SafeStrap 1.5GB userdata.img file creation - Motorola Droid Bionic

SafeStrap gives you the option of a 1 2 or 3GB userdata file. looking to create a custom 1.5GB userdata.img file. could someone post me the command line to create one. and perhaps a command line to format/wipe it. (not sure if safestrap internal wipe commands will accomodate this non 1,2,3GB file size)
thanks

Related

How to specify custom partition layouts?

I just saw an interesting thread in the development section that explains an alternative to the Death SPL. The method there lets you flash ANY rom on any SPL, but I dont really understand how it works.
The thread can be found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=704560
So basically, you shrink the cache partition to allow for more room for the actual ROM(which partition does that go in?)?
To do this do we edit the boot.img in the ROM update.zip? What else do we do?
Could someone explain this in a way a 9th grader could understand?
kingkurry said:
Could someone explain this in a way a 9th grader could understand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take file by firerat, flash file. omgroflpartitons.
If you don't understand the instructions as they are, wait for it to be perfected before you try anything. This will probably end up being integrated into releases that need it, so you don't need to worry about the specifics at the moment.
Will that patch file work for all ROMs. He said its only been tested with CyanogenMod 5. And I want to understand what im doing, not just do it without thinking about it...
Also, does the recovery patcher decrease the size of the partition that holds the recovery image?
Does it permanently change the size of the recovery partition?
When you flash a ROM, what partition is it being flashed too? Is this the one being increased in size?
What does the boot.img in an update.zip package hold, and is that copied to the boot partition?
Sorry but my curiosity is killing me
OK well to break it down we have 6 partitions on the internal memory:
Misc - Here be dragons
Recovery - Contains recovery system (+seperate recovery kernel) - recovery.img lives here
Boot - Contains kernel & important initialization stuff - boot.img lives here
-------------
System - Contains the whole android system (the "ROM", if you like).. everything else from an update.zip apart from the boot.img
Cache - Used by system and recovery for temporary storage
Userdata - Contains all personal data, downloaded apps, settings etc.
The first three partitions must be left at the default size so don't worry about them.
What this patch does is pass a command to the kernel which remaps the 3 large partitions at boot time. Since we're flashing system images from recovery, we also need to pass the same command to the recovery kernel before attempting to flash the main system, or we'd be writing to one place then telling the kernel to look for it in another.. bad idea.
This method allows any partition setup you like, but the most useful at the moment (and this is the way firerat has set up his scripts to suit cm5) is to make the /system partition just the right size for the "ROM" with a bit of breathing space, make the /cache partition a minimal size for the recovery system to use, then have /userdata fill the remaining space so we can load it up with apps. Since we've reduced cache to a minimal size, it's redirected at boot time to a place on the sdcard instead.. this give us maximum space to divide between /system and /data with no wastage.
Does that help at all..?
Thanks dude. That does help a lot.
Just wondering though, how much breathing space do u need in the system partition?
What does the recovery system use the cache partition for and how do we know what "a minimal size for the recovery system to use" is?
Is it possible to reduce the userdata partition to the minimum possible size a partition can be(if i recall correctly it was 128kb) and use an ext partition on your SD card instead?
If we shrink the Cache partition a lot, does this mean we have to use linux swap to compensate for the lowered amount of cache?
Also do we have to remap the partitions every time we flash a new ROM?
And what are the "dragons"?
kingkurry said:
And what are the "dragons"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's saying that it's just there. There could be anything from nothing there to a text document containing the ingredients to the cure of AIDs.
Well what about every thing else? Can you guys help me with that? Also what is the total size of all 3 of the big partitions combined?

[Solved] Nandroid's 'ext.tar' corrupt, repairable or try restore via fastboot?

After backup, in my nandroid folder, the file 'ext.tar' is apparently corrupt, Nandroid restore is not working, (although it reports 'completed' but no boot). Bart restore gives this error: 'invalid tar magic'.
So my questions are, can the .tar be repaired and/or can I do a restore via fastboot without the ext.tar? (will the sd-ext contents be intact? I haven't done anything to it)
If I try the restore, my steps using the contents of the nandroid folder, would be:
Code:
fastboot erase system
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot erase cache
fastboot erase boot
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash cache cache.img
fastboot flash userdata data.img
fastboot flash system system.img
then reboot
correct?
Solved: - Not enough space on SD card
pardus said:
Code:
fastboot erase system
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot erase cache
fastboot erase boot
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash cache cache.img
fastboot flash userdata data.img
fastboot flash system system.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that will restore the nandroid.. (usually I don't restore cache unless you have offloaded some of the rom to cache to force it to fit into a smaller space)
however the /sd-ext is backed up to the tar file. (you might try extracting it on your computer... sounds like the header of the file is malformed.. I won't know about the rest.)
Of course if you just want to restore the system.. and the contents of /sd-ext have not changed this is not an issue.. fastboot can't modify the sdcard, least with the steps mentioned.
Thank you for the reply, the cache.img file is very small so I skipped that one. Tried the above but no-go.
On my PC the tar only extracts about half the contents and gives a 'corrupt archive error' (winrar).
This all started when I flashed the oc614 kernel, but found everything even slower and then tried to restore with Nandroid and/or Bart.
I have now reflashed the rom (using your post here: http://ip208-100-42-21.static.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8427522&postcount=1844) and am back to 'stock' but I would still like to restore what I had before the kernel flash.
Would I just need to flash 'system' and 'userdata' from the nandroid folder to get back there?
Weird things, when ever I do a:
Bart backup the 'ext-backup.tar' file is always corrupt or a
Nandroid + Ext Backup the 'ext.tar' file is always corrupt
??
What is the syntax for making a .tar backup from console or adb?

