[Q] Factory reset doesn't delete data/restore system? - ONE Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Aside from the pee-stain at the bottom of the phone I did notice one thing. When you do a factory reset (and select/check that deleting userdata is okay) it does not:
• delete sdcard data
• remove user settings for apps/wifi
• restore modified system files (hosts, etc...)
• root remains as well
Is there actually a way to do a proper reset and have it restore things as it should? In line with that how do I securely erase the data if possible so in given it to a family or it ends up on some truck with Avast that the data can't be restored?
Thanks!

windraker said:
Aside from the pee-stain at the bottom of the phone I did notice one thing. When you do a factory reset (and select/check that deleting userdata is okay) it does not:
• delete sdcard data
• remove user settings for apps/wifi
• restore modified system files (hosts, etc...)
• root remains as well
Is there actually a way to do a proper reset and have it restore things as it should? In line with that how do I securely erase the data if possible so in given it to a family or it ends up on some truck with Avast that the data can't be restored?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WTF? Factory reset does not actually factory reset..? This seems like a huge bug with CM11... Especially the part about the lack of deletion in the SD card and user settings.

an_xda said:
WTF? Factory reset does not actually factory reset..? This seems like a huge bug with CM11... Especially the part about the lack of deletion in the SD card and user settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. I had rooted the phone and while I think I lost root; the modified hosts file I changed (http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm) was still there as well as the entire SD card contents. It remembered my home wifi as well because I looked in settings and it showed my home one as "out of range"
Not sure if it's a bug or by design as I haven't tried flashing the stock image yet.

For a complete factory reset that will erase everything. Everything! You can do a factory reset from the boot loader. (Restart or power on phone and hold down the volume down button, scroll to factory reset, push power button) or from TRWP data reset, it makes you confirm and type "yes"
I reset my phone through the boot loader on accident a couple times and wanted to kick my dog.
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app

You guys do know that factory resetting only formats the data partition excluding the /data/media directory. This is not a bug. It wouldn't need to do anything to the system partition of you don't root. And it's not able to restore the system partition without a system image and where are you going to store that? In the system partition? All user settings including apps and WiFi settings are stored on the data partition will actually be wiped unless when you log into your Google account you select restore from backup. There's no reason you would want to delete storage too when factory resetting unless you want to sell the phone and you can delete that in so many ways since it's your storage.
Sent from my TouchPad using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

cannonofcourse said:
For a complete factory reset that will erase everything. Everything! You can do a factory reset from the boot loader. (Restart or power on phone and hold down the volume down button, scroll to factory reset, push power button) or from TRWP data reset, it makes you confirm and type "yes"
I reset my phone through the boot loader on accident a couple times and wanted to kick my dog.
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Jack of Clubs said:
You guys do know that factory resetting only formats the data partition excluding the /data/media directory. This is not a bug. It wouldn't need to do anything to the system partition of you don't root. And it's not able to restore the system partition without a system image and where are you going to store that? In the system partition? All user settings including apps and WiFi settings are stored on the data partition will actually be wiped unless when you log into your Google account you select restore from backup. There's no reason you would want to delete storage too when factory resetting unless you want to sell the phone and you can delete that in so many ways since it's your storage.
Sent from my TouchPad using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you both Tried that and worked. Wanted to restore the hosts file to stock but couldn't find the original again. (didn't think to extract factory rom files on cyangen site)

The solution is in their FAQ.

so wait... if i factory reset from twrp... will my internal sd.. i.e. music.. and other files also get deleted?

abhimanyu bajaj said:
so wait... if i factory reset from twrp... will my internal sd.. i.e. music.. and other files also get deleted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Transmitted via Bacon

timmaaa said:
No.
Transmitted via Bacon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and if i flash a new rom... will it be deleted?

abhimanyu bajaj said:
and if i flash a new rom... will it be deleted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flashing the ROM by itself will not wipe data or internal storage, but you may encounter bugs (it's called dirty flashing). The best way to get a bug-less ROM is to clean flash which means wiping every partition. The only one that should be OK is internal so you don't have to wipe that one when clean flashing.

abhimanyu bajaj said:
and if i flash a new rom... will it be deleted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, flashing a ROM doesn't wipe user data. When flashing a new ROM it's best to wipe system, data, cache, and dalvik cache, but it isn't necessary to wipe (internal storage) user data.

