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How do you COMPLETELY wipe a Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000?

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.

[Q] wipe version dose not wipe

I installed rom the wipe version of it
but all my old data are still there
apps are gone but there data folders still there
is it supposed to delete them or no cuz this is my first rom to install also
tried to factory reset but nothing happened

the folders in your internal sd card wich contain previously installed apps data will always stay
but the apps them self are not installed
so yes it did do a wipe

[Q] manage applications stuck in 'computing' help please

Captivate, build 1007, current rom cognition
I've gone back to stock with odin, things look normal, but when i root and flash back to a rom [cognition] i am unable to add few, if any apps. manage applications has any apps in this "computing" mode that never changes
when i try to wipe Dalvic cache, it appears to wipe, but "E: can't/ mount/ dev/ block/ mmcblk1p2 (file exists)" Does that mean i'm not really wiping dalvic ?
I've also wiped partition cache, formated system, data and cache, should i format sdcard?
I have several apps in TiBu, can i copy that folder back to the sd card if i format the sd card?
I've also also wiped data/factory reset ed from both CW recovery as well as in android.
This question has come up in other areas but with either no answers or to delete cache from market, which of i cannot do when it's 'computing'
Any thoughts or assistance will be appreciated
thanks

I'd imagine that you already found a solution to your issue, being that it was posted a while ago. I wanted to post what worked for me, with the same issue. Look in your SD card for a folder called .android_secure. There you will find all your downloaded apps, delete all the apps with a -2 in the extention. They are duplicate apps that have been stored. Once I deleted all thos it worked for me!

How come I cannot wipe clean my Note?

After I installed the Safe Kernel Hydracore and Reboot to recovery (vol.up+home+power button) I select wipe data/factory reset & wipe cache partition and even go into Advanced and did the wipe Dalvik cache and after I installed the latest Cyanomod 10 and Gapps and reboot the phone, I still have my old folders like before with maps, games, etc...
When I looked in my Main Storage of my Note (/storage/sdcard0), I only have 3.5 GB free. And like I said, I can still see my old games, apps and maps folders in my main storage which took up a lot of space and I only have 3.5 GB free. Do I have to manually delete every folder in the main storage and go back to recovery and do everything over? Could this brick my phone?
How can I completely wipe everything in my main storage?

Earthbrain said:
After I installed the Safe Kernel Hydracore and Reboot to recovery (vol.up+home+power button) I select wipe data/factory reset & wipe cache partition and even go into Advanced and did the wipe Dalvik cache and after I installed the latest Cyanomod 10 and Gapps and reboot the phone, I still have my old folders like before with maps, games, etc...
When I looked in my Main Storage of my Note (/storage/sdcard0), I only have 3.5 GB free. And like I said, I can still see my old games, apps and maps folders in my main storage which took up a lot of space and I only have 3.5 GB free. Do I have to manually delete every folder in the main storage and go back to recovery and do everything over? Could this brick my phone?
How can I completely wipe everything in my main storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wipe in cwmr does not clear internal storage, for that you need to format internal SD. Once on safe kernel you can easily format sd and there is no risk in it. Just format it in settings/storage but make sure to move required files to external sd (like pics or music)
Sent from my GT-N7000

Does it suppose to format your internal sdcard? The answer is NO. Format it by going to settings/storage/format internal memory.
Cheers!!!
Fired From My FireDevice.

Alternatively, as I find even a format of sd sometimes does not do a proper wipe, connect phone to pc as usb, then manually delete all files on SD.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

Think you are all wrong guys.
He wants a factory reset, not manualy delete folders and files.
There are a lot other stuff that remains on the Note, registry, hidden files...etc.
There is only one simple way to do that.
Because all "new" kernel have the option to format emmc disabled, remember the Note brick times.
Flash the Abyss 4.2 kernel, restart in recovery, do factory reset ( it works ) and full wipe, flash an safe ICS kernel or flash the whole new ROM of your choice.
You are done.
Remeber to restart in RECOVERY afte flashing the Abyss 4.2 kernel for factory reset.
The other, difficult, way is to flash a rootable GB ROM with PC Odin, root your Note an after that, you have a clean, almost virgin, Note for flashing the newest ROM of your choice.

I think the first two guys answered correctly.

ginopunsalan said:
I think the first two guys answered correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory reset = format internal SD with safe kernel??

