Related
I am looking for a definitive way to COMPLETELY wipe a Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000. I mean the equivalent of doing a full factory restore on a PC. I've noticed that no matter how many times I flash or factory reset that there are still remnants that remain. Files like the license for Titanium Backup, or just miscellaneous files. Is there a way to completely wipe the SD card clean first, then do a fresh flash? I really would like to know that the SD card is completely clean since I've flashed 3-5 different versions of firmware and not one has been stable. I just want a real fresh slate.
Please advise.
Thanks.
setting>privacy>factory data reset. thats what i do...im assuming its a clean sweep.
If you have an sd card you have to reformat that as well.
wfhowell said:
setting>privacy>factory data reset. thats what i do...im assuming its a clean sweep.
If you have an sd card you have to reformat that as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will not format internal SD. After "factory data reset" you'll need at least to format this one as well.
Sounds like the OP wants to return the phone
Ha, ha. Not even! This is the best phone I've owned to date when it's working properly. I am tired though of it crashing on me. I'll notice I'm not getting calls or email, then I check it and the phone has shut off. I'm also tired of flashing it every week, and spending days trying to get it back to the state I like it. (I wish there were better cloning apps that saved ALL of the settings including how you have the home screens set up, and all system preferences. It sucks having to reconfigure 10 email accounts, among other things.) I'm thinking if I can wipe it and start totally fresh it will help.
Glad to hear that, that's the spirit!
it just that recently we've been getting quite a few anti SGS fans in the mix, and many people are returning their phones.
Yeah, I have no intention of sending back my SGS. The good far outweighs the short list of negative items; those only being lack of flash and a poor battery life.
I just want a stable system! I'm going to keep searching for a fix.
out of the box i performed a full wipe by doing this *2767*3855# (this code applies to all samsung models i think). HTH.
antz88c said:
out of the box i performed a full wipe by doing this *2767*3855# (this code applies to all samsung models i think). Hth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you sir.
Is there a difference between these three ways of reseting?
odin
best way is odin
do the full odin re-partition with pit
then flash the 3 files.
but you will still need to go into recovery and format the internal sd as pictures will still be safe on the internal sd.
What if you mount the phone as a storage device and "rm -rf" the sd-card(s) ?
Windows users could use cygwin...
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
You may try rebooting your phone and while rebooting holding volume up, home, and power until you enter the factory menu mode. From there select "Format internal SD". That may be what you're looking for?
TMW597 said:
I am looking for a definitive way to COMPLETELY wipe a Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000. I mean the equivalent of doing a full factory restore on a PC. I've noticed that no matter how many times I flash or factory reset that there are still remnants that remain. Files like the license for Titanium Backup, or just miscellaneous files. Is there a way to completely wipe the SD card clean first, then do a fresh flash? I really would like to know that the SD card is completely clean since I've flashed 3-5 different versions of firmware and not one has been stable. I just want a real fresh slate.
Please advise.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
m8 op...this is wat i did may b it will help u.i did the aboue mentioned code.....thts the hard reset.i did tht wiv my sd card in it.so for the sd card i used my pc to format it,,,so now installed the stock firmware and went in the recovery mode ,,ok there i did a data wipe, and a cache wipe ****..ok then reboot and pluged my sd then i did a factory rest to check things wer right.....dammmmmm i lov this phone it never bricks.flash it more than 20 times now.(beware to check the download mode works)i don care for tht too cause u can switch it in down mode by connecting the 4,5 pin thts a simple jitttttttt.and hope this helps cheeeeeeerrrrrzzzzzz.
Actually the easies way to wipe data off the phone is to do the following:
settings\Sd card and phone storage\Format sd card
Hope that this helps!
Same problem in wiping Galaxy Tab
Hello,
I am also completely unable to wipe it properly. downloaded apps (like amazon shopper) remain and function even after formatting internal SD storage, and wiping it like 10 times.
Very disappointing.
Any suggestions more than welcome.
Thanks.
as mentioned above.
boot into recovery > mounts and storage > format system / cache / data / datadata/ sd card.
also do a factory reset, then wipe the dalvik cache.
flash rom thru odin with all 3 files and PIT
that will leave phone completely EMPTY
i thought the factory reset in the CWM should be fine
azzledazzle said:
as mentioned above.
boot into recovery > mounts and storage > format system / cache / data / datadata/ sd card.
also do a factory reset, then wipe the dalvik cache.
flash rom thru odin with all 3 files and PIT
that will leave phone completely EMPTY
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done that with the phone and its really empty cause it wont even start haha so what do i do now? how can i install somethin on it?
