Related
Or maybe it did, but not the way I expected.
So, I've had my Vibrant for about 4 days. Day 1, I rooted it and installed Titanium Backup, which I used to delete a bunch of Bloatware.
Today, I decided to try something different, and wanted to totally wipe the phone clean, restored back to "out of the box" condition. So, I did a Factory Data Reset, via Menu>Settings>Privacy>Factory Data Reset. First I tried the Power Button/Volumn Buttons, but that wouldn't work for me.
Anyway, I finished with the Factory Data Reset and noticed that all of my Market Apps are gone, including Titanium Backup. Funny thing is, I believe the phone is still Rooted, because I still have the Superuser Permission icon. However, none of the Bloatware that I'd deleted, is back on the phone. Of course, since I deleted Titanium Backup, with the reset, I can't access my Titanium Backup that I'd made...lol.
I still want to reset this phone to "out of box" condition, but can't figure out how. I want to delete EVERYTHING, including contacts, music on SD card, and I want everything reinstalled, that came with the phone. At that point, I'm going to do more research, before deleting bloatware. I don't even care if I lose my "ROOT." If needed, I can re-root it.
So, is it possible, to get this phone back to factory condition? First off, this is my first Android and I'm completely an idiot, when it comes to androids...lol. I have no idea what SDK, ADB, or any of those other initials mean, or how to use them. So, unfortunately, I'm going to need to be able to read very detailed, step by step, idiot like, instructions.
Okay, I hope what I just did wasn't an even bigger mistake...lol.
After reading through a couple of threads, I found and tried this hidden code.
djquick said:
That's the one!! Also, there is a thread that tells you what bloatware apps are safe to remove, after you do a back-up, search for that thread and read through it.
On a side note, if you're still learning or never used odin to flash a rom before; there is also a hidden code that is used for factory format. It'll remove all files and settings including the internal memory storage and reformats it. It'll also reinstall the phone firmware from when you took it out of the box. Just go to your dialer and put *2767*3855# and it will perform the factory format for you.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, didn't make any difference. Seemed to do the same thing as a Factory Data Reset.
So, now I'll await advice...lol.
Far as I know a factory reset won't restore deleted system .apk's which is what you did by removing the bloatware. Only way is to either restore the .apk's you deleted from a backup manually in which you need root to do this, or via complete restore with ODIN and the tarball. If you don't know what either of this means then I would suggest you read a little more on the forum so you don't wind up with a paperweight. Titanium Backup is great at removing the bloatware but it's not meant to restore rom .apk's which is why they don't get backed up (for safety's sake). It'll backup their settings however. Good luck.
returnofsid said:
Or maybe it did, but not the way I expected.
So, I've had my Vibrant for about 4 days. Day 1, I rooted it and installed Titanium Backup, which I used to delete a bunch of Bloatware.
Today, I decided to try something different, and wanted to totally wipe the phone clean, restored back to "out of the box" condition. So, I did a Factory Data Reset, via Menu>Settings>Privacy>Factory Data Reset. First I tried the Power Button/Volumn Buttons, but that wouldn't work for me.
Anyway, I finished with the Factory Data Reset and noticed that all of my Market Apps are gone, including Titanium Backup. Funny thing is, I believe the phone is still Rooted, because I still have the Superuser Permission icon. However, none of the Bloatware that I'd deleted, is back on the phone. Of course, since I deleted Titanium Backup, with the reset, I can't access my Titanium Backup that I'd made...lol.
I still want to reset this phone to "out of box" condition, but can't figure out how. I want to delete EVERYTHING, including contacts, music on SD card, and I want everything reinstalled, that came with the phone. At that point, I'm going to do more research, before deleting bloatware. I don't even care if I lose my "ROOT." If needed, I can re-root it.
So, is it possible, to get this phone back to factory condition? First off, this is my first Android and I'm completely an idiot, when it comes to androids...lol. I have no idea what SDK, ADB, or any of those other initials mean, or how to use them. So, unfortunately, I'm going to need to be able to read very detailed, step by step, idiot like, instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you make a nandroid backup of your system before you made changes.
sabooher said:
Far as I know a factory reset won't restore deleted system .apk's which is what you did by removing the bloatware. Only way is to either restore the .apk's you deleted from a backup manually in which you need root to do this, or via complete restore with ODIN and the tarball. If you don't know what either of this means then I would suggest you read a little more on the forum so you don't wind up with a paperweight. Titanium Backup is great at removing the bloatware but it's not meant to restore rom .apk's which is why they don't get backed up (for safety's sake). It'll backup their settings however. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so it sounds like I need to learn how to use ODIN and "tarball?" Not only do I NOT know how to use either, I don't even know what they are! lol. Can anyone point me to a good, idiot proof guide on both of these programs?
Another possible option, maybe. My girlfriend also has a Vibrant, we purchased both at the same time. At this point, her Vibrant is totally "out of box" original. Is there a way that this could help me? Would it be possible to do a Nandroid back up of her phone, and use that back up to restore my phone?
geocepe said:
did you make a nandroid backup of your system before you made changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the time, I hadn't even heard of Nandroid, so no. I figured the Titanium Backup would do what I needed. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Since then, I've heard of Nandroid, but that's about it.
