Database Develop

Flashing over a rom?

So im wondering, what is the standard practise, or based on your own experiences. What is the best way to flash over an existing rom using CWM? What do you do to prepare the fone for new rom, wipe user data, dalvik cache, before or after flashing. Just trying to get a good idea of how to do it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

going from rom to rom:
put rom.zip on /sdcard/
reboot to recovery
install zip from sdcard
point to rom.zip
flash
reboot
any rom that has been properly done will wipe user data and dalvik cache for you. no need to do it manually

i always flash back to eclair and master clear with odin one click to make sure all files from previous roms are gone then CWM flash new ROM

Pirateghost said:
going from rom to rom:
put rom.zip on /sdcard/
reboot to recovery
install zip from sdcard
point to rom.zip
flash
reboot
any rom that has been properly done will wipe user data and dalvik cache for you. no need to do it manually
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Except I do clear the caches manually, but that's just because I have OCD.

CremeFraiche said:
i always flash back to eclair and master clear with odin one click to make sure all files from previous roms are gone then CWM flash new ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lets look at the master clear function shall we?
when you flash to stock...your entire / is stock (RFS, eclair 2.1, /data /system, etc)
essentially, you have just reformatted your root, think of it like formatting your C drive and your sdcard is like a secondary internal drive that contains storage
master clear at this point will only delete items off your /sdcard
roms dont care about your /sdcard, master clear is worthless when you are stock
there was a time where it was necessary to flash to stock to reset the filesystem and then flash the rom. it has not been needed in months, but it continues to get preached as gospel.
even flashing to stock isnt necessary unless you are trying to come from CM7 or MIUI....or if something goes horribly wrong

Thx for info guys, I have flashed a few times and it seemed like now and then my fone must became bogged down and needed to be fully wiped, sound didnt work or lagfix folders bunch of text docs, just seemed cluttered. So if wanted to really clear out junk what would be a good way without having to flash back to stock?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Just flash. If you have a problem then back to stock Ans a MC. I have flashed hundreds of time back to stock once.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App

Pirateghost said:
lets look at the master clear function shall we?
when you flash to stock...your entire / is stock (RFS, eclair 2.1, /data /system, etc)
essentially, you have just reformatted your root, think of it like formatting your C drive and your sdcard is like a secondary internal drive that contains storage
master clear at this point will only delete items off your /sdcard
roms dont care about your /sdcard, master clear is worthless when you are stock
there was a time where it was necessary to flash to stock to reset the filesystem and then flash the rom. it has not been needed in months, but it continues to get preached as gospel.
even flashing to stock isnt necessary unless you are trying to come from CM7 or MIUI....or if something goes horribly wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would definitely agree. I have also seen people say to disable lagfix before flashing. I have not done that either and never had any problem.

Would just like to amend the advice already given with the following:
Pre-flashing:
1. Titanium Backup of apps and data
2. Nandroid backup in case something goes boom.
Post-flashing (assuming success):
TB restore of user apps/data only. NEVER RESTORE SYSTEM FILES.
They may not apply to some people, but I feel those are necessary steps for anyone that actually uses their phone daily.

modest_mandroid said:
Would just like to amend the advice already given with the following:
Pre-flashing:
1. Titanium Backup of apps and data
2. Nandroid backup in case something goes boom.
Post-flashing (assuming success):
TB restore of user apps/data only. NEVER RESTORE SYSTEM FILES.
They may not apply to some people, but I feel those are necessary steps for anyone that actually uses their phone daily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why not restore system files? Does this apply if coming from flashing back to stock first, or just flashing from one rom to another?
Glad to hear the advice about not flashing back to stock, that's been one of the major reasons I haven't flashed quite as many rom's as I want, too time consuming.........not to say that i'm not flashing a couple rom's a week, but there's just so many options to try

neophile said:
why not restore system files? Does this apply if coming from flashing back to stock first, or just flashing from one rom to another?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Making "search" a standard practice would be very helpful.
Restoring system is known to mess up ROMs in all cases. Though may not be mandatory, but make it a standard practice to flash stock. Takes hardly 10 mins, and helps save big headaches later.

