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Help with Nandroid

Hey all,
I've been searching everywhere in google as well as in XDA with no success. I am trying to do a full Nandroid backup (just like people are advising you to do when changing roms).
I currently have Clockwork 3.0.0 and am Rooted on stock. When I go into recovery, the only thing I have in regards to backup is just "backup" and no "Nandroid Backup" like people are saying all over the forums. Do I have to install something specific? I am puzzled! Is nandroid a method of backing up or the name of a program?
Also, when I backed up using Clockword >> Backup I found its only around 300mb so I assume it doesnt backup your SD content (i.e. pictures and videos + programs) as well? Is there a way to do a FULL image with literally everything?
Any help will be appreciated!

Hi...well backup sounds about right. Don't worry about whether it says nandroid or not. Mind doesn't. Just go ahead and do the backup.
And as for the SD card...well no need to worry there either because the SD contents do not get wiped out anyway, so there's no need for it to be backed up in the sameway.
Hope that helps.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

When I'm looking at the development section, it says that it will "WIPE ALL YOUR DATA". Doesn't this suggest I should also backup my pictures + videos?
Thanks for the help!

The only thing that wipes all your data and sdcard is a fastboot oem unlock, and it sounds like you're already past there. Flashing new roms and choosing "wipe data" in clockwork recovery does not touch your sdcard at all.

It's always a good idea to backup your photos and videos just in case. It only takes a few minutes and better to waste a few minutes than lose a precious irreplaceable video of the kid's first steps.
Nothing should wipe your sdcard other than the fastboot oem unlock, but that doesn't mean it can't be wiped by mistake. I just responded in another thread where the guy accidentally formatted his sdcard. Everything gone.
Better safe than sorry, in my opinion.

haha i agree, will Titanium Pro backup my photos/videos aswell (as you've commented on the other thread) or it just backs up apps ?

co0kie said:
haha i agree, will Titanium Pro backup my photos/videos aswell (as you've commented on the other thread) or it just backs up apps ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will only backup apps/data on the internal rom space, not on the sdcard; so no, it won't take care of your photos/videos.
Mount the phone via USB, select mount USB storage, then drag and drop the folders with your photos/videos to your computer harddrive.
Camera photos and vids are kept in the /dcim folder if you use stock. Some 3rd party camera apps may put them someplace else.
I usually just make a full copy of the sdcard at one point, then use rsync periodically to keep it current.

distortedloop said:
It will only backup apps/data on the internal rom space, not on the sdcard; so no, it won't take care of your photos/videos.
Mount the phone via USB, select mount USB storage, then drag and drop the folders with your photos/videos to your computer harddrive.
Camera photos and vids are kept in the /dcim folder if you use stock. Some 3rd party camera apps may put them someplace else.
I usually just make a full copy of the sdcard at one point, then use rsync periodically to keep it current.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I guess this is one adv. of keeping apps on internal rom space.
Making a copy of the sdcard and resyncing it periodically sounds like a good idea IMO, what programe do you use to resync the sdcard?
thanks,

co0kie said:
So I guess this is one adv. of keeping apps on internal rom space.
Making a copy of the sdcard and resyncing it periodically sounds like a good idea IMO, what programe do you use to resync the sdcard?
thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium will backup apps and data that are on the sdcard if you put them there with the apps2sd feature. It's smart that way. I'm talking about the apps that store settings and stuff (like Titanium itself, Launcher Pro, ADW, the gym log apps I've used, lots of games, etc) that put user data on the sdcard outside of the protected or apps2sd storage area on the sdcard.
I don't use an app for rsync, I just use the rsync command from the terminal on my Mac.
There's a couple of rsync apps on the Market. Someone mentioned using an app to rsync in one of the threads on here not too long ago. Here's an appbrain link to a search on the term rsync, it only shows two apps.

What if I move the app using Gingerbread feature to "move to sd", will it still know to back them up?
/is that what u meant in the beginning by feature of apps2sd? not sure cause there is an actuall program that does this

co0kie said:
What if I move the app using Gingerbread feature to "move to sd", will it still know to back them up?
/is that what u meant in the beginning by feature of apps2sd? not sure cause there is an actuall program that does this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's what I meant. It also covers just about all of the various apps to the sdcard hacks that various rom makers have implemented over the last year or two; certainly the popular ones like cyanogen and darktremor's versions.
If you get Titanium Pro, pay for the license. It will enable batch restore where all your apps can be restored at once without user intervention, otherwise I believe you have to okay each one individually.

