Related
So, a little history...
I'm on my 2nd Captivate (unrelated issue). The boot problems didn't arise until I restored my data onto it. The first time I tried restoring system data along with my apps (which I figured was safe since I was going from 2.1 stock to the same) but that had lots of issues. So I did a factory reset, and started over. This time I just restored apps and their data, and a few specific pieces of system data (contacts, wifi APs, etc). That worked better. But later I got too aggressive with what system apps I "froze" (using Titanium Backup), and it got into boot loops I couldn't break out of. So I did another factory reset.
This time, first I carefully froze only apps I was to confirm were safe to freeze. I didn't proceed restoring my apps until I was done freezing and ensured it was booting fine. I then restored all my apps (and their data). The problem is now that it takes forever to boot... in fact, it'll go into a boot loop if I just leave it be. It seems the only way I can gain access is to try and unlock it before it's done booting, clear any "Force close" errors (sometimes takes a few tries) and given enough attempts, I can get in. But the boot takes an unbelievable amount of time, and even with my original apps is many times longer than before on my previous Captivate. Once I fuss my way in, it seems mostly fine, but something is obviously wrong and I want to get it straightened out.
Aside from doing another factory reset, and reinstalling all my apps (which takes like a day without troubleshooting after each, since batch restores in TB don't seem to work well on the Captivate so I have to do them one by one), I'm hoping there's a way to troubleshoot it in its current state and try to fix the problem surgically versus erasing and starting over. I looked at the logcat logs but got in over my head... there are so many errors and warnings and I don't know what's normal and what isn't... too many to know where to begin with searching Google.
So... advice? What tools are available? Even the logcat doesn't seem to kick in until the boot is mostly done, so I'm not sure if it can catch the problem while it's happening. One frustrating thing about Android is that is seems to have no "safe mode" or other diagnostic boot or full logging where you can methodically look at what's happening and experiment with the config. If this was a Windows, Linux or FreeBSD box I'd be in my element and able to get to the bottom of this, but on Android I feel even more crippled, locked-out and helpless than even on Windows. Urgh.
There's got to be a better way to troubleshoot and fix than endless random factory resets. This is something us anti-Windows people scold PC makers for, with all their use of "Restore CDs" for every minor and trivial software issue.
Thanks!
I can't help but think you are still disabling some essential system apps. Either that or one of your apps is causing major problems. Please list what you have frozen in tibu. Btw, the batch function works fine and is what most people on here use.
Also, what is force closing after you restore your apps.
newter55 said:
I can't help but think you are still disabling some essential system apps. Either that or one of your apps is causing major problems. Please list what you have frozen in tibu. Btw, the batch function works fine and is what most people on here use.
Also, what is force closing after you restore your apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, thanks for taking a stab at this.
My frozen apps are:
* AllShare
* AT&T FamilyMap
* AT&T Hot Spots
* AT&T Maps
* AT&T Music
* AT&T Navigator
* AT&T Radio
* Daily Briefing
* Days
* Instant Messaging
* Media Hub
* Mini Diary
* Mobile Banking
* Mobile Video
* MobiTV
* Where
* Write and Go
* YPmobile
I also tried removing my MicroSD card, as well as switching back to Touchwiz (from LauncherPro). Didn't help.
Yeah the batch problem in TB is very frustrating. I'm using the pay/donate version so I'm missing out on a feature I paid for. I've been exchanging emails with Joel (the author) and we haven't figured it out yet. Batch backups work fine. Batch uninstalls also work fine (update: phone just spontaneously rebooted after about 50 or so uninstalls in a batch). It's the batch restores that seem to choke it. It's not corrupt backup files... a verify runs fine, and I can individually restore the same handful of apps one by one that will choke and hang/reboot the Captivate if attempted to restore in a batch.
The FC error I get is on boot-up, as I try to unlock the screen prior to the boot finishing. I often see "Process system is not responding".
I have aLogcat installed, if that's any use. A few questions about that:
- What's the best logging level to view on? In other words, do I care about "Warnings"?
- What errors are common, harmless, and safe to ignore?
Currently I've tried uninstalling everything down to just a few core apps. Certainly boots fine now, but I get plenty of warnings and errors in logcat.
Are u restoring just the user installed apps+data, or system apps too? Or restoring system stuff like contacts data, accounts prefs, etc?
diablo009 said:
Are u restoring just the user installed apps+data, or system apps too? Or restoring system stuff like contacts data, accounts prefs, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not do a "restore system data" or any batch/bulk option in TB that restored all system data. As I recall, the only system data I restored a-la-carte (by selecting the individual item from the TB list) were:
Accounts
Bluetooth pairints
Bookmarks
Calendar
Contacts
Wi-Fi Access Points
These were all items in green in TB. I don't believe I restored anything else. Possibilities I suppose are wallpaper settings, "Country, Launguage, Time Zone"... but I definitely would not have restored anything not green.
Are these items safe? Is there any system data definitely not safe to restore? I have to wonder though, if "system data" is unsafe to even restore to the same stock OS version... why back it up at all?
I'm not a long distance from doing yet another factory reset I suppose, if it must come to that. But I'd love a way a bit more analytical/exacting to try and troubleshoot this other than "reinstall one app, reboot, see what happens" as that will take me a week to get back to where I was. I also suspect it's not just one single app that would suddenly show a huge difference after installing, but instead might be the cumulative errors from several apps and knowing how to identify that and clean them up would be useful.
Using adb logcat you can view what is occurring while the phone is booting and possibly see where it is hanging or what is causing the slow boot times. I have seen problems from restoring data such as accounts and contacts with titanium backup but does not seem that it should be an issue when using the same system though I have very little experience with the stock firmware. I know it is not an answer to your question but it seems that you are wanting to remove all the att/Samsung BS so why not flash a rom that does this as well as much more?
