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I used Bubby's root method and got root working without any problems. Now I have some questions before i screw it up.
1. Can i delete everything from sd card and place my "backup" from pre-root on it?
2. I have a rom and kernel i want to flash downloaded. How do I do this?
I've read you have to wipe it first using CWM maybe? how do i find CWM to start this process?
3. Most importantly, how can i make a backup of my current setup so if i do screw it up, i can go back to this point.
Thanks for help, been searching for an hour and the more i read the more confused i get.
Bamatide2007 said:
I used Bubby's root method and got root working without any problems. Now I have some questions before i screw it up.
1. Can i delete everything from sd card and place my "backup" from pre-root on it?
2. I have a rom and kernel i want to flash downloaded. How do I do this?
I've read you have to wipe it first using CWM maybe? how do i find CWM to start this process?
3. Most importantly, how can i make a backup of my current setup so if i do screw it up, i can go back to this point.
Thanks for help, been searching for an hour and the more i read the more confused i get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. There are some files on your SD card that might be needed to return to S-On (partition7 files), but I removed them and was able to S-On a different way
2. To get to CWM, you must install ROM Manager (from the market), then go into ROM Manager and choose the option to "Flash clockworkmod recovery". Once you've done this, make sure fastboot is disabled and turn your phone off. Now hold VOL- and PWR until bootloader starts. Use the volume rocker to navigate to Recovery, and the PWR button to choose it. Now CWM will start. Before flashing a new ROM, it is recommended to wipe data/factory reset, wipe partition, and also go to the advanced menu and wipe Dalvik cache. Once you've done this, choose the option to "Install zip from SD card", then "Choose zip from SD", then choose the ROM you have downloaded. Once this is done, let the phone boot. Then reboot to recovery again and follow the same process for installing the kernel (without wiping this time)
3. When you get to CWM, there is a backup/restore option. Choose backup and it will backup your current setup. If you have to get back to it, choose restore
Thanks, Sounds alot easier than i was trying to make it.
I got a new LG P999 (I think that's the G2X). I'm new to Android but I'm not sure if I should root/mod or not.
Is there really any significant benefits from modding (like speed or stability) or it's just to make your Android flashier?
Also, what mod would be best to go for? And if someone could link me to a beginner tutorial on how to mod (with simpler terminology; I only found some with terminology like NANDroid, clockwork recovery, etc... which I don't really understand), that would be much appreciated.
Hope someone can help, thanks!
kefloxin said:
I got a new LG P999 (I think that's the G2X). I'm new to Android but I'm not sure if I should root/mod or not.
Is there really any significant benefits from modding (like speed or stability) or it's just to make your Android flashier?
Also, what mod would be best to go for? And if someone could link me to a beginner tutorial on how to mod (with simpler terminology; I only found some with terminology like NANDroid, clockwork recovery, etc... which I don't really understand), that would be much appreciated.
Hope someone can help, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, rooting/modding gives you every benefit out there. Battery life, speed, options, features, the list goes on. Flashing ROM's is basically 99% the reason why people root or install a custom recovery on their phones. NANdroid, Clockwork MOD, etc are basically the basis and the stuff that you need to know about rooting. Since you're new I suggest you read a lot first and get to know what those terminologies are. ClockWork is a custom recovery that enables you to flash a custom ROM onto your phone.
Here is the G2x Bible. That's a reference guide to most, if not everything, that you need to know.
Here is the NVFlash method that you need to do to install Clockwork onto your G2x. You don't really need root for the G2x, just install Clockwork via that guide and you'll be good to go.
Remember: Read, read, and read.
Thanks for your reply! Those links helped me a lot. A few questions though:
1) If I don't have an external SD card, will I be able to put an external SD card without problems later? And can I re-flash for the external SD card support if desired?
2) Once I'm in the ClockworkMod Recovery, how do I put the ROM on my phone? (Flash is the correct terminology if I'm not mistaken).
3) Which ROM or mod should I go with? From the looks of it, a lot of people use CyanogenMod, but is there one that's most stable/fast?
Thanks again for your answer.
Here's another guide on NVFlashing.
These are my 3 favorite ROM's. And I'm sure most of the G2x people would agree as well.
Eagle's Blood: Based on LG's stock 2.3.3 Gingerbread.
