Since early July, I've been using 6.5 build 23001 from Da_G's kitchen and recently have been tempted to upgrade to one of new 6.5 builds. I'm at a state where my device is completely stable and functional for my use. How can I backup my device in its entirety prior to upgrading? I've tried solutions like Sprite backup in the past (and that seems to be the popular solution on these forums), but find it inadequate especially after flashing different roms. Is there some way to backup the device so if I have to I can return/flash back to the original state of the previous rom? I'm thinking of something akin to making a system/drive imaging/ghosts on the PC so that I can tinker with a new 6.5 build but can restore fully to exactly where I was before if necessary.
thanks
S A S H I M I
www.winmo-experts.com
Sashimi isn't what i'm looking for--it seems like an automated installer that will cut down the time/drudgery of reinstalling software. i want a solution that i can essentially restore my entire device from it current existing state. think of it like creating an image of the operating system partition on a computer for later restoration. SBP Backup, Sprite Backup, and others like it simply backup contacts, messages, settings, and various data and many times after restoring things are a little wonky. as far as i know, none of these actually back up the ROM as is. i essentially want to go from a hard reset to my formerly working device in no time.
The way I've done it is run Sprite, upgrade to the new ROM, fiddle, then flash the old ROM that I was using, then restore from backup. It's about the only way I've found.
Sunnysoft Backup Manager - never failed me on my RAPH creates self-extracting 1:1 image of internal storage, registry and system databases. You can restore it even without the app installed, it creates 4 files one of which is .exe that restores the backup.
Sprite and SPB can be buggy when flashing different ROMs. Not all of the stuff is in the same place when you go to restore it, so some things get left out, and sometimes the wrong thing gets changed.
If you are restoring the same, exact ROM, the backup should cover all areas and your device should be as it was before.
Actually there's a way to make your backups flashable. I'm trying to find it since I just saw it the other day. Its around this forum. I want to backup my ROM so I can share it with my friend without having to cook my own.
Found it!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=427507
Doesn't Look too hard....
Related
:?: I think I have done my homework, having searched the Forums for help here, but I am still boggled.
I enjoy trying out the new ROM's and Radios as they come out, but am tired of resetting everything on my machine after each upgrade/downgrade. I understand that it is unsafe to backup and then restore to a different ROM version, but need some stratgey to minimize continued reloading and resetting everything each time I upgrade/downgrade.
Questions: If changing only a Radio Stack version, leaving the ROM and EXT ROM versions unchanged, can I do a full backup and then restore safely?
I am also confused as to what the best, most complete backup method might be. I have too many options. Backup in Activesync, import expoert databases, xBackup or Permenant Save on XDA II, .reg backup from reg editor?
Is there another program that is better than any of these options?
Would one of you XDA II Wizards help out us novice apprentices and post a tutorial explaining the real story about backup/restore when switching ROMS and Radio Stacks? Your efforts would be appreciated.
Steve :?:
I think the best backup/restore application is the Sprite Backup.
I have ab. 65MB in my XDAII memory.
the backup time to 256SD card
- with xbackup: ab. 45-50 minutes
- with Sprite Backup: ab. 15-20 mins
the restore time with Sprite: ab. 6-8 mins
It's restore everything (registry, settings, colours, cleartype...etc)
May the Sprite can changes the ROM version num., but only in the registry, but the XDA is working fine with the new ROM.
! When you backing up by Sprite, don't include the mail boxes, because cannot restore it perfectly, and may you cannot send or recieve SMS,
and need to hard-resetting again!