Okay, so I called my local T-Mo store and spoke with a salesman about this issue. Believe it or not, he actually recommended that I call Customer Support and get a warranty replacement, telling them that my volumn buttons aren't working. Honestly, I don't feel right doing this and would like to fix it on my own, errrr, with lots of help from here...lol. The bonus of fixing it myself would be that I'd also be learning how!! As I said, I know next to nothing about Android phones, so would like to learn.
At this point, I want the phone totally back to factory settings, and then I plan to do a lot more research, before making any changes.
Oh and in case it needs to be mentioned again, my phone is still Rooted.
if you download clockwork there are recoveries that will take you back to factory default. if you look in the devs part of the vibrant forum. then look in the Vibrant directory. there are stock backups in there.
did you install any roms? like eugenes or what ever after you rooted?
geocepe said:
if you download clockwork there are recoveries that will take you back to factory default. if you look in the devs part of the vibrant forum. then look in the Vibrant directory. there are stock backups in there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so Rom Manager includes Clockwork right? I have installed Rom Manager. In the Market, I see Clockwork, but it doesn't look like a US version, as the price isn't in $s.
As for a stock back up, couldn't I just back up my girlfriend's Vibrant, which is in stock condition, and use that back up, to restore my phone? If so, what steps would I need to take, to do so?
98classic said:
did you install any roms? like eugenes or what ever after you rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I wouldn't even know where to begin, in installing different ROMS...lol.
in vibrant general if you go to tips and tricks you can download the app there. it will tell you step by step what to do. so download it on the good vibrant and make the backup. then download the app on the bad one. take the backup from the good one and put it on the bad ones internal sd card. follow the steps to restore the backup. this may fix your problem
geocepe said:
in vibrant general if you go to tips and tricks you can download the app there. it will tell you step by step what to do. so download it on the good vibrant and make the backup. then download the app on the bad one. take the backup from the good one and put it on the bad ones internal sd card. follow the steps to restore the backup. this may fix your problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummm, in your quote, I made something bold. Which "the app" are you referring to?
Also, once I've made a backup of the "GOOD" Vibrant, how do I move that Good Backup to the internal SD Card of the "BAD" Vibrant?
this is for the app.
How it works: The recovery is packaged as an update.zip that you run from STOCK recovery. The update.zip unpacks Clockwork Recovery onto the ramdisk and restarts recovery. When you reboot, it reverts back to the original, unmodified, stock recovery. So, you will need to keep the recovery on the root of your SD card as an update.zip, and apply the zip every time you want to start Clockwork.
HOWEVER, if you use ROM Manager, all of the recovery installation and management instructions are done for you!
Installation instructions:
Download ROM Manager from the Market.
Flash Recovery.
Choose Vibrant as your phone.
Accept the Superuser prompt.
On the very FIRST boot of Clockwork, you may need to manually select "reinstall packages" if Clockwork does not start. You should only ever have to do this once. It will be automatic from then on.
Watch the backup go!
That's it! This is completely painless and safe! There is no need for Odin anymore to replace the recovery or flash updates!
If you appreciate my work, please buy the Premium version of ROM Manager!
To transfer the recovery over transfer it to the external sd card of the good unit. then take that card and put it in the bad unit. then transfer it to the internal sd card.
Hi,
I am new to Android and the Gtab. I am basically curious as to what the best way is to backup my Gtab. What software and the steps to take (what is the difference between cwm and nvflash?).
I actually like the stock rom but my biggest frustration is the lack of the market which I would like to have. Having that said, I would like to run something different on the Gtab which will support the market app and not the Gmarket app. I looked around the forums and I see lots of good tutorials but it confuses me on how I backup with my stock rom before I begin any of the tutorials to upgrade to a new rom. I feel like backing up is the biggest step and don't want to mess this up so that I can revert back if I do make a mistake down the road. I'm sure once you do this a couple of times it starts to make sense but I have not done it yet and want to make sure I understand everything before I move forward.
I am a beginner but want to be able to get more out of my Gtab. Please help.
It needs to be modded right out of the box, so how much could you have possibly gotten installed?
Ok, I'm kidding.
What are you trying to "backup"? If it's DOC's and Books, music, etc, either dump it all onto a secondary memory card, or dump your data to a PC using usb connection. As for settings like email, etc. I say skip the backup and just reinstall the stuff.
I keep all of the working installers I've found on my external SD card so if I need to wipe & start over, I just go through and click/install them again.
bnovak said:
It needs to be modded right out of the box, so how much could you have possibly gotten installed?
Ok, I'm kidding.
What are you trying to "backup"? If it's DOC's and Books, music, etc, either dump it all onto a secondary memory card, or dump your data to a PC using usb connection. As for settings like email, etc. I say skip the backup and just reinstall the stuff.
I keep all of the working installers I've found on my external SD card so if I need to wipe & start over, I just go through and click/install them again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks for the post. I think I may have not worded my question right. My fault since I am new. What I mean is what do I need to do to backup my current OS I suppose. For instance, it has android 2.2 correct? I upgraded OOTB to firmware 3588 which works well but no market. What do I need to do to back this OS up so that I can revert back to it in case of any problems? Sorry if I am still confusing you guys but like I said earlier, I am completely new and still learning the phraseology and such. Thanks!
jetguy35,
Most people get Titanium Backup and backup the apps and system with a batch file in that.
That takes care of apps.
If the whole tablet gets messed up you either NVFlash back to the bekit 1105 version
per the NVFlash recovery thread in developers, if its not too bad you reinstall the
current 3588 version from a download.
