Hi Guys,
I've posted in a couple of threads but didn't let loose for fear of hijacking it, so putting my question here for the good fellows to respond to if possible.
Basically put I have a ROM installed (Kang-o-rama SP1) and have a 1GB A2SD partition courtesy of DarkTremor.
What I want to know is what process should I go through to flash a new ROM but retain that Ext partition? I'm not sure if this is even possible? Should the wipe wipe absolutely everything and then after flashing the ROM I should rebuild the EXT partition and then use Titanium Backup (or something similar) to restore my apps to that A2SD partition?
Can somebody please just tell me what the best process is (even if that means wipe everything, and recreate from scratch each time you flash.
I was under the impression you see that I could wipe everything but retain the actual partition (albeit wiped) to restore apps to after a new Flash?
Thanks in advance
Probably your best bet is to use Titanium. When you restore, look for the setting in the app that mentions something to the effect of attempting to integrate your backup into a different ROM (Sorry don't have app in front of me).
You can also use ADB to pull your sd-ext to your computer. Push it back when you have the new ROM set up with ext
adb pull /sd-ext c:\whateveryouwanttocallit
I use Amon Ra's Recovery but I think Clockwork Mod has an option to backup just your sd-ext.
Related
So I'm running Fresh 2.1 and tried to upgrade to 2.3.3 last night, but it was putting it into an endless reboot. I made sure I wiped the cache and data so the only thing I can think of that's causing the problem is that I'm using apps2sd and didn't wipe my ext3 partition. Reflashed back to my 2.1 backup and things are back to running fine now thankfully. It's brought a few questions up for me, though
Before I go the route of wiping my ext3 partition for apps2sd I want to make sure I can still recover back to the way things were before in case the upgrade to 2.3.3 doesn't work. I use Clockwork ROM Manager with Nandroid to do my backups but when watching the backup take place it looks like it tries to mount the ext3 partition to back it up but fails. Honestly not fully familiar with how apps2sd really works, so I don't know if that failure during the nandroid backup means my apps on the ext3 partition aren't getting backed up. Would that mean that if I wiped the ext3 partition and tried to recover my 2.1 ROM that my apps would not be there?
I thought maybe I could just undo the apps2sd setup, do a backup and then I'd be fine. But I'm having trouble finding clear, up to date instructions for how to undo apps2sd.
If anyone can clarify any of my issues or point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
Could someone at least point me to some updated instructions for undoing apps2sd on the Sprint Hero?
pdragon said:
Could someone at least point me to some updated instructions for undoing apps2sd on the Sprint Hero?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instructions you are looking for are here
Normally (at least in the RA recovery) when you go to the backup menu for nandroid, you can choose if you wish to backup normally or with the ext partition included (much bigger file, takes longer). Regardless, if you wipe your ext partition, and you need to nandroid back, the backup will work fine, you will just need to reinstall your applications.
I save myself some time when I need to do this by using "Shootme" (free on the market) and take screen shots of my apps, then I can just refer back to the screenies to find everything I need. Alternatively, you could use the ADB "pull" command and take a copy of your apps directory onto your computer, then push them back if needs be.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the reply, runngwlf. I guess either the version of Nandroid I have, ClockworkMod Recovery, or my phone doesn't support backing up with the ext. When I go into Nandroid, my only options are Backup, Restore & Advanced Restore. Choosing backup just goes straight into running the backup with no choices. During the backup it gives an error saying it couldn't mount the ext partition.
Thanks for confirming the backup will still work, just without my apps. Guess I'll give it a shot!
runngwlf said:
...
Normally (at least in the RA recovery) when you go to the backup menu for nandroid, you can choose if you wish to backup normally or with the ext partition included (much bigger file, takes longer)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hah! That little tidbit got me going in the right direction. Looking through the ClockworkMod i saw an option to install RA Recovery as an alternative boot recovery. Lo and behold, rebooting into RA Recovery gives me that ext backup option. Thanks again!
I am using the rom which is Darktremor A2SD compatible. Every time I change another rom then all apps will get force close. I need to reinstall those apps.
Is it normal?
Anyone can help me? Thanks!!
When you change ROMs, it's advised to ALWAYS WIPE EVERYTHING. That includes EXT partition.
If you want your programs to run after moving to another ROM - back them up using Titanium, change ROM, and restore them.
Jack_R1 said:
When you change ROMs, it's advised to ALWAYS WIPE EVERYTHING. That includes EXT partition.
If you want your programs to run after moving to another ROM - back them up using Titanium, change ROM, and restore them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I'm not sure wiping EXT is necessary but certainly data, caches etc.. If problems continue, then wipe EXT too.
