Database Develop

[Q] Does installing new ROM on the XL erase data

As stated in the title, does flashing a new ROM erase data on the built-in flash drive such as contacts, apps, appdata, music, videos, pictures etc?
I'm rather new to ROM flashing.

short answer: Yes with an If, long answer: No -- with a But...
When flashing a new ROM to an Android phone its a good idea to do as its creator has advised and wipe data/factory reset and wipe dalvik cache all via ClockworkMod recovery, that way there is no additional bloat ware or old system data to gum up the works,, anything stored on the phone (contacts/system data) is erased anything on the 'internal storage' (8GB or so on the XL) or memory card is spared, so anything backed up to there will be safe
Its worth making note that when first installing a ROM, most if not all work on A2SD/ADSD+/+ etc, this is where your given the option to store app data on the memory card, in devices where you can take out the memory card you will need to format it (via ClockWorkMod recovery) and sort out the size of your 'hidden' EX3/4 partition that app data is stored on. formating and partitioning yor memory card wipes everything on it so back it up to a PC before doing anything!
Additional Note: Since the XL has internal storage make sure you get everything you want off it first then when we have CWM working on the XL format the crap out of the internal storage and have fun!

DanTehMan01 said:
short answer: Yes with an If, long answer: No -- with a But...
When flashing a new ROM to an Android phone its a good idea to do as its creator has advised and wipe data/factory reset and wipe dalvik cache all via ClockworkMod recovery, that way there is no additional bloat ware or old system data to gum up the works,, anything stored on the phone (contacts/system data) is erased anything on the 'internal storage' (8GB or so on the XL) or memory card is spared, so anything backed up to there will be safe
Its worth making note that when first installing a ROM, most if not all work on A2SD/ADSD+/+ etc, this is where your given the option to store app data on the memory card, in devices where you can take out the memory card you will need to format it (via ClockWorkMod recovery) and sort out the size of your 'hidden' EX3/4 partition that app data is stored on. formating and partitioning yor memory card wipes everything on it so back it up to a PC before doing anything!
Additional Note: Since the XL has internal storage make sure you get everything you want off it first then when we have CWM working on the XL format the crap out of the internal storage and have fun!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhhh I see. So if I want to flash a new ROM, I have to back up everything on my own then manually re-enter them.
Thanks for enlightening.

Pretty much yeh, always a good idea to manually do a backup every now and again,, once you have your ex3/4 partition apps data will be restored when you reinstal the app, also Titanium Backup w/root permissions on a fully ROMd device will restore data in the same way too (if you backup with root access the first time etc)

Internal memory - Very strange case

Hello,
To make a long story short
Probably one of my installed apps is causing this problem I have (app2sd)
A few days ago I always got this "force close" msg for ALL of my apps.
I decided to factory reset - although it worked ALL the apps folders were not deleted from internal memory
BUT the apps are not there realy, just the folders.
I did a hard reset, the same.
all the info on the INTERNAL MEMORY comes back after any type of reboot.
Tried to FLASH and reinstall the ORIGINAL STOCK. -- NOTHING it doesn't work, I mean the new installation is but the apps' folders are STUCK on the internal memory of the phone.
Any help?
How can I really format the internal memory? flash it totally? I can't even re install the apps again from market, it doesn't let me.
help?!

DannyBrazil said:
How can I really format the internal memory? flash it totally? I can't even re install the apps again from market, it doesn't let me.
help?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are currently on Gingerbread 2.3.6, go into menu> settings > storage and format your SD card and settings privacy> to do a factory reset and erase all than try power down and boot into 2e recovery to do a wipe data and wipe cache and reboot phone to download mode and re-flash the ROM again and back to recovery again to wipe data and cache

[GUIDE] Android deep clean-up / wipe

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 ?

[Q] Miui ROM?

Right, ive rooted my note, and im looking for an iPhone type Miui theme rom, ive looked at how to install the new rom and i have no idea what to do, it says that i cant flash on stock ICS ROM, currently running 4.0.1 atm, and it also says something about Aroma Installer. i am a big newb when it comes to this, i dont wanna f**k my phone up so can someone help me and tell me what to do please?

Firstly remove the stock kernel, thats what it is referring to, So flash something safe like Philz or Hydracore.
And also, Aroma installer is something that will appear when flashing via CWM, it is a neat feature which allows you to pick and choose optional extras to install, or to remove certain things from installing.
Once it appears just follow the instructions, its simple really.

when i rooted it i changed to franko kernel? what do i need to flash Miui ROM Vengeance Note v2_4-08 09 2012? im downloading that atm

Go with something popular like philz or hydracore, it will be overwritten once the ROM installs anyway.
Make sure to do the wipes (if necessary)

so i install that kernel, then flash the rom using cwm and it says to do a wipe, how do i wipe it?

