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Root Question

I've searched out and read alot about rooting. I've down loaded the required files. Read and re-read as much as I can about rooting, flashing, recovery etc. I do not claim to understand it all. I'm still in my Buyers Remorse period so I won't root until thats over.
I've read from end to all, all the Custom ROM threads on this forum. EaglesBlood makes the comment...Wipe wipe wipe ....and he lists several things to wipe.
I've gone back into rooting and flashing guides and cannot find anything about Wipe.
I rooted only 1 time in my life....on the Nexus One....but don't recall using any wipe command.
I searched over in the Android forum for any kind of guide that would take me from Root to recovery to flash to update....and answer the wipe question for me.
I've flashed and wiped for years on Windows Phone....and spent the time in advance to understand the process and the steps ...before I attempted it. Want to be as sure with Android...before I step in...because...lord help me....if I brick the device, I'm gonna have to go to a Sensation....because G2x's aren't back on the market yet....and I really don't want to do that....I'll have to take back everything I said about the sensation if I do....
Does anyone know of a guide that goes from root to recovery to backup to flash and includes the tips and tricks like....wipe, when to wipe, etc?
TIA

If you want to root there is a topic in dev section called superoneclick
For clockworkmod(backups, restores, rom and kernel flashing) check out the nvflash topic in dev section
For all roms there is usually instructions as what exactly to do in steps.
Hope this helps. I would post links if I was on my computer sorry.
Sent from my G2X

Also this topic should probably be in the Q&A section
Sent from my G2X

I will help answer your question. When you root an android phone you are installing files that give you the ability to modify your rom, and recovery. These files are stored in a separate partition on your phone that is hidden from the phone you will not need to wipe when just rooting your phone.
If you want to install a custom rom you will need to first flash a different recovery for the g2x you need to use nvflash. This process once again you will not need to wipe the phone. Whit this recovery you can make backups of you phone and does not require a custom rom.
If you want to then install a custom rom use the new recovery to make a backup first that way you can restore your phone if anything goes wrong.
Now after your back up and after down loading what ever new rom you wish to use it is always suggested to wipe your phone. Wiping clears out all your personal files from you rom partion making it easier for the new rom to install the new files needed for the rom and to modify any old ones.
I hope this helps explain and clears ups your questions.
Sent from my LG-V909 using XDA Premium App

Moved to proper forum.

There are a couple of options in the recovery menu that let you wipe data. When I boot into clockwork mod recovery you can choose to wipe all user data, cache, dalvik cache, and battery statistics. They're located under different sub menus but they're all there. When your ready to flash a rom make sure you have a backup, then wipe all user data 2 or 3 times (thus the Wipe Wipe Wipe you were referring to), wipe dalvik cache, and then flash. Some people recommend wiping battery statistics too but I don't know if that's necessary every time. Once you've wiped everything sufficiently then flash your rom. Wiping just ensures you're starting with a clean slate.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

Thanks All,
Right after I posted this, I found unlockr.com. Not that he looks like 'The' expert, he puts everyones stuff together in the same place. I saw where the WIPE WIPE WIPE comes from.
I had already used this superone click thread on this forum to gather the files...but wanted to see the steps in action....the vids on the unlockr site show me the steps quite nicely.
thanks all for the feedback.!!

"Wipe, wipe, wipe" refers to wipe the data, cache, and Dalvik cache, which is done via CWM.

[Q] how to update a rom?

i looked through the forum and didn't find this exact question so i'm sorry if it's been posted before.
basically what i'm wondering is if i have a ROM installed, let's just say one of the new ICS ones, and a new release of that ROM comes out, is there a way to upgrade to the newer version without having to install all my apps and stuff again through titanium backup? i hope that makes sense. in other words, is installing a new version of a ROM that you are already using going to be the same process as flashing a new ROM entirely? that could get annoying with newer versions of ICS seemingly coming out twice a week.
thanks in advance!

