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Hi,
I would be very interested to know if I could upgrade my ROM without completely wiping /data. My only idea would just to be to backup /data before upgrading so I could just throw everything back on when I was done. I'm going to guess this is not possible, but just thought I would give it a shot. Thanks.
Hi
you mean what kind of Upgrades ? I upgade CM7.1 every week without wiping data
So like, lets say i wanted to go from cyanogenmod 7 to cyanogenmod 8...is there a way i could do that without wiping /user?
cmyrunumbra said:
So like, lets say i wanted to go from cyanogenmod 7 to cyanogenmod 8...is there a way i could do that without wiping /user?
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Click to collapse
As long as the base OS is not a huge jump then upgrading custom roms is not always needed. If the OS version changes it is suggested due to possible code changes that effect settings and save data. TIBU gives you the best of both. Doing a full wipe to make sure no left over bugs and restoring your user apps and data. You do have to reset up your system settings but once it become habit you do it without thinking. Lol
I guess the root of the issue is the extremely large amount of applications I install on my device, it's a pain to re-download them, and it definitely does make sense to just be able to write over the existing ROM if there was not an extreme amount of changes.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
Hello, I'm brand new to these forums, but I've been browsing them for the past week, and Im thinking about making the plunge to CM7. I've never done anything like this before, so could you guys answer a few of my questions, and maybe put my fears to rest?
First off, let me say that I read the Moto Atrix noob guide and updated thread.
This is my phone info:
System Version: 4.5.141.MB860.ATT.en.US
Android Version: 2.3.6
I have had this phone for over a year, and everything is completely stock.
Questions:
1. I have seen various threads about the latest firmware from Motorola causing an inability to change the OS. Is this true? And if not, do all the guides I've read regarding flashing, roms, backup, etc. still applicable?
2. I want to run CM7, but is it better to install CM7 directly from their website, or use some of the versions that I have seen members offering here. What are the main differences? What do you recommend?
3. Is CM7 as stable as stock?
4. Is it possible to flash different kernels to see what type of battery life difference they make, and can you do this without changing the OS?
5. I've seen multiple times of the importance of backing everything up. My only concerns are the contacts and sms. My contacts are stored on "Motorola Services." How can I back them up? As for sms, I use an app called SMS backup and restore. It creates an xml file I think, so when I go to restore my sms messages, everything should be as i was before, right? I'm worried about formatting issues here.
I just want to make sure I understand everything so I dont mess anything up. Thanks for your help!
yep. being a virgin and knowing it has to happen gives ya them butterflies in the tummy. Don't worry, you'll be fine, WE were all virgins at one time also. There will be somone here to assist you if you need it.
1.Follow the automatic bootloader thread. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1182871
2. Read a little on the roms you are considering. The ones based on cm7 are basically the same. differences will be in themes, and extra/different features like diff apps and launchers & more or less customization options such as for settings. Have to choose which one appeals to you, and go with it. Beauty of this is if you want to try something else, only takes a matter of minutes and you can change to a differnt cm7 rom. In a lot of instances, once you are on cm7, flashing a different cm7 rom, you don't have to erase or lose your data, just wipe system and caches and load new flavor. Only takes a couple of minutes to flash a new rom, or kernal, or radio, and your data stays intact. Changing to a CM9 or a different base rom is when you will need to wipe the whole phone including data.
3. Yes, cm7 was the last revision when devs were still able to use OEM drivers, so they are stable.
4. Answered in #2
5. I don't recall which apps were good for saving your sms stuff on cm7. Seems like ages ago since I was using that! Might want to consider moving your Motorola based stuff over to Google. Contacts will be availabe there and will load automatically when you initiate your new rom. You don't need to do any formatting, but erasing will wipe areas, and will erase personal data if that option is chosen, so your concern is noted. Pay attention to what you are doing, don't wipe data from CWM when flashing if you intend on keeping your user data. You can wipe system and caches and not lose your data.
Yes back everthing up. Make a copy of your PDS folder and stash it away on your pc (do this before starting flashing), this has your phone id stuffs and a couple other valuables. Don't share that with anyone either. Make a nandroid b/u (an option in your new CWM) as soon as you can after installing CWM. You can reload that if things don't go good, and be back where you started. Install SuperuserSU (not the plain Superuser) from google play.