In recovery there are several options, you will need to wipe data / Factory reset, then wipe cache, then go to advanced and wipe dalvik cache.
You may also need to format /system and /preload, you will find these under the mounts and storage menu
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

i still have no idea what to do.. all i know is when doing a new rom install in from sd card is all i know, i need an easy to understand explaination lol because what you're saying is just letters to me, if you can tell me how to do it because i dont know what im doing..

Okay, so you're completely stock now right? If so, head over to original android development section and download either philz kernel for your version (find this in settings > about phone) or hydracore kernel (this needs to be flashed with odin unless you are already rooted with Cwm recovery, if not just use philz)
Once downloaded place on your internal sd card, power the phone off, hold volume up + home + power all at once until you enter recovery.
Now select apply update from sd card or update . zip (can't remember which one) once flashed do the same procedure again, this time you will notice how different it is.
Now either mount usb storage in recovery (under mounts and storage) or reboot the phone to use mtp / mass storage.
Place MIUI rom in your internal sd card, reboot into recovery, select wipe data / Factory reset (will remove all apps and data, not media, so backup what's important before hand)
Now select wipe cache, then go to advanced and select wipe dalvik cache.
Now go to install zip from sd card, then choose zip from internal sd card, find the MIUI rom and flash it.
Once done, reboot and wait upto 10mins for it to boot properly.
Double check to MIUI thread for install instructions as you may need to format system and preload too when performing the full wipe in recovery.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

oh my word...you typed all this from your phone? hoped you were using a bluetooth keyboard...
good luck paul on your install
thanks azz for typing this up..definitely bookmark worthy.
azzledazzle said:
Okay, so you're completely stock now right? If so, head over to original android development section and download either philz kernel for your version (find this in settings > about phone) or hydracore kernel (this needs to be flashed with odin unless you are already rooted with Cwm recovery, if not just use philz)
Once downloaded place on your internal sd card, power the phone off, hold volume up + home + power all at once until you enter recovery.
Now select apply update from sd card or update . zip (can't remember which one) once flashed do the same procedure again, this time you will notice how different it is.
Now either mount usb storage in recovery (under mounts and storage) or reboot the phone to use mtp / mass storage.
Place MIUI rom in your internal sd card, reboot into recovery, select wipe data / Factory reset (will remove all apps and data, not media, so backup what's important before hand)
Now select wipe cache, then go to advanced and select wipe dalvik cache.
Now go to install zip from sd card, then choose zip from internal sd card, find the MIUI rom and flash it.
Once done, reboot and wait upto 10mins for it to boot properly.
Double check to MIUI thread for install instructions as you may need to format system and preload too when performing the full wipe in recovery.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] Complete Superwipe?

Howdy.
I was wondering what's the correct procedure to do a complete, total data wipe of the phone.
When I do a full wipe, cache wipe and a dalvik wipe, all the data still stays intact on the phone. I want to start anew.
Also, if possible, I'd like to fix the external_sd bit so it's actually the sd card and not some directory on the phone (if I recall this was a JB "upgrade"?)
I am currently on a PhilZ Touch Kernel running LSC.
Thank you!

Domen Lo said:
Howdy.
I was wondering what's the correct procedure to do a complete, total data wipe of the phone.
When I do a full wipe, cache wipe and a dalvik wipe, all the data still stays intact on the phone. I want to start anew.
Also, if possible, I'd like to fix the external_sd bit so it's actually the sd card and not some directory on the phone (if I recall this was a JB "upgrade"?)
I am currently on a PhilZ Touch Kernel running LSC.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when I want do a full wipe, and start from scratch with new custom rom I do the following:
-make sure that you are on safe kernel (which you probably are)
-make sure that your new rom.zip is on the external sd card (because you will format your internal sd)
-backup your pictures, music etc... from internal sd
-reboot recovery
-wipe dalvik cache, wipe cache, wipe data,
-then go to mounts and storage and format: cache, data, system, preload, emmc(is your internal sd card, first do backup of important stuff), and that is enough, be careful to not format external sd (where is your rom)
-thats enough wiping
-install rom.zip from external sd,
i hope that helped
i dont know what you mean by external_sd is directory on the phone (maybe because of folder icon in stock file explorer "my files"). Can you describe it little bit more

Najlepsa hvala
Looks like the sd issue got fixed with the new rom as well. Awesome.