Personally I copy everything from my internal sd card on my pc into a samsung folder with that days date.
Then I then delete everything off the internal sd card.
From there I boot into recovery & format sd card. Then I do a factory reset, clear cache, clear dalvik cache and thats it. Everything gone. Now at least if I discover there is something I need missing I have it ready on my pc.
This saved me when I flashed an ICS Rom & lost my IMEI number. There it was sitting on my pc ready to go.
If you have flashed with Odin using the 3 files & the pit file with re-partition checked I've found that I often end up with the phone not starting. Usually a 2nd flash with the 3 files without the PIT file and re-partition unchecked and my phone is then fine.
i just wiped everything ,shouldnt that erase everything? after the wipe i flashed a rom and programs that i had installed prior to the wipe were still on my phone.the google/facebook flickr setup screen came up like i was turning the phone on for the first time so i wiped again this time everything including wipe sd card and i go back and go to flash zip from sd card and the rom is still there shouldnt it be gone after wiping?
what ROM is still where? You cant completely remove all ROM from your phone by a simple wipe... if that's what you're saying...
jerry43812 said:
what ROM is still where? You cant completely remove all ROM from your phone by a simple wipe... if that's what you're saying...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the rom zip was still on the sd card but i repartitioned and it's gone now
If you just wiped the ext partition on your SD card from recovery all that does is wipe the partition where it stores the apps for apps2sd. You would need to format the SD card or like you did repartition it to completely wipe it.
Now with the release of many JB leaks for our Galaxy Note, more and more people are starting to flash custom ROMs into their devices. However, many don't do a proper clean-up / wipe of their devices before doing so, complaining about supposed "bugs" that in fact are not real bugs, but just incompatibilities with previous app data and config left from the previous ROM or improperly restored from backups (TB etc.).
So, after facing that myself with the first ROMs I flashed, reading a lot of tips from the senior members, and experimenting different approaches, I came up with a method that I always follow before flashing a new ROM, which gives me less or no issues at all.
Pros: you minimize the chance of having issues when flashing a new ROM.
Cons: you have to manually reinstall your apps (can be somewhat automated from Google Play) and reconfigure everything.
Pre-reqs: I'm assuming you have CWM installed and know how to use it, and are not a complete noob. If you don't, search the forums and read the guides. Read this guide fully and make sure you understand everything before proceeding.
IMPORTANT: ONLY wipe your device if you have a SAFE (BRICK-FREE) KERNEL. Check your kernel and search the forums. Don't proceed if you are not sure! I'm not responsible for any bricks, unexpected issues that can happen to you or personal data loss because you forgot to backup that! If you want to stay safe, don't want to experiment with your cell phone, it's critical you have it working everytime, stay with the official Samsung ROMs updates you get OTA and don't proceed with this how-to.
How-to:
1) Boot into recovery and perform a full backup (a.k.a. nandroid) to your internal or external SD card.
2) Reboot, and create backups of personal data needed from your apps in your internal or external SD card. For instance, I backup data from apps which are not cloud-based; they usually have a "backup" menu for that.
3) Plug your device into your computer, and copy everything you need from your internal and external SD cards (including the backups done in 1) and 2)). Don't forget your pictures and MP3 files.
4) Delete any apps and data from your external SD card. Leave it as clean as possible (it's OK to leave personal data such as MP3s, pictures etc.).
5) Copy the ROM you are about to flash to your EXTERNAL SD Card (don't copy to internal, because we are going to wipe it).
6) Boot into CWM Recovery and do the following wipes:
6.1) Wipe data / factory reset
6.2) Wipe cache partition
6.3) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache
6.4) Mounts and Storage -> Format /system
6.5) Mounts and Storage -> Format /preload
6.6) Mounts and Storage -> Format internal SD card (make sure you know if your internal SD card if /emmc or /sdcard; see below!)
7) Install Zip -> Flash ROM from your external SD card.
8) Wipe cache partition again.
9) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache again.
10) Reboot
11) Don't restore anything from Titanium Backup. Reinstall and reconfigure everything from Google Play. I never tried but I think that if you just restore user apps, it should work. Just never restore system apps and data. The backups you created in step 2) and copied to your computer in step 3) can be safely restored from within the apps themselves.