neophile said:
why not restore system files? Does this apply if coming from flashing back to stock first, or just flashing from one rom to another?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incompatibilities across rom versions, mostly. As the guy above me said, restoring system files tends to mess up a rom because you are overwriting part of it with files from a different rom.
There is one caveat, however. If you're flashing back to a rom you originally performed the backup on, you can safely restore system files. For example, if you were running Cog 4.3 and did a full TB backup, then decided to flash Serendipity 6.3, you would want to restore only your user apps and user data. However, if you decided to flash back to Cog 4.3 at some point, you could do a full TB restore without worrying about incompatibilities.

I agree with everyone else. Flashing over another rom seldom causes issues. I make s nandroid backup of my favorite rom with everything setup the way i like it. then flash away trying different roms. When i am done, i just restore my backup and all is good!

I have done a search, couldn't find the specific answer I needed, hence my asking. Could be I wasn't phrasing the search correctly......but here I am.....
To clarify, what do you dpo to get your system settings back after flashing a new rom? I flashed to serendipty 6.4 last night, as per the advice, I didn't restore system files, just apps and data, but that didn't work so well for me. I lost my data connection, could only use my wifi, and had no contacts, or any sms msgs. I don't know what else was missing, but I then went and restored system files, everything came back as needed, and there seems to be no issue......
How do I get my info setting back, or do I just need to manually re-set everything after flashing? Apart from wireless info, msgs and contacts, what else do you lose by not restoring?
Appreciate your help

havent flashed a new rom in a while and forgot if anything extra was needed when flashing a rom over a rom
thx!

[Q] galaxy i9000 looping at bootup.. not getting past the glowing S

I have recently flashed the JVS firmware from samsung firmware, and then followed that up with this CF-Root-XX_OXA_JVS-v4.1-CWM3RFS, flashing via the PDA section in ODIN. My phone has been working perfectly for a few days, no problems at all, until right now when I've gone to restart the phone.. I was having troubles with the market, and I turned my phone off mid-download of an app.. I'm pretty sure it was mid-download and not mid-installation of it..
However, when I turn my phone back on, it'll show the Galaxy S I9000 screen, then go to the next screen with the glowing S, however after that, it just gives a quick, short vibration, and seems to turn off, then do it all over again..
What does this mean? Is there a way I can get out of it without re-flashing the entire firmware? I am still able to get into download mode, but I don't want to lose messages that I have saved on my phone..
Any help is greatly appreciated..
Denno

Ok, so I let the phone go for a while (around 10 minutes), of the screens cycling through as mentioned above, but now it seems to have actually found a way into the phone, and has now loaded up properly.. However, I'm still interested in what the problem could be on the phone??

are u using new market app?
its happened to me once and i reflashed whole firmware starting from 2.1 to 2.3.5 lol just to avoid sh*t like that

When I had 2.2 on there, I had the new market app, however after flashing 2.3.5, it had the old market, so I was downloading apps from the old market at the time..
What do you mean you re-flashed whole firmware from 2.1?

Anyone else have any ideas?

Try to wipe factory reset and wipe cache or try to flash rom again
Wysłano z GT-I9000 z użyciem Tapatalk

Could be a corruption in the bootloader, if it happens again i would reflash. Otherwise just leave it i guess, maybe it was a one off

It happens pretty much all the time now.. I have reflashed the firmware a couple of times.. And it still seems to happen. What would wiping the cache remove? Will I lose any settings or anything that I have on the phone? I have been restoring backups made using titanium, however just apps and data, not system settings..
If it's the bootloader, is there any way of fixing that?
Thanks

