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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] Apps from older ROM still in SD card after flash

I flashed my i9000m from Stock ROM to a i9000 ROM, then to ICS (CM9). Everything works perfectly. No complaints. The only thing that bugs me is I still have 1GB left of space, when I have no access to the older apps that I had previously. Could they all be backed up somewhere?
I made sure to Data Wipe and Cache Wipe before installing ICS, before and after. Any ideas what I can do?
Thanks

Sepharite said:
I flashed my i9000m from Stock ROM to a i9000 ROM, then to ICS (CM9). Everything works perfectly. No complaints. The only thing that bugs me is I still have 1GB left of space, when I have no access to the older apps that I had previously. Could they all be backed up somewhere?
I made sure to Data Wipe and Cache Wipe before installing ICS, before and after. Any ideas what I can do?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
data wipe means completely delete everything, i also flashed ICS yesterday but didn't data wipe, everything is on my sd card, check with a file manager

untamedkid said:
data wipe means completely delete everything, i also flashed ICS yesterday but didn't data wipe, everything is on my sd card, check with a file manager
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. I data wiped, but I guess that didn't work properly.
Any other way to remove excess apps? I don't know which is which using file manager.

By "Data Wipe" it means deleting files from /data, /system, /datadata, /cache and dalvik cache. Not Internal_SD and External_SD, as it not picks which file is used or which not.
If you want to clear EVERYTHING (all data on phone - to make as "just bought") you need to tick Repartition in Odin. That removes every piece of info on your phone.

simply do factory reset/format before doing any firmware update and after update, after update u can delete all sd-card files or do format it by going into setting sd options.

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

To Brick or NOT to brick

I have searched many posts & not found substantial information or answers...........so
2. I have tried various ROM's....CM9, CM10, Liquid RC3, asylum & slim 2.7 (current) amongst others including sock Gb &ICS
3. all this flashing has eaten up my INTERNAL storage what I understand as being emmc (or part of) partitions for rom, bootloaders,etc ............. SO
Q, if I format emmc in mounts & storage in CWM recovery 6.0.x.x will I brick my phone? I just wish to clean the emmc & breath a bit of life back into my note without flashing back to GB, I have read it can be done via PC on USB connection method & I will use this facility to copy files that need keeping before formatting.
Many thanks in advance

Is ur partition broken???
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

itsmix said:
I have searched many posts & not found substantial information or answers...........so
2. I have tried various ROM's....CM9, CM10, Liquid RC3, asylum & slim 2.7 (current) amongst others including sock Gb &ICS
3. all this flashing has eaten up my INTERNAL storage what I understand as being emmc (or part of) partitions for rom, bootloaders,etc ............. SO
Q, if I format emmc in mounts & storage in CWM recovery 6.0.x.x will I brick my phone? I just wish to clean the emmc & breath a bit of life back into my note without flashing back to GB, I have read it can be done via PC on USB connection method & I will use this facility to copy files that need keeping before formatting.
Many thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a new ROM from a safe kernel and doing a wipe data/factory reset should take care of everything but the sdcard partition, and that you can clean yourself with a file manager.

actually what he wants to ask is
what will
format /emmc do in cwm?

If on a safe KERNEL, then formatting is safe from bricking. Be careful though, some cwm recovieries have emmc as EXTERNAL SDcard.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app

so just remove the sd card before u try it

[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 ?