[Q] Can you safely delete or format /sdcard ? - Galaxy S I9000 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have a phone, a i9000, which I intend to give away, but I do not want to leave any of my data on it. A factory reset has left the contents of /sdcard in tact, including my photos.
I would like to know if I can safely just delete the entire contents of /sdcard or perhaps format it in CWM.
I thought I'd ask before going ahead, lest I delete any important data.
I usually back up /efs to /sdcard, which I would ensure to do again.

mrnaz said:
I have a phone, a i9000, which I intend to give away, but I do not want to leave any of my data on it. A factory reset has left the contents of /sdcard in tact, including my photos.
I would like to know if I can safely just delete the entire contents of /sdcard or perhaps format it in CWM.
I thought I'd ask before going ahead, lest I delete any important data.
I usually back up /efs to /sdcard, which I would ensure to do again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use menu>settings>storage>unmount>format or just format SD card

Related

storage problem

Hay.
how i can format my nexus one or clear its all earlier data . I also have 8gb sd card
waiting for reply. Thanks
Uh... do you mean a factory reset cause that is pretty easy just go to settings -> privacy -> factory reset this will wipe everything from your internal storage except the ROM and updates so you will stay on the same version that you are running now. This will not delete anything on the SD card so if you want to do that just put it in your computer and format it from there.
storage
Hay
can u more define.
is factory rest bracke my root
If by that you mean will it unroot you, then no you will stay rooted even if you factory reset.
There are two different main partitions in the phone (for partitions, think different drives under windows). The first being the /system partition. Everything in the /system partition is readable only. You are not able to modify anything in there (with a standard setup... we will delve a bit into this later). The other partition is the /data partition, which is read/write. This is where every app that you install is located (with a few exceptions which I will note below). When you do a factory reset/data wipe, it will just wipe out that /data partition so all your apps and data are gone (including any system settings.
The exception to the rules are for rooting, and certain flashable zips that put apps in the /system partition (like the google apps zip if you are running a custom ROM). So when you rooted, it put everything required for root into the /system partition (by changing it to read/write using root permissions). So if you do the factory reset, it will wipe the /data directory along with the .android_secure folder on the root of the sdcard (which is where all your apps are stored when you store apps on the sdcard).
Since the factory reset doesn't include the /system partition (otherwise you would be left without an OS to boot into), your root will remain, and otherwise, it will be just like it was when you first started up the phone.
If you want to remove root, you will have to flash a ROM (most likely a stock Android version) that doesn't include root/superuser permissions.

Clean dumstats/logcat

My internal SD card is running out of space, DiskUsage shows me that "SystemData" takes up about 4GB. Cache partition and dalvik cache cleaned.
I think its logcats and dumstats. On other phones you could dial "*#9900#" to get to a menu where you could delete dumstats and logcats.
On 4.3. stock fw its not working.
Anyone got an idea how to clean logcats/dumstats?
I dont think that these are all error files. What you can do is reflash ROM without data wipe..
any idea to clear dumstate for xperia sp?
If you're rooted, just check /data/media folder. It should have the three folders: 0, legacy, obb. (/sdcard mounted at 0). If you have lot of items like in sdcard, it might be taking extra space and showing as "SystemData".
Same thing happened to me, and I deleted everything except those three folders (don't touch 0, it will delete things in actual /sdcard). Those duplicate items might have come there after a cwm data restore.. but, not sure about that.
If this is the case with you, please take precautions before deleting anything.

factory reset and /sdcard

Sorry if this is a noob question... But the N6 is the first phone that I've had with internal SD storage. What kind of wipes will erase the /SDCARD directory? The reason I ask is if I'm doing Titanium backups to /SDCARD, does that mean I occasionally need to move those files off before I do any kind of reset / flash?
When in TWRP, go to wipe -> advanced. And UNCHECK "internal storage", you can select everything else. This will wipe everything except your stuff on the phone (pics, files, titanium backup folder, etc.).
addxyz said:
Sorry if this is a noob question... But the N6 is the first phone that I've had with internal SD storage. What kind of wipes will erase the /SDCARD directory? The reason I ask is if I'm doing Titanium backups to /SDCARD, does that mean I occasionally need to move those files off before I do any kind of reset / flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also I would highly recommend that you copy your titanium backups and other important files over to your computer just in case you know