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Thanks for the tip about adb. I've actually not needed adb for anything yet so I've never set it up or used it. I wasn't aware that the service would be active early enough on the phone's boot process to allow it to log boot logs... nor was I even aware it could do this. I'll definitely check out how to set this up... however, if you have a free second and can point me in the right direction (FAQ, instructions, etc) it'd certainly be appreciated otherwise I'll search around and try to find it.
I could probably find other ways to restore contacts and could set my accounts up again manually but I really doubt that's the cause and the other ways are sort of a pain and imperfect. Since neither of us is really convinced that'd be it I won't bother yet until/unless you really suspect it.
I wondered how long it'd take before someone would suggest a custom ROM, this being XDA and all. Short version is I'm not really sold on the concept, as they are all based on the buggy beta leaked ROM, or 2.2 ROMs from other devices that have been hacked up to sort of work as well as possible on the Captivate. All seem to have issues... enough that I'm not really left feeling confident about them. Seems every release unleashes new issues despite addressing old ones, and all seem to have at least a handful of gremlin items that just don't work quite right. Don't have a warm fuzzy feeling, and I still feel like Samsung is going to release an official 2.2 for the Captivate within the next month or so, so I'm interested to see what comes of that. If nothing else, it'll give a better baseline for custom 2.2 ROMs. Then there's the 2.3 being worked on... now that might be interesting.
I don't really think my issue here is related to me running 2.1.
On my phone so it is a pita to search and add a link for you but search for android sdk and you will find what you need to get adb up and running.
And as far as the rom issue goes..it is your phone and I respect your concerns I just had to ask
I would think its media hub that slows it down. It will search your SD cards on every boot. I would start there first.
smokestack76 said:
I would think its media hub that slows it down. It will search your SD cards on every boot. I would start there first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's one of the apps I've frozen though.
For me the longest process while booting is the stupid media scanner upon bootup. Takes FOREVER for the phone to finally "boot" all the way up.
Been looking for a way to disable it (not really lol) and only have it scan manually to see if the boot time will improve. I'd start searching there.
Also - from what I've read nothing you did should have affected the phone. BUT - if your using Google for your Calendar and Contacts.. and they all get synced up to Google? Why bother doing the restore for those? After you sign up with the Market they get pulled back down to your phone automagically
It's definitely more than just the media scanner. I watch that. When everything is loaded up, it actually reboots in a loop unless intercept the FC. The media scanner will rerun over and over each time... far more than the standard two times.
And I use Google Calendar for my events, but I keep my contacts locally on my phone.
So what is the FC again?
Yep.. my media scanner will run at least 3 times before it stops checking everything.
Very frustrating that the software does this EVERY time I boot back into my phone - you'd think a programmer would put a check to see if it had run before or make it user configurable to scan when you want it to.
avgjoegeek said:
So what is the FC again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See my second post (reply #3):
"Process system is not responding"
LOL sorry not enough coffee and a lil' guy that decided to wake up at 4a.m. = not a good mix.
Well.. did the ol' wise search of Google and came up with:
Might be a permissions issue. Easiest way to fix it is to run ROM Manager and have it fix permisions.
Run the command yourself in ADB:
Code:
Open terminal and
>su
$mount -a
$fix_permissions -r
The -r is optional, but necessary if you find orphaned apps (the app not found please reinstall message)
And reboot. That may help.
And it was also stated that you might have an errant widget/application causing the issue as well. That will be fun trying to figure out what it is.
And.. from my non-dev/non-professional experience - I have checked the logs on my phone and do see a large number of warnings on the phone - but never hindered performance.
So.. 99% of the time you can probably ignore them.
But back to the FC issue - I would try doing a restore of your apps/data again (I read where you have it back down to the "core) and then run the permission script or have ROM Manager do it for you and see if it returns.
Just an update that I think the "fix permissions" thing solved most (but perhaps not all) of my issues. Thanks so much for the tip. I've been reinstalling apps in batches and it's much better, although I see it getting bogged-down bit by bit and I can't pin down what or why.
Thing is, the apps I'm installing in these later rounds/batches shouldn't be resident all the time, shouldn't be auto-loading, and don't come up in things like Startup Cleaner or Advanced Task Killer. Nor do the various process monitors I've tried seem to have the granularity/ability to catch them while they're happening.
So things are better, but I still have some issues without a suitable means to diagnose. I don't get why just having more apps installed, but not running, should affect boot time so much. Hmm...
An inability to troubleshoot certainly rains on my love-affair with Android... not that I'm jumping to another platform anytime soon, but I really want this to work well (as well as be a good salesman to friends and family who often turn to me to show off quality technology).
[How to] Deal with Bloat Safely & Properly {Freeze Method/ROOT} | BIGGER LIST(S)! 3/1
UPDATE: 3/1/11 @ 23:49
BIGGER COMPREHENSIVE LIST
+
A "RECOMMENDED" LIST!
I'm holding off on a "Not Recommended" List for a bit until I get your guys thoughts on what should stay, be added, or be taken off of the recommended list!
PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR THOUGHTS!
(And thanks to kgeissler for a bunch of new frozen goods!)
__________________________________________________________________
You are here because...
You bought your Atrix and hate your cluttered app drawer, as well as the feeling that your phone has to fight with one hand behind it's back...hell, maybe blindfolded, too.
You want...
To get rid of as much of the bloat on your phone as possible. You want to de-Motoblur it. You want to de-AT&T it. You want to give it back its other hand, and maybe a small knife (not to mention doing away with the blindfold).
