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Hi
I've read alot of the threads around but cant seem to find specific info that I require. I've already rooted and flashed Litening ROM 1.5, however I want to try other ROMS and read its best to wipe before some of them.
Now most of the instructions say to boot into CWM and do a data/cache wipe, can anyone tell em what does this wipe exactly?
From what I can understand the 16gb is partitioned into the "sd card" and the storage? When looking through Windows Explorer only the larger (I believe sd card" partition shows up, with download folder, CWM back ups, music, camera images etc.
Does this get wiped, or is it just apps/personalisation of the phone? I've got titanium backup and backed up all data + user data etc which can be restored, but I just want to check that music/camera images etc won't go!
Hope its not too stupid a question, cheers for any info!
My understanding is: wipe = factory reset. I hope I'm right with that assumption.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Wipes....
I got caught once when I installed cognition for the first time. The installation somehow did wipe my internal sdcard with all my stuff on it. (Although I do have backups on my PC) So it was just a pain but not serious.
But the odd thing is that all the following upgrades of the rom did not wipe the sdcard, so DG might have change the way it does the wipes.
Also if you do a factory reset either via keypad on phone with the *#... it will wipe the sdcard.
So one needs to be carefull and make sure that we have backups of the stuff we want to keep.
I find this annoying making the 16GB card internal sdcard almost behaive as temporary storage ruther than permanent.
So watch out.
thanks for both replies! still not 100% sure though, does anyone know 100% what the CWM wipe options actually wipe?
thanks again!
How about "everything"? It sets your phone back to the way it was when you first started it.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Back up sd card and wipe phone to learn.
jje
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
All,
I just performed a Hard Reset afterI bricked my SGT using Supercharger and to my surprise all the data from internal storage was erased too. How stupid is that?
Samsung could have been smarter and prevented that.
Well thats what a hard reset is, otherwise its called a soft reset.....
This isnt something new
DT3CH said:
Well thats what a hard reset is, otherwise its called a soft reset.....
This isnt something new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not talking about the ROM memory, of course it is cleared and the ROM is reloaded, how stupid do you think I am?
I was talking about the memory that you use for storing data. I had my Music and apks on the Tab's \sdcard and all is gone after a hard reset - this is total stupidity on Samsung's side.
Szadzik said:
I am not talking about the ROM memory, of course it is cleared and the ROM is reloaded, how stupid do you think I am?
I was talking about the memory that you use for storing data. I had my Music and apks on the Tab's \sdcard and all is gone after a hard reset - this is total stupidity on Samsung's side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well ya since it only has 1 internal card for storage, what do you expect, on a phone its not as much of an issue since you generally have an external SD card too....
Its the same as formatting a partition on your computer, so same thinking applies, back up your data elsewhere
Ya. Wouldn't you use the hard reset function to wipe the device before giving it away or sending it in for repair or something. I would expect that so that data didn't get into someone else's hands.
Not to mention when you choose factory data reset it tells you that it will erase all data including accounts, music, etc...
The main thing here is that Honeycomb devices does not have a real fat32 formatted sdcard partition. The sdcard is emulated from a part of the /data partition that is in ext4 if i understand correct.
This is also why it mounts as a MTP device instead of a drive in Windows.
I was also suprised the first time i did a factory reset, i was used to my old Galaxy S phone and there the sdcard was never wiped with a factory reset.
/qsec
qsec said:
The main thing here is that Honeycomb devices does not have a real fat32 formatted sdcard partition. The sdcard is emulated from a part of the /data partition that is in ext4 if i understand correct.
This is also why it mounts as a MTP device instead of a drive in Windows.
I was also suprised the first time i did a factory reset, i was used to my old Galaxy S phone and there the sdcard was never wiped with a factory reset.
/qsec
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what Iwas thinking as previously memory was never cleared on my Android devices, just the ROM. This is totally stupid. Now I have to carry a card reader and an SD card with my stuff so that if I have to do a hard reset on the go I can restore it from the card - stupid again. Some will say use dropbox, and I will say: Have you ever tried downloading 200MB when roaming? DO you have a wallet that fat?
I'm pretty sure that in cwm recovery the "sdcard" won't be erased when doing a factory reset. Only the stock recovery will delete your "sdcard". I too had to wipe after flashing some mod and my /sdcard wasn't touched when I remember correctly.
gokpog said:
I'm pretty sure that in cwm recovery the "sdcard" won't be erased when doing a factory reset. Only the stock recovery will delete your "sdcard". I too had to wipe after flashing some mod and my /sdcard wasn't touched when I remember correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I have to try that.
qsec said:
The main thing here is that Honeycomb devices does not have a real fat32 formatted sdcard partition. The sdcard is emulated from a part of the /data partition that is in ext4 if i understand correct.