Newbie XDA member
I change my phone original bootanimation and then i get No Command when i factor reset .. Nothing Happend how do just restore my (/system) /system/media bootanimation.zip ... other way to fix this thing i have pc >?

Related

how to reset cm10 system settings and clear dalvik cache and cache?

how to reset cm10 system settings and clear dalvik cache and cache?
lg p500 running cm10.1 unofficial 4.1.2 jellybean
i did some changes on settings>interface>system>statusbar&notification drawer
and it changed some things i dont like problem is i cant seem to undo the changes
how do i reset the settings to default WITHOUT DELETING ANY DATA and will clearing dalvik cache and cache help and be safe to do even after
i flashed this custom rom back in march without deleting any data
Wipe system, cache and dalvik cache from your recovery and then flash the Rom and gapps again
Sent from my GT-I9082 using xda premium
akiratoriyama said:
Wipe system, cache and dalvik cache from your recovery and then flash the Rom and gapps again
Sent from my GT-I9082 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doing that will delete my data wont it? will it?
akiratoriyama said:
Wipe system, cache and dalvik cache from your recovery and then flash the Rom and gapps again
Sent from my GT-I9082 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i want to do this because i have this problem
i want to use the slide notification bar for quick brigthness changing it worked before but it shows this now:
lg p500 doesnt even have ambient light sensor so i dont know how automatic brightness would even be enabled:
If you want you can take a nandroid backup and yes it won't delete any of your data
Sent from my GT-I9082 using xda premium
akiratoriyama said:
If you want you can take a nandroid backup and yes it won't delete any of your data
Sent from my GT-I9082 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to make a nandroid backup and what does it do?
I thought if you click wipe system in recovery it deletes your data? Please explain thoroughly so I can do is safely and DON'T lose data
androiddownloader said:
How to make a nandroid backup and what does it do?
I thought if you click wipe system in recovery it deletes your data? Please explain thoroughly so I can do is safely and DON'T lose data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you wipe system you done loose data ... data here roughly means data partition which holds apps
it wipes only when you wipe data or a reset etc
in recovery you can make a backup of current rom ... you need abour 400 mb free space on sdcard
then try anything if it doesnt work out .. in recovery you can restore and nothing would be lost
mcd_legend said:
If you wipe system you done loose data ... data here roughly means data partition which holds apps
it wipes only when you wipe data or a reset etc
in recovery you can make a backup of current rom ... you need abour 400 mb free space on sdcard
then try anything if it doesnt work out .. in recovery you can restore and nothing would be lost
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i click wipe system do i lose data? what does wiping system do?
after i make the nandroid backup on my clockwork mod recovery how do i use it to restore from the backup?
akiratoriyama said:
If you want you can take a nandroid backup and yes it won't delete any of your data
Sent from my GT-I9082 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mcd_legend said:
If you wipe system you done loose data ... data here roughly means data partition which holds apps
it wipes only when you wipe data or a reset etc
in recovery you can make a backup of current rom ... you need abour 400 mb free space on sdcard
then try anything if it doesnt work out .. in recovery you can restore and nothing would be lost
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i read "wipe system" in clockword mod means "Formatting the system partition will remove your ROM and leave your phone without an operating system "
that means i would lose my operating system or data then what do i do
androiddownloader said:
i read "wipe system" in clockword mod means "Formatting the system partition will remove your ROM and leave your phone without an operating system "
that means i would lose my operating system or data then what do i do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you will loose your current rom not data ...
u see apps are in /data partition
and rom on /system ... so wiping system wont afftect /data
its like in windows when you reinstall windows ... only c: gets wiped rest like d: etc arent changed
for nandroid restore ... u can go in recovery > backup and restore ... there is an option for that
mcd_legend said:
you will loose your current rom not data ...
u see apps are in /data partition
and rom on /system ... so wiping system wont afftect /data
its like in windows when you reinstall windows ... only c: gets wiped rest like d: etc arent changed
for nandroid restore ... u can go in recovery > backup and restore ... there is an option for that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im saying if i make a backup in cwm and then wipe system that will delete my rom operating system right? and then right after i go to restore the backup? if i do wont the settings go right back that is giving me the brightness problem. and if my phone accidentally turns off then how am i going to get to cwm if theres no rom operating system
androiddownloader said:
im saying if i make a backup in cwm and then wipe system that will delete my rom operating system right? and then right after i go to restore the backup? if i do wont the settings go right back that is giving me the brightness problem. and if my phone accidentally turns off then how am i going to get to cwm if theres no rom operating system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
©FIRST & LAST >>WIPING/FACTORY RESETTING SYSTEM DOESN'T DELETING SYSTEM.
My dear bro.answer is very very simple
First thing- you want data but not settings right ?
Just go in recovery - go in backup section - backup whole system(do a nandroid bacup)
After that in main menu select -wipe data/factory reset and then wipe cache and dalvik cache also,Ok
Now you only want data and fresh system(resetted) am i right ?
Now go to backup &restore - select Advance restore - select restore data only - select your last backup.
After that back in main menu and select reboot system now!and voila system rebooted(takes about 5-7 minutes ) and you can seeing problem is gone and all data is intact.as it is.
Last but no least - some of your apps that you installed separately is in internal memory is gone due to factory resetting system.
So it is adviced do a titanium backup of each before doing above things
Btw,who tells you wiping system delets itself?
Press thanks if i helped you!

