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[Q] 1st ROM / Unlock / TWRP flash questions

I just did my first ROM / unlock / TWRP /CROM install today and all went perfect thanks to all the guides here, but I have some questions now, more so about my TWRP flash....
I just updated twrp from 2.3.3 to the newest 2.4.4 following their guide using goo manager. I assume it was successful because I'm typing on her now' however.... My home screen now displays <Safe mode> on thebottom left.... Why is this? Also, after the flash, I lost my swiiftkey board app? Actually, seemed to have lost all my apps lol... What did I do wrong? (I didnt titanium backup before I updated, didn't know I needed too lol)
Do most use both nandroid backup AND titanium or just one?
Think that's all I have for now....
BTW, on Cleanrom in her 3.4.7 odex i think...
Edit, I still have all my app icons on my screen, but not in the main menu?

Proweedsmoker said:
I just did my first ROM / unlock / TWRP /CROM install today and all went perfect thanks to all the guides here, but I have some questions now, more so about my TWRP flash....
I just updated twrp from 2.3.3 to the newest 2.4.4 following their guide using goo manager. I assume it was successful because I'm typing on her now' however.... My home screen now displays <Safe mode> on thebottom left.... Why is this? Also, after the flash, I lost my swiiftkey board app? Actually, seemed to have lost all my apps lol... What did I do wrong? (I didnt titanium backup before I updated, didn't know I needed too lol)
Do most use both nandroid backup AND titanium or just one?
Think that's all I have for now....
BTW, on Cleanrom in her 3.4.7 odex i think...
Edit, I still have all my app icons on my screen, but not in the main menu?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you try to power down, then power it backup?? If successful you should have all your apps back.
Edit: what firmware you were on before flashing CROMI??

Yes sir, soon as I did a quick 2nd reboot, she was back to normal. Thank you for the reply, I just get nervous with this being my first time time. Go figure, and finally give up waiting for 4.2, unlock and romantic up, and it drops the next day lol.
I was on 10.4.4.25 I think

Proweedsmoker said:
Yes sir soon as I did a quick 2nd reboot, she was back to normal. Thank you for the reply, I just get nervous with this being my first time time. Go figure, and finally give up waiting for 4.2, unlock and romantic up, and it drops the next day lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahaha, indeed of your luck! but not to worry, sdbags is going to get the update 4.2 dlpkgfile sometime today and we should see our 4.2 cromi sooner than expected...in a few days...

Few more questions
Just had a few more questions that I thought of while playing with my NEW tablet, (I honestly stopped using my tablet for months after I got it because it was so laggy, and CROMI has changed all of that!!!!!!!) and figured I would bump this thread vrs start a new one... Sorry for the noob questions, but knowledge is power and Im trying to learn! ( I do read alot! )
Currently on TWRP 2.4.4, CROMI 3.4.7 Odex w/ the OC Kernel 1.8ghz
Now, I have noticed a huge increase in my system files from when I came from stock... IE Stock, I had around 55gigs or something free on internal memory, now, I have around 30, is this normal and what is using that much space? I currently appear to have 2x backups in TWRP menu..
I also have got the Titanium backup as suggested, and backup regularly... But what exactly is it backing up other then apps? Does it create the same backup files that TWRP does? I assume TWRP is backing up the critical O/S files??
How many backups in TWRP are needed and when can I delete (if ever) some? Im guessing here, that TWRP is needed only if you get stuck in bootloop or some other situation that prevents a full boot to home screen?
Should I try to find the backup files in TWRP and Titanium and copy them to my home PC for safe keeping? (I did follow the guides and also have them on clouds)
When preforming a "clean install" of an updated CROMI version, will those backup files on the internal storage be wiped, or are they protected from a wipe / "clean install"? Is a "dirty flash" un-advised? I plan to only use CROMI roms...
I also downloaded the ROM manager thing, as suggested by some.... but, do I really need that? It seems like its just a Titanium clone, with some extras... Also, the ROM manager has some things like boot animations and such, are those safe to use with CROMI? I was looking at some apps to clean up my storage from junk files, but I wonder, if those apps are compatible with CROMI?!?
Ok, thats all I have for now I think, and thank you for the help as always!!!!

