Related
Am i right in thinking that these 2 programs are essentially the same (with the exception that PIM backup is independently developed, and freeware, whereas Sprite Backup is commercial software + not free) ?
Can PIM backup do things that Sprite backup cannot?
Just wondering, as i got Spite Backup bundled with my Kaiser.
Thanks!
PIM Backup
PIM Backup, only backup for Contact, Calendar (appointment), To do, Task, Massages (SMS).
Spritebackup could do everything PIM Backup do, Plus all setting System (include register) and all software have been installed.
PIM backup allows PIM information to be transferred across different operating systems and different devices.
I can transfer my Agenda Fusion appointments from my HTC X7500/WM6 to my IPAQ 2755/WM2003 with no problem.
Using Sprite to do any of that will give completely unreliable (or no) results.
Both are good programs, Sprite backup is awsome though
Your phone's databases are .pim files hence the name PIM backup. As stated above it only backs up and restores these pim files. Sprite backup backs up everything as described above as well. The reason for my post is to correct nrm (post above this one). Sprite backup can restore to different devices. When you are restoring you have to specify what type of restore you want to run (level 1-3). Also you can manually specify what you want to restore. If you just want to restore your personal data (PIM databases) you can select just this. So Sprite can do exactly what pim can do but so much more. One down side to sprite is that the version I am running (v.6.5.4) is not compatible with WM6.5 or WM7. I havent bothered to even check if they have a new version out that is compatible. Sprite still works with these newer versions of Windows Mobile but M$ has changed the format of the above mentioned databases (files on root of device with .pim extension) and it will not back them up. So until there is a new compatible version of sprite backup you will need to use pim to backup your databases and you can still use sprite to backup everything else.
And what about Spb Backup?
I've tried them both. PIM Backup is great for the Contact/Calendar/Task/Message backup, and I have been able to backup and restore across WM5/WM6/WM6.5 ROMs. I've tried an older version of Sprite and it had some problem restoring the Contact/Calendar/etc. Perhaps this problem goes away for the newer version.
Sprite Backup is great for automatically backing up the entire device including files and settings. When I hard reset because I messed something up, Sprite makes it very easy to do a complete restore. When you are changing ROMs I take a more manual approach.
I backup the entire device using Sprite Backup to get all the files and settings on the device (just in case I forget anything). Using Total Commander, I zip up the following folders: Start Menu, Windows (just the files installed since the flash like Titanium CPR files and any file installed programs might save here), Program Files, Applicaton Data, My Documents, and Root folder. I also backup HKCU\Software and HKLM\Software registry entries. I copy those reg backup files to my computer and use a text editor to delete all entries that might cause a conflict (typically all HTC, Microsoft, IA Style, OEM folders).
Then when I need to change ROMs I have all the files and registries to get my device back on my feet very quickly. I don't have to reinstall all my software, nor go thru e-mails to find registration keys, or re-do each programs' settings. Most of their settings are stored in the registry, so its a very easy upgrade.
I haven't tried a recent version of Sprite. They may have improved the upgrading feature between ROMs and have better support for WM6.5 so my need to manually backup and edit registry entries might be already done automatically by Sprite.
Cassatta said:
And what about Spb Backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SPB Backup is better than Sprite... but PIM Backup is essential so you can backup your PIM from to time to time easily.
TheRem said:
SPB Backup is better than Sprite... but PIM Backup is essential so you can backup your PIM from to time to time easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree but with spb you can also schedule backup's and choice only pim data.
yup but you can't separate the contacts, tasks and appointments in SPB Backup.
all r right but sometimes restoring from spb or sprite deletes new regestery values from new rom and we will not able to use of that rgu benefit.lots of time i got less ~4mb ram from usual coz of that complete restore and slight slower device.....
there's an option in SPB Backup (Customize Restore)... in System Data, you can uncheck Restore Registry.
TheRem said:
yup but you can't separate the contacts, tasks and appointments in SPB Backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, but is it usefull?
Ok folks, great input, but to tell you the truth, I would say you need both.
PIM Backup + your favorite backup program (I use SPB Backup) but have used Sprite as well.
Personally I will backup using SPB before I make a major change or test a Beta program just and sometimes (once a week if I have done any updates/installation of new software).
But, anytime I add any really important contacts/appts/tasks I will use PIM backup as well in case I decide to change my ROM (I usually just do a manual install of the cabs I want).
saurabh88 said:
all r right but sometimes restoring from spb or sprite deletes new regestery values from new rom and we will not able to use of that rgu benefit.lots of time i got less ~4mb ram from usual coz of that complete restore and slight slower device.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last spb Backup version detects if you have a new rom installed and suggests a special restore for same device but different rom. It has worked very well for me when flashing new roms.
is it possible with one of these software to transfer sms from an older device to a new one without deleting sms stored on my new device..
