Backup before an hard reset? - Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General

Is there a way to backup all my contacts and settings on the micro SD before i hard reset my device?
Thanks.

yes.
spb backup and / or dotfred's pimbackup

bbobeckyj said:
yes.
spb backup and / or dotfred's pimbackup
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Click to collapse
PRECISELY!! I do automatic backups with both on my Wizard at 2am & 2:30am every day (respectively).
Just to see if they REALLY, REALLY work, I reflashed today with the SAME ROM I've been running -- the X-plore 1.1. Then, applied both backups. I only had to reset up my emails accounts and was back up and running in under 20 minutes. Sure beat the usual 3 hours I was spending having to reinstall everything.

newbie2 said:
..I only had to reset up my emails accounts and was back up and running in under 20 minutes. Sure beat the usual 3 hours I was spending having to reinstall everything.
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I used Sprite Backup to restore my phone after flashing to Black 3.5 from 3.0. It has a Device Upgrade option. It took no longer than 5 minutes and the phone is exactly like it was before the upgrade.

remofo said:
I used Sprite Backup to restore my phone after flashing to Black 3.5 from 3.0. It has a Device Upgrade option. It took no longer than 5 minutes and the phone is exactly like it was before the upgrade.
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yes apparently sprite is better, (but i started to try it and it looked like you needed a pc to run it, and therefore no stand alone restorer, so i gave up on it - please correct me if i'm wrong), but spb is free for the first 5 uses

bbobeckyj said:
yes apparently sprite is better, (but i started to try it and it looked like you needed a pc to run it, and therefore no stand alone restorer, so i gave up on it - please correct me if i'm wrong), but spb is free for the first 5 uses
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a PC to install it to your device. Once installed it is stand-alone. There's also a PC agent to do it all from your PC if you wish. It makes the flash & restore process very quick & easy. The only thing you may have to do is delete some unneeded items from your StartUp folder. Sprite also has a free trial.

Related

Saving all of the phone settings

I'm coming from a Treo 650, which when it was synced saved all of the phone settings as well as the normal data exchanged when a sync is done. This came in very handy when I had to get a replacement Treo because all I had to do was sync the new phone and all of my previous settings were there.
In trying to figure out why the wi-fi on my Wizard is not working I've tried several different firmwares without any success. I'm going to take the phone to a T-Mobile store tonight to see if they'll exchange it for me. I've made a lot of configuration settings in the phone that are going to be a pain to reset again (after having done it numerous times with different firmware versions). Is there a way to backup and restore all of the phones settings at once? I assume that this would involve backing up and restoring the phone's registry. Is it as simple as copying the registry off the phone with something like Total Commander and then putting that registry back (with the same firmware and software, of course) on the new phone?
I tried spb Backup recently and it seems to restore everything. They have got a free trial for like 30 days, which should be enough for your purpose, but you need a mini SD to backup to.
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/backup/?en
I do not know if any issues arise when you try to restore to a different device than the one the backup was originating from. I *guess* it should work alright, but you can ask the folks at spb. They seem to be pretty responsive.
HTH
Volker
Yes use spb backup, registry backup alone will not do the job. Spb backup will work fine as long as device is the same model and the ROM is the same.
Full restore
I use SPB Backup and have done several full restores. When I install software, I first do a backup, install teh software, and if it doesn't work well (an all too common phenomenon), I do a hard reset and restore, since it is hard to remove software otherwise.
No settings need changing, it is a full backup.

SPB Backup Meltdown

SPB backup has a reset problem written about elsewhere, but mostly it has worked for me. More importantly, when I had to do a hard reset, I was able to restore without difficulty. (The only times I've had to do a hard reset, however, was when SPB backup got in a reset cycle.)
This time, however, was different. Partway into the soft reset, the screen went blank and unresponsive. Something was happening because the phone light came on later, but it stayed unresponsive. After a hard reset, it would work normally, but when I tried to restore from a backup, it didn't work -- the same problem reappeared. This happened even with old backups, including a backup that I had used successfully in the past.
Is there some possibility that T-Mobile updated something without my knowledge? I don't see how an old backup that worked before wouldn't work now.
One thing that might be related: SPB was going to the web in the process of performing the restore. When I shut off GPRS, the program asked for permission, saying it needed something related to Pocket Plus.
In any event, I used my inability to restore from my backup (of course I could get my files and PIM data, just the settings wouldn't restore) as a chance to upgrade to 2.24 -- thanks Xelecin!!!.
Here is what I learned. Don't run SPB Backup from the SD card. Even if it seems to work and gives no error messages, it may not be working.
SPB Diary and SPB Today require a lot of space and time. TodayAgenda gives much of the same functionality as SPB Diary
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=55296&highlight=todayagenda
and I like some aspects of it better. It is even free.

