[Q] Newly rooted. What to do? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note I717

Samsung galaxy note i717. I rooted my phone yesterday as I also updated from 4.0.4 to 4.1.2. I have learned a few things about roms, kernels, backing up, restoring, etc.
I have SUPER SU, titanium backup, and ROM manager.
I understand that all rooted phones must have a SU to grant apps access to the software.
As for titanium backup, I have deleted bloatware and backed up and verified all of my information. I also bought the pro version of titanium backup. But for the Rom manager, I'm not too sure how to use that yet. I guess Titanium is for backing up and restoring, and ROM manager is for downloading the new rom?
To get a new rom (someone please recommend one to me? Specifically for good battery life and a customizable UI)
So you have to download it from the computer, then move to your SD card. Afterwards, the computer part is done right? How do you get the phone in the mode to put in the new rom? And do you have to wipe the stock rom first?
Someone please please recommend me a rom and tell me step by step how to do it without bricking my phone... And to restore everything back.
Thank you thank you

I can't say which ROM to use because there is no need for another "best rom" thread.
Just pick one that you think would work well for you. Most CM ROMs have pretty good theming capabilities but being dead honest, any ROM located on XDA would do the trick so research and try a few.
However, you can download the ROM from the thread in the development section and move it with a file explorer to the root of the sd card. Finally there, follow the steps outlined in the thread specific to flashing that particular ROM. They are fairly straight forward.
Make certain the first thing you do is make a backup! Backup backup backup! That way you have options if things go wonky.
If the steps do not make sense on how to flash a ROM, come back here and feel free to ask. Same for restoring a backup. However I will say I have little experience restoring to full stock via Odin, so someone else may need to chime in.
Good luck and happy flashing
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app

Related

[Q] HowTo : flash roms ?

sorry in advance if this is the wrong place for this....
i can't find out what i need to by doing forum searches and maybe this could help someone else too..
...and feel free to redirect me to another thread for some specifics.
any way i have my phone rooted and running kaos froyo v24
what do i need to do to best try other roms, or just update to v30?
how do i flash ? - and how do i know when to do a full wipe? - and what does that entail(should i do a backup , and does the back up need to be on my computer,not my phone?)
could flashing other roms make my current one unstable?
and lastly .....will i lose all my apps and contacts and stuff with each flash or full wipe?
any clarification on these matters would be awesome.
and thanks so much everyone..... you have given me a better phone
brendan
This would be better placed in Q&A, but I will be happy to help you. All you need to do to flash another rom is what you did for the first one. To move up from one version of a rom to another, you don't need to wipe unless the instructions specify you to do so. But when in doubt, wipe. That is if you dont mind losing all of your saved data. But when going to a new rom, then wiping is a must. Yes, you will lose all apps and contacts for each wipe. No, your phone will not be unstable because of the flash, though if the rom has bugs then it could be. Hope this helps
I suggest installing titanium backup from the market. It allows you to save your current apps and data to be reinstalled on your new rom.
Before flashing a new rom, create a nandroid of your current rom by holding vol up + power. Scroll to backup/restore and create the nand. If for any reason you dont like the new rom, you can wipe data, dalvik, and ext (if your sd card is partitioned) and restore the nand. Your phone will be exactly like before.
To flash a new rom, save the file to the root of your sd card (not in any folder), do a wipe if your going to a new rom or if you have problems updating the old one, and flash the file you downloaded. If your updating the same rom the developer will tell you if you need to wipe or not.
FYI- Nands are saved on your sd card in the nandroid folder. You dont need to mess with them. When you restore, amon ra will look in that folder for you. Don't rename your recoveries like I did and render them useless.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
And your contacts should be resynced when you flash a new rom as long as you're using Gmail and allowing it to backup.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
awesome !!!
thanks so much guys!

Installing Roms...