Just do it, you'll like it! become one of the elite!
If you ask me... You'll need a custom recovery to be able to flash CM7 anyway, so why not use it to make a proper full nandroid backup too?
I mean sure, you can try messing around with specialized apps to save and restore only the parts most critical to you (like contacts and texts), but if for any reason you'll want to completely go back, at least you'll know you can.
ravilov said:
If you ask me... You'll need a custom recovery to be able to flash CM7 anyway, so why not use it to make a proper full nandroid backup too?
I mean sure, you can try messing around with specialized apps to save and restore only the parts most critical to you (like contacts and texts), but if for any reason you'll want to completely go back, at least you'll know you can.
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Will this full backup allow me to then only restore the data I wanted to keep? Because I know I wouldnt want to restore the whole thing.
wvcaudill2 said:
Will this full backup allow me to then only restore the data I wanted to keep? Because I know I wouldnt want to restore the whole thing.
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CWM will allow you to restore individual partitions. So you can, say, restore just /data and leave others intact. It won't let you restore specific folders in /data though. Basically such a backup is most useful if you need to restore the entire phone to a specific state.
wvcaudill2 said:
Will this full backup allow me to then only restore the data I wanted to keep? Because I know I wouldnt want to restore the whole thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use titanium backup to restore individual apps and their data...
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2
ravilov said:
CWM will allow you to restore individual partitions. So you can, say, restore just /data and leave others intact. It won't let you restore specific folders in /data though. Basically such a backup is most useful if you need to restore the entire phone to a specific state.
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what all is stored in the /data partition?
Also, is there some comparison of roms out there? I've been searching through the forum, and can't seem to find any. I see NottachAtrix4G alot. Is this based off of CM7? Also, does the fingerprint scanner work in cm7?
wvcaudill2 said:
what all is stored in the /data partition?
Also, is there some comparison of roms out there? I've been searching through the forum, and can't seem to find any. I see NottachAtrix4G alot. Is this based off of CM7? Also, does the fingerprint scanner work in cm7?
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The data partition is where your contacts, messages, settings and apps that you have installed go to.
I'm sure I saw some threads comparing ROMs, even though I recommend you try all the ROMs and see which one best fits your needs. Back when I had my old Milestone 2, everyone talked about the CM7 ROM, as it was the best to the device, but as soon as I tried the MIUI 2.3.7, never came back to CM7 (at least with M2, used it again with atrix)
Nottachtrix isn't based off CM7, it's a stock gingerbread ROM with modifications.
Yes, the fingerprint scanner works (at least on Neutrino CM7).
MaxK47 said:
The data partition is where your contacts, messages, settings and apps that you have installed go to.
I'm sure I saw some threads comparing ROMs, even though I recommend you try all the ROMs and see which one best fits your needs. Back when I had my old Milestone 2, everyone talked about the CM7 ROM, as it was the best to the device, but as soon as I tried the MIUI 2.3.7, never came back to CM7 (at least with M2, used it again with atrix)
Nottachtrix isn't based off CM7, it's a stock gingerbread ROM with modifications.
Yes, the fingerprint scanner works (at least on Neutrino CM7).
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Click to collapse
Thanks for a good answer. I have yet another question though.
Some of the ROMS I have been looking at advertise that they are packaged with a certain kernel. Do all ROMS contain a kernel, or will I have to flash my own depending on which ROM I choose?
Again, sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I dont screw this up!
Every ROM is a complete system, so it must come with a kernel. In most cases after flashing a ROM you're ready to go. You'd only want to flash a different kernel if for some reason you're not happy with the one supplied with the ROM.
I run mean rom 3.4, s-off. I haven't upgrade to the new firmware, do have new radios, since I left on deployment when the beta was available and needed something stable but plan on doing so when I get home in a month. My question is after a fresh wipe, dalvik, cache, system, factory, I will install the next version of mean rom, or any rom for that fact. Then, to keep my applications, data and settings, I will restore only the /data folder from a nand backup after formatting the newly generating /data. Is there a problem with this practice? The only thing I notice is some of the larger application need to re download. But all settings, contacts, keys, passwords, screens, icons come back perfect. Although this seems to work in practice I feel like it shouldn't be this simple. I run the kitchen program on all my roms to keep my current bootani, splash, ringtones, sounds etcs and do a app cleaner script to remove the crap apps. I have seen the Aroma backup rom cleaner and am curious. Would this be a better method? Thanks in reply since the recent world events in Yemen and Egypt may prevent me from getting internet for a while.