There are other ways some people suggest, but I don't recommend what I haven't used and don't know about.
Good Luck!!!
Rev
An app called Titanium Backup will allow you to back up your apps and their data.
To do a complete system backup, you'll need to get clockworkmod installed (bekit .8 version), once booted into clockworkmod there is a back up option which will back up all system files and apps.
Check this thread in the development section for installing clockworkmod:
[Sticky][Guide]Install ClockworkMod, A ROM, Flash Player, and the Market Fix
Insall clockwork mod .8 and boot to recovery and backup entire rom. ..then save a copy from internal to external sd card in case you need it.
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0b5.1.1 using Tapatalk
personally (and I was in your shoes last week)
I would just go through the TNT Lite post and flash that ROM onto the tablet. If you go TNT 4.4.0 you DO NOT WANT CLOCKWORK.
It's really simple - plug in USB, copy the correct files to the tablet, push and hold pwr-volume up and give it a couple minutes.
I think the vanilla ROM is floating around so if you don't have a bunch of personalized files, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Anytime you flash it, you are going to have to add some of the programs back in anyway.
Roebeets TnT build is super fast and super stable. You won't know what hit you when you turn it on the first time.
bnovak,
That's a good idea, but not everyone is ready, or has the expertise or even wants
to move up to a ROM.
I have two tablets and one is running the experimental next generation TwoTabX ROM
that is on hold waiting for VS to do something -- and the other most of the time is
pure stock (so I can test stuff and get OTA updates etc.
When I go to work, doesn't matter which I take because both work well.
Stock is not bad!!! You should have seen the original software!!!
Rev
Ive been spending way to much time researching my problem and my wife is really mad at me. Basically at this point i would be happy to just manually extract data for about 10 apps from a nandroid that wont restore. Can someone point me in the right direction please?
Edit:
Ok, now that I am at computer, heres my story. Prior to flashing the gingerbread leak, I backed up using Titanium Backup and made a Nandroid backup. Somehow, all the files backed up in my PREVIOUS 2 backups on titanium backup where all 0kb-10kb, so they were completely borked for some reason. Some old backups of apps that I have since uninstalled still remained and those seem ok.
Prior to reading about the SD card failures with the gingerbread leak, I backed up my SD card to my computer. Only 1 error came up during the backup about a file with a name that was too long. I clicked on ignore and finished the backup. About 1 hour later my SD card fried.
I used a spare sd card, and transfered my clockwork mod folder and a few other folders to it. I then ODIN a DL09 stock image, flashed the newest Clockword mod 3.xx via odin, flashed UKB 2.0, then flashed PBJ -50 recovery/kernel (which was what I had when I made the backup) and tried to restore it. When I try to restore it hangs somewhere in the data restore portion saying CACHE. I saw it flash cache a few times during the restore, so I am not sure why it hangs on that one in particular. I know that the cache image file is only 16.5kb so I dont know if that has something to do with it.
I then installed the newest IMNUTS recovery since I heard there were problems restoring the the PBJ recovery, and it seems to hang in the same spot.
At this point, I have a few of my old programs back, but most force close.
My main goal here is to just extract some gamesave progress and a few other pieces of data (I can redownload basically all the apps I need), run clean until a better gingerbread leak comes along, then use titanium backup to backup what I have (and verify the backups and make backups of the backups )and install a better gingerbread rom.
So anyway, If i can figure out how to go into the datadata.img files, I guess I can extract the data I need and push it through ADB or ROOT EXPLORER? Should that work?
- nevermind...
There are computer applications that can read and explore image files, or .img files, and the file systems within image files. Your best bet would be software like that, that could open, edit, and explore image files. I dont know the names of any software like that, even though I have come across some before, but im sure you could turn up some results with the query "image file editor," or ".img file editor." From there you're just have to feel your way through.. Try similar queries if those don't turn up what you need, etc. If you got an app that could explore image files, then you could get your .apk files from /data/app folder, and any other data you might need from /data/data, if its just user apps you're wanting to restore.
Sent by way of unspeakably black magic.
ssmaster said:
Ive been spending way to much time researching my problem and my wife is really mad at me. Basically at this point i would be happy to just manually extract data for about 10 apps from a nandroid that wont restore. Can someone point me in the right direction please?
Edit:
Ok, now that I am at computer, heres my story. Prior to flashing the gingerbread leak, I backed up using Titanium Backup and made a Nandroid backup. Somehow, all the files backed up in my PREVIOUS 2 backups on titanium backup where all 0kb-10kb, so they were completely borked for some reason. Some old backups of apps that I have since uninstalled still remained and those seem ok.
Prior to reading about the SD card failures with the gingerbread leak, I backed up my SD card to my computer. Only 1 error came up during the backup about a file with a name that was too long. I clicked on ignore and finished the backup. About 1 hour later my SD card fried.
I used a spare sd card, and transfered my clockwork mod folder and a few other folders to it. I then ODIN a DL09 stock image, flashed the newest Clockword mod 3.xx via odin, flashed UKB 2.0, then flashed PBJ -50 recovery/kernel (which was what I had when I made the backup) and tried to restore it. When I try to restore it hangs somewhere in the data restore portion saying CACHE. I saw it flash cache a few times during the restore, so I am not sure why it hangs on that one in particular. I know that the cache image file is only 16.5kb so I dont know if that has something to do with it.
