Database Users

Spb Backup too "smart"?

I'm using Spb Backup to make full backups. So far it's OK I even tried to restore after HR and it always worked.
Recently I made another full backup and upgraded to the latest stock ROM from SE service site.
Made restore... I mean the full restore and now I'm trying to figure out did I ruin the ROM upgrade?
I do understand that Spb Backup doesn't change the ROM itself. But what happen when I restore the full backup made with previous R2A to my X1i upgraded to R3A? Does it somehow substitute system files of the newer WinMobile 6.1 R3A with older files from 6.1 R2A?
I don't want to use partial restores (PIM etc.) as soon as it's a long and difficult process to restore all the software and features installed.
Thanks in advice.

The general recommendation is to have a clean start on a new ROM and not to restore from backups - for precisely the reasons you say.
It is indeed a long chore to reinstall everything, but that's the safest way to ensure a clean start.
Some backup programs claim to be able to do upgrade restores, but I've never had much success with them.

Understood. Thanks.

this probably isn't much help but I recently put the r3a on a new xperia from this site then used spb to restore a previous backup from r2a on my previous phone straight from the exe backup (did not install spb backup first).
The only problem i encountered was having to reinstall 1 or 2 applications.

sms2000 said:
I'm using Spb Backup to make full backups. So far it's OK I even tried to restore after HR and it always worked.
Recently I made another full backup and upgraded to the latest stock ROM from SE service site.
Made restore... I mean the full restore and now I'm trying to figure out did I ruin the ROM upgrade?
I do understand that Spb Backup doesn't change the ROM itself. But what happen when I restore the full backup made with previous R2A to my X1i upgraded to R3A? Does it somehow substitute system files of the newer WinMobile 6.1 R3A with older files from 6.1 R2A?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an old and somewhat hoary question.
In short, ROM upgrades always re-organise chunks of the Registry from earlier ROM's. So restoring a previous backup over a ROM upgrade risks conflict with these changes
There are several safer methods for rebuilding on a new ROM:
1) use UC ... many, many posts on this + a 150+ page thread
2) there is a thread on this X1 sub-forum showing how to use a \2577 folder on the card to re-install CAB's as an automated process (Flashaholics Anonymous, I think)
3) if you have most apps installed on the card, a lot will run without re-installation, or at least just the addition of SN etc. Then they won't show up in the "Remove Programs" utility, but to de-install, just delete the folder from the card and then delete the shortcut.
I keep a relatively up-to-date copy of all \Windows\Start Menu\Programs shortcuts in a mirror folder set on the card so restoring these is simple
To test the differences in Registry, use the "Compare" function in the excellent freeware editor CeRegEditor

You will eventually find a bug if you restore a backup file after changing rom versions.

There is a "Force ROM update" mode in the options when you restore. I've never tried it because I like the idea of a clean install when i upgrade a ROM. But if your keen, give it ago.

Scott Whitmore said:
There is a "Force ROM update" mode in the options when you restore. I've never tried it because I like the idea of a clean install when i upgrade a ROM. But if your keen, give it ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And report back with your findnings
I've always wanted to try it, but am too scared

That's a problem that I have no problems...
I restored full SpbBackup without "ROM restore". System reports it's R3A, but Windows Mobile version seems to be the same with R2A. Should it be the same or not?
First I upgraded, second - I restored my backup and only third - I decided to ask this question.
OK with another system Registry organization, I can understand it very well but why any major changes from any 6.1 to another 6.1?
Jumping from 6.1 to 6.5 may and should introduce completely new Registry hives.
Still after restoring full Spb Backup everything works fine, including Hebrew support and fonts, iGo8.3 with A-GPS, additional panels etc.
Anybody with stock [ENG] R3A, please report your Windows Mobile version?