You don't want...
To modify your phone in a manner that would be harmful. You don't want a brick/paper weight/somehow broken device.
If this is you, keep reading.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
First Offs:
> This thread is meant to help, not hurt. That being said, if, after reading this thread and performing some of the procedures detailed within, you do end up damaging your phone, neither I nor any of the others who contributed can be held responsible in any way. By reading this and performing any of the said procedures, you take full responsibility for what might happen to your phone.
> Upon writing this, the Atrix has only been officially released for less than 5 days. Devs are still working to free the bootloader, and thus most users are still only able to perform rudimentary modifications to the phone. Please realize that this thread may become obsolete as developers become more familiar with the device and are able to write all sorts of one-clicks/recovery flashables to remove bloat! This brings us to...
> I will be doing my absolute best to update this as frequently as possible in the case that new methods and/or new dangers arise regarding file modification on our devices. If this thread ever becomes obsolete, it will be noted as such in both the thread title as well as being the first thing in the original post (this).
With all that said, let us continue:
One of the most valuable pieces of information regarding modifying the Atrix's files comes from TeamBlackHat's P3Droid, known on XDA as jimmydafish:
jimmydafish said:
Hello my name is P3Droid,
We (TBH) have a lot of experience in Motorola phones and hacking. This experience dates back to the Razr days.
Here is a word of caution. Do no delete apps from the System partition, I would suggest you only rename them to .bak. When Motorola pushes updates each of the files undergoes a hash check, if the file has been manipulated or is missing the entire update will fail.
Until a system only sbf or similar is released, unless you make a back up with bootstrap and recovery, you will eliminate your ability to take updates moving forward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In summary: DO NOT DELETE APPS FROM THE SYSTEM PARTITION. This will result in the inability to receive official Motorola updates.
The thread from which the above quote was taken can be found here, and I would highly recommend that every single Atrix owner wishing to do any sort of file manipulation read it before doing anything else. It's only 4 pages, and well worth one's time.
So, how do we go about removing any bloat?
1) Any apps that are NOT in the system partition are safe to modify. Many have reported being able to remove apps by means of the standard Android applications manager. Details on this method can be found in this thread started by Fixter, who says:
Fixter said:
They can be removed by the Manage Applications settings. Very simple indeed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PLEASE NOTE: This method does NOT require root priviliges, and would be a very good place to start for more inexperienced users due to the relative ease and safety it affords. At the same time, it does not allow for access to some of the more deeply embedded apps/files you may wish to modify. This brings us to...
The Freezing Method
First suggested (to my knowledge) by acPIZZA:
acPIZZA said:
I suggest everyone that is rooted use TITANIUM BACKUP to deal with their bloatware issues. The pro version, which you will need, is only a few bucks and is worth it. TB allows you to 'freeze' bloatware apps, which to my knowledge just blocks it fro the system, but does not delete it. The apps you choose to freeze are also removed from the app tray - so no more clutter. This way when an update rolls around, you can run down the list and simply touch 'thaw' to bring those apps back to recognition. This seems like a much more efficient and easy way to go back and forth, rather than renaming the .apk's.
I apologize if someone already mentioned TB in this thread - I just skimmed quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In summary:
Use Titanium Backup's "Freeze" feature to deactivate or disable files. This method allows for the safe and long term deactivation of files in order to free up RAM/CPU resources, while allowing users to easily reactivate, or "Thaw"/"Defrost" the files if the need arises (official Motorola updates, requiring a certain functionality given by a file, etc). Note: This does not free up any storage on one's phone. It merely stops a phone process so that it does not consume RAM and/or processing power.
Prerequisites:
>Root privileges (procedure can be found here; thanks goes to designgears)
>Titanium Backup (application; can be found in/downloaded from the Android Market)
Note: The "Freeze" feature of TiBU is only available in the paid version of the app. TiBU Pro only costs $3.99, and is very useful beyond just what is discussed within this thread. (Trust me, I was hesitant to spend any money in the Android Market, but this has saved me countless hours of time and much of my sanity. It is well worth it.)
Procedure: (It's actually pretty simple)
1. Open Titanium Backup
2a. If previously unopened, click "Allow" on the Superuser dialog box- this grants TiBU the required root privileges
2b. If, for whatever reason, you do not grant TiBU superuser permission, don't panic- press the menu button and tap "Reload Application"; this should give you a second shot to give the necessary permission
2c. Alternatively, you can kill TiBU in a task manager and reopen it, also giving you that second chance
3. Navigate to the Backup/Restore section by clicking the corresponding little grey bubble at the top. This brings you to a list of all sorts of system/application elements.
4. From here, it's a simple matter of tapping (not long-clicking) on an element to bring up a dialog box. This box will contain options to, among other things, backup, uninstall, and freeze.
At this point regarding Atrix development,
YOU ARE TO TOUCH NOTHING BUT "FREEZE"...EVER. (I guess "Back up" is also fine, but that is not relevant).
Note: To Defrost/Thaw an element, simply repeat steps 1-4, instead selecting the Defrost/Thaw option.
ALSO, I personally have found that any changes made by freezing will only take effect after a reboot. Ultimately, even if this isn't the case, I suggest a reboot anyways (just for good measure). I don't believe there's a need to do this after every single time you Freeze an element, just once after you've Frozen all you'd like.
This of course brings us to...
Elements that are safe to Freeze:
Note:
This list is likely to change as more elements are found to be safe to touch. At the same time, if an element is ever found to cause problems after being Frozen, the list will be updated as soon as possible. Here we go...