I'm not sure I'm clear here
I have a tytn2 with thousand of messages that I want to keep
I have a tp2 with some messages that I want to merge with the old tytn2's messages.
don't want to erase everything accidentaly, please give me an advice
use PIM Backup to backup your sms on the tytn2 , then copy PIM Backup and the backup file to your tp2 , and restore the file on the tp2.
it will let you choose how to restore each item , overwrite existing info or just merge them~ keep an eye on it ,overwriting is by default
saurabh88 said:
all r right but sometimes restoring from spb or sprite deletes new regestery values from new rom and we will not able to use of that rgu benefit.lots of time i got less ~4mb ram from usual coz of that complete restore and slight slower device.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The advantage of SPB Backup is that you can choose to restore to a new ROM and so it does not overwrite the new system files and registries. I always use it after flashing a new ROM and it works very nicely.
I only recently discovered this myself, but pim backup can do quite a bit more than just backup pim.vol and cemail.vol. It also has a custom file backup, which is a wonderful feature and is very easy and intuitive to use. If you uncheck "binary", you can easily access the individual files (change backup extension from .pib to .zip). You can backup individual files or entire directories (like application data). It's well worth checking out. Just highlight "Custom" then click the 'Options' button to get going on it.
Hi All,
I have a noob question and I hope gurus out there can help.
How do you all deal with backup/restore of different settings?
I spent a lot of time reading about UC today, and I managed to make it work for installing CABs and folders.
1) TF3D Settings (contacts/mail tab/programs tab)
2) Standard WM6 settings (such as notifications, buttons, menus) <proxml?>
3) Active Sync Partnership Settings (<-- Think you can use SKTOOLS, but haven't tried)
I am aware of PIM Backup, but when I restore from it TF3D cannot detect the restored mail folders.
Thanks in advance.
joymike123 said:
Hi All,
I have a noob question and I hope gurus out there can help.
How do you all deal with backup/restore of different settings?
I spent a lot of time reading about UC today, and I managed to make it work for installing CABs and folders.
1) TF3D Settings (contacts/mail tab/programs tab)
2) Standard WM6 settings (such as notifications, buttons, menus) <proxml?>
3) Active Sync Partnership Settings (<-- Think you can use SKTOOLS, but haven't tried)
I am aware of PIM Backup, but when I restore from it TF3D cannot detect the restored mail folders.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I'm no guru and I'm keen to see what others have to say in regards to your questions.
I struggle to be able to get most things to back up correctly.
I use PIM back up before I flash a new rom.
I am able to get it to restore my contacts and my messages fine but that's about it. One problem I always find is if I use PIM to restore contacts before using active sync and outlook I get duplicate contacts and birthdays every time. So make sure you sync with your PC before running PIM backup/restore.
I've never been able to get anything like settings, preferences or button settings to restore.
I've also tried sprite backup but never been able to work out what it actually does. It uses about 80mb storage and takes forever yet seems to do nothing.
One thing I have read is that most people recommend not backing up or restoring personal (messages/contacts is ok) settings when using different roms.
I maybe wrong.
I've just created a folder on my SD card with all my favourite programs in it. Nowdays it doesn't take long to get back up and running after flashing to a new rom
Lets wait for some of the higher powers to reply
joymike123 said:
Hi All,
I have a noob question and I hope gurus out there can help.
How do you all deal with backup/restore of different settings?
I spent a lot of time reading about UC today, and I managed to make it work for installing CABs and folders.
1) TF3D Settings (contacts/mail tab/programs tab)
2) Standard WM6 settings (such as notifications, buttons, menus) <proxml?>
3) Active Sync Partnership Settings (<-- Think you can use SKTOOLS, but haven't tried)
I am aware of PIM Backup, but when I restore from it TF3D cannot detect the restored mail folders.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got the Fuze and I was wondering the same thing. I already downloaded and installed the .cab file to change my clock and theme. And I was wondering whether or not I should back up my programs, files, contacts, etc.??
Restore 101 after flashing
As a ROM flashing junkie I tried several ways how to setup my phone and restore all settings and data within 30 min. or less.
First of all you should know your phone and you should know what you NEED and what's NICE TO HAVE.
Check which apps have to run on the phone (mainly dialers, skins, task managers, g-sensor and backlight apps).
Install your apps which need not to run on the phone on the SD card.