can't restore back up

im using sprite back up, and it keeps failing when i restore.
can anyone recommend something better?
thanks
SPB
SPB seems to work fine, provided you install it on the device and not the PC card. What is annoying is that there is no error message when you run it off the SD card, it just doesn't restore properly. It seems to work fine otherwise. I use it pretty much because I create a backup before installing software, then if I don't like it, I do a hard reset and restore from the backup, so I use it pretty often.
It has one other feature worth noting. If I need to roll back several days, I can install the settings from that time, then the files and calendar items from a more recent backup. That way, only settings changed in the last few days are lost.
I back up to the SD card but periodically, and manually, move the old backups to my PC. SPB automatically makes a backup every night (stored on the SD card) and keeps the most recent three nights' worth.
Still, I learned the hard way that it won't run off the SD card properly, and had to rebuild the device. (I did get files and PIM items, though.) The silver lining was that I used the opportunity to upgrade my ROM.
spb hangs on me, during start up.
it just stays frozen on the today screen...
sucks...
That happened to me,
Did you have the program installed on the SD card?
There was a bug, allegedly fixed now, that caused it to restart another backup after making a backup. This could be interrupted.
You might try version 1.5 that just came out, but others like Sprite. I didn't like Sprite because it had conniptions over the fact that I sync with two pcs.

Hard reset: check for safety

Hi there,
I've found a lot of information on the wiki and this forum, and maybe it's because I don't have any experience with this, but I'm still nervous about doing a hard reset... Yeah laugh if you like
I want to perform a hard reset because I've messed around with my HD a lot and want to start with a clean installation.
Because I already once lost all my contacts I just want check if I'll be allright if I do the following:
- All applications (cab), music, photo's, documents placed on storage card
- PIMBackup to make a backup of my contacts
I don't have any troubles reconfiguring my e-mail accounts.
But really, this is it? Or do I miss something? I can't come up with anything more I'd need to backup. Any tips?
Thanks in advance!
dusdus said:
Hi there,
I've found a lot of information on the wiki and this forum, and maybe it's because I don't have any experience with this, but I'm still nervous about doing a hard reset... Yeah laugh if you like
I want to perform a hard reset because I've messed around with my HD a lot and want to start with a clean installation.
Because I already once lost all my contacts I just want check if I'll be allright if I do the following:
- All applications (cab), music, photo's, documents placed on storage card
- PIMBackup to make a backup of my contacts
I don't have any troubles reconfiguring my e-mail accounts.
But really, this is it? Or do I miss something? I can't come up with anything more I'd need to backup. Any tips?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off welcome to XDA.
There is various backup software available which you can use. Best free one would be Sashimi which can be used to backup everything including contacts, emails, apps installed, registry changes, settings. However this takes a bit of settings up first time unfortunately. Another free backup tool is PIMBackup which can be used to backup contacts & emails.
There is also 3rd party backup apps like SPB Backup, Resco Backup & Sprite. A word of caution using these though. You can only really use these for contacts, emails etc as changing between roms means settings, registries etc would not be the same on each rom, so if you where to perform a full backup including settings, apps installed etc and then perform a full restore this could cause complications when changing between roms
Thanks a lot Enough confirmation to run it this evening.
I'm not feeling like changing to another ROM. I can't decide what ROM is a decent one, there's too much choice and too much testing involved. I've worked a lot with Linux and used a lot of beta-software, which ended in endless errorsolving. I kinda want a lite ROM which simply works. I already spend 3 hours reading the forum today (I love my job ;-) and can't find the right reasons to choose a lite and stable ROM
So I'll guess I'm going back to the original state of the phone as it was when I bought it a year ago. Or is there any ROM you'd specifically recommend?
All I do is sync with outlook. Then hard reset. It's then just a case of installing what apps you want and re-syncing. simples. By doing it that way you will only get back on your device what you actually want.
Freypal said:
All I do is sync with outlook. Then hard reset. It's then just a case of installing what apps you want and re-syncing. simples. By doing it that way you will only get back on your device what you actually want.
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Click to collapse
Yes this is very true, but if you use Sashimi, whole process can be done in 5-10 mins, i.e. everything from flashing to having apps installed, settings changed etc. Only difficulty with Sashimi is the initial setup of it.

built in backup is worthless

8 days after i got my HTC One, the software broke on the phone... Lockscreen stopped working.
So 12 days after i got i (today) - i decided to Factory Restore the phone.
I made sure that everything on the phone is synced and backed up, using ALL the built in backup/sync options...
2 hours later i deeply regret my decision ... or... let's say i'm much wiser now...
- All Text messages are gone
- All Pictures are gone
- All music is gone
- All app settings are gone
- All contacts are more or less reset to sqare-1
But luckily... The phone remembered the placement of Widgets, Icons, Shortcuts and mostly what apps i had installed... how great...
I don't understand how you Android people can live with this ??
There's alot of 3rd party apps to backup your phone. And personally I really don't use these backups at all in fact nobody can even force me to use it. I just feel uncomfortable putting all my messages, contacts, pictures and whatever stuff to some nobody knows what cloud service they use
And ohh by the way I use android tuner and my computer for my backup needs.
Riyal said:
There's alot of 3rd party apps to backup your phone. And personally I really don't use these backups at all in fact nobody can even force me to use it. I just feel uncomfortable putting all my messages, contacts, pictures and whatever stuff to some nobody knows what cloud service they use
And ohh by the way I use android tuner and my computer for my backup needs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed "Sandisk Memory Zone" which is able to backup 'SOME' of my data to Skydrive, Dropbox and 8 other online services as well as SD-cards.. I did backup some of my stuff using that service... but not all
Yea - when talking to Droid people, they like to setup their own backup plan...
what i dont understand is why they want that ??
With iPhone i synced with iTunes and ALL setting.. i literally mean ALL SETTINGS... was backed up..
If i lost my iPhone, i plugged a new one into iTunes and 1 hour later im off as if nothing happened... i would love to have such a solution with my HTC One...
Montago said:
8 days after i got my HTC One, the software broke on the phone... Lockscreen stopped working.
So 12 days after i got i (today) - i decided to Factory Restore the phone.
I made sure that everything on the phone is synced and backed up, using ALL the built in backup/sync options...
2 hours later i deeply regret my decision ... or... let's say i'm much wiser now...
- All Text messages are gone
- All Pictures are gone
- All music is gone
- All app settings are gone
- All contacts are more or less reset to sqare-1
But luckily... The phone remembered the placement of Widgets, Icons, Shortcuts and mostly what apps i had installed... how great...
I don't understand how you Android people can live with this ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We live with this by reading up on what the backup will backup. You got a new phone and new apps and you didn't bother finding out what they do? I went to HTC's website and found out exactly what it did, and acted accordingly when I used the backup feature. Never lost a single image.
There are plenty of solutions for full and reliable backup on Android phone. If you are rooted, then go for Titanium Backup or MyBackup, really straight forward, no need for PC.
If you are not rooted then go for Helium (formerly known as Carbon). You need the app installed on PC/Mac as well.
If you just want to backup your messages/call logs, go for SMS Backup and Restore; and CallLog Backup and Restore, no need for root.
You do not need to backup your contacts if you are using Google account, you can setup your phone contacts to your Google account.
As for the pictures, Dropbox or Google+ have automatic upload for them.
For audio files, there are even apps which can sync with iTunes.
ArmedandDangerous said:
We live with this by reading up on what the backup will backup. You got a new phone and new apps and you didn't bother finding out what they do? I went to HTC's website and found out exactly what it did, and acted accordingly when I used the backup feature. Never lost a single image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As an IT professional i have no problems doing all that - i just thought i didn't have to... maybe i'm spoiled by Apple / IOS / iTunes...
but what about Mr and Mrs Noobster ... or even the random Joe who got an Android because he dislikes Apple for whatever reason... those people loose everything eventhough their phone says to them that everything is backed up...
Montago said:
As an IT professional i have no problems doing all that - i just thought i didn't have to... maybe i'm spoiled by Apple / IOS / iTunes...
but what about Mr and Mrs Noobster ... or even the random Joe who got an Android because he dislikes Apple for whatever reason... those people loose everything eventhough their phone says to them that everything is backed up...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the backup and reset feature specifically says "Back up app data, Wi-Fi passwords, and other settings to Google servers", and if you select HTC Account it says "Back up settings, accounts & passwords, bookmarks and apps daily over Wi-Fi".
This is a HTC feature, not an "Android" feature. Apple owns every phone they produce, and thus they can have a unified architecture for their apps and media/backup functions. I'm not defending HTC, or Android. God knows we need a standard backup service that basically copies our whole phone.
encho said:
There are plenty of solutions for full and reliable backup on Android phone. If you are rooted, then go for Titanium Backup or MyBackup, really straight forward, no need for PC.
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Click to collapse
will check em out. thanks !
encho said:
If you are not rooted then go for Helium (formerly known as Carbon). You need the app installed on PC/Mac as well.
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Click to collapse
nice - but seems like it doesn't backup everything
encho said:
If you just want to backup your messages/call logs, go for SMS Backup and Restore; and CallLog Backup and Restore, no need for root.
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Yeah - seems like i need a 7th program to backup my SMS/Call logs ... jebus !
encho said:
You do not need to backup your contacts if you are using Google account, you can setup your phone contacts to your Google account.