Weapon G2x: Again, based on LG's stock 2.3.3 Gingerbread, but with Whitehawx's many tweaks and features.
And of course, CyanogenMOD 7 Nightlies: It's based on Google's AOSP, but the CM team has added in hundreds of tweaks that makes the user experience the best you can ever get on Android.
My favorite is CM but I suggest you try all 3 to see which one you like the best.
Yes, you can slip in an SD card after you've flashed if you want. Just follow the instructions carefully on how to NVFlash, there's even a YouTube video on how to do it.
Once you're in CWM, I suggest you do a NANDroid backup to backup your current ROM. Then do the following steps.
1. Wipe Data
2. Wipe Cache
3. Wipe Dalvik Cache (within Advanced)
4. Then go into mounts and format your /system
5. Then proceed to flashing your desired ROM.
Here's a quick video on how to flash a ROM.
But note; that video is how to flash a ROM on a myTouch 4G, just ignore the ROM's I showed in that video as it's for the MT4G. But the Clockwork MOD that you see there is just like the one for the G2x, except now the letters are blue. Do as I did in that video by wiping everything. Only thing I left out is formating /system since it wasn't needed on the MT4G. So don't forget to do that on your G2x.
Also, do you have Froyo or Gingerbread right now?
If you need any help with your g2x just drop me an email at [email protected]. I will be happy to help with any questions you may have.
Sent from the fastest g2x in the world
Thanks again for your awesome reply mackster248.
To answer your question, I'm currently running Froyo and I'm not actually with T-Mobile. I'm in Quebec with Videotron but I read it's the same phone. The phone model I have is LG P999DW.
I think I'll go with CM V7.1.0.1 as my first ROM (the nightlies may not be as stable as I want them to be). Do you think that would be an okay ROM as a first?
So just to confirm, this is what I will be doing as a whole process:
First, I will follow the NVFlashing guide which will allow me to use ClockworkMod Recovery. Next, I'll do a backup with NANDroid (which I assume is an option in CWM). Following that, I follow the wiping steps you listed (same as your video). Is that correct or am I missing something?
Thanks again!
EDIT: So I followed the NVFlash steps and it worked fine until I tried to boot in Recover by holding Vol Down + Power, but it doesn't seem to do anything... I can boot up the phone fine normally by holding the power button though. Is there a reason booting into recovery wouldn't work?
EDIT 2: Ah, nevermind. It works after I took out the battery and tried again.
EDIT 3: I haven't wiped my data yet in the recovery, but it seems I need an SD card so I can load the zip of the ROM I want. Is there a way to load the ROM from my computer or will I need to get an SD card first? Also, I would like to know if I should root as well? Does it make a difference? If not, why do people root before flashing?
Do you mind making a video of all the steps you did in exact order? also people root because most phones just use ROM manager to flash clockworkmod right from ROM Manger, but we are using NVFlash so we dont technically need it. Also new to the G2x, from (wind Mobile, i believe its the same one as the videotron P999-DW)
but im so scared to flash lol i had a vibrant i9000-m die on me before :3
Well, I can't make a video of what I did since I don't have a spare camera. All I did up until now is follow the NVFlashing guide to get ClockworkMod Recovery. It's not very hard to do actually.
I'm apparently supposed to wipe data, etc. now but I don't want to do that because steps later say that I need to flash from the SD card which I don't have. So I need to know now whether I need an SD card to flash a ROM on the phone? I've ordered an SD card which might take a while to get but after I get it, I also would like to know whether I need to root to flash? (since ROM manager says I need to root to use it, maybe I need to root to flash a ROM via CWM as well?)
I downloaded ROM manager and it says I need to root my phone for it to function. I also tried "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" via the ROM manager which gives me an error as well.
So if someone could let me know whether 1) I can flash without an SD card and 2) whether I need to root to flash via CWM, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!
The newest version of CWM Recovery requires a physical SD to put the rom backups on. Go get yourself one. The smaller capacities are very inexpensive now, but it is nice to have a larger one if you can afford it. Each backup is very large, so a small card would run out of space quickly if you don't offload them to your computer or another storage medium. If you want to backup to the internal sd then install the older version (4.0.1.5) of CWM that support internal sd only, then you don't need a physical sd card. That is why TGA_Gunnman put that version back into his flasher.