I have been flashing different roms made for different carriers and I keep coming across people with the same issues in every thread. I thought it would be a good idea to have a list of common problems people seem to be having while flashing along with their solutions. This will not only be an easier/faster way for the flasher to solve his problem, but a way to prevent unnecessary clutter in rom threads with questions that have been asked repeatedly.
Feel free to post any issues you com across and/or any solutions you have to offer. This post will be updated frequently to help you guys out.
Before I get started I just want to stress the importance of doing a clean wipe before flashing a new rom. I have used this analogy in another thread, but I think of roms as women. If you want a flawless transition from one to another without any drama, they must never find out about each other. This means erase all proof of the previous one's existence. Everybody's 4g/gps issues would be non-existent if they would wipe their phones properly. When switching roms, apart from the normal wipe it is also necessary to delete the "Android" folder in your internal/external storage. If you like to play it safe, wiping them both after a backup gives you best results. This is because conflicting data stored on your card from the previous rom can screw with the new one. For those of you with sdcards bigger than my bank account who don't have that much time to spare, just deleting the android folder should be enough.
Problem
My GPS doesn't work.
Solution 1: Most likely you flashed a new rom on top of another one. As said above just wiping is not enough. GPS information is stored on your internal/external storage. This can be erased by either wiping it clean before flashing the new rom or simply deleting the "android" folder.
Solution 2: If that doesn't work (which it should), many people have had success with an app called GPS Status and Toolbox from the appstore. After downloading use the settings menu to release GPS data and fix a new lock.
Solution 3: This one's my least favorite, but some have flashed an old rom that previously had GPS working, got a GPS lock, and then reflashed the new rom.
Problem
My 4g doesn't work.
Solution 1: Always check the OP in the rom thread. Find out if the rom is based on a modem other than the one you have.
Solution 2: If you are using a rom created for another carrier there are two ways you can go about fixing 4g. The easiest way is to install scott's verizon patch HERE. The harder way is to make the required changes yourself which you can learn how to do HERE.
Problem
My apps are acting weird after I restore a backup.
Solution: Most likely you are restoring from Titanium Backup. It is a known fact that restoring data using Titanium Backup can cause a number of issues. Restore only the apks of the apps you need. Restoring data (never restore old system data on a new rom!) will only cause conflicts. If you absolutely have to keep data for a particular app restore only those that you need one by one if you are sure that no system data is being brought along with it. It may be more tedious, but it will keep you from having issues.
Problem
I keep getting a text message from "6250" saying "VZWNMN: 1" or something of that nature.
Solution: This is an issue with backup assistant sending repeated queries to your phone via text message. To stop this from occuring log into your account at www.verizonwireless.com and disable backup assistant completely.
More issues and simple fixes which will be posted as I find the time. But these are the top 4 I come across about 20 times a day so they are the ones that readily stand out in my mind.
ok so basically i want to find a way to get to 4.3 either rooted or unrooted, my problem is that i have pretty bad ocd and one of my major major problems with that disorder is my tech devices, i will most likely have an anxsiety attack or 2 if i have to set up my phone from scratch and i will spend hours making it look exactly the same. anyway, i want to know:
1:how to update rooted gs3 Gt-i9305t 4g/lte model without loosing data (if possible )
2: update to 4.3 and un root without loosing data (im sure thats impossible )
i would really appreciate the help as i cannot find anyone looking for the same help as me (kinda strange how no one cares about there data at all, but meh)
also on a side note, i have the problem with my s3 where any sd card i put into the machine will eventually kill itself and never work again as far as i know, it has killed 3 32gb sd cards now and its starting to piss me off to the point where i am no longer using an sd card at all. why does the phone do this and is there any way to fix it? either software wise or hard wear wise? thanks !!! :fingers-crossed:
4.3 source code has only just been released. 4.3 roms are not fully functional and have bugs. There are no official releases so they are all "rooted".
You really do need to wipe when making version updates. Theres no way around this.
