Database Users

How to restore apps/ActiveSync/etc. after ROM upgrade?

I can't seem to figure out how people restore their apps, data, ActiveSync, etc. after updating their ROMs. It seems like people on this site replace their ROMs a few times a year at least, and with all the cleverness required to follow all the ROM issues, surely you can't all be manually re-installing every single app every time, etc. Are there some tools I don't know about that are useful for backing up/restoring files before/after ROM burn? Every backup program I see says you must not use it to restore after ROM update (which I understand, since you don't want to restore old versions of many key files). But surely someone could create a backup/restore app which knows which things should NOT be restored.
Thanks!

I do rom upgrades quite frequently, now I can have my device back with my settings and programs installed in around 10 minutes, here's what I did:
1)Install registry workshop on your desktop computer, this program allows you to remotely browse / export the registry on the PocketPC and compare current regitry settings on PocketPC with a previously dumped registry file.
2) Install RegDiff on your desktop computer, it allows you to generate .reg files out of two exported registry dumps done by registry workshop.
3) Spend a few hours going setting-by-setting and exporting the registry after changing each setting, compare and generate .reg file for that. Keep in mind that sometimes you need to power off the device for a while or soft reset for the registry setting to be permanently stored.
4) Once you have all the .reg files for your settings combine them in a single .reg file
5) Use WinCE Cab Manager to combine the cabs of all the programs you install, set the registry settings, and put shorcuts to all applications into the right places. This is the most "time consuming" part of the process.
Finally I end up with 2 big cab files:
- First one is around 9Mb which I install on pocketpc memory, this includes all today screen plugins, plus Net CF 2.1 and some registry settings (mostly WM5 settings and preferences from the today plugins)
- Second one is around 25Mb which i install on storage card, this includes all the other 3rd party apps I like and registry settings for those apps.
What I do after hard reset or rom upgrade: Install the two cab files, setup mail accounts and mms manually and use directpush to sync all my contacts and calendar items again.
The process of exporting all the registry settings is a PITA, but it is worth spending the time if you're going to switch roms frequently.

Look for an app called Sprite Backup.

pkx said:
Look for an app called Sprite Backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, Sprite is the easiest. Be warned, however, that it isn't able to restore PIM databases over the AKU3 upgrade. See my Backup Bible, where I;ve explained this all.

Wow, thanks. That's a lot of work to get things set up! Clearly worth it if you can re-install everything in 10 minutes, though.
I started to investigate your recommendations, installed Cab Manager, and see how you use that.
How do you get the cabs if the install isn't directly via cab? In other words, if the install is initiated via ActiveSync, then are the necessary cabs always found under the Program Files\ActiveSync directory?
As for Sprite Backup, it looks great, and maybe that would be enough for me for now. I wasn't clear (I did search through and skim the Backup Bible and the WM5 backup software comparisons but couldn't find exactly where it talked about the issue regarding AKU3) is the PIM issue a known bug? Or some limitation/problem related to new security or something?
Quincy

quinxy said:
How do you get the cabs if the install isn't directly via cab? In other words, if the install is initiated via ActiveSync, then are the necessary cabs always found under the Program Files\ActiveSync directory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's installed via activesync you can find them there, but generally what I do is extract the cab files from the exe using orange in Linux, don't know if there's a windows equivalent.

pof,
Don't know if you ever ActiveSync since you use Linux, but is there a way to NOT break your ActiveSync by upgrading your ROM? I thought I tried once, years ago, to set the device name back to the original name and ActiveSync still didn't recognize it as the old partnership.
quincy

quinxy said:
pof,
Don't know if you ever ActiveSync since you use Linux, but is there a way to NOT break your ActiveSync by upgrading your ROM? I thought I tried once, years ago, to set the device name back to the original name and ActiveSync still didn't recognize it as the old partnership.
quincy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it doesn't recognize it, just delete the old partnership and recreate / reconfigure it . It's just some seconds.

Schaps rom issue :S

i have a mda vario II , its at wm6 now, with a basic rom, i want to update it to the schaps rom, because the things i hear about are really good, i want to try it, 3 questions
1 do i lose my data, (sms data, contacts enz)
2 can something happen so my phone wont work anymore?
3 where can i download the newest dutch schaps rom
my english is not that good, im dutch....

oh yea, another question, do you get your garantee if you send it back to tmobile?

1. yes
2. possible - install hard SPL V7 1st to reduce risk.
3. Do a search to find if its available.
No, you need to put the Stock rom and SPL back on.

thanks for your answers, but can i make a backup with spb backup for example?
and do my programs on the sd micro card still work?

Yes, just don't format the card. Leave it as is and everything should install as it was before. I know SPB backup has 5 trial backup/restores so you may be able to try it without purchase (I have a licenced copy so I don't know if any limitations have been imposed other than the 5 trial backups).
Cheers...
Not to discourage you at all but schapps roms are fairly old now, if you look in the WM06 part of the Hermes forum you'll find some newer roms. Read the description to find out if you like it, then the last few pages to see any problems with and fixes available.

i have schaps installed now, its really great, but it can be done better in my opinion, which custom rom do you recommend me?

I use PDAViet V27 at the moment but also like PDACorner. Roms are a personal choice though, depends what you want it for, how much extra stuff you want in it and how fast you want it to run.
The I said are WM6.1. They are pretty good for me but depending on the 3rd party apps, I found, can become unstable when the apps are installed together.
I use SPBbackup 2.0.1 so if something does go wrong I can re-install a lot of stuff without a great deal of time being spent.
Cheers...

i use spb backup too, but now my programs that i first installed arent in my programs tab, and on my phone by programmabestanden (dutch for programfiles) i can start it tough

If the apps are in you programs filke on the sd card, use Resco explorer or total commander to create shortcuts of the .exe in the windows directory. windows>start menu>programs. Then they'll appear in the programs director of your phone.
For Resco it says "startmenu as shortcut", I have to move the shortcut manually to the programs directory or soft reset will do the trick too.
Cheers...

thankzz

Configurations backup strategy before installing a new ROM

I was wondering what is your backup/restore strategy when changing ROMs.
When I install a freshly cooked ROM, there are 3 stages for installation:
1. Installing the ROM itself which is obvious.
2. Install all personal cabs - with or without UC support.
3. Configure everything to work according to my personal configurations.
The most annoying part is the 3rd, since I have to go through each and every program, and run the process, of configuring all the options. This process always, takes me longer then installing everything.
Is there a way to backup/restore globally all settings?
Amir.

http://www.spritesoftware.com/products/sprite-backup/full-edition

I know that software. Doesn't it's OS migration option is risky?
I remember reading many bad opinions against using that option...
???
Amir.

amir77a said:
I know that software. Doesn't it's OS migration option is risky?
I remember reading many bad opinions against using that option...
???
Amir.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I shouldn't agree more.
There's a lot of confliction and problematic after full restore the backup from the previous ROM to the new ROM.
It's my experiences.
KCJ

If you're willing to spend a bit of effort, you can have your device automatically configure 99.9% of what you want, as part of the customization occuring after flashing.
Look up SASHIMI, which should live on your SD card (or whatever you have which survives a hard reset). It basically install all the CABs, REGs and provisioning XMLs you want, plus runs any Mortscript, all in one big batch, according to certain sequencing rules. It can be configured to launch upon inserting the SD card, or as part of UC (User Customization), or to execute UC as part of itself, or run it manually. Most CABs which require manual intervention can be automated by using clever Mortscripts. The REGs and XMLs take care of configuring apps, games, serial numbers (legal, of course) or even network settings and Manila tweaks.
I now routinely flash a new ROM and leave my device for 30 minutes. I need to check in on it to tap past the WM setup dialogs. With that out of the way:
- all tools, apps and games CABs are installed, many with accompanying REGs for configuration
- WiFi is configured with my most used hotspots
- time is synchronized (assuming WiFi is available during this process)
- 3G is disabled (for better battery life), my data connection is configured but disabled (a la MoDaCo NoData)
- Pocket Outlook is setup with my Exchange account, an initial sync is performed (assuming WiFi is available), and additional mail folders are tagged for syncing
- PPCPimBackup restores my most recent backup of SMSes and call history (I've flashed or hard reset probably 20 times the last 2 months, and don't miss a single SMS/call since the day I bought the HD).
- My Start menu and programs list is neatly sorted into folders (of course this needs rework when I switch between ROM chefs)
- AEButton Plus is setup with my buttons the way I want them.
- SKScheMa is setup with the profile changes I want (GSM/WiFi off, silent and low brightness at night)
The only thing I really miss is to automatically provision a couple of Bluetooth pairings (a headset and 2 PCs). Apparently the encryption keys used for storing these pairings, is renewed on each hard reset. Typically, the first morning after a hard reset, while driving my car, my HD beeps every 1 minute as the car kit attempts to connect, and I'm usually unable to deal with it until I stop the car.
As you can imagine, there's quite a bit of initial manual labour, but I guarantee you that it's worth it.
I recommend that you get the following: Resco Explorer (w/registry addon), Orneta Notepad (or MobilePad). With these, most of the work can be carried out on the phone itself. To figure out the registry settings for a certain program or option, there are two ways:
- manual search, typically fast and has a very high success rate by first visiting HKLM\Software and HKCU\Software, then looking for the vendor or software name.
- registry diff, slow but very accurate, requires PC (for now). Export HKLM+HKCU (using multiple select in Resco regedit) *before* you make the configuration change, and *after* you've made the change. Copy the two reg files to a PC and do a diff (WinMerge should do a good job). Alternatively, you can use a Windows tool like Registry Workshop or CeRegEditor to export the registries, but I think the first way is faster, and you can actually prepare the exports on the move, then do the diffs when you come home.
Some programs store configuration data in files - these *may* be a bit harder to figure out, but they're usually in the installation folder. Once you've set up such a program to your liking, copy its CAB to SASHIMI\Auto\CAB and the configuration file to SASHIMI\Auto\Root\Program Files\<app name>, and the app will be as you want it after the hard reset.
SASHIMI can also back up such files for you, just put the paths into filebackup.ini. Similarly regbackup.ini can perform registry backups that will be automatically restored after a hard reset. You need to run or schedule this backup yourself, though, but both can be performed with one shortcut to SASHIMI.
I'm sorry for making this so long - I'll stop now, and hope this post provides a bit of inspiration to others. I can also help with certain aspects of UC - I'd love to post my custom tools and scripts, they're just not prepared for public consumption yet.

intersting idea.
I tried Sashimi before, but I gave up due to prior needed investment.
I'll might adopt that idea, which seems to be very useful.
Amir.

Sashimi can basically accomplish the same as UC/SDConfig.txt - it just provides a simple UI and conventions that makes setting it up so much easier. I did play with SDConfig.txt (and various tools to automate/ease its maintainability), but quickly found maintaining the file very time consuming and error prone, and practically impossible without using a PC. Sashimi you simply copy to your SD card, and you can run it right away (it won't do anything). Next step is to copy a CAB to Auto\CAB, then run Sashimi, and the CAB will be installed.
Ah well, I hope it proves useful to others!

amir77a said:
I know that software. Doesn't it's OS migration option is risky?
I remember reading many bad opinions against using that option...
???
Amir.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it without any problem and flash my hd every day should use it correctly :
Overall performance of backups and restores are clearly within my expectations. My backups can range from 4-9 minutes and restores can take a little longer which is worth every minute for a disaster recovery plan. I have yet to try the FTP or TCP/IP backups so I cannot report on those features, but for “geeks-sake” I will look into these when time permits and report on my findings.
Two other interesting features of Sprite Backup are the Restore “Upgrade” (see Figure B PC console screen) feature and the Sprite Explorer tool. The Restore “Upgrade” features allows restoration of a backup to the same device with a different ROM (usually an upgraded ROM) or to a different device entirely. While this is an unpopular move by most device users, it is an interesting and perhaps useful function for those who do not wish to reinstall applications or data after a ROM or device change. The Sprite Explorer tool is reminiscent of Symantec’s Ghost Explorer tool. Sprite Explorer allows browsing of your Sprite Backup EXE files so that you can review the details of the backups and restore individual files to your PC. Sprite Explorer will also identify which version of Sprite Backup was used for the creation of the EXE file. When browsing a password protected EXE backup file, Sprite Explorer will prompt for the correct password before revealing the contents.
fonte: http://www.fuzemobility.com/?p=1805

Thanks.
I made a fresh backup with Sprite, after a new fresh install.
When Dutty will launch his 1.9 ROM , I will try o upgrade with Sprite, otherwise I'll goto sashimi.
Amir.

ugumba said:
I'm sorry for making this so long
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I liked the posting for its longeness... I really made me wanting to have a look at SASHIMI.
However, I am not much into MortScript, yet - would you mind to share your customization files?
I think it would be very helpful for me to have a starting point for my own work...
Thank you,
The Whistler

what about spbbackup2, easiest backup ever, and the files are self extractable so you don't even need to install spbbackup again to restore a rom.

i like the tought of just installing the ONE app.
And when i flash, that this will restore my personal settings, games, and programmas.
going to read up on this!
still, thanxxx!!

