Database Info

If you preform more than 1 Nandroid back-up will it erase your previous one?

I am curious because i backed up my original stock rom with all of my apps and all that sprint junk, and now i would like to back-up the custom rom with a bunch of the sprint bloat removed. However I would like to have the option to go back to either of them. Please advise, thanks

Look in the nandroid file on the sdcard. You will see multiple files in there from all your backups labeled by date/time.

tstack77 said:
Look in the nandroid file on the sdcard. You will see multiple files in there from all your backups labeled by date/time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how can you select which one to restore from? I'm assuming it'll restore from the last one that is backed up. How do you choose a earlier backed up one? What I was starting to do was just copy the whole nandroid folder thinking that it was just one back up file that just overwrote the last one.

I'm new to android, so I'm sure someone out there has a better answer.
The recovery image that I have installed only gives the option for restoring the latest nandroid image and no chooser menu. That would be a nice option, but I suppose you could pop out the SD and move the later files to a different directory so that the "last" backup is the one you want to restore.
I've already performed one restore and it didn't give me the option of picking which image to restore. It just picked the one with the last timestamp, which was the one I wanted at the time.

flactemnad said:
I'm new to android, so I'm sure someone out there has a better answer.
The recovery image that I have installed only gives the option for restoring the latest nandroid image and no chooser menu. That would be a nice option, but I suppose you could pop out the SD and move the later files to a different directory so that the "last" backup is the one you want to restore.
I've already performed one restore and it didn't give me the option of picking which image to restore. It just picked the one with the last timestamp, which was the one I wanted at the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool thanks, i'm about to do a few backups and will check out the file structure after each one. Guess I'll just keep a master copy of all the backups I do so I can do as you suggest and remove the ones I don't use for the purpose of flashing just the one that I want to flash.
I wanna do backups at various stages on my phone so this will help.

Yeah. They are seperated by time stamp so just turn on usb storage and you can sort which one you want to have the newest time stamp. Also, one thing to note is they are also seperated by some kind of phone id. I had some Nandroids from my Dream still on my sd card and I noticed two seperate folders containing time stamps. Just something to note.

[Q] Some semi-newbish questions

Hi Folks,
I hope I'm not asking questions already covered, so apologies or redirects if I have. I just rooted my phone for the first time last night so I'm a little timid to take steps further without asking a few things.
1) I have both the Clockwork Recovery and Titanium Backup (free version), but TiBackup did its backup on the internal SD while CWR did it on the external SD. Is there a way to have TiBackup redirect the spot it saves its backups to?
2) People recommend Root Explorer to get rid of the bloatware that exists, but outside of paying for either that or TiBackup (that I don't terribly love), is there a free app that does the same thing, or preferably just does a freeze. I'm not concerned with paying for it, but since I'm new to this stuff, I'd rather not waste money on things that don't have longevity or more than just an experimental use if I don't have to.
Thanks for the help

shahp said:
Hi Folks,
I hope I'm not asking questions already covered, so apologies or redirects if I have. I just rooted my phone for the first time last night so I'm a little timid to take steps further without asking a few things.
1) I have both the Clockwork Recovery and Titanium Backup (free version), but TiBackup did its backup on the internal SD while CWR did it on the external SD. Is there a way to have TiBackup redirect the spot it saves its backups to?
2) People recommend Root Explorer to get rid of the bloatware that exists, but outside of paying for either that or TiBackup (that I don't terribly love), is there a free app that does the same thing, or preferably just does a freeze. I'm not concerned with paying for it, but since I'm new to this stuff, I'd rather not waste money on things that don't have longevity or more than just an experimental use if I don't have to.
Thanks for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have paid Titanium backup, so i know on that you can change the location where the backup is used.
i bought root explorer and titanium back up in november 2010, and have used it on 3 different phones since. i too hate paying for software that i think may not work, but i have used these programs beyond their value, and was 200% satisfied with my purchase. dont hesistate, just buy them. once you root, these programs are priceless. i use root explorer for more than just root stuff, i dont use astro, or even the stock CM file explorer root explorer is just fine and even works without root (will work like astro).
there is an app called app admin that works to remove bloat. i find root explorer easier as it kinda identifys what certain programs are by icon, where app admin you need to know what it is before deleting. app admin tho you can check off multiple apps and delete them all at the same time, where root explorer is one by one, and you will need to do a battery pull after a removing certain apps such as wifi calling, so you may need more than one battery pull, where with app admin it should only make you do one battery pull.
so i say buy the 2 apps you mentioned, it cant hurt and as long as you are willing to stay with android, the value is priceless