I just had a couple of questions about the whole ROMS and how to install them. I have my Vibrant rooted but I'm still not 100% sure how to root. What I looked up online is the following:
1-Use ROM manager to download recover image.
2-Download ROM and save it on the SD.
3-Boot into recovery (1st question can I boot into recovery through ROM manager or do I have to do it the manual way?)
4-Select option reinstall packages which take you to the ClockWork Recovery
5-Wipe date from phone (2nd question I've heard about NANDROID back ups but what exactly are they and what do they do? If i make a nandroid back up then wipe will I still be able to restore my phone to its previous condition through this back up?
6-install .zip from SD and Voila you have ROM.
So aside from the two obvious questions I just want to know if I have the correct steps?
The help would be greatly appreciated thank you!
ibuddha said:
I just had a couple of questions about the whole ROMS and how to install them. I have my Vibrant rooted but I'm still not 100% sure how to root. What I looked up online is the following:
1-Use ROM manager to download recover image.
2-Download ROM and save it on the SD.
3-Boot into recovery (1st question can I boot into recovery through ROM manager or do I have to do it the manual way?)
4-Select option reinstall packages which take you to the ClockWork Recovery
5-Wipe date from phone (2nd question I've heard about NANDROID back ups but what exactly are they and what do they do? If i make a nandroid back up then wipe will I still be able to restore my phone to its previous condition through this back up?
6-install .zip from SD and Voila you have ROM.
So aside from the two obvious questions I just want to know if I have the correct steps?
The help would be greatly appreciated thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Yes Rom Manager will let you boot directly into clockwork recovery.
2) Yes Nandroid will make a complete backup of your phone software and apps installed, so when you restore a backup it will be the same as when you backed it up.
3) Make your nandroid before wiping anything! Other wise your steps are ok.
Awesome!! And I can make the nandroid back up from clock work right? Also can I move the back up to like a usb or do I have to keep it on the phone?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Yes, you use clockwork to make the nandroid bakup. And if you like you can store the backup on your USB drive. Just copy the folder over and you will be all good. You only have to have the backup on the phone if you intend to restore a backup.
Whats great about Clockwork and Nandroid which works well with Clockwork is I have my stock rom all the way to my current. I just keep making backups and I restore if I want to compare. I have the following on my phone.
Stock
Vibrant4
Vibrant5
Vibrant6
Vibrant7
When I get a Rom just the way I like it I make a backup of it so if/when I have to leave it and possibly come back to it I just flash it. Also I would recommend Titanium Backup so you can backup your apps and reload them even if you go back on a rom. Makes reloading settings easier in your apps too.
Ok, so I just made a back up using rom mangers back up rom feature, am I supposed to specifically look for something that says "nandroid"?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
You will only see "nandroid" if you boot your phone into clockwork recovery.
And, no, you don't specifically need to look for it.
aksoutherland said:
Yes, you use clockwork to make the nandroid bakup. And if you like you can store the backup on your USB drive. Just copy the folder over and you will be all good. You only have to have the backup on the phone if you intend to restore a backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't you want to keep your backup somewhere NOT on the phone? Because if you brick your phone, or corrupt it or something, wouldn't you have a tough time restoring with your backup file? I don't really get it.
Well I've done it I tried out Eugenes Vibrant Hybrid ROM and it was nice but I'll just wait for something else later on. my only question is once you install a ROM i would have had to DL all my apps again which is gay...
anyway i used Rom manager to create my back up of my stock build after playing with Eugene's ROM for a bit I restored my back up like a G.
I LOVE ANDROID!!!
ibuddha said:
Well I've done it I tried out Eugenes Vibrant Hybrid ROM and it was nice but I'll just wait for something else later on. my only question is once you install a ROM i would have had to DL all my apps again which is gay...
anyway i used Rom manager to create my back up of my stock build after playing with Eugene's ROM for a bit I restored my back up like a G.
I LOVE ANDROID!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice work. I'm not quite there yet. So, you used ROM manager to restore to your nandroid backup?
Also, I think a lot of people use titanium back-up to back up all their apps.
Dang...
Thanks for the post! Now I remember how I did it!
trunkstar1 said:
Nice work. I'm not quite there yet. So, you used ROM manager to restore to your nandroid backup?
Also, I think a lot of people use titanium back-up to back up all their apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I loaded Eugene's ROM and played around with out a bit, then I downloaded rom manager from the market and restored the back up I saved on my sd. It was quick and painless.
jshuford said:
Thanks for the post! Now I remember how I did it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I could help although I'm not sure how I did but sweet. I thought titanium back up was just another way of doing the back up stuff.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Well...
After having just received my shiny new Vibrant... I just couldn't wait to F*$k with it!
I had been reading through the posts on this forum for several day's and went for it!
I kinda remember how/what I did and you just filled in the blanks.
So...Thank you
ibuddha said:
Well I've done it I tried out Eugenes Vibrant Hybrid ROM and it was nice but I'll just wait for something else later on. my only question is once you install a ROM i would have had to DL all my apps again which is gay..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gay? fine by me
1. Make a nandroid backup using clockworkrecoverymod.
2. Copy the entire backup directory to your PC for "just in case" scenarios.
3. Make a backup of your user installed apps using Titanium backup, and copy it over to your PC.
4. Download the ROM (i.e. Eugene's Vibrant9.zip) to your internal SD card.
5. Boot into clockworkrecovery (I use ROM Manager for that)
6. Install ROM.zip from SD card
7. Reboot into normal boot.
8. Verify the basic functionality of the phone, and make sure your satisfaction level goes a notch up.
9. Download Titanium backup from the market and install it.
10. Restore Titanium backup.
11. Crack a beer, enjoy your accomplishments, and DO NOT ask when CM6 comes rolling around
lqaddict said:
1. Make a nandroid backup using clockworkrecoverymod.
2. Copy the entire backup directory to your PC for "just in case" scenarios.
3. Make a backup of your user installed apps using Titanium backup, and copy it over to your PC.
4. Download the ROM (i.e. Eugene's Vibrant9.zip) to your internal SD card.
5. Boot into clockworkrecovery (I use ROM Manager for that)
6. Install ROM.zip from SD card
7. Reboot into normal boot.
8. Verify the basic functionality of the phone, and make sure your satisfaction level goes a notch up.
9. Download Titanium backup from the market and install it.
10. Restore Titanium backup.
11. Crack a beer, enjoy your accomplishments, and DO NOT ask when CM6 comes rolling around
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In regards to titanium backup... do you need the DONATE version to restore the apps properly. OR will they restore with all our data, but just not link the market? Thanks in advance!
Any way to get into clockwork recovery without rom manager or if the phone isn't booting up at all? I guess I could always leave an update.zip of clockwork mod on the phone. Is that what everyone else does?
GameOver69 said:
In regards to titanium backup... do you need the DONATE version to restore the apps properly. OR will they restore with all our data, but just not link the market? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a paid version, I don't think you would need the full version to properly restore the backup. I used it once to flash a different ROM, and I didn't have to re-purchase Titanium Backup again, I don't believe so.
Well every one tells me that the paid version of titanium is better because it updates your apps straight from the market or something like that. I just downloaded the paid version so I'll let you know how that works out.
Sent from my EFFIN' AWESOME Samsung Galaxy S/Vibrant
You can also pack the backed up user apps into update.zip and re-install the packages from the recovery, so no need to re-download the Titanium Backup, it should be there once you re-install packages from the recovery after booting into your new ROM.

