How do I Completly whipe my phone? I've cleared the cache, and done a factory reset, i've re-flashed with Odin to the stock rom, and yet, when I reboot, and go look under "My Files" , there is still crap there from before ( Most notably, 4 or 5 diffrent folders for Go Locker, Go STore.. etc ).
How do i clean this thing out for a 100% restart?
are the things your seeing on an external SD card?
No. The Directories are ( And i'm ommitting quite a few here, just to give you the idea ).
Android
Application
bluetooth
camera360
...
...
DCIM
external_sd
...
...
...
etc ad nausium..
So since i have the external_sd mount there in the middle, this must be the internal right? WHen I select the external_sd directory, that does contain my external card, and that's fine. I expected that to have stuff on it since i've not formatted it yet.
My DCIM dir still has all the pictures etc in it as well.... ( which I would not have expected since I did a factory wipe, yet there they are too ).
Any idea?
timgt said:
are the things your seeing on an external SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's saying he wants to wipe his internal SD because it has all his app data from previous ROMs/installations (such as stock). He's probably going to a new ROM and wants maximum storage space and getting rid of all the leftover trash.
Exactly. Just want to make sure the wipe is complete or previous issues will just haunt me.
Look in those folders they should be empty.....The phone creates the folders upon turning on (by factory),,those are the essential folders needed...check it out let us know...they should be empty
They all have stuff in them, and many are not from the os. GoLocker, GoLauncher, etc all have dir's there with data in them, all some , those in particular, i don't have loaded. I've not re-loaded anything yet.
Try going here; Settings > Storage > Format USB Storage
Thats the ticket Thank you.
Or in cwm recovery, go to mounts and storage, and format sdcard
clockcycle said:
Try going here; Settings > Storage > Format USB Storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can doing this cause any unwanted and/or unexpected problems?
Nope. It just wipes sdcard storage, like you just took it out of the box
studacris said:
Nope. It just wipes sdcard storage, like you just took it out of the box
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I'm confused about erasing external sdcard storage and/or internal storage.
"Formatting USB Storage" is which one of these?
And which storage location can you get yourself into trouble with "wiping/formatting?
Maybe neither?
Thank you!
Neither as far as I could tell. I did both. The SD Card is just that, your external memory card. The USB is the "user" storage on the phone, so nothing critical there either. Wipe away safely
Neither as mentioned. As long as youre doing it do from the storage settings from within the stock rom's menus. It only wipes your user data on the external sd and internal storage, if you chose to do so. You may lose any programs installed/moved to sd card also.
Going into CWM youre opening yourself a whole 'nother can of worms. I highly do not recommend going this route if you are not 100% sure of what youre doing. You can seriously render your device useless, aka brick (a term used too lightly).
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk
Incorrect.
All you could do in cwm is wipe the os.. In which case just button combo into recovery and flash a ROM.
A Brick is missing or corrupted bootloaders. you cannot format bootloaders in cwm.
And avoiding something because it could be dangerous...instead of taking the maybe 5 minutes to understand what's happening add ya know, actually learn something is just not in the spirit of xda AT ALL.
Read. learn. Try. Share.
Related
Hi everyone,
I've booted into recovery, wiped the dalvick, wiped the cache, wiped the data+factory reset, then installed villain rom,
and sure enough, my /sdcard folder is still full of junk... even though the phone didn't come with an SDCARD (slot is empty, if I add and sdcard it mounts in external_sd).
So i'm wondering, how can you, totally, permanently, irrevocably, delete absolutely everything from the phone, without exception
Thank you!
Input *2767*3855# into dialpad.
This will leave the sd card untouched right? Right now when I install roms I back a few apps up seperately to external, run Ti, then do a nand. I take the whole internal sd and transfer it over to my pc and that is my backup. I have been leaving the sd in with the phones internal wipes and it is untouched. This is what I want, I have my music and wallpapers, ringtones etc there and they can sit through a wipe without being touch and its saves having to move them back onto the phone. Wasn't sure if the hard reset would also wipe the sd card which is why I have been pulling it. I think on my next flash I may just back up the sd card and let fly if no one has tried it yet.
krabman said:
This will leave the sd card untouched right? Right now when I install roms I back a few apps up seperately to external, run Ti, then do a nand. I take the whole internal sd and transfer it over to my pc and that is my backup. I have been leaving the sd in with the phones internal wipes and it is untouched. This is what I want, I have my music and wallpapers, ringtones etc there and they can sit through a wipe without being touch and its saves having to move them back onto the phone. Wasn't sure if the hard reset would also wipe the sd card which is why I have been pulling it. I think on my next flash I may just back up the sd card and let fly if no one has tried it yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will wipe everything apart from your external SD Card! It will be like the device came from the factory.
Yes, this is why I do it and I knew that, I like a completely fresh start on a new rom and Ti makes it pretty painless. I just wasn't sure if it also wiped/formatted the sd card which is what I don't want. This way I can leave all my music and such there that just moves from one rom to the next and not have to mess with it so this is exactly what I was hoping to hear.