[Q] Problem with android installation to NAND - tar error: no space left on device

Hi, I have problem with installation android to my Kaiser (NAND). When I am installing it, It is normal formating system and data, but after attempt of install system it shows me message: tar error: extraction failed: no space left on device. I thought that it format memory, so it should be empty.. I dont get it. Anybody helps?
Thanks..
Mav3rick2 said:
Hi, I have problem with installation android to my Kaiser (NAND). When I am installing it, It is normal formating system and data, but after attempt of install system it shows me message: tar error: extraction failed: no space left on device. I thought that it format memory, so it should be empty.. I dont get it. Anybody helps?
Thanks..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Kernel splits the NAND into 2 partitions (excluding the actual partition for the kernel). The default sizes is 101MB for /system and 150+MB for /data.
Make sure the androidinstall archive's /system folder is under 97MB in size or else the install will fail, or you can change the /system partition size using atools to a larger size while sacrificing /data partition size.
I tried to install Scoot_CyanogenMod_6.1_Rls5.5 (cca 90MB size of file) and same problem... If I tried Scoot_CyanogenMod_7_alpha_RLS1_All_Language (about 112MB size of file) and I set size of system partition to 128MB in atools to my nbh file, same problem.. Iam sad.. I want to use android but I can't... :-(
Have you checked how many bad blocks you have whenever the kernel formats the NAND? It should be disabled during the "Formating..." stage.
If you have excessive bad blocks, try increasing the /system partition as far as you can, then setting /data to your SD card. It's possible your device has too many bad blocks to install android with default settings.
i have a htc kaiser and i have the same problem.
how many mb should i put for data and system with atools?
and..when i save the install-seq.sh where do i put it? in the root of sd?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12145518&postcount=461
please don't double post!!!
me too same probleme.
1) update NBH editor
a) set up all option
b) change System/Data size
c) set System - Nand 2
data SD - partition p2
swap - auto
storage8.static.itmages.com/i/12/1118/h_1353239270_8665672_135471dd01.png
* sd card have only 1 partition 50% fat32 and 50% free space
storage4.static.itmages.com/i/12/1118/h_1353239816_9273632_16b5ec517d.jpeg
2) boot script editor
System NAND p2 Erase
Data Sd partition p2 Erase
Actions: Install system, Fix Permission, Clear Davik chace, Use sd partition
storage6.static.itmages.com/i/12/1118/h_1353239950_6780632_54a5fa768b.png
3)Mixer set Working Dir
add androidinstall.tar
add Module update (for kernels after 23-11)
combine (debian icon)
and save androidinstall.tgz
storage5.static.itmages.com/i/12/1118/h_1353240546_2336238_466987bb88.png
4) copy to SD card
SD: KAISIMG.NBH
SD: andboot/androidinstall.tgz
SD: andboot/install-seq.sh
storage4.static.itmages.com/i/12/1118/h_1353240328_6642646_17fd7c2f78.png
good luck
yes i have solved yesterday with system 128mb to 165mb.
but i will try your setting, is good to make data with sd.
but is see on picture you choose donut, i have choise froyo setting but is good for Scoot_CyanogenMod_7.1 i use this android.