[Q] roms

i just recently rooted my droid eris, i've had it for about a year and had the latest ota update. I did the one click root and now i'm currently running the vanilla tazz rom. I noticed there is a new gingerbread cynogenmod, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=944430 and i'd like to to run that rom, is there anything i should know from switching from one rom to another? Or any other advice anyone might have would be useful as well. Thanks
1. I would download Titanium backup from the market. Instructions for its use can be found on its official page. Backup your apps but not your settings using Titanium Backup.
2. In the link I'm about to give you insert this step after step 4:
(step 4.5) On the recovery screen use the volume down button to select "make nandroid backup option". Make nandroid backup by depressing trackball.
3. Here is the link with info on copying ROMs
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=How_to_copy_a_ROM_to_your_Eris
4. If you experience serious problems with your new configuration, you can always reboot to recovery and use the nandroid restore option to revert back to your previous ROM.
5. You can use Titanium Backup to restore your apps to the new ROM.
Best of luck to you.
I'm sure you have read this and done it having a new ROM ànd all but after completion of your NAND backup it can't be said enough to do your wipes prior to flashing. Follow directions in the thread for the custom ROM but just to be safe I always wipe data and dalvik unless instructed specifically not to do so. Also, depending on your SD storage capacity I always keep extra copies of the ROM I have and the one I'm flashing but you definitely not necessary esp with a nandroid backup. I'm just always flashing and it can't hurt.
Also you may need to enable USB toggle in recovery and delete 'android secure' folder. I guess my best advice anyone can give is follow the directions in the ROMs thread I didn't look to see which it was. If you are unclear on anything before flash wait until you are sure. Hope we helped. I'm still learning every day.
sent with FR$H lemunz

[Q] First time installing custom ROM on S4 - Thoughts & Questions

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!