I then installed the newest IMNUTS recovery since I heard there were problems restoring the the PBJ recovery, and it seems to hang in the same spot.
At this point, I have a few of my old programs back, but most force close.
My main goal here is to just extract some gamesave progress and a few other pieces of data (I can redownload basically all the apps I need), run clean until a better gingerbread leak comes along, then use titanium backup to backup what I have (and verify the backups and make backups of the backups )and install a better gingerbread rom.
So anyway, If i can figure out how to go into the datadata.img files, I guess I can extract the data I need and push it through ADB or ROOT EXPLORER? Should that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately, you won't likely receive much sympathy posting a question in the development section. Please post your question in the Q & A section and you'll get some help. Just a friendly heads up.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
Well I'll go ahead and point you to the right direction, or what I'd imagine should work for your needs. You'll need unyaffs, I'm assuming you're on windows so this here would be the right one for you http://www.box.net/shared/1eighqsh4s. Now take the data.img from your clockwork backup on your sdcard, drag and drop it onto the unyaffs.exe, it should unpack right there into a crapload of files. Navigate to the /data folder and find the ones you want to keep (they should be listed by the package name for the apps, "com.blah.asfkje.etc" rather than the name of the app so keep that in mind when looking for what you want), then adb push (root explorer would be fine too) the folders into your phone where they should be.
Headcase8911 said:
unfortunately, you won't likely receive much sympathy posting a question in the development section. Please post your question in the Q & A section and you'll get some help. Just a friendly heads up.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I posted this in the wrong forum, I was waiting for the train when I posted and wasn't thinking too straight. How can I move it?
ssmaster said:
Sorry I posted this in the wrong forum, I was waiting for the train when I posted and wasn't thinking too straight. How can I move it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The mods will move it once they notice.
Another Fascinating post by my XDA app...
Just curious because of my personal interest...
Did you happen to try the nandroid Advanced Restore option, and select Data only? If not, it might be worth a shot. If it gets far enough, you might try wiping after the restore, and before booting up.
I always wipe my cache/Dalvik before I backup, to try to avoid conflicts with possible future ROMs. Something to think about, anyway.
Sorry about the trouble.
ssmaster said:
Sorry I posted this in the wrong forum, I was waiting for the train when I posted and wasn't thinking too straight. How can I move it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Report your post stating that it should be moved, and the mods will notice right away.
Robtao said:
Just curious because of my personal interest...
Did you happen to try the nandroid Advanced Restore option, and select Data only? If not, it might be worth a shot. If it gets far enough, you might try wiping after the restore, and before booting up.
I always wipe my cache/Dalvik before I backup, to try to avoid conflicts with possible future ROMs. Something to think about, anyway.
Sorry about the trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did try the nandroid advanced data only option and it hung at what seemed to be the exact same point.
So, after much research and trepidation, I flashed my first ROM to my i717 last week. Then I decided I didn't like that ROM and flashed another an hour later. So far it's been stable and speedy. I'm very happy. Thanks to XDA-Developers, Google, the Internet, and everyone who made this possible.
So, now, here's my simplified guide to doing what I did. This should NOT be taken as gospel. Please read as much as you can first. But, in an effort to give back, I thought a simple, step by step guide (or, more like links to the guides I found helpful) would be useful to someone. Are we sitting comfortably? Then let us begin.
1. Go here - http://rootgalaxynote.com/galaxy-no...y-note-sgh-i717-icsgingerbreadeasiest-method/ - and root your phone. It will also install ClockworkMod Recovery. Both of these need to be done before you can flash a new ROM.
NOTE: I hear that TWRP is the preferred recovery app. I've tried it and it's very nice. It just so happens that I had ClockworkMod installed when I actually decided to flash a ROM. But use whatever you like.
2. Go to the Play Store and buy Titanium Backup Pro. Well, actually, download the free version then buy the Pro key. There are other backup methods, but I like this one.
3. Backup EVERYTHING. You might never restore a particular app, but best to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I like to use the Google Drive option in Titanium to push by backup off my phone. But you can just hook it up to your PC and copy the backup folder from your SD card to your PC. This is just in case something REALLY bad happens. Best to have an off-phone backup.
4. Find a nice ROM to settle down with. I'm using Revolt (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2288566&highlight=revolt) but do your research and find one you like. If you decide to go with something built off Android 4.2 or 4.3 then you'll lose the Samsung Touchwiz stuff (fancy SPen features, etc.), but to me that wasn't as big a deal as I though.
NOTE: Make sure you know if the ROM need an additional Google Apps package. Sometimes they're listed with the ROM, sometimes not. Read and make sure or you could lose a lot of phone features or it may not even boot. Again, READING IS YOUR FRIEND.
5. Save the ROM (and GApps file if needed) to your phone's SD card (internal or external doesn't matter)
6. Boot into recovery (Hold Vol UP+Vol DOWN then press PWR and hold all 3 until you feel a vibration, then let go of PWR). When ClockworkMod (Or TWRP) comes up, RUN A BACKUP!
