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3 simple questions

i have just installed the virtuous unity rom v.1.29. its amazing
1. when i update to the new installment will all my data be wiped such as apps etc?
2. ive seen some kernal, unity something do i need to flash this aswell?
3. ive backed up my previous stock rom on my sd card. is it possile to move the clockwork folder to the computer which contains the back up and then move it back if i need to restore?
Thanks for your time, i know i know ive got very little experience lol

sayeed91 said:
i have just installed the virtuous unity rom v.1.29. its amazing
1. when i update to the new installment will all my data be wiped such as apps etc?
2. ive seen some kernal, unity something do i need to flash this aswell?
3. ive backed up my previous stock rom on my sd card. is it possile to move the clockwork folder to the computer which contains the back up and then move it back if i need to restore?
Thanks for your time, i know i know ive got very little experience lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. A flash over the top with no wipe will keep your apps. If however the dev has done an update with a new base, a wipe is recommended.
2. Do a nandroid backup and try the kernel. I get fantastic battery life on coredroid with it.
3. Yes but NEVER rename the folder else it will never restore. It will fail on md5 checksum error.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA Premium App

If you wanna backup your apps, use Titanium Backup. It's awesome, use it all the time. It also backs up data.
Also, you need to manually wipe all data before you flash
Kernel is optional, but you should try it.
About the backup - put it in the PC, i have. If you ever wanna delete the backup from your phone but want to keep it on your PC, then delete the contents of the backup folder in the phone, not the folder itself. I have 2 backups on my phone right now. Consumes waaaaay too much space. Got 5 on my PC

OK..... So if I use titanium backup now for some apps and install another Tom it will be there even if I wipe data and stuff?
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

So with virtuous unity does it reproduce the same battery life as stock
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

no. You need to restore the apps.

ClockWorkMod Backup Questions

Hello all,
Coming from a Thunderbolt I was very comfortable with ClockworkMod Recovery, I backed up and flashed often through recovery.
On this VZW S3 upon rooting and installing CWMR standard version 5.8.something my backups were only going to the internal SD card and the dates were never right, always saying 1970. The file size seemed about right (1.5 gb) and there were the normal dozen of so in the backup directory.
Out of desire to backup to my external I card I tried the new EZ Recovery app which installed CWMR 6.0.1.0 I believe, the non touch version. This version would backup to the external SD card, but still had the wrong date name for the backup folder. When I browsed that folder it was only 30mb but there was another folder called blobs that was about 1.5 to 2gb.
Is this how version 6 works? I don't have much confidence that this is a good nandroid backup and that I could restore off of it.
Looking for confirmation that this is how it is to work with version 6 and/or any tips or alternatives you can offer. I want to be able to backup and restore off of my external SD card.
Thanks in advance!

wonderrx said:
Hello all,
Coming from a Thunderbolt I was very comfortable with ClockworkMod Recovery, I backed up and flashed often through recovery.
On this VZW S3 upon rooting and installing CWMR standard version 5.8.something my backups were only going to the internal SD card and the dates were never right, always saying 1970. The file size seemed about right (1.5 gb) and there were the normal dozen of so in the backup directory.
Out of desire to backup to my external I card I tried the new EZ Recovery app which installed CWMR 6.0.1.0 I believe, the non touch version. This version would backup to the external SD card, but still had the wrong date name for the backup folder. When I browsed that folder it was only 30mb but there was another folder called blobs that was about 1.5 to 2gb.
Is this how version 6 works? I don't have much confidence that this is a good nandroid backup and that I could restore off of it.
Looking for confirmation that this is how it is to work with version 6 and/or any tips or alternatives you can offer. I want to be able to backup and restore off of my external SD card.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is indeed how version 6 works. As for the dats, those are sadly messed up in general I haven't seen a fix for that, but i also haven't searched for one because i know which ones are my latest and don't keep many of them anyways. As for it not backing up on 5.8 its because you have to have your SD formatted as FAT32 and exFAT (again not sure if 6.0.1.0 changes that because i formatted mine) But i did successfully backup and restore on version 6 and it worked perfectly.

