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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

Wondering why my data transferred over when I installed CM10.1.

Before I installed CM10.1 my phone was a stock Verizon Samsung Galaxy SIII with JellyBean 4.1.1 on it. I had all of my apps, pictures, etc. on it. (I also have no External SD card). I ended up rooting the phone and installed ClockWorkMod I pushed wipe/factory reset within the ClockWorkMod menu (up/power/home). I also wiped the caches and Dalvik cache. I then installed CM10.1. Once CM10.1 was installed I went to settings > backup & reset and then did a Factory data rest. This did yet again another factory reset with CM10.1.
I am wondering how in the world I still have all of my 500 images / videos in my Gallery that were on my original stock JellyBean 4.1.1. Could someone please tell me. Also, please tell me what I should have done to get a completely fresh installation without a single thing from the past. The only thing I guess I could have done was a factory reset when I was on JellyBean 4.1.1 to wipe everything, then install CM10.1.
(BY THE WAY I always have Back up my data, backup account, Automatic restore all UNCHECKED)

The factory data reset doesn't wipe the InternalSD, it just removes apps and settings and puts the phone back to how it came out of the box (settings wise). To delete all the data on your internal SD card, go to Mounts and Storage and you'll see an option for "format /data and /data/media (/sdcard)". That will delete everything on your internalSD.
Here's the catch, though. If you don't have an EXTERNAL SD with the rom you want to flash on it, you'll wipe off whatever rom you were going to flash, leaving you with a phone that has nothing to "boot up".
If you want to start clean, wipe /system, /data, /cache, and dalvik cache, flash your rom, then format the internal SD, don't do it the other way around.
I think that'll work....someone else chime in if I'm wrong about wiping sd after rom intall (that'll get rid of the /0 folder...could cause a problem booting up...)
The easiest way is to just buy an external sd card....doesn't have to be big (2 gig), put your flashable zip on it, wipe /system, /data, /cache, internal sd, and dalvik cache, then flash the zip on the external.

letinsh said:
The factory data reset doesn't wipe the InternalSD, it just removes apps and settings and puts the phone back to how it came out of the box (settings wise). To delete all the data on your internal SD card, go to Mounts and Storage and you'll see an option for "format /data and /data/media (/sdcard)". That will delete everything on your internalSD.
Here's the catch, though. If you don't have an EXTERNAL SD with the rom you want to flash on it, you'll wipe off whatever rom you were going to flash, leaving you with a phone that has nothing to "boot up".
If you want to start clean, wipe /system, /data, /cache, and dalvik cache, flash your rom, then format the internal SD, don't do it the other way around.
I think that'll work....someone else chime in if I'm wrong about wiping sd after rom intall (that'll get rid of the /0 folder...could cause a problem booting up...)
The easiest way is to just buy an external sd card....doesn't have to be big (2 gig), put your flashable zip on it, wipe /system, /data, /cache, internal sd, and dalvik cache, then flash the zip on the external.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually have an external SD card where I keep CM10.1 and gapps for JellyBean 2.4.1. So I can just go into mount and storage and click every single format option there except for the external SD one right. Then I can install CM10.1 and gapps. Right?

HunterT said:
I actually have an external SD card where I keep CM10.1 and gapps for JellyBean 2.4.1. So I can just go into mount and storage and click every single format option there except for the external SD one right. Then I can install CM10.1 and gapps. Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeppers. That's the best way to make sure you're starting so fresh and so clean, clean.

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

[Q] ROM change, Full wipe clarification

Am currently on Crombi KK, looking to try out the Lollipop 5.0.2 Zombi-Pop Beta. I know just enough to be dangerous. Installed Crombi-KK to internal, then reinstalled to run ROM2sd a while back, SDcard set up in GParted. Have TWRP 2.8.4.0, just want some clarification on how and what to wipe. ROM thread states to do a full wipe, but I've never been totally sure on what constitutes a full wipe from recovery. From Wipe option in TWRP, there is Advanced Wipe and Format Data. Do I chose one or another or both? In Advanced Wipe, there are 6 partitions:
Dalvik Cache
System
Cache
Data
Internal Storage
Micro SDcard
What one(s) do I select? Since I'm running ROM2sd, do I need to run ROM2sd zip first?
TIA

OneFore9 said:
Am currently on Crombi KK, looking to try out the Lollipop 5.0.2 Zombi-Pop Beta. I know just enough to be dangerous. Installed Crombi-KK to internal, then reinstalled to run ROM2sd a while back, SDcard set up in GParted. Have TWRP 2.8.4.0, just want some clarification on how and what to wipe. ROM thread states to do a full wipe, but I've never been totally sure on what constitutes a full wipe from recovery. From Wipe option in TWRP, there is Advanced Wipe and Format Data. Do I chose one or another or both? In Advanced Wipe, there are 6 partitions:
Dalvik Cache
System
Cache
Data
Internal Storage
Micro SDcard
What one(s) do I select? Since I'm running ROM2sd, do I need to run ROM2sd zip first?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A full wipe is a wipe of data, cache and Dalvik. In most cases that is sufficient moving to a different rom base and the default in TWRP under the Wipe menu.
If you encounter weird problems, format /data/ (and don't interrupt it. Takes 90 minutes or so!)
There are only very specific scenarios where wiping /system would make sense. /system gets formatted anyway during rom installation - no need to wipe it.
Internal storage - if you want to get rid of everything but do not want to format /data/. Wiping data wipes everything except /data/media/ in TWRP (that's where your personal files live). Wiping Internal Storage wipes everything including /data/media/
Micro SD - wipes your microSD or - in the case of data2sd/rom2sd - the fat32 partition thereof.
If you want to wipe/format your rom2sd /data or /system partitions, yes - you have to flash rom2sd1.zip first

Do I need to format data (deleting everything) to install lineageOS?

Hello, forum!
My current Pixel 2 is using the stock google system but I haven't updated the OS since March, partly because it's rooted
and the update process is not as easy.
Now that google said it'd only support the phone till this December, I'm thinking to install lineageOS.
However according to its installation guide:
...
3. Now tap Wipe.
4. Now tap Format Data and continue with the formatting process. This will remove encryption and delete all files stored in the internal storage.
...
It's surprising that it need clear internal storage?
p.s. I may also think about installing Resurrection Rom. Does it require 'formatting data' then?

Afaik you must back up everything before installing new ROM, because when you install custom ROM you will wipe and format system and it will erase everything in your internal storage

If its rooted try modded version of twrp to backup your internal data as well

armuttaqin said:
Afaik you must back up everything before installing new ROM, because when you install custom ROM you will wipe and format system and it will erase everything in your internal storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's not, nobody wipes /data/media during rom replacement only /data.
However if his bootloader is locked, bootloader unlock will wipe everything, so before switching from stock a backup is must.

Alright, guys. Thanks for the input. Guess I'll just backup the internal storage and do as told.