[Q] FTF backup of a "modified official rom"? / CWM x Rom Manager

Hello everyone!!
I know it's not the subject, but this being my first time posting here let me start by thanking all of the developers and collaborators for the great works in this community! I have already benefited from a few tutorials and files disposed here, so thanks for everything so far! :good:
Back to the subject now =)
Although I am using an official rom in my Xperia Neo, 2.3.4 (4.0.2.A.0.42), I made several modifications to it and I couldn’t find a similar thread involving a "modified official rom", I only read threads describing how to make a simple FTF backup of an "untouched official rom" through SEUS, which I presume that won't work in my case. So I hope the more experienced people can give me some directions!
My device is currently rooted and the bootloader is also unlocked through the official Sony method. I substituted the original kernel for the Inteks so that I could use cpu overclocks, removed all the bloatware and integrated some updates and a few new apps in the system through link2sd.
Now I'd like to make a backup of this modified rom before I flash new roms to the device. For what I understood so far, the recovery nandroid backup system will save everything, including installed apps and configurations, right? I'd like to make just a simple rom backup.
I'm afraid that this nandroid "full backup" could decrease the performance after restoration. If I perform a factory reset prior to the nandroid backup, could it minimize the chances of having problems after restoration?
I'm asking this in case there is no manner to create a .ftf file… And, what you guys think about both types of backup, am I getting the wrong impression about nandroid or .ftf files are really better and/or safer??
I installed the app Rom Manager to check its features. It seems it only performs nandroid backups as well directing to the recovery (hope I got it right), but I ended up noticing an issue. The app asks to install or update the CWM Recovery, I tried to update but I get a message saying my device is not compatible.
The current recovery installed in my Neo is "CWM-based Recovery v5.0.2.7-nAa-r2".
Should I update it? And if it's the case, how should I do it??
Is my device really incompatible with Rom Manager, or that message I got was because of the old recovery version installed in my Neo??
(I read about this kind of incompatibility with some devices, just wanna check if it's the case with my phone and if there is a new recovery for Xperia Neo that is compatible with Rom Manager)
Sorry about the long text and so many questions in a single post, but I really want to understand more about this stuff, all the changes in my phone were done separately during more than a year, so I am not much used to these procedures.
I would appreciate any help! Thanks for the attention!!
KenxirC said:
Hello everyone!!
I know it's not the subject, but this being my first time posting here let me start by thanking all of the developers and collaborators for the great works in this community! I have already benefited from a few tutorials and files disposed here, so thanks for everything so far! :good:
Back to the subject now =)
Although I am using an official rom in my Xperia Neo, 2.3.4 (4.0.2.A.0.42), I made several modifications to it and I couldn’t find a similar thread involving a "modified official rom", I only read threads describing how to make a simple FTF backup of an "untouched official rom" through SEUS, which I presume that won't work in my case. So I hope the more experienced people can give me some directions!
My device is currently rooted and the bootloader is also unlocked through the official Sony method. I substituted the original kernel for the Inteks so that I could use cpu overclocks, removed all the bloatware and integrated some updates and a few new apps in the system through link2sd.
Now I'd like to make a backup of this modified rom before I flash new roms to the device. For what I understood so far, the recovery nandroid backup system will save everything, including installed apps and configurations, right? I'd like to make just a simple rom backup.
I'm afraid that this nandroid "full backup" could decrease the performance after restoration. If I perform a factory reset prior to the nandroid backup, could it minimize the chances of having problems after restoration?
I'm asking this in case there is no manner to create a .ftf file… And, what you guys think about both types of backup, am I getting the wrong impression about nandroid or .ftf files are really better and/or safer??
I installed the app Rom Manager to check its features. It seems it only performs nandroid backups as well directing to the recovery (hope I got it right), but I ended up noticing an issue. The app asks to install or update the CWM Recovery, I tried to update but I get a message saying my device is not compatible.
The current recovery installed in my Neo is "CWM-based Recovery v5.0.2.7-nAa-r2".
Should I update it? And if it's the case, how should I do it??
Is my device really incompatible with Rom Manager, or that message I got was because of the old recovery version installed in my Neo??
(I read about this kind of incompatibility with some devices, just wanna check if it's the case with my phone and if there is a new recovery for Xperia Neo that is compatible with Rom Manager)
Sorry about the long text and so many questions in a single post, but I really want to understand more about this stuff, all the changes in my phone were done separately during more than a year, so I am not much used to these procedures.
I would appreciate any help! Thanks for the attention!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cwm recovery backup restoration shouldn't cause any performance issues... The full backup will have everything in your current rom.. The cwm recovery stays in kernel... I don't understand why you want Rom manager... It's incompatible with our devices...
