Database Info

Questions about "wiping" data

Ok, with all of the talk about making sure folks do a full wipe before installing ICS, I would like to get some clarification on all of the different wiping methods and which is the best way...
I know of these ways:
1. Via custom recovery - you can wipe data, system, cache, etc.. individually.
2. Via holding Power+VolumeDown until bootloader text appears,, then wait until menu appears and select the Wipe Data option (instead of the cold boot option).
3. Via AARD SuperWipe full script
And then of course, there is the "Reset to factory defaults" in the OS itself...
Which is the best to use? I would assume the AARD SuperWipe full would be the most thorough as it recreates the partitions and everything (instead of just formatting them).
FOr users that have the ability, would an NVFlash of the OS be "more thorough" than CWM method?
Opinions/Experiences?
Thanks!

Don't use super wipe script. A lot of people reported having problems of some ROMs not flashing correctly after using it. There is no reason to use the "full" version anyway. It formats the /media partition(your internal storage partition) which you don't want to nor need to format.
Wipe Data in your #2 does pretty much the same thing as "Reset to factory defaults". They both wipe /data and /cache but do not touch /system.
The most thorough way of wiping that I use is via CWM.
I do all of this within CWM if I want to ensure a clean install of a new ROM and it has never failed.
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- advanced / Wipe Dalvik Cache
- Mounts and Storage / format /system
I am not sure how NVFlashing a ROM does a clean install? As far as I know, it just flashes whatever it's told to flash. It wouldn't even touch /data if you were just flashing a ROM with it.

horndroid said:
Don't use super wipe script. A lot of people reported having problems of some ROMs not flashing correctly after using it. There is no reason to use the "full" version anyway. It formats the /media partition(your internal storage partition) which you don't want to nor need to format.
Wipe Data in your #2 does pretty much the same thing as "Reset to factory defaults". They both wipe /data and /cache but do not touch /system.
The most thorough way of wiping that I use is via CWM.
I do all of this within CWM if I want to ensure a clean install of a new ROM and it has never failed.
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- advanced / Wipe Dalvik Cache
- Mounts and Storage / format /system
I am not sure how NVFlashing a ROM does a clean install? As far as I know, it just flashes whatever it's told to flash. It wouldn't even touch /data if you were just flashing a ROM with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried ALL of the above methods - all with the exact same results, to be honest...
Even if I revert back to honeycomb (even after a full wipe), I STILL exhibit the reboot issues (it's not just me - look around). This was NOT happening before with the exact same version of Revolver. This tells me that there is still yet something else that was changed during the ICS updates. We know the bootloader was updated - i'm now testing ICS with the old bootloader.
Other than the bootloader, what else could have changed?? Unless they upgraded the firmware on a particular device during the ICS update (wifi chip, bluetooth chip, etc). Other than that, I just can't come up with an explanation as to why Honeycomb won't even run properly anymore!
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

horndroid said:
I am not sure how NVFlashing a ROM does a clean install? As far as I know, it just flashes whatever it's told to flash. It wouldn't even touch /data if you were just flashing a ROM with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use the --create flag, nvflash will format ALL the partitions and then flash them. If you use the --download flag, it will just overwrite the partitions you send it.
That being said, I agree at your wiping method is more than enough. Most times, I don't bother wiping, especially data.
sent from my cyanogen(mod) vision

[Q] Bootloop TF101

Hi Everyone,
For some reason, TWRP is not able to format /Data.
It keeps saying "failed to mount /data (Device or resource busy)".
This doesn't prevent me from updating the ROM to 4.4.2-21.
However, once updated it keeps on booting over-and-over.
Is there a way to - sort-of - a forced format of the internal flash.
Or at least the /data partition as it seems to be corrept.
Thanks - Will

Hi,
With twrp use the wipe menu for installing kk 4.4.2
Wipe cache-dalvik cache-data-system-internal storage (if you need a complete clean install), after install menu, flash the rom and the gapps, return to wipe menu, wipe cache and dalvik cache again.reboot.you`ll run on the new rom
(Ps : don't used mount sd and format menu).
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app

jh1969 said:
Hi,
With twrp use the wipe menu for installing kk 4.4.2
Wipe cache-dalvik cache-data-system-internal storage (if you need a complete clean install), after install menu, flash the rom and the gapps, return to wipe menu, wipe cache and dalvik cache again.reboot.you`ll run on the new rom
(Ps : don't used mount sd and format menu).
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the (quick) response.
I'm coming from 4.4.2-19. However, on previous occasions I was able to upgrade without going through a clean install.
So I tried the same this time with 4.4.2-21. However, as it stands, this release tends to end up in an ever on-going boot sequence.
Even a clean install or going back to the previous version (4.4.2-19) doesn't work.
Compared to previous installs, the only difference I can see is an error stating that /data can not be wiped.
Any thoughts on this behavior?
Thanks - Will

