Database Info

question about wiping

quick question, im new to rooting the transforner and i just want to know, when i wipe to install prime will it erase my music that is on the internal storage? If so, is there a different way to wipe to keep certain files? Cause i also have my titanium backup files on internal as well, thanks in advance.

First of all, your title made me laugh for a good 1 minute. Somehow, "question about wiping" just doesn't sound very technical and sound more like it has something to do with our bodily functions.
No, "wiping" cache and data will not touch your files. Android is different than windows. Windows OS has 1 big partition where everything is in there. Android has 12 partitions, each one has it's own purpose. When you wipe the data partition, what you're really wiping is app data partition. There is also a user data partition where all your files are kept. Unless you do a format of your sdcard in the advance menu, all your user files are safe.
So, before you install a custom rom, make sure you wipe cache and data/factory reset. Also wipe dalvik cache. Trust me, all your porn files will still be there waiting for you.
Sorry, I have a weird sense of humor.

Lol, thanks buddy. Ive never had an android device with an internal sdcard so i was a little concerned. Thanks again.

goodintentions said:
So, before you install a custom rom, make sure you wipe cache and data/factory reset. Also wipe dalvik cache.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering, is a data/factory wipe always necessary? When I flashed Revolver 3.9.3 for the 1ste time from stock rom, I did a data/factory wipe, cache wipe and dalvik cache wipe in CWM. When updating this Revolver rom to 3.9.5 using zip-file, I only wipe cache and dalvik cache. On my Moto I wipe cache and dalvik cache before and after the zip update when updating a custom rom, but I'm not sure if the latter is necessary. I guess a data/factory wipe is only necessary when flashing a new base rom?

wiping is usually recommended as sometimes if you install with out wiping it will cause weird problems :/

Questions about "wiping" data

Ok, with all of the talk about making sure folks do a full wipe before installing ICS, I would like to get some clarification on all of the different wiping methods and which is the best way...
I know of these ways:
1. Via custom recovery - you can wipe data, system, cache, etc.. individually.
2. Via holding Power+VolumeDown until bootloader text appears,, then wait until menu appears and select the Wipe Data option (instead of the cold boot option).
3. Via AARD SuperWipe full script
And then of course, there is the "Reset to factory defaults" in the OS itself...
Which is the best to use? I would assume the AARD SuperWipe full would be the most thorough as it recreates the partitions and everything (instead of just formatting them).
FOr users that have the ability, would an NVFlash of the OS be "more thorough" than CWM method?
Opinions/Experiences?
Thanks!

Don't use super wipe script. A lot of people reported having problems of some ROMs not flashing correctly after using it. There is no reason to use the "full" version anyway. It formats the /media partition(your internal storage partition) which you don't want to nor need to format.
Wipe Data in your #2 does pretty much the same thing as "Reset to factory defaults". They both wipe /data and /cache but do not touch /system.
The most thorough way of wiping that I use is via CWM.
I do all of this within CWM if I want to ensure a clean install of a new ROM and it has never failed.
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- advanced / Wipe Dalvik Cache
- Mounts and Storage / format /system
I am not sure how NVFlashing a ROM does a clean install? As far as I know, it just flashes whatever it's told to flash. It wouldn't even touch /data if you were just flashing a ROM with it.

horndroid said:
Don't use super wipe script. A lot of people reported having problems of some ROMs not flashing correctly after using it. There is no reason to use the "full" version anyway. It formats the /media partition(your internal storage partition) which you don't want to nor need to format.
Wipe Data in your #2 does pretty much the same thing as "Reset to factory defaults". They both wipe /data and /cache but do not touch /system.
The most thorough way of wiping that I use is via CWM.
I do all of this within CWM if I want to ensure a clean install of a new ROM and it has never failed.
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- advanced / Wipe Dalvik Cache
- Mounts and Storage / format /system
I am not sure how NVFlashing a ROM does a clean install? As far as I know, it just flashes whatever it's told to flash. It wouldn't even touch /data if you were just flashing a ROM with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried ALL of the above methods - all with the exact same results, to be honest...
Even if I revert back to honeycomb (even after a full wipe), I STILL exhibit the reboot issues (it's not just me - look around). This was NOT happening before with the exact same version of Revolver. This tells me that there is still yet something else that was changed during the ICS updates. We know the bootloader was updated - i'm now testing ICS with the old bootloader.
Other than the bootloader, what else could have changed?? Unless they upgraded the firmware on a particular device during the ICS update (wifi chip, bluetooth chip, etc). Other than that, I just can't come up with an explanation as to why Honeycomb won't even run properly anymore!
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

horndroid said:
I am not sure how NVFlashing a ROM does a clean install? As far as I know, it just flashes whatever it's told to flash. It wouldn't even touch /data if you were just flashing a ROM with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use the --create flag, nvflash will format ALL the partitions and then flash them. If you use the --download flag, it will just overwrite the partitions you send it.
That being said, I agree at your wiping method is more than enough. Most times, I don't bother wiping, especially data.
sent from my cyanogen(mod) vision