Sent from my Xperia Neo V using Tapatalk 2
Attitude.SSJ said:
Cwm recovery backup restoration shouldn't cause any performance issues... The full backup will have everything in your current rom.. The cwm recovery stays in kernel... I don't understand why you want Rom manager... It's incompatible with our devices...
Sent from my Xperia Neo V using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Attitude.SSJ, thanks for answering my post!
I tried to explain that I am a beginner, I dont understand many things... I wasnt sure our phones are incompatible with Rom Manager, I wanted to check it, thanks for clarifying that one! Right now I really didnt need it, but I guess it would be very useful for testing others roms after my backup, I imagine Rom Manager makes things faster and easier, right? I wanted to check if there really wasnt a compatible version for Xperia Neo in the present date, since most of the threads I read are from 2012.
About my fear of issues due to restoration from a nandroid backup, I read a few cases where people got many crashes and weird behaviors from the phones, thats why...
So, if I go with the nandroid backup, I will get every single app and configuration saved for the future?? Even the apps I moved to sdcard??
I imagine that I could save the whole sdcard content separately and latter perform a restoration with this nandroid backup and put everything back in the sdcard to reach the exact state in which my smartphone is right now.
Is that the way nandroid backup works??
(I really want to understand it better before decide what to do, hope I am getting the right idea)
Also, if a FTF backup is not possible (I still dont know if its really not possible), is there any other manner (maybe another kind of backup) to make a flashable backup with a clean rom like it would be with the FTF files??
Thanks!
KenxirC said:
Hey Attitude.SSJ, thanks for answering my post!
I tried to explain that I am a beginner, I dont understand many things... I wasnt sure our phones are incompatible with Rom Manager, I wanted to check it, thanks for clarifying that one! Right now I really didnt need it, but I guess it would be very useful for testing others roms after my backup, I imagine Rom Manager makes things faster and easier, right? I wanted to check if there really wasnt a compatible version for Xperia Neo in the present date, since most of the threads I read are from 2012.
About my fear of issues due to restoration from a nandroid backup, I read a few cases where people got many crashes and weird behaviors from the phones, thats why...
So, if I go with the nandroid backup, I will get every single app and configuration saved for the future?? Even the apps I moved to sdcard??
I imagine that I could save the whole sdcard content separately and latter perform a restoration with this nandroid backup and put everything back in the sdcard to reach the exact state in which my smartphone is right now.
Is that the way nandroid backup works??
(I really want to understand it better before decide what to do, hope I am getting the right idea)
Also, if a FTF backup is not possible (I still dont know if its really not possible), is there any other manner (maybe another kind of backup) to make a flashable backup with a clean rom like it would be with the FTF files??
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like @Attitude.SSJ said CWM backup or Nandroid backup does not effect performance mate.
U cant make a nandroid backup to FTF, only sin files can be used to make FTF files.
There is a guide to make nandroid backups to flashable zip file in Neo General section. check that out.
sent from my Xperia neo V using Tapatalk
Samak said:
Just like @Attitude.SSJ said CWM backup or Nandroid backup does not effect performance mate.
U cant make a nandroid backup to FTF, only sin files can be used to make FTF files.
There is a guide to make nandroid backups to flashable zip file in Neo General section. check that out.
sent from my Xperia neo V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot Samak! That zip alternative is the kind of thing I was talking about, good to know this possibility!
Found these two methods:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2266285
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2209590
I will probably try one of them latter, but I'll perform a nandroid backup first to be safe!
I noticed that the final flashable file is referred to as "update.zip". Does it mean I need to flash a certain rom prior to this zip generated through these methods??
I also have a few important questions about nandroid before I make the backup, hope you guys can help me with this too.
I have many apps that were natively movable and some that I forced to the sdcard with link2sd. I have a 16GB sdcard almost full, so I have to empty it prior to the backup.
If I save the complete sdcard content in my pc and perform the nandroid backup after this, will nandroid be able to backup those apps moved to sd??
(I know part of the apps remain in the internal storage, but I'm still wondering what is gonna happen in this situation)
And after restoration, if I copy everything back to the sdcard, will the apps recognize everything??
Any other steps, or just CWM restore option??
Thanks guys!!
KenxirC said:
Thanks a lot Samak! That zip alternative is the kind of thing I was talking about, good to know this possibility!
Found these two methods:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2266285
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2209590
I will probably try one of them latter, but I'll perform a nandroid backup first to be safe!