shahp said:
Hi Folks,
I hope I'm not asking questions already covered, so apologies or redirects if I have. I just rooted my phone for the first time last night so I'm a little timid to take steps further without asking a few things.
1) I have both the Clockwork Recovery and Titanium Backup (free version), but TiBackup did its backup on the internal SD while CWR did it on the external SD. Is there a way to have TiBackup redirect the spot it saves its backups to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can change the backup location of TB in the preferences menu. Just look for "Backup folder location"
shahp said:
2) People recommend Root Explorer to get rid of the bloatware that exists, but outside of paying for either that or TiBackup (that I don't terribly love), is there a free app that does the same thing, or preferably just does a freeze. I'm not concerned with paying for it, but since I'm new to this stuff, I'd rather not waste money on things that don't have longevity or more than just an experimental use if I don't have to.
Thanks for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try using file expert, they now have a root setting in the settings menu, tho I have yet to get it to copy many files over at once without it crashing or stalling. Other then that, you could learn the ADB commands to do the same thing.

I use Super Manager. Its free. It'd look better without the weird color scheme but it works fine as a root explorer and lets you read/write to the system folder.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

McFroger3 said:
You can change the backup location of TB in the preferences menu. Just look for "Backup folder location"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. I tried redirecting to a new folder on the external SD and it asked whether or not I wanted to port things from the old directory to the new one, which I responded yes. But it didn't do it, and prompted to continue using the old one. Can I just delete the /TitaniumBackup folder that exists now, and have it make a fresh back up on the SD card?
Do I even need a TiBackup if i already have a CWR one on the SD card already? I'm still unsure if they back up the same data differently, or it's the same.
Thanks to everyone for the advice.

shahp said:
Cool. I tried redirecting to a new folder on the external SD and it asked whether or not I wanted to port things from the old directory to the new one, which I responded yes. But it didn't do it, and prompted to continue using the old one. Can I just delete the /TitaniumBackup folder that exists now, and have it make a fresh back up on the SD card?
Do I even need a TiBackup if i already have a CWR one on the SD card already? I'm still unsure if they back up the same data differently, or it's the same.
Thanks to everyone for the advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium allows you to restore your apps across different ROM's and even different phones. CWM can only restore entire ROM's and is only really useful if a newly installed ROM or kernel cause a problem and you need to restore an old one through recovery. Titanium is an invaluable program and I recommended you purchase the paid version.

shahp said:
Cool. I tried redirecting to a new folder on the external SD and it asked whether or not I wanted to port things from the old directory to the new one, which I responded yes. But it didn't do it, and prompted to continue using the old one. Can I just delete the /TitaniumBackup folder that exists now, and have it make a fresh back up on the SD card?
Do I even need a TiBackup if i already have a CWR one on the SD card already? I'm still unsure if they back up the same data differently, or it's the same.
Thanks to everyone for the advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TB is only for apps+data, while Nandroid does a backup of the entire system.
Also with nandroids it creates .img files so you would not be able to get apps back and use on different roms like the previous poster. If you wish to start fresh, just delete current directory and point to the new one on the external SD card.

A word of Caution

After installing a custom ROM, I discovered I should have repartitioned my internal sd card, and fix permissions.
So, I carefully backed-up my data and started the process.
Everything was going as expected. Right up to rebooting the system. BEFORE REBOOTING THE SYSTEM RESTORE THE DATA. I didn't, and lost everything.
This is the best website I've found for newbie like me. Use it, study it, and don't make the mistake I made.
http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/repartition.htm
Have fun and be careful out there.
Don't forget to donate too.

Or use a program like Titanium Backup to back your data up onto an external SD card rather than the internal one?
Or am I missing something here?

Titanim can save your apps and data but not what you have saved on your SD. With a repartition it is a clean wipe of your SD so all is lost, even the backup you have made through cwm that you might have forgotten to move to your PC pre format. Keep a nand backup on your PC at all times, I do a weakly backup and toss it on my PC. That way if I have a bad flash and need to repartition I'm not loosing much. Also I have a starting point other than a stock rom to work with after a full restore.luck favors the prepared ;-)

captirwin said:
This is the best website I've found for newbie like me. Use it, study it, and don't make the mistake I made.
http://viewsonic-gtablet-for-dummies.webs.com/repartition.htm
Have fun and be careful out there.
Don't forget to donate too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
I wanted to switch to a ROM with a 1.2 Bootloader, but I was weary of all the steps involved. I went to this site, and he saved me a lot of time. After fighting to get my tablet to connect to my PC, it only took a few minutes to get to 1.2BL with a new ClockWorkMod version.

[Q] How to use Titanium Backup before flashing to a new rom?

Hi.
I want to flash anew.
I want to backup my apps.
I do not have an external SD card (i mean - i do, i just don't use it, it's in my drawer collecting dust).
I see that I can backup apps with Titanium.
But - once I will flash, these backups will all be wiped, will they not?
THANK YOU !

Why not just copy the titanium backup folder to your computer first? Flash your rom then once you get your phone running copy the folder back to your phone. Reinstall titanium backup and restore as needed. Titanium also comes with dropbox built in which can be pretty useful.
Sent from my LG-P999

e4e5nf3nc6 said:
Why not just copy the titanium backup folder to your computer first? Flash your rom then once you get your phone running copy the folder back to your phone. Reinstall titanium backup and restore as needed. Titanium also comes with dropbox built in which can be pretty useful.
Sent from my LG-P999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Will do that! Thanks!

benyben123 said:
Hi.
I want to flash anew.
I want to backup my apps.
I do not have an external SD card (i mean - i do, i just don't use it, it's in my drawer collecting dust).
I see that I can backup apps with Titanium.
But - once I will flash, these backups will all be wiped, will they not?
THANK YOU !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if you format your internal sd card I mean that's common sense get a clue
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

ZeroT| Demented said:
Only if you format your internal sd card I mean that's common sense get a clue
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I guess you are right....
Just didn't think of it since I thought I am suppose to format the SD card every time I flash. I also didn't know that TB saves its files to the SD card.
Thanks

ZeroT| Demented said:
Only if you format your internal sd card I mean that's common sense get a clue
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude what is your problem. Sometimes people don't know as much as you. This is why they come here and ask questions. They don't need to be ridiculed for not knowing how to do something. I wouldn't ridicule you for losing for instance some chess games against me. I would instead assume you haven't spent thousands of hours studying it and be fine with that instead of throwing it in your face. You have a problem. I've been coming to these forums for maybe 2 weeks and I've seen some negative or condescending thing from you over and over. Read the rules and adhere to them or kindly leave. That is all.
Sent from my LG-P999

e4e5nf3nc6 said:
Dude what is your problem. Sometimes people don't know as much as you. This is why they come here and ask questions. They don't need to be ridiculed for not knowing how to do something. I wouldn't ridicule you for losing for instance some chess games against me. I would instead assume you haven't spent thousands of hours studying it and be fine with that instead of throwing it in your face. You have a problem. I've been coming to these forums for maybe 2 weeks and I've seen some negative or condescending thing from you over and over. Read the rules and adhere to them or kindly leave. That is all.
Sent from my LG-P999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll school you in a game of chess!
If you got chesspresso installed lets play a game sometime.
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

Not going to waste my time bud.
Sent from my LG-P999

Not to be rude but if you could beat me I would know who you are. I sort of make part of my living giving private lessons.
Sent from my LG-P999

ZeroT| Demented said:
Only if you format your internal sd card I mean that's common sense get a clue
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you always a ****? Get a clue and lose the damn attitude.
I swear you sound just like a guy that was banned with a very similar name.

e4e5nf3nc6 said:
Not going to waste my time bud.
Sent from my LG-P999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Ruy Lopez hah!
I keeeeeel you!
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

ZeroT| Demented said:
Only if you format your internal sd card I mean that's common sense get a clue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, Your Rude, Secondly you don't have a clue because you are completely wrong and clearly cannot read.
The OP had clearly stated he did not have an SD Card (but COULD), so if you did a full backup to internal memory (because of no SD Card).
Then yes, if you flash (as most require format/wipe, cache, and dalvik) you would also wipe your backup. Those with devices with no SD Card support should take care to copy the backup files manually to another device for later use.
I was searching for the question of "How to use Titanium Backup before flashing to a new ROM?"
However my question remains unanswered...
I have a custom ROM already installed, with all my apps and configuration etc, I want to try a new ROM to test something, then revert back to the ROM I am using now,
Does Titanium Backup create a restore point image, that I can restore later, and as such carry on using my device where I had it at the point of backup?
If not an image, then is the functionality I am looking for available?
Many Thanks,
Robert Readman