Figure out which apps HAVE to be installed and which one are quiet happy with a "send link to programs". You may wonder how many can be run that way (WeFi, Total Commander, DiamondTV, WVD, SPBOnline, MSLiveSearch, PHM Regedit, HiCalc even SKTools and WK-Task to name a few).
Either understand what UC does and prepare your sdconfig.txt up front or use SASHIMI (very easy to set up! You just copy the cabs to the auto or auto\sc directory). You may import your owner and reg key entries as well but be careful, pending how the ROM is cooked reg entry import can be fatal!
PIM backup using SPB Backup as software and just save on the SD card.
I use SPBBackup because I never ran into any compatibility issues from my Tilt times swapping between winmo 5 and winmo6 and winmo 6 to winmo6.1.
Furthermore SPBBackup creates a self running exe, no need to install any software to restore.
Flash ROM or hard reset
Restore PIM
Install Sashimi
Open Sashimi and install apps (either on device or SD - see above)
Soft reset
Open FileExplorer or TotalCommander go to "SD\Program Files" and send shortcuts to Programs
Assign Programs in Programs Tab under TF3D
Add your custom weather cities.
Set up a simple numeric password and a timeout to 12 h!
This may be very important because winmo has a bug. In case you do not apply a hack, active sync will automatically assign the email password as boot password (enforced security policy). In case you happen to have an alphanumeric password and didn't set a "complex" password under the lock feature you wont be able to unlock your phone after a soft reset because you wont have the capability to enter alphanum. values!!!!
Soft reset
Open active sync and set it up to sync with a server (in case you use a corp. email account).
Soft reset
Done
Some UC allows you to install selectively on SD or device but rather than editing a txt file I copy the apps I need in a directory and let software install it.
Note on full restore:
SPB Backup and other programs as well do have a "restore after ROM upgrade" function where you may restore ALL programs and settings to the phone. Even though there is a feature "do not overwrite existing settings" and "do not restore password" in a lot of cases this restore simply fails. I assume that this is based on the different cores of winmo the chefs use and I ran into too many problems as in "wrong password" or hangs on certain applications that I do a PIM backup/restore ONLY.
Hi!
I have the Energy rom on my TP.
I want to upgrade to the last rom avaliable all the time.
If i use a software like Resco Backup, is it possible to perform a full backup, flash a new rom and then restore my full settings and customizations and aply to the new rom??
thanks!
tntnt said:
Hi!
I have the Energy rom on my TP.
I want to upgrade to the last rom avaliable all the time.
If i use a software like Resco Backup, is it possible to perform a full backup, flash a new rom and then restore my full settings and customizations and aply to the new rom??
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can chose whatever backup software you want. Sprite offers a restore after ROM upgrade, so does SPB but be assured that in 8 out of 10 cases it will FAIL, your brand spanking new ROM will be messed up, sluggish, unresponsive.
The only way these backups DO work is a 1:1 restore. Let's say you back up, installed a theme, phone hangs or you don't like the theme and cannot convert back.
Hard reset SAME ROM --> Restore --> > Done.
Get accustomed to MyPhone, PIM copy, UC, Sashimi and other tricks because you wont be happy with the restore.
Catch phrase --> "Trust me!"
agree with tyguy...
PIM Backup, SASHIMI, and UC is very useful in backup/restore... I use them all
r04d5t3r said:
PIM Backup, SASHIMI, and UC is very useful in backup/restore... I use them all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are SOME things that will work that way. If you use Sprite Backup, you can decide which things to restore. If you avoid restoring the registry, you can still use it to restore selected items like PIM databases. I used Sprite Backup but it has become unusable and it seems the company has stopped responding to support requests. AFAIK, SPB doesn't offer the ability to select but I may be wrong.
I'm curious about one thing though. When using things like PIM Backup, what usually happens is once I sync, all PIM Info gets duplicated (Active Sync thinks the data restored via PIM Backup is something "new"). Does anyone know a way to fool Outlook/Active Sync to not behave that way?
If like me you have meetings and contacts in the thousands, using Outlook/Activesync to restore PIM info to the phone after flashing a new ROM takes a really long time...
I can confirm that newest version of SPB Backup never worked for me on EnergyROMs. I could not connect to gsm network even on a same ROM. Sprite Backup works like a charm, but only on the same ROM. It is good just if you are installing something you never know what happens. So it could work just like some restore points in windows. As the guys here said, best method is to learn UC customizations, Sashimi, but i have to say, it is not that easy, for some people...
i work with SPB Backup with ROMeOS and it worked perfektly even on different ROM Versions. I tried to restore a backup made with SPB Backup under ROMeOS WWE and restored it under GENY GER Version, worked without Problems after changing some names/pathes in the registry (Speicherkarte => Storage Card etc) depending on the language. Not working links like Total Commander werent in the installation of GENY in the main memory; they run after installing TC in the windows directory; for me the Speed was absolutely ok, but i dunno, how fast it would be if you work with UC. I restored all my BUs since ROMeOS since version 1.4 until ver 2, but then i decided to install everything new, what took 2 weeks of braincooking but i got 50 MB more free RAM. Of course its better to install everything new, but if its a complex program & settingsstructure, with a lot of tweaks, colored task bars and so on it is much easier & faster to restore a BU...
SPB has the opportunity to choose which parts of BU you want to restore ... from complete restore (with ROM Upgrade mode/ phone Changing mode) over all or single databases to even single files, if i remember right...
Greetz
Boris
P.S.: i only worked with WM 6.1 ROMs
If I'm in the right mood I'll start a new thread under the general Raphael section because I think this does belong here to the ROM dev. section.
Just in a nutshell:
Sprite has and had major problems if the basic SYS changes dramatically (WinMo 6.1 to 6.5 or 6.5 to 6.5.3) thus I stopped using it BUT it has a nice but not really great working "Restore after ROM change feature".
My basic tricks are:
PIM Backup with SPB
Sync with MyPhone
XML changes (like program paths etc.) with Adv.Config
Install with Sashimi
Copy with Total Commander (programs, Opera settings and bookmarks).
Username and personal data either manual input or Sashimi.
This worked since WinMo 5.0 with no issues and it takes me ~ 30 minutes after a flash to be back 99.9%. I do have to install a few things manually
Don't have much time now so I'll post the link to the "How To" later today.
You can actually do a lot with just pimbackup. The custom option is pretty cool-it allows you to backup and restore custom files, much like sashimi does, except that once you set it up, it will do the backup for you instead of having to do it manually. If you uncheck the 'binary' option, you basically just get a zip file with a directory of all the files you selected for backup.
There's a lot that can go wrong using sprite or a similar app. Even if you don't restore registry settings, you might insert something into the startup folder that screws up your phone (it's easier than you'd think, lol). A week or so ago, I decided to try running a task manager at startup (IT Task, which is really cool), and for whatever reason, when you put a shortcut for it in the startup folder, you have major problems booting up the phone. After about 10 tries, I got lucky and the phone booted up, so I didn't have to do a hard reset (which I wasn't fully prepared for).
You're probably ok restoring with sprite if you stick to the same rom-line, but it could certainly be a mess if one chef stores apps in \program files but the new chef has them all in rom (in \windows). Then you'll end up with two copies of everything, which is a waste. It may work, but it's a lousy way to go.
Hello there.
Can anyone tell me if some program like Acronis True Image present, for HD2...
Just to make system image when system is adjusted as you like.
And if enything goes wrong, just format and restore system image, and not need to adjust enything again.
10x
for whole system backup:
SPB Backup (my personal favorite, customisable backups, comes with unpacker for PC), Sprite Backup, Resco Backup - all commercial
-> word of caution: be careful when changing ROMs, full restore may crash your system
for selective automated registry settings exports:
MortScript + FDC Task Manager (check in Mortscipt thread for script examples)
Thank you very much. I'll try SPB backup.
But I not understand about "full restore may crash your system"...
Can you please explain what you mean?
I have last official Malaysian ROM, and will never install any custom ROM... I dont need it. All I need is after adjustments and tweaks, just make backup of system, and if anything goes wrong ( after some bad program install, or some bad system change and forget how to go back) just restore all system, whith every programs installed and changes maked.
So is your caution important for me to? Or you tell about custom ROM-s
Sorry about my English
and big 10x
what I meant were stock ROM updates, but it applies to custom ones as well
assume you have official ROM version 1.48, and full system backup,
now after some time HTC releases new official ROM 1.65, you install the ROM upgrade, in the process the whole memory is erased, and now - if you do full restore, your system may (but does not have to) crash, because new ROM may mean new system settings, while restore will overwrite them with the old ones
that's why its good to do 2 separate backup - 1 for system, 1 for files (mails, contacts etc.)
additionally SPB and Sprite automatically discover that new ROM has been flashed and provide you with 3 levels of restore (I don't remember the details, but it's something like full, partial and max safe restore)
Thank you very much.
Of course i will make new back up, each time I update ROM or make some changes
Can you please help me again...
All I need is some Registry Values from this key:
(They was deleted after I install one stupid cab...)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\FontLink\Sys temLink]
here you are:
Code:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\FontLink]
"HelveticaNeue LT 35 Thin"="\windows\tahoma.ttf,Tahoma"
"Helvetica Neue OTS"="\windows\tahoma.ttf,Tahoma"
Man, you really help me!
