FTF backup of a "modified official rom"?
Hello everyone!!
I know it’s not the subject, but this being my first time posting here let me start by thanking all of the developers and collaborators for the great works in this community! I have already benefited from a few tutorials and files disposed here, so thanks for everything so far! :good:
Back to the subject now =)
Although I am using an official rom in my Xperia SP I made several modifications to it and I couldn’t find a similar thread involving a “modified official rom”, I only read threads describing how to make a simple FTF backup of an “untouched official rom” through SEUS, which I presume that won’t work in my case. So I hope the more experienced people can give me some directions!
My device is currently rooted and the bootloader is also unlocked through the official Sony method. I substituted the original kernel for the Inteks so that I could use cpu overclocks, removed all the bloatware and integrated some updates and a few new apps in the system through link2sd.
Now I’d like to make a backup of this modified rom before I flash new roms to the device. For what I understood so far, the recovery nandroid backup system will save everything, including installed apps and configurations, right? I’d like to make just a simple rom backup.
I’m afraid that this nandroid “full backup” could decrease the performance after restoration. If I perform a factory reset prior to the nandroid backup, could it minimize the chances of having problems after restoration?
I’m asking this in case there is no manner to create a .ftf file… And, what you guys think about both types of backup, am I getting the wrong impression about nandroid or .ftf files are really better and/or safer??
The current recovery installed in my Neo is “CWM-based Recovery v6.xxx
Should I update it? And if it’s the case, how should I do it??
Is my device really incompatible with Rom Manager, or that message I got was because of the old recovery version installed in my Neo??
(I read about this kind of incompatibility with some devices, just wanna check if it’s the case with my phone and if there is a new recovery for Xperia Neo that is compatible with Rom Manager)
Sorry about the long text and so many questions in a single post, but I really want to understand more about this stuff, all the changes in my phone were done separately during more than a year, so I am not much used to these procedures.
I would appreciate any help! Thanks for the attention!!
niyas0 said:
FTF backup of a "modified official rom"?
Hello everyone!!
I know it’s not the subject, but this being my first time posting here let me start by thanking all of the developers and collaborators for the great works in this community! I have already benefited from a few tutorials and files disposed here, so thanks for everything so far! :good:
Back to the subject now =)
Although I am using an official rom in my Xperia SP I made several modifications to it and I couldn’t find a similar thread involving a “modified official rom”, I only read threads describing how to make a simple FTF backup of an “untouched official rom” through SEUS, which I presume that won’t work in my case. So I hope the more experienced people can give me some directions!
My device is currently rooted and the bootloader is also unlocked through the official Sony method. I substituted the original kernel for the Inteks so that I could use cpu overclocks, removed all the bloatware and integrated some updates and a few new apps in the system through link2sd.
Now I’d like to make a backup of this modified rom before I flash new roms to the device. For what I understood so far, the recovery nandroid backup system will save everything, including installed apps and configurations, right? I’d like to make just a simple rom backup.
I’m afraid that this nandroid “full backup” could decrease the performance after restoration. If I perform a factory reset prior to the nandroid backup, could it minimize the chances of having problems after restoration?
I’m asking this in case there is no manner to create a .ftf file… And, what you guys think about both types of backup, am I getting the wrong impression about nandroid or .ftf files are really better and/or safer??
The current recovery installed in my Neo is “CWM-based Recovery v6.xxx
Should I update it? And if it’s the case, how should I do it??
Is my device really incompatible with Rom Manager, or that message I got was because of the old recovery version installed in my Neo??
(I read about this kind of incompatibility with some devices, just wanna check if it’s the case with my phone and if there is a new recovery for Xperia Neo that is compatible with Rom Manager)
Sorry about the long text and so many questions in a single post, but I really want to understand more about this stuff, all the changes in my phone were done separately during more than a year, so I am not much used to these procedures.