half the storage after flash question

Ok, I have done my research and this is a common problem with a new flash, and it happened to me, but I didnt notice it until now. I have the 32 gig nexus, and its only utilizing half of that.
Is there any way at all to correct this without having to wipe everything? I have my phone setup like I want it, and it took a bit of workarounds with lollipop with viper and all.
Or can I at least just make a nandroid? and back up that file somewhere, and then reflash everything or do a wipe to get my space back, and then restore that nandroid? Or will that nandroid bring back the space problem?
Thanks
No. You have to wipe everything. Its the only fix.
Nandroid shouldn't cause an issue. Storage is the issue and nandroid doesn't back up or restore storage.
joho5 said:
Ok, I have done my research and this is a common problem with a new flash, and it happened to me, but I didnt notice it until now. I have the 32 gig nexus, and its only utilizing half of that.
Is there any way at all to correct this without having to wipe everything? I have my phone setup like I want it, and it took a bit of workarounds with lollipop with viper and all.
Or can I at least just make a nandroid? and back up that file somewhere, and then reflash everything or do a wipe to get my space back, and then restore that nandroid? Or will that nandroid bring back the space problem?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can wipe userdata via fastboot and fix this issue.
Jnewell05 said:
You can wipe userdata via fastboot and fix this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This won't touch my internal SD right? So my backup would be safe? Could wipe userdata and then restore backup?
Thanks for taking the time to help.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
joho5 said:
This won't touch my internal SD right? So my backup would be safe? Could wipe userdata and then restore backup?
Thanks for taking the time to help.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You HAVE to wipe your "internal SD"
Take a nandroid, backup ALL your data to PC.
rootSU said:
You HAVE to wipe your "internal SD"
Take a nandroid, backup ALL your data to PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which wipe command will wipe all of this?
I am comfortable using adb/fastboot or whatever, but just need to know how to completely wipe it all.
Can I just redo the factory image flash, like i did initially?
joho5 said:
Which wipe command will wipe all of this?
I am comfortable using adb/fastboot or whatever, but just need to know how to completely wipe it all.
Can I just redo the factory image flash, like i did initially?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use fastboot to erase and then flash userdata.img (not whole factory image)
formatting the userdata did the trick...thanks guys.
much appreciation.
Welp, new problem...knew it couldnt be quite that easy.
I copied my whole TWRP folder with the backup inside to my pc, now I cant copy it back. It gives me an immediate error saying it cant copy.
I can click into the folder and copy and paste just the backup folder onto my device, but how can I restore a backup from a custom location, because since twrp doesnt see the TWRP/Backups exact path, then I see no backups to restore from.
Is there a way to restore from say like just sd/backups?

[Q] How to do a complete format of the N5

Hey Guys,
I wanted my phone to be complete pure stock again. So I followed the instructions of this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/tutorial-how-to-flash-factory-image-t2513701
But after flashing the ROM, I have still old data somewhere on the phone. For example, after the first reboot, my old background was set again. Also, if I want to access my 'SDCARD' it is very laggy and I don't see all data.
Also after flashing, some apps don't work...
Thats why I wanted to know, how to format the complete N5, so that there are no data left? (I have CWM installed)
Can anyone of you give me an advice how to do that?
Best greetz,
Wostl
Did you wipe after/before flashing?
I did the 'wipe data/factory reset' as well as some format commands.
But I did not wipe the dalvik cache... Should I do that and all format commands?
Wostl said:
I did the 'wipe data/factory reset' as well as some format commands.
But I did not wipe the dalvik cache... Should I do that and all format commands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is Google restoring your phone when you first boot? That's most likely what's happening
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
1. Flash the factory image.
2. When you go through the initial settings menu, make sure you deselect the option to restore apps and app data from backup on Google servers.
3. Don't use CWM, it's outdated and discontinued. Use TWRP (2.8.1.0) instead.
D'oh! Yes, of course I restored the data of the servers... That was problem number 1: solved.
But still I have troubles with accessing the sdcard. But I think that are some issues with the mtp drivers. I have a 64bit Win7-N version installed, thats a special version for the european market without mediaplayer and its datas. Is it possible, that in this version are some datas missing I need to connect via mtp?

[Resolved] [HELP] [TWRP] Unable to find "Format data" button

Hi guys,
First : thanks a lot for all your help on this forum.
I'm trying to install a custom ROM on my new LG G6 H870 phone using TWRP 3.1 and i'm facing an issue : I can't find the "Format Data" button in the Wipe menu. I need that button to remove the "Encryption Unsuccessful" screen after flashing.
What did I missed ? Can't see any thread talking about this....
Is the option "Repair or Change File System" / "Change File System" / "Ext4" doing exactly the same ? It does not remove the "Encryption Unsuccessful" screen...
Should I try to reinstall TWRP ?
Thanks a lot for your help.
Ok, the twrp image I used seems to be broken... I downloaded it again from the official webiste, now everything works.
I re-flashed twrp using fastboost, everything worked well. I have now the Format data button...
Thanks
Format data button
Hello,
Could you please help me to understand the real function of Format data button in Wipe section ?
Cause I saw in a thread that it is needed to root android phone but does-it also delete all data in the phone (pictures videos etc...) ? And if so, is it possible to recover these files after formatting ?
Thank you !
infostar said:
Hello,
Could you please help me to understand the real function of Format data button in Wipe section ?
Cause I saw in a thread that it is needed to root android phone but does-it also delete all data in the phone (pictures videos etc...) ? And if so, is it possible to recover these files after formatting ?
Thank you !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, everything that you have stored on the device will be removed during the format.
Can it be recovered after? Maybe, maybe not, typically, if just deleted, it can be mostly recovered fairly easily, but when formatting instead of deleting, it is usually difficult to recover anything, if anything can even be recovered at all.
When stored information is simply deleted, it can be recovered because it isn't actually gone, it is still there, it is just "tagged" to be ignored by the system as if it isn't there, then, the next time the device needs to write new data, it overwrites the "tagged" data. When you "recover" deleted data, you are basically just removing the "tag" so that the "deleted" data is no longer marked to be ignored/overwritten.
But, when you format, it does not delete the data(it is not "tagged"), it is removed and then overwritten to make the space "blank".
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
Yes, everything that you have stored on the device will be removed during the format.
Can it be recovered after? Maybe, maybe not, typically, if just deleted, it can be mostly recovered fairly easily, but when formatting instead of deleting, it is usually difficult to recover anything, if anything can even be recovered at all.
When stored information is simply deleted, it can be recovered because it isn't actually gone, it is still there, it is just "tagged" to be ignored by the system as if it isn't there, then, the next time the device needs to write new data, it overwrites the "tagged" data. When you "recover" deleted data, you are basically just removing the "tag" so that the "deleted" data is no longer marked to be ignored/overwritten.
But, when you format, it does not delete the data(it is not "tagged"), it is removed and then overwritten to make the space "blank".
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the details, I will try my best to restore my phone after this because it bootlooped yesterday ...... So, I'm thinking of getting an image of the system with ADB sideload on recovery mode before flashing the original firmware....
Is it a bad idea ?
infostar said:
Thanks a lot for the details, I will try my best to restore my phone after this because it bootlooped yesterday ...... So, I'm thinking of getting an image of the system with ADB sideload on recovery mode before flashing the original firmware....
Is it a bad idea ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't necessarily need to pull a system.img, backing up your data via adb then restoring the data after getting the bootloop fixed, should work.
If you can get adb to connect with the device properly, then, yes, I would pull an adb backup of your apps, data and personal settings. Then wipe or reflash the device then restore the apps, data and settings from the adb backup. Are you familiar with adb backup?
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
You don't necessarily need to pull a system.img, backing up your data via adb then restoring the data after getting the bootloop fixed, should work.
If you can get adb to connect with the device properly, then, yes, I would pull an adb backup of your apps, data and personal settings. Then wipe or reflash the device then restore the apps, data and settings from the adb backup. Are you familiar with adb backup?
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I'm not familiar with it but I read a lot of XDA threads and I will give it a shot. ISo, I'll try an ADB backup. If it's not working, it won't big a big deal, I will reflash it to have my phone back.
Thanks