Ah that could be the problem. Sometimes when you restore backup they can conflict and thus cause issues like this...
Try only return the data, that works for me. Get app list from the market and after a backup move to external sd. Format internal sd card. Then do an Odin flash with repartition checked. This is designed to get you back to factory state, so you will loose everything. Make sure your backups are not on your internal sd when you format. Also before you flash i think its a good idea to put a copy of your nandroid backup into the internal sd. Or just use a nandroid backup from when you phone was working fine.
Deleting cache does not delete your settings usually, however when deleting dalvick cache it can take up to 30 mins (max i think) to start you phone, but usually its 5/10 mins.
Yes bootloader can be fixed just find a flashable bootloader with a rom or the directions given. Use search for this

Ok thanks for the tips Talon.. Firstly, this nandroid backup that I keep hearing about.. What exactly is that? Is that the backup that I do through Clockwork Mod Recovery? I'm also unsure how to return just the data to apps? I had a look at Titanium Backup, and the only data recovery option is for system data.. Everything else I think I can handle..
Thanks

Yes nandroid backup is the backup through CWM. You should always do one BEFORE you flash anything on your phone. And keep them in a safe place and leave one in your internal sd card.
You should use titanium backup to backup up a single app at a time, not batch. This way you'll have more files and can choose which apps you want to return, and if you only want to return the data. (I have always done it this way, so i dont know if you can pick the apps you want to return if you do backup via batch.). Use the other app i suggested to keep the market links, so you download the app from market first then you install the data once its there.
I suggest you don't return any apps at first see how it goes, then add either a couple or one at a time, again only the app data. (Once you backuo the app individually, flash then, TB, backup/restore press on the app, restore, then pick data only...) If you go from froyo to GB i think you cant do it)

Thank you very much for your reply Talon. I am currently on JVS, and plan to re-flash this exact same firmware, which is the stock firmware, nothing custom..
As for what you've written, it's going to take me a few reads before I can get my head around it, but I just wanted to say thankyou for a quick and detailed reply. I think I might just bite the bullet and figure out which apps I actually use, and just work with them for now..
I'll post back soon hopefully with results.

After getting very frustrated with the phone, I've finally re-flashed back to a seemingly stock situation. Phone is running great, and all problems seem to be gone. Slowly re-downloading apps from the market as I feel that I need them, so I hopefully won't get any interference from the old backups I had..
One more question, how do you make your backups? If you say you don't use the batch mode in Titanium? I can't see any other way that's as easy..
Thanks for your help Talon.

As i said before, backup/restore click on the app you want to back up, and click backup. When you want to restore it, back to the menu, click on the app, click restore, then pick data only longer but safer
Change the location of TB to your exsd if you haven't already, then go to setting find, and it will make it default location

Ahk.. Sounds very time consuming.. lol..
Phone is running like a champ now . Thanks

[Q] GPS Fix for CM 10.2

I've researched several forums for help with my GPS lock but I would like a little guidance from someone more experienced before I proceed with a fix. I'm comfortable flashing and I'm starting from the following configuration:
Starting Point:
1. Rooted running CM-10.2-20131016-Nightly, Baseband 1.00.20.0913_3, Kernel 3.410-CM-g5afe42c [email protected] #1
2. Performed a Nandroid backup with CWM Recovery v6.0.3.6
My questions are as follows:
1. Do I need to S-Off to fix this issue, and if so, what's the most efficient way of doing this starting from my CM nightly build and CWM version?
2. I have GPS status from the Android Market on there already and I've cleared GPS data. Do I need to reflash stock ROM to download the new agps data or can I do it from CM?
3. If I have to reflash stock to perform this GPS trick, will my backup restore everything back to the way it is, including installed applications and settings, or do I have to restore all my preferences, accounts, etc.
I've been lucky thus far with ROM flashing and never needed to restore a backup so I'm unclear the level of effort after a stock to CM swap maneuver. Thanks in advance for the help.
:good:

dhalmo said:
I've researched several forums for help with my GPS lock but I would like a little guidance from someone more experienced before I proceed with a fix. I'm comfortable flashing and I'm starting from the following configuration:
Starting Point:
1. Rooted running CM-10.2-20131016-Nightly, Baseband 1.00.20.0913_3, Kernel 3.410-CM-g5afe42c [email protected] #1
2. Performed a Nandroid backup with CWM Recovery v6.0.3.6
My questions are as follows:
1. Do I need to S-Off to fix this issue, and if so, what's the most efficient way of doing this starting from my CM nightly build and CWM version?
2. I have GPS status from the Android Market on there already and I've cleared GPS data. Do I need to reflash stock ROM to download the new agps data or can I do it from CM?
3. If I have to reflash stock to perform this GPS trick, will my backup restore everything back to the way it is, including installed applications and settings, or do I have to restore all my preferences, accounts, etc.
I've been lucky thus far with ROM flashing and never needed to restore a backup so I'm unclear the level of effort after a stock to CM swap maneuver. Thanks in advance for the help.
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you restore a backup everything will be the same as it was when you backed it up, settings, data, etc. all the same

Is there anyone else out there with this same problem or a solution?

dhalmo said:
I've researched several forums for help with my GPS lock but I would like a little guidance from someone more experienced before I proceed with a fix. I'm comfortable flashing and I'm starting from the following configuration:
Starting Point:
1. Rooted running CM-10.2-20131016-Nightly, Baseband 1.00.20.0913_3, Kernel 3.410-CM-g5afe42c [email protected] #1
2. Performed a Nandroid backup with CWM Recovery v6.0.3.6
My questions are as follows:
1. Do I need to S-Off to fix this issue, and if so, what's the most efficient way of doing this starting from my CM nightly build and CWM version?
2. I have GPS status from the Android Market on there already and I've cleared GPS data. Do I need to reflash stock ROM to download the new agps data or can I do it from CM?
3. If I have to reflash stock to perform this GPS trick, will my backup restore everything back to the way it is, including installed applications and settings, or do I have to restore all my preferences, accounts, etc.
I've been lucky thus far with ROM flashing and never needed to restore a backup so I'm unclear the level of effort after a stock to CM swap maneuver. Thanks in advance for the help.
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make a backup of current cm in twrp....... everything but storage options...... flash sense based rom...... update prl/profile(since your already in sense) go into maps while on data connection(found that works better than using wi-fi) maps will get a gps lock.... reboot into twrp restore backup of cm and than i always fix permissions and wipe dalv and cache... reboot into cm and profit hope this helps, never had a problem with gps when doing this.
**edit** a backup in twrp will back everything in the os up......apps....texts....settings....everything

Robisgnarly said:
Make a backup of current cm in twrp....... everything but storage options...... flash sense based rom...... update prl/profile(since your already in sense) go into maps while on data connection(found that works better than using wi-fi) maps will get a gps lock.... reboot into twrp restore backup of cm and than i always fix permissions and wipe dalv and cache... reboot into cm and profit hope this helps, never had a problem with gps when doing this.
**edit** a backup in twrp will back everything in the os up......apps....texts....settings....everything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good:
A few questions on your procedure:
1. Will any sense based ROM work or do I need to use an RUU with stock recovery?
2. Can I perform this procedure with S-On, which is my current state?
If this works successfully, I will write a small and detailed guide for other people to use. Thanks.

dhalmo said:
:good:
A few questions on your procedure:
1. Will any sense based ROM work or do I need to use an RUU with stock recovery?
2. Can I perform this procedure with S-On, which is my current state?
If this works successfully, I will write a small and detailed guide for other people to use. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) any sense based will work.
2) not sure if the one is the same way with s-on.... but if so you will have to extract the boot.img from the rom and flash that via adb in bootloader than flash the rom in twrp.
Suggestion...... Go s-off your phone makes life simpler and makes playing more fun and much more safe

[Q] ARHD Wipe?