Stick with what you've got.
that just sucks.
rootSU said:
4.3 source code has only just been released. 4.3 roms are not fully functional and have bugs. There are no official releases so they are all "rooted".
You really do need to wipe when making version updates. Theres no way around this.
Stick with what you've got.
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Click to collapse
that honestly sucks so much, thanks for the info though.
hey another quick question, is there a way to so a full backup, like im talking FULL, like down to the point of where ur apps are placed and all there data, like apple devices have through itunes?? (restore from backup option) cus if so then i dont mind wiping at all, i just hate apple so i will never go back to one of there piece of **** devices again (i like features with my shiny brick) but yeah anything like that? or can kies do that?
i'm using temasek 4.3 preview 3 atm, you should check it out since developer is extremely helpful
and he updates regularly (which is important)
There are a number of ways to keep your data. Including ones that will let you change the ROM and still have your data. Titanium Backup - not sure if it is only Pro version but the one I have lets me create a backup on the extSDcard so I can flash it in a new ROM and restore all my apps and data straight off. SMS Backup and restore and Call Backup and restore both save out your data to the extSDcard so you can bring them back. I used to use My Backup Root as well but it ceased to work on the last update so I nuked it.
Add in a nandroid backup on something like Philz Recovery (where you can do an Advanced Restore from External SDCard and bring back just parts of your current ROM) and you can always get back to your look & feel in any new ROM.
The one thing I ahve NOT found a solution for is replacing my widgets back on the screens they are on - I run 7 screens and it pisses me off a full recovery in something like Titanium doesn't restore my widgets. The only way it happens is a full nandroid restore but that nukes the new ROM I have just installed so that's not an option.
I run Purelook HD as my 1st ROM, GoogyMax kernel and SlimBean as my 2nd ROM. I can nuke either or both and be back to my set up (including widgets) in about 45 minutes.
Journyman16 said:
There are a number of ways to keep your data. Including ones that will let you change the ROM and still have your data. Titanium Backup - not sure if it is only Pro version but the one I have lets me create a backup on the extSDcard so I can flash it in a new ROM and restore all my apps and data straight off. SMS Backup and restore and Call Backup and restore both save out your data to the extSDcard so you can bring them back. I used to use My Backup Root as well but it ceased to work on the last update so I nuked it.
Add in a nandroid backup on something like Philz Recovery (where you can do an Advanced Restore from External SDCard and bring back just parts of your current ROM and you can always get back to your look & feel in any new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets dissect this a little.
A Nandroid backup will take a snapshot of your phone. If you flash something wrong, it can be used to restore your data / settings and rom exactly how it was. This will not help restore your data and settings on a new ROM where you had to perform a wipe. (You have to perform a wipe to prevent data and settings incompatibilities with the new ROM that will cause problems.)
Titanium backup is great. However, if you had to perform a wipe, you cannot simply restore everything using Titanium. This is because you will be restoring the incompatabilities (System data) and restoring the problems (negating the point of the wipe in the first place). You can restore user apps and data with titanium but there will be an element of manually setting all your rom settings.
OP - Please read the "Read before rooting" thread in my signature for more info.
**** that
screw it, ill just stay on 4.2.1 i mostly want it cus they (****ING FINALLY ) partially fixed the setting wallpaper problems so you can get at least most of the photo in the screen now, i have it on my nexus 7 but now cant get it on my phone : / screw ocd, it has plagued me since i was little
adex9 said:
screw it, ill just stay on 4.2.1 i mostly want it cus they (****ING FINALLY ) partially fixed the setting wallpaper problems so you can get at least most of the photo in the screen now, i have it on my nexus 7 but now cant get it on my phone : / screw ocd, it has plagued me since i was little
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Click to collapse
We all spend hours making it look exactly the same. It's annoying but essential.
rootSU said:
Lets dissect this a little.
A Nandroid backup will take a snapshot of your phone. If you flash something wrong, it can be used to restore your data / settings and rom exactly how it was. This will not help restore your data and settings on a new ROM where you had to perform a wipe. (You have to perform a wipe to prevent data and settings incompatibilities with the new ROM that will cause problems.)