Neverendingxsin said:
That is indeed how version 6 works. As for the dats, those are sadly messed up in general I haven't seen a fix for that, but i also haven't searched for one because i know which ones are my latest and don't keep many of them anyways. As for it not backing up on 5.8 its because you have to have your SD formatted as FAT32 and exFAT (again not sure if 6.0.1.0 changes that because i formatted mine) But i did successfully backup and restore on version 6 and it worked perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Never,
I wiped the card when I first had issues backing up on 5.8. Formatted it with the phone but it still wouldn't give me the backup options. How can you check the formatting?
Wonder how multiple backups work in version 6, does it dump it together in the blobs? Or is is some more intelligent non duplication way of storing multiple backups?
Thanks again!

wonderrx said:
Thanks Never,
I wiped the card when I first had issues backing up on 5.8. Formatted it with the phone but it still wouldn't give me the backup options. How can you check the formatting?
Wonder how multiple backups work in version 6, does it dump it together in the blobs? Or is is some more intelligent non duplication way of storing multiple backups?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I formatted mine on the computer just to make sure it worked. So no idea how to check it from the phone sorry.
As for multiple backups, i've got a few backups and it always restores fine, so im assuming its got a way of knowing what goes with what.
And your welcome

Are you trying too back up through rom manager? I've given up on that. I do not have an external card, am rooted, using the latest non touch cwr. I usually boot into recovery manually or through rom manager and backup from there. Have the same issues with dates and large size. But happy to report that I go back and forth between cm10, stock, and synergy rom regularly with no problems. Also remember kexec boots 3 times, it's not a bootloop.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

loveubuntu said:
Are you trying too back up through rom manager? I've given up on that. I do not have an external card, am rooted, using the latest non touch cwr. I usually boot into recovery manually or through rom manager and backup from there. Have the same issues with dates and large size. But happy to report that I go back and forth between cm10, stock, and synergy rom regularly with no problems. Also remember kexec boots 3 times, it's not a bootloop.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I boot into recovery and backup there, if I do it through Rom Manager I get no choice to backup to external SD at all, but I can in version 6 thru recovery.
Glad to hear it works OK.
What flavor of CM10 are you running and can you give me a link to the one you are using? Does Google Now with the cool voice search work well on CM10? Been dragging my feet! Might be ready to take the plunge.

I can't stand the Touchwiz crappy so cm10 was the only choice for me. Apparently the sms/mms not working but it does not effect me since I use Google voice. Very smooth. Google DROID hive forum and look for it there. It's by dhacker.
Google now working great.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

loveubuntu said:
I can't stand the Touchwiz crappy so cm10 was the only choice for me. Apparently the sms/mms not working but it does not effect me since I use Google voice. Very smooth. Google DROID hive forum and look for it there. It's by dhacker.
Google now working great.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, I'll keep watching the development, sms bugs are a deal breaker for me and I have a tab open watching the Droid Hive forum already!

wonderrx said:
Hello all,
Coming from a Thunderbolt I was very comfortable with ClockworkMod Recovery, I backed up and flashed often through recovery.
On this VZW S3 upon rooting and installing CWMR standard version 5.8.something my backups were only going to the internal SD card and the dates were never right, always saying 1970. The file size seemed about right (1.5 gb) and there were the normal dozen of so in the backup directory.
Out of desire to backup to my external I card I tried the new EZ Recovery app which installed CWMR 6.0.1.0 I believe, the non touch version. This version would backup to the external SD card, but still had the wrong date name for the backup folder. When I browsed that folder it was only 30mb but there was another folder called blobs that was about 1.5 to 2gb.
Is this how version 6 works? I don't have much confidence that this is a good nandroid backup and that I could restore off of it.
Looking for confirmation that this is how it is to work with version 6 and/or any tips or alternatives you can offer. I want to be able to backup and restore off of my external SD card.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering if there is somewhere or someone here in the forums that can clarify how these new back-up files work. I like to back-up my back-ups on drop-box, but now that it is creating all these files do I need to move all of these created files together or just the file with the date and time stamp? I want to flash a new rom but want to make sure my current is backed up correctly on my dropbox before doing so.
Any direction is appreciated Thanks

Phone formats to sd card to extFat. Fat32 must be done on PC. No recovery supports extFat. Kexec no longer supported by anyone once bootloader was unlocked. Haven't used Clockwork since TBolt days so don't know how Blob files affect Dropbox backup.

There is an option in CWM to turn off the blobs. I prefer to have backups that are stand-alone, so I personally turn this off.
In CWM Recovery 6.0.1.2:
backup and restore > choose backup format > tar
The two options are "dup (default)" and "tar". The "dup" option gives you the blobs folder. The idea is that it saves space when you have multiple backups. The "tar" option seems to work just like you are used to - one folder per backup.

