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I am looking for a definitive way to COMPLETELY wipe a Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000. I mean the equivalent of doing a full factory restore on a PC. I've noticed that no matter how many times I flash or factory reset that there are still remnants that remain. Files like the license for Titanium Backup, or just miscellaneous files. Is there a way to completely wipe the SD card clean first, then do a fresh flash? I really would like to know that the SD card is completely clean since I've flashed 3-5 different versions of firmware and not one has been stable. I just want a real fresh slate.
Please advise.
Thanks.
setting>privacy>factory data reset. thats what i do...im assuming its a clean sweep.
If you have an sd card you have to reformat that as well.
wfhowell said:
setting>privacy>factory data reset. thats what i do...im assuming its a clean sweep.
If you have an sd card you have to reformat that as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will not format internal SD. After "factory data reset" you'll need at least to format this one as well.
Sounds like the OP wants to return the phone
Ha, ha. Not even! This is the best phone I've owned to date when it's working properly. I am tired though of it crashing on me. I'll notice I'm not getting calls or email, then I check it and the phone has shut off. I'm also tired of flashing it every week, and spending days trying to get it back to the state I like it. (I wish there were better cloning apps that saved ALL of the settings including how you have the home screens set up, and all system preferences. It sucks having to reconfigure 10 email accounts, among other things.) I'm thinking if I can wipe it and start totally fresh it will help.
Glad to hear that, that's the spirit!
it just that recently we've been getting quite a few anti SGS fans in the mix, and many people are returning their phones.
Yeah, I have no intention of sending back my SGS. The good far outweighs the short list of negative items; those only being lack of flash and a poor battery life.
I just want a stable system! I'm going to keep searching for a fix.
out of the box i performed a full wipe by doing this *2767*3855# (this code applies to all samsung models i think). HTH.
antz88c said:
out of the box i performed a full wipe by doing this *2767*3855# (this code applies to all samsung models i think). Hth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you sir.
Is there a difference between these three ways of reseting?
odin
best way is odin
do the full odin re-partition with pit
then flash the 3 files.
but you will still need to go into recovery and format the internal sd as pictures will still be safe on the internal sd.
What if you mount the phone as a storage device and "rm -rf" the sd-card(s) ?
Windows users could use cygwin...
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
You may try rebooting your phone and while rebooting holding volume up, home, and power until you enter the factory menu mode. From there select "Format internal SD". That may be what you're looking for?
TMW597 said:
I am looking for a definitive way to COMPLETELY wipe a Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000. I mean the equivalent of doing a full factory restore on a PC. I've noticed that no matter how many times I flash or factory reset that there are still remnants that remain. Files like the license for Titanium Backup, or just miscellaneous files. Is there a way to completely wipe the SD card clean first, then do a fresh flash? I really would like to know that the SD card is completely clean since I've flashed 3-5 different versions of firmware and not one has been stable. I just want a real fresh slate.
Please advise.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
m8 op...this is wat i did may b it will help u.i did the aboue mentioned code.....thts the hard reset.i did tht wiv my sd card in it.so for the sd card i used my pc to format it,,,so now installed the stock firmware and went in the recovery mode ,,ok there i did a data wipe, and a cache wipe ****..ok then reboot and pluged my sd then i did a factory rest to check things wer right.....dammmmmm i lov this phone it never bricks.flash it more than 20 times now.(beware to check the download mode works)i don care for tht too cause u can switch it in down mode by connecting the 4,5 pin thts a simple jitttttttt.and hope this helps cheeeeeeerrrrrzzzzzz.
Actually the easies way to wipe data off the phone is to do the following:
settings\Sd card and phone storage\Format sd card
Hope that this helps!
Same problem in wiping Galaxy Tab
Hello,
I am also completely unable to wipe it properly. downloaded apps (like amazon shopper) remain and function even after formatting internal SD storage, and wiping it like 10 times.
Very disappointing.
Any suggestions more than welcome.