Titanium backup is great. However, if you had to perform a wipe, you cannot simply restore everything using Titanium. This is because you will be restoring the incompatabilities (System data) and restoring the problems (negating the point of the wipe in the first place). You can restore user apps and data with titanium but there will be an element of manually setting all your rom settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Advanced Restore in Philz lets you restore Data. The choices are, Restore Boot, System (+or- reload) Data, Cache and sd ext. The Data restored my latest personal stuff from the BU I tried just before a new ROM experiment. So not all Restores are the same. You don't have to bring it ALL back from a nandroid.
Journyman16 said:
The Advanced Restore in Philz lets you restore Data. The choices are, Restore Boot, System (+or- reload) Data, Cache and sd ext. The Data restored my latest personal stuff from the BU I tried just before a new ROM experiment. So not all Restores are the same. You don't have to bring it ALL back from a nandroid.
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@Journyman16
You seem to be missing my point.
If you can restore just data via recovery (which you can) then you didn't need to wipe in the first place.
ROM goes in /system. We all know that. Our apps go in /data/app. We all know that. Our data for our apps goes in /data/data but what some may NOT know is that /data/data contains all your system data too. When you set a ring tone or wallpaper, its in /data/data.
If you go from 1 ROM to another, you may not have to wipe. Or you may HAVE to wipe. It depends if there is incompatible system data in /data/data or not.
When you do wipe, you wipe /data/* (includes /data/data). If you nandroid restore /data and your phone works perfectly, you didn't need to wipe. So my point remains.
If you HAD to wipe, you cannot simply restore data via recovery and have a fully working phone.
rootSU said:
@Journyman16
You seem to be missing my point.
If you can restore just data via recovery (which you can) then you didn't need to wipe in the first place.
ROM goes in /system. We all know that. Our apps go in /data/app. We all know that. Our data for our apps goes in /data/data but what some may NOT know is that /data/data contains all your system data too. When you set a ring tone or wallpaper, its in /data/data.
If you go from 1 ROM to another, you may not have to wipe. Or you may HAVE to wipe. It depends if there is incompatible system data in /data/data or not.
When you do wipe, you wipe /data/* (includes /data/data). If you nandroid restore /data and your phone works perfectly, you didn't need to wipe. So my point remains.
If you HAD to wipe, you cannot simply restore data via recovery and have a fully working phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the explanation - that helps me understand better what goes on. Would that explain perhaps why, after some Restores, I had to run Fix Permissions to stop the FC's?
Journyman16 said:
Thanks for the explanation - that helps me understand better what goes on. Would that explain perhaps why, after some Restores, I had to run Fix Permissions to stop the FC's?
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Yep, it could do.
Any updates (I am facing the same problem)?
BTW, OTA updates seem to be able to keep most if not all settings. How they manage to do this?
moshepupkin said:
Any updates (I am facing the same problem)?
BTW, OTA updates seem to be able to keep most if not all settings. How they manage to do this?
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Click to collapse
Same here. I've been looking for the exact method to do this, but haven't had any luck so far.
I ended up using Kies to update to 4.3 - it does not check root status.
moshepupkin said:
I ended up using Kies to update to 4.3 - it does not check root status.
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Hmm, it says that my current firmware is the latest version, rather than 4.3. Is there anything special you're supposed to do?
AriaOfSorrow said:
Hmm, it says that my current firmware is the latest version, rather than 4.3. Is there anything special you're supposed to do?
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Who says there is a 4.3 for your phone ???
JJEgan said:
Who says there is a 4.3 for your phone ???
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Click to collapse
Well, let's see... there's everyone I know that also has this phone. People online that say they have this phone. Web sites saying that this phone has officially received 4.3. The phone itself saying there is an update for the firmware. So, basically everyone/thing except the Kies program.
Who says their is an update for your phone repeat your phone not some other guys phone and as you failed to give any firmware details impossible to check .
Kies/ Samsung says not for your phone yet.
Contact your vendor .
See multiple identical posts .
Flash stock rom through Odin from sammobile .com
JJEgan said:
Who says their is an update for your phone repeat your phone not some other guys phone and as you failed to give any firmware details impossible to check .
Kies/ Samsung says not for your phone yet.
Contact your vendor .
See multiple identical posts .
Flash stock rom through Odin from sammobile .com
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Click to collapse
I already told you who said there is an update for my phone. Unless my phone is disguised as some one of a kind phone, I'm supposed to be able to update to 4.3.