Well looks like my thread was highjacked :-(
I'm trying to delete everything, including the SD
cigaro78 said:
I'm trying to delete everything, including the SD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just format the SD card manually.
Thats what i do format SD card via |Windows .
Plus for overkill via CWM advanced format system sd card etc .
jje
Will This un root my phone ?
cigaro78 said:
Well looks like my thread was highjacked :-(
I'm trying to delete everything, including the SD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is kind of what I suggested the hard reset will do. It will wipe everything!
did you try this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6948568&postcount=6
this will really wipe everything, including internal storage
Hi
I just transferred ALL pics and movies from phone memory to my external card thats 8 GB.
Still it says my phone have 6GB free of 11GB..
So 5 GB are used on what??
Have tried cache cleaners of many kinds but they dont delete much..Maybe 5 MB.
So im wondering why the phone memory take so much GB when im not able to see it anywhere.
Under phone i have a lot of folders,but it dont seem like they are big.
Whats the best thing to do to get more memory on the phone?
Formating?
Well I don't know what you want but if you press *2767*3855# then the phone will do a Factory Reset (All data on Phone memory will be wiped clean, setting and other stuffs too). Remove your SD Card before doing it.
Regards.
ithehappy said:
Well I don't know what you want but if you press *2767*3855# then the phone will do a Factory Reset (All data on Phone memory will be wiped clean, setting and other stuffs too). Remove your SD Card before doing it.
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok.Just think its strange the phone take 5 GB on nothing i can see..
What happens to my backup i made on CWC?
And is this the same kind of factory reset i do in settings-private-?
I can reset to factory there to..
Cache is stored on the data partition not on the sd card so that won't help. Have you already rebooted and check the (hidden) files/folders in /mnt?
2GB for the system/user data.
And loads of other small partitions for cache's, boot loader, modem, etcetc.
Also look at this thread which has all the answers you want.
TheGhost1233 said:
Cache is stored on the data partition not on the sd card so that won't help. Have you already rebooted and check the (hidden) files/folders in /mnt?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No..Dont know how to do it.My first android
Hey
my phone (running CM9) thinks that I have 0.90gb free out of 11.36 of total storage space.
I actually have about 7Gb. ( I can see it: apps+pictures+downloads+audio)
something is wrong...
anybody has any idea how to fix?
thanks!
READ THE FAQ's on the ROM's thread....
this is standard on CM9 and AOKP. go to storage under system settings, tap the menu button and change the storage configuration to "use internal storage".
I know I dont care for this either. It also causes issues will some apps that look for a standard file system, and are unaware of the /emmc folder. But I find both CM9 and AOKP ROM's far superior to others, so I just put up with it
Thanks dude but the thing is that it's already on "use internal storage" but yet the issue persists....
Plug phone into PC. Backup all data to PC. Format SD card. Put data back on. Profit. Well at least it seems to have helped some. I don't use external SD cards but I've read this fix has worked.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
Hey dude.
I don't use the external sd card.
the problem is in my internal memory
K. Same solution, using internal storage. Take everything u want to keep (pics and vids) off then wipe that thing clean.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
problem
i have a similar question, my i777 send me the error: E: can't mount /emmc/ , and that happens when i try to enter to the internal sd, not load my OS, also not work the reinstall os, i also install the previews os version same issue, use cwm 5.0.2.3 and that is the only way i'm able to access the recovery-
Hi all. I'd really really like to delete all my internal memory before trying my next custom rom!!!
As I search for different custom roms to try it drives me a bit nuts that my internal memory has loads of stuff left there from previous installs of apps, ROMS and whatever-the-hell-else-I-can't-recognise etc. I delete the folders I'm sure I don't need but it still bugs me the amount of rogue, seemingly uneeded folders and files sitting there. All these folders and files from old apps despite doing the standard factory reset, cache, dalvik cache steps makes me crazy!
So here's my question: can how can I safely nuke all my internal memory before putting my next custom ROM on to try?
I suppose I'll I have to leave the actual custom ROM .zip on the internal memory somewhere - I've read that clockwork recovery can't access the external sd card. I was sure clockwork recovery could access the external sd card on my old Nexus 1. .
Anyways, any advice would be much appreciated! I'd like to avoid software bricking my phone if I can avoid it!!!
If you are on stock Rom > turn off your device > hold volume up+ home + power till it boots into android recovery.. perform a data wipe from there.. it'll wipe everything (not the external storage).. your phone will be like it was when u bought it.
And older versions of the official clockworkmod recoveries don't support external storage. Newer version do I think. ( needs clarification!!).
Alternatively you can also use chainfire's clockworkmod recovery. It supports external storage.
(Note: clockworkmod recovery only wipe the system partition. All your personal data will be intact.. but the stock android recovery wipes everything!!)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Thanks for the reply!
Unfrotunately I'm long gone from having a stock recovery. I have "clockworkmod recovery v5.8.4.3" although I'm not sure whether it's the chainfire one or the other one. It has the hat with the circle icon in it and is the blue monochrome menus. While it does have an option to mount an external sd, I can't seem to browse to my external sd when I choose install zip from sd card. Despite whichever folders I mount on the external sd card, only my internal memory appears to come up when browsing for install zip from sd card.
