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[Q] Nandroid Backup

So i think my nandroid backup is nuked... i do a wipe/factory reset, wipe the cache etc etc - tried restoring the backup. After 10mins or so of waiting the process completes and i reboot the phone. I have been sitting here for over 1hr looking at the boot animation.
If there is noway to restore the ENTIRE backup, is there a way i can extract specific stuff like my text messages? I really can't afford to lose them

duwii said:
So i think my nandroid backup is nuked... i do a wipe/factory reset, wipe the cache etc etc - tried restoring the backup. After 10mins or so of waiting the process completes and i reboot the phone. I have been sitting here for over 1hr looking at the boot animation.
If there is noway to restore the ENTIRE backup, is there a way i can extract specific stuff like my text messages? I really can't afford to lose them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That seems to happen when /datadata is full or there's some other problem with restoring /data, and the system isn't able to boot. Maybe you can wipe /datadata only and see if boots. I also know that TiBu can extract data from nandroid backups, but I'm not positive whether that applies to messaging.

korockinout13 said:
...Maybe you can wipe /datadata only and see if boots...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me apologize for my ignorance but how do i do that?

duwii said:
Let me apologize for my ignorance but how do i do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In recovery, go to mounts & storage, and format /datadata. Although my memory fails me as to where messages are stored...
Sent from my SGH-I897

i forgot to mention that this is a fresh installation (i formatted the entire internal storage, basically coming from STOCK).. i still need to do that wipe you refer to?

duwii said:
i forgot to mention that this is a fresh installation (i formatted the entire internal storage, basically coming from STOCK).. i still need to do that wipe you refer to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well wiping /datadata may (or might not) allow the phone to boot, because the phone can't boot when that partition is completely full. It also might wipe your messages but I'm not positive.

[Q] Why does changing roms deletes everything

When ever I change roms it deletes all backups, and even deletes clockwork mod recovery. I have no idea what is going on. This didn't happen on my gnex. I have a 2 gig memory card in it. How can I put all backups and recovery on the card? It deletes the rom folder I create to put all the roms in. I have to create the folder every time I change roms. This is anoying as hell. Please help. Thanks

wily5150 said:
When ever I change roms it deletes all backups, and even deletes clockwork mod recovery. I have no idea what is going on. This didn't happen on my gnex. I have a 2 gig memory card in it. How can I put all backups and recovery on the card? It deletes the rom folder I create to put all the roms in. I have to create the folder every time I change roms. This is anoying as hell. Please help. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your doing something wrong because it shouldn't do that, what ROM hase it done that in? And what at our steps to flashing? As to backups on your sd car when you go to backup there an option to back up to external so card.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Edit nm, I misread.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I was running jellywiz, and I flashed the executioner. I had to reinstall cwm. And I had to create the roms folder again, the folder where I keep my downloaded roms. As for flashing roms, I do a factory reset, wipe davlik, and cache. It's kind of annoying having to recreate everything. Thanks

wily5150 said:
When ever I change roms it deletes all backups, and even deletes clockwork mod recovery. I have no idea what is going on. This didn't happen on my gnex. I have a 2 gig memory card in it. How can I put all backups and recovery on the card? It deletes the rom folder I create to put all the roms in. I have to create the folder every time I change roms. This is anoying as hell. Please help. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you flash a 4.2 ROM??? It does that if you don't use an updated recovery.

You are definitely doing something wrong because that is not expected behavior.
A 2GB SD card is ridiculously undersized for backups. A single nandroid or TiBu would likely take all of that space if it even fit. Perhaps it's failing to backup to the external card and defaulting back to internal memory?

sd card size
bobloblaw1 said:
You are definitely doing something wrong because that is not expected behavior.
A 2GB SD card is ridiculously undersized for backups. A single nandroid or TiBu would likely take all of that space if it even fit. Perhaps it's failing to backup to the external card and defaulting back to internal memory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend at least a 16G sdcard. You need that much to stores backups, stock boot rom, custom rom, and you data files to restore. Things like contacts, calendar, etc should always be backed up before you install custom ROM.
CWM is a good boot loader to use as it provides many options and also use something like Titanium backup as your backup manager.