[Solved] Right Way to Wipe/Format using 4EXT Touch Recovery

I've been using 4EXT Touch Recovery to wipe/format before flashing certain roms. Is there a right way on how to wipe/format using 4EXT Touch?
This is how I do it (correct me if I'm wrong):
1. wipe date/factory reset
2. wipe cache
3. wipe cache + dalvik
4. wipe dalvik cache
5. wipe battery stats
6. format system
7. format data
8. format boot
9. format all partitions (except sdcard)
10. format sdcard
11. flash rom

wh0d0es said:
I've been using 4EXT Touch Recovery to wipe/format before flashing certain roms. Is there a right way on how to wipe/format using 4EXT Touch?
This is how I do it (correct me if I'm wrong):
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are flashing an update of the same ROM do "wipe dalvik cache + cache" (in case the Developer has not clearly stated that the update requires full wipe)
If you are flashing a new ROM use "wipe all partition (except sdcard)" it will do all the wipes from the wipe menu, no need to repeat it
And wiping the sdcard every time you install a ROM clearly does not make any sense, you are deleting all you pictures, music and all other files that are not related to any ROM you are using

amidabuddha said:
If you are flashing an update of the same ROM do "wipe dalvik cache + cache" (in case the Developer has not clearly stated that the update requires full wipe)
If you are flashing a new ROM use "wipe all partition (except sdcard)" it will do all the wipes from the wipe menu, no need to repeat it
And wiping the sdcard every time you install a ROM clearly does not make any sense, you are deleting all you pictures, music and all other files that are not related to any ROM you are using
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know that "format all partition (except sdcard)" is the same from 1 to 8. I'll try using it from now on every time I install new roms. Also, I thought that wiping my sdcard every time I install rom is to make that rom fully utilized/functional. And that is why I back up all my pictures, music, and all other files in my laptop. Anyhow, thank you for your simple but very relevant response.

There are some ROM specific files on the SDcard but a full wipe (all partitions except sdcard) clears them too
Sent from my HTC Desire S

amidabuddha said:
There are some ROM specific files on the SDcard but a full wipe (all partitions except sdcard) clears them too
Sent from my HTC Desire S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is noted... Thank you for all the info's... Greatly appreciated! :highfive:

[Mod][Utility] Wiping Tools - Simple and Fast

Attached are three recovery flashable wiping tools I use when doing my work.
I find them to be incredibly useful tools that save some power button & volume rocker mashing, and time.
Wipe Cache and Dalvik - Wipes Cache and Dalvik (duh!)
Useful for:
-Flashing GApps
-Resolving app issues
Wipe Full - Wipes Cache, Dalvik, Data, and System
-Wipes just about all data except internal sd card
-Stops just short of a factory reset (does not wipe media)
-Useful for flashing ROMs within a type (e.g. going from one CM ROM to another CM ROM)
Wipe Full Factory Reset - Wipes Cache, Dalvik, Data, System, and internal sd card
-Useful when going from one ROM type to another (e.g. going from CM to TW)
_____________________
This is the part of the updater-script that selectively wipes /data in case anyone wants to add this to their ROM:
Code:
delete_recursive("/data/dalvik-cache");
delete_recursive("/data/app");
delete_recursive("/data/app-asec");
delete_recursive("/data/app-private");
delete_recursive("/data/backup");
delete_recursive("/data/data");
delete_recursive("/data/drm");
delete_recursive("/data/log");
delete_recursive("/data/misc");
delete_recursive("/data/property");
delete_recursive("/data/system");
delete_recursive("/data/time");
delete_recursive("/data/user");
Changing the code above to the code below effectively performs a factory reset
(look at /data/media and you will see your internal sd card)
Code:
delete_recursive("/data");
As Always - Flash at your own risk!

Thannk you we were long due for a format all zip
iSheep... iSheep... Meowww that's Apple VZW GSIII

I added a full wipe with factory reset zip to the OP and updated the post to reflect the changes.