With the latest CWM and a g2x and NO sd card, I was able to root, and flash roms. Just select the flash zip from internal SD option in CWM. I did not backup though.
hesher said:
With the latest CWM and a g2x and NO sd card, I was able to root, and flash roms. Just select the flash zip from internal SD option in CWM. I did not backup though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't the flash zip be deleted after you wipe the data, etc.?
Also, do I need to root for flash via CWM to work?
No just place it in the root.
kefloxin said:
Wouldn't the flash zip be deleted after you wipe the data, etc.?
Also, do I need to root for flash via CWM to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're saying that if I place the ROM on the root of the phone, it won't be deleted once I wipe data, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache and format my /system?
I would just like to make sure as I don't want to be stuck without a phone until I get an SD card and no backup.
Thanks
kefloxin said:
So you're saying that if I place the ROM on the root of the phone, it won't be deleted once I wipe data, wipe cache, wipe dalvik cache and format my /system?
I would just like to make sure as I don't want to be stuck without a phone until I get an SD card and no backup.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were factory resetting a Samsung the internal SD is also wiped; but thankfully, LG does not do that. When you do a factory reset on the P999 all it does is wipe the data and cache partitions. The internal sd is left alone. So yes you can place the zip package on the internal sd, reset and then flash it. It also doesn't have to be on the root. In CWM if you select install zip from sd card, you can then choose external or internal sd and navigate to any folder and zip file you want to flash. Have fun!
I was able to install the old CWM with internal SD card support and I used that to make a backup and flash the ROM successfully. Everything seems to be awesome so far except that I can't use USB mass storage from the O/S. I turn on USB mass storage and my computer doesn't detect it. The only way to make it work is going to CWM and mounting the USB. Anyone know how I would be able to make it work through the O/S again?
I also can't install Swype without an external SD card, but I'll have one soon so that's not a big worry.
Aside from those things, I think it's pretty cool.
Thanks to everyone who helped.
Have fun bud. No phone is perfect, but the G2x is pretty awesome.
Powered by a G2x
Yeah, it's awesome. But anyone know why USB mass storage doesn't show the removable drive on my computer? I have to go into CWM and mount it to make it work, but I would prefer to be able to do it via the O/S.
Thanks for all your help though guys, you guys are awesome
kefloxin said:
Yeah, it's awesome. But anyone know why USB mass storage doesn't show the removable drive on my computer? I have to go into CWM and mount it to make it work, but I would prefer to be able to do it via the O/S.
Thanks for all your help though guys, you guys are awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install the LG Gingerbread drivers. Let me find a link.
Edit: I had the same problem as you, but this fixed that.
http://www.lg-phones.org/t-mobile-g2x-usb-driver.html
Powered by a G2x
It doesn't seem to work. I installed the drivers via the download link in the link you provided. Didn't work, then I tried to update following the instructions using the LG mobile support tool, and it still doesn't work either. (I've tried on 2 computers btw.)
I'm not sure why it only works via CWM, any other suggestions?
kefloxin said:
It doesn't seem to work. I installed the drivers via the download link in the link you provided. Didn't work, then I tried to update following the instructions using the LG mobile support tool, and it still doesn't work either. (I've tried on 2 computers btw.)
I'm not sure why it only works via CWM, any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be USB connection type is set wrong internally. See if there is some setting in CM7 for it. On a stock rom you can go into LG Hidden menu and set USB to automatic.
I've been trying to load custom ROMs on my galaxy mini (GT-S5570) unsuccessfully for three days now. Every single custom ROM I try gets stuck on boot, with only the "android" characters on screen. Two cyanogen ROMs I tried display the cyanogen logo for a split second, then back to the "android" screen.
I'm using CWM 5.0.2.6. I've tried both gingerbread stock ROMs from samsdroid.com (Europe section). Both work perfectly (flashed from odin)
I've cleared data,cache,dalvik before and after each update.zip. Also, the boot really is stuck, I've been waiting 15 to 30 minutes on each.
Everything similar I got so far on various forums was pertaining to not clearing the user data...
Something that may be related: every time after I load a custom ROM, I can no longer use CWM to restore a backup - boot restores, system restores partially until CWM finally spits "Error while restoring /system". However, I have no trouble restoring the same backup after flashing a stock ROM. Looking up the error, I've read something about ext4 partitions, but it was not very detailed, so I'm unsure if it has anything to do with that.