It's recommended to wipe and reflash, but I just flash over top and if there's problems I resort to wiping. Clear cache and dalvik and just flash over top, your apps will still be there. But if you do it this way, you should not report any problems
Sent from my Inspire 4G using Xparent Blue Tapatalk

Probably could have used search to find this. But typically, unless the dev say to full wipe, when an update comes out for the rom you are using you can flash the update over the older version without a full wipe. You are still required to clear cache/dalvik to do this. If anything that was working before does not work anymore after you have flashed the update over the older version, then you should go back and do a full wipe and flash the new version. I personally always full wipe when flashing a newer version.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium

It all depends on the ROM and what is updated. Seriously you have to go by what the DEV says in his thread. Some you can update without wiping and some you have to wipe. Others will automatically wipe for you. Best advice is to read the DEV's thread. They should all give you this info. And if you looked over the first few posts of his thread you really wouldn't be asking this question here.

Some mods have the cache/dalvik wipe built in, so just make sure you read through the thread for whatever mod you're trying. Wiping it twice won't hurt, but just wastes a little time.

RunnyDrOiD
I know that we have different method for rom installation but do you have any idea about RunnyDrOiD
Thanks

lgluna20 said:
I know that we have different method for rom installation but do you have any idea about RunnyDrOiD
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really? man. I'll make this very simple for you.
1. put rom on root of sdcard
2. boot into recovery
3. wipe data, cache, dalvik cache
4. install from sdcard the zip file
5. reboot.
almost all ROMs except for the PD98IMG.zip stock ROMs are flashed with the above method. Not all ROMs require a full wipe (data, cache, dalvik cahce) when upgrading within the same ROM but it is recommended to do so to avoid any issues. If you're switching between different ROMs, it is required to do a full wipe. Search my good man.

ICS question

Just got my phone today and i rooted it with this link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1340526
Now i'm rooted but running the stock rom. I want to get a ICS rom on my phone phone. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1579307 from this link
Now which ICS leak do i flash and is there certain steps i have to take to flash the Rom I've posted above?
Thank you

There is a sticky on this, please try to use the search feature I'm the future.
U need to first flash the uclca4 radio first in cwm, and then follow the instructions in the op for installing that rom, including the kernel instruction. That's it.

icenight89 said:
There is a sticky on this, please try to use the search feature I'm the future.
U need to first flash the uclca4 radio first in cwm, and then follow the instructions in the op for installing that rom, including the kernel instruction. That's it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you tell me which sticky should i refer to?
I'm following this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1383464
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1573218
but i'm just getting confused

see, I have no problem helping users who have at least tried but are confused. I'll be more than glad to help you.
download the uclc4 radio from here and flash in cwm
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24623470
download dark side wipe from here to sdcard
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1477955
next in cwm
format system 3x
factory reset 3x
wipe davik cache 3x
flash dark side wipe
flash uclc4 radio
flash team perfection rom

icenight89 said:
see, I have no problem helping users who have at least tried but are confused. I'll be more than glad to help you.
download the uclc4 radio from here and flash in cwm
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24623470
download dark side wipe from here to sdcard
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1477955
next in cwm
format system 3x
factory reset 3x
wipe davik cache 3x
flash dark side wipe
flash uclc4 radio
flash team perfection rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you sir, this will really help me. i was just reading over so many threads and i just thought i'll end up bricking the phone. Thank you again

Boot issue

So I decided to try out Paranoid Android R4 and read all the instructions and downloaded all the files provided in the thread. Did the wipes and formatting in the order provided (x3 amount of times) then flashed the rom and the other file provided and rebooted my phone. The problem is that when I boot it it keeps looping the Paranoid Android logo and that's it. I've wiped everything clean multiple times and tried flashing about 3-4 times and still nothing. The thread provided only two zips. The rom and a gapps fix. Perhaps I'm missing a file found elsewhere or something? Thanks in advance.
(thread)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1750588