I would appreciate any help! Thanks for the attention!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always use nandroid backup's if I'm in a bootloop, and they always helped me and I never had problems with them. An .ftf file is quite awkward to make and if you only want to have a backup I definetely recommend nandroid backup's. If you only want to backup your data (apps you downloaded, and their data) I prefer and recommend Titanium Backup. I advise against from using a .ftf file as a backup. Nandroid backup's are safe and you don't need to worry
If you only need your backup you don't need to update your CWM recovery
Related
Hello, I have an original ADP1, updated to the latest official HTC images
I have:
radio: ota-radio-2_22_19_26I.zip*
recovery: signed-dream_devphone_userdebug-ota-148830.zip*
I want to be able to install other ROMs, like the ones offered in "Android Development".
There are a lot of guides out there on how to do that, my problem is that I want to do a nandroid backup first, before doing any flashing.
For doing a nandroid backup, I understand that I either
1) need to flash a special recovery image so I don't need a PC to restore the backup,
OR
2) Have busybox installed, and run nandroid.sh from recovery mode.
Correct so far?
I wanted to go with option 2), since I can perform a backup before flashing anything on my device. The only problem is that I don't have busybox installed.
I have seen a busybox build (over here http://benno.id.au/blog/2007/11/14/android-busybox ) which is 1.8MB because it is presumably compiled against libC, and have read here that jesusFreke was building one with bionic.
Is the bionic version anywhere to download? I suspect its in newer roms, but I *do not* want to flash a rom just to have busybox, since i only want busybox so I can perform nandroid updates before doing any flashing.
I understand that after having busybox, I just push it into /usr/xbin, --install, and nandroid will just work?
Anyone got a download to the latest, most stable and complete busybox? I would prefer one compiled for android (linked against bionic, etc..)
(what busybox version do you guys use?)
Thanks for your help and sorry for the LONG POST!
Superken7 said:
Correct so far?
I wanted to go with option 2), since I can perform a backup before flashing anything on my device. The only problem is that I don't have busybox installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't address most of your post, but there's a flaw in your reasoning that might make it a moot point.
Nandroid won't backup the recovery image - only the primary OS and data. So making a backup using Nandroid on your stock device won't be any different than installing a modified recovery, then backing up your device.
Really, installing the recovery is a trivial activity with little* risk of damaging your phone.
*No guarantees in life, but I wouldn't worry one bit about it.
Thanks for the quick answer!
I guess i'll look for a recovery image that fits my needs then
Let me suggest Cyanogen's Recovery 1.3.1 - As far as I know, the only one with both Nandroid backup and restore. Also has USB mount, really handy for loading updates if your device is fubared and you don't have a card reader.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=523558
Grr, double post.
Yay thanks!
I guess there are no compatibility problems between recoverys? I mean, just like you need a certain radio version in order to update the SPL, are there any compatibility requirements for that recovery? I don't see any of that in that post, but just in case.. =D
thanks again!! =D
DOUBLE KILL! erm... double post!
I'm not the only one cursed with the double posting, huh?
No, no issues with using any combination of recovery with certain ROMs, SPL, radio, etc.
You're welcome, and good luck.
X10 ?Mini Pro
Works like a charm
when you install titanium backup from the market it will download an actual busybox after first start. maybe you can try this one?
you can use Titanium Backup to update it
First, I have to thank the XDA forums helping me come over from my long WinMo background. Mad Props...
Being new to Android and my nexus one, I'm feeling the ROM flashing bug and want to try out a couple of different ROMS but don't want to have to add all of my accounts each time since I use crazy long, nearly impossible to type, passwords.
Is there some way to restore some of the configuration of my N1 between different ROM flashes?
Sorry if this has been covered, but I can't find it. It looks like the data is backed up in my nandroid backups, but I can't seem to find out how to only restore configuration.
Thanks
Rick
Take a look at Titanium Backup.
It works really well.
You need to be rooted and superuser in order to use it.
To find out more about adding superuser to a stock ROM, check out this thread at Modaco.
Edit:
Nandroid backups are really "just" disk images afaik.
There's no way that I know of to extract information from them.
brgds
Royan
Ok, thanks. I am running the backup right now and will give it a try tonight. Worse case, I just restore the nandroid backup and try again.
I've always wondered, what stuff is safe and not safe to restore in Titanium Backup. I've done a full restore when switching between like roms, but I'm guessing that wouldn't be a good idea if you were going from cyanogen to a senseUI rom.