Now you may ask why we format the internal SD card. Many apps store their configuration and app data there, so this way we ensure no old data and config are there which may be incompatible with the new ROM. In fact it might not be that important, since it's only related to user apps, but I prefer to clean everything before flashing a new ROM.
How to find if your internal SD card is mounted on /emmc or /sdcard in CWM Recovery:
1) Boot into CWM Recovery.
2) Install Zip -> Choose zip from internal sdcard. In the top you can see where yours is mounted (/emmc or /sdcard).
3) This is the partition you should format in step 6.6. Pay attention to not format the external SD card, because the ROM zip file is there!
If you still have issues after flashing a new ROM, try to reflash it without any wipes (i.e. just do step 7 again).
Hope it can help people with their flashing!
Good job
Is it any better to just install user apps from google play and then restore just the data from TB?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
allansy said:
Is it any better to just install user apps from google play and then restore just the data from TB?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No..the main purpose of the thread is to remove the incompatible app data and system data
Useful.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
dbolivar said:
How-to:
6.1) Wipe data / factory reset
6.2) Wipe cache partition
6.3) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache
6.4) Mounts and Storage -> Format /system
6.5) Mounts and Storage -> Format /preload
6.6) Mounts and Storage -> Format internal SD card (make sure you know if your internal SD card if /emmc or /sdcard; see below!)
7) Install Zip -> Flash ROM from your external SD card.
8) Wipe cache partition again.
9) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache again.
10) Reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6.2 ---> unnecessary, because factory reset wipes user data and cache
6.6 ---> how on earth does formatting internal SD card help flashing any Rom?
8) ---> unnecessary, because your cache is already wiped
9) ---> see above
6.2) True, thanks for pointing out.
6.6) Some apps, including ones that usually give strange issues between ROM flashes like SNote, leave data there which may cause incompatibilities with a different version. This incompatibility is just a guess; as I said in the original post, it may not be that necessary to format the internal SD card, but I prefer to make sure there is no old data at all floating around, and this recommendation can also be useful when people are going to sell their devices (many think that just a factory reset is enough).
8) and 9) Is it possible that a new ROM can come with stuff in cache and dalvik cache, say, from the developer testing/cooking environment? If it is, can be useful to clean it again after flashing. Otherwise, I agree, it can be skipped.
Yeah total clean scenario is best. In my opinion. So also SD, but never efs
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
I too do things that are not necessary, I have a ritual when doing a deep clean lol
It involves things like the above method, but i do it twice.. No harm in that is there !
azzledazzle said:
I too do things that are not necessary, I have a ritual when doing a deep clean lol
It involves things like the above method, but i do it twice.. No harm in that is there !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wel, better safe then sorry. Totally clean just feels right
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Thank you very much. I will do this like you say.
I have CWM v6.0.1.2 and I don't have format/ preload. What can I do?
You can try to proceed without formatting it, or you can first flash a kernel with a more recent CWM. Always a safe kernel, of course. After flashing it, you can just select "reboot recovery" from your current CWM to boot into the new CWM. I'm not sure if the absence of /preload is due to an old CWM, or it's because you don't have a /preload partition. Anyway, trying a newer CWM won't harm.
i follow this guide , considering that i'm a noob it mean that is written really really clear. Thanks for all your job . i have a clean cooked rooted cell now.
error preload
Hello, I got error when formatting preload
it is said "make_extf4fs failed on/dev/block/mmcblk0p9
and when i'm trying to format/scard it pop up some type format
"deafult
"exfat
"fat
bla bla bla
so i choose default, am i right to choose it?
what should i do?
What device, what recovery, what rom?
dbolivar said:
flashing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey bro,
i forgot to do step 9
9) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache again.
Phone is working fine, but just curious. will it have any effect ? or will it cause any problem later ?