OK. I will provide you the best advise as possible but there are variations depend on individual taste.
1. Internal memory growth - possible you backup to your internal instead of external sdcard. Look for large file like videos, rom/kernel in the /sdcard/ download folder. Do clear cache weekly. I just assumed that you download all the roms and backup to your internal.
2. Backing up
a) TWRP - this is called nandroid backup. It will back up your entire OS with all the apps and cache and setup...everything. Before you upgrade from one rom version to the next you should take a backup before do so. Or once in a while if you making a major change to your OS on the same version, you should do a second backup. This backup can restore you back exactly the way it was before you mess up. The disadvantage is you don't have a choice to pick and choose what you can restore. It's either all or none. For this you should keep one backup for the current OS, one for major modified to current OS, one for new OS and one for major modified to the new OS, so total about 4 max. Unless you flashing more than just cromi. This nandroid backup will bring you back your previous setup if you have boot loop.
b) Titaniumbackup - This only backup your system apps, user installed apps and all the settings belonged to the app. You can't use this to restore your OS.(like when you have bootloop). It used to restore applications only. To keep the backup from growing, you should set Max backup history to 5. It's only keep maximum of 5 recent backups.
3. Clean install will only wipe INTERNAL memory, not your external SDcard. So it's highly to keep your Titaniumbackup and TWRP backup on your External sdcard. For double protection make a backup of your sdcard to PC.
4. Personally, I stay away from Rom Manager. Only use bootanimantion, themes etc.. from the tf700 threads. Rom Manager is not tf700 specific so some features may work, some may even brick your device.
5. App to clean up junkfiles - you don't need such app. Most of the stuff you download will be in the /sdcard/download or in the download app folder, example if you use Sugar Sync app to download, the download file will be in /sdcard/mysugarsync folder. You need to keep track of what you put onto the devcie is the best way to manage your internal storage. For external sdcard, you should keep 1), rom, kernel or any necessary zip files to reinstall your OS. 2) all your TWRP and Titanium backup files 3) Anything that important to you.
Hope it all makes sense to you!

Internal memory growth - possible you backup to your internal instead of external sdcard. Look for large file like videos, rom/kernel in the /sdcard/ download folder. Do clear cache weekly. I just assumed that you download all the roms and backup to your internal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I was backing up to the internal memory! I have now backed up TWRP onto my microSD card! I was trying to change Titanium's backup path to the microsd, and I have 3 folders: /storage -Red, not writable -sdcard0 -sdcard1- I assume red is a system folder, sdcard0 is the internal storage, and sdcard1 is the mircoSD, however, when I try to select it, it says "this folder cannot be accessed"?? How do I fix this? I have never formatted my mircoSD or anything, just plugged it in when it came in the mail, and it worked.... Got about 50 gigs worth of movies, and my new TWRP backup on it now....
Do clear cache weekly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I do this?? Would it be in TWRP menu??
TWRP - this is called nandroid backup. It will back up your entire OS with all the apps and cache and setup...everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clearing that up! I thought nandroid backups were another type of backup, and the only thing I could find was an Online Nandroid backup app, so, of course I used that.... I guess I can get rid of that now!
you should set Max backup history to 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok great, max is 5, so if I just use a value of 1, Im golden then! (BTW, honestly, the only apps I care about are what keeps my tablet running butter smooth, so..... Maybe that will change now that I have a tablet I can actually use lol)
Clean install will only wipe INTERNAL memory, not your external SDcard. So it's highly to keep your Titaniumbackup and TWRP backup on your External sdcard. For double protection make a backup of your sdcard to PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the chances of the mircoSD corrupting the files or becoming unreadable when I need to get those backups like TWRP / Titanium?? I assume the PC backup file push is the last resort if the above happened?
App to clean up junkfiles - you don't need such app. Most of the stuff you download will be in the /sdcard/download or in the download app folder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, that folder is empty.... However, I found how to make it explain what was in each "file catagory" so I understand what is where and how big!
For external sdcard, you should keep 1), rom, kernel or any necessary zip files to reinstall your OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ALL of these files (rom,kernel, etc..,) would be found in the CROMI zip file I used on initial install? Would it be best to leave them zipped if so, or to create a folder and unzip and copy paste it in?
Many thanks!!
Last question, WTF is tunny browser??

