[Q] Best way to back-up and restore my system? - Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I would like to get the Ubuntu hack working on my atrix but I already rooted, installed 1.57, and installed GladAtrix.
I'm wondering what the best method is to get back to 1.26 and then getting back my data after I do the Ubuntu hack?
I made back-ups with Titanium and CWM, but if I would restore my data, wouldn't that overwrite the Ubuntu hack?
Which program is better for a full system back-up/restore? CWM or Titanium?

I use TiBU and restore ONLY the apps NOT ANY DATA. Restoring system data or app data will likely get you lots of force closes. Its happened to me more than once on the Captivate and I'm not making that mistake again. I restore only the user apps w/ no data. So I'm stuck configuring my settings after every restore but Id rather do that than mess up the phone and be stuck and step one again.

Ok, so if I go back to 1.26 then I can use TiBU to re-install all my programs?
What I would like is something that essentially makes a "ghost" image of my phone so I can return to my exact settings, is that where CWM comes in?
I've recently lost the ability to enter webtop while trying to install Ubuntu. I'm thinking of just going back to 1.26 and starting over since I messed around with some other stuff and dont want to brick my phone later.

uisgdlyast said:
Ok, so if I go back to 1.26 then I can use TiBU to re-install all my programs?
What I would like is something that essentially makes a "ghost" image of my phone so I can return to my exact settings, is that where CWM comes in?
I've recently lost the ability to enter webtop while trying to install Ubuntu. I'm thinking of just going back to 1.26 and starting over since I messed around with some other stuff and dont want to brick my phone later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM will attempt to restore your phone to the exact state it was in when you made the backup, so cwm restore would revert any hack or any changes you have made since the backup.
Yes you can use TiBU to restore your user apps going from any upgrade/mod, even across ROMs. But like i said USER APPS w/o DATA ONLY. Do not restore data or system apps.

Related

[Q] Restore applications and settings after 1.4 upgrade

one quick question in setting up the upgrade from 1.3d to 1.4:
When using Titanium Backup, I back up all user apps + system apps.
Once upgraded to 1.4 can I restore also system apps, or I can mess something doing this? It's better to restore only user apps?
Thanks
You don't need to use any apps to restore after upgrade. All the apps should still be there if u only did an upgrade without a reformat factory settings
Thanks but if I understand correctly the Dexter's instructions, he recommends to do a Wipe (Factory Reset) before and after installing the ROM. In such a case, I guess that all apps and settings will be lost. And then, it is when I gess I need to restore from a previous backup or otherwise I would need to restore everything manually, app by app.
Even if you don't wipe out you apps and data, it maybe be better if you do a backup in case something goes wrong... Bad things happens when we least expect
OK, but my original question remains:
Once upgraded to 1.4 (and making a wipe) can I restore also system apps by using Titanium Backup, or I can mess something doing this? It's better to restore only user apps?
What system apps that you want to back up with Titanium? I recommend you to check the change log from each of Dexter version to see if any of your system apps is being changed in the new update or not. If it's changed in the new update then don't back up it, otherwise it's safe to do so.
OK, thanks. That's what I did.
Since after installing the ROM, all applications there were the ones coming with the ROM, I didn't restore any existing app, assuming it is already the last and correct version. I was therefore restoring only those missing, and it worked fine. The only problem, I guess, is that by doing this way I didn't restore the app data for those apps coming with the ROM. Not a major problem.

[Q] Backup before rooting?

Hi, I'm new here as I just switched from my iPhone 3G to the atrix. I'm planning on rooting it soon but I want to make sure I don't screw anything up. I'm used to the iTunes backup and sync features, so I was wondering how that works on android phones, the atrix in particular. If something goes wrong and I can't access my phone, how can I restore it from my computer?
Also, how do apps sync? If I restore my phone to factory settings but apps are listed as installed on my account, then it won't let me reinstall those apps, will it?
Ok, I'm assuming there's no way to backup the phone without rooting. I was referring to something like making an image of the phone or atleast getting the basic firmware(like for the iPhone).
As for apps, if I get a new phone or wipe my current phone, I won't have to redownload anything right? Will it sync from the market?
But my data will be lost right (like game saves)? So I can use apps like Titanium Backup to that data right?
I just wanted to clarify this before I messed around with anything.
If you've wiped your phone, or get another phone, you can always download the apps you've purchased either from your phone or from a pc. They're linked to your gmail account.
Once you're rooted, you can use Titanium Backup. You can also use Tenfar's port of the Clockwork Mod to make what amounts to a snapshot of your current system via a nandroid backup. I've had to restore from that once after hosing my system. Works well.

