Database Info

[Q] What exactly is meant by "wipe clean"?

Can someone clarify exactly what I means to "wipe" a device?
I have installed CleanRom. In recovery I reset the device, wiped cache, and wiped Dalvik cache. I did not wipe the SD card. is this correct? If so, is there ever a need to wipe the SD card?
Thanks!

I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure there is never any reason to wipe the SD card when flashing roms. I've flashed every version of cleanrom released so far doing exactly what you did and haven't run into any issues.

snowkilts said:
Can someone clarify exactly what I means to "wipe" a device?
I have installed CleanRom. In recovery I reset the device, wiped cache, and wiped Dalvik cache. I did not wipe the SD card. is this correct? If so, is there ever a need to wipe the SD card?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah there's really no reason for you to wipe your sdcard unless you're planning on returning your device. The rest is correct.

When "wiping" a device for installing a new custom ROM, you typically should wipe cache, Dalvik, and data.
Data can sometimes be kept, if the base ROM is similar. But doing so may cause random bugs, and you may end up having to wipe data and reflash. Wiping data is usually the safest.
Wiping SD card is not necessary.

I must have something wrong then because I do the same wipes you mentioned, cache, dalvik, and data and every time I do it my SDCard contents, are also gone. Has no one else had this problem?
Thanks

[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?

[Q] ROM Fallout Evolution 5.0 - Fallout Tweaks problem

Hi,
I've just update from Fallout v.2.0 to 5.0, wiping chache + Dalvik.
No problem, everything's ok. But I can't see "Fallout Tweaks" menu, neither in configuration nor in quick configuration option.
I've flashed it two times, everithing's working, but I can't see the ROM option... What can I do? Wipe all?
Thank's for the answers!

For such a big update, a full wipe is always recommended.
I assume you know to tap on the operator name to see the quick settings?
A full wipe is probably the only solution.

teadrinker said:
For such a big update, a full wipe is always recommended.
I assume you know to tap on the operator name to see the quick settings?
A full wipe is probably the only solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, I know to tap on operator name to qs...
OK, full wipe...
Thank's!

Sorry...
I'm going to do a full wipe. On device there is 4EXT Recovery. I've backuped everythings with Titanium on sd card.
Now which is the right voice? "Wipe data/factory reset"? --> But there's the full-deleting warning, including sd card...!
Otherwise there is "Format all partitions (except sdcard)"...
Which is the right choise, to flashing Fallout 5.00 Rom and restore my data later?
Thank's a lot...

htcdev66 said:
Sorry...
I'm going to do a full wipe. On device there is 4EXT Recovery. I've backuped everythings with Titanium on sd card.
Now which is the right voice? "Wipe data/factory reset"? --> But there's the full-deleting warning, including sd card...!
Otherwise there is "Format all partitions (except sdcard)"...
Which is the right choise, to flashing Fallout 5.00 Rom and restore my data later?
Thank's a lot...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Format all partitions except sd card
"You learn something new every day if you're not careful" - Wilf Lunn

jugg1es said:
Format all partitions except sd card
"You learn something new every day if you're not careful" - Wilf Lunn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well. And then wipe cache, and wipe Dalvik cache?

htcdev66 said:
Well. And then wipe cache, and wipe Dalvik cache?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Format all except sd card already wipes cache and Dalvik cache, so you don't have to do that separately.

Well, done. Everything is working... Thanks to everybody again.
Now I hope to have solved the worse problem: sometimes I don't receive a sms; I get notification and sound, but can't find any message. But it was sent from somebody!
And it's a random problem!
Hoping... :fingers-crossed:

[noob question][rom flashing]

Hi..
I am always confused about this. When flashing a custom ROM, will wiping the system not delete the ROM zip file?
Also is wiping cache, system and data the only things I need to do.
Like there are so many confusing posts in and out of xda. The official CM page says nothing about wiping cache and system while the CM FAQ page here says to wipe all three I.e. cache , data and system.
Some say to do factory reset and some say not to.
What do I do man?

Cache, Data, System and Internal Storage are all separate partitions. Wiping one does not affect the others. Factory reset usually does the first three, you have to manually specify anything else.
Your ROM zip will be on the 'Internal Storage' partition which is why it survives a system wipe.

lost101 said:
Cache, Data, System and Internal Storage are all separate partitions. Wiping one does not affect the others. Factory reset usually does the first three, you have to manually specify anything else.
Your ROM zip will be on the 'Internal Storage' partition which is why it survives a system wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your quick response man. Also one more thing.
Is it necessary to wipe all the three when flashing a ROM and does the order in which they are wiped matter?

It's a very good idea. Not wiping can cause all kinds of problems. Order does not matter.

lost101 said:
It's a very good idea. Not wiping can cause all kinds of problems. Order does not matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another thing again..
Should i wipe data/factory rest or just wipe data..
And in case of cache should i wipe cache partition or just cache or dalvik cache also..
Thanks in advance!

Meuuks13 said:
Another thing again..
Should i wipe data/factory rest or just wipe data..
And in case of cache should i wipe cache partition or just cache or dalvik cache also..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wipe them all if you want, but factory reset is usually enough.

follow the instructions in the ROM thread where you looked, some steps omitted or changed to be installed, I hope you have no problems, I recommend that you make a backup of your current ROM.

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