I a installing ARHD...
So I am coming from 13.4 to 31.0... do I need to wipe the stuff in Aroma or can I go without wiping?

I advice you to full wipe all for a clean install and you won't have any issue.
However, backup your contacts, sms and other stuff you need before the full wipe.
p.s. Your sd won't be touched.

Guich said:
I advice you to full wipe all for a clean install and you won't have any issue.
However, backup your contacts, sms and other stuff you need before the full wipe.
p.s. Your sd won't be touched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with this guy^^
Definitely wipe it. And it's good to have things backed up anyway. Once you get used to making your backups you can do a full wipe and rom install really quickly, I do them daily when I'm testing or trying out new builds.
My contacts are in google (gmail) and sync when I sign in at the setup screen, I backup and restore sms/mms and I use titanium backup for my user apps, but google installs most of my apps when I sign in. I also copy my entire sdcard storage over to a folder on my computer about every month or so, just in case something happens. I just select the whole thing, drag and drop it into it's own folder on my PC's hard drive.
We all have different methods, just gotta use a method thats best for you to make restoring after an install easy.
On a sidenote: With a jump in versions like that will you be installing different firmware? I dunno that it's required but if you are then you will get a slightly different answer.

CharliesTheMan said:
On a sidenote: With a jump in versions like that will you be installing different firmware? I dunno that it's required but if you are then you will get a slightly different answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't required, but is better upgrade also the firmware, because it's optimized for the new base

I can tell you that I tried a dirty upgrade (made a nandroid backup first thankfully) from 22.1 to 31, and it messed everything up. restored, backed up apps etc, did wipe through aroma, upgraded, havent had a problem.
couldnt get a firmware upgrade working (s off was giving me the dreaded 1 error, which apparently doesnt have a fix), but its working fine without.

SMS and Lollipop 5.1.1

Hello,
I rooted my phone, installed SuperSu, Xposed with Xprivacy, etc. and everything works fine. Except SMS. I didnt noticed first because I dont wirte much SMS. I read others have the same problem. But I didnt find a real solution. They reflashed or Wiped everything (not allways a success) and on my phone ohter SMS apps doesnt work neither. I dont want to setup everything again if possible.
Is there no FIX/Patch which I can flash or a simple workaround ?
Regards liqui

Flash back to 4.4.4 ( i used .93 fw ) , root and install xzdr , create a new flashable rom with prf creator 1.1 ( None Below! ) including fotakernel kernel and modem. Wipe data, do a factory reset via TWRP And flash the newly created clean rom.
Seems prf creator 1.0 wasnt able to handle the modem files... :/

Hi,
I flashed the 5.1.1 agian because I didnt want to wait. This time it works. Did nothing different then the first time

liqui666 said:
I flashed the 5.1.1 agian because I didnt want to wait. This time it works. Did nothing different then the first time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By that you mean you flashed the latest ftf via flashtool?
I'm asking because I have the same problem, except one specific third party app is working, while another doesn't.
Thanks in advance

Hangouts figures to work, but in fact it doesn't. You can recognise it by switching back to stock messaging app, then the "send" SMS are gone. The solution I gave already. That's the simplest way to fix it with Bootloader locked, otherwise root will be lost. UB devices should fix it by flashing the actually used fw by flashtool with a full wipe, flashing a kernel with including recovery. Now just flash the latest SuperSU via recovery

You are totally right, I just hoped there would be another, simpler way. But I got it working again yesterday using your advice. After a little bit of ol' try 'n error I'm convinced it had something to do with the data partition, because when I restored the TWRP-backup, SMS function was lost again, but could be recovered by another wipe. That said, I first was on a prerooted firmware created with PRFC 1.1 and latest firmware but flashed SLiM ROM by wajk over that, so I don't know if the error lay within that ROM, but I'm not in the mood to try any time soon.
Cheers