I just bought it and performed a batch back up thank you!
Now, assuming i have already perfomed a backup and now if i move the app2sd, will it know to update it next time?
Then, when i jump to the next ROM, all i have to do is batch restore?

co0kie said:
I just bought it and performed a batch back up thank you!
Now, assuming i have already perfomed a backup and now if i move the app2sd, will it know to update it next time?
Then, when i jump to the next ROM, all i have to do is batch restore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you move the app to the sd, the restore will put the app back in its location where it was during the backup. Just run a batch backup of all changed applications after moving anything around.
After you flash a new rom, just run a batch restore: apps and data only, usually not a good idea to restore system settings across different roms.

[Q] 1st ROM / Unlock / TWRP flash questions

I just did my first ROM / unlock / TWRP /CROM install today and all went perfect thanks to all the guides here, but I have some questions now, more so about my TWRP flash....
I just updated twrp from 2.3.3 to the newest 2.4.4 following their guide using goo manager. I assume it was successful because I'm typing on her now' however.... My home screen now displays <Safe mode> on thebottom left.... Why is this? Also, after the flash, I lost my swiiftkey board app? Actually, seemed to have lost all my apps lol... What did I do wrong? (I didnt titanium backup before I updated, didn't know I needed too lol)
Do most use both nandroid backup AND titanium or just one?
Think that's all I have for now....
BTW, on Cleanrom in her 3.4.7 odex i think...
Edit, I still have all my app icons on my screen, but not in the main menu?

Proweedsmoker said:
I just did my first ROM / unlock / TWRP /CROM install today and all went perfect thanks to all the guides here, but I have some questions now, more so about my TWRP flash....
I just updated twrp from 2.3.3 to the newest 2.4.4 following their guide using goo manager. I assume it was successful because I'm typing on her now' however.... My home screen now displays <Safe mode> on thebottom left.... Why is this? Also, after the flash, I lost my swiiftkey board app? Actually, seemed to have lost all my apps lol... What did I do wrong? (I didnt titanium backup before I updated, didn't know I needed too lol)
Do most use both nandroid backup AND titanium or just one?
Think that's all I have for now....
BTW, on Cleanrom in her 3.4.7 odex i think...
Edit, I still have all my app icons on my screen, but not in the main menu?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you try to power down, then power it backup?? If successful you should have all your apps back.
Edit: what firmware you were on before flashing CROMI??

Yes sir, soon as I did a quick 2nd reboot, she was back to normal. Thank you for the reply, I just get nervous with this being my first time time. Go figure, and finally give up waiting for 4.2, unlock and romantic up, and it drops the next day lol.
I was on 10.4.4.25 I think

Proweedsmoker said:
Yes sir soon as I did a quick 2nd reboot, she was back to normal. Thank you for the reply, I just get nervous with this being my first time time. Go figure, and finally give up waiting for 4.2, unlock and romantic up, and it drops the next day lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahaha, indeed of your luck! but not to worry, sdbags is going to get the update 4.2 dlpkgfile sometime today and we should see our 4.2 cromi sooner than expected...in a few days...

Few more questions
Just had a few more questions that I thought of while playing with my NEW tablet, (I honestly stopped using my tablet for months after I got it because it was so laggy, and CROMI has changed all of that!!!!!!!) and figured I would bump this thread vrs start a new one... Sorry for the noob questions, but knowledge is power and Im trying to learn! ( I do read alot! )
Currently on TWRP 2.4.4, CROMI 3.4.7 Odex w/ the OC Kernel 1.8ghz
Now, I have noticed a huge increase in my system files from when I came from stock... IE Stock, I had around 55gigs or something free on internal memory, now, I have around 30, is this normal and what is using that much space? I currently appear to have 2x backups in TWRP menu..
I also have got the Titanium backup as suggested, and backup regularly... But what exactly is it backing up other then apps? Does it create the same backup files that TWRP does? I assume TWRP is backing up the critical O/S files??
How many backups in TWRP are needed and when can I delete (if ever) some? Im guessing here, that TWRP is needed only if you get stuck in bootloop or some other situation that prevents a full boot to home screen?
Should I try to find the backup files in TWRP and Titanium and copy them to my home PC for safe keeping? (I did follow the guides and also have them on clouds)
When preforming a "clean install" of an updated CROMI version, will those backup files on the internal storage be wiped, or are they protected from a wipe / "clean install"? Is a "dirty flash" un-advised? I plan to only use CROMI roms...
I also downloaded the ROM manager thing, as suggested by some.... but, do I really need that? It seems like its just a Titanium clone, with some extras... Also, the ROM manager has some things like boot animations and such, are those safe to use with CROMI? I was looking at some apps to clean up my storage from junk files, but I wonder, if those apps are compatible with CROMI?!?
Ok, thats all I have for now I think, and thank you for the help as always!!!!

