Nandroid backup - does it get EVERYTHING ? - Nexus One Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Folx,
I got bitten by the rooting bug. However, as I do use the phone quite a bit, I want to play it safe , so that if the ROMs I am about to try, don't quite work out, I want to get back to stock img and the apps I have and the settings I have etc.
So - as I perform Nandroid backup - does it backup everything ? In other words, if/when I have to restore from the said backup, will I get EVERYTHING back - all the apps and settings, as if nothing has changed ?
Or will I have to reinstall and configure all the apps anew ?

Yes, you will get your apps and settings back.
However I think it doesn't backup other partitions like "radio", because I recently had a problem with my radio and nandroid restore didn't help, I had to flash it again. Anyway, yes, as far as apps, settings, SMS, contacts etc. are concerned you're good.

BlueScreenJunky said:
Yes, you will get your apps and settings back.
However I think it doesn't backup other partitions like "radio", because I recently had a problem with my radio and nandroid restore didn't help, I had to flash it again. Anyway, yes, as far as apps, settings, SMS, contacts etc. are concerned you're good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It creates img files of boot, data, system (and your ext partition on your sd card if you are using one). Anything found in those will be imaged and backed up. It is way too dangerous and pointless to backup the radio. Radio isn't a partition btw.
Don't confuse nandroid backups with other (titanium for example) backups that can carry your settings from one rom to another...

So I have to have the radio image in order to safely restore a NANDROID backup? This thread is old and I don't know if things have changed by now...
PS: Unsure if I have to start a new thread to get an answer to this...

If you won't have a radio image intact, your phone won't boot at all. It won't even turn on.

Related

What does a nandroid contain?

Hey. Is a nandroid backup all encompassing (kernel and all that too?) or what? I plan to test some stuff out and previously went all out the past 4 or 5 times thinking that restoring from a nandroid will create some problem if I am using that as my default rom. Can I safely flash to a new Tom and install a different kernal then restore the nandroid I have now and be back with pershoot (the kernal I am on now with cm6)?
Lastly can I keep multiple nandroids of various rom/kernals (assuming I understand it correctly from my previous question) and go between them without having problems arise (assuming the backups themselves are stable)?
Thanks in advance, xda is awesome!
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
it is an image of EXACTLY what is on your phone at that time... so, rom, kernel, apps, text messages, call logs, ect.... literally everything...
you can keep images of as many different roms and kernals as your sd card will hold...
if you flash a new rom and kernel then restore back to an older nandroid you will revert back to that entire rom and kernel... however you can throw a new kernel on that old nandroid if you restore it...
it literally is as straight forward as it seems...
Yeah I keep many nand backups around. I actually rename them and move them to my computer, labeled in folders, for future use. And I just keep a current backup on the card. But it doesn't matter, keep as many as you like.
What I don't like is losing any recent info I've acquired since my last backup. I wish there were some way to extract the user data and merge that into a nand backup. For example I'll try out different themes or status bars, and wanna switch back via nand restore. But then I lose any texts, call logs, I got that day since yesterday's backup.
You have Call log backup, SMS Backup and APN backup - exactly for that. Search the market. And Titanium can backup app data, if needed.
JHaste said:
it is an image of EXACTLY what is on your phone at that time... so, rom, kernel, apps, text messages, call logs, ect.... literally everything...
you can keep images of as many different roms and kernals as your sd card will hold...
if you flash a new rom and kernel then restore back to an older nandroid you will revert back to that entire rom and kernel... however you can throw a new kernel on that old nandroid if you restore it...
it literally is as straight forward as it seems...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very cool. Going to have much fun with this tonight. Ty for the info guys!
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
RogerPodacter said:
Yeah I keep many nand backups around. I actually rename them and move them to my computer, labeled in folders, for future use. And I just keep a current backup on the card. But it doesn't matter, keep as many as you like.
What I don't like is losing any recent info I've acquired since my last backup. I wish there were some way to extract the user data and merge that into a nand backup. For example I'll try out different themes or status bars, and wanna switch back via nand restore. But then I lose any texts, call logs, I got that day since yesterday's backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sms backup and restore app and call log back and restore app from the market does it just fine for me.
JHaste said:
it is an image of EXACTLY what is on your phone at that time... so, rom, kernel, apps, text messages, call logs, ect.... literally everything...
you can keep images of as many different roms and kernals as your sd card will hold...
if you flash a new rom and kernel then restore back to an older nandroid you will revert back to that entire rom and kernel... however you can throw a new kernel on that old nandroid if you restore it...
it literally is as straight forward as it seems...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think the firmware is not included