This is also why it mounts as a MTP device instead of a drive in Windows.
I was also suprised the first time i did a factory reset, i was used to my old Galaxy S phone and there the sdcard was never wiped with a factory reset.
/qsec
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhhh anytime Ive done a hard reset on my SGS, it wipes the internal card....
Yes for my understanding the stock recovery will erase everything instead of using the cwm recovery.this would never touch your sdcard. Regards
Relaxxer
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
I tried to reset my phone to factory state but after i flashed everything.. all my files were still there..
I tried to format my sdcard internal&external, no good..
Tells me that its formating but nothing happens, and my external card isnt recognized any more by the phone just says "card is blank".
How do i fix this?how do i fully reset my phone and the sdcard?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Post belongs Q&A
TRY
Clean Slate for those that balls up the firmware .Or need to return to service or decide if its hardware/firmware problem .
Backup data first if phone is working .
Boot CWM recovery
Mounts and Storage
Format cache data system sd card .
Remove battery
Boot to download mode
Open Odin
Install correct stock firmware .
Still problems use usb jig to set rom counter to zero .
Return to service centre .
I did the full wipe from cwm but didnt flash after it...
I will try it now an post result, thx.. any way
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Worked. It did cleaned my internal sdcard..
I have another pesky problem,
I have whatsapp installed and i cant use a shortcut from contact to send via whatsapp.
Any thought? This problem stayed after factory reset ...
Sent from my GT-I9100
hielo_te said:
I tried to reset my phone to factory state but after i flashed everything.. all my files were still there..
I tried to format my sdcard internal&external, no good..
Tells me that its formating but nothing happens, and my external card isnt recognized any more by the phone just says "card is blank".
How do i fix this?how do i fully reset my phone and the sdcard?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you really want to wipe your device, press:
*2767*3855#
WARNING, there is no confirmation, when you pres the last digit "#", everything is gone for good... Make a backup first, this code wipes your whole SD and formats it to factory defaults, i "think" only the external sd is untouched, not sure, you'd better remove it before typing the code.
Hope it helps
spsf said:
If you really want to wipe your device, press:
*2767*3855#
WARNING, there is no confirmation, when you pres the last digit "#", everything is gone for good... Make a backup first, this code wipes your whole SD and formats it to factory defaults, i "think" only the external sd is untouched, not sure, you'd better remove it before typing the code.
Hope it helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any different between this method (*2767*3855# ) and by going in to settings ->privat --> factory reset? If so, what's the different (im not sarcastic, i really want to know)
thank you,
from memory, a factory reset via android's menu only wipes /data and /cache (plus a few other things like the android_secure, .cache and sd-ext folders) but leaves your internal and external SD intact.
the service code is the "real deal" and wipes everything that's mounted. Why don't you try it and tell us the results? I hear lots of good about it... ^^
Snakeforhire said:
from memory, a factory reset via android's menu only wipes /data and /cache (plus a few other things like the android_secure, .cache and sd-ext folders) but leaves your internal and external SD intact.
the service code is the "real deal" and wipes everything that's mounted. Why don't you try it and tell us the results? I hear lots of good about it... ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, i leave it to someone els. Do you know if this method also erase the root or not?
nope, /system partition remains as is (including all the files that were installed to it, but there aren't that many of them. Most third-party files get written to /data, which is also wiped. There might remain a few .conf files in .etc though, but it's rarely a problem -especially for rooted users, since we're used to completely wipe everything including /system when flashing a new stock ROM )
Use the service code or as JJEgan said:
Boot CWM recovery,
go to Mounts and Storage,
Format cache, data, system and sd card.
^^both of these methods do the same thing and will wipe everything that has been changed by the user.
Good Luck.
I performed the *2767*3855# method but yet on first start up im still seeing a background from a old rom ive flashed to it? Why is this? Is there any way to completely nuke everything on the phone? and just start flashing things back onto it?
Help
Hi how do I completly set my phone back to original unrooted status?
I have read up on so much but I seem to have made a right mess of my phone.
I can't unroot it no matter what I do, I put the original kernal back on through odin but it is still rooted but it got rid of yellow triangle.
The phone works ok and boots up but even the usb jig won't reset the counter, just boots into recovery mode.
I'm at the point as I don't know what I have done anymore.
Please help someone.
Hi,
im quite new to rooting and custom roms.
I have rooted (ALLINONE) my device with the S3 ToolKit (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1703488)
My device had stock rom and was encrypted. I performed a factory reset from the stock rom (after a nandroid backup from the toolkit.
But the phone failed and booted into TWRP. When i try to wipe Dalvik Cache it sais failed..