The first post containing "Safe-to-Freeze" apps can be found here (Thank you, snlu178). I did not quote this post so as to avoid confusion, though I will be incorporating the list of elements in the linked post into my list. Once again, I owe a big thanks to snlu178 for the risk he took, as well taking the time to list the apps he found safe to Freeze.
The List: (Alphabetized, I believe)
*Disclaimer: Some of these elements correspond to docking/widget functionality. If something appears to be linked to a certain functionality that you need/want, DO NOT TAMPER WITH IT.
COMPREHENSIVE LIST
AdService 1.0
Alarm & Timer 2.2.1
AtCommandService 1.1
AT&T Code Scanner
AT&T Family Map
AT&T Navigator
Blockbuster 0.6
Blur.res 2.2.1
BrowserMessage 2.0.0
Cardock 1.0
com.android.providers.applications 2.2.1
com.motorola.android.extdispservice 1.0.0
com.motorola.android.syncml.service 2.2.1
com.motorola.photowidget 2.2.1
Contacts Sync 2.2.1 (google contacts will still sync)
ContactsUnconnected 2.2.1
Data Manager Service 1.1 (internet and data still works)
Desk Home 2.2.1
DLNA 0709.69
DlnaSystemService 1.0
DMService 1.0.0
DRM Protected Content Storage 2.2.1
Entertainment Center 1.0
Files 2.2.1
Forest Wallpaper 1.0
FOTA 2.2.1 (THIS DIRECTLY AFFECTS OFFICIAL MOTOROLA OVER-THE-AIR FIRMWARE UPDATES! NOT RECOMMENDED AT ALL!)
Help Center
Home 2.2.1 (this is the default Motoblur launcher; as such, have a home replacement already installed and set as the default if you wish to freeze this!)
Home Screen Tips
Live TV
LocationProxyDmPlugin 2.2.1
Mediashare 1.0.0
MediaSync 1.0.0
Mobile Desktop 1.0
Motorola Dock Service 1.0
myAT&T 1.0
News & Weather 1.3.03 (Android widget, not Motoblur, just FYI)
News 2.2.1
NFS Shift 1.1.73
Purchased Media 1.0
Quick Contact 2.2.1
Quick Tutorial 0.0.1
Quickoffice
SDMService 1.0
Social Messaging 2.2.1
Social Messaging Service 2.2.1
Social Networking 2.2.1
Social Sharing 2.2.1
Social Status 2.2.1
Sticky Note 2.2.1
Swype
SyncML 2.2.1
Task Manager 9.0
Terminal Emulator (I & others believe this may affect ADB functionality; though safe, freezing this is not necessarily recommended!)
Toggle Widgets
Universal Inbox 2.2.1
VLingo
Voice Commands
Weather 2.2.1
Webtop Connector
Work Contacts 2.2.1
YPmobile
RECOMMENDED LIST -----------------------------------> {UNDER EVALUATION |:::::|:::::|:::::| PLEASE COMMENT!}
Alarm & Timer 2.2.1
AtCommandService 1.1
AT&T Code Scanner
AT&T Family Map
AT&T Navigator
Blockbuster 0.6
com.motorola.photowidget 2.2.1
Entertainment Center 1.0
Help Center
Home Screen Tips
Live TV
Mediashare 1.0.0
MediaSync 1.0.0
myAT&T 1.0
News 2.2.1
NFS Shift 1.1.73
Quick Contact 2.2.1
Quick Tutorial 0.0.1
Quickoffice
Social Messaging 2.2.1
Social Messaging Service 2.2.1
Social Networking 2.2.1
Social Sharing 2.2.1
Social Status 2.2.1
Sticky Note 2.2.1
Toggle Widgets
Universal Inbox 2.2.1
VLingo
Voice Commands
Weather 2.2.1
YPmobile
Miscellaneous:
If you happen to SNAFU your phone, as of right now your best bet is this procedure laid out by designgears.
Thanks to:
designgears
Getaphixx
Fixter
snlu178
acPIZZA
franciscojavierleon
numerous TeamBlackHat members (esp. P3Droid/Jimmydafish, cellzealot)
our dear forum moderator, Mr. Clown (thanks for the sticky!)
reserved (just in case, I suppose)
Thanks for the mention friend. We need to make sure we tell them that Freeze is a paid feature of Titanium Backup paid version.
Hmm, so I was dump and didn't read the sentence in the parenthesis next to Home 2.2.1. I froze it without have something else and now after a reboot my phone is stuck at the AT&T Rethink Possible Screen. Any ideas?
Fixter said:
Thanks for the mention friend. We need to make sure we tell them that Freeze is a paid feature of Titanium Backup paid version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is the freeze option the equivalent of just renaming the .apk to .bak? If so, it could be an alternative to buying tibu.
This is great. Thanks for getting it stickied.
Re: the no home rebooting nag this point, check out the post on recovering from a soft boot. You will have to learn about adb, but you can get the phone back to life. Anyone else have a faster way to factory reset?
franciscojavierleon said:
is the freeze option the equivalent of just renaming the .apk to .bak? If so, it could be an alternative to buying tibu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In a sense yes. But TiBu is faster and I would argue has less user error. Plus the app is so great you should spend the money to support the dev. But, you can go through changing the names.
Thanks for staying on top of things, snlu178.
I should have a moment now to update a couple of things, including the mention that the freeze feature is paid only (something I was wondering about but didn't want to speak on too soon; thanks again, Fixter).
Also, regarding the ghetto .bak alternative, does that require Root Explorer? I guess I'd be willing to mention it, but ultimately, if it's a matter of buying Root Explorer, then I might just confine this thread to dealing with TiBU.