Thanks.
as mentioned above.
boot into recovery > mounts and storage > format system / cache / data / datadata/ sd card.
also do a factory reset, then wipe the dalvik cache.
flash rom thru odin with all 3 files and PIT
that will leave phone completely EMPTY
i thought the factory reset in the CWM should be fine
azzledazzle said:
as mentioned above.
boot into recovery > mounts and storage > format system / cache / data / datadata/ sd card.
also do a factory reset, then wipe the dalvik cache.
flash rom thru odin with all 3 files and PIT
that will leave phone completely EMPTY
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done that with the phone and its really empty cause it wont even start haha so what do i do now? how can i install somethin on it?
Personally I copy everything from my internal sd card on my pc into a samsung folder with that days date.
Then I then delete everything off the internal sd card.
From there I boot into recovery & format sd card. Then I do a factory reset, clear cache, clear dalvik cache and thats it. Everything gone. Now at least if I discover there is something I need missing I have it ready on my pc.
This saved me when I flashed an ICS Rom & lost my IMEI number. There it was sitting on my pc ready to go.
If you have flashed with Odin using the 3 files & the pit file with re-partition checked I've found that I often end up with the phone not starting. Usually a 2nd flash with the 3 files without the PIT file and re-partition unchecked and my phone is then fine.
Hi, apologies for my Noob questions.
I have been flashing various ICS Roms and kernels over the last few week - great fun etc. etc.
My SGS I9000 internal Sd/storage is getting pretty full with (probably useless data/folders/backups etc.) and I do not know what to safely delete....
I have started to get regular automatic reboots (3 or 4 per day) which I believe is related to these past installations...
Anyway, I would like to clean/format my phone so that I can start again.
How do I do this - what are the procedures
What will I lose?
What will I end up with - GB or ICS
What should I back up before hand?
Can I flash the latest ICS Rom or will I have go through the procedure of rooting the phone like I did when I was on GB?
Sorry for all these simple questions but I do not want to mess up my phone due to ignorance.
Thanks in advance for you help
Sorry, what is GB?
I recommend backup ur pics and music and do a sdxard and sd extrrnal back up (too have a clean phone).
Im using Cyanogen ICS 4.0.4 and works ok.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA
format
just go into cwm mode and go to advance now format dalvik cache, format system, format cache, format data........now reflash new rom.........ur problem will be shortout.
If u r a noob my friend... put a stable rom, the ics is a beta in i9000.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA
nikhilonlive said:
just go into cwm mode and go to advance now format dalvik cache, format system, format cache, format data........now reflash new rom.........ur problem will be shortout.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Nikhilonlive,
Will the formatting clear all the "redundant/useless" folders etc. on my internal SD so if I looked at it before reflashing the Rom it would look pretty clean.
I would like to start with all the rubbish gone and only files/folders relating to latest Rom & my current Apps.
I hope that this makes sense...
Remember to install the gapps
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA
I did the following to fully clear my SGS:
Copied all important stuff e.g. Photos, Maps, preferred Rom to my external SD card - removed SD card for safety.
Back up SMS & Call log to gmail with "Backup to Gmail"
Then within Rom Control:
- Factory Data Reset/Reset Phone (tick erase SD Card) etc. etc.
- Within Storage - "erase SD card" (there will be nothing left on the SD card)
Put external SD card back into phone
Then in Recovery mode:
- Wipe data/factory reset
- Wipe cache partition
- (within Advanced) Wipe Dalvik cache
Install Rom
- Install zip from sdcard
- Choose zip from internal sdcard
- Infinitum-v2.1.zip (in my case)
- When installation is complete go back to "Reboot system now"
- Reboot system now
You should get the normal set up instructions to log into gmail etc.
- Apps should automatically install
- Restore SMS & Call log
- copy across maps etc. from external SD
This may be a little extreme but I wanted a very clean phone
My phone was clean, it only had data, apps & Maps that related to my latest Rom etc.
Stats after above:
Internal storage - Total Space = 1.85GB Apps etc. 281MB, Available Space 1.58GB
USB storage - Total Space = 5.63GB, Apps etc.264MB, Maps 1.286GB, Available Space 4.08GB
If I have done some unnecessary steps, please let me know.