EXT should just have the APK's on it, they should just work.
If you're wiping /data, then you're left with APKs on EXT and no data structure for them in /data/data. Might be just the reason for force-closes.
Jack_R1 said:
If you're wiping /data, then you're left with APKs on EXT and no data structure for them in /data/data. Might be just the reason for force-closes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
most roms detect and "re-install" the ext apps on first boot. All 200+ for me
Wiping ext would be the very last thing I'd do to solve a problem.
I used to do this. But i learned that it breaks some apps, and the built in rom restore function will restore any apps you got from the market. You need to do a full wipe when going to a new rom. upgrade may not need this, but some devs like king dont know how to make upgrades so all of his new versions require a full wipe.
Thanks you all! Seems that full wipe is necessary
So I like to switch ROM's quite frequently, the only problem is that I seem to have to format my sdcard and set up the partitions each time I switch. I feel like nandroid either doesn't restore data to the ext4 properly or messes up the partition when I do a factory reset, since it formats the ext4 partition. Whatever the case, I am unable to move apps to the ext4 after a flash.
Whenever I want to switch to another ROM I have to backup my sdcard to my computer, format the card using diskpart, create the partition again in recovery mode, restore sdcard contents, and then finally flash the ROM I want. This can take forever and makes trying new ROM's out a huge hassle.
If I don't restore a nandroid and flash a ROM from scratch, I'll install s2e, reboot, and navigate to /sd-ext using root explorer and there will be no files.
I mainly use s2e with CM7, but I have tried a2sd with similar results. As far as I know though, they both use the same technique to move apps so it shouldn't matter.
Am I doing something wrong? I use nandroid and everything, but once I do a factory reset it refuses to restore the ext4 backup, and I get an error relating to space limitations.
Thanks a lot.
I've changed ROMs a few times, and everytime I've done so, the ext4 partition has remained fine. Although, it is seriously recommended that you flash the latest darktremor a2sd script as the incorporated ones don't seem to work well.
Flash darktremors, then enter the command line emulator on your phone and type:
su
a2sd reinstall (your phone will reboot)
su
a2sd cachesd (your phone will reboot)
su
a2sd zipalign
This should always be done after a ROM switch.
Alright, I will try that out.
Just wondering, will this restore all the apps I have on the ext4 partition? For example, if I flash MIUI for the first time, then commands the commands you gave me, will all my apps be restored? I assume no since clockworkmod wipes the ext4 partition when doing a factory reset.
The S2E and DarkTremor's a2sd apps actually use different ways of utilizing the ext partition, so the two are incompatible (although, S2E includes a way to convert from DT's to its own).
And as long as you didn't wipe the ext partition (which a Factory Reset does), using those commands should restore your apps.
But with what you are doing, it may be easier to use Titanium Backup to restore your apps back rather than nandroid. This will allow you to keep all your app settings and saved info as well. Just be careful to not back up system data. Restoring those on the same ROM can cause issues, and it would probably cause a lot more if it is between two different ROMs.
Switch your Ext 4 Partition to Ext 3 and you'll notice a lot more stability when switching roms.
Some roms don't have the correct Apps2SD or Kernel installed to support ext 4 but most, if not all, support ext 3.
I recommend using AmonRa Recovery as CWM always corrupts the ext partitions.
Re-partition your SD-Card and start again.
If This Helped please Hit THANKS
hi,
i'm usin ra passion 2.2.1 and wan't to use a2sd from ics 4.0.3 evervolv. how can i create a part ext4?
Google:
"a2sd partition sd card".
Enjoy.
Try 4EXT recovery www.4ext.net
I think its the easiest way to create partition.
Or else you can do it in pc via partition managers(i use minitool partition wizard)
You can google it and also can search in youtube for video tutorials.
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk
thanks for your help, i've done it in recovery.
one question is left:
what happen if i format the partioned sd-card under windows and do a full wipe in preparation for installing a new rom. i've read sd-ext even survive a full wipe? what does that mean? stays the partition untouched when i format the sd-card with windows? and what about the apps in the partition? are they still there even after a full wipe and can i use them after flashing a new rom out of the box?
Glad u succeeded in partitioning
Now if you format the fat32 partition in windows using those partition tools doesnt affect ur ext. Ext stays untouched but all the data on fat32 will be wiped(so backup first to pc)
If u want to merge there is an option called merge for that.