Try it! Good Luck!
hhmmm it may be me but i havent seen any stand alone radiostack upgrades for xda2's and if you manage to put a xda1 radiostack on your xda2 device you got a brand new hitec doorstop on your hands i would suspect
like with the xda1 i would say that radiostacks should never be changed unless ones cellphone company advice it and are willing to help out should it go horrably wrong
with roms you can change and reflash and such but with radiostacks its not anywhere near as easy to get out of a tigth spot
about backup then i suppose it depend on what you want to backup
permenent save only save contacts and appointments and connections settings and such
kinda like if you just sync with outlook
the different backup programs plus the activesync in outlook are a different matter
if you change your rom then i would not restore a backup from the older rom
since a backup is all changed and programs and settings added to the device since hardreset
since you are talking about a new rom then some settings may not be there anymore and some programs may not be there default and such
restoring a backup from an older rom could result in you having to do a hardreset because of a lockup or just a less stable pocketpc
I want to try out different roms and different configurations, nut for that I would like to fully backup my device because its currently very well configured and i dont want to lose it. So if i mess something up or i dont like any other configuration then i shoul revert back and EVERYTHING is exactly as i left it
Whats the best solution/program to archive that?
How would I be able to test different roms but not losing my primary conf?
Please help
Thankts in advance.
Assuming you have your existing ROM image available to reflash, I'd personally recommend spb Backup. http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com
Although its not free it will do a complete system dump to a self extracting file.
I have used it on several occassions to go back to WM5 from WM6 ROMs.
It can NOT be used to restore between ROM versions though.
Simply use it to backup your existing system to an SD card and try out your new ROM. If you decide to go back, reflash to your original ROM and then run the backup .exe file from the SD card. This will give you the desired effect.
Sprite backup is also a good alternative to spb Backup apparently but I haven't personally tried it. http://www.spritesoftware.com
Regards
NIALL
I've looked everywhere to see where I can find a way to backup settings and files and cabs and such from my roms to make it easier to restore everything after updating roms, but I can't find a decent, easy to use program. I use the PIM program with nrg's roms but thats just contacts and the like. Bengalih got banned and the sashimi program got the boot too I guess. So my question is, does anyone know of a proper way to backup everything, or is there an actual cab or program to use?
psykotic24 said:
I've looked everywhere to see where I can find a way to backup settings and files and cabs and such from my roms to make it easier to restore everything after updating roms, but I can't find a decent, easy to use program. I use the PIM program with nrg's roms but thats just contacts and the like. Bengalih got banned and the sashimi program got the boot too I guess. So my question is, does anyone know of a proper way to backup everything, or is there an actual cab or program to use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe BigBadger explained this in the NRG ROM thread, but when you flash a new ROM the BEST practice is to reload all your apps, etc. from scratch. You can use a program like UC or sashimi to help automate the process, but there simply isnt' a program around that will backup everything EXCEPT all the components of the ROM, then put everything back in an new ROM.
Whenever new components are installed, they typically make a number of entries/adjustments to the Registry, plus place software where it expects things to be, and many programs put things in weird places.
Sorry, I don't think there's a single, backup program that can do what you want.
Like I said, UC or Sashimi can help with automating the load of your favorite apps, etc., but it will mean some programming on your part.
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.
Over the course of the last two years I have flashed the *expletive deleted* out of my Nine and gone through the set up countless times, because I wanted to, and mostly with childlike enthusiasm. Sometimes, like today, it's because I have to. I seem to fail more often than not restoring from TWRP, and recently sometimes with flashfire free version. I never seem to have a problem "testing" the backups after creation, without any major changes they restore without issue. My problems seem to arise after flashing a new rom or preview and then trying to revert back to my previous restores. More often than not these fail on me and I find myself , like today, looking at the set up screen.
What ways (free) work best to save/restore roms, and what the hell am I doing wrong with my back ups? I have a basic grasp of ADB/fastboot. But it appears I have just enough info to be dangerous.
I blame the Vendor partition...
I've not had any problems with TWRP and restoring. I will add, however, that I don't backup the vendor partition. I have had problems with that before. I don't seen any real need to back up the vendor partition, though, so I just exclude that. I keep copies of the vendor image for the ROM that I flash. If I need to restore a backup, I restore it and then flash the original vendor image for that ROM version again.
I don't back up at all any more now that Google is able to reinstall all your apps when performing a fresh install. Just install the rom, choose the restore and let Google do its thing whilst I crack on with other things.
I've had several issues with TWRP backups on 6.x and 7.x, so now I use FF over ADB to make a "NORMAL" backup to my PC. I also use TiBu for apps and store a zip file of the complete TiBu folder on my PC.