About to test with twrp. Anyone else use them yet, or will I be taking them on their maiden voyage with the BETTER recovery?
Edit: would you be interested in making a fourth one for those of us who are OCD? Davlik, cache, and (complete) factory reset, wiping everything but the SD card, saving the super wipe script of yours for flashing to/from different rom bases (tw to aosp/cm).
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

thanks i wanted this when the S3 came out and everyone said i was a dip**** for wanting it :highfive:

added to my sd card...thank you!

dems86 said:
About to test with twrp. Anyone else use them yet, or will I be taking them on their maiden voyage with the BETTER recovery?
Edit: would you be interested in making a fourth one for those of us who are OCD? Davlik, cache, and (complete) factory reset, wiping everything but the SD card, saving the super wipe script of yours for flashing to/from different rom bases (tw to aosp/cm).
Confirmed working on TWRP.
What you ask for is what the full wipe zip does. Any directories that I haven't added to the script are usually empty, or are regenerated during install of a new ROM.
If you find anything I missed let me know and I will update the script.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Karl said:
thanks i wanted this when the S3 came out and everyone said i was a dip**** for wanting it :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way. I can't live without these.

Karl said:
thanks i wanted this when the S3 came out and everyone said i was a dip**** for wanting it :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. I came from the t989 and when i got the i535 I looked and looked and asked but everyone said that it was stupid.

Karl said:
thanks i wanted this when the S3 came out and everyone said i was a dip**** for wanting it :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GalaxySII5191 said:
Me too. I came from the t989 and when i got the i535 I looked and looked and asked but everyone said that it was stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea i dont know about all that...
BUT
theoretically this is just the lazy way of getting it done. i appreciate it since i use TWRP..so i just load them up and sit back.

Bumping this because I used it earlier today and it worked like a charm

best toolset ever

Could you make a toolset to wipe dalvik, cache, and system?
Sent from my rOot3d Samsung Galaxy S3

SoCalSpecialist said:
yea i dont know about all that...
BUT
theoretically this is just the lazy way of getting it done. i appreciate it since i use TWRP..so i just load them up and sit back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess everyone is lazy then cuz I can think of 5 other phones that had wipe zips
Sent from my Galaxy S III using Forum Runner

To help improve the quality of both the development and general sections, I decided to have this thread moved to the general section.
Just giving you a heads up in case you need to find it.
kennyglass123 will be moving this thread soon.

I know I'm grave digging, but I'm not sure where else to put this. I've found a way to wipe everything in /data/ except media. I've tested and it works in TWRP but I'm not sure how it works in CWM. Here's the line:
Code:
run_program("/sbin/sh", "-c", "find /data/* -maxdepth 0 -type d ! -name 'media' -exec rm -rf {} +");

upndwn4par said:
Attached are three recovery flashable wiping tools I use when doing my work.
I find them to be incredibly useful tools that save some power button & volume rocker mashing, and time.
Wipe Cache and Dalvik - Wipes Cache and Dalvik (duh!)
Useful for:
-Flashing GApps
-Resolving app issues
Wipe Full - Wipes Cache, Dalvik, Data, and System
-Wipes just about all data except internal sd card
-Stops just short of a factory reset (does not wipe media)
-Useful for flashing ROMs within a type (e.g. going from one CM ROM to another CM ROM)
Wipe Full Factory Reset - Wipes Cache, Dalvik, Data, System, and internal sd card
-Useful when going from one ROM type to another (e.g. going from CM to TW)
_____________________
This is the part of the updater-script that selectively wipes /data in case anyone wants to add this to their ROM:
Code:
delete_recursive("/data/dalvik-cache");
delete_recursive("/data/app");
delete_recursive("/data/app-asec");
delete_recursive("/data/app-private");
delete_recursive("/data/backup");
delete_recursive("/data/data");
delete_recursive("/data/drm");
delete_recursive("/data/log");
delete_recursive("/data/misc");
delete_recursive("/data/property");
delete_recursive("/data/system");
delete_recursive("/data/time");
delete_recursive("/data/user");
Changing the code above to the code below effectively performs a factory reset
(look at /data/media and you will see your internal sd card)
Code:
delete_recursive("/data");
As Always - Flash at your own risk!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello thread. Never flash without this first. I think more people should know about it
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