There is an free windows software called sdformatter, that formats the entire sdcard(fat32+ext)
Hope i helped a bit :thumbup:
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk
ok. i wan't to format it with the windows internal function via right click. is it the same and the ext4 stays untouched?
Full wipe in recovery wipes SD-EXT too.
heinz gruber said:
ok. i wan't to format it with the windows internal function via right click. is it the same and the ext4 stays untouched?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i do beleive that it should be untouched, cos normally windows cannot see the ext partition and hence only fat32 will be formatted
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk
ok. when ext4 stay untouched and i flash a new rom the apps are still in the launcher after flashing?
Jack_R1 said:
Full wipe in recovery wipes SD-EXT too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i flash a new rom i use the format.zip form the xda user temasek which wipes system, boot, data and cache. so is sd-ext untouched when i use this file?
You insist on not listening and/or not understanding.
When you select "wipe data/factory reset" in custom recovery, EXT partition IS WIPED COMPLETELY. It doesn't stay.
I believe the same happens when using temasek's script, never bothered using it, so I can't say with 100% certainty.
If you don't wipe your phone and install a new ROM - be prepared for crashes of anything to everything, unless you install a ROM which is 100% compatible with what you have already - the next generation of the same ROM, usually.
If you're using A2SD and don't wipe EXT partition - you'll have crashes as soon as you boot, since system apps' data will be there (and wrong).
To keep your apps and their data, use one of the backup apps available in the Market, like Titanium Backup.
as Jack_R1 explained its always better to wipe everything(system,cache,dalvik n sdext) to be on safer side to avoid crashes n FCs.
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk
Temasek's Extreme Wipe does Data/System/Boot partitions but don't remember seeing ext in the list
However, as alluded too, I would format all outside phone with sdformatter or I think gparted, although never used that one
I thought I read a long time ago Windows formatter not recommended and do a full wipe not partial with whatever you use
Back up sdcard first
also, I believe you can use the Alignment Cool zip to get ext 4 from 3 on Amon and not lose anything--still backup
you do know MeDroid uses Ia2sd and different from a2sd on implementation
You don't need to wipe the regular FAT partition on SD card between flashes, because there's nothing there that loads automatically. And "wipe data/factory reset" option in recovery also wipes /sdcard/.android_secure.
hey guys, thanks for your answers i will keep them in mind.
edit:
one more question:
if i uses temaseks script and the sd-ext is untouched and i flash a newer version of my rom, are the apps then still there after flashing and booting the updated system? or is there another step i've to do?
No, the apps aren't there anymore - or to be correct, the apps are there, their data is gone (because the app data doesn't reside on EXT partition, unless you use specific mounting methods).
When you flash an updated version of your ROM, just don't wipe anything at all unless the instructions specifically mention having to wipe before installing that version. That means - don't execute temasek's script at all.
I'm getting ready to update my old ParanoidAndroid (with CWM v5.5.0.4) with the CarbonRom.
I've backed up all kinds of logs, settings, and data that I think I may want to restore with the new rom.
I've also made a CWM backup (although of course I hope not to use it).
My question is - should I format the system partition (from CWM, Mounts & Storage option) before flashing the new rom?
I've seen people say emphatically that to get a clean install you need to do this.
Yet I've seen other's write just as insistently that you should NOT format the system partition. Do they say this because it is too dangerous? If I format the system partition and then for some reason the new rom won't load, does that mean my CWM is wiped out, making it difficult to recover?
I think I do want the system format because I don't want a bunch of old files hanging around ... but I want to make sure this is not too dangerous.
I've also seen others who recommended also formating the boot partition. Is there any value in that? Sounds even more dangerous ... no?
~Paul
pmennen said:
I'm getting ready to update my old ParanoidAndroid (with CWM v5.5.0.4) with the CarbonRom.
I've backed up all kinds of logs, settings, and data that I think I may want to restore with the new rom.
I've also made a CWM backup (although of course I hope not to use it).
My question is - should I format the system partition (from CWM, Mounts & Storage option) before flashing the new rom?
I've seen people say emphatically that to get a clean install you need to do this.
Yet I've seen other's write just as insistently that you should NOT format the system partition. Do they say this because it is too dangerous? If I format the system partition and then for some reason the new rom won't load, does that mean my CWM is wiped out, making it difficult to recover?
I think I do want the system format because I don't want a bunch of old files hanging around ... but I want to make sure this is not too dangerous.
I've also seen others who recommended also formating the boot partition. Is there any value in that? Sounds even more dangerous ... no?
~Paul
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can format system,data, internal storage and cache without any worries if you are on PA rom read install instructions in carbon rom thread after or before.
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