Now with the release of many JB leaks for our Galaxy Note, more and more people are starting to flash custom ROMs into their devices. However, many don't do a proper clean-up / wipe of their devices before doing so, complaining about supposed "bugs" that in fact are not real bugs, but just incompatibilities with previous app data and config left from the previous ROM or improperly restored from backups (TB etc.).
So, after facing that myself with the first ROMs I flashed, reading a lot of tips from the senior members, and experimenting different approaches, I came up with a method that I always follow before flashing a new ROM, which gives me less or no issues at all.
Pros: you minimize the chance of having issues when flashing a new ROM.
Cons: you have to manually reinstall your apps (can be somewhat automated from Google Play) and reconfigure everything.
Pre-reqs: I'm assuming you have CWM installed and know how to use it, and are not a complete noob. If you don't, search the forums and read the guides. Read this guide fully and make sure you understand everything before proceeding.
IMPORTANT: ONLY wipe your device if you have a SAFE (BRICK-FREE) KERNEL. Check your kernel and search the forums. Don't proceed if you are not sure! I'm not responsible for any bricks, unexpected issues that can happen to you or personal data loss because you forgot to backup that! If you want to stay safe, don't want to experiment with your cell phone, it's critical you have it working everytime, stay with the official Samsung ROMs updates you get OTA and don't proceed with this how-to.
How-to:
1) Boot into recovery and perform a full backup (a.k.a. nandroid) to your internal or external SD card.
2) Reboot, and create backups of personal data needed from your apps in your internal or external SD card. For instance, I backup data from apps which are not cloud-based; they usually have a "backup" menu for that.
3) Plug your device into your computer, and copy everything you need from your internal and external SD cards (including the backups done in 1) and 2)). Don't forget your pictures and MP3 files.
4) Delete any apps and data from your external SD card. Leave it as clean as possible (it's OK to leave personal data such as MP3s, pictures etc.).
5) Copy the ROM you are about to flash to your EXTERNAL SD Card (don't copy to internal, because we are going to wipe it).
6) Boot into CWM Recovery and do the following wipes:
6.1) Wipe data / factory reset
6.2) Wipe cache partition
6.3) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache
6.4) Mounts and Storage -> Format /system
6.5) Mounts and Storage -> Format /preload
6.6) Mounts and Storage -> Format internal SD card (make sure you know if your internal SD card if /emmc or /sdcard; see below!)
7) Install Zip -> Flash ROM from your external SD card.
8) Wipe cache partition again.
9) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache again.
10) Reboot
11) Don't restore anything from Titanium Backup. Reinstall and reconfigure everything from Google Play. I never tried but I think that if you just restore user apps, it should work. Just never restore system apps and data. The backups you created in step 2) and copied to your computer in step 3) can be safely restored from within the apps themselves.
Now you may ask why we format the internal SD card. Many apps store their configuration and app data there, so this way we ensure no old data and config are there which may be incompatible with the new ROM. In fact it might not be that important, since it's only related to user apps, but I prefer to clean everything before flashing a new ROM.
How to find if your internal SD card is mounted on /emmc or /sdcard in CWM Recovery:
1) Boot into CWM Recovery.
2) Install Zip -> Choose zip from internal sdcard. In the top you can see where yours is mounted (/emmc or /sdcard).
3) This is the partition you should format in step 6.6. Pay attention to not format the external SD card, because the ROM zip file is there!
If you still have issues after flashing a new ROM, try to reflash it without any wipes (i.e. just do step 7 again).
Hope it can help people with their flashing!
Good job
Is it any better to just install user apps from google play and then restore just the data from TB?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
allansy said:
Is it any better to just install user apps from google play and then restore just the data from TB?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No..the main purpose of the thread is to remove the incompatible app data and system data
Useful.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
dbolivar said:
How-to:
6.1) Wipe data / factory reset
6.2) Wipe cache partition
6.3) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache
6.4) Mounts and Storage -> Format /system
6.5) Mounts and Storage -> Format /preload
6.6) Mounts and Storage -> Format internal SD card (make sure you know if your internal SD card if /emmc or /sdcard; see below!)