[Q] What is lost during a ROM change? How to backup phone so I can play with ROMS

I'm running streakdroid 1.9 but I would like to do some experimentation with my streak. If I flash a new rom what will I lose? How do you backup your data so you can flash to your hearts content?
Thanks
if u flash stock roms, they do a factory reset during first start up.
So u end up loosing everything.
However if u flash .zip version of the stock roms using CWM or streak recovery , u will retain almost everything but may loose somethings like root and so on.
Remember stock roms will flash its default recovery everytime it boots up
Ok thanks. Is it wise to do a factory reset anyway?
What tools can I use to backup messages, apps, photos, etc?
I use titanium backup.
If you do a nandroid backup, when you restore it, everything will be just as it was before you flashed another ROM...
As far as using Titanium... it has never worked for me completely, nor has MyBackUp Pro, they cause me more headache than being useful...
I have gotten to the point to when I flash a new ROM, I just manually install everything, I know it sounds like some hassle, but you end up with a much smoother operating phone.
I even do a nandroid backup first, then go into my ROM and manually uninstall everything, so that when I boot up my new ROM and setup my market account, it doesn't try to install everything on its own and bog down my phone at first, I install everything manually in the order I want and set them up as I go.
I know this sounds cumbersome, but I have found it creates a cleaner environment and practically eliminated force closes
That is the way I like to do things also but what about the things that you can't just re-install e.g. sms, application specific data?
Advice
I was having a sim card and constant restart issue after updating to streakroid 2.4.4, and even after flashing dsc, the problem persisted. After I reviewed the steps I had taken I realized that I never did a factory resest (fearing I would forever lose my precious app data, which I did -_-). It turned out that was the fix, after doing the factory reset, my sim card was recognized immediately and a couple of the text I had missed showed up. However, I fixed one fixed problem and developed another.
Even though I restored a MyBackup and Titanium backup I did right before resetting I recovered my several apps without their precious data (setting, notes, bookmarks). I tried doing internal backups within the apps, some conveniently had syncs to a cloud yet I missed doing that with a few apps because I have over 100+ and I use more than half on a regular basis (even if for 5 minutes). All my apps are on my device, which is a good thing but I cant appreciate that given the missing data.
So my advice is:
Use apps that have can automatically backup or sync data -- there are enough apps with similiar utility that you can avoid ones without that function.
Do a manual backup within your important apps. -- Some apps backup files to locations that may be wiped during update, doesn't have auto backup or the last backup is months old.
Pics, texts, call logs are easily backed up -- Backup programs will explicitly state or ask what to back up in that regard.
Do a nandroid backup -- I believe this only restores rom and apps but someone can correct me.
Caveat
Through all the research done before actually need to restore a backup I missed the fact when restore apps depending on the restore program every app has to be reinstalled individually. If you have more than 25 apps then #$#@!, also for some reason when restoring with titanium if during a batch restore you come across an app if you hit cancel during one of the install prompts because you actually don't want to restore that app the batch will freeze and you'll have to force close titanium and start the restore all over. Go through the list of restore options and choose each app one by one, save yourself the time.
Lastly, to piggy back off what was said before, a factory reset( FR) after updating rom is always recommended but its not always needed. Most roms will update without causing you to lose any data but like I said previously I had sim card issues when I updated without a FR. YMMV
At this point I don't know if this helps the OP but maybe it will benefit someone else who reads this thread.
This guide by _n0p_ tells how to do an upgrade and minimize the re-installation of apps.
Key items:
Use the backup function of any apps that have it
Don't count on restoring data with TB or My Backup
Make a nandroid - just in case
I have found TB and My Backup to be useful for things like browser bookmarks.
The post linked to discussed going from Froyo to Gingerbread but the same techniques apply for moving to any other ROM.
Last time i changed roms, i used the Dell backup utility for evertyhing but the apps, which can be backed up together with their data with QtADB which creates a backup folder on your SD. After installing the new rom, i chose advanced recovery from the Dell Utility and set it to recover everything but the apps, which i recovered with QtADB. However, I also strongly recommend nandroid, in case the steak doesn't boot after the install.