Where does the sms folder goes?? I forgot to back up my sms using smsbackup and restore but then i was able to make a backup on cwm i like to restore my back up but when i hit restore it says md5 mismatch.. but since i was able to make a backup on cwm where i can find the right folder for sms.. cause i would like to copy it on my current rom folder so i can restore it
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

Recovery Wars Showdown

Scott originally said he liked TWRP better than CWM, so I posted this in his thread (sorry Scott, didn't mean to clutter)....
Ok so here are my concerns... I've always used CWM since my last phone (orig droid inc) so I have been using it on this phone. When I first rooted and installed it I made a backup of my stock rom (on ext SD card) and after I installed this ROM I made a backup of it before installing KCM and dirty tweaks (on internal SD card) (I wanted to see if there was a difference in speed saving to ext vs internal and it seemed internal was faster). At the time I didn't know about blobs and didn't know that I couldn't just move my backup from internal to external (at least I'm assuming I can't), and I like it better when the backups are more portable. Does TWRP have more portable backups than CWM?
Also, is there a way to convert CWM backups to TWRP or would I have to load my backups with CWM then use EZ Recovery to flash TWRP and then re-save them as TWRP? Or would it just be better to keep those 2 backups as CWM (since I can just use EZR to reflash CWM) and just use TWRP for new ones?
Finally, what about Kinda Crap Mods... Since using it, i'm kind of liking it but it doesn't seem to be supported with TWRP, right? But then again I guess I could just use EZ Recovery to flash CWM to install KCM and then flash back to TWRP and there shouldn't be any issues right?
Haha sorry it's so long but I think it's useful info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any answers to my questions above?
So what do you guys like/dislike about TWRP/CWM? Which one works better for you and why? I know it's all a matter of opinion and preference but examples would help others decide which one they want to try.

If you want 100% (for the most part) stability - use CWM.
If you want to play with the newest, easier to navigate recovery, which has been reported to not wipe properly - use TWRP.
I exclusively used TWRP on my Nex. On my S3, I have little bits of other nandroids creeping into my restores - if that makes sense. For example, restoring a TW backup after running CM -- I would find CM apps in my app drawer. Additionally, my phone was running like poo. Went to restore a different backup, only to find they were all corrupted.
That ended my dance with TWRP on the S3. Just MY results....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I am used to CWM so I don't really think its that difficult to navigate. The only thing that is new for me are these silly blobs... As stated above I did a backup to internal SD and a backup to external SD to see which one is faster, but now I just want to have both of them on my external but with these blobs i'm not sure if that is possible is it?

I've used Clockwork recovery since my OG Droid days, and its never failed me so i've always stuck with it. Never had any major issues with it or any issues at all while using it.
But you have to realize a lot of the 'issues' people post are user error and not the recovery itself. i am NOT calling out anybody, but its true, most errors are user errors, how else could something work perfectly fine for 999 people and only mess up for 1 person.

I used this touch based cwm on my gnex and loved it, it uses Swype gestures and the dev has ported it to the sgs3.
http://rootzwiki.com/index.php?/topic/32975-Touch-Based-ClockworkMod-Recovery

Neverendingxsin said:
I've used Clockwork recovery since my OG Droid days, and its never failed me so i've always stuck with it. Never had any major issues with it or any issues at all while using it.
But you have to realize a lot of the 'issues' people post are user error and not the recovery itself. i am NOT calling out anybody, but its true, most errors are user errors, how else could something work perfectly fine for 999 people and only mess up for 1 person.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Have always used cwm an has always done the job.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

In Clockwork 6.0.1.2 you can change the backup format to tar to eliminate the "blobs".
Backup and Restore > choose backup format
Not sure about lower versions.

grin0048 said:
In Clockwork 6.0.1.2 you can change the backup format to tar to eliminate the "blobs".
Backup and Restore > choose backup format
Not sure about lower versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the blobs even for?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

SlimSnoopOS said:
What are the blobs even for?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the blobs folder is where 99% of your data is stored. the reason its stored there is so when you make more than one backup it won't backup data that it already has. Its a way to save space, so instead of having a bunch of huge backups, it'll only backup data that has either changed or was never there. Just don't EVER mess with the blobs folder.

