[Q] Data Wipe Question - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

I'm wanting to install a custom ROM and I've read when you do so you will need to do a factory wipe before hand. I did a full backup using CWM Touch and it saved to my internal memory card, not external. I also backed up my IMEI using Terminal, which I'm guessing is saved on my internal as well. So If i download a customer ROM and do a factory wipe along with a cache and delvik wipe, won't I loose those backups that I will need in case of an emergency? Can I just move the CWM Touch backup folder to my external or will that cause issues? I'm clueless.
Thanks,

It'll stay on your internal sd card.
Doing a factory wipe basically resets the data partition and caches, erasing all user and app data leaving the phone as a clean slate. However, this will not erase files from your phone. Your backup will be fine on an internal sd, and things like pictures, music, and downloaded files will stay there as well. You're imei backup is actually stored on your boot partition. That's pretty much as safe as it gets unless you hard brick your phone.
I put all my backups on an external so I can always pull them off if something horrible goes wrong. To move them you have to move the entire folder including the backups and blobs. They have to stay together or if you try to restore a nandroid it won't work.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Related

Does wiping data/factory reset erase nandroid backups?

If I have a backup on the internal sd card, when wipe data before flashing a rom, will that delete my nandroid backups? Don't know if I should backup my roms to internal storage or external.
Wipe data won't delete your nandroids on the internal but Odin a stock ROM and you will loose them... all of them.
I now backup on a weekly basis and transfer what need to extSD when I'm thinking of doing something potentially dumb.
Farabomb said:
Wipe data won't delete your nandroids on the internal but Odin a stock ROM and you will loose them... all of them.
I now backup on a weekly basis and transfer what need to extSD when I'm thinking of doing something potentially dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay cool thanks. Just wanted to make sure it doesn't delete after wiping data.
Farabomb said:
I now backup on a weekly basis and transfer what need to extSD when I'm thinking of doing something potentially dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL at "potentially dumb".
Couldn't have put it any better myself. I use the same procedure, I make a weekly nandroid to the internal storage & then copy the backups to both my 64gig card & also to my PC occasionally.
I can't make a nandroid directly to my 64 gig card as I won't format it to FAT32 because of some of the restrictions of FAT32.
tu3218 said:
If I have a backup on the internal sd card, when wipe data before flashing a rom, will that delete my nandroid backups? Don't know if I should backup my roms to internal storage or external.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No put them where ever you want.
Farabomb said:
Wipe data won't delete your nandroids on the internal but Odin a stock ROM and you will loose them... all of them.
I now backup on a weekly basis and transfer what need to extSD when I'm thinking of doing something potentially dumb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true...IF you wipe data/factory reset from stock recovery, it reformats the whole internal sd card(everything is wiped). Now if you wipe data from cwm recovery, then no nandroids are not deleted. Also odin does not wipe internal sd either...again you have to boot into stock recovery and wipe data/factory reset to reformat internal sd. I still always back my nandroids up to external sd, just incase my internal ever corrupts, I wont lose them!
droidstyle said:
Not true...IF you wipe data/factory reset from stock recovery, it reformats the whole internal sd card(everything is wiped). Now if you wipe data from cwm recovery, then no nandroids are not deleted. Also odin does not wipe internal sd either...again you have to boot into stock recovery and wipe data/factory reset to reformat internal sd. I still always back my nandroids up to external sd, just incase my internal ever corrupts, I wont lose them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh yeah, that makes sense. That's how it was on my nexus with being just internal storage and nandroids never were deleted. Thanks for the clarification.
droidstyle said:
Not true...IF you wipe data/factory reset from stock recovery, it reformats the whole internal sd card(everything is wiped). Now if you wipe data from cwm recovery, then no nandroids are not deleted. Also odin does not wipe internal sd either...again you have to boot into stock recovery and wipe data/factory reset to reformat internal sd. I still always back my nandroids up to external sd, just incase my internal ever corrupts, I wont lose them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's something in Odin that wipes it because when I used it to go back to stock it wiped mine...
Either way though, backup your nandroids to your ext card... saves you all the hassle lol
Does not erase backups unless they are stored internally by default
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I can see the stock recovery wiping it but since the OP used the term nandroid I assumed CWM. Good to know the stock wipes it clean if there is ever a time I have to send it back.
I had an issue back before we were unlocked and when I ODINed back to stock all the internal SD was wiped. Wasn't too pleased but my fault for not backing up.
Sidenote about backing up. I tend to backup the entire internal and external SD every Sunday. The app I use for backup doesn't see the S3 as a media device so I can't use it to make incremental backups. Is there any program that would do that? I use karens replicator for backup btw. That's the one that doesn't work.
I need to clear it - I made "wipe data/factory reset" in stock ICS recovery menu - is it going to cause deleting ROM (and reboot will make brick) OR just wil get it back to clean factory ROM?
I found few threads here about "wipe data"-thing, but it seems to me, that every version of Android / custom ROM / recovery type could behave different.
My device is Thinkpad Lenovo tablet (rooted) with Android 4.0.3..my apology by writing in here, but I'm a newbie on this forum and that's why I can't write in some threads, including more relevant ones.
Bumerank said:
I need to clear it - I made "wipe data/factory reset" in stock ICS recovery menu - is it going to cause deleting ROM (and reboot will make brick) OR just wil get it back to clean factory ROM?
I found few threads here about "wipe data"-thing, but it seems to me, that every version of Android / custom ROM / recovery type could behave different.
My device is Thinkpad Lenovo tablet (rooted) with Android 4.0.3..my apology by writing in here, but I'm a newbie on this forum and that's why I can't write in some threads, including more relevant ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, in the recovery for our device that would just wipe the data and not the ROM. I use TWRP
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

