also, I noticed that when I flashed the rom, it pretty much wiped my phone clean, so is there a way to install all my apps and data back the way I wanted previously? I heard about somethings like Titanium Backup, but then I'm also confused about what the hell all that custom backup and recovery and ClockWork Mod and Rom Mananger is about ...Is it also ok that I installed Apex Launcher after getting CyanogenMod 10? I like how I can still customize it and whatnot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
welcome! i'm still a noob too but customizing and flashing roms is definitely a whole lot of fun. A few things:
before you continue I suggest that you backup your IMEI if you have not done so. There are currently 3 methods to doing this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852255
you can do all 3 methods just to make sure you are safe.
TitaniumBackup is an awesome program that can save your apps and their data, your contacts, your sms, all to your SD card so that when you need to wipe your data clean you can easily restore all your apps and such again. There is a free version in the appstore that I think is a must have.
ClockworkMod is a custom recovery for our device and basically what we use to flash new roms and kernels. Also we can create Nandroid backups (basically a snapshot of our system that we can restore at a later time) through CWM.
As for launchers you can feel free to use Apex, Nova, Holo, any of these launchers with the different Roms. They will generally come pre-loaded with one but if you have a preference you can just install that launcher and set it as the new default.
Welcome to Android and xda!
pyunny said:
welcome! i'm still a noob too but customizing and flashing roms is definitely a whole lot of fun. A few things:
before you continue I suggest that you backup your IMEI if you have not done so. There are currently 3 methods to doing this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852255
you can do all 3 methods just to make sure you are safe.
TitaniumBackup is an awesome program that can save your apps and their data, your contacts, your sms, all to your SD card so that when you need to wipe your data clean you can easily restore all your apps and such again. There is a free version in the appstore that I think is a must have.
ClockworkMod is a custom recovery for our device and basically what we use to flash new roms and kernels. Also we can create Nandroid backups (basically a snapshot of our system that we can restore at a later time) through CWM.
As for launchers you can feel free to use Apex, Nova, Holo, any of these launchers with the different Roms. They will generally come pre-loaded with one but if you have a preference you can just install that launcher and set it as the new default.
Welcome to Android and xda!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying! Sorry for asking, but what is an IMEI and why should I back it up? And what is the difference between a Nandroid backup and a Titanium backup?
lilaznandyx said:
Thanks for replying! Sorry for asking, but what is an IMEI and why should I back it up? And what is the difference between a Nandroid backup and a Titanium backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid Backs up your whole system and Titanium just backs up your apps and app data, Not exactly sure what a IMEI is but if you don't have it you wont have any service.
an IMEI is a code unique to your device that allows your phone to be identified by your provider. Without it you won't have a phone signal nor data. You should back it up as it has been reported that rarely users can lose their IMEI upon flashing a rom.
The devs have been hard at work at learning what triggers this to happen and ways we can get rid of the problem altogether but until then, it's wise to backup the IMEI and save the backups in a safe place.
Most have lost their Imei when flashing aosp roms but not all. Some have reported it with touchwiz roms as well.
The are 3different methods to back it up though not 100% .
All are featured in development section.
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lilaznandyx said:
Thanks for replying! Sorry for asking, but what is an IMEI and why should I back it up? And what is the difference between a Nandroid backup and a Titanium backup?
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International Mobile Equipment Identity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity
CleanRom 2.1 just came out today in case anyone is interested...im gonna install it and give it a shot...heard it was much more stable and smoother than v2.0 which im running now.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070
nighthawk34691 said:
CleanRom 2.1 just came out today in case anyone is interested...im gonna install it and give it a shot...heard it was much more stable and smoother than v2.0 which im running now.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070
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How's the new rom? And if I want to install this new rom, do I just do the same thing I did with CM10 (flash, backup, recovery, etc.)?
fr8cture said:
Nandroid Backs up your whole system and Titanium just backs up your apps and app data, Not exactly sure what a IMEI is but if you don't have it you wont have any service.
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Where is everything backed up to? Like say I want to flash a bunch of roms, and later decide to go back to my stock rom, what do I do?
All nandroid backups (cwm) by default are saved to the root of the internal SD card. They typically are small compressed files and really no need to ever move them, though you can have as many as you want, just label and sort them in cwm app.
Titanium defaults to internal SD (again root file that won't be wiped when wiping data), but you can easily change this location to your external to make you feel safer.
Same deal with rom zip files, if you drag and drop through your desktop, you can drop on either sd card or external. If you download through your phone it will be on internal in downloads file, safe from a wipe. You can then move if needs be using a file explorer app. Just remember your location when flashing so you can find your zip in recovery.
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annoyingduck said:
All nandroid backups (cwm) by default are saved to the root of the internal SD card. They typically are small compressed files and really no need to ever move them, though you can have as many as you want, just label and sort them in cwm app.
Titanium defaults to internal SD (again root file that won't be wiped when wiping data), but you can easily change this location to your external to make you feel safer.
Same deal with rom zip files, if you drag and drop through your desktop, you can drop on either sd card or external. If you download through your phone it will be on internal in downloads file, safe from a wipe. You can then move if needs be using a file explorer app. Just remember your location when flashing so you can find your zip in recovery.
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Ahhh ok. So I'm pretty sure that I did a nandroid backup. So if I want to go back to my old rom, do I just reboot into recovery and click restore or something like that?
That's it. I have several nandroid backups of various rom's and configurations that I can then choose from in recovery. Just remember that if one of your recoveries is original stock (which you should have done), just remember that after flashing that backup, you probably will need to reinstall cwm or similar recovery. You won't need to do that with anything other than stock. I'll do my best to answer any other questions, and please tap the thanks button if this helped!
annoyingduck said:
That's it. I have several nandroid backups of various rom's and configurations that I can then choose from in recovery. Just remember that if one of your recoveries is original stock (which you should have done), just remember that after flashing that backup, you probably will need to reinstall cwm or similar recovery. You won't need to do that with anything other than stock. I'll do my best to answer any other questions, and please tap the thanks button if this helped!
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Oh ok. But if flash the stock rom, will it wipe my phone clean, or will I stay rooted? And do roms take up a lot of storage? I had quite a lot of free space, but after CM10 I lost about 1-2 gb I think.
Yes, roms do take up alot of storage, so its a good idea to put the zip files on your external sd card to keep your internal as free as possible, especially if you have multiple roms that your playing around with. As far as flashing stock, if you mean restoring your stock rom from a backup in recovery mode, then the answer is yes to staying rooted, and no to wiping it clean. It will be in the same state that your phone was in when you made the backup. However, if you flash on an original stock rom it can unroot you and wipe everything depending on how its flashed in. This method really should only need to be done if a backup was not made of your stock rom, or if you have bricked your device in some manner.
Oh okay. So I should be fine then. Which rom do you recommend for this S3? I'm trying to find one that is really stable and is hopefully jelly bean. I'm looking at CleanRom right now, because I like how it incorporates some touchwiz, but I think it's ICS?
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