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[Q][i9020T] Formatting partitions & installing a ROM

Hello, I'm just trying to gather as much information as I can and be clear about everything before I install a custom ROM. I have already rooted the nexus s.
The ROM I'm interested in is this CyanogenMod 7.
In their installation instructions it says
- Format the system, data & cache partitions of your device.
- Perform a factory reset.
From another guide (AddictiveTips) they just tell us to do the following
- Select wipe factory/data reset.
- Now, wipe cache and dalvick cache.
The xda thread tells us to format system, data, and cache partitions. But the AddictiveTips guide only seem to tell us to format the data & cache partitions.
So my question is, does the system partition automatically get formatted while installing the new ROM, or do you have to manually format it by going to mounts and storage > format system before installing the ROM?
Also, do you guys recommend to format all the required partitions by going to mounts and storage or by selecting wipe factory/data reset and wipe cache from the main menu? Thanks in advance.

...anyone?

Wipe factory/data reset (this will obviously also wipe the caches)
Install zip from SDCard (ROM)
Reboot.
Greetz

question about wiping

quick question, im new to rooting the transforner and i just want to know, when i wipe to install prime will it erase my music that is on the internal storage? If so, is there a different way to wipe to keep certain files? Cause i also have my titanium backup files on internal as well, thanks in advance.

First of all, your title made me laugh for a good 1 minute. Somehow, "question about wiping" just doesn't sound very technical and sound more like it has something to do with our bodily functions.
No, "wiping" cache and data will not touch your files. Android is different than windows. Windows OS has 1 big partition where everything is in there. Android has 12 partitions, each one has it's own purpose. When you wipe the data partition, what you're really wiping is app data partition. There is also a user data partition where all your files are kept. Unless you do a format of your sdcard in the advance menu, all your user files are safe.
So, before you install a custom rom, make sure you wipe cache and data/factory reset. Also wipe dalvik cache. Trust me, all your porn files will still be there waiting for you.
Sorry, I have a weird sense of humor.

Lol, thanks buddy. Ive never had an android device with an internal sdcard so i was a little concerned. Thanks again.

goodintentions said:
So, before you install a custom rom, make sure you wipe cache and data/factory reset. Also wipe dalvik cache.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering, is a data/factory wipe always necessary? When I flashed Revolver 3.9.3 for the 1ste time from stock rom, I did a data/factory wipe, cache wipe and dalvik cache wipe in CWM. When updating this Revolver rom to 3.9.5 using zip-file, I only wipe cache and dalvik cache. On my Moto I wipe cache and dalvik cache before and after the zip update when updating a custom rom, but I'm not sure if the latter is necessary. I guess a data/factory wipe is only necessary when flashing a new base rom?

wiping is usually recommended as sometimes if you install with out wiping it will cause weird problems :/

[Solved] Right Way to Wipe/Format using 4EXT Touch Recovery

I've been using 4EXT Touch Recovery to wipe/format before flashing certain roms. Is there a right way on how to wipe/format using 4EXT Touch?
This is how I do it (correct me if I'm wrong):
1. wipe date/factory reset
2. wipe cache
3. wipe cache + dalvik
4. wipe dalvik cache
5. wipe battery stats
6. format system
7. format data
8. format boot
9. format all partitions (except sdcard)
10. format sdcard
11. flash rom

wh0d0es said:
I've been using 4EXT Touch Recovery to wipe/format before flashing certain roms. Is there a right way on how to wipe/format using 4EXT Touch?
This is how I do it (correct me if I'm wrong):
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are flashing an update of the same ROM do "wipe dalvik cache + cache" (in case the Developer has not clearly stated that the update requires full wipe)
If you are flashing a new ROM use "wipe all partition (except sdcard)" it will do all the wipes from the wipe menu, no need to repeat it
And wiping the sdcard every time you install a ROM clearly does not make any sense, you are deleting all you pictures, music and all other files that are not related to any ROM you are using

amidabuddha said:
If you are flashing an update of the same ROM do "wipe dalvik cache + cache" (in case the Developer has not clearly stated that the update requires full wipe)
If you are flashing a new ROM use "wipe all partition (except sdcard)" it will do all the wipes from the wipe menu, no need to repeat it
And wiping the sdcard every time you install a ROM clearly does not make any sense, you are deleting all you pictures, music and all other files that are not related to any ROM you are using
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't know that "format all partition (except sdcard)" is the same from 1 to 8. I'll try using it from now on every time I install new roms. Also, I thought that wiping my sdcard every time I install rom is to make that rom fully utilized/functional. And that is why I back up all my pictures, music, and all other files in my laptop. Anyhow, thank you for your simple but very relevant response.