7. Read 6. Make sure you actually do it. I'll know.
8. Once you're sure you have your Titanium and ClockworkMod backups, follow the instructions for installing the ROM. Usually this involves (from ClockworkMod or TWRP):
a. Factory Reset
b. Wipe Cache (this is usually a part of Factory Reset, but doesn't hurt to do again)
c. Wipe Dalvik Cache (see cyanogen's response here for what this does - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=519495)
d. Flash new ROM
e, Flash Google Apps (you can also wipe cache and Dalvik cache between d and e)
9. Now the moment of truth. Reboot. Wait. This can take some time, so don't fret if it seems to be taking too long. I'd say if it's over 15 minutes then you might need to worry, but chill before then)
10. When it does boot, you'll basically have a fresh, new phone. You'll need to enter your Google account and follow all the usual stuff you did when you first got your phone.
11. Leave your phone alone now. You can click around, but don't install anything new just yet. I've seen many a post about letting things settle. So, maybe, poke around for 15-30 minutes just to see but don't change anything. Then Reboot
12. Now reinstall Titanium. You can start reinstalling your apps. DON'T reinstall standard apps or they could break (e.g. email app or its data) as the new ROM might not support the old version of the app. My rule of thumb is don't restore any data I can get back from my online accounts (Email, FB, G+, Keep, etc.). All of your pics and that should be on your SD card and should not need to be restored.
13. That's it. If you enabled a scheduled backup in Titanium you might want to disable it for a while to make sure you like what you have. That way, you can go back if you don't like it.
Hopefully that helps someone. Please forgive any mistakes or omissions and if anyone with more experience wants to give it a once over I'd appreciate it.
Thanks and good luck.
Sorry guy, but on step one there is a very high probability of someone bricking their phone.
Why? Because it has happened about 100 times over the past two years from people using that site/method. If you flash the wrong kernel you kill your precious.
You should edit your step to say in the strongest terms triple check your operating system and get the correct kernel.
And step one is unnecessary because all roms here are already rooted.
1. Flash TWRP using pc and Odin.
2. Download new rom.
3. Boot into recovery.
4. Wipe cache, system, data.
5. Flash rom. Boot and wait 10 minutes.
6. Check settings for networks.
7. Optional modem flash.
Only wipe that's needed is a factory reset within recovery. That wipes /cache too. The dalvik cache resides on the data partition and is thusly wiped as well.
The Rom will have a format /system line within the updater script.
And within titanium backup don't backup or restore system settings (anything in the list that's red.)
And as said rooting first isn't needed unless you've been using stock for awhile and have apps you'd like to backup first... the easiest way to root is simply flash the latest twrp with Odin.. boot into recovery... then when you go to reboot the system it'll see that you're not rooted and ask if you'd like to do so.
Thanks for the feedback. Like I hope I stressed, this is the method that worked for me.
I guess I have the terms mixed up in 1. I'm saying to install ClockworkMod (or TWRP) and root your phone. I want to root it here because I want Titanium installed before I change ROMS so I can go back to exactly how everything was before modding if I want. Does that make sense?
Also, can you tell me what's specifically wrong with the site I link in Step 1? I was on ICS at the time I think. Does it brick if you do it on JB?
I'll change the step to say to go here instead - http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/96
Is that better?
Also, can you explain your cache wipe suggestions. I've seen the official instructions say to Reset, then Wipe Cache, then Wipe Dalvik. I know the last 2 are included in the first, but why are we explicitly asked to do them again? Why do you think we don't?
My thinking behind adding it here is that it does no harm and if some devs think that not doing it will cause problems then why not include it to be extra safe.
If you wanted it back to the way it was before modding anything then you could flash a custom recovery and do a nandroid backup before rooting at all.
Titanium backup needs root. If you want your app data after flashing a rom then that's when it's needed.
As far as extra wiping... putting your arms over your head spinning in a circle while chanting a manta does no harm either and is just as effective.
When you flash as often as I do... you wanna streamline the process. Extra anything is just that... Extra... and is just a waste of time
His first step is correct. No one that I know has bricked their phone using those directions because that link does not install any kernels. And it never did. It works for all versions of android. Even after all this time there is so much misinformation given.
Studacris's help is as good as gold though. He has put me in my place in the past.
Thanks Everyone.
Hi all,
This is the first time I've tried installing a custom ROM on my VZW S4 (i545) (MDK firmware. Yes, I held out on the OTA since May). I've got a few thoughts and a couple of questions I was hoping could be addressed. I consider myself familiar with flashing ROM's and whatnot, so I won't need hand-holding steps in answer to my questions.
Some info:
VZW S4
MDK Firmware
Recovery: OUDhs CWM Touch Req0very v1.0.3.5
I haven't taken any OTA since I got the phone back in May. This leads me to believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that I'm on Android 4.2.2?
Current ROM: AOKP Nightly Build for 10/31/2013 (MR2)
Thoughts: Holy hell, this ROM is BLAZING fast. I am missing a few features, but none I use regularly (I don't use any of the TouchWiz "smart" features. Damn battery hogs). I was able to flash this over and install GAPPS without any problems. Loading time is incredible, and I love how clean the interface is.
Questions:
Can anyone help me figure out why I cannot install CM10.2? Not sure if that's because I downloaded the wrong version or something, but after flashing it, the screen stays stuck at the Galaxy S4 logo and doesn't move. Maybe I didn't wait long enough, but it surely didn't move in any reasonably expected time (AOKP, by comparison, loaded probably <1 minute). Any thoughts on why this might be? I really want to try CM10.2, so perhaps I should try a different build?