Let me work on a small revision, and also make sure freezing Home 2.2.1 can be risky if done so improperly.
xyrovice said:
Also, regarding the ghetto .bak alternative, does that require Root Explorer? I guess I'd be willing to mention it, but ultimately, if it's a matter of buying Root Explorer, then I might just confine this thread to dealing with TiBU.
Let me work on a small revision, and also make sure freezing Home 2.2.1 can be risky if done so improperly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just found out root explorer is also paid. Not that i don't want to pay, it's just that i am new at android (atrix will ship down here in about 2 weeks) and don't know if the market accepts credit cards from Venezuela yet. I will try...
My guess is that there should be a way to rename files from the adb shell as well. Either that, or install openssh or something on the phone and then just su and rename. It's linux, after all.
About freezing home, besides having already installed another launcher like launcher pro or adw, i guess it should be active before freezing it? To avoid force close or other problems.
Have you tried using google checkout?
franciscojavierleon said:
Just found out root explorer is also paid. Not that i don't want to pay, it's just that i am new at android (atrix will ship down here in about 2 weeks) and don't know if the market accepts credit cards from Venezuela yet. I will try...
My guess is that there should be a way to rename files from the adb shell as well. Either that, or install openssh or something on the phone and then just su and rename. It's linux, after all.
About freezing home, besides having already installed another launcher like launcher pro or adw, i guess it should be active before freezing it? To avoid force close or other problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really good idea. I don't know if it's necessary, but always better safe than sorry. I will add a notice to not only have another launcher installed, but also "defaulted".
xyrovice said:
Really good idea. I don't know if it's necessary, but always better safe than sorry. I will add a notice to not only have another launcher installed, but also "defaulted".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you install something like ADW and nothing else. Home = Motoblur is completely deactivated. Its like ADW becomes the default home app. You'll need app switcher to get back to it.
Fixter said:
When you install something like ADW and nothing else. Home = Motoblur is completely deactivated. Its like ADW becomes the default home app. You'll need app switcher to get back to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ducking out for a sec, but I'll make a note of this when I get the chance. And do you mean home switcher?
xyrovice said:
Ducking out for a sec, but I'll make a note of this when I get the chance. And do you mean home switcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Sir, sorry.
xyrovice said:
Ducking out for a sec, but I'll make a note of this when I get the chance. And do you mean home switcher?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's moto home fix in the Market specifically for moto phones with blur for this.
franciscojavierleon said:
there's moto home fix in the Market specifically for moto phones with blur for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this. I was just stating a fact.
I agree to call out the need to have a new home app installed and defaulted prior.
Moto Home Fix is what switches back to Home 2.2.1 (if it's not frozen).
Also, though Home 2.2.1 is not default when you have a new launcher it still runs in the background draining CPU and RAM. And every bit you save helps in my book.
I compared running services on my Nexus One (with CM7) with my Atrix and tried disabling services that were on the Atrix, but not on the N1. I have froze the following with no ill effects yet....
I am not running Blur, I am running Launcher Pro.
If anyone recognizes any of these that I should defrost, please let me know.
AdService 1.0
AtCommandService 1.1
blur.res 2.2.1
BrowserMessage 2.0.0
com.android.providers.applications 2.2.1
com.motorola.android.extdispservice 1.0.0
com.motorola.android.syncml.service 2.2.1
com.motorola.photowidget 2.2.1
Contacts Sync 2.2.1 (google contacts will still sync)
ContactsUnconnected 2.2.1
Data Manager Service 1.1 (internet and data still works)
Desk Home 2.2.1
DLNA 0709.69
DlnaSystemService 1.0
DMService 1.0.0
DRM Protected Content Storage 2.2.1
Entertainment Center 1.0
Files 2.2.1
Forest Wallpaper 1.0
FOTA 2.2.1
Help Center 2.2.1
Home 2.2.1
Home Screen Tips 2.2.1
LocationProxyDmPlugin 2.2.1
MediaShare 1.0.0
MediaSync 1.0.0
Mobile Desktop 1.0
News 2.2.1
Purchased Media 1.0
Quick Contact 2.2.1
Quick Tutorial 0.0.1
SDMService 1.0
Social Messaging 2.2.1
Social Messaging Service 2.2.1
Social Networking 2.2.1
Social Sharing 2.2.1
Social Status 2.2.1
Sticky Note 2.2.1
SyncML 2.2.1
Task Manager 9.0
Toggle Widgets 2.2.1
Universal Inbox 2.2.1
Voice Commands
VPN Services 2.2.1
Weather 2.2.1
Work Contacts 2.2.1
Titanium Backup
Can Titanium Backup be placed on the SD card, or does it need to be kept in the main phone memory? Haven't seen this addressed anywhere and I have little experience with apps functioning from SD cards.
Fixter said:
Thanks for the mention friend. We need to make sure we tell them that Freeze is a paid feature of Titanium Backup paid version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thanks for the mention.
Also, in my quote - I mention the paid version.
Titanium Backup recently enabled conversion of app databases to a new WAL format. Is this safe to do? Can any dev's shed any light on this new file type?
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
Avoid
This ****s me I did this on my Samsung Galaxy, it WIPED ALL SETTINGS on my phone. no warning that it is dangerous!
Had to revert back, and then restore all settings again.
