Nandroid Restore - applications missing/half there - G1 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys,
I wanted to check out android 2.1 flan, so I installed the rom after making a nandroid backup.
It was fun to check out, but in order to load it I had to wipe my phone and my cache.
After restoring my nandroid, all the applications I had installed but wiped with the cache are acting funny. Basically they still show up in manage applications, but they really arent there, and if I try to reinstall them through market it doesnt let me click install OR uninstall as both are greyed out.
Basically, I will have to wait for all my applications to get "updates" before I can use them again.
Is there a way to clean up these ghost programs... without doing a complete wipe (and loosing text messages and other things)?

I didnt think Nandroid did application backups (what you are seeing are in the ext3 partition)
You need Switchrom or BART to do full backups including apps
I may be (and no dount will be) wrong though.

sjbayer3 said:
Hi guys,
I wanted to check out android 2.1 flan, so I installed the rom after making a nandroid backup.
It was fun to check out, but in order to load it I had to wipe my phone and my cache.
After restoring my nandroid, all the applications I had installed but wiped with the cache are acting funny. Basically they still show up in manage applications, but they really arent there, and if I try to reinstall them through market it doesnt let me click install OR uninstall as both are greyed out.
Basically, I will have to wait for all my applications to get "updates" before I can use them again.
Is there a way to clean up these ghost programs... without doing a complete wipe (and loosing text messages and other things)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned above, nandroid *does not* back up your external apps. It will ONLY backup your *INTERNAL* storage.
If you make a clean restore of your nandroid backup and then run the fix_permissions script from recovery, it *might* be able to fix (some/most of) your external apps. Might try that.
If it doesn't work, then it is a tedious business of reinstalling each application individually and then restoring *ITS* home directory. Either that or a total wipe (internal and external).

The problem is that the database file that keeps track of which apps you have installed/removed is out of sync with the apps that you have installed.
I am uncertain how to fix this (I have the same problem myself).
If you perform a factory wipe, you'll lose that database entirely. All your apps will be installed, but your phone will think that none of them are.

UPDATE:
OK...apparently this is a more widespread issue impacting people running the stock/OEM ROMs as well as those of us with rooted phones.
Read up on this thread:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=096ef069db2788e9&hl=en
I followed the suggestion near the bottom of the page and copied over the /data/data/com.andriod.vending/databases/assets.db to a new filename (basically I renamed it).
I then launched the market app and then it would let me install (reinstall) the missing apps.
Then I ran into a problem. I deleted the new assets.db that was created and copied the old one (the one I renamed) back to assets.db.
Then the market app would force close. I noticed the UID of the assets.db file was wrong.
I ran the fix_permissions script from RA's recovery image. This fixed the UID problem, including the assets.db file. But now the market app only shows the apps that I've paid for......none of the others that I have installed.
Not sure what's going on there. It may sort itself out within 24 hours.

Related

App installation always hanging...bad sdcard?

I am experiencing some very unusual problems with my froyo installs, specifically when installing/restoring apps.
First the basic info:
Nexus One
Froyo 2.2 FRF 72 stock with root no radio update
Upgraded from FRF 50 stock with root no radio update
I used Titanium Backup (TB) to backup all my apps, I have done this countless times before. Everything was fine on FRF50, but I wanted to try out a modified ROM. Yes I nandroided, but the restore failed THANKS CLOCKWORKMOD!! I should have stuck with amonRA. Anway, I had no choice but to flash again. I tried a few from the forums with all the same results so I gave up on them and just did stock with root but still having the issues.
When I restored the apps with TB, i get about 90% of my apps restored then I get an error saying that my space is full (even tho I enabled the stock apps2sd method) OR TB will suddenly just stop restoring apps, again stuck around 94%. I am thinking, its okay ill just reboot and continue. Well I rebooted and all the apps were gone even tho they are obviously on the sdcard, i checked.
So typical solution:
force stop the launcher. that didnt work. i tried other launchers, nothing worked. i had no choice but to wipe and try again. trust me, i did this way to many times, i dont even wanna think about it.
So i thought there was an issue with TB, yes i clicked "problems", upgraded busybox, trust me, I did all the basic stuff, Im beyond that.
Then I tried installing every app manually, thats over 150+ apps, ya..it was annoying as hell. Then suddenly, I would get stuck at the installing screen....no app would install, not from TB, not from market, not from the sdcard...nothing.
So typical solution:
delete .android_secure
That only works temporarily, then its back to the issue.
The point is, it keeps happening. Like today, I install a fresh ROM, yes I wiped, I even partitioned the sdcard and within installing literally ONE app, I get this problem, no app installs after that. So I went and deleted .android_secure and everything seems to be working okay. But this will happen again, if I try to restore with TB now, the same thing will happen again. I have tried every combination of installing apps, using TB, wiping....nothing seems to work.
On top of all that, my apps wont restore automatically from the market when installing a fresh ROM. So my question, what do I do about this and has anyone else had this problem? Any help would be appreciated.
Update:
I called it. It happened again. Fresh install, installed one app, no apps installed after that, deleted .android_secure, everything was back to normal, started restoring apps with TB, stuck at 93%, nothing will install now...any suggestions? should i delete .android_secure AGAIN!?
Ayman
Decided to install cyanogenmod 6.0.0 final today (didn't flash any of the nightlies/RCs), and now I'm facing the same problem. My titanium backup restores all appeared to be going well, and in fact I can even run the apps that were successfully restored without problems. But at some point in the restore it'll hang, and I won't be able to install anything from then on. In fact, when I tried rebooting the phone, it wouldn't even detect any of the apps installed on the sdcard (although, when I checked /sdcard/.android_secure, all the .asec files were present).
OP/anyone else, did you ever manage to fix this problem?
I've got the exact same problem
Tried 3 different roms after wiping everything and I can't seem to install any app.
TB does not install app and neither does market and this is starting to get very annoying.
Same problem but with specific apps:
Wi-Fi File Explorer Pro (most important as I paid for it)
Angry Birds
Google Sky Map
My other 100+ apps restored from Ti Backup or installed from the Market.
I have logs that say "unable to open secure container" but who do I send them to?
Enom from TheOfficialRom has stated that restoring from Titanium is really not very good practice. I had the exact same thing happen to me when i first installed his rom; enabled apps2sd, restored all apps and data with titanium backup.
Here's the catch, and might help you. I then did a wipe (don't wipe ext too!) and when it came up all of my apps were installed and worked fine. I even went through and manually restored all of the data from the apps and they continued to work fine! Just don't restore "System" data, set that stuff back up by hand. So in this case, the apps are "already installed" and for me worked fine, even after restoring their data (not the apps themselves, as they were already on the ext partition). This fixed my primary issue ("all" apps failed to install or upgrade).
However, I continued to have periodic problems with certain apps as I had also enabled dalvik-cache to /cache which works if you don't have a bazillion apps installed, but I have >115 and my /cache was always 100% full and caused app installs to fail. Some were fine, some were not. Don't know why, but I know (after wiping again) and NOT moving dalvik-cache, zero problems. I even repeated the process back and forth a few times and dalvik-cache to /cache = fail for me. You can check in his Spare Parts if you're using his ROM, or just df in a terminal if you've moved the dalvik to make sure where it's at isn't full.
Hopefully this helps some.
I had this problem earlier on after trying a custom rom moving from FRF91 when it first came out. I had to go through the market to get the apps, but titanium would restore the data after i installed the app... i think.
The Clockword nandroid kept failing on me too. BUT, i found if i tried them a second or third time, they would actually work.

Flashing-Restoring-Titanium Backup-Serendipity

I am going to reflash Serendipity 3.5.2 tonight. I backed up with MyBackupPro, but it didn't restore all of my apps and data - but SMS worked with that backup. I then restored my TB and my texting problem returned - I can't send any texts, but I can receive them. I get a messaging forced closed every time I try to send one.
My question is, can I go through that TB backup somehow and delete any reference to messaging and restore after that? How would one go through their backup and make this change? I want to restore with TB because it did a better job, but I don't want the problem back. Suggestions??
TiBu
I'd recommend Titanium Backup.
When you restore, only restore "Missing apps with data".
Restoring SMS stuff is a "system" function, and will not be restored. Then, you can go thru the list and VERY SELECTIVELY pick system items you do want restored, such as wifi access points, widgets, accounts, etc.
alabamaroping said:
I'd recommend Titanium Backup.
When you restore, only restore "Missing apps with data".
Restoring SMS stuff is a "system" function, and will not be restored. Then, you can go thru the list and VERY SELECTIVELY pick system items you do want restored, such as wifi access points, widgets, accounts, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your help. What I need to know is how to selectively pick system items?
The other thing is I selected 'missing apps with data, yet still this messaging problem came back. I have deleted GO SMS completely, I'm not convinced it didn't cause my problems. I ran the batch operation to delete the deleted apps from the backup. I would really like to get rid of anything messaging before I restore this time, if that's possible. I see several possibilities:
com.android.mms-20110111-144642.properties
com.android.mms-20110111-144642.tar.gz
com.jb.mms-3accf7136245183972901f8fb5b026fb.apk.gz
com.jb.mms-55b6dd5aa915f6158b7664812f02edb1.apk.gz
com.jb.mms-20110111-144608.properties
com.jb.mms-20110111-144608.tar.gz
com.jb.mms-20110114-070110.properties
com.jb.mms-20110114-070110.tar.gz
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandeleven3-7941f117b495bed787c418c01fffba93.apk.gz
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandeleven3-20110111-144614.properties
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandeleven3-20110111-144614.tar.gz
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandelevenone-9144ecf9015eafef1a7a08e2cf02babb.apk.gz
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandelevenone-20110111-144614.properties
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandelevenone-20110111-144614.tar.gz
I believe the theme ones are for GO SMS, so they're probably ok to not bother with, but those first eight I think need to go. Can I delete them within TB somehow?
In TiBu system apps are red, system data is green, 3rd party is white.
The only reason to restore a system app is if you uninstalled it. Don't restore a system app from a previous ROM on a newer ROM. Don't restore system data from older Android versions (i.e. 2.1 -> 2.2) because the data format may be different. If you know you need settings for a system app, restore data only. Test it, and if it fails, go back and delete only data. There's a "Wipe data" for those.
The green ones are what you're most likely interested in. Tap one, hit restore. It's that easy. If you don't know what it does, stop there, exit TiBu and test everything to find what changed. If something stops working, go back to that item in TiBu and uninstall it (Green items only) and it should work again.
But before doing any of that, a nandroid backup will save lots of time of you crash the phone.
Ok, so basically I'd have to go through and restore one by one - tedious, but may be necessary. I was hoping I'd be able to delete files from the backup and then run the batch. Well, to keep texting I think that's what I'll have to do. I do have a Nandroid backup of my Assonance installation (but that may have the texting problem in it, too, it started on Assonance). Thank you so much for the help!
reinbeau said:
Ok, so basically I'd have to go through and restore one by one - tedious, but may be necessary. I was hoping I'd be able to delete files from the backup and then run the batch. Well, to keep texting I think that's what I'll have to do. I do have a Nandroid backup of my Assonance installation (but that may have the texting problem in it, too, it started on Assonance). Thank you so much for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always restore"all missing apps with data". Then I selectively restore wifi access points and widgets. Sometimes the widgets don't restore properly, but I've never had it cause any problems.
k2snowboards88 said:
I always restore"all missing apps with data". Then I selectively restore wifi access points and widgets. Sometimes the widgets don't restore properly, but I've never had it cause any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ee, that's the problem, I didn't restore system data, I restored apps and data - and somehow my previous texting problem appeared again. When I flashed last night, texting worked. Eureka, I was thrilled. But all of my stuff wasn't back. I set the path for my TB backup on my external card, did my restore, and no more texting. Very frustrating. I want my data, but I may end up starting from scratch, or going one by one as CuriousTech has suggested.
Right. It's really pretty quick once you get the hang of it.
Backup all user apps + system data.
Restore missing apps with data. Go through and uncheck anything you don't need, then let it run. Often times I do a restore of app+data of apps I know have important data, then again with app only of games and such, but it's not necessary.
Then manually go through the green items.

Nandroid/titanium clarification please.

I'm new to rooting. Just got my moto droid (1) rooted yesterday using superoneclick. Worked Flawlessly. I've installed barnacle wifi teather utilizing my newely establish root 'superuser'.
I've been reading up on custom roms, removing bloatware, ect and am anxious to give it all a go HOWEVER first things first, I need to make a copy/backup of my stock phone's rom right?
I need to be rooted to make a backup right?
Now I've heard about nandroid and titanium back. From what I've gathered titanium backs up all ur apps and there settings to reintall after flashing a new rom,...right? (Since flashin wipes internal memory)
I think, Nandroid is needed for installing new/custom roms and/or reverting back to my stock rom.....nandroid is a program correct?
Am I following this correctly?
Id really appreciate your time to answer my elemenatry questions.
Thanks!
Sent from my Droid using XDA App
Basically, nandroid is a disc image.
You can restore your entire OS quite quickly.
Titanium is simply a very good program for backing up your apps along with data so all your settings are saved.
Restoring with titanium can take a long time though since each app gets installed one by one - and that's when it is working properly. For me, it just keeps closing itself after restoring a singe app.
I haven't seen it recommended but I HIGHLY recommend SuperManager for for backing up and restoring. It doesn't ask any questions. It just puts all your stuff back and it doesn't crash.
So I use SM for restoring the whole shot, and Titanium when I'm being more selective.
if you use nandroid to backup then after you have flashed your new ROM then you can put the nandroid files in the sd/openrecovery/nandroid/ folder, boot into open recovery and pick the nandroid files to install.
I got super manager and backed up my apps to sd card.
Next I got rom manager...now my problem is I cannot get rom manager to back up my stock rom. Flashed the clockworkmod via rom manager and tried booting into recovery,..I only get stock recovery.
Went back into rom manager and flashed the alternative recovery SPRecovery, still no luck booting into an aftermarket recovery.
What the heck am I doing wrong?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my Droid using XDA App
I haven't gotten ROM Manager to work consistently, but I find that after a few attempts at booting into Clockwork Recovery, it'll eventually go through. Maybe someone can point out a way to make the process take less time.
Got up this morning and thought id try again.
Flashed the clockwork recovery then instantly hit reboot in recovery and voila!! It worked! Weird tho. Made my first nandroid.
Does anyone have a suggestion on what rom to give a try for a motorola droid (1)?
Sent from my Droid using XDA App
kmcgill88 said:
Got up this morning and thought id try again.
Flashed the clockwork recovery then instantly hit reboot in recovery and voila!! It worked! Weird tho. Made my first nandroid.
Does anyone have a suggestion on what rom to give a try for a motorola droid (1)?
Sent from my Droid using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want 2.2 you should try CM6 or Froyomod 2.5.0
If you want 2.3 you should try Shadowmodbrv.2.3.2 build 3. It's the fastest rom i've tried so far....or CM7 which works quite good.
On all of these roms the battery life is really good...Many people say that their battery life sucks with custom roms but actually they havent had their battery status calibrated correctly. For example, the battery percentage shows 30%, when actually it has 60%.
Search on the forums about calibrating yours if you want...
Hope I've been helpful...
Cheers, vladstercr!
vladstercr said:
If you want 2.2 you should try CM6 or Froyomod 2.5.0
If you want 2.3 you should try Shadowmodbrv.2.3.2 build 3. It's the fastest rom i've tried so far....or CM7 which works quite good.
On all of these roms the battery life is really good...Many people say that their battery life sucks with custom roms but actually they havent had their battery status calibrated correctly. For example, the battery percentage shows 30%, when actually it has 60%.
Search on the forums about calibrating yours if you want...
Hope I've been helpful...
Cheers, vladstercr!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard the CM name around a lot. When I go into rom manager I see the CM 6 but I'm still lil nervous to give it a shot. This is my only phone. Soo,....maybe a few more tutorials to review the process once more..just cuz
Now when I flash, say, CM6 I don't need to worry about root or superuser permission anymore do I?
Also what apps, if any, will be pre installed with CM6? (I have backed up my apps with super manager)
I really appreciate everyones help! THANK YOU!
Sent from my Droid using XDA App
Since you did a nandroid, you have very little to worry about.
But, just to be super safe, you can copy the nandroid to your computer.
If anything goes wrong, you have an instant restore handy.
About Super Manager - I forgot to mention that to save all your user data along with your apps and to also have a quick restore process, back up using the smbk option.
When you flash CM6, you will stay rooted and be overclocked to 900 mhz.
There is no bloat installed with CM6 but all the essentials are there.
I don't know anything about ROM Manager stuff because I can't use it on my Milestone.
vladstercr said:
If you want 2.2 you should try CM6 or Froyomod 2.5.0
If you want 2.3 you should try Shadowmodbrv.2.3.2 build 3. It's the fastest rom i've tried so far....or CM7 which works quite good.
On all of these roms the battery life is really good...Many people say that their battery life sucks with custom roms but actually they havent had their battery status calibrated correctly. For example, the battery percentage shows 30%, when actually it has 60%.
Search on the forums about calibrating yours if you want...
Hope I've been helpful...
Cheers, vladstercr!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is this the shadwmod you're referring to? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=939555
will this work for the droid 1 (as long as i flash the proper baseband)? i've tried a fair # of gb builds but not this one and wanna give it a shot. thanks
I've had a few questions about nandroid. So far I do a full back up so I can revert if a new ROM is playing up. If I decide to stick with a new ROM, can I just restore elements of that full backup to get my data (I.e. texts, call logs and apps) back? Or is it all or nothing?
At the moment I just put up with starting fresh but it would be helpful to retain some of that data. (I'm getting bored starting angry birds over and over again!)
Cheers
S
Sent from my Milestone using XDA App
skribzy said:
I've had a few questions about nandroid. So far I do a full back up so I can revert if a new ROM is playing up. If I decide to stick with a new ROM, can I just restore elements of that full backup to get my data (I.e. texts, call logs and apps) back? Or is it all or nothing?
At the moment I just put up with starting fresh but it would be helpful to retain some of that data. (I'm getting bored starting angry birds over and over again!)
Cheers
S
Sent from my Milestone using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nandroid is only useful for a FULL restore of your entire phone's state. it backs up everything in IMG format, and then re-flashes it *in whole* in the event of a restore. so, short answer, no... you can't restore bits and pieces from a nandroid backup.
HOWEVER, Titanium Backup is my app of choice for backing up applications and app data (because no one should have to start over at angry birds!). The donate/Pro app is TOTALLY worth the few bucks, and it's very easy to use.
To use Titanium Backup: download from market (i really suggest the Pro version), click "Batch" then "backup user apps". When you start fresh with a new ROM, cancel all your active downloads, re-download Titanium Backup from the market and select batch>restore missing apps + app data. This way you restore the data associated with your apps, but not a previous ROMs system data. If you are unable to cancel your downloads, there is also a batch method to uninstall all backed up apps, that way you can make sure that you install your backup and not a "fresh" copy from the market.
A quick note about angry birds using Titanium Backup on GB -- with most GB ROMs, Angry Birds will install by default to the sdcard. They, however, will not run on the sdcard. As soon as you've done a restore using Titanium, just go to Settings>Applications>Manage Applications, and click Angry Birds and select "Move to Phone". Then you should be good
vuarnet said:
nandroid is only useful for a FULL restore of your entire phone's state. it backs up everything in IMG format, and then re-flashes it *in whole* in the event of a restore. so, short answer, no... you can't restore bits and pieces from a nandroid backup.
HOWEVER, Titanium Backup is my app of choice for backing up applications and app data (because no one should have to start over at angry birds!). The donate/Pro app is TOTALLY worth the few bucks, and it's very easy to use.
To use Titanium Backup: download from market (i really suggest the Pro version), click "Batch" then "backup user apps". When you start fresh with a new ROM, cancel all your active downloads, re-download Titanium Backup from the market and select batch>restore missing apps + app data. This way you restore the data associated with your apps, but not a previous ROMs system data. If you are unable to cancel your downloads, there is also a batch method to uninstall all backed up apps, that way you can make sure that you install your backup and not a "fresh" copy from the market.
A quick note about angry birds using Titanium Backup on GB -- with most GB ROMs, Angry Birds will install by default to the sdcard. They, however, will not run on the sdcard. As soon as you've done a restore using Titanium, just go to Settings>Applications>Manage Applications, and click Angry Birds and select "Move to Phone". Then you should be good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks very much for such useful advice!
skribzy said:
At the moment I just put up with starting fresh but it would be helpful to retain some of that data. (I'm getting bored starting angry birds over and over again!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found that TitaniumPro doesn't always restore setting properly. Sometimes you have to go into the individual app and do a manual restore. I am not sure why this is, but just FYI.
mfratto said:
I have found that TitaniumPro doesn't always restore setting properly. Sometimes you have to go into the individual app and do a manual restore. I am not sure why this is, but just FYI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
titanium CAN restore system settings / apps, but it's a little bit of a different process to make sure that you don't restore a previous ROM's data, which can cause some pretty serious instabilities if done improperly.
here are some How-Tos for using Titanium Backup: http://www.moddedlogic.com/pe/howto.php
these methods are a little more advanced, and if done improperly can cause instability. these methods can be used in conjunction with restoring "missing apps + app data" like i mentioned above.
skribzy said:
I've had a few questions about nandroid. So far I do a full back up so I can revert if a new ROM is playing up. If I decide to stick with a new ROM, can I just restore elements of that full backup to get my data (I.e. texts, call logs and apps) back? Or is it all or nothing?
At the moment I just put up with starting fresh but it would be helpful to retain some of that data. (I'm getting bored starting angry birds over and over again!)
Cheers
S
Sent from my Milestone using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its neither. Its both. You can't pluck ur call log txt ect data from a nandroid to my knowledge.
I'm new to this but I have the understanding a nandroid is a snapshot of EXACTLY everything you have on your phone, including txt, call log,ect. So as I'm sure you've read its always suggested to creat a nandroid of your original rom before installing a custom rom. Then u can go back in time if need be.
As for restoring your data after installing a new rom you need to backup your apps, I used super manager via smbk file, once you install the new rom go to market (or its pry saved in sd still) reinstall super manager and use the restore button to reinstall all your apps in one fell swoop.
Contacts, calendar, and email r on the google cloud so that will auto resync once u sign into your phone. I still lost my txt, call log, ect but I didn't care about that.
Now that u have your apps back and get a few settings confgured i decided to make a nandroid of my newly installed Rom just in case I F something up and can't figure out how to g back. With the new nandroid created I can revert back to my stock rom or modded rom annd all apps & data will be exactly how I left it.
Hope that helps.
Anyone plz feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
Sent from my Droid using XDA App
kmcgill88 said:
Its neither. Its both. You can't pluck ur call log txt ect data from a nandroid to my knowledge.
I'm new to this but I have the understanding a nandroid is a snapshot of EXACTLY everything you have on your phone, including txt, call log,ect. So as I'm sure you've read its always suggested to creat a nandroid of your original rom before installing a custom rom. Then u can go back in time if need be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's *possible* but not easy. Nandroid is a **disk image** (.img file) backup, not a file-by-file backup/file dump. While it's *possible* to dissect it and flash bits and pieces, it would be quite advanced since it would have to be flashed using adb or a terminal emulator ...and even then i'm not sure it would actually work without running the full binary scripts from the recovery restore processes. And even if you did get the binaries to run and flash the .img files to the right places, you would run the possibility that the old data would be incompatible with your current ROM / system.
You can unpack the img file in linux if you know how and push pieces of it using adb shell, but that's still sort of going out of your way for something relatively simple. To unpack an .img file in linux:
# Make a directory where you want the file mounted:
sudo mkdir /image
# Then mount the image on the directory:
sudo mount -o loop /path/to/file.img /image
# Then you could open the directory with nautilus:
nautilus /image
# When you're done, unmount the img:
sudo unmount /image
Nandroid is a backup of a STATE of your phone, not pieces. To backup apps and data, just use a program, there are a bunch out there. You can also do as I do and pull /system and /data from your phone and backup to your computer. You will need the android sdk though. Just connect via USB and make sure USB Debugging is enabled (settings>applications>development) and run in terminal:
cd [android sdk directory/platform-tools/]
adb devices
(make sure your device shows up)
adb pull /system [local directory]
adb pull /data [local directory]
voila. you now have copies of your /data and /system folders on your computer. you can even do your whole internal storage if you want and can create the proper permissions. however, as a caveat, these will not restore a broken system to stable state like a nandroid will, it's pretty much just for restoring individual apps if you lose them or delete something.
bottom line: nandroid is great for what it's intended for. outside of that, there are reasons why there are backup tools / apps for backing up pieces of your ROM. use them each for what they're intended and you'll be good. nandroid backup/restore is like 3 clicks. same for app restore programs. use the appropriate tools for the appropriate jobs and you'll be juuuuust fine.
EDIT: it's also possible to do an advanced nandroid restore of a certain partition, but it's *highly* advisable not to in almost all circumstances. it will most likely screw up more stuff than it fixes. it's really only helpful if the backup and your current ROM are the exact same.
for instance, if I have a nandroid backup of CM6, and i screw something up in my /data folder, and i'm still running the same version of CM6, then i could advanced nandroid my /data partition back in recovery. outside of that, it's pretty much useless and would do more harm than good.
Hi
I'm sorry to jump in in the discussion like this but reading this discussion confused me a little regarding a possible usage of a nandroid backup.
Given the fact that this type of backup is a full image of the system, can I transfer this backup on another motorola droid and restore it also on there? Or each nandroid is associated to a specific phone (even if the model is the same)?
Thank you so much!
No a nandroid wouldn't necessarily be phone specific.
But it would be OS specific.
There would likely be problems if you restored a CM6 rom (froyo) on a phone that still has eclair on it.
zeppelinrox said:
No a nandroid wouldn't necessarily be phone specific.
But it would be OS specific.
There would likely be problems if you restored a CM6 rom (froyo) on a phone that still has eclair on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not necessarily "phone" specific, but it is *device* specific. you wouldn't be able to use a Droid nandroid on a Droid X, for instance. The md5 sum check would fail.
so yes, you would be able to restore a nandroid restore on a backup that you manually moved onto another phone, as long as the device was the same (moto droid to moto droid).

[Q] Changing ROM's, TiBackup procedure

Hello,
I've been running Perception 10.1 for quite a while now. There's really nothing wrong with it, I guess I'm just bored. I'm thinking about putting CM7 on my phone.
Everytime I've changed ROMs in the past I've tried to do a NAND backup with Rom Manager and everytime I install the new ROM on there and then I do a NAND restore, none of the apps come over with it and I usually have problems and crashes. So, to me, CWM is basically worthless. I have made tons of backups and not one single one of them restored without errors and crashes. Worst program ever.
So, now I have bought the Pro version of Titanium Backup. I'd like to do a full backup so that way when I finish the flashing process to get my new ROM on there, I can just use that to restore all my apps and settings. I'd hate to have to go and download all my apps all over again, I have over 100 on there now.
What type of backup should I do with Titanium Backup so that migrating to a new ROM and restoring is as seamless as possible?
Thanks!
derek4484 said:
Hello,
I've been running Perception 10.1 for quite a while now. There's really nothing wrong with it, I guess I'm just bored. I'm thinking about putting CM7 on my phone.
Everytime I've changed ROMs in the past I've tried to do a NAND backup with Rom Manager and everytime I install the new ROM on there and then I do a NAND restore, none of the apps come over with it and I usually have problems and crashes. So, to me, CWM is basically worthless. I have made tons of backups and not one single one of them restored without errors and crashes. Worst program ever.
So, now I have bought the Pro version of Titanium Backup. I'd like to do a full backup so that way when I finish the flashing process to get my new ROM on there, I can just use that to restore all my apps and settings. I'd hate to have to go and download all my apps all over again, I have over 100 on there now.
What type of backup should I do with Titanium Backup so that migrating to a new ROM and restoring is as seamless as possible?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go on Backup & restore, open the menu and select batch.
Run: Backup all user apps + system data.
Once you restore although, don't restore system data as it will mess up with your new ROM.
BWolf56 said:
Go on Backup & restore, open the menu and select batch.
Run: Backup all user apps + system data.
Once you restore although, don't restore system data as it will mess up with your new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks. Let me ask you a question then... You say to run the batch backup all user apps + system data, but only run the restore user apps. Why? Is there a difference between doing it your way, and just running the batch backup user apps, then doing the batch restore user apps? What is the purpose of backing up system data, if its not going to be restored? Just curious why to backup the system data if not restoring it. I think I have read somewhere else to not restore the system data on the new ROM cause it'll cheese it up.
Titanium Backup seems like a powerful program, although I havent been able to find any user manual or really anywhere that details what all the options do.
if going between different roms dont do all system data only the green ones and user apps. not all system data is compatible between different frameworks and options
create a label for "my sys data" and assign the green ones to it.
make sure to have tibu backup its settings as well in the settings menu.
derek4484 said:
Ok, thanks. Let me ask you a question then... You say to run the batch backup all user apps + system data, but only run the restore user apps. Why? Is there a difference between doing it your way, and just running the batch backup user apps, then doing the batch restore user apps? What is the purpose of backing up system data, if its not going to be restored? Just curious why to backup the system data if not restoring it. I think I have read somewhere else to not restore the system data on the new ROM cause it'll cheese it up.
Titanium Backup seems like a powerful program, although I havent been able to find any user manual or really anywhere that details what all the options do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply cause you want a full backup if u ever wanna go back to a certain ROM. Also, doing a full backup is safer, the program won't miss anything and when you restore your apps, you can restore your apps's data (which I personnaly love).
You don't have to backup your system data, I simply suggest it as you never know if you'll change your mind
I think backing up system data is just a precaution in case something goes wrong.
Trusselo said:
if going between different roms dont do all system data only the green ones and user apps.
create a label for "my sys data" and assign the green ones to it.
make sure to have tibu backup its settings as well in the settings menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trusselo, you're being too helpful lol - everywhere I try to help some1, you're right there doing so too
Love to see ppl with experience still helping the newbie with patience
Just back up user apps and data (also dialer storage for texts).
I never make full backups of my rom. Just Tibu backups for apps.
qwertyaas said:
Just back up user apps and data (also dialer storage for texts).
I never make full backups of my rom. Just Tibu backups for apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@ OP - I believe it's up to you. Full backup is safer if something goes wrong but not necessary as mentionned by others. I do it cause I can
The only thing to remember, if that's what you decide to do, is to not restore system data if you flash a different ROM.
Ok, I got it. Thanks to you all.
For future reference, a NAND backup in CWM is not worthless, you are just using it wrong.
It is not meant to restore apps/data it is a complete image of your phone as it was when you took the backup. it is designed so that you can jump between roms easily by just restoring nandroids of your setups. it is not and dont think it was ever designed to 'restore apps' but restore the entire system. your problems before with it were likely because you were trying to go between 2.1 and 2.2 roms? a nandroid does not backup the kernel or modem so it makes it a little difficult to bounce between 2.1/2.2 etc there are ways, but its just easier to start fresh and restore a Titanium backup batch job
regarding Tibu and nandroid.
Full system / everything backup is good for backing up your system AS IS if you are going to mess around with what you have or try a rom for a few hours but want to go back to exactly how it was.
thats why the green ones are green in tibu its the bare minimum that will work across all roms.
@Bwolf56 - ya im on here alot. just finishing coming off comp for nearly taking my thumb right off.
i try to help. but get into crap often... still try to help regardless!
Something I've learned from flashing you can NEVER have too many backups.
Sent from a place my wife doesn't know about (yet)

[Q] Updating, Wiping, Restoring and Titanium...