It would be nice if one of the recoveries out there could do a full wipe of internal memory! Unless that would delete the recovery too. Is recovery installed in the internal memory or somewhere else on the galaxy s3?
Bump! Not just because I like my post at the top but seriously, don't all those silly, un-necessary folders and files drive anyone else crazy!!!! Maybe I'm just getting a bit OCD... I've even tried a bunch of cleaner apps but to no avail. Damn apps not cleaning up after themselves...
Try this
*2767*3855#
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
If you know a script called "superwipe"recommended for flashing new CustomRoms, flash this script in clockworkmod recovery menu by choosing instal zip from SD CARD,and the internal memory will be completely vanished,while the EXTERNALSDCARD stays Untouched.
if i helped you feel free to press thanks!!
LargePiece said:
Bump! Not just because I like my post at the top but seriously, don't all those silly, un-necessary folders and files drive anyone else crazy!!!! Maybe I'm just getting a bit OCD... I've even tried a bunch of cleaner apps but to no avail. Damn apps not cleaning up after themselves...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Megawipe script from the General Section..search it there..put it on your extsdcard and flash via CWM..all you data will be wiped just the extsdcard will be left..
Well chainfire's 5.5.0.4 CWM recovery "1.5" loads from my external sd card instead so assuming I have my ROM files on there, I should be able to use that script without bricking my phone! Wish me luck! Lol. Thanks for the help.
Hi
I've just done a factory reset using Titanium Backup and the Nova Launcher backup system. It was a complete disaster (well, maybe not complete--I needed the cleanup) as neither of the backups functioned correctly and I lost all my apps, etc. After restoring from scratch, I did a bit of research. By default, both Titanium and Nova backups were saved to sdcard0 (as opposed to externalsdcard). I'm a relative newbie to the S3, but I think sdcard0 is the internal phone storage and therefore wiped when I did the factory reset. Am I correct?
If so, I have to wonder why both backups defaulted to this storage location. I've since moved both folders to external sd card and changed the backup paths on both apps. To preclude similar disasters, can I rename the somewhat confusing sdcard0 to something more recognisable (internal or phone storage seems reasonable) or would this cause more mayhem?
If I'm completely out to lunch with all of this, can someone educate me on the mysteries of the S3's storage configuration
Thanks in advance
Warthog
Hmm ...
Warthog01 said:
...
If so, I have to wonder why both backups defaulted to this storage location. I've since moved both folders to external sd card and changed the backup paths on both apps. To preclude similar disasters, can I rename the somewhat confusing sdcard0 to something more recognisable (internal or phone storage seems reasonable) or would this cause more mayhem?
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The default is there since there are phones which have no extSDcard (the very cheap Android models and going up to Nexus and even more expensive models).
Do not rename anything - just remember that extSDcard (or the SECOND card that you get to see) is the 'removable' one.
Also note that even sdcard0 is not wiped by "normal wiping", and you probably issued a specific command in recovery or something in order to reformat that!
xclub_101 said:
The default is there since there are phones which have no extSDcard (the very cheap Android models and going up to Nexus and even more expensive models).
Do not rename anything - just remember that extSDcard (or the SECOND card that you get to see) is the 'removable' one.
Also note that even sdcard0 is not wiped by "normal wiping", and you probably issued a specific command in recovery or something in order to reformat that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks, XClub!
I certainly don't remember issuing any command that would have reformatted the sdcard0, but you never know. Was I right in redirecting both backups to the extSDcard?
At some time you have flashed an Aosp 4.2.x Rom or the 4.2.1 leak.
As this has facility for users your sd card is formatted to accommodate different user data via an emulated set up.
To get things back to normal on 4.1.2 I suggest backing up your sd card and formatting it in settings/storage.
Hi Slaphead and thanks
I had to chuckle at your reply, because I wouldn't know how to flash a ROM (or a leak) if you took me by the hand to show me
Surely that's not something I could have done inadvertently? Anyway, if you're suggesting I backup and format the SD Card, can you give me a couple pointers so I don't screw it up somehow?
Cheers
Warthog
Warthog01 said:
Hi Slaphead and thanks
I had to chuckle at your reply, because I wouldn't know how to flash a ROM (or a leak) if you took me by the hand to show me
Surely that's not something I could have done inadvertently? Anyway, if you're suggesting I backup and format the SD Card, can you give me a couple pointers so I don't screw it up somehow?
Cheers
Warthog
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry,I read in haste!
Titanium does default to storing on internal sd, so a factory reset would wipe the backup, ditto nova launcher, so in titanium set folder to backup to external sd, no need to worry too much about nova as the titanium backup of it will restore its layout.
Apologies for the confusion, my fault!
Thanks again--I've already set up Titanium to back up to external card, so the next time I contemplate a factory reset, I can do so without fear!! :fingers-crossed:
yeah, and next time ask in the correct section
Glebun said:
yeah, and next time ask in the correct section
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try--hope you have a better day tomorrow (and, oh, dear, I forgot to hit Thanks)