Another question/concern: I downloaded a few different ROMs last night -- CM10.2, AOKP and st0ckdr0id. AOKP installed fine, CM10.2 froze up, but when I installed st0ckdr0id (after wiping out, of course), I got what I think is referred to as a kernel panic. The message was similar to "This phone has software installed on it that Verizon Wireless has determined to be unsafe. Please power off the phone and take to the nearest Verizon Wireless store for help". In the top-left corner, it had in bold RED letters "Kernel secure: FAIL" (or similar wording). I fixed this by booting back into recovery, wiping out, and then installing AOKP again. Can anyone help me understand why this happened?
Why is only ~10GB of space still available when I -thought- I wiped out everything?
What I'm really searching for is an AOSP ROM that is very clean and light, but has SOME of the TouchWiz features. Any recommendations?
My phone only shows me as having a 3G connection, where normally I have 4G LTE. Anything I can do to fix this? Is this an issue with the ROM not detecting the right kind of radio? Bug report, perhaps?
I can't mount my external_sd in my CWM anymore. Yes, I used to be able to do it at one point, because I've done an external nandroid backup to it from within CWM in the past (as of October 29th, if the date on the backups is correct). I've read in other Google searches that it has something to do with the formatting of the SD card, but I haven't removed that SD card from my phone in a few months to have adjusted anything to do with formatting. I plugged the memory card into my Linux laptop this morning while diagnosing this and got an error about an unknown exfat partition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stupid question: Is there a way to -completely- wipe my internal SD card clean of all my current files? I know when I "wipe" /data I can still see all of my files from the previous installation, and I'm not ballsy enough to wipe /sdcard. I guess the question that then coincides with this is if I were able to completely wipe the phone, I assume that would wipe the recovery as well?
Sorry for some of the novice questions -- I have no problem messing with my old TF300T tablet (because NVFlash will save the day), but this is my only phone, only line of communication and SOLE way for me to answer calls for work (24/7 rotating on-call), so it is VERY important to me to ask questions and not go down for more than 1 hour.
Thanks for all help guys, its much appreciated. I hope to be able to test ROMs regularly and maybe start posting video reviews or something, who knows?
Thanks,
Opethfan89
opethfan89 said:
Hi all,
This is the first time I've tried installing a custom ROM on my VZW S4 (i545) (MDK firmware. Yes, I held out on the OTA since May). I've got a few thoughts and a couple of questions I was hoping could be addressed. I consider myself familiar with flashing ROM's and whatnot, so I won't need hand-holding steps in answer to my questions.
Some info:
VZW S4
MDK Firmware
Recovery: OUDhs CWM Touch Req0very v1.0.3.5
I haven't taken any OTA since I got the phone back in May. This leads me to believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that I'm on Android 4.2.2?
Current ROM: AOKP Nightly Build for 10/31/2013 (MR2)
Thoughts: Holy hell, this ROM is BLAZING fast. I am missing a few features, but none I use regularly (I don't use any of the TouchWiz "smart" features. Damn battery hogs). I was able to flash this over and install GAPPS without any problems. Loading time is incredible, and I love how clean the interface is.
Questions:
Can anyone help me figure out why I cannot install CM10.2? Not sure if that's because I downloaded the wrong version or something, but after flashing it, the screen stays stuck at the Galaxy S4 logo and doesn't move. Maybe I didn't wait long enough, but it surely didn't move in any reasonably expected time (AOKP, by comparison, loaded probably <1 minute). Any thoughts on why this might be? I really want to try CM10.2, so perhaps I should try a different build?
Another question/concern: I downloaded a few different ROMs last night -- CM10.2, AOKP and st0ckdr0id. AOKP installed fine, CM10.2 froze up, but when I installed st0ckdr0id (after wiping out, of course), I got what I think is referred to as a kernel panic. The message was similar to "This phone has software installed on it that Verizon Wireless has determined to be unsafe. Please power off the phone and take to the nearest Verizon Wireless store for help". In the top-left corner, it had in bold RED letters "Kernel secure: FAIL" (or similar wording). I fixed this by booting back into recovery, wiping out, and then installing AOKP again. Can anyone help me understand why this happened?
Why is only ~10GB of space still available when I -thought- I wiped out everything?
What I'm really searching for is an AOSP ROM that is very clean and light, but has SOME of the TouchWiz features. Any recommendations?
My phone only shows me as having a 3G connection, where normally I have 4G LTE. Anything I can do to fix this? Is this an issue with the ROM not detecting the right kind of radio? Bug report, perhaps?
I can't mount my external_sd in my CWM anymore. Yes, I used to be able to do it at one point, because I've done an external nandroid backup to it from within CWM in the past (as of October 29th, if the date on the backups is correct). I've read in other Google searches that it has something to do with the formatting of the SD card, but I haven't removed that SD card from my phone in a few months to have adjusted anything to do with formatting. I plugged the memory card into my Linux laptop this morning while diagnosing this and got an error about an unknown exfat partition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Stupid question: Is there a way to -completely- wipe my internal SD card clean of all my current files? I know when I "wipe" /data I can still see all of my files from the previous installation, and I'm not ballsy enough to wipe /sdcard. I guess the question that then coincides with this is if I were able to completely wipe the phone, I assume that would wipe the recovery as well?
Sorry for some of the novice questions -- I have no problem messing with my old TF300T tablet (because NVFlash will save the day), but this is my only phone, only line of communication and SOLE way for me to answer calls for work (24/7 rotating on-call), so it is VERY important to me to ask questions and not go down for more than 1 hour.