upndwn4par said:
Attached are three recovery flashable wiping tools I use when doing my work.
I find them to be incredibly useful tools that save some power button & volume rocker mashing, and time.
Wipe Cache and Dalvik - Wipes Cache and Dalvik (duh!)
Useful for:
-Flashing GApps
-Resolving app issues
Wipe Full - Wipes Cache, Dalvik, Data, and System
-Wipes just about all data except internal sd card
-Stops just short of a factory reset (does not wipe media)
-Useful for flashing ROMs within a type (e.g. going from one CM ROM to another CM ROM)
Wipe Full Factory Reset - Wipes Cache, Dalvik, Data, System, and internal sd card
-Useful when going from one ROM type to another (e.g. going from CM to TW)
_____________________
This is the part of the updater-script that selectively wipes /data in case anyone wants to add this to their ROM:
Code:
delete_recursive("/data/dalvik-cache");
delete_recursive("/data/app");
delete_recursive("/data/app-asec");
delete_recursive("/data/app-private");
delete_recursive("/data/backup");
delete_recursive("/data/data");
delete_recursive("/data/drm");
delete_recursive("/data/log");
delete_recursive("/data/misc");
delete_recursive("/data/property");
delete_recursive("/data/system");
delete_recursive("/data/time");
delete_recursive("/data/user");
Changing the code above to the code below effectively performs a factory reset
(look at /data/media and you will see your internal sd card)
Code:
delete_recursive("/data");
As Always - Flash at your own risk!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wipe Full Factory Reset
WILL THIS DESTROY MY PHONE FROM BOOTING?

Wipe Internal Storage

I would like to wipe internal storage to make better/clean install of the ROM (
with old S3 i make a folder on Ext SD with .zip file
reboot to cwm
backup
wipe all (cache + data + system + internal storage)
install (rom + gapps + kernel)
reboot
As you know on 1+ there is no Ext Sd
Someone has already tried to do:
copy .zip file to a folder on PC
reboot to TWRP (2.8.0.1)
make a backup
connect phone to pc and mount data
copy backup from 1+ to Pc
advanced wipe (cache + data + system + internal storage)
copy .zip file from PC to 1+
install (rom + gapps + kernel)
reboot
Can it work?
P.s. I have no OTG cable or USB

You should be able to wipe everything and install the Rom-Zip via ADB-Push.

Why dont you try to install the new rom in recovery with a normal wipe and after you falsh the rom + gapps do a wipe of the internal sdcard should have the same affect ?

are you out of your mind? DO NOT WIPE INTERNAL!!! WIPE SYSTEM AND DATA ONLY
here's my thread for when you wipe internal and brickloop your phone!

markbencze said:
are you out of your mind? DO NOT WIPE INTERNAL!!! WIPE SYSTEM AND DATA ONLY
here's my thread for when you wipe internal and brickloop your phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. Interesting thread. However, I wipe my internal storage (for a "full" wipe) everytime I flash a new rom or even the weekly of a same rom and luckily I haven't ran into the problems in your thread.
to the OP: I put all of my zip files in a USB otg so flashing is a bit simpler. This includes all of my nandroid and media.
I would wait to wipe the internal storage until you figure out which route you want to use (USB-otg or ADB)
Until then a normal factory reset in your recovery should be good. Also as @Hogyoku metioned you can erase internal from within the Rom to get the same effect.
Sent from my One A0001 using XDA Free mobile app

Mojar7070 said:
Wow. Interesting thread. However, I wipe my internal storage (for "full" wipe) evertime I flash a new rom or even the weekly of a same rom and luckily I haven't ran into the problems in your thread.
I do put all of my zip files in a USB otg so flashing is a bit simpler.
Sent from my One A0001 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not wise. You should never wipe internal plain and simple. All that s required for full wipe is system and data. If you continue doing so, you're going to find out the hard way one day

markbencze said:
That's not wise. You should never wipe internal plain and simple. All that s required for full wipe is system and data. If you continue doing so, you're going to find out the hard way one day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This i what the OP wanted i'm not saying it's smart .....
::I would like to wipe internal storage to make better/clean install of the ROM :