[Q] [HELP] Switching ROMs on the Captivate

I was curious to know if someone could provide me with a step my step method of changing ROMs on a rooted captivate. I'm currently running Firefly ROM and want to know how to switch ROMs without loosing my apps and the data stored in them (such as high scores on games and such).
I tried Titanium Backup but it seems to cause problems with the system phone app when i switch and do "backup all user apps and data -> restore all user apps and data".
Also when i try to use rom manager to create a backup...the backup crashes, goes to a samsung "Android System Recovery"....the up volume button moves my selection down and the down volume moves my selection up. The power button doesn't select anything. When I press the menu button, all the text disappears.
I just want a sound way of backing up ROMs and Apps (with their data) to easily switch between ROMs more freely and with security of mind.
Thanks, and please respond.
Best to ask this in the Q&A section, and check the stickies. Tons of good info up there.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884364
Put the ROM on your sdcard
Boot to recovery
Choose the zip
Install
Reboot
Enjoy
Yes, please post questions in the Q&A section as mentioned above.
Also, disregard opcow's reply; he did not read your whole post and it does not apply to you. His method will wipe everything on your phone.
Most of the suggestions you'll get are TiBu (Titanium Backup). When you make a backup (I'm assuming you're doing a batch backup with TiBu Pro), only select User Apps. Don't select User Apps + System ... (don't remember what it's called). This way, you'll save your apps with their settings and info, but you will not back up your phone's settings, such as WiFi networks, GPS, etc.
Trust me though, because of the diverse way that ROMs handle things, you don't want to back up your system settings, otherwise you may run into issues such as those you mentioned before.
Another note: do not use ROM Manager!
It's a nice piece of software, but it doesn't work a lot of the time. This doesn't apply to your backups, you're just restoring the backups incorrectly, but regardless, don't use ROM Manager.
Anyway, to correctly apply a Nandroid Backup, you must have the same exact kernel and modem installed ATM on the phone that were present in the Nandroid Backup. For example:
Let's say you have XYZ ROM installed with SuckerPunch #47 kernel and the KP1 modem. Then you make a Nandroid backup of that ROM.
After that, you go and install ABC ROM with Speedmod kernel and JK4 modem. After a day of use, you want to restore your XYZ Nandroid backup.
In order to do this, you must install the SuckerPunch #47 kernel and the KP1 modem on top of the ABC ROM before you restore the Nandroid backup.
If you don't do this, you'll run into issues.
Hopefully that will fix your issue. I tend to steer clear of Nandroid backups because of all the issues that I've seen people have with them, but if you're looking to restore your phone to the exact state that you had it at one point, then a Nandroid backup is the way to go. Otherwise, use TiBu.
Also, before you backup or restore (the first thing you should do after you install TiBu) is to click on the button that says "Problems?". This will install a version of BusyBox that is known to work with TiBu. If you have a version that doesn't work correctly, then your backup or restore will not work correctly either.
Good luck!
Loggik said:
Also, disregard opcow's reply; he did not read your whole post and it does not apply to you. His method will wipe everything on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. I just read the first sentence. This question gets asked a lot and I just go into autopilot.
OP, It is true that my method will wipe your phone, but that's actually what you want unless you are going flashing a no-wipe upgrade, in which case my method would work just fine. But yes, generally your will want to back up with something like Titanium Backup. Backing up apps and data is fine, just don't restore system data and it shouldn't cause problems. I've done it at least 5 times in the last 2 days.
I would avoid nandroid backups. They aren't mostly useful after reverting to the ROM you were running when you made the backup, not for restoring apps.
Use MyBackup pro its more user friendly.
Thanks, a couple more follow ups.
Thank you very very much. Another quick follow up question.
My version of clockwork mod (v2.5.1.0 Speedmod ULFK) gives me the following options:
-Backup DATA: data + dbdata + cache
-Restore DATA
-Backup ALL
-Restore ALL (Be careful!)
....which 2 do i select to backup/restore a nandroid effectively. Based on your responses, ill most likely be doing TiBu, but just to better understand the architecture of the phone and the clockwork files i wanna know.
Also, is there a way i can change / upgrade the clockwork recovery version of my phone...whats the most recent version if i decide to do so?
Aside from this, Thank you to everyone who is helping me out with this issue. Much appreciated.
opcow said:
You're right. I just read the first sentence. This question gets asked a lot and I just go into autopilot.
OP, It is true that my method will wipe your phone, but that's actually what you want unless you are going flashing a no-wipe upgrade, in which case my method would work just fine. But yes, generally your will want to back up with something like Titanium Backup. Backing up apps and data is fine, just don't restore system data and it shouldn't cause problems. I've done it at least 5 times in the last 2 days.
I would avoid nandroid backups. They aren't mostly useful after reverting to the ROM you were running when you made the backup, not for restoring apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know if there is a way to restore apps using Titanium Backup without having to manually click through and accept each and every app?
killswitch7 said:
Do you know if there is a way to restore apps using Titanium Backup without having to manually click through and accept each and every app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy the pro version. If you flash allot it is a must
killswitch7 said:
Do you know if there is a way to restore apps using Titanium Backup without having to manually click through and accept each and every app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like the above post says, buy Titanium Backup Pro; it's worth it, and it features the Batch Mode, which allows for what you're asking.
Ompalompa287 said:
....which 2 do i select to backup/restore a nandroid effectively. Based on your responses, ill most likely be doing TiBu, but just to better understand the architecture of the phone and the clockwork files i wanna know.
Also, is there a way i can change / upgrade the clockwork recovery version of my phone...whats the most recent version if i decide to do so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For a full on Nandroid Backup, select Backup All... and obviously Restore All... when the time comes that you need to restore your backup. But like opcow said, it's best to stay away from Nandroid backups... they can get messy
dingokevin said:
Use MyBackup pro its more user friendly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot agree. It may look more user friendly, but it has a lot less support. I've never even heard of it, whereas TiBu has almost every feature you could want. Plus, look at it this way:
Linux is in no way easier to use than Windows or OS X (though OS X is based off of Linux, but disregarding that...). However, it can do a TON more than Windows or OS X, but you just need to get used to it. Same with TiBu v.s. MyBackup Pro (or w/e it's called).
opcow said:
You're right. I just read the first sentence. This question gets asked a lot and I just go into autopilot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how you feel
thank you all!