I learned quickly not to do anything that hasn't been discussed and tested by these talented people with XDA. And its still not 100 percent safe even then. I noticed by the release notes for the new TB Pro that its for all 2.3 roms, recognized by sqlite3, and is supposed to be faster than the old app database file type. What I don't know is the side effects, and what effect it has on rom updates applied over the change
Droid 1 Rooted (ChevyNo1 0.9MV Kernel, LGB2.6)
Droid 3 Rooted (Stock Kernel, Custom lite De-bloat)
Settings wiped out confirmed plus MAYBE a few very destructive glitch (Unconfirmed by others):
Power button only lists one entry: Power off instead of the original three - Confirmed by bonks
Home button not working (In respect, task switcher not available) - Confirmed by 0nebukadnezar0
Search button not working - Confirmed by bonks
Android market not connecting - Confirmed and solution provided by 0nebukadnezar0
SMS wiped
Nexus S Stock ROM 2.3.4 rooted (Kernel Netarchy Nexus 1.3.7)
Added symptoms :
Lost APN settings (0nebukadnezar0 on Galaxy S)
Screen lock not working (0nebukadnezar0 on Galaxy S and bonks on Motorola Droid 3 rooted)
Facebook authentication lost (0nebukadnezar0 on Galaxy S)
Some other application's settings (0nebukadnezar0 on Galaxy S and bonks on Motorola Droid 3 rooted)
Do not run this batch until further update!
Do not use this function!
I've also been hit by this. I paid for this software and it should really have a warning that:
1. it affects all application data: I was under the impression it affects only the TB internal database
2. it converts user data of the complete device: I had thought twice if this had been clear
3. one should create an up-to-date backup first
Instead it highly praised that this is a performance improvement traded against little higher storage usage. Why shouldn't I want to enable such a feature?
Had I known the implications I would've created a full backup first and thought twice. Now I had to go back to a three day old backup. My phone was completely wiped. No error message. Still some settings were missing after restore: TB still seems not to be able to correctly restore ActiveSync settings, and all widgets were gone from my start pages.
This is extremely unsatisfactory for an app I paid for. Please, developer: Improve your warnings in an application like a backup app which handles sensible data.
I noticed it in the change log, and was like " Uhh... why, in the last 6 months, have I not heard of this new super fast database conversion before now... I better ask someone before I mess with it"
Luckily I did, I'm still running the stock rom minus vcast and a few additional bloaties removes, and have dreaded altering anything without the bootloader unlocked, as this is my second device, the first returned returned DOA. I appreciate your testimonials guys, our stories will save the devs a few headaches, and will give titanium devs some live input on the batch operation. If Pzouza or Chevy has any comments on it, the input would be welcomed, as this is the first most of us have heard of it
Droid 1 Rooted (ChevyNo1 0.9MV Kernel, LGB2.6)
Droid 3 Rooted (Stock Kernel, Custom lite De-bloat)
verkerria said:
I noticed it in the change log, and was like " Uhh... why, in the last 6 months, have I not heard of this new super fast database conversion before now... I better ask someone before I mess with it"
Luckily I did, I'm still running the stock rom minus vcast and a few additional bloaties removes, and have dreaded altering anything without the bootloader unlocked, as this is my second device, the first returned returned DOA. I appreciate your testimonials guys, our stories will save the devs a few headaches, and will give titanium devs some live input on the batch operation. If Pzouza or Chevy has any comments on it, the input would be welcomed, as this is the first most of us have heard of it
Droid 1 Rooted (ChevyNo1 0.9MV Kernel, LGB2.6)
Droid 3 Rooted (Stock Kernel, Custom lite De-bloat)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Droid3 rooted and de-bloat via titanium
Same thing happened to me. Not very pleased. Titanium Backup usually warns against dangerous options. This batch option not having one gives a false sense of security. I'm restoring a month old nandroid backup via clockworkmod now and then hopefully restoring my TB backups.
same thing on my Galaxy S:
- home button does not work anymore
- Market "Server Error", this has been cleaned through "Clear Data" under Manage applications
- lost 3G settings, it was necessary to enter the APN configuration manually
- screen lock does not work anymore
- lost the facebook authentication
- some other apps have lost her settings
Titanium Backup DB modes
Rooted Droid 3 with TB pro
Power button only lists two entries rather than I think the three or four it had.
Home button not working
Search button not working
Screen lock not working
Some other apps have lost their settings
-> Widgets needed to be readded
-> All email accounts had to resync
What I did:
Wokeup, saw TB update, downloaded & installed, tried new feature in TB for faster databases.
Ran the "Convert DBs to Rollback Journal mode (works on all ROMs)" batch process. It completed successfully.
Ran the "Convert DBs to WAL mode (faster, slightly bigger, Android 2.3+ only)" batch process. It completed successfully.
Hit the home button, tried to open an app. Force Close. Tried a few more apps, all force closed.
Restarted.
The white animated "DROID" screen infinitely repeated itself.
Removed battery.
Powered On.
Successfully reached Home screen (ADWLauncher EX).
My fault for trying these new features without looking into it first, but I did not think they would be dangerous.
Now, are Journal mode and WAL mode the two available types of DBs. Could I just run the Rollback Journal mode to revert back? Is this safe?
Their wiki says it's safe but has anyone tried this? matrixrewriter.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=TB+-+Technical+FAQ&highlight=rollback%20journal
(#32 and #33)
Woah, glad I googled this before running it on my Galaxy Tab. Will avoid.
From Titanium Support:
We're truly sorry about this issue. Yes, today we discovered a terrible bug in the SGS2 stock ROM, which explains what happened. Titanium Backup has converted your databases to WAL fine, but the SGS2 stock ROM itself does not support WAL properly: instead of opening the WAL databases, it will silently erase them and then claim that the open has succeeded!
Before allowing any conversion to WAL, Titanium Backup performed a verification, which we have tested and properly fails on older ROMs. On the SGS2 though, the verification passes because the test database is fine after the conversion - well yes it's fine, but it's empty.
