Database Develop

is flashing rom like a bios flash?

Hi There I know this is probably a stupid question but when you flash your rom (assuming it all works OK!) does it affect programs installed?
I would like to flash to a version with GPS but Can't be bothered to start installing software from scratch!

Depends what you're flashing. You can flash various discrete parts of the phone, eg JUST the radio, JUST the extended rom etc, but flashing the OS will effectively wipe out your device. You can recognise an OS flash because it'll be quite large, say > 30mb.
Best advice if you must flash, is take a full backup first, do the flash, and then restore your backup. This is not always wise or effective because new flashes can have new registry settings etc which get FUBARd when you write over them with your backup, but it might work. And if not, you can always revert to your original rom, and then your backup WILL work.
V

Cool, Thanks!
So this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=294718 which is lvsw's rom for gps functionality which is 47 meg will be a whole new OS because it is big?

To reiterate...
Will a rom flash to enable GPS mean that I have to install all of my programs from scratch?
Thanks!

wingnutLP said:
To reiterate...
Will a rom flash to enable GPS mean that I have to install all of my programs from scratch?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, unless you use a backup program that specifically supports restore after a ROM upgrage, such as Sprite Backup. I haven't tried it myself but there are detailed instructions on the Sprite website that involve a series of steps: backup, run a program, save a file, upgrade to new ROM, copy files back, restore backup, etc etc. I don't know if it is actually worth the effort.
I am leaning towards upgrading and reinstalling from scratch; the only PITA is recreating connections and mail accounts, most of the rest should be handled via ActiveSync.

Best Pre ROM Backup software

Hi,
I have just downloaded the latest Orange ROM and was wondering what is the best backup software to use before doing the update. Any recommendations?
Thanks.

Yes I recommend that you use search or click on pretty much any link in a signature.
alright lockerdown

PIMBackup.

OK, thanks, have actually gone on and used Sprite Backup, which seems to have worked OK. I have had to install a couple of apps, otherwise all OK.

Restoring via backup?

I usually run Duttys 6.1 Hybrid V2 w/Cube ROM, but ofcourse like to try other cooked ROMs just to see what the other cooks are working on. My question is restoring after flashing back to my regular ROM and restoring via SPB Backup vs restoring by Sashimi (which I have not used yet) or just reinstall everything by hand (we all know that SUSKS). Which is the better way to restore? Is there anything bad about restoring via SPB backup after flash? Thanks, Kevin

Depending out you are trying to back up you shouldn't use a back up program to back up from one ROM to another ROM. The back up should only be with the same ROM some people do it but IMO it is a bad idea.
Look at using UC complaint ROMS and you pretty much make your ROM flash exactly the way you want it to. Here is a link that explains it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=366337

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I am NOT restoring to different ROM, only restoring to the same ROM that the BU is built from. I should probably study up on Sashimi a that way I can rebuild all my apps regardless of flashed ROM. Thanks for the reply and Link. Kevin

Create A System Image?

does anyone no a piece of software that will create image of the phone
whenever i flash a new rom and go back to the old one, i have to reinstall my stuff, of which there is alot
any one know of any software that makes a flashable image that contains apps and settings
Thanks
Badwolve1

I have used SPB Backup with big success, however it works best on the ROM from which you made the initial backup.

Great
many thanks, i was only gonna use it on a single rom, so if i test a new ad don't like, i can go back to the old one and restore apps and settings
thanks
badwolve1

I agree with SPB Backup. It works great for me, just be sure to restore the backup right after an hard reset

Nandroid Backup and New Rom/New Version

Quick question, I hope I didn't miss this being answered somewhere else already. I like flashing different roms, and when I find one I like staying up to date with the latest version. However I'm sort of new at this and for a while I was just flashing Cyanogen's Roms, never needed a wipe.
My question is if I do the nandroid Backup + ext install a new rom, then restore that backup, is it taking me back to the previous rom that it was backed up on as well? If this is the case is there a way to pull the certain info and just move it into the new Rom?
The reason I ask is as much as I like doing this, it's somewhat time consuming setting up my shortcuts the way they were before, resetting my Locale (Program) situations, my scoreboard favs so on etc. Any help is greatly appreciated.

try "mybackup pro" from the market...
that will restore custom settings and apps to your new ROM
it may not do everything but its can get ya pretty close

Thanks
freaktractor said:
try "mybackup pro" from the market...
that will restore custom settings and apps to your new ROM
it may not do everything but its can get ya pretty close
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I'll give that a shot tonight, anything I don't have to redo is an advantage.