[Q] Random Titanium Backup Question...

Sup XDA... first time poster... on/off lurker... just a quick question i was messing with my captivate today trying to load 2.2 on it... kies wasn't working for me so i did a whole lotta messing around with the phone... in the process i backed up my stuff on TB... while trying to restore it, it restored from a previous upgrade i did in dec. i ended up losing most of my text messages, profiles i set up and important memos... anything i can do to restore it or am i screwed...?
I think i accidentally hit the back up user apps instead of user apps+data and restored user apps+data... could that be the reason...?
I don't think that TiBu backs up text messages. I use SMS backup+ on the market for that. It backs it up to my Gmail account. It does this automatically, and has the option to restore if I flash a new ROM.
I read somewhere that TiBu system data back ups can cause issues if you flash a new ROM and try to restore system data from a different ROM. So I have always been afraid of system data in TiBu.
If you back up the apps without the data, then the app will install, but it's a fresh install. That way anything you did in the app is lost. For example if you back up just the app Facebook, when you restore you are not signed in anymore. If you backup app + data, when you restore you are already signed in again. That could be how you lost memos from an app, but Text messages is another animal.
If you are playing with Kies, you should try the custom ROMs. They are extremely easy to install, there's lots of guides, and they run so much better than the 2.2 from Samsung/AT&T.
Don't really think you can do anything at this point to get your stuff back. You should do a nandroid backup before flashing new firmware, though. If the rom you flashed didn't work, or if you couldn't restore something with TB (or forgot to even do a TB backup), you can always roll your phone back to your previous firmware, complete with all your data.
quarlow said:
I don't think that TiBu backs up
If you are playing with Kies, you should try the custom ROMs. They are extremely easy to install, there's lots of guides, and they run so much better than the 2.2 from Samsung/AT&T.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree a ROM is the way to go. Huge improvement over just using a bloated 2.2.