It isn't the operating system that changes - it is all the configurations, tweaks and add-ons that change.
The base OS will still be WM6.1, but there are lots of things that HTC and SE have thrown in to customise the device, and change the look and feel of it, but underneath the hood it is still basically WM6.1.
Your problem will be that you took a backup of the R2AA version which will include lots of settings, registry tweaks, software versions and suchlike. When you restore this over R3AA then you might find that the new and (hopefully) improved R3AA settings/files/whatever get overwritten with the old R2AA settings/files/whatever.
You may be okay and never notice the difference, or you might run into any number of problems...freezes, lockups, crashes, instabilities...and you're unlikely to ever figure out why.
Hence, the generally accepted wisdom is to use backup restorations to test experimental ROM upgrades, but to install from scratch if you decide to settle on a different ROM.

I think the only thing that will harm your system is when you choose to merge the old registry values with the new one. It's all the registry settings that can get confused with the new ROM.

Mr Anderson said:
It isn't the operating system that changes - it is all the configurations, tweaks and add-ons that change.
The base OS will still be WM6.1, but there are lots of things that HTC and SE have thrown in to customise the device, and change the look and feel of it, but underneath the hood it is still basically WM6.1.
Your problem will be that you took a backup of the R2AA version which will include lots of settings, registry tweaks, software versions and suchlike. When you restore this over R3AA then you might find that the new and (hopefully) improved R3AA settings/files/whatever get overwritten with the old R2AA settings/files/whatever.
You may be okay and never notice the difference, or you might run into any number of problems...freezes, lockups, crashes, instabilities...and you're unlikely to ever figure out why.
Hence, the generally accepted wisdom is to use backup restorations to test experimental ROM upgrades, but to install from scratch if you decide to settle on a different ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But isn't it fine to restore just emails, contacts, tasks?
Without all the tweaks, settings...

doministry said:
But isn't it fine to restore just emails, contacts, tasks?
Without all the tweaks, settings...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yes, that kind of stuff is alright - things like emails, PIM data and any other database files used by the software (stuff like saved game files, SplashID databases, saved settings for things like PhoneWeaver, PocketPlus etc).
If you sift through the backup and do selective restoration of just the databases then you should be fine.
It's mainly the registry settings you have to worry about, as poetryrocksalot says. However, you should also avoid restoring anything which comes with the HTC or SE customisations (such as panels, HTC task manager etc) because you risk losing newer software versions and could introduce incompatibilities between old/new files.

SPB BackUp +100,000, Sprite Backup -100,000

So I decided to update my ROM.
http://www.htc.com/sea/SupportDownload.aspx?p_id=250&cat=2&dl_id=627
Have been using SPB Backup since day 1 I got my phone and have successfully used it few times to restore my data when some software corrupted another part of the phone. Finally I found out today from HTC's website after trying my phone's serial number several times under different countries that my ROM's will be from Singapore.
Got the ROM above (107.2) and saw few hotfixes as well. I already download the +SMS fix because a kind soul uploaded the cab file on xda.
So eager to have my TP2 show 288MB of RAM and the Yahoo stock update, I went to the download page. There I saw that I could also download Sprite backup tool recommended by HTC which was free for HTC Singapore users. Downloaded and Installed, did a backup and thought, great after my ROM upgrade is done, will restore the backup which will restore everything (themes, registry, menus, software etc).
Well WRONG. After the ROM update, ran Sprite back up. Gave me few options. Restore personal data, level 1, level 2 and level 3. Well I needed Level 3 to restore everything including registry since I had so much crap installed on my phone like TomTom and so many other software. Sprite back up failed miserably with a miserable error. "Cannot restore, error".
I was like 'oh shyte'. Lucky for me I take SPB Backup's before I install a software that I think might conflict or might give me problems afterwards. I had a 3rd august backup on my storage card and my laptop. Tried restoring that and VOILA, everything restored fine. Tomtom runs fine, all the software is still there, no registry errors so far, themes, menu layout etc.
Oh and after the restore I did check my ROM version again, it had changed back from 107.2 to 107.1 (the label has changed but the actual ROM is 107.2) but the hardware is still showing 288MB
So if you are keen to upgrade but think you are going to have to re-install everything from scratch after a ROM upgrade. SPB Backup is the answer. Best $$$ spent in my life.
ps - I don't think so if I will be this lucky when HTC provides free upgrade to Win Mobile 6.5 and try and restore a Win Mobile 6.1 backup on top of that. So word of caution.
Edit - I only tried Level 3 restore which apparently according to another user posted down the bottom reckons is the last resort option. Trying Level 1 would have restored fine which I never did try. So Sprite backup most prob works fine like SPB Backup.