I don't believe titanium offers the feature you are looking for. It does have a feature that creates a flashable zip to to flash all your apps backcto the phone...however this feature has never worked for me lol. I always have to restore my apps the old fashioned way with the batch options restore. Like you,I did not have a SD card when I first flashed my phone. To get around this issue I created a backup with cwm and moved it to my PC for safe keeping. DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID and transfer the backup to PC via USB cable....if you do this the md5 sum will become corrupt. I don't know why but nandroids are sensitive in the way they handled/moved across platforms. Download the free app from the market called Airdroid. It connects your phone to your PC through a wireless LAN connection. It takes a little longer to transfer the boot image since its a large file but its MUCH safer. When you do transfer the nandroid to your PC its very important to not change ANYTHING in the file, especially the name. Change nothing! Otherwise you will mess up the md5. If you do get aa corrupt md5 like I did there is a tutorial on this site somewhere that walks you through the process of fixing it but it was a pain in the a** so use airdroid lol. Hope this helped.
Ps- having a SD card makes like much easier in the world of flashing/android Modding. Even a small one is worth it. Best of luck
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

Pain-N-Panic said:
DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID and transfer the backup to PC via USB cable....if you do this the md5 sum will become corrupt. I don't know why but nandroids are sensitive in the way they handled/moved across platforms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this Pain-N-Panic, I am not sure, but it maybe something to do with transferring in binary / ASCII modes, similar to an issue you come across with FTP, so it is very plausible as an issue but someone with more knowledge of this would need to comment.
My solution which should help, is to go into Terminal Emulator, and use tar to create an archive.
Example...
type 'pwd' (for present working directory), it should be root by default '/'
in my case, i have /sdcard/ as a symlink to /storage/primary/legacy/
so then type 'cd' (for change directory) to the location of your sd card storage.
then typing 'tar -cvf file.tar ./folder/' c for create, v for verbose, f for file, then the file to create, and the folder.
Search for use of tar online, if you require more information.
Code:
cd /sdcard/
tar -cvf TitaniumBackup.tar /sdcard/TitaniumBackup/
You can then transfer your TitaniumBackup.tar with all file ownership, permissions and even file / folder timestamps are stored, for restoring the folder later.

[Q] Clockworkmod backups

I am just wondering if it is safe to store these on the external SD card??
If for some reason i needed to access them, would I be able to? They are currently taking up a good chunk of my internal memory. I only have one, but its taking up 483MB. I want to make a newer one as well - how do I go about doing that? Again, would it be safe to keep it on the external SD card if I needed access in the future? The old one is from when the original owner rooted the device I imagine, cant be sure, but it was definately before I had it. It was brand new other than the root/unlock which i knew about ahead of time.
Anyway, is it safe to move/create a new one and move it?

Yes, if you copy and paste, make sure to keep the exact folders and their names, along with any files in them. It is completely safe
Edit: in fact you can also do the backups directly to external sd card right from recovery.

Nick_73 said:
Yes, if you copy and paste, make sure to keep the exact folders and their names, along with any files in them. It is completely safe
Edit: in fact you can also do the backups directly to external sd card right from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean on the external sd card to also call the folders "clockworkmod/backup/<date>"?

Pawprints1986 said:
Do you mean on the external sd card to also call the folders "clockworkmod/backup/<date>"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Whatever the folder tree looks like on ur internal memory copy it EXACTLY to ur sd card

Nick_73 said:
Yes. Whatever the folder tree looks like on ur internal memory copy it EXACTLY to ur sd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way, after i move it, to see if I can see it from my external SD card within the recovery without actually using the backup/reverting back to those settings???

Pawprints1986 said:
Is there a way, after i move it, to see if I can see it from my external SD card within the recovery without actually using the backup/reverting back to those settings???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u go to "restore" u should see ur backups.

Nick_73 said:
If u go to "restore" u should see ur backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so ive taken the time tongiht to copy my backups from the internal to the external, using the same paths. I even included the ".nomedia" ".salted_hash" and ".settings" just in case.
I also have a copy on my desktop hard drive.
Is it now safe to delete them off of the internal storage? How can I confirm that they can still be seen from recovery - but without actually using them to recover/reset the system at this current time?
I already made another backup accidently last night. I was in custom recovery clearing out the cache, and I went into backup just wondering if thats where you go to make one (i figured it would confirm by making you scroll to yes like every other option). it started making a new backup. Luckily i had 60% battery so i was able to let it finish. So at least now i have a backup of my current system.
The problem is both backups are taking up 2 gigs of internal space now and i only have 4gigs. So, these definately need to be pitched if possible.
ETA: So after I watched a video on youtube, i did go in, and i can see both dates of backups.... but all of the files are still in both locations... how can I tell which ones CWM is seeing??