[Q] galaxy i9000 looping at bootup.. not getting past the glowing S

I have recently flashed the JVS firmware from samsung firmware, and then followed that up with this CF-Root-XX_OXA_JVS-v4.1-CWM3RFS, flashing via the PDA section in ODIN. My phone has been working perfectly for a few days, no problems at all, until right now when I've gone to restart the phone.. I was having troubles with the market, and I turned my phone off mid-download of an app.. I'm pretty sure it was mid-download and not mid-installation of it..
However, when I turn my phone back on, it'll show the Galaxy S I9000 screen, then go to the next screen with the glowing S, however after that, it just gives a quick, short vibration, and seems to turn off, then do it all over again..
What does this mean? Is there a way I can get out of it without re-flashing the entire firmware? I am still able to get into download mode, but I don't want to lose messages that I have saved on my phone..
Any help is greatly appreciated..
Denno
Ok, so I let the phone go for a while (around 10 minutes), of the screens cycling through as mentioned above, but now it seems to have actually found a way into the phone, and has now loaded up properly.. However, I'm still interested in what the problem could be on the phone??
are u using new market app?
its happened to me once and i reflashed whole firmware starting from 2.1 to 2.3.5 lol just to avoid sh*t like that
When I had 2.2 on there, I had the new market app, however after flashing 2.3.5, it had the old market, so I was downloading apps from the old market at the time..
What do you mean you re-flashed whole firmware from 2.1?
Anyone else have any ideas?
Try to wipe factory reset and wipe cache or try to flash rom again
Wysłano z GT-I9000 z użyciem Tapatalk
Could be a corruption in the bootloader, if it happens again i would reflash. Otherwise just leave it i guess, maybe it was a one off
It happens pretty much all the time now.. I have reflashed the firmware a couple of times.. And it still seems to happen. What would wiping the cache remove? Will I lose any settings or anything that I have on the phone? I have been restoring backups made using titanium, however just apps and data, not system settings..
If it's the bootloader, is there any way of fixing that?
Thanks
Ah that could be the problem. Sometimes when you restore backup they can conflict and thus cause issues like this...
Try only return the data, that works for me. Get app list from the market and after a backup move to external sd. Format internal sd card. Then do an Odin flash with repartition checked. This is designed to get you back to factory state, so you will loose everything. Make sure your backups are not on your internal sd when you format. Also before you flash i think its a good idea to put a copy of your nandroid backup into the internal sd. Or just use a nandroid backup from when you phone was working fine.
Deleting cache does not delete your settings usually, however when deleting dalvick cache it can take up to 30 mins (max i think) to start you phone, but usually its 5/10 mins.
Yes bootloader can be fixed just find a flashable bootloader with a rom or the directions given. Use search for this
Ok thanks for the tips Talon.. Firstly, this nandroid backup that I keep hearing about.. What exactly is that? Is that the backup that I do through Clockwork Mod Recovery? I'm also unsure how to return just the data to apps? I had a look at Titanium Backup, and the only data recovery option is for system data.. Everything else I think I can handle..
Thanks
Yes nandroid backup is the backup through CWM. You should always do one BEFORE you flash anything on your phone. And keep them in a safe place and leave one in your internal sd card.
You should use titanium backup to backup up a single app at a time, not batch. This way you'll have more files and can choose which apps you want to return, and if you only want to return the data. (I have always done it this way, so i dont know if you can pick the apps you want to return if you do backup via batch.). Use the other app i suggested to keep the market links, so you download the app from market first then you install the data once its there.
I suggest you don't return any apps at first see how it goes, then add either a couple or one at a time, again only the app data. (Once you backuo the app individually, flash then, TB, backup/restore press on the app, restore, then pick data only...) If you go from froyo to GB i think you cant do it)
Thank you very much for your reply Talon. I am currently on JVS, and plan to re-flash this exact same firmware, which is the stock firmware, nothing custom..
As for what you've written, it's going to take me a few reads before I can get my head around it, but I just wanted to say thankyou for a quick and detailed reply. I think I might just bite the bullet and figure out which apps I actually use, and just work with them for now..
I'll post back soon hopefully with results.
After getting very frustrated with the phone, I've finally re-flashed back to a seemingly stock situation. Phone is running great, and all problems seem to be gone. Slowly re-downloading apps from the market as I feel that I need them, so I hopefully won't get any interference from the old backups I had..
One more question, how do you make your backups? If you say you don't use the batch mode in Titanium? I can't see any other way that's as easy..
Thanks for your help Talon.
As i said before, backup/restore click on the app you want to back up, and click backup. When you want to restore it, back to the menu, click on the app, click restore, then pick data only longer but safer
Change the location of TB to your exsd if you haven't already, then go to setting find, and it will make it default location
Ahk.. Sounds very time consuming.. lol..
Phone is running like a champ now . Thanks

Nandroid restore problem

Basically I'm using ICS333 which is great and to do I was trying to make some changes to the stock contacts apps. Anyway, I did a nandroid backup via CWM 5.5 so that I can restore if anything went wrong and sure enough I flashed something meant for JB. I went to restore my backup and afterwards rebooted... except now it is stuck in a loop when it reaches the ICS loading screen.
The only way to make it boot in ICS now is to wipe all personal data... which makes the backup meaningless.
In all honesty, the only thing I really want to keep is my whatsapp and texts. I'm currently trying to restore individual bits of the backup to see what causes the problem but can I extract data from a Nandroid backup?
This day gets better, now my home button doesn't work!
Ultraman1966 said:
can I extract data from a Nandroid backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, download a nandroid browser from play store, and try My Android solutions (link below) for a suitable remedy
For for the tips, I used Titanium backup to retrieve some of the info but didn't to junk the rest. Less crap on the phone means it runs like butter again!

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