I get "cannot mount internal storage" in the logs.
What sould i do?
I want to install the Paranoid Android ROM. But for now, whatever goes. Is there always an possibility to fix the phone as long as i get into the TWRP menu, or can it be permanently bricked now?
Download mode yes no ???
jje
Yes im am able to open download mode. thanks for your quick reply
Could i try to install a ROM from a external card without wiping dalvik? I was able to wipe "cache", but not factory reset or dalvik. havent tried anything else yet.
To my knowledge, you can only access encrypted data with the instance of the ROM you encrypted it with.
I would expect you'd have to decrypt fully before wiping and flashing.
I may be wrong but there is a chance there's nothing you can do to get the data back :/
Everything possibly needs to be formatted.
I just took "format data" - it worked just to confirm i was on the right track, i tried dalvik again - it worked! OH YES. going forward
Whatever doesnt kill your phone makes you stronger, or something But what should i do now..?
sponsen said:
what should i do now..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends where you want to be...
rootSU said:
It depends where you want to be...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to flash the Paranoid Android ROM.
I have downloaded the ROM + gapps from as stated in this link: (remote the [DOT] and replace it with a real dot) tothemobile[DOT]com/install-paranoidandroid-4-2-2-jelly-bean-custom-rom-on-galaxy-s3
but im not sure what steps i should do now. The toolkit dosnt have a feature covering my situation as far as i can see (a formatted phone), since the toolkit want me to boot it as normal to start the flash procedure - if i havent misunderstood this totally
sponsen said:
I want to flash the Paranoid Android ROM.
I have downloaded the ROM + gapps from as stated in this link: (remote the [DOT] and replace it with a real dot) tothemobile[DOT]com/install-paranoidandroid-4-2-2-jelly-bean-custom-rom-on-galaxy-s3
but im not sure what steps i should do now. The toolkit dosnt have a feature covering my situation as far as i can see (a formatted phone), since the toolkit want me to boot it as normal to start the flash procedure - if i havent misunderstood this totally
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't really need the toolkit. Plus, it's really good to learn how to do things manually, in case you get in situations like this.
Sol exactly what state is the phone in?
What recovery has the phone got?
Does the phone now boot?
Is it wiped and internal storage works?
Thanks for your help - really appreciate it
Im not sure how i can describe the phones state more than i have now used "format data" in the TWRP recovery screen, the device is listing in the toolkit and im able to go into download mode. I dont have an external card for the phone now, but if its critical for the ongoing progress, ill get a hold of one.
EDIT:
When i hit "Install" in TWRP i am able to browse the internal memory. I can see:
cache
data
dev
efs
etc
external_sd
extSdCard
preload
proc
res
root
sbin
sdcard
sys
system
tmp
sponsen said:
Thanks for your help - really appreciate it
Im not sure how i can describe the phones state more than i have now used "format data" in the TWRP recovery screen, the device is listing in the toolkit and im able to go into download mode. I dont have an external card for the phone now, but if its critical for the ongoing progress, ill get a hold of one.
EDIT:
When i hit "Install" in TWRP i am able to browse the internal memory. I can see:
cache
data
dev
efs
etc
external_sd
extSdCard
preload
proc
res
root
sbin
sdcard
sys
system
tmp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a read of the "sticky roll-up thread" in general where there are guides for flashing etc
im not familiar with twrp. usually android sees /extSdCard as your removable sd. But recoveries usually use external_sd for the same location.
Essentially you put the zip on your sd and install via recovery. Have a look through those guides. I cant really help withy your recovery though as i dont know it.
I believe that the case is resloved!
To users experiencing that wipes/factory reset fails on a device that have/had encrypted data, you must "format data" and then mount a SD card with the desired ROM and gapps. If you dont have the option of a external SD - i dont know what you have to do - but im sure the internet do
Sorry if this is quite a noobish question, but I'm a bit confused after not doing this for a while. On my Note, I used to wipe and flash new roms all the time. I haven't yet done that with my M8 so it's been quite a while. I remember when I used to factory reset, I'd always still have my pictures and music (all I really care about). Now I'm reading up on it and it's telling me everything gets wiped, unless on my SD card.
Well, I didn't use to keep everything on my SD card. I know I have pictures and music stored on both. Will my media on my phone's storage get wiped?
Factory reset just wipes /data partition. Internal storage should be left intact. There might be some variation based on where you do your wipes: recovery, within OS, or hboot (wipe from hboot not recommended on modded phones). But I believe for the most part, its as I mentioned (/data gets wiped, probably cache as well, internal storage is left untouched). In TWRP, it specially states that factory reset wipes /data, cache, and Dalvik (which resides on the /data partition anyways); and that "most of the time this is the only wipe that you need."