Musehk said:
So I decided to try out Paranoid Android R4 and read all the instructions and downloaded all the files provided in the thread. Did the wipes and formatting in the order provided (x3 amount of times) then flashed the rom and the other file provided and rebooted my phone. The problem is that when I boot it it keeps looping the Paranoid Android logo and that's it. I've wiped everything clean multiple times and tried flashing about 3-4 times and still nothing. The thread provided only two zips. The rom and a gapps fix. Perhaps I'm missing a file found elsewhere or something? Thanks in advance.
(thread)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1750588
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash Dark Side Cache Wipe and see if that helps at all. If u are looking to flash it again then use Dark Side Super Wipe. The Cache Wipe is for if you encounter problems after the flash. I can't remember if it is just to fix fc's or help boot loop but it shouldn't hurt to flash the wipe
Note: I have not used Paranoid Android rom so I am unfamiliar with their flashing procedure / if zips are missing
Sent from my Skyrocket i727 running Sky ICS
PS: If I was able to help you then hit thanks

DO NOT DARK SIDE WIPE ON AOSP OR CM9 ROMS!!!! also you need to read the OP's instructions. Using clock work mod touch by sk8.
Step i did.
Wipe /system
Wipe /data
Wipe data factory reset
Wipe Cache
Wipe Dalvik cache
Install rom
Install fixedgapps
Reboot. Let phone sit for a few mins after if loaded.
Reboot phone and done.

nidnarb said:
DO NOT DARK SIDE WIPE ON AOSP OR CM9 ROMS!!!! also you need to read the OP's instructions. Using clock work mod touch by sk8.
Step i did.
Wipe /system
Wipe /data
Wipe data factory reset
Wipe Cache
Wipe Dalvik cache
Install rom
Install fixedgapps
Reboot. Let phone sit for a few mins after if loaded.
Reboot phone and done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was not aware of this. Sorry for any confusion!
Sent from my Skyrocket i727 running Sky ICS
PS: If I was able to help you then hit thanks

nidnarb said:
DO NOT DARK SIDE WIPE ON AOSP OR CM9 ROMS!!!! also you need to read the OP's instructions. Using clock work mod touch by sk8.
Step i did.
Wipe /system
Wipe /data
Wipe data factory reset
Wipe Cache
Wipe Dalvik cache
Install rom
Install fixedgapps
Reboot. Let phone sit for a few mins after if loaded.
Reboot phone and done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did read the OP's instructions. I state that in the post. I had installed ClockworkMod touch through ROM Manager. I don't know if there's a difference between installing it that way and flashing the one by sk8. I didn't have any touch controls after installing it, though. What's the difference between flashing with CWM Touch and regular CWM anyway?

Musehk said:
I did read the OP's instructions. I state that in the post. I had installed ClockworkMod touch through ROM Manager. I don't know if there's a difference between installing it that way and flashing the one by sk8. I didn't have any touch controls after installing it, though. What's the difference between flashing with CWM Touch and regular CWM anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont use cwm through rom manager, why u may ask, you are having problems right? if you use sk8's it rules out other issues.
if you dont know how to install it, just go to the link in my sig goto to the download section in that post and everything u need is there

Wiping dalvik and fixing permissions

What exactly does this do? Every time I'm flashing a new ROM and I wipe/fix permissons I seem to hang at the boot screen. Am I hurting myself not doing this?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

You shouldn't have to fix permissions on a new ROM flash. In fact, running the fix permissions command is rarely needed. I would never make it a routine thing to do.

hallstevenson said:
You shouldn't have to fix permissions on a new ROM flash. In fact, running the fix permissions command is rarely needed. I would never make it a routine thing to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed

Some more info would be much appreciated here; I realize there is info out there but I'm still not 100% sure *what* I'm actually doing besides following instructions when doing wipes to flash anything. Not hijacking the thread but I'll rephrase the Q and hopefully someone can help clear things up:
When I read thru various guides for flashing various updates including ROMs, Gapps, kernels, system MODs etc, it seems that the order of the wipe and the extent of the wipe differ even between the same ROM (different model phone, ports, etc).
Is there a "standard" wipe procedure/ order of steps for;
(a) flashing a ROM update (assuming same kernel, and gapps flash needed ontop)
(b) flashing a new ROM (from a different build and/or kernel)
(c) flashing a system MOD (ex: crossbreeder)
(d) flashing a kernel (update or new)
I know there are those who feel that OCD urge to wipe wipe rinse repeat for every little thing but I'm hoping someone can clear us n00bs up on *why* we are doing what we are doing. The *essential* wipes and the order of each, and what files/partitions is that wipe effecting.
One more to expand on OP's question;
When then *should* we fix permissions?
Thanks a ton