OK. I will provide you the best advise as possible but there are variations depend on individual taste.
1. Internal memory growth - possible you backup to your internal instead of external sdcard. Look for large file like videos, rom/kernel in the /sdcard/ download folder. Do clear cache weekly. I just assumed that you download all the roms and backup to your internal.
2. Backing up
a) TWRP - this is called nandroid backup. It will back up your entire OS with all the apps and cache and setup...everything. Before you upgrade from one rom version to the next you should take a backup before do so. Or once in a while if you making a major change to your OS on the same version, you should do a second backup. This backup can restore you back exactly the way it was before you mess up. The disadvantage is you don't have a choice to pick and choose what you can restore. It's either all or none. For this you should keep one backup for the current OS, one for major modified to current OS, one for new OS and one for major modified to the new OS, so total about 4 max. Unless you flashing more than just cromi. This nandroid backup will bring you back your previous setup if you have boot loop.
b) Titaniumbackup - This only backup your system apps, user installed apps and all the settings belonged to the app. You can't use this to restore your OS.(like when you have bootloop). It used to restore applications only. To keep the backup from growing, you should set Max backup history to 5. It's only keep maximum of 5 recent backups.
3. Clean install will only wipe INTERNAL memory, not your external SDcard. So it's highly to keep your Titaniumbackup and TWRP backup on your External sdcard. For double protection make a backup of your sdcard to PC.
4. Personally, I stay away from Rom Manager. Only use bootanimantion, themes etc.. from the tf700 threads. Rom Manager is not tf700 specific so some features may work, some may even brick your device.
5. App to clean up junkfiles - you don't need such app. Most of the stuff you download will be in the /sdcard/download or in the download app folder, example if you use Sugar Sync app to download, the download file will be in /sdcard/mysugarsync folder. You need to keep track of what you put onto the devcie is the best way to manage your internal storage. For external sdcard, you should keep 1), rom, kernel or any necessary zip files to reinstall your OS. 2) all your TWRP and Titanium backup files 3) Anything that important to you.
Hope it all makes sense to you!

Internal memory growth - possible you backup to your internal instead of external sdcard. Look for large file like videos, rom/kernel in the /sdcard/ download folder. Do clear cache weekly. I just assumed that you download all the roms and backup to your internal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was backing up to the internal memory! I have now backed up TWRP onto my microSD card! I was trying to change Titanium's backup path to the microsd, and I have 3 folders: /storage -Red, not writable -sdcard0 -sdcard1- I assume red is a system folder, sdcard0 is the internal storage, and sdcard1 is the mircoSD, however, when I try to select it, it says "this folder cannot be accessed"?? How do I fix this? I have never formatted my mircoSD or anything, just plugged it in when it came in the mail, and it worked.... Got about 50 gigs worth of movies, and my new TWRP backup on it now....
Do clear cache weekly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I do this?? Would it be in TWRP menu??
TWRP - this is called nandroid backup. It will back up your entire OS with all the apps and cache and setup...everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clearing that up! I thought nandroid backups were another type of backup, and the only thing I could find was an Online Nandroid backup app, so, of course I used that.... I guess I can get rid of that now!
you should set Max backup history to 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok great, max is 5, so if I just use a value of 1, Im golden then! (BTW, honestly, the only apps I care about are what keeps my tablet running butter smooth, so..... Maybe that will change now that I have a tablet I can actually use lol)
Clean install will only wipe INTERNAL memory, not your external SDcard. So it's highly to keep your Titaniumbackup and TWRP backup on your External sdcard. For double protection make a backup of your sdcard to PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the chances of the mircoSD corrupting the files or becoming unreadable when I need to get those backups like TWRP / Titanium?? I assume the PC backup file push is the last resort if the above happened?
App to clean up junkfiles - you don't need such app. Most of the stuff you download will be in the /sdcard/download or in the download app folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, that folder is empty.... However, I found how to make it explain what was in each "file catagory" so I understand what is where and how big!
For external sdcard, you should keep 1), rom, kernel or any necessary zip files to reinstall your OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ALL of these files (rom,kernel, etc..,) would be found in the CROMI zip file I used on initial install? Would it be best to leave them zipped if so, or to create a folder and unzip and copy paste it in?
Many thanks!!
Last question, WTF is tunny browser??