[Q] Fix missing space (23.03GB vs. 64GB), but keep data

I've run in to the problem some other people were having too. A problem, where after fastboot flashing userdata.img (from stock factory image), I'm left with 23.03GB of storage on my device, even though it's a 64GB model.
I've Googled the problem, and people suggest running "fastboot format data" to fix it. But of course that will wipe all my settings and so forth. My question is if I can back up the data partition using TWRP onto an OTG device. Then run "fastboot format data" and finally restore data again using TWRP.
Would that work? And would it even fix the problem of the missing space.
For reference, the issue has previously been discussed here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/help/nexus-6-64gb-23gb-free-space-t2953636
stokholm said:
I've run in to the problem some other people were having too. A problem, where after fastboot flashing userdata.img (from stock factory image), I'm left with 23.03GB of storage on my device, even though it's a 64GB model.
I've Googled the problem, and people suggest running "fastboot format data" to fix it. But of course that will wipe all my settings and so forth. My question is if I can back up the data partition using TWRP onto an OTG device. Then run "fastboot format data" and finally restore data again using TWRP.
Would that work? And would it even fix the problem of the missing space.
For reference, the issue has previously been discussed here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/help/nexus-6-64gb-23gb-free-space-t2953636
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so its clear the fastboot format does the trick. (I also did fastboot and vol scrolled to recovery and did a full wipe before the format)(that was prob overkill)
fastboot format userdata
fastboot format cache
fastboot reboot
I've never done that with twrp. I usually just dump my whole SD card to a hard drive then start fresh. Its a reasonable pain to ensure there are no problems.
Also wouldn't you have been totally wiped anyway if you were going back to stock? Have you been using it with 23gb for a while?
No, haven't been using it for long like that. Only a few days actually.
It's not that I have a lot of files, but I do have a lot of settings and app settings. I know I could probably use Titanium Backup to back that stuff up, but I don't trust that method do get everything and not mess something up.
One more question though. Why format cache too? I saw that suggested in the thread I referenced. But isn't it enough to format data? I guess it makes no difference really, but I'm trying to learn in the process too.
stokholm said:
I've run in to the problem some other people were having too. A problem, where after fastboot flashing userdata.img (from stock factory image), I'm left with 23.03GB of storage on my device, even though it's a 64GB model.
I've Googled the problem, and people suggest running "fastboot format data" to fix it. But of course that will wipe all my settings and so forth. My question is if I can back up the data partition using TWRP onto an OTG device. Then run "fastboot format data" and finally restore data again using TWRP.
Would that work? And would it even fix the problem of the missing space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no.
Let me explain;
The first problem, which may or may not actually *be* a problem, is whether or not recovery will PERMIT a backup to an OTG. Assuming that it does, it unfortunately will only backup everything on the data partition BESIDES the "media" directory (where the "internal SD card" can be found).
To work around this, perform your backup TO the internal storage, then reboot back to Android, copy *everything" from the "internal storage" path to your computer (which will include the "backup" directory, whatever it happens to be called with the recovery you prefer). Then perform the fastboot format on the data partition, boot into Android skipping all the signin junk, copy everything BACK to the internal storage, reboot into recovery again, and restore it.
ALTERNATIVELY, and probably much easier (definitely much faster, since it should complete within a few seconds)...
I *believe* that most recoveries should include the resize2fs command (though I've never had an actual need for this, so haven't actually tested it), so via ADB into your recovery.....
Code:
umount /data
resize2fs /dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/userdata
should do the trick.
NOTE HOWEVER, it is generally recommended to backup any partition where you are resizing a filesystem PRIOR to resizing it.
HAVING SAID THAT, I've run resize2fs hundreds of times on hundreds of systems, and never had an issue with a grow operation.
Running resize2fs without a "size" parameter will grow the filesystem to the size of the partition. The partition table still holds the correct size, which is why "fastboot format" fixes the issue.
That was a great explanation, @doitright. Thank you for that. I will try resize2fs at some point.
stokholm said:
No, haven't been using it for long like that. Only a few days actually.
It's not that I have a lot of files, but I do have a lot of settings and app settings. I know I could probably use Titanium Backup to back that stuff up, but I don't trust that method do get everything and not mess something up.
One more question though. Why format cache too? I saw that suggested in the thread I referenced. But isn't it enough to format data? I guess it makes no difference really, but I'm trying to learn in the process too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Resizef2s sounds relatively painless, but does again, as doitright says, require caution by backing up before.
About the cache thing. I think to do a full format, data and cache are on different blocks, so that might be why. But then again the SD card is mounted in /data/media so maybe only format data is needed and the cache is to help with something else or just to be cautious, I don't know.
Now I wonder (and this can be searched here in xda) if TWRP back up data is /data/data or /data minus /data/media? Because fastboot format data I think is all of data i.e. /data. This is worth knowing for the future. Especially since we are flashinging things to our phones and whatever else.
MunkinDrunky said:
Now I wonder (and this can be searched here in xda) if TWRP back up data is /data/data or /data minus /data/media? Because fastboot format data I think is all of data i.e. /data. This is worth knowing for the future. Especially since we are flashinging things to our phones and whatever else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ALL recovery backups are /data/* EXCEPT /data/media, being "backed up" to /data/media/something.
It simply cannot be implemented any other way for devices without separate storage devices, otherwise the backup would back up previous backups, which would be just plain wasteful.
The /cache partition is practically irrelevant. There is quite literally NO REASON to ever worry about it. No reason to wipe it, no reason for format it unless it somehow becomes corrupt.
It doesn't seem like resize2fs is included in TWRP.
stokholm said:
It doesn't seem like resize2fs is included in TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The resolution really is as simple as you originally thought. Its a common issue I've seen a hundred times on the nexus 5.
Take a full TWRP backup and then copy your entire sdcard to PC.
Format data
Boot into android and do initial set up.
Copy sdcard backup back to device whilst booted into android
Restore TWRP backup
You can use the file manager in TWRP to copy your entire sdcard to USB-OTG and copy it back. Personally, I find this easier than copying to PC.
adrman said:
You can use the file manager in TWRP to copy your entire sdcard to USB-OTG and copy it back. Personally, I find this easier than copying to PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I said to copy it to PC via android was that using MTP or adb in recovery will break the sdcard permissions, when it is copied back. If you're confident OTG in TWRP works differently to adb and MTP in TWRP, cool. I just haven't tested it myself so won't suggest it.
rootSU said:
The reason I said to copy it to PC via android was that using MTP or adb in recovery will break the sdcard permissions, when it is copied back. If you're confident OTG in TWRP works differently to adb and MTP in TWRP, cool. I just haven't tested it myself so won't suggest it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used OTG via TWRP's file manager, when I wiped to decrypt and everything came back properly. I would assume that would be the case here as well.
adrman said:
I used OTG via TWRP's file manager, when I wiped to decrypt and everything came back properly. I would assume that would be the case here as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent
rootSU said:
Excellent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Channeling Mr. Burns? [emoji1]
adrman said:
Channeling Mr. Burns? [emoji1]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Always, aren't you?
From within TWRP there is an easy way to do this even after you have your phone all setup. This issue always happens on my Nexus 5 and Nexus 6.
I did this without doing a backup and after my phone has been used on marshmallow for a week or so.
Steps from within TWRP:
1. Wipe > Advanced Wipe
2. Select the Data partition.
3. Select Repair or Change File System
(Notice the Partition Size)
4. Select Resize
(Wait and shortly after see the partition size be up to full size.)
This doesn't appear to work on 6.0.1 custom Rom with systemless SU 2.61... gave me a bad partition error.
Guess I will have to wipe.
maamdroid said:
From within TWRP there is an easy way to do this even after you have your phone all setup. This issue always happens on my Nexus 5 and Nexus 6.
I did this without doing a backup and after my phone has been used on marshmallow for a week or so.
Steps from within TWRP:
1. Wipe > Advanced Wipe
2. Select the Data partition.
3. Select Repair or Change File System
(Notice the Partition Size)
4. Select Resize
(Wait and shortly after see the partition size be up to full size.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have come across this thread. Here is what worked for me. (in case somebody needs it in the future)
1. Boot into twrp, type
Code:
adb shell
2. list the mounted partitions
Code:
df
You should see
Code:
df
Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
tmpfs 1507020 24 1506996 0% /dev
tmpfs 1507020 24 1506996 0% /tmp
/dev/block/mmcblk0p38
253920 264 248416 0% /cache
/dev/block/mmcblk0p42
24143612 23590364 536864 98% /sdcard
/dev/block/mmcblk0p42
24143612 23590364 536864 98% /data
/dev/block/mmcblk0p41
2015408 1965276 33748 98% /system
3. unmount /data and /sdcard
Code:
umount /dev/block/mmcblk0p42
umount /dev/block/mmcblk0p41
4. run
Code:
e2fsck -f /dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/userdata
resize2fs /dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/userdata
now you should see:
Code:
df
Filesystem 1K-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
tmpfs 1507020 24 1506996 0% /dev
tmpfs 1507020 24 1506996 0% /tmp
/dev/block/mmcblk0p38
253920 264 248416 0% /cache
/dev/block/mmcblk0p42
57306748 23598452 33691912 41% /data
/dev/block/mmcblk0p42
57306748 23598452 33691912 41% /sdcard
5. reboot, you are done