Any pointers seriously appreciated
help, anyone?
gritchie said:
I've cleared data,cache,dalvik before and after each update.zip. Also, the boot really is stuck, I've been waiting 15 to 30 minutes on each.
Any pointers seriously appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OKay, try this rotation:
1. Backup your system , aslong u are able to do it
2. Wipe Data, and all other Folders (using advanced/format folder X , format Folder Y in CWM!
3. Flash your Rom u ilke
4. Never Wipe Data unless youre still flashing updates.zips!! Wiping cache is necesary! But never wipe data please aslong your are flashing packages which are bounded to the rom.
Hope i could help you.
regards
sweet
ima try this with my admire this is my only hope lol im in a bootloop too idk what odin is but i know how to get into download mode thx guys
Ropb said:
1. Backup your system , aslong u are able to do it
2. Wipe Data, and all other Folders (using advanced/format folder X , format Folder Y in CWM!
3. Flash your Rom u ilke
4. Never Wipe Data unless youre still flashing updates.zips!! Wiping cache is necesary! But never wipe data please aslong your are flashing packages which are bounded to the rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help, Ropb.
Unfortunately, my CWM has no "advanced/format" option. Under the advanced menu, I have the following: "reboot recovery", "wipe dalvik cache", "wipe battery stats", "report error", "key test", "show log", "partition sd card", "fix permissions".
Following you description, here's what I tried:
1- Flash stock rom
2- install CWM
3- Wipe cache (using "wipe cache") ONLY
4- apply cyanogen ROM zip
It still get stucks on android...
Did I understand something wrong, or should I get a CWM version with the advanced format?
Sorry bro,
what i meant was in the section "mount and storage" or something,
there you can finde mount this mount that.
at the bottom u will find : Format this format that.
Make sure, your external SDCARD is out of the device before you format all parts.
Try it, and let me know.
Regards
Tried the manual format for data, cache and sd-ex, and combinations of those, still no luck... pretty much a dead end. I think I'll just use the stock ROM, as much as it saddens me not being able to tweak the interface
Thank you for your help, Ropb
.
gritchie said:
Tried the manual format for data, cache and sd-ex, and combinations of those, still no luck... pretty much a dead end. I think I'll just use the stock ROM, as much as it saddens me not being able to tweak the interface
Thank you for your help, Ropb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually even i m facing the same prob.but try booting without sim it will i think..but i dnt noe how to get it working witha sim on
maybe this procedure will fix problems
I've been experiencing some performance issues on my TF101 for a while now. The tablet would freeze for a few seconds, and them resume normal operation. I don't believe it's an application issue as this is happening on a regular basis, and what seems like a pretty set interval. I can be playing a game, and the game would pause for a few seconds and resume. I could be using the browser and it I would be prompted with a message saying the browser is not responding and to wait or kill it. I always pick wait, and it starts working fine again after a few seconds.
I am using Rogue XM Recovery 1.3.0 (CMW-based Recovery v5.0.2.7) and the latest version of Revolver. I've tried reloading the cache/dalvik-cache and reloading the ROM, but the problem isn't going away. Is there a way to do a complete reinstall from a blank state? I see in the recovery menu there is a "Wipe data (factory reset)". Does this get rid of EVERYTHING, including my ability to boot into recovery to install the ROM?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the noob question.
The data wipe will not remove any of your personal data on the storage area/SD card. So, downloaded files should be intact. To be safe, backup your files first. I have done this many times and my files have always remained safe, from any of the format types.
needtoride said:
I've been experiencing some performance issues on my TF101 for a while now. The tablet would freeze for a few seconds, and them resume normal operation. I don't believe it's an application issue as this is happening on a regular basis, and what seems like a pretty set interval. I can be playing a game, and the game would pause for a few seconds and resume. I could be using the browser and it I would be prompted with a message saying the browser is not responding and to wait or kill it. I always pick wait, and it starts working fine again after a few seconds.
I am using Rogue XM Recovery 1.3.0 (CMW-based Recovery v5.0.2.7) and the latest version of Revolver. I've tried reloading the cache/dalvik-cache and reloading the ROM, but the problem isn't going away. Is there a way to do a complete reinstall from a blank state? I see in the recovery menu there is a "Wipe data (factory reset)". Does this get rid of EVERYTHING, including my ability to boot into recovery to install the ROM?