If you do a data reset from the updated recovery will it delete the directory on the internal SDCard where the backup of the stock ROM is?

EFighter said:
If you do a data reset from the updated recovery will it delete the directory on the internal SDCard where the backup of the stock ROM is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it does

EFighter said:
If you do a data reset from the updated recovery will it delete the directory on the internal SDCard where the backup of the stock ROM is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What recovery are you talking about? If it's cwm touch no it doesn't! I factory reset every time I flash a new ROM (and I'll flash a couple a day sometimes) the only way you'll delete those in recovery is if you manually delete a backup or if you go under the mounts and storage menu and format internal SD card.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

kintwofan said:
What recovery are you talking about? If it's cwm touch no it doesn't! I factory reset every time I flash a new ROM (and I'll flash a couple a day sometimes) the only way you'll delete those in recovery is if you manually delete a backup or if you go under the mounts and storage menu and format internal SD card.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I am talking about the clockworkmod stock rom backup. When I backup it puts the backup in the following location which I will call LocA:
/mnt/sdcard/clockworkmod/backup/
This is not my SD card tho. My external SDCard is located at which I will call LocB:
/mnt/extSdCard/
But I also have which I will call LocC:
/sdcard/
I when I go to look at the ‘Phone’ while connected to USB I can see LocA and see the backups, when I use the app SDCard Manager I can go to LocC and I can see that they mirror each other. Why is my stuff duplicated? It is wasting space?
Also when I boot into CWM recovery the menu that says load from SD card actually points to LocA. My fear is that since LocA is really internal memory that a factory reset will delete this and since CWM recovery cant see LocB that I will be locked out. In other words cant load the backup of the mod or the new downloaded CM10.

EFighter said:
So I am talking about the clockworkmod stock rom backup. When I backup it puts the backup in the following location which I will call LocA:
/mnt/sdcard/clockworkmod/backup/
This is not my SD card tho. My external SDCard is located at which I will call LocB:
/mnt/extSdCard/
But I also have which I will call LocC:
/sdcard/
I when I go to look at the ‘Phone’ while connected to USB I can see LocA and see the backups, when I use the app SDCard Manager I can go to LocC and I can see that they mirror each other. Why is my stuff duplicated? It is wasting space?
Also when I boot into CWM recovery the menu that says load from SD card actually points to LocA. My fear is that since LocA is really internal memory that a factory reset will delete this and since CWM recovery cant see LocB that I will be locked out. In other words cant load the backup of the mod or the new downloaded CM10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay gotcha, a factory reset does not delete your internal memory. What it deletes is your user apps, settings, etc. That is the same place mine is backed up to and like I said I factory reset every flash. However, if you're really worried about under the backup option in cwm select backup to external SD card.
As for the sd card 0 and SD card. I don't believe there are really two files of everything. I believe it's more just naming for the android system, but maybe someone else can confirm this for me
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

kintwofan said:
Okay gotcha, a factory reset does not delete your internal memory. What it deletes is your user apps, settings, etc. That is the same place mine is backed up to and like I said I factory reset every flash. However, if you're really worried about under the backup option in cwm select backup to external SD card.
As for the sd card 0 and SD card. I don't believe there are really two files of everything. I believe it's more just naming for the android system, but maybe someone else can confirm this for me
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you for taking the time to answer that.
With that info im confident i wont get stuck in some limbo. During my lunch break ill try to flash CM10 again this time with a factory reset and see if i get further than the spinning logo.

I don't do the cwm touch. For some reason I can't find any roms that I've backed up, So I use the typical cwm. I don't know, maybe it's just me, I'm screwing up somewhere. But everytime I have to reinstall cwm. Thanks for the help

wily5150 said:
I don't do the cwm touch. For some reason I can't find any roms that I've backed up, So I use the typical cwm. I don't know, maybe it's just me, I'm screwing up somewhere. But everytime I have to reinstall cwm. Thanks for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am FAR from being an expert, but i had to reflash cwm everytime i restarted the phone until i flashed it and from the menu selected prevent stock recovery.

Clean start?

Ok, how do i completely wipe everything off of my AT&T 1.14 HOX, except for TWRP so that I can install a new rom.