Help on deleting residual files(?)

Hi, I am new to installing custom rom and just completed installing one. I have wiped the cache, system, data using twrp after flashing the ROM. After installation, I did a factory reset as well. I have noticed that there are residual files (files from previous rom, downloaded files, rom and firmware files). How do i go about cleaning them up? I assumed that all of it would be deleted after wiping and factory reset
sideger said:
Hi, I am new to installing custom rom and just completed installing one. I have wiped the cache, system, data using twrp after flashing the ROM. After installation, I did a factory reset as well. I have noticed that there are residual files (files from previous rom, downloaded files, rom and firmware files). How do i go about cleaning them up? I assumed that all of it would be deleted after wiping and factory reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory rest in TWRP does not wipe /data/media, /data/media is where your various internal storage(user space) folders are located, folders such as download, Bluetooth, DCIM, etc..
You can delete from /data/media manually or you can boot into TWRP, then choose "Wipe", then choose "advanced wipe", Then choose to wipe internal storage, that will wipe your internal files.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
Factory rest in TWRP does not wipe /data/media, /data/media is where your various internal storage(user space) folders are located, folders such as download, Bluetooth, DCIM, etc..
You can delete from /data/media manually or you can boot into TWRP, then choose "Wipe", then choose "advanced wipe", Then choose to wipe internal storage, that will wipe your internal files.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh that explains it. Thanks! I did a factory reset from the rom and it worked. I thought the twrp factory reset did the same
sideger said:
Oh that explains it. Thanks! I did a factory reset from the rom and it worked. I thought the twrp factory reset did the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be careful using the factory reset located in the device settings, using that method of factory reset has been none to frequently brick devices that are rooted, its very risky.
The best option is to use the advanced wipe in TWRP then select the cache, dalvik cache, data, system and internal storage partitions to be wiped. TWRP is the absolute best tool to use on rooted devices for everything you can think of, it is specifically designed to work with rooted devices without doing anything that the user has not specifically told it to do. In other words, as long as you understand how to correctly use the tool, there should never be an "uh-oh" moment unless you make a user error. Many features built into ROMs can be risky if the device is rooted, using built in features to flash or wipe is risky, TWRP and/or adb are better suited for the job and with much less risk involved.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
Be careful using the factory reset located in the device settings, using that method of factory reset has been none to frequently brick devices that are rooted, its very risky.
The best option is to use the advanced wipe in TWRP then select the cache, dalvik cache, data, system and internal storage partitions to be wiped. TWRP is the absolute best tool to use on rooted devices for everything you can think of, it is specifically designed to work with rooted devices without doing anything that the user has not specifically told it to do. In other words, as long as you understand how to correctly use the tool, there should never be an "uh-oh" moment unless you make a user error. Many features built into ROMs can be risky if the device is rooted, using built in features to flash or wipe is risky, TWRP and/or adb are better suited for the job and with much less risk involved.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I will definitely keep this in mind! I guess I got lucky that I did not end up with a bricked device. Thanks for the heads up!

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