powersquad said:
....Oh and after the restore I did check my ROM version again, it had changed back from 107.2 to 107.1 (the label has changed but the actual ROM is 107.2) but the hardware is still showing 288MB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup same here, I have updated my Europe ROM and after the sbp restore, it change back from 401.1 to 401.0. Still give me the 288MB.
btw, there is a registry entry that stored the ROM version which was overwrriten by SPB restore, you can be change back... at
HKLM/Software/OEM/ROMVersion to the correct version.

Should actually be:
SASHIMI\Manual setup +100,000, Setup using Backup Program -100,000 after ROM upgrade.
I'm not a fan of restoring all data after upgrading\flashing a ROM, as probably a lot on XDA don't. Other than that it's pretty subjective. I for one like Sprite Backup more than I do other (shareware) backup programs.
I use PIM Backup to create a backup every night at 04:00am.
Once a week Sprite Backup creates a complete backup at 01:00am. This way it's finished before PIM Backup starts again.
This is my personal setup, and it hasn't let me down for years now

I also flashed the rom update and restored my backup with sprite backup.
Worked like a charm because I used Merge level 1.
The help say,
Use level 1
In case of problem use level 2
Still problems use level 3
So I don't understand why you used level 3 and complane all the same.

deaad said:
I also flashed the rom update and restored my backup with sprite backup.
Worked like a charm because I used Merge level 1.
The help say,
Use level 1
In case of problem use level 2
Still problems use level 3
So I don't understand why you used level 3 and complane all the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never tried Level 1 and Level 2. I thought Level 3 would have done the job. hmmm my bad.
Time to update the thread .

wm6.1 to WWE 6.5 and SPB Backup

Hello, i have HTC Topaz and as the new official HTC ROM WWE 6.5 is available i want to upgrate my htc rom wm6.1 to WWE 6.5.
But when i will install this new rom all my data, program will delete in my phone.
So re-installing all programs, choose settings ... is very boring to do! That is why i want to know if i will be able to use SPB Backup (2.0.2) to recover programs, settings, and data after the upgrade.
Or if can't use SPB Backup, please give me if it is possible an other solution.
Thanks

Restoring an old configuration on a different ROM from which it was created will hardly work correctly, it is not recommended to do that. The best you can do is use PIM backup to at least restore contacts, appointments, sms, mail..
PIM Backup is just an example, any othe commercial Backup software will do the job but ONLY if you choose to make a partial backup of your personal information, NOT the system configuration.

You can also try MyPhone (http://myphone.microsoft.com/) for all your Contacts, SMS, Task, Emails and Data etc...
Thanks.

prabhat said:
You can also try MyPhone (http://myphone.microsoft.com/) for all your Contacts, SMS, Task, Emails and Data etc...
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't solve the problem: you cannot restore a WM6.1 configuration on a WM6.5 ROM, data will be lost on the way. There could be apps or tweaks working in WM6.1 that are incompatible with WM6.5, is Myphone going to "repair" them??

Thanks for all, your solutions (PIM backup, my phone) allow me to backup contacts, appointments, sms, mail...
But for programs i should to re-install alls or there is any solutions?
If there is no issues, can i use the .cab of WM6.1 for WM6.5?
In particular, for IGO and Tomtom, are they working with WM6.5?

I suggest to reinstall the programs. For compatibility issues, just try it by yourself! Install every single app and see if it works..or read the forum..I think that there shouldn't be any problem with the navigators you mentioned.

sualc said:
Restoring an old configuration on a different ROM from which it was created will hardly work correctly, it is not recommended to do that. The best you can do is use PIM backup to at least restore contacts, appointments, sms, mail..
PIM Backup is just an example, any othe commercial Backup software will do the job but ONLY if you choose to make a partial backup of your personal information, NOT the system configuration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is basically true, but Spb Backup 2 has a quite particular feature: you can restore your system even on a different device and (!) on the same device after you upgraded your ROM. I tried it and it worked. Extremely useful!