Proweedsmoker said:
Yes, I was backing up to the internal memory! I have now backed up TWRP onto my microSD card! I was trying to change Titanium's backup path to the microsd, and I have 3 folders: /storage -Red, not writable -sdcard0 -sdcard1- I assume red is a system folder, sdcard0 is the internal storage, and sdcard1 is the mircoSD, however, when I try to select it, it says "this folder cannot be accessed"?? How do I fix this? I have never formatted my mircoSD or anything, just plugged it in when it came in the mail, and it worked.... Got about 50 gigs worth of movies, and my new TWRP backup on it now....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
**** Directory of your external sdcard should be /Removable/microSD.
How do I do this?? Would it be in TWRP menu??
*** You can download a free cache cleaner app from the market
Thanks for clearing that up! I thought nandroid backups were another type of backup, and the only thing I could find was an Online Nandroid backup app, so, of course I used that.... I guess I can get rid of that now!
*** When you do a TWRP backup. This is nandroid backup! so you already using it and didn't know about it lol!
Ok great, max is 5, so if I just use a value of 1, Im golden then! (BTW, honestly, the only apps I care about are what keeps my tablet running butter smooth, so..... Maybe that will change now that I have a tablet I can actually use lol)
*** Yep, 5 is max but anything less is better!
What are the chances of the mircoSD corrupting the files or becoming unreadable when I need to get those backups like TWRP / Titanium?? I assume the PC backup file push is the last resort if the above happened?
*** The chance is very small, but that's why I said a second backup of sdcard to your pc. It easy because it's all in one location (sdcard).
Actually, that folder is empty.... However, I found how to make it explain what was in each "file catagory" so I understand what is where and how big!
ALL of these files (rom,kernel, etc..,) would be found in the CROMI zip file I used on initial install? Would it be best to leave them zipped if so, or to create a folder and unzip and copy paste it in?
*** They should be zipped and move to sdcard.
Last question, WTF is tunny browser??
I believe its a cache directory for Dolphin Browser.

One last question for the night, lol...
As I mentioned, I have never formatted my mircoSD.... Just opened its package (64g Scandisk something or another), plugged it in and its been working just fine ever since, although Xfering files is abit slow :/
Its currently formatted in a "Generic hierarchical" file system..... Being that it will be a life line for my tabby, will TWRP / Titan / etc.., be OK with reading, booting, and w/e else may be required from this type of file system??

Proweedsmoker said:
Its currently formatted in a "Generic hierarchical" file system..... Being that it will be a life line for my tabby, will TWRP / Titan / etc.., be OK with reading, booting, and w/e else may be required from this type of file system??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the real filesystem that the card is formatted with, that's what Windows sees 'through' the connection with the tablet.

[Q] [HELP] Deleted storage/emulated and now all my photos disappeared

I seem to be having the same problem as this except(android.stackexchange.com/questions/61531/removed-storage-emulated-0-file-and-lost-access-to-all-files) there was never a solution. I tried remaking the folders and restarting the phone but that didn't work.
Can anybody help me out?

Soooo you wiped internal storage? Pictures are gone... Best bet is to try Disk Digger or some similar app and see if it works. Also make a backup next time before you do whatever you tried to do as to avoid this situation in the future.