Hi all
Is Nandroid backing up all the apps I've got at that moment? Or it just saves system files?
Like a complete and exact "photo" or are there things that I should do on my own if I mean to recover exactly as it was...
I assume that no wipe is necessary...
Thanks!
What's the truth about Nandroid backup?!
i guess there's no need to open a new topic, because i got kinda the same question
before you guys start to redirect me to the "search" function, i want to assure you that i have been using it, but i have found myself in a very strange situation, one question, two different answers... and because i'm new to the whole root stuff, i want to learn everything correctly before starting to make modifications to my phone
The question is: Nandroid backup, does it also back up the kernel or not?
I mean, if i root and install a custom rom that also comes with a custom kernel, will i be able to use my previous Nandroid backup to restore my phone to the old rom & kernel?
Searching the forums, i have found 2 totally different answers!
Answer 1: Nandroid does not backup the kernel: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=806340
Answer 2: Nandroid does backup the kernel: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=844352
So, please make me and all of us root noobs understand once and for all, does it backup the kernel or not?, will we be able to restore from a custom rom+kernel in case we need to?
and does it backup apps?
OK...As I understand it....
What does Nandroid Backup?
The ROM Itself..Obviously.
All your system settings, emails, SMSes, etc
All the Apps you have installed, so no need for TB
The Kernel you have installed (though there is controversy about this, and to be honest, I have never restored a nandroid backup when I had a different kernel already installed...however it really doesn't matter since kernels are easy to flash)
What does Nandroid NOT backup - This is VERY IMPORTANT
The modem (not a big deal)
The File System setting (A BIG DEAL)
This I think is where the confusion arises concerning the kernel being included in the nandroid backup. For many people the kernel is all about the lagfix. If you have installed a lagfix on your phone via the kernel, say changing the file system to Ext4, and then flash a Nandroid backup that includes a stock kernel or other kernel that does NOT support Ext4, you are in for a world of hurt...and in this case hurt means endless bootloops.
The way you avoid this is, if you need to flash a Nandroid with a kernel that does not support your lagfix...go into recovery, disable whatever lagfix, tell it when it asks that you wish to REBOOT INTO RECOVERY after the change....then flash the nandroid you wish.
This is why it is very important to keep regular nandroid backups, and to wait and see if a ROM/Kernel are stable for you before applying lagfixes or other tweaks.
So, let me see if i got this right, Nandroid does backup up my current kernel along with my rom, but if i apply any changes (lagfix) to my kernel afterwards or change it with a custom one with lagfix, nandroid won't be able to restore it anymore...
so the whole problem here is that nandroid is not able to backup / restore The File System setting, this being the rfs / ext4 transition
If this is the case, it seems that the Nandroid type backup is not as powerful as i thought, you can't really change from one rom to another in just a few clicks, but then again i guess that all the customs roms already come with some type of lagfix and you can make a nandroid restore between them, the problem would be when you want to revert back to a stock kernel, then you'll have to disable the lagfixes or simply flash a stock kernel and then restore the stock nandroid backup
so, i got this right guys?
maranello69 said:
So, let me see if i got this right, Nandroid does backup up my current kernel along with my rom, but if i apply any changes (lagfix) to my kernel afterwards or change it with a custom one with lagfix, nandroid won't be able to restore it anymore...
so the whole problem here is that nandroid is not able to backup / restore The File System setting, this being the rfs / ext4 transition
If this is the case, it seems that the Nandroid type backup is not as powerful as i thought, you can't really change from one rom to another in just a few clicks, but then again i guess that all the customs roms already come with some type of lagfix and you can make a nandroid restore between them, the problem would be when you want to revert back to a stock kernel, then you'll have to disable the lagfixes or simply flash a stock kernel and then restore the stock nandroid backup
so, i got this right guys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes as I understand it.
You see Nandroid can't convert your file system or change anything, all it can do is flash a disc image onto your phone. If that image can work with your file system, you are golden. If not, it is like flashing a Mac OS image onto a Windows machine....nothing will work right.