There are some ROM specific files on the SDcard but a full wipe (all partitions except sdcard) clears them too
Sent from my HTC Desire S

amidabuddha said:
There are some ROM specific files on the SDcard but a full wipe (all partitions except sdcard) clears them too
Sent from my HTC Desire S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is noted... Thank you for all the info's... Greatly appreciated! :highfive:

[Q] When and why Wipe Data/Factory Reset / Wipe Cache Partition / Wipe Dalvik Cache

Hi,
Today I successfully rooted my galaxy Tab 2 7 P3100. What I am not sure is when and why we need the
Wipe Data/Factory Reset
Wipe Cache Partition
Wipe Dalvik Cache
I want to understand because I plan to try couple of other ROMs. Should I follow the above procedure every time I flash a ROM or is there a better way where avoiding any of the above is an option.
Regards.

to minimize the conflict that would occur if you use a different rom base
try it without wiping, usually meet force close dialog after booting

all i know is that wiping cache will clear data related to applications, so if you have an app force closing all the time it is sometimes handy to wipe that app's cache from the settings or wiping the entire cache from recovery.
wiping data/factory reset however will remove any app you have installed and all your personal files that you've put on the device.

Basic breakdown,
If going from one base ROM to another base ROM like stock to CM, CM to AOKP, stock to AOKP or anything like that you will need to do ALL 3 wipes.
If going from like a CM10 nightly to a newer nightly you can usually just wipe CACHE and Dalvick
If you flash addons you will usually need to wipe cache and Dalvick
BASICALLY just do what the INSTRUCTIONS for the ROM your flashing SAYS to do.

Wiping Dalvik cache before and after flasing of ROM
daniel644 said:
Basic breakdown,
If going from one base ROM to another base ROM like stock to CM, CM to AOKP, stock to AOKP or anything like that you will need to do ALL 3 wipes.
If going from like a CM10 nightly to a newer nightly you can usually just wipe CACHE and Dalvick
If you flash addons you will usually need to wipe cache and Dalvick
BASICALLY just do what the INSTRUCTIONS for the ROM your flashing SAYS to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all a BIG THANK YOU.
Now One more doubt there is this ROM which I want to flash and it says to wipe dalvik cache before and after flasing the ROM. Please confirm only Factory reset will clear the existing ROM and wiping Cache and Dalvik cache wont affect the existing ROM(or internal SD Data)
Thanks again.

tahask11 said:
First of all a BIG THANK YOU.
Now One more doubt there is this ROM which I want to flash and it says to wipe dalvik cache before and after flasing the ROM. Please confirm only Factory reset will clear the existing ROM and wiping Cache and Dalvik cache wont affect the existing ROM(or internal SD Data)
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK well flashing any ROM will replace your current ROM, NONE of your files (music, pictures or things like that) are touched by ANY of these wipes, Factory reset wipes out installed apps, wiping cache and dalvik after flashing or hell wipe data/factory reset won't touch the apps "built-in" to the ROM.
remember the ROM is your operating system and your files (music, pictures, and other stuff) are in the internal SD which is a separate partition from the ROOT system folder where the OS files are.
Wipe Data/Factory Reset - wipes all APPS and Google account information and resets all devices settings to default
as for the other 2 read through the answer here http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/25859/why-do-i-need-to-wipe-dalvik-cache it explains what the other wipes are about.
Hope that covers it, basically jumping from one ROM to another the most you can lose is your basic settings and your APPS (which can be redownloaded, if you didn't use an app to back them up first, but you would lose any progress in your games if you don't back them up).

[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.