RoyJ said:
Soooo you wiped internal storage? Pictures are gone... Best bet is to try Disk Digger or some similar app and see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking that I only wiped the symlink to the files. I will try to see if it helps. Thanks for the tip.
RoyJ said:
Also make a backup next time before you do whatever you tried to do as to avoid this situation in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was going to, except to make a nandroid backup or backup in general using custom recovery I need to go have more than half of my sdcard be free space (since it back it up to the internal sdcard) and I only had like 500-600 MB free I know you can move nandroid backups to the computer to free up space, but I do not know if I could backup straight to computer since N5 has no space.

victorymobile said:
I was thinking that I only wiped the symlink to the files. I will try to see if it helps. Thanks for the tip.
I was going to, except to make a nandroid backup or backup in general using custom recovery I need to go have more than half of my sdcard be free space (since it back it up to the internal sdcard) and I only had like 500-600 MB free I know you can move nandroid backups to the computer to free up space, but I do not know if I could backup straight to computer since N5 has no space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A nandroid wouldn't have helped. It doesn't backup pictures,etc. Use drop box or something or back them up on your pc frequently.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
A nandroid wouldn't have helped. It doesn't backup pictures,etc. Use drop box or something or back them up on your pc frequently.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my understanding, a nandroid backs up everything on the selected partition. So /system would save your ROM and its settings, etc. Normally on a phone with a SD card it won't back that up, but the N5 only has internal memory. Backing up /data won't save pictures and videos you took?

RoyJ said:
From my understanding, a nandroid backs up everything on the selected partition. So /system would save your ROM and its settings, etc. Normally on a phone with a SD card it won't back that up, but the N5 only has internal memory. Backing up /data won't save pictures and videos you took?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope. It just backs up the system partition; data, apps and settings; and boot, kernel
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

That's odd. I could have sworn after I accidentally wiped my internal storage I had my pictures back after restoring a nandroid. Still have them all.
OP, any luck with disk digger? I just deleted a folder of useless memes I made with an app and used disk digger and restored them. This is the one I used
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.defianttech.diskdigger

RoyJ said:
OP, any luck with disk digger? I just deleted a folder of useless memes I made with an app and used disk digger and restored them. This is the one I used
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.defianttech.diskdigger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Running it right now! It has found 6876 files and counting, and they seem to be full size! Thank you so much! That app is awesome.
And thanks guys, going to go back up my files after it's done
EDIT: Shame the file structure is not preserved

victorymobile said:
EDIT: Shame the file structure is not preserved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not possible..
You're scanning the drive for actual files on the drive that no longer exist in the filesystem. Think of the file system as a database that tells the OS where the files are. When you delete a file, it doesn't really get deleted. Just the database entry about it.
The files exist whether there is a database entry in the file system or not but if you think about it, unlike files , the folders don't really exist on the disk.. When you create a folder, it doesn't really create a folder on the disk. It just reflects the "location" in the database. Folders don't exist on the disk so they cannot be restored. Restoring the files just adds new entries to the file system. It cannot find the deleted entries and reconnect them with the actual files
Hope this clarifies what you're seeing
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[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??

Internal storage space

OK I don't think this is ROM related, but I am running CM11 M11 (I think) but I have had the issue for a while now. My internal SD card only shows about 600mb available. I have literally gone through every file on there and there is no way it is actually being used. Is there any way to format the interval SD card without wiping the entire system? Some how I think the way the system is reading the space is wrong. Because when I go to the storage tab in settings or will show like 10 goods available for about 3 seconds then it shows full. So it really sounds like there is something Hunny somewhere.
sent from a location using a device

Here is a screen shot of what I am seeing
sent from a place using a device

Have you tried using SDmaid by Dark3n? It has a find largest files function. For me this problem was produced by either dropbox or box (can't remember which) saving an additional copy of everything I uploaded to my internal storage.
Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk 2

I had this issue. I had to "format data" in TWRP. Be careful, you will lose everything! Make sure you back up all of your data, photos, music etc to PC. I made a fresh backup to external SD, and was able to restore that after, then restore photos, etc from PC.
Good luck.
LāvLab / HostileSlothRecords

joeclark said:
Here is a screen shot of what I am seeing
sent from a place using a device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your recovery is CWM, did you make any backups?

I tried sdmaid and that did not work or find anything.
Ended up having to format my system and that did fix it. I just really did not want to.
As far as backups, no I have not. As my brother in law states I like living on the edge. That and I don't flash add much add I used to, and only 'stable' releases.
sent from a location using a device