RC196 said:
Ok, how do i completely wipe everything off of my AT&T 1.14 HOX, except for TWRP so that I can install a new rom.
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Click to collapse
I assume you already have twrp installed if so boot into fast boot flash the boot. IMG of rom you desire them boot into recovery wipe system factory reset than flash ROM and enjoy

tactical kitten said:
I assume you already have twrp installed if so boot into fast boot flash the boot. IMG of rom you desire them boot into recovery wipe system factory reset than flash ROM and enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I delete everything leaving the TWRP folder and a copy of my rom?

RC196 said:
Can I delete everything leaving the TWRP folder and a copy of my rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you talking about the internal SD? If you use Titanium Backup, then obviously you should not delete that folder, as that is where the backup files are located. Aside from that, if you don't want to keep any past data from apps, pics etc, then yes you can delete the internal SD contents (aside from the ROM and TWRP nandroid). There may be some other exceptions (particularly for other backup software that you may be using). But in general, the folders on the internal SD are disposable (if flashing a new ROM). When you install a new app after flashing, if the new app needs a folder on the SD, it will just be created automatically.
Aside from the internal SD, before flashing a new ROM do a factory reset (in TWRP not within hboot) and wipe Dalvik and cache. Nothing else really "needs" to be wiped. System partition (where the ROM is stored) will get wiped when the ROM flashes.

I like to format my SD every Sunday to keep this beast on a diet. Then I flash a Rom, inject it with steroids via a custom kernel, and watch it poop all over the s3's I work with
Sent from my HTC One XL using Tapatalk 2

redpoint73 said:
Are you talking about the internal SD? If you use Titanium Backup, then obviously you should not delete that folder, as that is where the backup files are located. Aside from that, if you don't want to keep any past data from apps, pics etc, then yes you can delete the internal SD contents (aside from the ROM and TWRP nandroid). There may be some other exceptions (particularly for other backup software that you may be using). But in general, the folders on the internal SD are disposable (if flashing a new ROM). When you install a new app after flashing, if the new app needs a folder on the SD, it will just be created automatically.
Aside from the internal SD, before flashing a new ROM do a factory reset (in TWRP not within hboot) and wipe Dalvik and cache. Nothing else really "needs" to be wiped. System partition (where the ROM is stored) will get wiped when the ROM flashes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's exactly what I want. To wipe out with a fresh start. No apps, no files.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

then do it buddy!!!

So when you say internal are you talking about the SD or everything?
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

RC196 said:
So when you say internal are you talking about the SD or everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to wipe the SD card (then flash a ROM), the best way is probably to:
Connect phone to your computer, and copy your TWRP folder (nandroid) to your computer, along with any other backup data, such as Titanium Backup. Then wipe the SD in TWRP.
Mount USB to your computer again, and move the TWRP folder, new ROM zip file, and other backups (like Titanium).
Then in TWRP, factory reset, wipe cache, Wipe Dalvik, then install the ROM.
There is no reason to wipe system, as this gets wiped when your flash the ROM. Some people like to do it "just to be sure". But IMO it serves no purpose. Also keep in mind the second you wipe system, the phone will no longer boot, since you just wiped the OS. People seem to forget that a lot and ask "I wiped system, why won't my phone boot now?"

redpoint73 said:
If you want to wipe the SD card (then flash a ROM), the best way is probably to:
Connect phone to your computer, and copy your TWRP folder (nandroid) to your computer, along with any other backup data, such as Titanium Backup. Then wipe the SD in TWRP.
Mount USB to your computer again, and move the TWRP folder, new ROM zip file, and other backups (like Titanium).
Then in TWRP, factory reset, wipe cache, Wipe Dalvik, then install the ROM.
There is no reason to wipe system, as this gets wiped when your flash the ROM. Some people like to do it "just to be sure". But IMO it serves no purpose. Also keep in mind the second you wipe system, the phone will no longer boot, since you just wiped the OS. People seem to forget that a lot and ask "I wiped system, why won't my phone boot now?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it normal for TWRP to be 2.58GB?

No its not
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2

Are you talking about the TWRP folder? Your NANDROID backups are in there if you took any. That might explain why it's large.