However the good news is that most custom kernels support Ext4...so really the only problem comes when you try to flash back to a stock image...or vice versa.
got it then, thanks for your answers
and, if i still got your attention, maybe one more question
i just downloaded a stock firmware from samfirmwares.com, and all i got is a .tar file, can i use it somehow to flash just the kernel from it or i have to flash the whole firmware?
if i flash the whole firmware, will it also change my PHONE and CSC?, because the .tar file must be put just in the PDA section in odin
maranello69 said:
got it then, thanks for your answers
and, if i still got your attention, maybe one more question
i just downloaded a stock firmware from samfirmwares.com, and all i got is a .tar file, can i use it somehow to flash just the kernel from it or i have to flash the whole firmware?
if i flash the whole firmware, will it also change my PHONE and CSC?, because the .tar file must be put just in the PDA section in odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it will flash the PDA, csc, modem and kernel...the whole shooting match. The single file firmwares are designed like that to avoid mismatches and issues. Once you flash it, flash a kernel that supports cwm (I suggest speedmod or something by CHAINFIRE) via odin, then flash a new csc and modem if you wish from recovery.
Remember that installing a new csc will do a factory reset so do it before reinstalling apps.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
great stuff man
finally i got enough info and i can start my root & flash procedure, guess i'll also learn a few other tricks along the way, this community is definetly the place to be if you want to learn how to "really use" your device
the whole info about the issues with the Nandroid type backup should be integrated in one of those massive info topics, so the root noobs like me know what they're dealing with
maranello69 said:
great stuff man
finally i got enough info and i can start my root & flash procedure, guess i'll also learn a few other tricks along the way, this community is definetly the place to be if you want to learn how to "really use" your device
the whole info about the issues with the Nandroid type backup should be integrated in one of those massive info topics, so the root noobs like me know what they're dealing with
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
Hey guys i actually used the search button (yay) and this is definitely the most informative one regarding the topic.
However i still have one more question: does it backup files and folders as well? Ie. my Nexus S storage is mainly used up by my videos and music (about 7-10GB) which are in their own folders and not tied to any apps in particular. Hence if it does include those i wouldn't have enough storage space to create a nandroid backup am i right?
Edit: thanks to the search button i didn't realise that i posted on a Galaxy S forum please forgive me, the question should still be relevant to the topic though
frenccw said:
Hey guys i actually used the search button (yay) and this is definitely the most informative one regarding the topic.
However i still have one more question: does it backup files and folders as well? Ie. my Nexus S storage is mainly used up by my videos and music (about 7-10GB) which are in their own folders and not tied to any apps in particular. Hence if it does include those i wouldn't have enough storage space to create a nandroid backup am i right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I understand it, it does save folders and files, so yes if you have large data folders on your internal SD it will make GIGANTIC nandroid backups. You may want to store such files one your external SD.
I know that there is a version of CWM that does not backup /data/media in Nandroid on the Galaxy Tab 10.1...perhaps there is something similar that I don't know about for Galaxy phones. Does anyone know?
sorry i searched a lot but couldn' find help as info is sprayed out.
I want to flash a custom rom (zip). my device is rooted, have Odin mobile.
what to save/backup and how ?
what to wipe ? how to ?
then how to flash the rom ?
thx a lot, i'm a big noob on android, i'm from IOS
I am also a newcomer to custom ROMS and would like to try an alternative ROM/Kernel - but I would like to be able to do a complete backup so I could restore the phone to how it is at the moment - just in case!
I am now very confused as I don't really understand what the difference is between a ROM and a Kernel. Some posts say don't use ODIN whilst posts like the previous one seem to be using it. I have also read concerns about "Radio" versions and concerns about the "flash counter". I thought Nandroid was for backup/restore so what is the difference between it and CWM? What is "Busybox" and why do many posts mention it?
Multiple ROMS/Kernels seem to appear everyday and when I try to find a guide for Noobs like myself, they seem to have been posted some time ago and later events and software make me doubt that I could restore if I wanted to.
If I understand correctly, I could do a simple ROOT and then install CWM (ClockWorkMod) to make a complete backup - but I don't know if that is correct.