Factory reset only formats system, so doesn't touch internal sd card at all..... Fact.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

SpyderTracks said:
Factory reset only formats system, so doesn't touch internal sd card at all..... Fact.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ergo => formating internal SD doesnt touch the system => doesnt do "Factory reset"?
Right?
Factory reset with "unsafe" GB kernel format system AND internal SD.
After that you can manually mount system and format it, also all other system partitions, from unsafe kernel.
But after formating system, data, dalvik and all other system relevant partitions from any "safe" kernel you will find all your data, passwords, old programm entrys untouched.
Fact!!!
Ever installed again your navi software after doing full wipe and manually formating all system partitions from safe kernel?
After reboot there is nothing, but install your Navigon and it will find asap all your maps, account and everything else.
All the data are present and this is NOT Factory reset.
There is not problem WHAT does "Factory reset" and "format system" but it is VERY, VERY, VERY important from what KERNEL you do this.
Safe or unsafe GB kernel.
And again, deleting all data from the phone is only possible with unsafe kernel or flashing original Samsung firmware.
And this guy above did a full wipe with safe kernel and finds all his data untouched.
And again: a clean Note is only possible with unsafe GB kernel or original Samsung firmware.
Formating system from a safe kernel is NOT enough for a clean phone.

ziko said:
Ergo => formating internal SD doesnt touch the system => doesnt do "Factory reset"?
Right?
Factory reset with "unsafe" GB kernel format system AND internal SD.
After that you can manually mount system and format it, also all other system partitions, from unsafe kernel.
But after formating system, data, dalvik and all other system relevant partitions from any "safe" kernel you will find all your data, passwords, old programm entrys untouched.
Fact!!!
Ever installed again your navi software after doing full wipe and manually formating all system partitions from safe kernel?
After reboot there is nothing, but install your Navigon and it will find asap all your maps, account and everything else.
All the data are present and this is NOT Factory reset.
There is not problem WHAT does "Factory reset" and "format system" but it is VERY, VERY, VERY important from what KERNEL you do this.
Safe or unsafe GB kernel.
And again, deleting all data from the phone is only possible with unsafe kernel or flashing original Samsung firmware.
And this guy above did a full wipe with safe kernel and finds all his data untouched.
And again: a clean Note is only possible with unsafe GB kernel or original Samsung firmware.
Formating system from a safe kernel is NOT enough for a clean phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're talking bonkers mate. A factory reset only resets the system partition. It does not include internal sd card Nov matter what kernel you're on. You have to specify a separate operation of wipe internal sd card for that. Kernel type doesn't make a difference.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

ziko said:
Ergo => formating internal SD doesnt touch the system => doesnt do "Factory reset"?
Right?
Factory reset with "unsafe" GB kernel format system AND internal SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is nothing called an unsafe GB kernel.. its safe
ziko said:
After that you can manually mount system and format it, also all other system partitions, from unsafe kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if its an unsafe kernel.. who will dare to wipe?
ziko said:
And again, deleting all data from the phone is only possible with unsafe kernel or flashing original Samsung firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Original samsung firmware ? ex i install ICS using PC odin... damm these are non wipe. doesnt even remove old apps...
ziko said:
Formating system from a safe kernel is NOT enough for a clean phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats true.. u need to load other partition on a safe kernel and format manually.. but GB recovery does the same as well

[Q] Cleaning up the system?

I have flashed a bunch of different ROMs lately. I always wipe cache, dalvik and do a factory reset but maybe it may no longer be enough. Currently, my phone is rooted with Cocore and CWM. I am thinking about going to CM11. Last time I tried that, I noticed some stuff during setup was overlooked because it already seemed to be there. So I think some bits and pieces are left in the phone. Therefore, I want to "scrub" it before trying another ROM (thinking CM11 this time). I know the CM kernel comes with it.
questions:
1) Can I just mount and reformat system, data, cache and preload to clear everything out before flashing a new ROM?
2) Will the kernel be protected (in this case is CoCore) after reformating or should I worry about it?
3) When I flash the original stock 4.1.2 from Odin, does it completely reformat everything when it loads onto the system?

corvus.corax said:
I have flashed a bunch of different ROMs lately. I always wipe cache, dalvik and do a factory reset but maybe it may no longer be enough. Currently, my phone is rooted with Cocore and CWM. I am thinking about going to CM11. Last time I tried that, I noticed some stuff during setup was overlooked because it already seemed to be there. So I think some bits and pieces are left in the phone. Therefore, I want to "scrub" it before trying another ROM (thinking CM11 this time). I know the CM kernel comes with it.
questions:
1) Can I just mount and reformat system, data, cache and preload to clear everything out before flashing a new ROM?
2) Will the kernel be protected (in this case is CoCore) after reformating or should I worry about it?
3) When I flash the original stock 4.1.2 from Odin, does it completely reformat everything when it loads onto the system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some information are stored on internal SD memory. Maybe it was there. Try to delete it. Backup SD to PC, format it - do factory reset and see if it is happening again.

shut_down said:
Some information are stored on internal SD memory. Maybe it was there. Try to delete it. Backup SD to PC, format it - do factory reset and see if it is happening again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I backup the internal SD card to the PC and then restore after a reformat, won't the offending bits come back again?

corvus.corax said:
If I backup the internal SD card to the PC and then restore after a reformat, won't the offending bits come back again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not tell you to restore it. Keep it on PC, in case you need some of data from there. Maybe you erase some picture that you need or something like that. And not to blame me later. :fingers-crossed: