Wiping Boot before Flashing ROMs? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I was interested in using this script because I used it on my Nexus S and it was highly recommended:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1365158
It wipes /data, /cache, /boot, and /system.
I noticed that in CWM on my Nexus S I could go to Mounts/Storage and wipe /system and /boot. I usually do a factory reset also to cover /data and /cache.
Now on the SGS2, I noticed most recoveries only have wipe /system. What accounts for this difference? Is it bad to wipe /boot on our SGS2?

Yes. Don't touch bootloader unless you have a specific reason for doing same. If you wipe/trash/bork your bootloader there's a fair chance you'll hard brick your phone & need it JTAG'd.
dmo580 said:
Now on the SGS2, I noticed most recoveries only have wipe /system. What accounts for this difference? Is it bad to wipe /boot on our SGS2?
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/boot contains the bootloader?
how come it gets wiped on other phones like the Nexus S?

Related

[Q] Complete wipe

Back in the Cappy days, before I'd flash a ROM I'd always use the OneClick back to stock and do a master clear. Always gave me piece of mind that there wasn't anything lingering around that's going to jack up my ROM flash. I really don't use that many apps and can dump my pix/music/vids back on with a quick drag and drop so it wasn't a process. Is there an equivalent of a 'Master Clear' for the SGSII? I'm pretty sure all it did was do a format of the internal SD, so is the CWM format just the same?
Yes. I always do a factory reset plus clear cache. If you do those before you flash it you will be good to go.
It doesn't delete any files from the USB storage.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Right, but I want to wipe all user data too. Can CWM do the same thing that the ODIN OneClick Master Clear did?
bigblue95z said:
Right, but I want to wipe all user data too. Can CWM do the same thing that the ODIN OneClick Master Clear did?
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master clear is not necessary.
in CWM, if you select:
wipe data/factory reset
that will wipe all of your /data and /cache partition
you can format SD card also, but it is not needed.
there is nothing outside of /data, /cache, dalvik cache, and /system that could 'mess' with your newly installed rom.
/system will get wiped when you load a new rom, and every rom script should include formatting dalvik-cache as part of the procedure. wiping data should be up to the user, because if moving from version 1.2 to 1.3 of the same rom, there should be no need to format data.....
the cappy (GS1) was different. the one click to stock was to reset the partitioning scheme that voodoo performed and to set the filesystem back to factory for the next rom flash.
with the GS2, samsung realized that RFS was a horrible filesystem and they went with the standard EXT style formatting. one click and master clear are a thing of the past now. you can try to justify the 'want' for a master clear, but i can assure you, nothing is lingering that can jack with your flash
Pirateghost said:
master clear is not necessary.
in CWM, if you select:
wipe data/factory reset
that will wipe all of your /data and /cache partition
you can format SD card also, but it is not needed.
there is nothing outside of /data, /cache, dalvik cache, and /system that could 'mess' with your newly installed rom.
/system will get wiped when you load a new rom, and every rom script should include formatting dalvik-cache as part of the procedure. wiping data should be up to the user, because if moving from version 1.2 to 1.3 of the same rom, there should be no need to format data.....
the cappy (GS1) was different. the one click to stock was to reset the partitioning scheme that voodoo performed and to set the filesystem back to factory for the next rom flash.
with the GS2, samsung realized that RFS was a horrible filesystem and they went with the standard EXT style formatting. one click and master clear are a thing of the past now. you can try to justify the 'want' for a master clear, but i can assure you, nothing is lingering that can jack with your flash
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Good point about the file system difference. Just remember stuff not acting right jumping from ROM to ROM with the Cappy and wanted to avoid that on the SGSII. Thanks for the info.
Pirateghost said:
master clear is not necessary.
in CWM, if you select:
wipe data/factory reset
that will wipe all of your /data and /cache partition
you can format SD card also, but it is not needed.
there is nothing outside of /data, /cache, dalvik cache, and /system that could 'mess' with your newly installed rom.
/system will get wiped when you load a new rom, and every rom script should include formatting dalvik-cache as part of the procedure. wiping data should be up to the user, because if moving from version 1.2 to 1.3 of the same rom, there should be no need to format data.....
the cappy (GS1) was different. the one click to stock was to reset the partitioning scheme that voodoo performed and to set the filesystem back to factory for the next rom flash.
with the GS2, samsung realized that RFS was a horrible filesystem and they went with the standard EXT style formatting. one click and master clear are a thing of the past now. you can try to justify the 'want' for a master clear, but i can assure you, nothing is lingering that can jack with your flash
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Click to collapse
You are awesome dude! Just got my s2 last night and spent a majority of it going through forums trying to find an Odin one clickk to stock like the cappy had. Was nervousness about rooting and flashing cause of the flash counter deal, and if I Bork my phone, how to get it back to the original condition. I still have a ton of reading to do. But I feel better after reading posts like these very informative:-D
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
kamots said:
You are awesome dude! Just got my s2 last night and spent a majority of it going through forums trying to find an Odin one clickk to stock like the cappy had. Was nervousness about rooting and flashing cause of the flash counter deal, and if I Bork my phone, how to get it back to the original condition. I still have a ton of reading to do. But I feel better after reading posts like these very informative:-D
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
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$1.25 jig, Root/ wipe cache, wipe data/factory reset > install ROM/CWM/kernel etc. happy times.