Hogyoku said:
This i what the OP wanted i'm not saying it's smart .....
::I would like to wipe internal storage to make better/clean install of the ROM :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
who ever is saying to wipe internal doesn't know what they're doing. This is the last I will mention of this here. There is no need and it's dangerous. That's how efs and the persist files get wiped and you find yourself in some serious trouble.
when installing a rom all that is needed is wipe data and system. Not cache, not dalvik and certainly not internal.
So many people have a misconception on how to properly wipe and everything seems to think they need to wipe caches on top of system and data. Well guess what, when you wipe system and data the caches get wiped too so it's just an extra unneeded step. And some people will post crap saying to wipe 3 times when flashing etc. They are simply making things up

markbencze said:
who ever is saying to wipe internal doesn't know what they're doing. This is the last I will mention of this here. There is no need and it's dangerous. That's how efs and the persist files get wiped and you find yourself in some serious trouble.
when installing a rom all that is needed is wipe data and system. Not cache, not dalvik and certainly not internal.
So many people have a misconception on how to properly wipe and everything seems to think they need to wipe caches on top of system and data. Well guess what, when you wipe system and data the caches get wiped too so it's just an extra unneeded step. And some people will post crap saying to wipe 3 times when flashing etc. They are simply making things up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
markbencze said:
That's not wise. You should never wipe internal plain and simple. All that s required for full wipe is system and data. If you continue doing so, you're going to find out the hard way one day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
markbencze said:
are you out of your mind? DO NOT WIPE INTERNAL!!! WIPE SYSTEM AND DATA ONLY
here's my thread for when you wipe internal and brickloop your phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is complete bull****. Internal wipe will NEVER destroy anything it just wipes the whole /data/ instead of leaving /data/media. If you want your usb storage / internal sdcard / whatever you call it to be erased that's the one to choose. For a complete clean install:
1. BACKUP EVERYTHING YOU MIGHT EVER NEED AGAIN.
2. Grab ROM and GAPPS and put it on internal storage
3. Boot recovery and wipe DATA, SYSTEM, CACHE (dalvik is not needed because it's located on /data)
3. Flash ROM and GAPPS
4. Wipe internal storage
5. Stop talking about things you don't know correctly

om22 said:
This is complete bull****. Internal wipe will NEVER destroy anything it just wipes the whole /data/ instead of leaving /data/media. If you want your usb storage / internal sdcard / whatever you call it to be erased that's the one to choose. For a complete clean install:
1. BACKUP EVERYTHING YOU MIGHT EVER NEED AGAIN.
2. Grab ROM and GAPPS and put it on internal storage
3. Boot recovery and wipe DATA, SYSTEM, CACHE (dalvik is not needed because it's located on /data)
3. Flash ROM and GAPPS
4. Wipe internal storage
5. Stop talking about things you don't know correctly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Omg man you are not helping things here. Do you think its just a coincidence that everyone with these bricks wiped internal?
Considering I found the fix to this issue I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. But nice try.
Anyway I'm done here. I came here to help people recover from their bricks which I have done.

markbencze said:
Omg man you are not helping things here. Do you think its just a coincidence that everyone with these bricks wiped internal?
Considering I found the fix to this issue I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. But nice try.
Anyway I'm done here. I came here to help people recover from their bricks which I have done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really nice of you that you did that guide. But there is no way that bricks could have to do with that wipe. There is no way an internal wipe could corrupt any other partition than /data/ (efs, persist anything) beside of a bug in the recovery. Wiped internal several times on every phone and also the OPO with TWRP 2.8.0.1 and as you can see it's still running.

om22 said:
This is complete bull****. Internal wipe will NEVER destroy anything it just wipes the whole /data/ instead of leaving /data/media. If you want your usb storage / internal sdcard / whatever you call it to be erased that's the one to choose. For a complete clean install:
1. BACKUP EVERYTHING YOU MIGHT EVER NEED AGAIN.
2. Grab ROM and GAPPS and put it on internal storage
3. Boot recovery and wipe DATA, SYSTEM, CACHE (dalvik is not needed because it's located on /data)
3. Flash ROM and GAPPS
4. Wipe internal storage
5. Stop talking about things you don't know correctly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although you are right about this I still think it ain't smart to advice this on this forum. A lot of noobs around here, much more than in any sub forum of a phone I ever owned.[emoji6]

om22 said:
This is complete bull****. Internal wipe will NEVER destroy anything it just wipes the whole /data/ instead of leaving /data/media. If you want your usb storage / internal sdcard / whatever you call it to be erased that's the one to choose. For a complete clean install:
1. BACKUP EVERYTHING YOU MIGHT EVER NEED AGAIN.
2. Grab ROM and GAPPS and put it on internal storage
3. Boot recovery and wipe DATA, SYSTEM, CACHE (dalvik is not needed because it's located on /data)
3. Flash ROM and GAPPS
4. Wipe internal storage
5. Stop talking about things you don't know correctly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you