Thanks in advance and sorry for the noob question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Download superwipe script from android revolution HD thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=17202357
2) Download TWRP recovery( because cwm 5.x.x.x doesn't recognize micro SD)
3) Download latest jelly bean build
4) Format your micro SD card and Place all of them in one folder
5) Go to recovery and run superwipe script, which will wipe everything from your tablet.
6) flash twrp
7) Restart and go back to recovery and you should be in TRWP menu , select wipe and wipe everything (internal memory, external memory, cache, data)
8) Flash the ROM of your choice and flash gapps, wipe dalvik/cache and restart
You should boot into latest ROM without any issues...
Sent from my Transformer using xda app-developers app
I need some explanation to make things clear..
1) First and most important. If you want to make a clean install, what you have to wipe? Should you format data also, and why? Format data affects system? Can you format data and still boot into rom? When you format/wipe all, is there something left in the phone? If no, then why still i can see in mount settings, that the folders still have Mb/Gb inside them? What are they? I guess you can';t delete everything from the phone? For example now i am stuck on custom animation bootloop. So there is still data left.
2) Format data make your encrypted or decrypted? Or just removes all encryption and if a) you install a rom you go automatically encrypted, b) you install a rom and flash no_verity you go decrypted?
3) If i go decrypted, the only way to go encypted is to install stock OS and why?
4) When is necessary to have the stock rom flashed in order to flash custom rom afterwards? If you want to install a different android version from the one that you have? Any other reason? Is it necessary to install the whole stock image, or just enough to install firmware + radio?
5) If you wipe/format all, the phone has some firmware,radio,vendor etc stored inside or it's empty 100%?
6) Is it 100% safe to install a TWRP through TWRP?
And now let's say the problem i had. But i think i know where was the problem.. I had installed android pie + xXx no_limits on my oneplus5 and i was decrypted. Some months later i decided to try something else, so i installed an AOSP android 10 version. I just wipe/format system,data,dalvik,cache then flashed rom, gapps, magisk. But i had some bugs on this version, lags and huge battery drain. Also whenever i was booting into TWRP it moved me on Mount --> Decrypt screen.. And i don't know why?
Now that i try to figure i know that the problem was i install a custom android 10 rom, without first installing the android 10 stock rom? In order to get the proper firmware etc? Or what? The instructions for installing the rom are the following, which i followed them 100% :
NOTE:
WE ARE ENCRYPTED (FILE BASED FORCED ENCRYPTION). So if you are unencrypted format data partition or use any no_verity solution you want. We don't support it.
1. Download the ROM and GApps and transfer them to your device.
2. Boot to recovery (TWRP recommended). Bluspark twrp recovery recommended.
3. Wipe the System, Cache, and Data (you might need to format the data partition in some cases!).
4. Flash firmware. Actual one is 9.0.11. Download.
5. Flash the ROM Zipfile.
6. Reboot to TWRP recovery.
7. Flash the GApps (optional, needed for e.g. Google Playstore to work) and Magisk (optional too if you want a root solution).
8. Reboot and set up your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ROM should contain everything you need to enjoy Android Q. You don't need to install any Add-ons, simply download the latest ROM and GApps, then follow the flashing instructions and go!
If you want the device to run the ROM "rooted", you can flash a root solution of your choice after the ROM Zipfile.
It is STRONGLY recommended to fully wipe your device before flashing and please avoid restoring system apps and system data with Titanium Backup (or with any backup/restore app) as this can cause stability issues that are very hard to debug, restoring regular apps is fine though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only system app i restored was the Vanced youtube, but i don't this is the source of my problems.
Thanks in advance!
Guys i think i cleared some things on my mind..
When you install a rom you go encrypted. So you have to FORMAT data RIGHT AFTER installing the rom and then flashing no_verity? Am i right? When you format data do you lose Magisk also?
lazostat said:
I need some explanation to make things clear..
1) First and most important. If you want to make a clean install, what you have to wipe? Should you format data also, and why? Format data affects system? Can you format data and still boot into rom? When you format/wipe all, is there something left in the phone? If no, then why still i can see in mount settings, that the folders still have Mb/Gb inside them? What are they? I guess you can';t delete everything from the phone? For example now i am stuck on custom animation bootloop. So there is still data left.