We have improved the WAL testing code and we will release an updated version as quickly as possible. The new version has been tested well on SGS2 and detects the problem properly (ie: it prevents conversion to WAL format). This only applies to stock ROMs though, as CyanogenMod (for example) does not contain the buggy Samsung code and fully supports WAL without issues.
If you have no backups of the erased databases, we're very sorry to confirm that it cannot be recovered, unfortunately. Please accept our deepest apologies for this issue. If you would like a refund, please let us know because we stand behind our product.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I converted back to journal mode but this did not fix any of my issues. I'm guessing that the lockscreen, home button, and search buttons had some kind of association to a database from the manufacture install which I don't know how to recover. Any ideas?
Bad Titanium Pro!
GldRush98 said:
Woah, glad I googled this before running it on my Galaxy Tab. Will avoid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ditto to that, I was just about to hit that button and thought maybe I should do some googling...
All, the standard rule to all root users, is to do full nandroid backups before making any serious changes to your phone. changing database formats is a major change. You should have all done a full nandroid, then a full tb backup. That's the main rule of thumb if you start down the road to root. Anytime you play with root focused apps, you're playing with fire. At some point we all get burned. I have plenty of times, but always get back with a nand restore. we all learn eventually. I know I've messed up a few phones this way, but that's the joy of going the root route. Its all in fun.
I wasn't aware of this feature and definitely will be trying it now that its been posted.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
Ok, after doing a full nandbackup, and TB backup of User Apps. I did successfully migrate all the DBs to WAL format. I then rebooted right into CWM, formated the cache to avoid any old data crap, rebooted back into normal phone. Ran my most common apps and had no issues I've got 217 user apps on my phone, I think I ran 20 of the core apps I use. no issues in the first 1 hour. I did confirm all the previously posted issues and experience none of them within the first hour of testing. This is probably due to me not messing with the system apps. I'll test that next for the fun of it and report back. But, I can safely say, in my case, I had no issues with this conversion of "user" apps.
Power button only lists two entries rather than I think the three or four it had.
Home button not working
Search button not working
Screen lock not working
Some other apps have lost their settings
Widgets needed to be readded
All email accounts had to resync
Stay tuned for round 2 of testing
---------- Post added at 10:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 PM ----------
Ok Round 2 WAL conversion and testing completed.
Everything works perfectly. Not sure why everyone else is having issues. I would say anyone else should be free to do the conversion. Again, this is how I did mine. I did a full nandbackup, in case i screwed things up and messed my phone up. Did a full TB backup of system apps. Then did the conversion to the system apps. Immediately after rebooted into CWM. I formatted the cache. Rebooted, let my phone load up. I did notice during the first 5-10 seconds of the loading home apps and widgets half of the widgets gave a widget error, but I was patient enough to let the phone get fully loaded. After that all widgets did start back up just fine. I tested all reported bugs and errors everyone else had, and I had no issues with anything. I'll keep an eye on things for the next few days. I'm a heavy, nerdy user of my phone, and am constantly tweaking it so i'll know if I screwed something up and report back.
Widgets all loaded fine after reboot.
Search works as it should
Long Press Power button pulls up standard 4 options.
Home works fine
Long press home pulls up all recent items (do keep in mind if you reboot there are no recent items so you have to go into apps for it to tell you recent items)
Lockscreen works as it should.
I would say this WAL conversion for both System and User apps works just fine. But, that is only in my case apparently. I am using Steel Droid 3 (v1).
Good luck to the rest of you. Oh, and I have no affiliation to TB, but I must admit that its one of my most used Root apps since it helps me unscrew myself when I do fudge things up. It is just so much faster to fix mistakes than a full nandrestore. Albeit the NandRestore is my Plan B fix it solution TB is plan A.
Where exactly is this option? I havent seen anything and just redid apps for data
WAL DB Conversion Success
I followed Izeltokatl's information by performing a full backup with Titanium Backup and ClockWorkMod via ROM manager, then updating the system and app DBs to WAL via TB, then immediately booting into recovery and wiping the cache.
I'm happy to report complete success updating my Ideos U8150 running Gingerbread 2.3.7 to WAL DB without any problems.
Even after wiping cache, the quick search function was force closing, so I just restored it from TiBu.
So what are real benefits of Wal or Rollback Journal databases of android. Is it really faster? Are there any reasons to make Rollback journal conversion on unsupported roms?
Has anybody tested it?
Some good reading.
http://www.sqlite.org/draft/wal.html
The ROM I was running was using SQLite version 3.7.2, and I unchecked 'force system SQLite' in preferences and it upgraded to the TiBu optimized version which is quite a bit newer. Seems to speed things up slightly if you convert to WAL.
I have just rooted my device and installed Titanium Backup. Should I uninstall Carhome and F-secure or upgrade to Titanium Backup Pro and freeze them instead? Freezing means that they will still be taking up space on the device right? Also, for my telecom stock apps, can I simply uninstall them without ramifications?
Any rom to recommend? I am new at this.
rambell said:
I have just rooted my device and installed Titanium Backup. Should I uninstall Carhome and F-secure or upgrade to Titanium Backup Pro and freeze them instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Freezing first is always the recommended action (to simply see what happens), however uninstalling these two has been properly tested by "the community", and there are no negative consequences. Just do it.
As for TB Pro, it is the only must-have application for rooted users in my view, just buy it, it's an awesome tool.
Freezing means that they will still be taking up space on the device right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but you won't get any more useful space by removing them. They're in the /system partition, which during normal use will never get written to. (Only you, the rooted user, can do that.) Even updates get installed to the /data-partition. The only real difference between freezing and uninstalling is what happens after a wipe (factory reset.) If you have frozen an app, it'll be active after a reset. Uninstall apps you are sure you'll never need, freeze everything else you don't want.