Proweedsmoker said:
Yes, I was backing up to the internal memory! I have now backed up TWRP onto my microSD card! I was trying to change Titanium's backup path to the microsd, and I have 3 folders: /storage -Red, not writable -sdcard0 -sdcard1- I assume red is a system folder, sdcard0 is the internal storage, and sdcard1 is the mircoSD, however, when I try to select it, it says "this folder cannot be accessed"?? How do I fix this? I have never formatted my mircoSD or anything, just plugged it in when it came in the mail, and it worked.... Got about 50 gigs worth of movies, and my new TWRP backup on it now....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
**** Directory of your external sdcard should be /Removable/microSD.
How do I do this?? Would it be in TWRP menu??
*** You can download a free cache cleaner app from the market
Thanks for clearing that up! I thought nandroid backups were another type of backup, and the only thing I could find was an Online Nandroid backup app, so, of course I used that.... I guess I can get rid of that now!
*** When you do a TWRP backup. This is nandroid backup! so you already using it and didn't know about it lol!
Ok great, max is 5, so if I just use a value of 1, Im golden then! (BTW, honestly, the only apps I care about are what keeps my tablet running butter smooth, so..... Maybe that will change now that I have a tablet I can actually use lol)
*** Yep, 5 is max but anything less is better!
What are the chances of the mircoSD corrupting the files or becoming unreadable when I need to get those backups like TWRP / Titanium?? I assume the PC backup file push is the last resort if the above happened?
*** The chance is very small, but that's why I said a second backup of sdcard to your pc. It easy because it's all in one location (sdcard).
Actually, that folder is empty.... However, I found how to make it explain what was in each "file catagory" so I understand what is where and how big!
ALL of these files (rom,kernel, etc..,) would be found in the CROMI zip file I used on initial install? Would it be best to leave them zipped if so, or to create a folder and unzip and copy paste it in?
*** They should be zipped and move to sdcard.
Last question, WTF is tunny browser??
I believe its a cache directory for Dolphin Browser.

One last question for the night, lol...
As I mentioned, I have never formatted my mircoSD.... Just opened its package (64g Scandisk something or another), plugged it in and its been working just fine ever since, although Xfering files is abit slow :/
Its currently formatted in a "Generic hierarchical" file system..... Being that it will be a life line for my tabby, will TWRP / Titan / etc.., be OK with reading, booting, and w/e else may be required from this type of file system??

Proweedsmoker said:
Its currently formatted in a "Generic hierarchical" file system..... Being that it will be a life line for my tabby, will TWRP / Titan / etc.., be OK with reading, booting, and w/e else may be required from this type of file system??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the real filesystem that the card is formatted with, that's what Windows sees 'through' the connection with the tablet.

[Q] Cant find TWRP Backups

Ok, here is the deal....
1 - bought a new VZ GS3 (did not install a micro SD card, onboard memory/storage only)
2 - ran "casual unlock/root"
3 - made a full backup of the stock ROM in TWRP
4 - installed CM 10.1.2
5 - made a full backup immediately of CM in TWRP
6 - installed all my apps and data and got everything set the way I wanted it
7 - made another complete backup of CM in TWRP
Now comes the tricky part....
When browsing with file manager on phone, or connected via USB w/debugging.... I find that /storage/emulated/0/TWRP AND /storage/emulated/legacy/TWRP.... both only show the backups I made of the Stock ROM in step 3 above. There is no sign of the CM backups I made later.
When I boot to recovery and choose restore in TWRP, the 2 CM backups I made (steps 5 & 7 above) are visible, but the Stock backup (step 3 above doesnt show.
So.... when the phone is booted and I browse, or I am connected via USB, I see stock backup, but cant see it in recovery. When I am in recovery, I see the Cm backups, but not the stock backup.
This has me bumfuzzled. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance

SilverFox66 said:
Ok, here is the deal....
1 - bought a new VZ GS3 (did not install a micro SD card, onboard memory/storage only)
2 - ran "casual unlock/root"
3 - made a full backup of the stock ROM in TWRP
4 - installed CM 10.1.2
5 - made a full backup immediately of CM in TWRP
6 - installed all my apps and data and got everything set the way I wanted it
7 - made another complete backup of CM in TWRP
Now comes the tricky part....
When browsing with file manager on phone, or connected via USB w/debugging.... I find that /storage/emulated/0/TWRP AND /storage/emulated/legacy/TWRP.... both only show the backups I made of the Stock ROM in step 3 above. There is no sign of the CM backups I made later.
When I boot to recovery and choose restore in TWRP, the 2 CM backups I made (steps 5 & 7 above) are visible, but the Stock backup (step 3 above doesnt show.
So.... when the phone is booted and I browse, or I am connected via USB, I see stock backup, but cant see it in recovery. When I am in recovery, I see the Cm backups, but not the stock backup.
This has me bumfuzzled. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your stock TW backup should be in data/media due to the way that multi-user is employed for 4.2 JB. Since multiuser adds a /0 to your internal storage, anything from TW roms will be moved or appear hidden in AOSP and in recovery. Use a file explorer to move that stock TW backup to the same path as your CM10.1 backups and you'll be set.

SlimSnoopOS said:
Your stock TW backup should be in data/media due to the way that multi-user is employed for 4.2 JB. Since multiuser adds a /0 to your internal storage, anything from TW roms will be moved or appear hidden in AOSP and in recovery. Use a file explorer to move that stock TW backup to the same path as your CM10.1 backups and you'll be set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Actually, it was the opposite.... my CM backups were in data/media/TWRP. So, I copied my stock backup to the data/media/TWRP folder, and it now shows up in TWRP. Problem is, I cant see the "data" folder (or subfolders) when connected to my pc. So, I have to copy the backups to the /storage/emulated/0/TWRP that I "can see" when connected to my pc, and then copy the backups to the pc from there. I like to keep copies of my backups on my pc just in case. But since I cant see the "data/media/TWRP" folder, I have to copy them elsewhere, then copy them to my pc.
I dont guess there is any way fo changing where TWRP looks for backups is there? That way I could have TWRP look in the /storage/emulated/0/TWRP folder that I can see with my pc, rather than the data/media/TWRP folder, that I cant see
Thanks again! At least I found the CM backups and copied them elsewhere so I could transfer them to my pc :good:
EDIT: Spoke too soon. By moving the stok backup to data/media/TWRP.... it does indeed now show in TWRP, and is available for restoration. BUT.... I have tried copying the CM backup to other areas of storage (so I can access them when connected to my pc) but they still do not show up
Edit 2: rebooted the phone and I can now see the CM backup that I moved. It just sucks having to copy it elsewhere, then copy it to my pc.... but at least I can do it. Will putting a SD card in the phone solve this issue?

You could use an app like Airdroid to transfer files wirelessly. You can view the entire file system and can copy files over. There isn't a way to reconfigure TWRP to point elsewhere to restore backups although there is a file browser in TWRP/Advanced that you could use to move folders around.
Having an sdcard does help. I only save TWRP backups to my external sdcard and have no issues on AOSP or TW. Just make sure the card is formatted to Fat32. Personally, I prefer to transfer files to my laptop with Airdroid to avoid using wires. I haven't noticed any issues being unable to view files.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

thanks for the tip on the sd card. I didnt think I had one and was going to pick up a 32GB. I found an 8GB I had, booted to TWRP, made a full backup on the ext card, then moved my other backups to the card.... worked like a charm. Deleted the copies all together on my phone to free up space. Now they are all on the card and easy to transfer to my pc.... so no matter what I have copies in 2 places ready to use if need be.
Much appreciated!