ugumba said:
I recommend that you get the following: Resco Explorer (w/registry addon), Orneta Notepad (or MobilePad). With these, most of the work can be carried out on the phone itself. To figure out the registry settings for a certain program or option, there are two ways:
- manual search, typically fast and has a very high success rate by first visiting HKLM\Software and HKCU\Software, then looking for the vendor or software name.
- registry diff, slow but very accurate, requires PC (for now). Export HKLM+HKCU (using multiple select in Resco regedit) *before* you make the configuration change, and *after* you've made the change. Copy the two reg files to a PC and do a diff (WinMerge should do a good job). Alternatively, you can use a Windows tool like Registry Workshop or CeRegEditor to export the registries, but I think the first way is faster, and you can actually prepare the exports on the move, then do the diffs when you come home.
Some programs store configuration data in files - these *may* be a bit harder to figure out, but they're usually in the installation folder. Once you've set up such a program to your liking, copy its CAB to SASHIMI\Auto\CAB and the configuration file to SASHIMI\Auto\Root\Program Files\<app name>, and the app will be as you want it after the hard reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All very helpful so nevermind the long windedness. I've been using Sashimi and I've managed to backup some apps to my satisfaction. I've have been trying to backup CorePlayer settings. I have backed up its regs keys. I have also backed up it's program files folder and reinstalled it manually with no success. What is the configuration file you are referring to that should be copied to SASHIMI\Auto\Root\Program Files\<app name>? Do you mean a file within program files or some other file?

DRTigerlilly said:
what about spbbackup2, easiest backup ever, and the files are self extractable so you don't even need to install spbbackup again to restore a rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SBPBackup backs up the complete registry, so this would be a problem if something has changed from one rom Version to another (as f.e. stated in the first post of the Energy rom´s thread), thus this program would not be ideal for restoring a backup after flashing to a different rom.
Restoring backup´s to the same rom version however, this is what sbpbackup is perfect for.

Cheech1976 said:
SBPBackup backs up the complete registry, so this would be a problem if something has changed from one rom Version to another (as f.e. stated in the first post of the Energy rom´s thread), thus this program would not be ideal for restoring a backup after flashing to a different rom.
Restoring backup´s to the same rom version however, this is what sbpbackup is perfect for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, SPB Backup should only be used emails, contacts etc.
A full backup should only be used if you are trying to restore rom i.e. if something happened to it. It shouldn't be used when swapping between different rom builds as the registry settings/paths would be different

Possible to Upgrade ROM's Without Losing all Settings and Data?

I am currently running the Elegancia 2.5 ROM, but I thought this might be a more general question about ROM's so I wanted to post it here.
I started with the Elegancia 2.0 and upon upgrading to the 2.5, I had to reinstall all my cabs (I save them to a specific folder on my SD card thankfully) and redo all my settings over again. Now that there is a 3.0 version out, I would like to upgrade that as well. However since there are so many settings and cabs that I have now changed and installed, I'd prefer not to go through and do it all again.
Is this possible or is it just the nature of the upgrades that require you to change and redo it all again?
Thanks

its my understanding that flashing erases everything except for the occasional system file left over from the previous ROM... my guess would be no... backup everything and reinstall... at max it'll only take a half hour to reinstall everything..

No way to change ROM's without losing all data...best thing for you to do is use an autoinstall program to resetup your device after a new flash....

mgioia2 said:
No way to change ROM's without losing all data...best thing for you to do is use an autoinstall program to resetup your device after a new flash....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, could you explain little bit more about the autoinstall program ? how does it work?

try xda_uc, google it. basically, you create a folder called xda_uc on your storage card, and when you first bootup, all the .cabs you add to the folder are installed in the background, and require no input from you. however, you need to find a rom that supports xda_uc. I use energyrom.

Isn't there any program like itunes for example for iPhone which backups and restores every setting. Any thought friends
Thanks

try spb backup...but it wont auto install everything back, but you do get to do some set up if you want as to what to restore.

[Q] Cannot run any .exe file

i tried installing android but it didnt work the haret file wouldnt open and kept getting error message (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=11352461#post11352461)
So i tried to flash my rom following this tut
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=505377
but i was unable to run SPL v 1.56.OliNex, it kept saying error 240 device not responding
so i put the manual touch hd .exe onto my phone
but i get the same error message as when i run haret
the file 'name of .exe program' cannot be opened. either it is not trusted..if the problem persists try reinstalling or restoring the file..
what do i do?

......... any 1?

excatly like the error message says, there can be 2 possible reasons, why it wouldn't open:
1. it is not trusted
2. a component is missing
1. if it is not trusted, try hd tweak and set it to ignore certifications warnings
2. the "component" that is usually missing is .net framework 3.5. many apps come not fully loaded with their own code but are based on certain runtimes, which makes them compatible with more windows mobile versions and keep them clean, but to have those shared libraries and make the phone "understand" this program, you need to install the .net framework.

Chef_Tony said:
excatly like the error message says, there can be 2 possible reasons, why it wouldn't open:
1. it is not trusted
2. a component is missing
1. if it is not trusted, try hd tweak and set it to ignore certifications warnings
2. the "component" that is usually missing is .net framework 3.5. many apps come not fully loaded with their own code but are based on certain runtimes, which makes them compatible with more windows mobile versions and keep them clean, but to have those shared libraries and make the phone "understand" this program, you need to install the .net framework.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
already gt framework 3.5, ill try hd tweak
edit
i tried to install hd tweak but when i opened the .cab file on phone i got past 'the program is from an unknown publisher..do you want to continue' i pressed yes but then i get the message 'installation of HD Tweak was unsuccessful'

too bad, i already suspected something like this to happen. to disable certification you'd have to install an uncertified program, vicious circle. what rom are you running? many roms don't have the certificate issue, because by default this is disabled by the rom chefs. another thing that you could try might be the autoinstall feature:
in my rom (cloudy 0.7) there is an autoinstall feature. it consists of a startmenu link AutoInstall, which then disables certain policies (including certification) to install all cabs in the AutoInstall folder on the sd card, kinda like an EXTROM known from older devices. most roms have a user customization (UC) feature built in, please post your rom chef and version or refer to the thread you got the rom from to check for this feature. i hope you already have ms myphone installed or you are able to run pimbackup on your device, because you might have a hardreset coming in your near future, and you should make sure to have backups of all your personal data and only that. using sprite backup, spb backup or resco backup is not recommended, that will not only restore your data, but also the problem, you are having right now.
in case you are running a shipped rom, which would explain, why that annoying certification is there in the first place, chances are slim, that UC will work for you, and if you also don't have ms myphone or are unable to run pimbackup, you should at least try and sync your data with exchange or outlook (however, this will not backup your call logs or sms)
i am still wondering what might have caused your troubles in the first place. did you install android as a cab? if it was the new froyo x build, which comes as portable os, it should be completely wiped, when you delete the folders from the sd card, in case of the earlier cab version, you might want to try uninstalling it. in case you made the error to install it to the internal storage, the hard reset is inevitable.

Chef_Tony said:
too bad, i already suspected something like this to happen. to disable certification you'd have to install an uncertified program, vicious circle. what rom are you running? many roms don't have the certificate issue, because by default this is disabled by the rom chefs. another thing that you could try might be the autoinstall feature:
in my rom (cloudy 0.7) there is an autoinstall feature. it consists of a startmenu link AutoInstall, which then disables certain policies (including certification) to install all cabs in the AutoInstall folder on the sd card, kinda like an EXTROM known from older devices. most roms have a user customization (UC) feature built in, please post your rom chef and version or refer to the thread you got the rom from to check for this feature. i hope you already have ms myphone installed or you are able to run pimbackup on your device, because you might have a hardreset coming in your near future, and you should make sure to have backups of all your personal data and only that. using sprite backup, spb backup or resco backup is not recommended, that will not only restore your data, but also the problem, you are having right now.
in case you are running a shipped rom, which would explain, why that annoying certification is there in the first place, chances are slim, that UC will work for you, and if you also don't have ms myphone or are unable to run pimbackup, you should at least try and sync your data with exchange or outlook (however, this will not backup your call logs or sms)
i am still wondering what might have caused your troubles in the first place. did you install android as a cab? if it was the new froyo x build, which comes as portable os, it should be completely wiped, when you delete the folders from the sd card, in case of the earlier cab version, you might want to try uninstalling it. in case you made the error to install it to the internal storage, the hard reset is inevitable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im running original rom
here read this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=11352461#post11352461
i think this is what caused the problem, any idea how to solve?

as mentioned before, your device is pretty screwed up and you best option is to try and backup your personal information and then perform a hard reset and format your sd card (which might have troubles due to the android incident)

Chef_Tony said:
as mentioned before, your device is pretty screwed up and you best option is to try and backup your personal information and then perform a hard reset and format your sd card (which might have troubles due to the android incident)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive reformated mem card, ive backed up my documents with activesync. Yes im a noob how do u hard reset ?

switch off the device completely (not just sleep). then while pressing both the volume keys, switch it back on. you should see a white screen with blue font giving you instructions on how to reset the device to factory defaults.

Chef_Tony said:
switch off the device completely (not just sleep). then while pressing both the volume keys, switch it back on. you should see a white screen with blue font giving you instructions on how to reset the device to factory defaults.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks now gt android but im using the blackstone henge rom is this a good rom?