[Q] wipe data and internal sd

I'm sorry for this very basic question. I've tried to read some thread, but I haven't understood if wipe data (CWM 6.0.1.0) deletes also the internal sd (music, download and so on) or not.
Thanks for your attention.
Sent from my GT-P6200 using xda app-developers app
In my experience..if you do full wipe/factory reset, it only reset or delete system file..
Sent from my GT-P6200 using xda premium
I've read (but the thread wasn't about GT plus) that CWM wipes only system files and leaves all the user files in the internal sd. On the contrary, stock recovery and android factory reset should wipe the internal sd too.
Sent from my GT-P6200 using xda app-developers app
gabripranzo said:
I've read (but the thread wasn't about GT plus) that CWM wipes only system files and leaves all the user files in the internal sd. On the contrary, stock recovery and android factory reset should wipe the internal sd too.
Sent from my GT-P6200 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/data
Also called userdata, this partition contains the user data - and here that the contacts, messages, settings and applications that are installed by the user are saved. Erasing this partition is essentially performs the data recovery device to factory defaults, returning to the state it was in when the first restart, or after the installation of an official update or a custom ROM. When you run wipe data\factory reset is clear in practice this partition.
/sd card
This is not a partition on the internal flash of the device, but the SD card In terms of use, this is the storage space used to store media files, documents, etc ROM on it.
Delete this partition is completely safe, enough to have done before a backup of all data that affect on your computer. We must bear in mind that even different applications installed by the user save the data and settings on the SD card, and then delete this partition will make you lose all of these data.
If it is not directly selected "Format sd ", the internal memory will be deleted and the data such as photos, videos, backup, etc. will remain.
For cleaning system , enter Recovery Mode wipe data/factory reset , wipe cache partiton ,wipe dalvik cache,format /sdcard!

Clean start?