Please help me. Tried to change /data file system and wiped all my files...

I'm panicking very much right now.
I did a big, big stupid and accidentally wiped my entire /data partition, including /sdcard (!!) in TWRP 3.0.4.1 while attempting to change the filesystem of my /data partition from F2FS to EXT4. I did a full backup of my phone, including /data partition (but excluding /data/media/0/ which is the location for /sdcard of course) on my phone prior to attempting to change the filesystem.
I didn't think that this would also wipe /sdcard, and ALL MY FILES INCLUDING MY BACKUP...
I'm frantically searching through Google as we speak for guides to clone these formatted sectors over USB (I'd imagine using ADB shell) to a PC and use Windows file or partition recovery tools to try and save every, if not most files.
Please lend me your knowledge and links to fixing this issue, Android community. <3
In older Android versions the /sdcard partition was it's own partition, which is why I didn't think of copying all my files over to a PC before making changes to /data.
well, when you wipe data from any partition in twrp it sort of resets all space to be overwritten. The data that is marked for overwrite doesn't remain when you full wipe. Since you changed the file system, the data was removed and overwritten by the wipe with blank space.... i hope you had at least some of it backed up on your pc. I never use those apps personally, i always hard backup all my things with a drag and drop onto my pc. I highly recommend it, saves you a disaster. Im very sorry.... i hope you didnt lose anything really important.
OcazPrime said:
well, when you wipe data from any partition in twrp it sort of resets all space to be overwritten. The data that is marked for overwrite doesn't remain when you full wipe. Since you changed the file system, the data was removed and overwritten by the wipe with blank space.... i hope you had at least some of it backed up on your pc. I never use those apps personally, i always hard backup all my things with a drag and drop onto my pc. I highly recommend it, saves you a disaster. Im very sorry.... i hope you didnt lose anything really important.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, that's exactly what happened. I'm gonna attempt this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...de-internal-memory-data-recovery-yes-t1994705
Basically try to use "dd" to make a RAW copy of "dev/block/dm-0" which according to the mount command I ran in TWRP's terminal shell, is what block /data is used on OnePlus 3T (OOS 4.1.3).
Wish me luck.

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