NogNeetMachinaal said:
Thanks for the (quick) response.
I'm coming from 4.4.2-19. However, on previous occasions I was able to upgrade without going through a clean install.
So I tried the same this time with 4.4.2-21. However, as it stands, this release tends to end up in an ever on-going boot sequence.
Even a clean install or going back to the previous version (4.4.2-19) doesn't work.
Compared to previous installs, the only difference I can see is an error stating that /data can not be wiped.
Any thoughts on this behavior?
Thanks - Will
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, which release of TWRP do you use ? in 2.6.3.0 and lower release, on wipe menu you have an advanced wipe menu, go on it select format and type data, this will format data partition

jh1969 said:
Hi, which release of TWRP do you use ? in 2.6.3.0 and lower release, on wipe menu you have an advanced wipe menu, go on it select format and type data, this will format data partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried formatting the data partition. It comes back with "failed" - no explanation.
Any other suggestion?

Disable encryption protection?

Hi Guys
Im having trouble flashing new Roms to my S7. When I enter TWRP recovery, it shows my device as 0MB and it doesnt picK up any files. I looked into this and read that Encryption should be disabled on the handset. I followed instructions to do this and noticed that there is no option for Encryption Protection. Its not there!
I disabled any passwords and Pin numbers to erase decryption and it still didnt work!
last resort was to try a factory reset and the device restarted to recovery and failed as TWRP recovery cant find any mounted devices due to the encryption crap.
Any help appreciated.
Chris

scientificharmony said:
Hi Guys
Im having trouble flashing new Roms to my S7. When I enter TWRP recovery, it shows my device as 0MB and it doesnt picK up any files. I looked into this and read that Encryption should be disabled on the handset. I followed instructions to do this and noticed that there is no option for Encryption Protection. Its not there!
I disabled any passwords and Pin numbers to erase decryption and it still didnt work!
last resort was to try a factory reset and the device restarted to recovery and failed as TWRP recovery cant find any mounted devices due to the encryption crap.
Any help appreciated.
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mate
Seems like you did not format your data partition during TWRP installation.........
Try flashing your custom rom from the External SD card......your data partition has all your app , files , passwords, photos...there is still a chance that there it may be a incompatibility issue between your apps and the new rom....that is why they recommend a factory reset when flashing a new custom rom

MAX 404 said:
Hi mate
Seems like you did not format your data partition during TWRP installation.........
Try flashing your custom rom from the External SD card......your data partition has all your app , files , passwords, photos...there is still a chance that there it may be a incompatibility issue between your apps and the new rom....that is why they recommend a factory reset when flashing a new custom rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi mate
thanks for your reply. I dont have an external SD card
Is there any other way of sorting this? I am downloading a stock rom as we speak.

scientificharmony said:
hi mate
thanks for your reply. I dont have an external SD card
Is there any other way of sorting this? I am downloading a stock rom as we speak.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
TWRP can not handle Samsung encryption . if you wish to use TWRP and have access to the Data partition ( internal SD card) you need to format it so the encryption is disabled ( you lose all your apps , data and user configuration AKA factory reset) , you can have TWRP and data encryption but mods and roms have to be flashed from external memories also you will not have available MTP in recovery or factory reset from it.
There is no way to disable data encryption without format data.....

Ok, I got a friends SD card and placed the Rom on there. I can now see the Rom but the trouble is, TWRP wont let me wipe Dalvik / data / system / cache as it wont mount the storage....
can I still apply the ROM?

Unable to restart your device. The integrity verification has failed. You need to reset your device to factory default settings. This will erase all of your data.

scientificharmony said:
Unable to restart your device. The integrity verification has failed. You need to reset your device to factory default settings. This will erase all of your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is why I point it out " factory reset is recommended when flashing custom rom" if you wish to flash a custom rom you will have to format your data partition and flash the data verify file........

MAX 404 said:
That is why I point it out " factory reset is recommended when flashing custom rom" if you wish to flash a custom rom you will have to format your data partition and flash the data verify file........
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried to format/wipe data. TWRP keeps saying it failed as it cant mount the storage.
I tried flashing the stock rom via odin and it also failed as it goes to recovery to wipe data and it fails again as it cant mount storage.

scientificharmony said:
I have tried to format/wipe data. TWRP keeps saying it failed as it cant mount the storage.
I tried flashing the stock rom via odin and it also failed as it goes to recovery to wipe data and it fails again as it cant mount storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you flash the stock rom...which files did you use?
Wipe data is not enough you have to Wipe / FORMAT DATA and type yes....

1 To get rid of encryption, go to "wipe", format data (TWRP) (keyboard will pop up) then type "yes" and format it, then reboot to recovery
2. After flashing this, hit wipe, full wipe (this will clean all internal memory and your data will be lost
3 you can test if encryption is still enabled, if TWRP shows error about not mounting data your phone is still encrypted
Sent from my SM-G930F using XDA-Developers mobile app

Josh Smith10 said:
1 To get rid of encryption, go to "wipe", format data (TWRP) (keyboard will pop up) then type "yes" and format it, then reboot to recovery
2. After flashing this, hit wipe, full wipe (this will clean all internal memory and your data will be lost
3 you can test if encryption is still enabled, if TWRP shows error about not mounting data your phone is still encrypted
Sent from my SM-G930F using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of TWRP are you guys using and what version Super SU?

Delete

Encryption Unsucessful Fix

I am trying to install an Oreo based ROM lineage os 15.1
Currently data partition is ext4
Latest Twrp installed
But still whenever I try to install any Oreo ROM I get encryption unsuccessful message and even after factory reset with yes I get stuck on same thing again and again and if I try to change recovery after installing ROM the phone gets stuck in boot loop can anyone please help to solve this problem

I think this will solve ur issue
Yup I have also the same problem first of all do all these steps I think it resolve your issue:-
1. Go to settings of TWRP and reboot recovery.
2. Now format all the internal storage if u have important files in internal storage skip this step
3. After that go to advanced wipe and select system and data one by one and change its format to ext4.
4. Now advanced wipe everything.
5. Thats all now you can install lineage 15.1
I did the same and its working properly in my phone.
This problem occurs due to change of format of data to f2f so convert it to EXT4 and its fine

when you did advanced wipe to evertything is data, cache, system, etc? i already did this but still saying me that my phone was encrypted and i have to unlock with the pin or my account but i get a loop even if i put the correct user and password.
Udgam Tiwari said:
Yup I have also the same problem first of all do all these steps I think it resolve your issue:-
1. Go to settings of TWRP and reboot recovery.
2. Now format all the internal storage if u have important files in internal storage skip this step
3. After that go to advanced wipe and select system and data one by one and change its format to ext4.
4. Now advanced wipe everything.
5. Thats all now you can install lineage 15.1
I did the same and its working properly in my phone.
This problem occurs due to change of format of data to f2f so convert it to EXT4 and its fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Normal procedure. Fastboot boot command
Boot to TWRP.
Reboot to TWRP through reboot menu.
Factory reset.
Advanced wipe: change data file format to ext4
Reboot to TWRP through reboot menu again.
Wipe, format data.
Now wipe system, cache and dalvik.
Reboot to TWRP again.
Flash rom.
Gapps.
Magisk if wanted.
Wipe dalvik and cache.
Reboot and enjoy

Murkroow said:
when you did advanced wipe to evertything is data, cache, system, etc? i already did this but still saying me that my phone was encrypted and i have to unlock with the pin or my account but i get a loop even if i put the correct user and password.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bro I already mentioned first of all you have to Factory reset but it will wipe all your data from internal storage so do have a back up for that. Encryption issue can only resolved by factory reset.

Check out my video
​It helped many people hope it helps you.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov_Eq268_4U

0 mb in TWRP internal storage

I searched for an answer and noticed it's a common issue. I am trying to flash a kernel on to my already flashed rom. I was wondering if there is a more current fix. More importantly, how can this be avoided in the future. Thank you guys!

Its caused by a bug/error with either the filesystem or encryption.
Did you wipe data after flashing the new ROM? Data from stock usually doesn't work with custom ROMs.
Do you have a PIN/password on Android?
Are you using the latest build of TWRP?
Press the menu button at the bottom of the screen in TWRP and post what the error message is in the red text.

It's caused by no root access

djhulk2 said:
It's caused by no root access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something is probably wrong with the data partition. TWRP should always have root access.
Try in TWRP:
Wipe > Format Data > Slide to format
This will erase the data partition, so backup everything to a PC in Android first if needed. It should allow TWRP to mount /data again.

KemikalElite said:
Something is probably wrong with the data partition. TWRP should always have root access.
Try in TWRP:
Wipe > Format Data > Slide to format
This will erase the data partition, so backup everything to a PC in Android first if needed. It should allow TWRP to mount /data again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've debated on doing this. I'm not worried about losing pictures texts etc as they're backed up.
I read that it essentially leaves the device with no OS. If that's wrong please let me know!