2) Format data make your encrypted or decrypted? Or just removes all encryption and if a) you install a rom you go automatically encrypted, b) you install a rom and flash no_verity you go decrypted?
3) If i go decrypted, the only way to go encypted is to install stock OS and why?
4) When is necessary to have the stock rom flashed in order to flash custom rom afterwards? If you want to install a different android version from the one that you have? Any other reason? Is it necessary to install the whole stock image, or just enough to install firmware + radio?
5) If you wipe/format all, the phone has some firmware,radio,vendor etc stored inside or it's empty 100%?
6) Is it 100% safe to install a TWRP through TWRP?
And now let's say the problem i had. But i think i know where was the problem.. I had installed android pie + xXx no_limits on my oneplus5 and i was decrypted. Some months later i decided to try something else, so i installed an AOSP android 10 version. I just wipe/format system,data,dalvik,cache then flashed rom, gapps, magisk. But i had some bugs on this version, lags and huge battery drain. Also whenever i was booting into TWRP it moved me on Mount --> Decrypt screen.. And i don't know why?
Now that i try to figure i know that the problem was i install a custom android 10 rom, without first installing the android 10 stock rom? In order to get the proper firmware etc? Or what? The instructions for installing the rom are the following, which i followed them 100% :
The only system app i restored was the Vanced youtube, but i don't this is the source of my problems. Formatting data does not effect system in most cases.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) a clean install involves wiping system, data, cache and dalvik cache. All of these partitions must be wiped in order to remove data things that might conflict with the new software that you intend to flash. Yes, you can wipe data and still boot into your ROM. Yes, there are things still on the phone even after wiping the device, but, the things left behind are in partitions that are separate from what you can actually wipe, these other, separate partitions contain all the other stuff that is essential for your device to be able to function. These parts have nothing to do with the ROM that you are using and have nothing to do with what you have installed in your data partition. TWRP does not wipe /data/media partition(internal storage), /data/media is where your personal user data is stored, such as, photos, videos, downloaded files, data from apps such as games, etc. Basically, /data/media contains things that you have stored that are not apps. Your internal storage will still have all the files and folders that were there before you did the wipe. If you want to wipe internal storage, you have to specifically select your internal storage when you use TWRP to wipe the device, it will not wipe internal storage by default. If you still have a custom animation even after wiping the device, it is probably because the boot animation is in your system partition, that can only be removed by selecting the /system partition when using TWRP to wipe the device.
2) Formatting data "should" remove encryption. No, flashing a new ROM after removing encryption will not encrypt the device again unless you specifically choose to encrypt the device in its settings. Flashing no verity only eliminates issues involved with rooting a device and getting root to actually work without corrupting the device.
3)I'm not sure but I think you can encrypt a device without using stock.
4) It depends on which device you have, what your current firmware version is and what you are trying to flash. Some devices require a certain firmware to be installed before flashing certain custom ROMs but it is a case by case scenario. There is no specific answer to this, there is only the question of whether your specific device requires this or a question of whether the custom ROM that you are trying to flash requires this. This is best answered by reading the thread where the ROM is posted, if your device requires installing a certain stock firmware before flashing the custom ROM, it will tell you that somewhere in the thread for that ROM. Whether you need to install the entire firmware or just parts of the firmware also depends on which device you are using in some cases, you might only need the modem or only the bootloader or maybe both, or maybe none, or maybe the complete firmware.
5) As I stated above, there are partitions on the device that do not get wiped when using TWRP to wipe the device. If it wiped EVERYTHING, the device would no longer function at all, it wouldn't be able to power on, it wouldn't be able to boot into any of its modes and you wouldn't be able to flash anything at all on the device, not even it's original stock firmware. There are software elements that MUST remain on the device in order for it to continue to function.
6) It is perfectly safe to use your existing version of TWRP to flash another TWRP version, assuming the new TWRP is also built for your specific model number.
If you have installed a custom ROM and you are having issues, you need to go to the thread where you got the ROM and post your issues/questions there. The users there will know more about your device and what you actually need to do and the developer may also need to fix things in their ROM to solve the issues that you are experiencing.
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