Thanks a lot!
I used the Helium backup app to backup all my apps before flashing my S3 with the stock ROM. I copied my entire internal memory as it is, and pasted it after flashing. This of course included the crucial 'Carbon' folder with all my backups made my Helium.
BUT now I installed helium and it refuses to detect those backups. In 'Restore and Sync' it simply says "No backups were found on your internal storage".
I know this is probably best asked to the Helium developer but I reckon it's a very famous app so someone might be able to suggest a solution here. I've already tried rebooting.
Thanks!
cyanide911 said:
I used the Helium backup app to backup all my apps before flashing my S3 with the stock ROM. I copied my entire internal memory as it is, and pasted it after flashing. This of course included the crucial 'Carbon' folder with all my backups made my Helium.
BUT now I installed helium and it refuses to detect those backups. In 'Restore and Sync' it simply says "No backups were found on your internal storage".
I know this is probably best asked to the Helium developer but I reckon it's a very famous app so someone might be able to suggest a solution here. I've already tried rebooting.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the same problem, wanted to root my phone, but unlocking the bootloader wipes everything, so used Helium to backup all my apps. Backed up to both internal storage and dropbox, copied "carbon" folder from internal storage to computer, unlocked bootloader, copied back, and helium wouldn't see backups from "carbon" folder. Will, however, find backups from dropbox, but without premium version, cannot restore them.
I did find a workaround, but it is not the most pleasant way of doing things. If you open the menu options and tap PC Download, it will display a local ip address and port (i.e. http://192.168.1.xxx:5000 or 10.1.10.xxx:5000). This is your phones ip address on your network and may appear different depending on your router and/or network setup, and the 5000 is the port to access helium web server on phone. Navigate to that ip address through your web browser, including http:// and it will open a web interface for backing up and restoring. See attached screenshot. Click on the browse button under Restore and navigate to the carbon folder that you backed up. In each folder will be 3 files, xxx.png, xxx.ab, and .nomedia (xxx is the name of the file i.e. com.adobe.reader). Choose the file with .ab and click open. The web interface will ask if you want to restore, click yes. Repeat for all items to be restored. If the web interface says file invalid, make sure the server is still running on your phone. Should show a cloud in the notification bar and say Helium server is running. If the server stops, just restart it from menu->pc download in the helium app.
This is not the most elegant or efficient way of doing this, but if all your data is in those backups and you really want them, this is the only solution I have found so far. I hope this helps.
Edit: Was able to restore first two apps before posting, but after continuing, remaining apps would not restore. May still work, but even though I get restore complete, the apps don't show up. Will require further investigation.
kind of solution
i have the same problem i tried to unlock nexus 10 and made a backup and (manualy) copied the carbon folder to my PC and restored after unlocking
and as you know it wont detect the backups..
i think it has to do with a .json file that is either not created when the backup is done or not carried over the copy.
(i know about this .json file, as i had a previous backup from whatsapp which had this txt file which has info about the backup)
so when i tried to restore all my apps i only got that whatsapp detected (as an old version)
i mailed Koush( the developer) and he said that manual moving is not supported and the way to go is using the IP server to extract the backups to PC.. (ie doing the backups with the Web tool and not in the app itself)
one thing i can think of (cheating the app. installing the app, doing a backup of the app and replacing the .ab file for the one in the lost backup.. ) i will try that and post back
---------- Post added at 03:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:13 PM ----------
ok i had an old PLUME (twitter client) backup with data,
what i did and seemed to work (for this test )
is to delete data on installed PLUME
backup plume without data. (a plume folder gets created on the carbon folder)
replaced the .ab from this backup with the old backup's .ab
now helium restored the old file with the previous backup data restored as well
i hope this works for other apps. i will try with my nimble quest game which i have a backup and is the only thing no recoverable i had in helium everything else is account based on the cloud
so the way to go here could (until koush changes this)
install the affected apps
backup them
navigate to the carbon folder and replace the .ab's with the old counterparts (which have data)
enjoy
I also had same problem, and i try use the solution below, but it can NOT work for me.
My device is ASUS Padfone 2, without root.
After try many method, I success finally!!
Here is my step, hope can help other people like me:
1. check the backup folder name. i.e jp.co.johospace.jorte, copy it to your PC.
2. use google search this key word "jp.co.johospace.jorte", you can find out what is this app, download and install it from play store.