Ok, how do i completely wipe everything off of my AT&T 1.14 HOX, except for TWRP so that I can install a new rom.
RC196 said:
Ok, how do i completely wipe everything off of my AT&T 1.14 HOX, except for TWRP so that I can install a new rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you already have twrp installed if so boot into fast boot flash the boot. IMG of rom you desire them boot into recovery wipe system factory reset than flash ROM and enjoy
tactical kitten said:
I assume you already have twrp installed if so boot into fast boot flash the boot. IMG of rom you desire them boot into recovery wipe system factory reset than flash ROM and enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I delete everything leaving the TWRP folder and a copy of my rom?
RC196 said:
Can I delete everything leaving the TWRP folder and a copy of my rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about the internal SD? If you use Titanium Backup, then obviously you should not delete that folder, as that is where the backup files are located. Aside from that, if you don't want to keep any past data from apps, pics etc, then yes you can delete the internal SD contents (aside from the ROM and TWRP nandroid). There may be some other exceptions (particularly for other backup software that you may be using). But in general, the folders on the internal SD are disposable (if flashing a new ROM). When you install a new app after flashing, if the new app needs a folder on the SD, it will just be created automatically.
Aside from the internal SD, before flashing a new ROM do a factory reset (in TWRP not within hboot) and wipe Dalvik and cache. Nothing else really "needs" to be wiped. System partition (where the ROM is stored) will get wiped when the ROM flashes.
I like to format my SD every Sunday to keep this beast on a diet. Then I flash a Rom, inject it with steroids via a custom kernel, and watch it poop all over the s3's I work with
Sent from my HTC One XL using Tapatalk 2
redpoint73 said:
Are you talking about the internal SD? If you use Titanium Backup, then obviously you should not delete that folder, as that is where the backup files are located. Aside from that, if you don't want to keep any past data from apps, pics etc, then yes you can delete the internal SD contents (aside from the ROM and TWRP nandroid). There may be some other exceptions (particularly for other backup software that you may be using). But in general, the folders on the internal SD are disposable (if flashing a new ROM). When you install a new app after flashing, if the new app needs a folder on the SD, it will just be created automatically.
Aside from the internal SD, before flashing a new ROM do a factory reset (in TWRP not within hboot) and wipe Dalvik and cache. Nothing else really "needs" to be wiped. System partition (where the ROM is stored) will get wiped when the ROM flashes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's exactly what I want. To wipe out with a fresh start. No apps, no files.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
then do it buddy!!!
So when you say internal are you talking about the SD or everything?
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
RC196 said:
So when you say internal are you talking about the SD or everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to wipe the SD card (then flash a ROM), the best way is probably to:
Connect phone to your computer, and copy your TWRP folder (nandroid) to your computer, along with any other backup data, such as Titanium Backup. Then wipe the SD in TWRP.
Mount USB to your computer again, and move the TWRP folder, new ROM zip file, and other backups (like Titanium).
Then in TWRP, factory reset, wipe cache, Wipe Dalvik, then install the ROM.
There is no reason to wipe system, as this gets wiped when your flash the ROM. Some people like to do it "just to be sure". But IMO it serves no purpose. Also keep in mind the second you wipe system, the phone will no longer boot, since you just wiped the OS. People seem to forget that a lot and ask "I wiped system, why won't my phone boot now?"
redpoint73 said:
If you want to wipe the SD card (then flash a ROM), the best way is probably to:
Connect phone to your computer, and copy your TWRP folder (nandroid) to your computer, along with any other backup data, such as Titanium Backup. Then wipe the SD in TWRP.
Mount USB to your computer again, and move the TWRP folder, new ROM zip file, and other backups (like Titanium).
Then in TWRP, factory reset, wipe cache, Wipe Dalvik, then install the ROM.
There is no reason to wipe system, as this gets wiped when your flash the ROM. Some people like to do it "just to be sure". But IMO it serves no purpose. Also keep in mind the second you wipe system, the phone will no longer boot, since you just wiped the OS. People seem to forget that a lot and ask "I wiped system, why won't my phone boot now?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it normal for TWRP to be 2.58GB?
No its not
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2
Are you talking about the TWRP folder? Your NANDROID backups are in there if you took any. That might explain why it's large.
Valohtar said:
Are you talking about the TWRP folder? Your NANDROID backups are in there if you took any. That might explain why it's large.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that was it. I just copied my backup to my pc. Freed up a lot of space on phone storage but in app storage it shows 4.23gb and under other it shows 3.85gb. Not sure what that is all about?
*GalaxyFanatic* said:
No its not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, its somewhat normal. It depend on the size of the ROM that is currently on the phone, and the other data (apps, etc.). But its not unusual for a nandroid to be a GB or so, so if you have 2 nandroids on the SD = 2.5 GB.
redpoint73 said:
Yes, its somewhat normal. It depend on the size of the ROM that is currently on the phone, and the other data (apps, etc.). But its not unusual for a nandroid to be a GB or so, so if you have 2 nandroids on the SD = 2.5 GB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

Fixong /0 foulder

SO I went to CM and then back to touchwiz and have the /0 foulder. I have my stuff backed up and was about to format internal storage, But have a question. Do i need to factory reset or reflash my ROM after doing the reset? And will this get rid of apps as well?
bsannes said:
SO I went to CM and then back to touchwiz and have the /0 foulder. I have my stuff backed up and was about to format internal storage, But have a question. Do i need to factory reset or reflash my ROM after doing the reset? And will this get rid of apps as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Formating the internal SD will do nothing to the rom itself.
It will erase all of your app data though, like any save files you have for games and such, you'll basically be starting over clean. I would personally backup everything I wanted from the SD card, then clean install the rom with an internal storage format, then move everything I wanted back into the new folder location.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Flashaholic Needs Memory

Hello,
I have flashed hundreds of Roms on my S3 until recently landing on the ML1 Rooted from Old&Slow. The problem is that I am running out of internal storage. This is partially due to the residual files left over from Roms, Apps & Stuff.
How can I clean it out? I don't want to go in and start deleting things....out of fear of deleting the wrong files and bricking.
Running TWRP. Can I format internal storage?
If I mess up, I would have to Odin back to MF1, root, unlock....blah, blah, blah.
Maybe that's what I should do regardless...I am still partially scared that the 4.3 update will sneak on before I can ulock, root etc.....
Any easier way?
Thanks!
Yes, format internal SD.
I would factory reset, clear cache, clear dalvik cache, format system, then format internal SD card, then reflash the rom.
Everything that's needed will get repopulated when you reflash the rom, just make sure the rom and your backups are on your external SD card.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
BadUsername said:
Yes, format internal SD.
I would factory reset, clear cache, clear dalvik cache, format system, then format internal SD card, then reflash the rom.
Everything that's needed will get repopulated when you reflash the rom, just make sure the rom and your backups are on your external SD card.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, After formatting, could I restore a backup of the rom?
I have a lot of Mods in place and would prefer to not have to set it all up again.
Thanks!
ripdoozer said:
Thanks, After formatting, could I restore a backup of the rom?
I have a lot of Mods in place and would prefer to not have to set it all up again.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure you can, but if you restore a backup it'll probably just rewrite everything the exact same way it was. But it might solve the problem.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Categories

Resources