Dear community,
today as a first step I have successfully rooted my Phone (Froyo 2.2.1) with CF-Root Kernel and Odin, yay! Thanks to all the Developers, Guides and Refs on this page!!
In order to fix my ongoing battery issues,next thing I want to try is to flash a new ROM; I think for stability and for practice the latest Froyo Build JS8! I have downloaded Titanium Backup and have successfully backed up all my system and user apps and settings.
Now when I flash the new ROM, the phone will be wiped, or at least the Wipe-method is recommended (hard-reset AFTER the flashing?).
Can I restore at least some settings and apps with my Titanium Backup Files (I read restoring system apps/settings is not recommended)?
How would I do that (where does Titanium save the backup files?)
How do you guys usually perform the steps to a new ROM without losing all system settings, apps, app-settings etc...?
Thanks for all recommendations!
I would recomend you, restore user apps only. It will restore your apps and their settings. You could do it in batch mode.
Also is recomended to copy your TitaniumBackup folder to PC
Last but not least, do not forget copy your EFS folder too.
Sent from my GT-P1000N using Tapatalk
jellygoos said:
Can I restore at least some settings and apps with my Titanium Backup Files (I read restoring system apps/settings is not recommended)?
How would I do that (where does Titanium save the backup files?)
How do you guys usually perform the steps to a new ROM without losing all system settings, apps, app-settings etc...?
Thanks for all recommendations!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Get titanium backup PRO.
2) Batch backup your whole system (while you're at it, create a schedule so your phone automatically gets backed up at least once/week). The files will go on your sd card in a TitaniumBackup folder (actually you can specify where they go).
3) Go and nuke your phone with whatever.
4) Re-install Titanium backup, then batch restore your USER apps & settings. Leave the system settings alone for now.
5) Okay for system settings, be a bit more selective:
6) Go to Backup/Restore tab, select menu, then filters, then apply a Filter by Type: System.
7) Anything in GREEN is system settings (red=system applications).
8) I typically restore the following: Contacts/Call-logs; SMS/MMS/APN; Bookmarks; SMS/MMS Preferences; Wifi Access Points; Calendar Storage (think that includes your alarm clock settings).
Note that you may need to reboot before you see the restore take effect - e.g. you can't see your restored sms till after reboot.
Also it's safest to grab a copy of your titanium backup folder and put it on your computer. Lookup how to get a copy of your /efs too.
Thanks for the swift answers and useful guides! Will buy the Titanium Pro for sure.
In the Pro Version it says it can convert System Apps into User Apps and vice versa. Couldn't I just convert all the System Apps into User Apps and then restore everything, once on new ROM?
About the freezing feature of the Pro Version: Does it freeze complete Apps, or can you tell them to freeze specific tasks? I noticed that for example some Google Maps or Latitude tasks run in the background (and start again by themselves if i close them manually) and I would like them to get out of the phone memory while I don't have the program running. Yet I want the apps to function properly once I need them.
P.S.: Before I proceed flashing a new ROM I will also look into backing up my /efs folder so thanks for pointing me at this!
Okay, I figured out how to backup the /efs folder via ADB shell.
Questions remain though concerning Titanium Backup Pro. Can someone that uss Titanium Pro help me with these questions?
In the Pro Version it says it can convert System Apps into User Apps and vice versa. Couldn't I just convert all the System Apps into User Apps and then restore everything, once on new ROM?
About the freezing feature of the Pro Version: Does it freeze complete Apps, or can you tell them to freeze specific tasks? I noticed that for example some Google Maps or Latitude tasks run in the background (and start again by themselves if i close them manually) and I would like them to get out of the phone memory while I don't have the program running. Yet I want the apps to function properly once I need them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jellygoos said:
In the Pro Version it says it can convert System Apps into User Apps and vice versa. Couldn't I just convert all the System Apps into User Apps and then restore everything, once on new ROM?
About the freezing feature of the Pro Version: Does it freeze complete Apps, or can you tell them to freeze specific tasks? I noticed that for example some Google Maps or Latitude tasks run in the background (and start again by themselves if i close them manually) and I would like them to get out of the phone memory while I don't have the program running. Yet I want the apps to function properly once I need them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could convert it technically. But generally it's not advised as it may mess up settings or so on a different ROM. I backed up my system stuff but I doubt I'll restore it on any ROM, the hassle isn't worth it if any issue shows up and you have to check everything out to fix it. Maybe some individual system thingies can be restored safely but keep in mind lots of system stuff changes on each ROM and could be incompatible.
Just like others did here, I also recommend the PRO version as you have to click every single restoration on a batch restoration otherwise (and it's probably slower anyway).
Freezing means just that, it freezes the app. It "deactivates it", so it's not there/usable but it's not uninstalled. Can't think of a scenario right now where this would be useful except for testing purposes, maybe if an app causes an issue and you want it to be gone temporarily or so.
If you don't want an app to continue running simply use the task manager to kill it which comes along with the SGS (Samsung app afaik, usually pre installed).
Btw Titanium has a nice wiki website which is really helpful but can't link it as a new user here. Google Titanium Backup wiki and the first link should be the correct one.
Correct me if I'm wrong but if you do a app+data restore the app doesnt show up in the market under installed which means that any updates to the app wont get rolled out.
What I did was install each of my apps from the market then did only a data restore. This worked for most of my apps BUT last night I noticed a few of my apps missing, in fact launching my angry birds from simi folder caused a FC. BUT I know that angry birds was working earlier in the day.
So I simply went back to the market and reinstalled and all seems well again.
So now I'm wondering what is the best method to restore, my method or maybe do a app+data restore then go to the market and install the app again.
Afaik, normally Titanium also backs up the links for the markets so the entries won't get lost and should be restored as well. There was an issue mentioned which can happen if that data gets corrupted. The Titanium wiki lists it.
Generally, installing the app from the market and then restoring it should work just fine.

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