7) Install Zip -> Flash ROM from your external SD card.
8) Wipe cache partition again.
9) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache again.
10) Reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6.2 ---> unnecessary, because factory reset wipes user data and cache
6.6 ---> how on earth does formatting internal SD card help flashing any Rom?
8) ---> unnecessary, because your cache is already wiped
9) ---> see above
6.2) True, thanks for pointing out.
6.6) Some apps, including ones that usually give strange issues between ROM flashes like SNote, leave data there which may cause incompatibilities with a different version. This incompatibility is just a guess; as I said in the original post, it may not be that necessary to format the internal SD card, but I prefer to make sure there is no old data at all floating around, and this recommendation can also be useful when people are going to sell their devices (many think that just a factory reset is enough).
8) and 9) Is it possible that a new ROM can come with stuff in cache and dalvik cache, say, from the developer testing/cooking environment? If it is, can be useful to clean it again after flashing. Otherwise, I agree, it can be skipped.
Yeah total clean scenario is best. In my opinion. So also SD, but never efs
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
I too do things that are not necessary, I have a ritual when doing a deep clean lol
It involves things like the above method, but i do it twice.. No harm in that is there !
azzledazzle said:
I too do things that are not necessary, I have a ritual when doing a deep clean lol
It involves things like the above method, but i do it twice.. No harm in that is there !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wel, better safe then sorry. Totally clean just feels right
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Thank you very much. I will do this like you say.
I have CWM v6.0.1.2 and I don't have format/ preload. What can I do?
You can try to proceed without formatting it, or you can first flash a kernel with a more recent CWM. Always a safe kernel, of course. After flashing it, you can just select "reboot recovery" from your current CWM to boot into the new CWM. I'm not sure if the absence of /preload is due to an old CWM, or it's because you don't have a /preload partition. Anyway, trying a newer CWM won't harm.
i follow this guide , considering that i'm a noob it mean that is written really really clear. Thanks for all your job . i have a clean cooked rooted cell now.
error preload
Hello, I got error when formatting preload
it is said "make_extf4fs failed on/dev/block/mmcblk0p9
and when i'm trying to format/scard it pop up some type format
"deafult
"exfat
"fat
bla bla bla
so i choose default, am i right to choose it?
what should i do?
What device, what recovery, what rom?
dbolivar said:
flashing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey bro,
i forgot to do step 9
9) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache again.
Phone is working fine, but just curious. will it have any effect ? or will it cause any problem later ?
I have flashed a bunch of different ROMs lately. I always wipe cache, dalvik and do a factory reset but maybe it may no longer be enough. Currently, my phone is rooted with Cocore and CWM. I am thinking about going to CM11. Last time I tried that, I noticed some stuff during setup was overlooked because it already seemed to be there. So I think some bits and pieces are left in the phone. Therefore, I want to "scrub" it before trying another ROM (thinking CM11 this time). I know the CM kernel comes with it.
questions:
1) Can I just mount and reformat system, data, cache and preload to clear everything out before flashing a new ROM?
2) Will the kernel be protected (in this case is CoCore) after reformating or should I worry about it?
3) When I flash the original stock 4.1.2 from Odin, does it completely reformat everything when it loads onto the system?
corvus.corax said:
I have flashed a bunch of different ROMs lately. I always wipe cache, dalvik and do a factory reset but maybe it may no longer be enough. Currently, my phone is rooted with Cocore and CWM. I am thinking about going to CM11. Last time I tried that, I noticed some stuff during setup was overlooked because it already seemed to be there. So I think some bits and pieces are left in the phone. Therefore, I want to "scrub" it before trying another ROM (thinking CM11 this time). I know the CM kernel comes with it.
questions:
1) Can I just mount and reformat system, data, cache and preload to clear everything out before flashing a new ROM?
2) Will the kernel be protected (in this case is CoCore) after reformating or should I worry about it?