Valohtar said:
Are you talking about the TWRP folder? Your NANDROID backups are in there if you took any. That might explain why it's large.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that was it. I just copied my backup to my pc. Freed up a lot of space on phone storage but in app storage it shows 4.23gb and under other it shows 3.85gb. Not sure what that is all about?

*GalaxyFanatic* said:
No its not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, its somewhat normal. It depend on the size of the ROM that is currently on the phone, and the other data (apps, etc.). But its not unusual for a nandroid to be a GB or so, so if you have 2 nandroids on the SD = 2.5 GB.

redpoint73 said:
Yes, its somewhat normal. It depend on the size of the ROM that is currently on the phone, and the other data (apps, etc.). But its not unusual for a nandroid to be a GB or so, so if you have 2 nandroids on the SD = 2.5 GB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

TWRP Backup - cache, recovery

Hi all.
I've been doing backups of my Nexus 5 with TRWP. I chose all options, that is I added 'cache' and 'recovery'.
Question: Is that bad? Should I not backup those?
Thanks.

Just use the ones it defaults to, system, data, boot. You don't need to backup the others. same with wipe, just use the slider thing. Messing with the others can get you on trouble
One other thing, make one backup of the efs only and store that in a safe place off your phone

jd1639 said:
Just use the ones it defaults to, system, data, boot. You don't need to backup the others. same with wipe, just use the slider thing. Messing with the others can get you on trouble
One other thing, make one backup of the efs only and store that in a safe place off your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I recommend having 2 different efs backups on the phone and a copy of each off the phone?
That way you're mitigating the risk of one backup being incomplete and the risk of corruption through transferring the files "offsite"
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Wow. So it is indeed bad. Why?
What i did:
Backup01: Restore phone to defaults, root, backup of all (including cache and recovery).
Backup02: Configure my phone, backup of all (including cache and recovery).
Backup03: Install apps, backup of all (including cache and recovery).
Should I restore to each of them and make a new backup without cache and recovery?
Thanks.
jd1639 said:
Just use the ones it defaults to, system, data, boot. You don't need to backup the others. same with wipe, just use the slider thing. Messing with the others can get you on trouble
One other thing, make one backup of the efs only and store that in a safe place off your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rootSU said:
Can I recommend having 2 different efs backups on the phone and a copy of each off the phone?
That way you're mitigating the risk of one backup being incomplete and the risk of corruption through transferring the files "offsite"
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

rwed said:
Wow. So it is indeed bad. Why?
What i did:
Backup01: Restore phone to defaults, root, backup of all (including cache and recovery).
Backup02: Configure my phone, backup of all (including cache and recovery).
Backup03: Install apps, backup of all (including cache and recovery).
Should I restore to each of them and make a new backup without cache and recovery?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you did isn't bad, it's just the backups will be larger and they have information in them you don't need. Recovery is your twrp recovery and the cache will be recreated when you boot your device

jd1639 said:
What you did isn't bad, it's just the backups will be larger and they have information in them you don't need. Recovery is your twrp recovery and the cache will be recreated when you boot your device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I see. Then can I just keep those backups with all efs, cache and recovery included? May it lead to problems in future restores?
Thank you!

rwed said:
OK I see. Then can I just keep those backups with all efs, cache and recovery included? May it lead to problems in future restores?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be ok. The one thing you never want to do is restore an efs partition from one phone onto another phone. That is an instant hosed phone that you can't recovery from.

jd1639 said:
You should be ok. The one thing you never want to do is restore an efs partition from one phone onto another phone. That is an instant hosed phone that you can't recovery from.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes... I'm reading several articles on that! Pretty scary... I'm gonna do as rootSU suggested and make 2 different backups and store 2 copies offsite, somewhere cloud-based...
I'll then keep these backups I made with all selected. With your first post I thought... I don't know... that maybe restoring these images with all recovery, cache and efs might lead to problems when booting.
If I understand correctly, this is not the case, I just misunderstood you, what you meant is that "it doesn't hurt, it's just not needed", right?
Thank you jd!

[Q] Factory reset doesn't delete data/restore system?

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 >?