[HELP]Problem resizing partitions

I have a problem. I have try to resize the partition using nvflash. I have use guide from modaco and also the preconfigured files. The problem is that /system is always at ~360mb (stock size). All other partitions are resized propertly.
Any help?
doctoralex said:
I have a problem. I have try to resize the partition using nvflash. I have use guide from modaco and also the preconfigured files. The problem is that /system is always at ~360mb (stock size). All other partitions are resized propertly.
Any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm facing the same problem. I think I know what the problem is but I cannot solve it!
I currently have installed Stefan 28G ics rom (2nd edition) and my goal is to add about 100mb to the system partition, reducing internal /sdcard.
If I use fdisk command from adb shell I find out that the partion IS actually resized, but the file system on it isn't!!
So: partition now is 650Mb, but file system on it is 550Mb!
That's because nvflash simply makes a dd of the system.img (which has the old partition size) to the partition so in my opinion there are two solutions:
a) open system.img in a linux environment, add some stuff to reach 650Mb on it and repack it with the new size
b) backup system data, formata the partition (which is already resized) to get 650Mb file system and then restore your system data
I think that all "resizing guide" doesn't talk about this second step because in that case the system.img has always the right size.
Any ideas?
Raffaele80 said:
I'm facing the same problem. I think I know what the problem is but I cannot solve it!
I currently have installed Stefan 28G ics rom (2nd edition) and my goal is to add about 100mb to the system partition, reducing internal /sdcard.
If I use fdisk command from adb shell I find out that the partion IS actually resized, but the file system on it isn't!!
So: partition now is 650Mb, but file system on it is 550Mb!
That's because nvflash simply makes a dd of the system.img (which has the old partition size) to the partition so in my opinion there are two solutions:
a) open system.img in a linux environment, add some stuff to reach 650Mb on it and repack it with the new size
b) backup system data, formata the partition (which is already resized) to get 650Mb file system and then restore your system data
I think that all "resizing guide" doesn't talk about this second step because in that case the system.img has always the right size.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I solved my problem!
As explained before I have just added some stuff to the system.img file and then resized the file system:
dd if=/dev/zero bs=4096 count=35328 >> system.img
e2fsck -f system.img
resize2fs system.img
PS: bs and count depend on the partition size that you have set before in the .cfg file
Then NVFlashing again solve the problem!
doctoralex said:
I have a problem. I have try to resize the partition using nvflash. I have use guide from modaco and also the preconfigured files. The problem is that /system is always at ~360mb (stock size). All other partitions are resized propertly.
Any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup your rom with cwm.
Format /system in cwm.
Restore your cwm backup.
Sent from my LG-P990 using xda app-developers app

Is it possible to mount data partition on PC or USB to recover data

Is it possible to mount data partition on PC or USB to recover data?
Edit: I meant userdata partition
I have tried backing up data partition using TWRP, but it prompted me that pictures and downloads will not be backed-up!
Isn't the data partition that holds my camera and download folder?
I am looking for a tool or and app that can let me take a disk image of internal SD partition, or create a whole image of my phone; so that I can use data recovery in my PC.
Making Dump Files Out of Android Device Partitions
have u try this
Thanks I have tried it but when I execute
Code:
noblelte:/ # dd if=/dev/block/sda17 of=/sda17.img
Gives me
Code:
dd: /sda17.img: Read-only file system
Just to be sure : I ran the adb code while the phone is on normally not in TWRP.
I also ran the code in TWRP terminal, while connecting a USB and mounting it.
It created the image inside the USB , however it stopped at 4GB saying the file is too large.
SilverDove said:
I also ran the code in TWRP terminal, while connecting a USB and mounting it.
It created the image inside the USB , however it stopped at 4GB saying the file is too large.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you just wanting to back up pictures, download folder, etc etc? Backing up the data partition the way you are is pointless as you're just accomplishing what twrp already does. Data partition is apps, system configurations, texts, calls, etc. Not pictures you've taking, download folder, etc.
And is there a reason you want an img file? Seems pointless to me when you can just copy it all over by drag and drop or adb pull the internal storage lol
I want to make a userdata partition image because it holds the camera album I deleted by mistake. I want to take the image and try to recover the deleted files using PC recovery software.
I found out that my problem was the 4GB limit of FAT32, so I formatted my USB flash memory using both exFat and ext4 and recovered the partition using TWRP terminal with the code above.
However I am still unable to read the image through Linux Reader and I can't attach the image as VHD.
Is what I am doing is useless? Because it came to my mind that if the recovered userdata partition is encrypted I will not be able to opened it, however, TWRP can browse the files so I guess it is not encrypted.
SilverDove said:
I want to make a userdata partition image because it holds the camera album I deleted by mistake. I want to take the image and try to recover the deleted files using PC recovery software.
I found out that my problem was the 4GB limit of FAT32, so I formatted my USB flash memory using both exFat and ext4 and recovered the partition using TWRP terminal with the code above.
However I am still unable to read the image through Linux Reader and I can't attach the image as VHD.
Is what I am doing is useless? Because it came to my mind that if the recovered userdata partition is encrypted I will not be able to opened it, however, TWRP can browse the files so I guess it is not encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may need to convert the file type of the img using simg2img, make_ext4fs, etc
You can see what the file system type of the img you have by running:
file blahblah.img
But still don't think you're going to recover them but possibly lol never tried as I sync everything to a cloud
SilverDove said:
Is it possible to mount data partition on PC or USB to recover data?
Edit: I meant userdata partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For backing up app data, I'm more of a Titanium Backup person myself and for backing up partitions I generally prefer TWRP, but there are also apps for backing up all the different partitions as well. This is just one. Never tried it, but Wanam is a much trusted developer in the XDA community for Samsung devices.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ma.wanam.partitions
NOTE: You can always save these backups to a USB OTG device if you need to as well. That's what I do with my Titanium Backup app data files and the information is with me all the time hanging on my key chain.(More info about that under "No SD Card Slot" on this post HERE.) This information can of course always be copied to a PC too.

Categories

Resources