Note 3 Safestrap and Dk 4.0
No issues just a question: When I wipe the ROM And reflash I noticed that the folders are still present on internal memory. I use advanced wiping and check everything but the external SD option , yet the files remain. Is this normal result? Can I delete everything on my internal storage and then wipe, or is this a recipe for errors?
tyroniousdex said:
Note 3 Safestrap and Dk 4.0
No issues just a question: When I wipe the ROM And reflash I noticed that the folders are still present on internal memory. I use advanced wiping and check everything but the external SD option , yet the files remain. Is this normal result? Can I delete everything on my internal storage and then wipe, or is this a recipe for errors?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest leaving the ex sd or internal sd wipe alone. You can wipe it when your on the rom with a file manager anyways.
reply
posersk8r said:
I would suggest leaving the ex sd or internal sd wipe alone. You can wipe it when your on the rom with a file manager anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know not to touch the 2nd option n wipe, I am talking about the fact the fact that folders are still present after a wipe. When you aren't rooted and you do a factory wipe the only folders left on the internal storage are Android, lost.dir and Android Secure. I guess that I was asking if there is anything that's relevant. I would like select all and delete with a file explorer and then do my wipes. I have several SD cards that contain various backups and files. I have never seen this before.
answer found
I got the definitive answer that I was seeking. Walter White is the man. His Kung Fu is mighty strong.
OK other phone I had has external SD card. When I wiped data it wiped internal SD completely. Since turbo has no external SD, will it wipe completely or just Android file data and preserve other files on internal SD. If it does wipe internal SD completely how would you flash ROM? Thanks for any advice.
newbe1droidx said:
OK other phone I had has external SD card. When I wiped data it wiped internal SD completely. Since turbo has no external SD, will it wipe completely or just Android file data and preserve other files on internal SD. If it does wipe internal SD completely how would you flash ROM? Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That depends on what kind of wipe you do. If you do a factory reset in TWRP, it will not wipe your user data (downloads, music, everything else in /data/media/0 or /sdcard). However, if you select Format Data, or you pick Internal Storage in the advanced wipe menu, all of your user data will be wiped. Usually, a factory reset is all you need after flashing roms, so you don't have to worry about losing photos/music/etc.
Great thanks for the fast reply. OK other phone was sgs3. Sometimes when flashing and then running new ROM it seemed the settings stayed the same as previous ROM. Devs would have you format data for clean install. How would that work on this droid turbo?
I also wiped data and it wiped my internal storage. I thought maybe I had wiped internal storage accidentally or did something else wrong but this leads me to believe I didn't do anything wrong. Back to the previous version that worked for us? (I think it was 2.8.7)
Edit: I just read that choosing to format data will also format internal storage, but a factory reset which "wipes data" does not touch the internal storage. This is a little confusing if you aren't familiar with how everything is partitioned. Is internal storage actually on the data partition?
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
If I have the ROM and gapps on internal SD and format data I loose ROM and gapps right? Then how would you install ROM? Second if I delete Android file on internal SD would that make it a clean install? But other files would still remain. Just trying to understand so I don't brick or can't get ROM on. Thanks
SpyderPride said:
I also wiped data and it wiped my internal storage. I thought maybe I had wiped internal storage accidentally or did something else wrong but this leads me to believe I didn't do anything wrong. Back to the previous version that worked for us? (I think it was 2.8.7)
Edit: I just read that choosing to format data will also format internal storage, but a factory reset which "wipes data" does not touch the internal storage. This is a little confusing if you aren't familiar with how everything is partitioned. Is internal storage actually on the data partition?
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the internal storage is on the data partition. When you do a factory reset with TWRP and you read the script as it executes, it says something like "wiping /data without wiping /data/media." Doing the factory reset wipes everything on /data except /data/media, which is where your user data lives. So what gets wiped is all of the user apps and the data generated by the system apps, but your user data is preserved.
It makes sense that wiping data would wipe everything. I think having separate boxes for data and internal storage is to account for someone who might install an older version of android that is partitioned differently. I can't remember when the change happened, but at one point, the user data and app data were kept on separate partitions. I think that user data lived on /sdcard and apps lived on /data. That's why you see the /sdcard folder as a symlink when you go exploring with a root browser. It's symlinked to /data/media/0 to maintain backwards compatibility with older apps that are expecting /sdcard to exist.
Thanks st33v. My last phone had a /sdcard partition separate from /data so I think that is where the misperception came from. It also had /sdcard2, which was an actual SD card.
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Yep my thinking too. You guys are great! Cleared it up.
If you wipe all your files simply use twrp and connect it to the PC. You can drag the files over for flashing.
mrkhigh said:
If you wipe all your files simply use twrp and connect it to the PC. You can drag the files over for flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome I was wondering if you could do that...