Database Develop

[Q] how to clean '/' after multiple flashings

How do I "clean" my phone after flashing different roms. I explored the contents of the root directory ('/') and I could find the files/directories which I suspect are from earlier roms that I had used.
I thought flashing stock rom through ODIN would delete everything related to previous rom but looks like that is not the case. Should I use reparttition option in ODIN with pit file to achieve this ?

What i do when i get to this point is copy everything off internal sd card onto a folder on my pc and format internal sd card. Then do all the normal clear data, cache, dalvik, init'd and ns tools and finally flash new rom...
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You'll want to go into CWM prior to flashing and format /system as well as 'wipe data/factory reset' (this will format the rest). Optionally you can format the sdcard, but with the above you'll have a clean system.

scubadude said:
What i do when i get to this point is copy everything off internal sd card onto a folder on my pc and format internal sd card. Then do all the normal clear data, cache, dalvik, init'd and ns tools and finally flash new rom...
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand sd card formatting & WIPE (data, cache & dalvik). But what exactly is init'd and ns tools ? how do I do this ?

upichie said:
You'll want to go into CWM prior to flashing and format /system as well as 'wipe data/factory reset' (this will format the rest). Optionally you can format the sdcard, but with the above you'll have a clean system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks..I believe format /system will format /system (i.e. cleaning up system directory in root '/'). Does it mean that I don't have any other leftover in the root directory ( '/') ? Every thing that a rom & kernels install will be wiped after formatting /system ?

If you don't format sd card you still going to have those left over folders and files from various roms and programmes you have installed and removed. This stuff isn't necessary to remove but thought that is what you were asking about.
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scubadude said:
If you don't format sd card you still going to have those left over folders and files from various roms and programmes you have installed and removed. This stuff isn't necessary to remove but thought that is what you were asking about.
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Click to collapse
Essentially, /sdcard is the only thing you don't need to format. Apps store files here, but they aren't within the system and won't affect performance if they're left over. You can manually delete them if you no longer have the app, or you can backup things to keep and then format it as well.
Otherwise, you'll want to format everything (except for boot).
Init.d is a folder which contains scripts that run at boot. Wiping this prevents problems that may occur from leftover scripts. NSTools is an app that has settings that run at boot, such as overclocking, undervolting, etc. It is also advised to wipe these settings as to avoid conflicts when flashing new kernels, ROMs, etc.
But formatting /system and wiping data/factory reset (which formats the rest of the Androids operating system) will allow you to have a clean install of any ROM. The leftover app files on /sdcard are negligible and can be deleted.

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.
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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.
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SpyderTracks said:
Factory reset only formats system, so doesn't touch internal sd card at all..... Fact.
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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.
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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.
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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

Factory reset not working!

So I flashed philz kernel and installed rrv3 jellybean and after I pressed factory reset in cwm all my files are still present, any options please?
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abdoabook said:
So I flashed philz kernel and installed rrv3 jellybean and after I pressed factory reset in cwm all my files are still present, any options please?
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Click to collapse
If you mean the Wipe Data/Factory Reset option in CWM then it only deletes the /data partition (2GB). It doesn't delete your internal storage (12GB) (/sdcard usually) or your external memory card.
If you want to wipe your internal storage too, then go to Mounts and Storage then Format emmc. That should format your internal storage.
If you use the in-ROM options (not CWM) then: Settings>Back up and reset>Factory data reset>>>>>>>>this one deletes the /data partition only (same as Wipe Data/Factory Reset in CWM)
Settings>Storage>Format USB storage>>>>>>>>this one formats your internal storage (same as Format emmc in CWM).

Aslo there was a much talked about bug which caused flies to stay even after a reset. Not followed it much but it should be there somewhere in philz thread

Yes it still stays after the reset. ..
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joey_oggie said:
If you want to wipe your internal storage too, then go to Mounts and Storage then Format emmc. That should format your internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will I able to start the phone if I format emmc? Currently on PA Utacka.

Factory Reset
abdoabook said:
So I flashed philz kernel and installed rrv3 jellybean and after I pressed factory reset in cwm all my files are still present, any options please?
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Click to collapse
Factory reset will NOT remove your personal files like documents, downloads, music and picture files.. however, formatting SDcard will do that.. Factory reset will wipe Data folders, Android_secure & Cache
Make sure you do that from a safe kernel e.g. a recent Philz kernel or Abyss GB Kernel so that you won't brick your phone
Some ROMs may require factory 3 times to work properly without a bootloop, I have encountered that when switching from CM10 (PA) to TW (XLS2).
I have made a flashable zip with factory reset 3 times, cache wiping 3 times, dalvick cache wiping 3 times and system format, you might want to use it before you install a new ROM
I like to note that formatting system will also NOT remove your personal files.
AGAIN, Please remember to flash a safe kernel THEN reboot recovery before you do any wipes
Best of luck
P.S. I am no expert but I learnt my way around

[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?
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allansy said:
Is it any better to just install user apps from google play and then restore just the data from TB?
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Click to collapse
No..the main purpose of the thread is to remove the incompatible app data and system data

Useful.
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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
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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 ?

can not wipe my sd date.

Hi, installed CWM>>> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387980 and I can not wipe my sd date. I went to CWM and did:
- wipe date/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- wipe dalvik cache
the phone restart and all settings been wipe but still have my folder and files on my internal sd. I installed some mods and the are not work on my phone,can not be hear by other person during a phone call when I press laudspeaker. I want to delete everythink but wipe from cwm does not work

x7nofate said:
Hi, installed CWM>>> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2387980 and I can not wipe my sd date. I went to CWM and did:
- wipe date/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- wipe dalvik cache
the phone restart and all settings been wipe but still have my folder and files on my internal sd. I installed some mods and the are not work on my phone,can not be hear by other person during a phone call when I press laudspeaker. I want to delete everythink but wipe from cwm does not work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my experience that is exactly how it normally works. Your SD card is not wiped/formatted via CWM/Recovery mode.
You can un-mount & format it from the "storage" option in your phone. Note that the "USB Mass Storage Enabler" app, if you use it, seems to interfere with this and should be disabled before formatting.

are both taking about internal SD,NOT external sd

x7nofate said:
are both taking about internal SD,NOT external sd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when u used cwm to wipe, the screen shows the partitions and folders been wiped.
u will notice it does not wipe the whole internal sdcard.
u need to use format to wipe all the data.