3. After install finished, open your Helium and backup this app, i.e. "jorte"
4. After backup finished, check Helium restore, you can see "jorte" was backuped.
5. close Heilum from setting/apps, then open file explorer, find a folder named "jp.co.johospace.jorte" in the ../sdcard/carbon/
6. open the folder, you can see 3 files: 1.._jp.co.johospace.jorte.png 2..nomedia 3..jp.co.johospace.jorte.ab
copy jp.co.johospace.jorte.ab from your PC to android /sdcard/carbon/jp.co.johospace.jorte and replace it
7. open Helium again, and restore jorte, you can see data was restored!
it's probably possible to generate a set of manifests for it. the json ones don't seem to have any special data (as in no binary or signature type things)
e.g. for Lux the app
{"enabled":true,"system":false,"flags":545832516,"packageName":"com.vito.lux","versionCode":158,"label":"Lux","versionName":"1.58","locked":false,"date":1375397585745,"apk":true,"backup":true}
cut down to
{"enabled":true,"packageName":"com.vito.lux","label":"Lux","locked":false,"date":1375398819080,"apk":true,"backup":true}
still restores ok
I'm not sure how much metadata is necessary for it to work but that still restores (and the date is moot anyway).
It's possible if you mess up the enabled or system attributes or if the flags attributes are useful hints to the restore command to set package properties - it may make you have to wipe your device (or replace a newer version of the app or install data for an older version, etc). but for your everyday apps for a recent backup - you could probably make a quick powershell or whatever script to iterate over a set of subfolders and generate some dummy manifests.
Code:
$subfolders = Get-Item -Path 'E:\carbon\*'
foreach ($f in $subfolders){
if($f.Attributes.ToString() -eq "Directory")
{
$filecont="{`"enabled`":true,`"packageName`":`""+$f.name+"`",`"label`":`"" + $f.Name + "`",`"locked`":false,`"date`":1375398819080,`"apk`":true,`"backup`":true}"
$fname= $f.FullName + "\" + $f.Name + ".json"
[System.IO.File]::WriteAllText($fname, $filecont)
}
}
(I'd probably suggest using the manifests from backup restores for google system apps and contacts/sms/launcher, etc instead of these though)
anyway, wish the dev added clear non skippable instructions to the app (first run), and the desktop dl page
Maybe they're there and im stupid.
gierso said:
kind of solution
so the way to go here could (until koush changes this)
install the affected apps
backup them
navigate to the carbon folder and replace the .ab's with the old counterparts (which have data)
enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for this workaround. this feels like a huge gap in the functionality of a backup app. if there is a forced need to use the cloud, the user should at least be made aware of it.
not sure how much I can legitimately complain about a free app, but definitely not interested in the premium version based on this.
It's simple !
I found out a way. What you do is, 1st backup all your apps using Carbon to your Internal or External storage. Copy all the files in the carbon folder where you have backed up your data. Once you finish wiping your data, install all the apps again and backup using carbon. Now,replace these backup files with the actual backups ! Since you have backed up after re-installing your ROM , carbon won't say it couldn't find any backups.
Cheers
- Sent from Galaxy S3
chinnu189 said:
I found out a way. What you do is, 1st backup all your apps using Carbon to your Internal or External storage. Copy all the files in the carbon folder where you have backed up your data. Once you finish wiping your data, install all the apps again and backup using carbon. Now,replace these backup files with the actual backups ! Since you have backed up after re-installing your ROM , carbon won't say it couldn't find any backups.
Cheers
- Sent from Galaxy S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not simple. it's annoying and longwinded. and defeats about half the point of automated backup apps.
the Carbon/Helium app is horrible.
While this went ok I had to reset my device today for another reason.
So before doing that, I backed up using Carbon, and transferred the data via the the web interface as the dev suggested
but was unable to restore the packages as uploading the zip back fails.
(the server on the n4 just stops after the upload. Moreover - there's no logs of any kind for the user as to why it fails. and no upload progress.).
Dunno if the dev will reply what the problem with the android web server component is but for now since i needed the backup urgently
I ended up having to extract the zip and convert the backup into individual manifests/copy the zip contents into app packages folders
Here's the powershell code to do this if anyone else has a similar problem (use at your own risk, I only tested it once on my device)
Code:
$backuppath='E:\_MediaServerE\backup\' #extract your backup.zip contents here (those are the .ab, png files in the zip you downloaded + a backup.json maniest the app generated for all the packages)
$jsonFile=$backuppath+"backup.json"
$jsonText=[System.IO.File]::ReadAllText($jsonFile)
$files = Get-Item -Path ($backuppath + "*")
[System.Reflection.Assembly]::LoadWithPartialName("System.Web.Extensions")
$ser = New-Object System.Web.Script.Serialization.JavaScriptSerializer
$jsonPackageDefs = $ser.DeserializeObject($jsonText)
function getPackageDef([string]$pname, [Object]$packagesIn){
$ret = ""
foreach($p in $packagesIn.packages){
if($p.packageName -eq $pname){
$ret = $ser.Serialize($p)
break;
}
}
return $ret
}
#for each file copy it to a subfolder with the package name, and find the json manifest in the manifest collection
#and write it to the app folder
foreach ($f in $files){
if($f.Attributes.ToString() -eq "Directory"){
#skip
}
elseif($f.basename[0] -eq "." -or ($f.basename+$f.Extension) -eq "backup.json"){
#skip
}
else{
$bn=$f.BaseName
$bn
if([System.IO.Directory]::Exists(($backuppath+$f.BaseName))-eq $false){
[System.IO.Directory]::CreateDirectory(($backuppath+$f.BaseName));
}
if([System.IO.File]::Exists($backuppath+$f.BaseName+"\"+$f.BaseName+$f.Extension)){
[System.IO.File]::Delete($backuppath+$f.BaseName+"\"+$f.BaseName+$f.Extension)
}
if([System.IO.File]::Exists($backuppath+$f.BaseName+"\"+$f.BaseName +".json")){
[System.IO.File]::Delete($backuppath+$f.BaseName+"\"+$f.BaseName +".json")
}
$f.CopyTo(($backuppath+$f.BaseName+"\"+ $f.BaseName + $f.Extension))
$packageDetailsText=getPackageDef $f.BaseName $jsonPackageDefs;
$jsonFileNameOut=$backuppath+$f.BaseName + "\" + $f.BaseName + ".json"
[System.IO.File]::WriteAllText($jsonFileNameOut, $packageDetailsText)
}
}
I then copied the results to internal storage\carbon and was able to restore.
I hate the carbon app it's probably the worst experience I had backing up my device. It's cost me hours of worrying and coding to restore my data and i paid for that crap... There is hardly any documentation to follow and the dev doesn't even warn to not copy files on the app page (that's for the previous issue just above, this one is more about the 'proper' way breaking) Moreover it failed to backup the com.ea.games.nfs13_row game correctly due to its size so I lost the save data for it.
This is not an experience people should have with a backup app.
He should just provide a secondary way to transfer things using the files in the carbon folder (and/or a zip of the backup) instead of the web server bit that breaks, and takes forever. (and yes, I realize the web server generates the zip from the carbon folder and adds the manifest for the download, but if you can't upload it back for restoring properly - what's the point)
oh and keep in mind - you're storing unencrypted tar equivalents of your phone app data - so take care about where you keep the zip or the ab files. (the ab files are tars with a slight header change) (not that Carbon asks you to provide any means of protecting them, so more of an unrelated aside)
No idea, what I posted worked for me !
SMS not returning?
chinnu189 said:
No idea, what I posted worked for me !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything else seemed to work (thanks for this solution, definitely helpful to at least confirm data). Anyways - the one thing I can't seem to figure out is how to restore text messages (com.android.providers.telephony.ab) - I've tried to do it as a whole app using the PC interface, tried copying the folder as a replacement via Android File Transfer to the 'carbon' folder, etc.
When I try to restore via helium server, it quickly shows me everything as restored but I don't see the messages. When I try to do it manually (e.g. force copy), I don't see an option under "Restore and Sync" to actually select messaging.
Am I missing something stupid / obvious? The raw data seems to be there (for example, call logs were uploaded just fine, text messages seem to have an issue).
--Dan
So I came up with a solution based on what works for others. Why this works when it didn't previously is beyond me, but hopefully someone else can use it if individual parts of their Helium backup don't work properly (in theory it should work for any app / SQL dataset). The whole point of Helium is that we're running non-rooted phones and so Titanium Backup or the like aren't applicable. For reference, I'm running an N4 to OSX 10.7.x
1. Use the Helium Server to create a full backup.
2. Wipe phone or whatever you need to do (I had to do a factory reset for Google since it's an N4 and my proximity sensor is dead).
3. Install the apps you had previously via Play Store (pain in the a**).
4. Run Helium server and upload the backup data.
5. Update apps as needed (should be auto but who knows for individual stuff).
6. Check app data in apps. Texts are obviously easy to see for me. Hopefully everything restored nicely for you here.
***Now for the bit for people who got corrupted restores.
7. Unzip the backup file on your computer, select the .ab files that correspond to the missing / corrupted restores and then zip those into a new file on your computer (for step 9). Keep these files handy in unzipped form as well for step 10.
8. Perform a new Helium backup of those sections onto the internal SD card (yes it will be blank, worry not).
9. (Optional step): Run Helium server and upload that new zip file (with the stuff that didn't make it) alone. Try restore. Unlikely to work but worth a shot.
10. Running Android File Transfer, find the SD card, find the folder 'carbon' and then find the corresponding sub-folders that have the modules that were corrupted. Replace the SD card backups of the broken modules with the good ones from your computer.
11. Run Helium restore again, but only for the sections you want (I swear, for me Messaging didn't show up the first few times but after step 10 it did).
12. Wait, hoepfully it works well. I would reboot after running the restore to a) kill Helium and b) confirm functionality.
FWIW, my telephony.ab was 1.8MB and took SIX hours to restore. Seriously. Yeah yeah, that's a lot of texts but six hours? I've since added "SMS Backup & Restore" to my phone and will probably just use that, map out my phone layout and functionality and just manually replace apps from now on since most data is in the cloud. You lose some stuff, but prima facie it's boat tons easier.
Hopefully that helps someone else who had the same issues.
Best,
--Dan
app is just crap
i lose the most important data.some apps restored,but not the precious i wanted.
thanks helium
Garbage app, just installed it, backed up then when i tried to restore i get the same errors all because i copied the carbon folder to my pc. Stupid
digitallysick said:
Garbage app, just installed it, backed up then when i tried to restore i get the same errors all because i copied the carbon folder to my pc. Stupid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.. I wanted to give a try.. but its real garbage.
thanks chinnu189
your solution worked great for me and only took 2 minutes. messages were restored too. now i can finish Final Fantasy :victory:
It worked for me - JUST BUY THE GOD DAMNED APP
Yes its $5.00 but you know what, I bet you've spent that on a burger, fries and drink in the past month.
I spent an hour trying to do it the free way, made a backup to internal, made a backup to pc using the server, yadda yadda yadda, then ended up on here looking for help because it wasn't working properly.
Finally went fck it here's my five bucks and I backed up to the cloud and restored from the cloud. It just works as advertised and perfectly at that.
Even in high school my time was worth $5 an hour. I just wasn't ready to acknowledge it then. Trust me, it's worth every cent. Buy Helium Premium.
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No seriously I am a long time Titanium Pro user and Helium allowed me to move my nexus 4 data to my nexus 5 without having to go through the hassles of root. Well worth it for that alone.
Ok, hope this helps somebody. Just did the whole copy the folder instead of use the webserver business. I tried the replace methods above to no avail.
What did work is backing up ONE app to internal and replacing the *.ab file with the backup data into the 'carbon' folder, overwriting the one that has basically a blank app.
If I tried to restore multiple apps at the same time, it didn't work.
This is on a nexus 5, by the way. Now on to the rest of my apps...
the webserver method is a) slow b) keeps dropping out. the app is nothing but a headache.
as for the cloud backup one - depends on the service and whether you can specify the file to be encrypted prior to the transfer.
when doing backups using PC download mode (thru the URL port 5000), the device must be in standby, ie. Screen ON and UNLOCKED. its the only way the backups gets created good and can be restored.
Extracting Helium ab files
I backup up using Helium, and was unable to restore, so I had a small adventure recovering my files (eventually successful). These are some brief notes.
I had used the PC option to get the backup.zip file on my PC (I was going to reflash my Nexus 7 "grouper", 8GB). However, Helium refused to re-install the 2.5GB file back to the tablet. (Wait for upload via WiFi, then "failed".)
I could extract the particular 1.8GB ab file I wanted from the backup-zip that Helium made. However, "adb restore ..." would not work either.
After searching on "adb extractor" I found that the perl scripts (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1730309) were able to get me an extracted file in nominal "tar" format. I say nominal, because none of the tar programs I have would touch it---bad blocks etc. (I tried the Java adb extractor first, but did not pursue it further because of the tar issues.)
It turns out that the Helium "ab-tar" file was ordered like this:
2 bytes of something.
5 bytes of something.
Tar header block.
Tar data/header blocks...
5 bytes of something (starting at location 0x10007).
Tar data/header blocks...
5 bytes of something (at location 0x1800C).
Etc.
I.e., every 0x8000-byte chunk was prefixed by 5 bytes of stuff. Except for the second chunk. And the whole file was prefixed by 2 bytes of stuff.
Not only that, but the tar header checksums had been divided by 8 (i.e., last octal digit replaced with '\0').
After converting to a regular tar file, I was able to restore the files to their place. I now have a tar-reconstructing program that I will send to anyone who requests it.
Sigh. Backup should not be this hard.