I noticed that the final flashable file is referred to as "update.zip". Does it mean I need to flash a certain rom prior to this zip generated through these methods??
I also have a few important questions about nandroid before I make the backup, hope you guys can help me with this too.
I have many apps that were natively movable and some that I forced to the sdcard with link2sd. I have a 16GB sdcard almost full, so I have to empty it prior to the backup.
If I save the complete sdcard content in my pc and perform the nandroid backup after this, will nandroid be able to backup those apps moved to sd??
(I know part of the apps remain in the internal storage, but I'm still wondering what is gonna happen in this situation)
And after restoration, if I copy everything back to the sdcard, will the apps recognize everything??
Any other steps, or just CWM restore option??
Thanks guys!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U dont need to flash the rom before flashing the nandroid zip. Just do all wipes properly & flash the rom.
I think if u copy all the sd card contents again then those apps linked to sd card will work properly. If u dont copy those contents again then linked apps will fc. I dont use link2sd so am not 100% sure. Correct me if I am wrong.
sent from my Xperia neo V using Tapatalk
Samak said:
U dont need to flash the rom before flashing the nandroid zip. Just do all wipes properly & flash the rom.
I think if u copy all the sd card contents again then those apps linked to sd card will work properly. If u dont copy those contents again then linked apps will fc. I dont use link2sd so am not 100% sure. Correct me if I am wrong.
sent from my Xperia neo V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome stuff man, thanks again!! :highfive:
Nandroid backup is really great and just saved me! After the backup I was feeling confident to mess with the device, so I made a factory reset to see how the rom would behave after the changes I made, without setup wizard and all the bloatware... At first glance everything seemed ok, but I don't know why the camera wouldn't work! I didn't remove anything related to the camera, I searched which system apps could be removed safely before doing anything. So this rom I am using right now is quite light, with a good amount of free internal storage, but it just can't be reseted because of the camera function and possibly some other bugs. Thankfully the nandroid restoration worked pretty well and now I don't have to go all the way installing and configuring everything!
All the apps seem to be fine after copying back the content of the sdcard, so using link2sd is ok to move apps before a nandroid procedure.
But considering the camera bug, I will not take the time to create a flashable zip of this rom I am using, maybe I can customize another one in the future and try it...
Any guesses of what could have gone wrong so that the camera didn't open after reseting the phone??
The camera app would only show a black screen of which I couldn't get out, the only choice was to turn off the phone.
Another doubt I have about nandroid restoration... I intend to flash the official ICS (MT15I_4.1.B.0.587) prior to the installation of Cyanogenmod and other roms based in newer versions of Android. But if I want to go back to this 2.3.4 nandroid backup while I am running, lets say, Jelly Bean, then what should I do??
Nothing, like it would be with a flashable zip, or should I make a downgrade first or any other procedure??
Thanks!!
KenxirC said:
Awesome stuff man, thanks again!! :highfive:
Nandroid backup is really great and just saved me! After the backup I was feeling confident to mess with the device, so I made a factory reset to see how the rom would behave after the changes I made, without setup wizard and all the bloatware... At first glance everything seemed ok, but I don't know why the camera wouldn't work! I didn't remove anything related to the camera, I searched which system apps could be removed safely before doing anything. So this rom I am using right now is quite light, with a good amount of free internal storage, but it just can't be reseted because of the camera function and possibly some other bugs. Thankfully the nandroid restoration worked pretty well and now I don't have to go all the way installing and configuring everything!
All the apps seem to be fine after copying back the content of the sdcard, so using link2sd is ok to move apps before a nandroid procedure.
But considering the camera bug, I will not take the time to create a flashable zip of this rom I am using, maybe I can customize another one in the future and try it...
Any guesses of what could have gone wrong so that the camera didn't open after reseting the phone??
The camera app would only show a black screen of which I couldn't get out, the only choice was to turn off the phone.
Another doubt I have about nandroid restoration... I intend to flash the official ICS (MT15I_4.1.B.0.587) prior to the installation of Cyanogenmod and other roms based in newer versions of Android. But if I want to go back to this 2.3.4 nandroid backup while I am running, lets say, Jelly Bean, then what should I do??
Nothing, like it would be with a flashable zip, or should I make a downgrade first or any other procedure??
Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u r moving from ICS or JB to GB, then I would suggest u to flash the GB firmware ftf first, then restore the nandroid backup.
sent from my Xperia neo V using Tapatalk
Samak said:
If u r moving from ICS or JB to GB, then I would suggest u to flash the GB firmware ftf first, then restore the nandroid backup.
sent from my Xperia neo V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks man!
I'll try different roms now, just have to search a little for some tutorials to remember every step...
Cheers :good:

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