[Q] Need to format /boot but how?

It first started when I flashed an ICS rom. Thereafter I have been unable to get working any other roms. I read somewhere that I need to format /system /boot /cache /data partitions. /boot makes sense because any other rom that I flash hangs on the HTC splash screen. But here is my problem, I cannot find an option in TWRP 2.0 for formatting /boot. I have flashed CWM 4.0.1.4 and same thing, no option for format /boot. How can I format /boot?
the superwipe ZIPs that are floating around the forum should be able to do it, alternatively, I think it can also be done from fastboot, somebody who knows more than me should be able to confirm it.
The fastboot command to erase boot is:
Code:
fastboot erase boot
But i dont know why you should have to do all that. Should be sufficient to clear data and flash a new rom, they all include boot.img files.
Eighteen90 said:
It first started when I flashed an ICS rom. Thereafter I have been unable to get working any other roms. I read somewhere that I need to format /system /boot /cache /data partitions. /boot makes sense because any other rom that I flash hangs on the HTC splash screen. But here is my problem, I cannot find an option in TWRP 2.0 for formatting /boot. I have flashed CWM 4.0.1.4 and same thing, no option for format /boot. How can I format /boot?
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Flash CWM 5.0.2.0 via ROM Manager and you can wipe your boot partition from there. Just please do be careful, formatting boot is NEVER usually a good idea unless the partition has become corrupt. Have you tried wiping dalvik cache along with system, data, cache, and battery stats? I'd give that a try beforehand. Good luck, mate.
Sent from a Shooter running Android 4.0.3 via XDA Premium.

[Q] Just got a Galaxy S2 today - Question about Wipes in Clockworkmod

I've had a ZTE Blade for a year and whenever I flashed a new rom, i'd boot into clockwork and wipe dalvik, battery stats in the advanced tab.
then i'd go to mounts and storage and wipe /system, /data, /cache and /boot followed by data/factory reset and cache in the main menu to make sure the system was completely minty fresh before i flashed.
just looking at clockworkmod for the S2 and i was wondering if there's a similarly recommended set of wipes ?
as far as i can see, it appears to be Wipe Data and Factory Reset, Wipe Cache and install - is that really it or would it help to do the /system, /data and /cache in the mounts and storage menu as well ?
thanks in advance
Wipe /system, /data /cache and dalvik cache. That should be enough (what I've been doing since april )
Force Close said:
Wipe /system, /data /cache and dalvik cache. That should be enough (what I've been doing since april )
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Thanks. I've just flashed the resurrection remix rom and only wiped dalvik, data/factory and cache and everything seems to have installed fine and is running ok so far - probably because i came from the stock ICS rom i suppose.
i'll remember that in the future though, thanks
hankhandsome said:
Thanks. I've just flashed the resurrection remix rom and only wiped dalvik, data/factory and cache and everything seems to have installed fine and is running ok so far - probably because i came from the stock ICS rom i suppose.
i'll remember that in the future though, thanks
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In advanced there is fix permissions too. You can use it if it gets buggy.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Formatting system is a good habit
hankhandsome said:
Thanks. I've just flashed the resurrection remix rom and only wiped dalvik, data/factory and cache and everything seems to have installed fine and is running ok so far - probably because i came from the stock ICS rom i suppose.
i'll remember that in the future though, thanks
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atifsh said:
Formatting system is a good habit
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Hi, this is my 1st post but have been flashing almost daily for around 4 months. Ok so here's my uber anal method
Wipe data/reset. (x3)
Wipe cache
Wipe dalvik cache/battery stats
Format cache/system/data
Flash rom
(if dual booting flash kernel cleaning script then flash compatible kernel)
Reboot/set phone up Google accounts etc/Reboot. Then wait at least 5 mins for rom to settle. Enjoy!
This imo is a full wipe which I use regardless of whatever rom I'm flashing. I know some installs you can get away without full wipes but for peace of mind I use this method. It can be a pain setting up a fresh install but with using TB & launcher restores it can be done in less than 20 minutes. Good luck