Then I read about critical memory areas that could be corrupted that contain encrypted phone data unique to my phone (IMEI number etc.) and that by rooting I could brick my phone!
It seems a shame that expert devs are doing things that some of us Noobs would like to try but they seem to forget that some of us are at the start of a steep learning curve when it comes to rooting and installing custom roms or Kernels.
Is there an up to date step by step guide for Noobs like me that explains things in simple language?
UPDATE Well I took the plunge after reading the AndroidNZ guide at http://www.androidnz.net/2011/11/at-your-own-risk-video-guide-for-new.html and the Chainfire thread at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=19030747#post19030747 I have now rooted my Note, made a backup and installed the Titanium Backup app (pro) from the market. Hopefully all is now backed up for experimentation!
htc6500uk said:
I am also a newcomer to custom ROMS and would like to try an alternative ROM/Kernel - but I would like to be able to do a complete backup so I could restore the phone to how it is at the moment - just in case!
I am now very confused as I don't really understand what the difference is between a ROM and a Kernel. Some posts say don't use ODIN whilst posts like the previous one seem to be using it. I have also read concerns about "Radio" versions and concerns about the "flash counter". I thought Nandroid was for backup/restore so what is the difference between it and CWM? What is "Busybox" and why do many posts mention it?
Multiple ROMS/Kernels seem to appear everyday and when I try to find a guide for Noobs like myself, they seem to have been posted some time ago and later events and software make me doubt that I could restore if I wanted to.
If I understand correctly, I could do a simple ROOT and then install CWM (ClockWorkMod) to make a complete backup - but I don't know if that is correct.
Then I read about critical memory areas that could be corrupted that contain encrypted phone data unique to my phone (IMEI number etc.) and that by rooting I could brick my phone!
It seems a shame that expert devs are doing things that some of us Noobs would like to try but they seem to forget that some of us are at the start of a steep learning curve when it comes to rooting and installing custom roms or Kernels.
Is there an up to date step by step guide for Noobs like me that explains things in simple language?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a newbie at this area too. However, through some tough adaptation to this "expert" environment, my note is running custom ROM with custom kernel now. It's been tough, but it was fun
hello guys
i am new to the android world and i am having alot of fun using it
its simply amazing and i decided to go further with new roms
i started by rooting my SGS and i had alot of features after that
i saw ics and am disperate to install it but am afraid
the point is i don't have any experience in android or programming
so plz answer my questions:
1-can i pack up the stock os from my mobile in order to return back to it in case anything goes wrong?
2-what is the difference between kernel and ios?
3-can anything wrong in flashing a new rom cause device hardware mulfunction?
thank u in advance hope someone answer me ASAP
diaa_khalouf
Electronic and Telecommunications Engineer
CCNP,CCNA VOIP.
1- you can revert back to your stock OS by doing the nandroid backup before flash to other custom rom.
2- kernel and iOS is totally different things. iOS is an OS use by Apple. Kernel is a core that provides basic services all others parts in operating system. OS is a set of program that manage computer hardware and provides services for application software.
3- You must bare your own risk to flash your phone coz bad thing may happen. But if you follow the instructions properly, it won't have any problem.
thx very much but i didnt mean ios from apple i ment the difference between a kernel and a rom
and for the nandroid backup is it a software? does it have anything to do with titanium backup?
thx again
my understanding of nandroid backup is it sits on the recovery menu. it is found on most custom kernel here on xda. it backup your entire phone except those files found on sdcard. titanium is mostly for apps
if you want to try another rom, it is best you use nandroid, just in case you want to revert back
Nand backup is accessible using the recovery menu. but from what i can tell some recovery's wont accept backups made using different recovery's. it is a direct copy of the memory stored there. unlike titanium that backs up the .apks and what not.
roms contain kernels and modems and the android operating system. but there are kernels that you can use that are not stock and can be installed/flashed using the same method in the recovery menu. they are interchangeable as long as its compatible with the rom. same i believe goes for modems. usually if you search the forums, any Samsung based kernel will go with any Samsung based ROM. same goes for asop/CM7 i believe.