3) When I flash the original stock 4.1.2 from Odin, does it completely reformat everything when it loads onto the system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some information are stored on internal SD memory. Maybe it was there. Try to delete it. Backup SD to PC, format it - do factory reset and see if it is happening again.
shut_down said:
Some information are stored on internal SD memory. Maybe it was there. Try to delete it. Backup SD to PC, format it - do factory reset and see if it is happening again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I backup the internal SD card to the PC and then restore after a reformat, won't the offending bits come back again?
corvus.corax said:
If I backup the internal SD card to the PC and then restore after a reformat, won't the offending bits come back again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not tell you to restore it. Keep it on PC, in case you need some of data from there. Maybe you erase some picture that you need or something like that. And not to blame me later. :fingers-crossed:
I believe I may have bricked my Fire HD 7". I decided to flash a new ROM. Something I've done many many times. However, this time I decided to wipe the SD card because I wanted to get rid of all the app folders, my documents, music, etc. and start from a clean state. The problem is that it occurred to me half a second after the wipe that the ROM zip as well as the backup were on the internal SD.
So now I'm in TWRP trying to mount the device, but Windows (8.1) will not recognize the internal storage and mount it as a drive. I have the latest drivers installed but nothing...
It seems I have no way of getting a new ROM onto the internal SD card so that I can flash as normal. Help?
sicembaylor said:
I believe I may have bricked my Fire HD 7". I decided to flash a new ROM. Something I've done many many times. However, this time I decided to wipe the SD card because I wanted to get rid of all the app folders, my documents, music, etc. and start from a clean state. The problem is that it occurred to me half a second after the wipe that the ROM zip as well as the backup were on the internal SD.
So now I'm in TWRP trying to mount the device, but Windows (8.1) will not recognize the internal storage and mount it as a drive. I have the latest drivers installed but nothing...
It seems I have no way of getting a new ROM onto the internal SD card so that I can flash as normal. Help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use a Linux distro live CD to side load the ROM.
Sent from my device running CyanogenMod 11
SafinWasi said:
Use a Linux distro live CD to side load the ROM.
Sent from my device running CyanogenMod 11
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that under Ubuntu. I get an error message that the volume (Kindle) can't be mounted.
Figured out the solution. Neither Windows nor Linux would mount the device, so that I could transfer the ROM to internal storage the easy way. What worked was using ADB sideload. Now I'm relieved! For anyone else having this issue or a similar issue because they had a brain fart and wiped the internal storage AFTER wiping the ROM -- this is the solution to the problem. Use ADB sideload in TWRP.
So what are the steps
sicembaylor said:
Figured out the solution. Neither Windows nor Linux would mount the device, so that I could transfer the ROM to internal storage the easy way. What worked was using ADB sideload. Now I'm relieved! For anyone else having this issue or a similar issue because they had a brain fart and wiped the internal storage AFTER wiping the ROM -- this is the solution to the problem. Use ADB sideload in TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the exact same situation you were in (pre-brain fart) - I want to get a "fresh start" with my kindle. What are the steps I should take? I see in TWRP that I can wipe Dalvik, Data, Internal Storage, Cache and System.
I'm guessing I should wipe System, Cache, Dalvik, Flash the ROM, flash gapps, then wipe data/internal storage -- does this sound right?
Thanks
chiph72 said:
I'm in the exact same situation you were in (pre-brain fart) - I want to get a "fresh start" with my kindle. What are the steps I should take? I see in TWRP that I can wipe Dalvik, Data, Internal Storage, Cache and System.
I'm guessing I should wipe System, Cache, Dalvik, Flash the ROM, flash gapps, then wipe data/internal storage -- does this sound right?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to wipe internal storage.
Re: No need to wipe internal storage
Rushead said:
No need to wipe internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - can you explain though? OP wanted to get rid of all of the music/documents/etc... Isn't the internal storage where these are? If not, what is stored here?
You can wipe internal if you want to, but be sure you can adb push your rom. I don't like to do this b/c it leaves you no backup plan. Besides, "fresh start" is mostly placebo imo.