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Click to collapse
Apparently i do... i DID sync my contacts with Google - but i lost some !?!?
encho said:
As for the pictures, Dropbox or Google+ have automatic upload for them.
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Click to collapse
Yes -- BUT they don't exactly sync BACK to the phone... they just get uploaded to Dropbox / Google+ where they are kind of 'useless'...
HTC One with Sense5 has features like ZOE - and all my data for creating Zoe's are now gone -- or maybe i can transfer my pictures/albums BACK to my One ??
encho said:
For audio files, there are even apps which can sync with iTunes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC Sync is able to sync FROM itunes to the One ... but doesn't remember my sync options like iTunes... meaning i have to re-do everything manually
Sandisk Memory Zone is able to sync my music to the cloud - but i don't know if it also restore my playlists and stuff like that
all in all i'm not that impressed with Android so far
Those were just the options you have, you don't actually need to use "7th app" for anything. I just showed that if you need to backup ONLY sms/calls that you can do that. Titanium Backup for example can backup everything except the files. For files I suggest you use FolderSync which can backup to any cloud out there, including your own ftp/dav/s3/samba folder.
Or you can go back to iPhone and regret it
The lockscreen stops functioning correctly if you turn on an accessibility option in settings. Example would be turning on the Pebble smartwatch accessibility feature.
mjm128 said:
The lockscreen stops functioning correctly if you turn on an accessibility option in settings. Example would be turning on the Pebble smartwatch accessibility feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is what happened...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2291734
do you think its caused by accessibility ?
This is bad
On my sgs3 with samsung account I can backup phone logs, memos, messages, calendar, bookmarks. I use Spotify so my music/playlists are always there no matter what device I'm using.
Skickat från min GT-I9300 via Tapatalk 2
If you are rooted, I'm surprised no one mentioned Rom Toolbox Pro. Backs up apps and data to internal or external storage, dropbox, box, etc...
More importantly provides a very complete tool set for installing roms, themes, and a host of other utilities to numerous to mention. Anyway, I'm not affiliated in any way, just have been using it for a long time and don't even bother with TiBackup or Rom Manager stuff anymore. Usually this is the first app I load after fresh installs to bring all my apps back.
Either your phone has software defect or you couldn't managed to use it properly. I backed up everything and quite easily.
Also remember to transfer your back ups made titanium back up or my back up pro to dropbox or your computer because when you perform a factory reset I believe it formats your internal sdcard also. So your back up is gone, too.
You shouldnt ever click the button that specifically says that it will delete the entire memory. You only need to do the normal factory reset. Backup your messages to the external storage using the built in backup in messaging and you would have been good.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
The built in backup leaves out a few things. I decided to try it on my last everyday romswap, and most things got back, but without settings, passwords and so on. Imo pretty useless.
Go for helium backup or titanium instead. If they fix it, perfect, exactly what I need
Skickat från min HTC One via Tapatalk 2
What I don't understand is since the introduction of ICS, Android has a built-in backup function accessible via ADB commands even without having to root your phone. This (as far as I'm aware) is available to ALL Android devices running 4.0 ICS or later. Why then are OEM's not including a backup function with their desktop software? If developers here on XDA can create small executable files to run a backup on our devices, then surely it can't be that difficult to integrate a similar function into something like HTC Sync??
With regards HTC Backup one the One, I haven't tried that as I used Helium backup when I reset my phone. Works perfectly even without root.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
altimax98 said:
You shouldnt ever click the button that specifically says that it will delete the entire memory. You only need to do the normal factory reset. Backup your messages to the external storage using the built in backup in messaging and you would have been good.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Well.. the scenario is: my phone is destroyed, stolen or lost in the ocean... Question is: WHAT exactly did i loose ?
apparently, using "backup" on the phone, only saves me a list of programs that i downloaded - all userdata is gone !!!!!!
Dharkan said:
Either your phone has software defect or you couldn't managed to use it properly. I backed up everything and quite easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good for you - now tell us your secret ?!
did you use a 3rd party backup program ?
was rooting necessary ?
did you use more than one program ?
apparently backup / sync is not implemented out of the box on Android...
BTW... YES... i'm new to Android so i'm 100% sure i'm doing things wrong
Montago said:
Well.. the scenario is: my phone is destroyed, stolen or lost in the ocean... Question is: WHAT exactly did i loose ?
apparently, using "backup" on the phone, only saves me a list of programs that i downloaded - all userdata is gone !!!!!!
good for you - now tell us your secret ?!
did you use a 3rd party backup program ?
was rooting necessary ?
did you use more than one program ?
apparently backup / sync is not implemented out of the box on Android...
BTW... YES... i'm new to Android so i'm 100% sure i'm doing things wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's what I did basically. I used the built-in SMS backup feature, manually forced a whatsapp backup (only the automatic 4am backup is saved on SD, unless you force a backup) and backed up my contacts with Go Contacts (I just don't know how Google Contacts work, just wasn't ever that reliable to me). With these 3 done, I did the Backup & Reset thing. Then I copied my whole SD to my hard drive. Done

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