Thanks for all help guys, its much appreciated. I hope to be able to test ROMs regularly and maybe start posting video reviews or something, who knows?
Thanks,
Opethfan89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that's a lot. Let's see if we can get you answers.
1. Switch recoveries to twrp 2.5.0.2. I can't stress the importance of the particular version enough. There are others. This is absolutely the most stable. It's what the devs use. I think then your cm issue will be resolved.
Correct way to wipe with twrp.
1.wipe - >factory reset.
2. Advanced wipe - >check system, data, davlik, cache then wipe.
3. The go back to main screen and install rom.
2. Answered by answer one. Lots of people have lots of opinions about the various recoveries. All I can tell you is this is what all the devs use for their recovery. Can't argue with that.
3. Reserved space. It might say you have 16 gigs but a good size chunk is taking merely by formatting. Then the ROM and programs you have installed of course.
4. Honestly they are all freaking great. The aosp roms. You do the answer to number one and you can find out. DU is my fav @ this moment. Followed by beanstalk.
5. Go to mobile networks make sure your network mode is set to cdma +lte/evdo.
6. Answer 1.
7. You don't really want to wipe the entire internal SD card. Sounds good when you think it might screw you if you did it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Mightycaptain said:
Wow that's a lot. Let's see if we can get you answers.
1. Switch recoveries to twrp 2.5.0.2. I can't stress the importance of the particular version enough. There are others. This is absolutely the most stable. It's what the devs use. I think then your cm issue will be resolved.
Correct way to wipe with twrp.
1.wipe - >factory reset.
2. Advanced wipe - >check system, data, davlik, cache then wipe.
3. The go back to main screen and install rom.
2. Answered by answer one. Lots of people have lots of opinions about the various recoveries. All I can tell you is this is what all the devs use for their recovery. Can't argue with that.
3. Reserved space. It might say you have 16 gigs but a good size chunk is taking merely by formatting. Then the ROM and programs you have installed of course.
4. Honestly they are all freaking great. The aosp roms. You do the answer to number one and you can find out. DU is my fav @ this moment. Followed by beanstalk.
5. Go to mobile networks make sure your network mode is set to cdma +lte/evdo.
6. Answer 1.
7. You don't really want to wipe the entire internal SD card. Sounds good when you think it might screw you if you did it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response Mightycaptain! I used CWM as my first ever recovery and am kinda pressed on it, which is why I use it, but I have no issues going to TWRP if that means fixing my issues. Can you elaborate on how to install TWRP in place of my current CWM? I'll do some Googling in the meantime to try to find the answer myself. (I haven't done any flashing or rooting stuff since I got the phone in May!!)
Thanks for your answer in #5. Fixed the issue I was having.
My reason for wanting to wipe the entire internal SD card is there are still files, folders, logs and backups from when I had my previous ROM. I'm having issues restoring my nandroid backup from the night of the 7th so is it at all possible for me to salvage some of my settings, apps and file backups from those existing files? Once I fix my nandroid, I'm going to keep the nandroid backup in a safe place and I ideally want to have a completely clean phone to start from: That means getting rid of all those old files and other nonsense from before. Is this a possibility?
I'm going to spend my time today trying to extract data from my nandroid backups using ROM Toolbox Pro. If that doesn't work, I have a nandroid backup from the 31st that has 99% of the stuff I need so I'll try to restore that. If THAT doesn't work, then I'm going to cry myself to sleep while trying to remember all of my contacts
Wish me luck, and hopefully I can get some answers to my last few questions!
Thanks,
Opethfan89
opethfan89 said:
Thanks for your response Mightycaptain! I used CWM as my first ever recovery and am kinda pressed on it, which is why I use it, but I have no issues going to TWRP if that means fixing my issues. Can you elaborate on how to install TWRP in place of my current CWM? I'll do some Googling in the meantime to try to find the answer myself. (I haven't done any flashing or rooting stuff since I got the phone in May!!)
Thanks for your answer in #5. Fixed the issue I was having.
My reason for wanting to wipe the entire internal SD card is there are still files, folders, logs and backups from when I had my previous ROM. I'm having issues restoring my nandroid backup from the night of the 7th so is it at all possible for me to salvage some of my settings, apps and file backups from those existing files? Once I fix my nandroid, I'm going to keep the nandroid backup in a safe place and I ideally want to have a completely clean phone to start from: That means getting rid of all those old files and other nonsense from before. Is this a possibility?
I'm going to spend my time today trying to extract data from my nandroid backups using ROM Toolbox Pro. If that doesn't work, I have a nandroid backup from the 31st that has 99% of the stuff I need so I'll try to restore that. If THAT doesn't work, then I'm going to cry myself to sleep while trying to remember all of my contacts
Wish me luck, and hopefully I can get some answers to my last few questions!
Thanks,
Opethfan89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check my post here for twrp 2.5.0.2.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47275165
You can flash it in your current recovery. It overwrites CWM. I would make sure you have a flashable for CWM just in case you need to go back for some reason. Also the backups between those 2 recoveries are not compatible. But I would nandroid with CWM before flashing twrp. I would also change were you recovery is pointing to for storage to the external SD if you haven't already. After you have cut your current backup and past it there. You can use rom toolbox pro to back up your contacts and restore it once you flash a new ROM.