MichPRich said:
Some more info would be much appreciated here; I realize there is info out there but I'm still not 100% sure *what* I'm actually doing besides following instructions when doing wipes to flash anything. Not hijacking the thread but I'll rephrase the Q and hopefully someone can help clear things up:
When I read thru various guides for flashing various updates including ROMs, Gapps, kernels, system MODs etc, it seems that the order of the wipe and the extent of the wipe differ even between the same ROM (different model phone, ports, etc).
Is there a "standard" wipe procedure/ order of steps for;
(a) flashing a ROM update (assuming same kernel, and gapps flash needed ontop)
(b) flashing a new ROM (from a different build and/or kernel)
(c) flashing a system MOD (ex: crossbreeder)
(d) flashing a kernel (update or new)
I know there are those who feel that OCD urge to wipe wipe rinse repeat for every little thing but I'm hoping someone can clear us n00bs up on *why* we are doing what we are doing. The *essential* wipes and the order of each, and what files/partitions is that wipe effecting.
One more to expand on OP's question;
When then *should* we fix permissions?
Thanks a ton
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no standard wiping procedure. At the bare minimum you should factory reset, wipe cache, and wipe dalvik cache for a ROM. In some instances a dirty flash may be recommended for an update, but not always. Others like to add steps to the reset, such as formatting system. I always clean flash for any rom by factory reset, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache, format system, then flash rom. I usually flash a kernel without wiping anything.
Different developers have different opinions on what you should do and how efficiently it works. In my opinion, I think a lot of the multiple wiping procedures some developers recommend is unnecessary. However, if I'm running their ROM I will follow the instructions exactly so I can accurately report bugs to them if something comes up.
Fixing permissions is usually unnecessary, it has to do with rewriting app permissions to the kernel and will often fix issues involved with force closing. I really don't think it helps too much, but some devs like to recommend it. The reason it takes a long time to boot is because after you fix permissions, every app has to ask the kernel to run again. Which can take a while depending on how many you have installed.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

BadUsername said:
There is no standard wiping procedure. At the bare minimum you should factory reset, wipe cache, and wipe dalvik cache for a ROM. In some instances a dirty flash may be recommended for an update, but not always. Others like to add steps to the reset, such as formatting system. I always clean flash for any rom by factory reset, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache, format system, then flash rom. I usually flash a kernel without wiping anything.
Different developers have different opinions on what you should do and how efficiently it works. In my opinion, I think a lot of the multiple wiping procedures some developers recommend is unnecessary. However, if I'm running their ROM I will follow the instructions exactly so I can accurately report bugs to them if something comes up.
Fixing permissions is usually unnecessary, it has to do with rewriting app permissions to the kernel and will often fix issues involved with force closing. I really don't think it helps too much, but some devs like to recommend it. The reason it takes a long time to boot is because after you fix permissions, every app has to ask the kernel to run again. Which can take a while depending on how many you have installed.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very good info, thanks.
I was unsure why my ROM (Dark Rootbox Nightly builds on usc) have us wipe/reset, wipe cache, and the final step in wiping dalvik comes *after* flashng ROM/gapps. But your response helps a lot ty again.

MichPRich said:
Very good info, thanks.
I was unsure why my ROM (Dark Rootbox Nightly builds on usc) have us wipe/reset, wipe cache, and the final step in wiping dalvik comes *after* flashng ROM/gapps. But your response helps a lot ty again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's simply personal preference on what the developer thinks is most efficient.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

A lot of good info, thanks. What is stored in dalvik cache
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

camf3xu said:
A lot of good info, thanks. What is stored in dalvik cache
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dalvik cache is what actually runs an app. It stores a specific file after an app is installed to allow the app to run.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2