[Q] Nandroid restore fails 2.2

Hi all,
So, I gave this HTC Aria to my girlfriend with Liberated 2.1 installed. She ran into some troubles, why I asked her to install the new liberated 2.2 version from this forum. I backed up the phone with nandroid. I told her how to wipe and install the new software over the phone.
Now she started it and all the apps, texts and documents are gone.
What can I do to get it back on an easy way? Restoring only the DATA-part of the backup from nandroid didn't work. Will a full restore get her back to 2.1 or will it implement here data and apps into 2.2?
Is reinstalling the 2.1 ROM and restoring afterwards a possibility to get her back to status quo?
Thanks so much in advance!
restore her backup which will take her back to 2.1 with all her data. Go to app market and download my backup root. Pick what you want to back up. Then delete cache and data and install 2.2. Go download my backup root and click restore. Now restore your data and most of the data will be there after the phone reboot besides the android settings, sometimes clock alarms, and bookmarks.
Signatures are fancy.
Wow, sounds great!
Thank you very much!!!
No problem
Signatures are fancy.
Ok, problem solved, which should've been asked in the Q&A thread by the way.

[Q] restore only data after rom update

fast question
if u have read my other threads let me recall because i though i had fix my problem, but like an idiot i went into recovery without flashing cwm so i lost everything again.
So,
i have flash back stock honeycomb 3.2
when i try to restore a backup (that was made on 3.1), it goes down to 3.1 and crash when i try to update to 3.2 to then update to 4.0.4
so i decided to flash 4.0.4 (stock ICS from sammobile) and reinstall all my apps one by one
But,
i still have my backup, my ICS is now rooted and flashed with cwm
i want to know, if after installing all my apps, i go into recovery and try to do an advance restore of data only, will it work ?
am sorry to be a pain in the ass with all my questions, i couldnt find the anwser
I think the answers were there in your original thread but you are looking for an easier way to go. I am not sure there is one. Since the hard way requires restoring fully your honeycomb install you may as well try data restore from nandroid first, hopefully it works out well.
I'm not experienced in using nandroid backups for partial data restores, titanium is better suited for that. To me, nandroid is for full system restore.
So again, if all else fails the best option is to restore the honeycomb nandroid, make sure that the device is rooted, install titanium, run full backup, backup all files off of sd to your computer via usb (your nandroid, your photos, your titanium backups , etc) and then update back to the system you want. Once back to ICS you can install your apps, root, install titanium and restore data for the apps you need. Be careful with this, obviously there are compatibility issues between the two systems.
Sent from my SCH-I905 using Tapatalk 2
muzzy996 said:
I think the answers were there in your original thread but you are looking for an easier way to go. I am not sure there is one. Since the hard way requires restoring fully your honeycomb install you may as well try data restore from nandroid first, hopefully it works out well.
I'm not experienced in using nandroid backups for partial data restores, titanium is better suited for that. To me, nandroid is for full system restore.
So again, if all else fails the best option is to restore the honeycomb nandroid, make sure that the device is rooted, install titanium, run full backup, backup all files off of sd to your computer via usb (your nandroid, your photos, your titanium backups , etc) and then update back to the system you want. Once back to ICS you can install your apps, root, install titanium and restore data for the apps you need. Be careful with this, obviously there are compatibility issues between the two systems.
Sent from my SCH-I905 using Tapatalk 2
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The thing is that i spent like 2 days doing all that and now am on ics with my apps installed, its mostly my saved games that i dont have and was looking for a way to restore them.
Nainconpetant said:
The thing is that i spent like 2 days doing all that and now am on ics with my apps installed, its mostly my saved games that i dont have and was looking for a way to restore them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to restore only your apps is like the post above, you had to install titanium backup like i said in the PM i sended you, and then backup all your apps with titanium backup, save everything to your PC via USB cable and then install another ROM... so... i know it's very annoying and very hard.... but my opinion is to restore your nandroid backup (full system restore) download Titanium backup from google play, backup your data, and in case you deleted your nandroid, make a new one!!
But there could be compatibility problems when you backup your data what causes errors...
It's a pain in the ass to do it, but it's the only way i guess...
Bah, i dont feel like flashing again, ill start over my nfs hot pursuit, reckless getaway and jewel maze. i wasnt playing much with the other games installed
I remember that i did a nandroid backup cause i found it was more user friendly to create a full backup at the time i did it than with titanium.
Thanks for your help
Yah lessons learned. We've all learned them too . . nandroid is great for jumping between systems or for reverting to a clean one but it's not so great for restoring apps/data to or from differing systems; for that it's usually best to install apps clean and restore data via titanium.
I make it a habit now of doing both and saving both to an external device (either a usb flash drive or to my PC) prior to moving systems.

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