I have found that if I choose Slot A and reboot system it reboots me in to TWRP. If I choose Slot B it runs the OS like normal (except I still have issues using Facebook and it's services).
The ROM works and I can perform all the custom mods on it. I just want to flash a kernel and the problem persists. 0 mb in storage.
It's trial and error at this point. Fail fast fail forward. I have another phone I can use but I love the OnePlus. Any help will be appreciated!

https://andi34.github.io/faq/faq_twrp.html
I'm not willing to risk it until I know how to get the custom ROM on to the storage to flash it.

Yes formating by typing in yes will wipe it all,everything including pictures, with no rom on it at all. If u choose to do that, don't close twrp. Instead you should be able mount after wards, once mounted transfer the magisk zip, twrp, and your custom rom(has to be 1.5gb not 200mb through magisk). Flash magesik, install ram disk twrp, install rom. That was a method I've done before but if u want to keep everything there is other way
fastboot boot twrp.img, that command boots twrp if u have it or don't, installing to ram disk makes it permant...this boot command is just a one time thing each time. It's what I do when new firmware update, I loose root but I regain it each time

Never heard of formating data removing the OS, that would be if you wipe the system and normal wipe is like a factory data reset and therefore will not wipe your phone of the OS

djhulk2 said:
Yes formating by typing in yes will wipe it all,everything including pictures, with no rom on it at all. If u choose to do that, don't close twrp. Instead you should be able mount after wards, once mounted transfer the magisk zip, twrp, and your custom rom(has to be 1.5gb not 200mb through magisk). Flash magesik, install ram disk twrp, install rom. That was a method I've done before but if u want to keep everything there is other way
fastboot boot twrp.img, that command boots twrp if u have it or don't, installing to ram disk makes it permant...this boot command is just a one time thing each time. It's what I do when new firmware update, I loose root but I regain it each time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I attempted to format. It said
"failed to mount /data (device or resource busy)
"unable to mount storage"

Try this in recovery, sometimes its known to work.
Wipe > Advanced Wipe > Check Data and press Repair or Change File System > Change File System > Change it to EXT2.
Repeat the same process selecting Ext4
Wipe > Advanced Wipe > Check Data and press Repair or Change File System > Change File System > Change it to back to EXT4.
Try formatting data after this.

drey4211 said:
I attempted to format. It said
"failed to mount /data (device or resource busy)
"unable to mount storage"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you dont care about the data on the phone I would just do 1 of 2 things. 1st I would reflash twrp on to you phone if that doesn't work then I would just grab the fastboot ROM and just flash your phone back to full stock reroot and install twrp from scratch. I would not try to start repairing partitions. I wouldn't want to worry about screwing up the EFS partition

Well in an update, I formatted the
Storage and now I'm stuck in bootloader screen. It's unlocked but I'm having a hard time flashing a ROM through adb.

I use the twrp version 3.3.1-2
Best would be to just use fast command to boot it
But it should be under wipe/format data/then type in yes

That was what I was trying to have you avoid. If your can boot to fastboot download the fastboot ROM I told you to and run the flash-all.bat file. If your on 9.5.8 make sure you use the fastboot ROM of the same version. Do not flash azip of a different version firmware like 9.5.7.

It happens to me any time I'm in twrp and flash a rom then reflash twrp. It doesn't matter if I flash Magisk or not the issue always happens. What I do is use a USB C flash drive and plug it in when I want to flash/backup a rom. This way I can always access it. After flashing any rom then booting I'm always able to access my internal storage again. It seems like a bug in twrp.
The strange part is when this bug happens your files are encrypted in a 0 folder but you can still copy from your PC to your internal storage while in twrp.

I essentially soft bricked my device. Called OnePlus and they got me up and running. That's awesome that they have that service!

Are you removing all security? Pattern, pin and fingerprints? Are you decrypted? Never had an issue with flashing a ROM causing these issues which is why I'm asking. Something you've done at some point is causing this

I'm not sure what that was. Ironically enough I am now stuck in TWRP boot loop. Hopefully I can figure this out otherwise I have to call oneplus again.
I will admit I may not know everything but it's trial and error. I don't have anyone to really teach me this so I try to read the forums and learn. You guys have been great!

ajsmsg78 said:
It happens to me any time I'm in twrp and flash a rom then reflash twrp. It doesn't matter if I flash Magisk or not the issue always happens. What I do is use a USB C flash drive and plug it in when I want to flash/backup a rom. This way I can always access it. After flashing any rom then booting I'm always able to access my internal storage again. It seems like a bug in twrp.
The strange part is when this bug happens your files are encrypted in a 0 folder but you can still copy from your PC to your internal storage while in twrp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've the same issue.. did you find a fix? So annoying