Blowing in the cartridge

How much of the ritual of rom management is actually necessary and how much is just passed on wisdom based ultimately on nothing? Is there really any benefit to wiping a partition more than once, fo example? Some people suggest all sorts of voodoo to make sure a rom gets installed right and everyone is quick to blame a failure to follow the ritual perfectly for any shortcomings of the rom.
Just curious. Either way - it is interesting to have these flashing rituals. The ritual is different for each device.
Steps to flashing ROM -
1. Wipe all partitions ONCE (but make sure you wipe them all).
2. Flash ROM first, flash gapps if not included, then flash any other zips of apps/mods/whatever else that you need.
3. Done.
A lot of the tips that people give are misleading. You DO NOT need to wipe more than once. When you format a flash drive on your computer, do you format it 2-3 times just 'to make sure everything is wiped' or do you just format it once? Same thing for the NAND flash memory of phones/tablets. One format of the partitions will wipe them clean.
There's no such thing as a wait time for 'letting the ROM settle in'. You flash a ROM, reboot, wait for dalvik cache to rebuild, wait a minute or two after boot for all the auto-start apps to load (especially if you have a single core phone with low RAM) and use away.
You don't have to wipe cache+dalvik cache each time you flash an update of your ROM. Android automatically detects which apks have changed and rebuilds the dalvik cache only for them, rather than unnecessarily deleting the whole dalvik cache and rebuilding the same stuff again. Google 'android auto dexopt-ing' for more info.
You don't have to wipe cache+dalvik after flashing a new kernel, because those are for apps and aren't related to kernel.
The correct wiping order is -
1. Format /boot
2. Format /system
3. Format /data
4. Format /cache
Some devices have additional partitions so you would need to format them too if necessary, but for most devices these are the standard partitions to wipe. Some recoveries have a 'format all partitions (except SD card)' option which does all this at once, most recoveries require you to format them manually. In most recoveries, the option for formatting data is called 'Format data/Factory Reset'. This does the same thing as running Factory Reset in the phone settings, i.e. it formats /data and /cache. So depending on your recovery, you might not need to format /cache after formatting /data. Many people advise to format dalvik cache after formatting data. This is completely unnecessary. Dalvik cache is just a folder in /data and in /cache, so when you format /data and /cache or do a factory reset, it is wiped too. If you wipe dalvik cache after formatting those partitions already, you're doing nothing other than deleting a non-existent folder.
You don't need to 'calibrate' the battery after a new ROM flash. Battery calibration as it is called does nothing but delete a system file called batterystats.bin which contains info about the running apps, percent of battery they use and the battery history. This file is anyway reset whenever you charge the device fully, so you're essentially 'calibrating' your device each time you fully charge it.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/105051985738280261832/posts/FV3LVtdVxPT
Last one, you don't need to fix permissions each time you flash a ROM/ROM update. Only run it if you're getting a lot of app FCs.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
I agree with Sashank, use the order but personally (again my own personal preference) I boot the ROM first after flashing ROM /or GApps then I reboot back into recovery to flash anything that needs to be flashed. Also when using 4EXT Recovery (preferred/best recovery for our Desire HD) there's an option to wipe all partitions except for SD Crad, I usually use that 3 time to make sure my device is as clean as possible

Complete wipe, I mean everything, question

So after years of flashing roms, installing apps, saving junk to my phone I think it is time to completely wipe it. I've searched and come across a few threads but I want to look at some of the CWM Mounts and storage options to be sure. Here is one I came across:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2/general/ref-cwm-clockworkmode-menu-options-t1542857
If I wanted to do a compete wipe including all internal SD data, but not lose Root, I would do the following???
wipe data / factory reset
wipe cache partition
wipe dallvik cache
format /system
format /cache
format /data
format /preload (unsure about this one, can't find info)
format /storage/sdcard0
install rom then from my ext sdcard1
install gapps then from my ext sdcard1
reboot into a clean phone and start installing stuff again.
That should be enough correct? I'm not sure where CWM Recovery lives but I would assume that would be on the /boot partition and that is the one section that I don't want to format, correct? I'm also not sure of where the modem is set/installed and would that need to be reinstalled again?
With this device, recovery lives with the kernel in the boot partition. Everytime you install a kernel, a fresh image is installed to the partition.
I'm not sure what your actual goal is, but the process you've outlined process is very redundant.
factory reset wipes /data & /cache (which includes dalvik-cache)
A factory reset plus manually wiping /system (and /preload if using samsung-based firmware) promises a clean installation of ANYTHING.
jackal2001 said:
[...]
If I wanted to do a compete wipe including all internal SD data, but not lose Root, I would do the following???
wipe data / factory reset
wipe cache partition
wipe dallvik cache
format /system
format /cache
format /data
format /preload (unsure about this one, can't find info)
format /storage/sdcard0
install rom then from my ext sdcard1
install gapps then from my ext sdcard1
reboot into a clean phone and start installing stuff again.
That should be enough correct? I'm not sure where CWM Recovery lives but I would assume that would be on the /boot partition and that is the one section that I don't want to format, correct? I'm also not sure of where the modem is set/installed and would that need to be reinstalled again?
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I want to have a fresh install. Basically wipe everything including whatever junk is installed on the SD card. Like a new phone pulled out of the box. I'm sure there is tons of junk on the SD card due to apps being installed/uninstalled over the years.
Yes I understand some of the options may be redundant, but it only takes a second.
So as long as I don't "format /boot" you saying that should be OK?
If you prefer to take the extra steps, then I don't see any harm in your procedure.
It may seem obvious, but make sure you have everything you'll need on that ext-sd card, before you format /system.
mr.cook has some scripts that will format preload, if the option isn't present in your recovery.
jackal2001 said:
I want to have a fresh install. Basically wipe everything including whatever junk is installed on the SD card. Like a new phone pulled out of the box. I'm sure there is tons of junk on the SD card due to apps being installed/uninstalled over the years.
Yes I understand some of the options may be redundant, but it only takes a second.
So as long as I don't "format /boot" you saying that should be OK?
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