Default save locations for TWRP and Titanium Backup are internal storage (although you can change it to the removable SD). So it would be self-defeating if a factory reset then wiped those backups from internal storage.
But you should always back your personal data anyway (especially memories like pics and videos you took). Lots of ways to do so, from automated clouds solutions; or just plug your phone to your computer, then drag and drop. Its not unheard of that internal storage gets corrupted when wiping or flashing a ROM, or just from day to day use for that matter. Back it up, and avoid regret.
redpoint73 said:
Factory reset just wipes /data partition. Internal storage should be left intact. There might be some variation based on where you do your wipes: recovery, within OS, or hboot (wipe from hboot not recommended on modded phones). But I believe for the most part, its as I mentioned (/data gets wiped, probably cache as well, internal storage is left untouched). In TWRP, it specially states that factory reset wipes /data, cache, and Dalvik (which resides on the /data partition anyways); and that "most of the time this is the only wipe that you need."
Default save locations for TWRP and Titanium Backup are internal storage (although you can change it to the removable SD). So it would be self-defeating if a factory reset then wiped those backups from internal storage.
But you should always back your personal data anyway (especially memories like pics and videos you took). Lots of ways to do so, from automated clouds solutions; or just plug your phone to your computer, then drag and drop. Its not unheard of that internal storage gets corrupted when wiping or flashing a ROM, or just from day to day use for that matter. Back it up, and avoid regret.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought. And I'd always used TWRP or CWM before, and this always left my SD card and internal storage intact. Now, however, I'm fully stock and would be doing this through the OS, so I wasn't sure if this operated differently. I see many articles stating it wipes everything. So I just want to verify that the OS factory reset functions just the same as the TWRP reset and will leave my media intact. I will of course back everything up, but I'd rather install TWRP and reset that way if the OS reset would wipe everything completely. (If I remember correctly on my Note, there is a separate 'format drive' button used to actually wipe internal and external media).
If anyone could just confirm once again before I proceed. BTW, thanks a lot redpoint, you're always a huge help on here.
I couldn't say with any certainty how the reset in OS settings works. Especially since it doesn't even say "factory reset" anymore (which was always a bit of a misnomer, anyway) but now says Reset phone Reset all data on phone. I have to say, it does sound a bit ominous!
After owning 6 Android devices, I've done a factory/data reset in OS a total of none times.
I think this explains it pretty well, looks like it gives you the option to erase sd card after you start: http://www.htc.com/us/support/htc-one-m8/howto/465049.html
Sorry guys, guess if I tried it I could've answered my own question. The HTC version actually specifically tells you what it's going to erase and then gives you the option for wiping internal storage and SD card.
cgibsong002 said:
Sorry guys, guess if I tried it I could've answered my own question. The HTC version actually specifically tells you what it's going to erase and then gives you the option for wiping internal storage and SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know, as I believe this has changed over time. On some previous HTC devices, I believe factory reset in settings just wiped user data, and didn't give the mentioned options to wipe internal storage and removable MicroSD. So it seems they made it work the way it should work.
Well, I thought everything went smoothly. Thought I backed up everything I needed. Turns out I can't find any of my contacts from the past year or so. Any ideas?? I know I had basically everything syncing before. I reloaded my google account, my HTC account (sync is greyed out), ATT Address book. There's a million things used to back up, I don't understand how my contacts could disappear.
cgibsong002 said:
Well, I thought everything went smoothly. Thought I backed up everything I needed. Turns out I can't find any of my contacts from the past year or so. Any ideas?? I know I had basically everything syncing before. I reloaded my google account, my HTC account (sync is greyed out), ATT Address book. There's a million things used to back up, I don't understand how my contacts could disappear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you have all your contacts backed up to Gmail?
redpoint73 said:
Did you have all your contacts backed up to Gmail?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression I did, but they're not there. What about the HTC backup? I thought that's why I signed up for an HTC account. And then the ATT Address book. I can't find anything
cgibsong002 said:
I was under the impression I did, but they're not there. What about the HTC backup? I thought that's why I signed up for an HTC account. And then the ATT Address book. I can't find anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've only ever used Gmail for backing up contacts, so sorry I can't really help as far as the HTC Backup or ATT Address Book.
So I just updated to 5.0 and I need to do a factory reset.. some things are a bit buggy. However, it appears the reset options have changed. It now specifically states it will erase all media including photos and music from your internal storage. Before proceeding, it gives another warming that all media will be erased. Can anyone confirm pictures and music are actually deleted? I don't think I've ever done a factory reset that erased my stuff like that.
Edit: so yeah Lollipop does a full wipe. New thread to figure out best way around this.