USch said:
This is basically true, but Spb Backup 2 has a quite particular feature: you can restore your system even on a different device and (!) on the same device after you upgraded your ROM. I tried it and it worked. Extremely useful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ignored it, well that's great !

USch said:
This is basically true, but Spb Backup 2 has a quite particular feature: you can restore your system even on a different device and (!) on the same device after you upgraded your ROM. I tried it and it worked. Extremely useful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An other one try it? does it work?

gaetan505 said:
An other one try it? does it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm out, I'm too happy with my Topaz config at the moment to make experiments. Besides, SPB backup doesn't work with my rom/device, I use Sprite.

However, if WM 6.5 does not like me, is it possible to come back with WM6.1 (HTC Official ROM FR of 21 july 2009)? and how to do (is a hardspl is needed as I downgrade)? Does the device will still guarantee?
Thank you

gaetan505 said:
is it possible to come back with WM6.1 (HTC Official ROM FR of 21 july 2009)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The question if offtopic here, but the answer is YES. If you downgrade to an official original 6.1 ROM for your phone you won't need HSPL. For warranty reasons, you should relock your phone by removing HSPL. Read carefully the sticky threads (that's what they made for )

How come I'm still 1.48 ROM when I've updated?

Hey guys,
In the "About My Phone" section in the settings it says that my ROM version is 1.48 when I just updated to the 1.66 version. I used SPB Backup to backup and restore all my files and settings...could that have caused it to change? When I reset my phone though the main HTC startup screen said 1.66.
WHY!!!!!!!!!!

Yes.
You should do a full backup/restore only on the same ROM, not when flashing a different one. Otherwise it will overwrite some system files with the ones of the old ROM.

dont worry about it, it is only entries in teh registry, the files themselves will most likely be fine for the most part.
However if you notice anything odd in teh next day or so, do a new backup, of just your data, not the registry so much, and do a hard reset.

Or just dont use backup tools, there mostly anoying, just make sure you have a sync source, and an autoinstall for the apps.
Quicker, easier, and less likely to cause issues than backup tools

Not Enough Memory

i've been having loads of issues since upgrading to the new stock ROM (3.14.405.2), everytime i try to open skyfire or send an MMS it gives and error saying 'not eneough memory, free up some memory and try again' i keep checking the task manager and there aren't any other apps working. the photo tab on manila hangs almost all the time as well. have tried removing CHT 2.0 but that didn't help at all...infact without CHT it dosent even seem like the same phone it.
i did a full restore using spb...not sure if that had anything to do with it.

clean up and move cache folders as described in tips and tricks thread

SreePillai said:
i've been having loads of issues since upgrading to the new stock ROM (3.14.405.2)....
i did a full restore using spb...not sure if that had anything to do with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the restore is the problem. After a ROM upgrade you can only bring your documents, contacts and calender - if you try to bring the old system files & registry as well you will have only trouble. Hard reset and start from scratch.

SreePillai said:
i've been having loads of issues since upgrading to the new stock ROM (3.14.405.2), everytime i try to open skyfire or send an MMS it gives and error saying 'not eneough memory, free up some memory and try again' i keep checking the task manager and there aren't any other apps working. the photo tab on manila hangs almost all the time as well. have tried removing CHT 2.0 but that didn't help at all...infact without CHT it dosent even seem like the same phone it.
i did a full restore using spb...not sure if that had anything to do with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I think it's not a good idea for me to upgrade to stock rom now. I am using sprite backup on 1.48.xxxx wwe rom and I am quite happy with that rom with htc updates installed manually on the device.
May be you have already tried that but if you would use sprite backup then there is an option of merge level 1 in restore options of sprite backup which will try to restore your backup to a new rom from an old rom backup (as in your case). I don't know that such option exist in spb backup as I don't use that program.
If you haven't tried it yet you may do so and I am not the promoter of sprite backup as some ppl. may take me wrong. It was just my 2 cent advice.
Thanks again.