For example, any sane user will install an alternate launcher, like Launcher Pro, Go Launcher, ADW etc. These are so much better than the stock launcher you'll be convinced you'll never use LG Home again, and it'll be tempting to uninstall it. Mistake. The alternate launcher will get installed to /data/app, so if you ever need to reset your phone, it'll get deleted. When the phone boots next, it won't have ANY launcher installed, and you won't be able to do anything.
Also, for my telecom stock apps, can I simply uninstall them without ramifications?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Impossible to say without knowing what they do. Freeze them and see what happens during a week or two of normal use.
Any rom to recommend? I am new at this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're all pretty good. With the latest batches of ROMs you basically have to choose between a Ferrari, Porsche or Lamborghini. There's a broken headlight or a scratch in the paint here and there, but you really can't go wrong. It's all a matter of personal need and taste- try them out and decide which works best for you.
Thanks for the detailed explanation esp on the pros and cons of freezing vs uninstalling. I am gonna try out launcherpro and see how it goes before venturing into the unknown world of roms.
from a greek post I made once translated with google because of boredome
The Root is the android that is the administrator for windows
Reasons for doing root:
Market enabler: see all applications on the market
Titanium Backup: You make backup all applications
startup manager: regulates what runs on the principle on your mobile
adfree: stop the advertisements
droidwall: close the internet on which application you want.
fasterfix: the gps you have set for GREECE consistently fast locking.
pimpmycpu: you over or underclock your mobile for extra performance or economy of battery
systemapp remover: place systems that take away but you are achristes or annoying.
widgetlocker: changing the lockscreen unrestricted
touchkeylights: lowers the Volt led for saving battery power or simply because it bothers light.
gscript: Giving orders linux with a click you want to do things like restart the application see longer eats a lot of space, the possibilities are endless
es file exporer: you can change the system files (dangerous not to try unless you know what you have) to put other icons or other boot animation, or a different shape battery tray bar displays etc.
These are some of the little you can do.
I got a new wifi S2, installed the permissive kernel and rooted it. I installed TWRP and made a backup. Now I've got an uninstall app and I've removed a few things; primarily Knox and the security logger so that it quits whining at me. I have a strong desire to never ever use the cloud, create a Samsung account, or a Google account. I really just want to load some books onto it and DLNA some music and videos.
So I want to get rid of all the stuff that I'll never be able to use but it's not clear to me how to identify all that. I'm a long time Unix guy but not at all an android guy. If something prompts me to create an account I know I want to uninstall it, but damned if I can figure out how to identify what to uninstall from what icon I touched.
I've found bloatware lists but they're all somewhat old and not for the S2, so it's not clear to me if I should trust them. I'd like to avoid trial and error "uninstall and reinstall if something doesn't work" or the even more dreaded "uninstall and find out six months later that something doesn't work". Can anyone point me at a good list of what I can remove, or where I can figure out how to determine that for myself? Thanks.
Better start freezen apps instead of uninstalling them. I use titanium backup for that, but you can use whatever you like. Just be carefull freezing or uninstalling OS related apps, you can end in a bootloop, but you always have the odin flash method to reflash your system back to normal. Just don't play around with partitions or /dev .
Right now I using my tablet unrooted and untouched, so I can't be more specific which apps you can freeze without problems.
He doesn't need odin as he has a twrp backup.
I take it you are using System App Remover (root) to uninstall system apps? If so you are pretty safe as they are backed up and can be restored any time if something goes wrong.
Also are you aware without a Google account you will lose part of the functionality of an Android device?
Samsungs account you can do without. All that stuff related to it can be deleted, but don't advise removing any of the Google core services from the stock rom.
If you really want a GAPPless rom then you're better off with a non stock custom rom like CM or AOSP.
Not much in that area of development at the moment, but there are a couple of members working on it.
ashyx said:
He doesn't need odin as he has a twrp backup.
I take it you are using System App Remover (root) to uninstall system apps? If so you are pretty safe as they are backed up and can be restored any time if something goes wrong.
Also are you aware without a Google account you will lose part of the functionality of an Android device?
Samsungs account you can do without. All that stuff related to it can be deleted, but don't advise removing any of the Google core services from the stock rom.
If you really want a GAPPless rom then you're better off with a non stock custom rom like CM or AOSP.
Not much in that area of development at the moment, but there are a couple of members working on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thanks. If I lose functionality to avoid Google watching over my shoulder I'm all for it. I'm old and probably overprotective of what's my business and not theirs. In truth, I bought the S2 because I have a collection of chess book pdf's and djvu's that I want to be able to read while I'm sitting at my chess board. I got the 9.7 inch S2 because the old eyes aren't what they used to be. Anything I can do beyond that is icing on the cake.
I do have the app remover, and I've removed the stuff that was obvious to me (like the Microsoft Office stubs). But there are still lots of things that bring up a prompt for an account when I run them and it's not clear to me how to figure out what app to remove to get rid of that particular thing. On Linux I could use rpm -q to figure out what rpm contained a file I want to remove and I'd be good to go. I've tried googling some of the app names but the "descriptions" I end up finding are particularly unenlightening. And since this is definitely not my area of expertise I don't really want to operate in "let's remove this and see what happens" even if I can reinstall the app from its backup. I've been doing software development and sysadmin for more than 35 years now and that just doesn't seem like the way to approach this.
I was looking at CM, which seems like it might be what I'm looking for, but it's still in alpha and my skill level is probably not up to coping with that so I'm back with the problem of how to decide what to get rid of.