SlimSnoopOS said:
Your stock TW backup should be in data/media due to the way that multi-user is employed for 4.2 JB. Since multiuser adds a /0 to your internal storage, anything from TW roms will be moved or appear hidden in AOSP and in recovery. Use a file explorer to move that stock TW backup to the same path as your CM10.1 backups and you'll be set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please tell me what shall i do when i have not any rom installed? (i had wipe system) and now i can not access to any file manager to move my back up files!

DSH said:
please tell me what shall i do when i have not any rom installed? (i had wipe system) and now i can not access to any file manager to move my back up files!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to use Odin on your computer and flash back to a stock rom
Sent from my SCH-I535

I broke TWRP!

HI there,
I've been jumping back and forth between beanstalk and carbon 4.4.2 roms, with an occasional validus. No issues, making backups, restoring, etc. Today I installed a validus fresh to try to change the boot animation with ROM toolbox. That worked with no issues. I then backed that up.
I then tried to restore my carbon back I'd made before the test, and no go.
I've tried many times installing new and then trying to restore - no go.
I can wipe and install fresh, any ROM, but cannot restore any ROM. Any ideas?
EDIT 1: I deleted ALL backups, did a fresh carbon 4.4.2 install. Rebooted. Rebooted then into recover. Backup to SD card as usual. Reboot. Then tried to restore the backup I'd just made. NO Go. So had to do a fresh install again.
EDIT 2: After fresh reboot, moved my backup to internal storage. Recovery, then attempt restore, no go. Had to do another fresh install.
EDIT 3: After fresh install, I created a backup directly to internal storage (no copy/paste), then wiped everything as usual. Then restore direct from internal - it worked. Going to do a full tibu restore of all apps. THEN backup/restore again, to see if this works.
So now, I'm wondering if my SD card is nuts up somehow. Maybe I'll format that, then start over.
oh, and I'm on 2.6.3.0

newskate9 said:
HI there,
I've been jumping back and forth between beanstalk and carbon 4.4.2 roms, with an occasional validus. No issues, making backups, restoring, etc. Today I installed a validus fresh to try to change the boot animation with ROM toolbox. That worked with no issues. I then backed that up.
I then tried to restore my carbon back I'd made before the test, and no go.
I've tried many times installing new and then trying to restore - no go.
I can wipe and install fresh, any ROM, but cannot restore any ROM. Any ideas?
EDIT 1: I deleted ALL backups, did a fresh carbon 4.4.2 install. Rebooted. Rebooted then into recover. Backup to SD card as usual. Reboot. Then tried to restore the backup I'd just made. NO Go. So had to do a fresh install again.
EDIT 2: After fresh reboot, moved my backup to internal storage. Recovery, then attempt restore, no go. Had to do another fresh install.
EDIT 3: After fresh install, I created a backup directly to internal storage (no copy/paste), then wiped everything as usual. Then restore direct from internal - it worked. Going to do a full tibu restore of all apps. THEN backup/restore again, to see if this works.
So now, I'm wondering if my SD card is nuts up somehow. Maybe I'll format that, then start over.
oh, and I'm on 2.6.3.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Format data & data media with philz & the restore will go. I take it you are on a twrp w/o usb mount?

aviwdoowks said:
Format data & data media with philz & the restore will go. I take it you are on a twrp w/o usb mount?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so time to demonstrate some noobness.......... format with "philz", what does that mean? I am on twrp, not sure what w/o usb mount means. When restoring, I always "MOUNT SYSTEM". is that what you're asking?

Sorry for the off topic but where do you find kitkat carbon ??
Envoyé depuis mon XT925 avec Tapatalk

spart'84120 said:
Sorry for the off topic but where do you find kitkat carbon ??
Envoyé depuis mon XT925 avec Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming I'm allowed to post a link............
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/topic/34591-romxt926unofficial442carbon-kk-01-10-14/

So, I backed up a full version of Carbon to internal. rebooted, then recover. Wiped the thing silly, and then was able to restore with no issue.
I'll wait to see what the philz / twrp step is before going any further.
EDIT: Sorry, couldn't wait! With everything clean, I backed up to ext. card - and it restored fine. I think I may have done something to whack the backup(s). All seems fine now. Go figure.

[Q] How does a custom recovery works?

Ok, so i'm new to all this stuff about custom recoverys and ROMs. How exactly do they work?
Let's say i make a custom recovery image of my current ROM, wich is stock, does it just backup the OS or my personal files (music, photos, apps, etc.) too?
I'm asking this primarly because i want to upgrade my phone, but to do so i have to flash the stock firmware because i've modified some system files. Wich bring to my other question, flashing ROMs wipe user data? i've read some split responses to this, some people say it does some say it doesn't.
And my final question, let's say i made a backup, wiped my phone flashed stock firmware and updated, now how i recover my data from the
backed up ROM, i mean it is a different version, does it have an option to just restore user data?
Thanks in advance, and sorry if these are too much questions.

it'll back up system, data, boot.img and dalvik cache.
your sd partition isn't backed up, but all the stuff on it will be readable by whatever new rom you put on it (unless you wipe EVERYTHING [not a good idea]).
when you're changing roms/etc, you want to place the rom.zip + gapps.zip (and custom kernel.zip if you're going to use one) on your sd partition. you do this because usb storage mostly doesn't work with custom recoveries as of yet on this device meaning once you've wiped, if you don't have a rom on your sd partition you're mildly screwed in that you'd have to reflash everything from a stock image (meaning you will lose root, all your personal files and whatever rom was on the phone - basically everything goes back to stock bar the bootloader).
e: as for restoring all apps data, use something like titanium backup. i always have a backup on my sd partition of all my current apps (plus wifi passwords, accounts info, sms messages etc to save time/effort when restoring after putting a new rom on). i also always set TB to backup all modified/new data every night at about 3am, then upload the backup to google drive so that if i either brick my phone or accidentally wipe everything, at least i can get back to where i left off.

If you forget to place the ROM zip, and have formatted the device, it is not necessary to flash stock. You use adb side load which is present in every recovery.

in that case i need to remember that for future use - i hardly ever use my pc with my phone now as you can pretty much do anything (update recovery etc) on the phone alone.
that, and i'm on windows 8.1 which afaik doesn't play nicely with fastboot or adb.

twist3d0n3 said:
....and i'm on windows 8.1 which afaik doesn't play nicely with fastboot or adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
....i think this is a rumor. Never ever had any problems on W8.1

^ good to know, thanks

[Q] Data recovery with adb after soft-brick

Hello,
I installed the latest cyanogenmod nightly. There were issues with the google play store so I had to switch back to a cyanogenmod 11 nightly from december. Unfortunately there was a problem with CWM and based on the information on the forums I flashed the old nightly manually in CWM. Unfortunately, my phone became stuck in a bootloop. I was not thinking clearly so I did not make a backup at the right time. I am trying to recover some data. I have first done a backup within CWM, it has apparently created a backup file in the /sdcard/. I then used "adb pull /sdcard/" to copy the contents of the /sdcard/ to a safe location on my PC. It seems to have worked but I am not sure. I do not know in which folders the data is actually stored.
(I don't know if reflashing the most recent nightly will work)
I was wondering if this solution will work, and if I will be able to keep the app data this way as well as retrieve a few pictures. Ideally I hope this will allow me to put the phone back to its original state at some point. I hear a factory reset deletes the contents of the internal sdcard on the moto g so that is why I am trying to copy it back to PC. But I wonder if I will be able to restore it afterwards. Any adivce would be greatly appreciated.
edit: uh oh seems adb pull sdcard has not completed successfully so I am at a loss at what to do

Is there an option in CWM or TWRP to mount partitions for access by a PC?

audit13 said:
Is there an option in CWM or TWRP to mount partitions for access by a PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you earlier. Thankfully I have been able to solve the problem by reflashing the cm12 nightly, retrieving the data from that, and then wiping the phone and reflashing an old snapshot. Now I will be careful with backing up my data in the future.
I don't understand why the cm12 don't work though. I get weird scan lines on everything, including the boot screen. I think it may be due to the google apps because they keep quitting. I will try something else.
edit: I will post this issue in a separate thread