Neverendingxsin said:
the blobs folder is where 99% of your data is stored. the reason its stored there is so when you make more than one backup it won't backup data that it already has. Its a way to save space, so instead of having a bunch of huge backups, it'll only backup data that has either changed or was never there. Just don't EVER mess with the blobs folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aight, here's a couple more questions:
1) Why doesn't CWM 6.x properly date the backups? All mine end with the year 1970. My last device, Droid Incredible, dated CWM backups properly. Is renaming them fine in relation to the blobs?
2) Should I only delete backups via CWM since they would theoretically delete the blob files corresponding to them?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

SlimSnoopOS said:
Aight, here's a couple more questions:
1) Why doesn't CWM 6.x properly date the backups? All mine end with the year 1970. My last device, Droid Incredible, dated CWM backups properly. Is renaming them fine in relation to the blobs?
2) Should I only delete backups via CWM since they would theoretically delete the blob files corresponding to them?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely yes on #2. That's what I came in here to say.
CWM hasn't dated a backup correctly in who knows how long. Lol.
And I know scrosler loves TWRP (and we all love scrosler and CleanROM) but I've seen other devs mention the same kind of thing I said about TWRP -- as well as other users.
I personally prefer TWRP, so the fact that I'm recommending CWM means I don't use the former for a reason.
Finally, don't worry about moving backups. Just restore the ones you have on internal, make a new backup to external, then delete the internal one from recovery. Bye blobs, hello sdcard.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

TWRP is a faster and easier recovery, the only bug I have encountered is the faster of my backup being incorrect unless I set a name. I perfer the touch and simplicity of TWRP.
Sent from my Cocaine White S3.

[Q] Late stage backup

Having never gotten the rom I was using 100% working I, stupidly, did not set up a full backup. Long story short, things went sour, I can't boot into my rom and I'm hoping I can get some backup help.
What I've done:
Tried everything I can think of to get the rom working
Copied the sd card to my pc
What I would like to do:
Somehow get my installed apps (and hopefully app settings) copied back onto a clean install of the same rom.
There is not enough room to do a nandroid backup 2g free. Is there anything else I can do/can I use the copied sd card as part of a restore?
Thanks.

You can do a nandroid of /data in recovery. But if the problem is in that partition, restoring it will just put you back where you are now.

Does a /data backup do everything I need? I assumed android_secure was required and that's a whole 3 GBs too big.

android_secure is where the apps are stored when you move them to your sdcard. But if you can't back that up, it's academic. /data might save some of your app settings and files.

iElvis said:
android_secure is where the apps are stored when you move them to your sdcard. But if you can't back that up, it's academic. /data might save some of your app settings and files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious why there would be an android_secure if this phone has only internal storage?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

bkmo said:
Just curious why there would be an android_secure if this phone has only internal storage?
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it partitions the storage (stupidly).
If I copy android secure, could I just put it back after a restore, or would that mess with things? Alternately, if there clear files I could delete to make room for the nandroid of android.secure I could do that. Nearly all of my apps are in there, meaning the data backup is a bandaid on a pretty huge cut.

Help restoring backup! Clockworkmod and recovery

Hello! I need help!
I flashed a rom yesterday and I backed up my rom before flashing. Today I was trying to restore my backup and the system did not find it. I can see it using Astro file manager under clockworkmod and backups. But on recovery it won't show. And the recovery shows three backups that I don't remember doing but two out of the three are not accesible. Please, if you can tell me how to make clockworkmod see my backup. I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

Did you backup to the internal drive or external sd card. Try going to your backup and restore then click the restore from external sd card to see if it is possibly there.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

bbqsfire said:
Did you backup to the internal drive or external sd card. Try going to your backup and restore then click the restore from external sd card to see if it is possibly there.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have an SD card. It was saved on my internal drive. I tried to but it says I can't because there is no Sd card.

Did you format your internal drive before you tried restoring the backup. Usually my cwm just populates the ones I have done or if I want to pull one of the ones on my sd card I can. I will try moving my backup and see if I can replicate the problem.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

bbqsfire said:
Did you format your internal drive before you tried restoring the backup. Usually my cwm just populates the ones I have done or if I want to pull one of the ones on my sd card I can. I will try moving my backup and see if I can replicate the problem.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no I didn't I'll try to move it to an sd card and see what happens

I moved my backup to another folder and cwm did not find it. I'm not sure if you possibly moved it from the clockwork folder or not. I hope you figure it out.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

If you are still having problems try going into rom manager app. Should have a manage and restore option. From there it should have a list of your backups and will let you restore from one of those.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

sergioosvaldo1 said:
Hello! I need help!
I flashed a rom yesterday and I backed up my rom before flashing. Today I was trying to restore my backup and the system did not find it. I can see it using Astro file manager under clockworkmod and backups. But on recovery it won't show. And the recovery shows three backups that I don't remember doing but two out of the three are not accesible. Please, if you can tell me how to make clockworkmod see my backup. I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another thing to try is to make sure your recovery is current and up to date. That same thing happened to me (with TWRP) and it turned out it was due to me flashing a 4.2 rom (which changes the file structure of your sd) and having an older recovery that didn't support it.
Sent from my SCH-I535

Questions and help go in the Q&A and help section
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