Now as good advice going forward I would add your contacts to your Google account. That way when you flash new stuff or drop your phone in the toilet as soon as you add your Google account to the phone all those contacts will automatically download. But it is always a good idea to use tibu or rom toolbox pro to back up all your apps and seeing and use that after flashing roms to restore apps and settings.
But honestly I'd nandroid, move my contacts to Google, make app backups. Flash twrp. Then start flashing roms. You could be doing it in an hour. After you flash twrp make another nandroid so you have a twrp compatible backup. Then in a day or so of you are happy with everything delete the CWM backups for space.
Edit: as to extracting things from your current nandroid. Not sure if that is possible for one thing it is compressed not sure how that would work unless you are doing a full restore.
Also for future reference with TWRP. When restoring nandroid wipe like your flashing a new rom before restoring.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Mightycaptain said:
Check my post here for twrp 2.5.0.2.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=47275165
You can flash it in your current recovery. It overwrites CWM. I would make sure you have a flashable for CWM just in case you need to go back for some reason. Also the backups between those 2 recoveries are not compatible. But I would nandroid with CWM before flashing twrp. I would also change were you recovery is pointing to for storage to the external SD if you haven't already. After you have cut your current backup and past it there. You can use rom toolbox pro to back up your contacts and restore it once you flash a new ROM.
Now as good advice going forward I would add your contacts to your Google account. That way when you flash new stuff or drop your phone in the toilet as soon as you add your Google account to the phone all those contacts will automatically download. But it is always a good idea to use tibu or rom toolbox pro to back up all your apps and seeing and use that after flashing roms to restore apps and settings.
But honestly I'd nandroid, move my contacts to Google, make app backups. Flash twrp. Then start flashing roms. You could be doing it in an hour. After you flash twrp make another nandroid so you have a twrp compatible backup. Then in a day or so of you are happy with everything delete the CWM backups for space.
Edit: as to extracting things from your current nandroid. Not sure if that is possible for one thing it is compressed not sure how that would work unless you are doing a full restore.
Also for future reference with TWRP. When restoring nandroid wipe like your flashing a new rom before restoring.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks again for your quick response!! I'm glad I checked this first, because I'm in my ROM Toolbox app atm and it has an option to let me install TWRP 2.5.0.2 from within the app itself. Should I do it this way?
I will be adding all contacts to Google from now on. Unfortunately I saved all my stuff to my Verizon backup assistant so I just need one last shot at my phone to save all those contacts (manually, if I must) and be able to enter them onto the new ROM.
By "flash it in your current recovery" I assume you mean download the .zip, place it on my internal /sdcard, and then "flash" it just like I would flash a ROM, right?
I'm sure I have a "flashable" for CWM somewhere but like I said, I haven't done any of this stuff on this phone since I first bought it, and things have changed so much with everyone having OTA's and being locked out that I'm not sure what process is the same or what has changed. I can't afford to lose this phone so I'm hesitant to go balls to the wall to try things.
I will try the things you've listed here. Seems like a nandroid + TiBu + Google Contacts is my best bet to get up and running each time I decide to try a new ROM.
Thanks again!
opethfan89 said:
Hey thanks again for your quick response!! I'm glad I checked this first, because I'm in my ROM Toolbox app atm and it has an option to let me install TWRP 2.5.0.2 from within the app itself. Should I do it this way?
I will be adding all contacts to Google from now on. Unfortunately I saved all my stuff to my Verizon backup assistant so I just need one last shot at my phone to save all those contacts (manually, if I must) and be able to enter them onto the new ROM.
By "flash it in your current recovery" I assume you mean download the .zip, place it on my internal /sdcard, and then "flash" it just like I would flash a ROM, right?
I'm sure I have a "flashable" for CWM somewhere but like I said, I haven't done any of this stuff on this phone since I first bought it, and things have changed so much with everyone having OTA's and being locked out that I'm not sure what process is the same or what has changed. I can't afford to lose this phone so I'm hesitant to go balls to the wall to try things.
I will try the things you've listed here. Seems like a nandroid + TiBu + Google Contacts is my best bet to get up and running each time I decide to try a new ROM.
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understand the hesitancy completely. But with nodding comes risk. It is always about whether you can accept the worst possible outcome.
Rom toolbox pro flashing recovery? I don't know never tried it.
Yes I would download the recovery. Leave it on SD card reboot to recovery and flash like a rom.
Yes nandroid tibu and saving your contacts to Google is the quickest way to get up and running again.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Mightycaptain said:
Understand the hesitancy completely. But with nodding comes risk. It is always about whether you can accept the worst possible outcome.
Rom toolbox pro flashing recovery? I don't know never tried it.
Yes I would download the recovery. Leave it on SD card reboot to recovery and flash like a rom.
Yes nandroid tibu and saving your contacts to Google is the quickest way to get up and running again.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mighty, just wanted to report that flashing TWRP 2.5.0.2 from within ROM Toolbox Pro worked like a charm. I'm on TWRP as we speak.
Thank you so much for your responses. If anyone else has anything to add, or a different response to my questions, please do so! In the meantime, I'm going to try to figure out how to get my nandroid backup working...
Cheers!
*EDIT* Made a backup with TWRP (whose interface is bloody phenomenal, btw), flashed CWM and its working like a charm!! Going to try the st0ckdr0id one as well. Still working on getting that nandroid working so I can recover my stuff and get to customizing!