Since I have seen alot of individuals within ROM threads stating things such as, "Your ROM bricked my phone." or "I can't get your new ROM to install." decided to make this guide. Hopefully it will solve this issue and help educate people.
What not flasing correctly can do:
1. Cause your phone not to boot
2. Cause Force closes and issues
3. POSSIBLY Brick your phone (though I have not seen an Eris Brick yet)
We must also remember that:
1. The devs of these ROMs are NOT responsible for any damage to your phone
2. The devs spend alot of time with testing to make sure the ROM works.
3. A ROM will NOT always flash over a previous ROM
OK.. So onto the main topic..
assuming you are rooted and using AMON's Recovery. I suggest AMON's because Clockwork has had recent issues. Big thanks to AMON for this!
How to install a ROM properly:
1. Boot into recovery ( with either reboot to recovery option or powerdown and then holding volume up and power )
2. Goto Backup/Restore and do a NAND Back-Up
3. Do a data/factory wipe ( NOTE: if the dev says you can flash over an old version you dont NEED to do this, but if you don't do this and the ROM is not booting then I suggest you restart this process [minus the back-up] and do a data/factory wipe)
4. Do a Dalvik Wipe... 3 times (ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS do this)
5. Flash ROM
6. Reboot and Wait ( after a Dalvik wipe and flashing ROMs first boot can take 3+ minutes to load... BE PATIENT )
More to Come...
If you could, please explain what a Dalvik flash does. Thanks in adavnce, and thanks for this thread. I've never had any issues flashing, but it's nice to see someone explain the basics....
MOS95B said:
If you could, please explain what a Dalvik flash does. Thanks in adavnce, and thanks for this thread. I've never had any issues flashing, but it's nice to see someone explain the basics....
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"Dalvik cache is a program cache area for the program Dalvik. Dalvik is a java based virtual machine that is the bases for running your programs (the ones that have the .apk extension). In order to make access times faster (because there's not JIT (just in time) compiler installed by default), the Dalvik-cache is the result of Dalvik doing a optimization of the running program." - Taken From Android forums
Basically it analyzes the phone before it boots. Then it sees what apps you have and will use and assigns cache to them. This way they will load quickly and properly.
When you flash a new ROM apps can change, or if you do a data/factory reset those apps are gone. SO wiping the Dalvik allows it to rebuild itself for what YOU are using.
This is also good to do after cleaning out or removing many unused apps from the phone. I usually do it once a week AT LEAST.
With the exception of a 2.1 ROM running apps2sd on an ext partition, is there really any point to wipe Dalvik if you have just done a wipe data/factory reset (which also wipes Dalvik cache)? And what exactly is the point of wiping Dalvik three times - why is once not enough? Is there something wrong with Amon Recovery which prevents a full Dalvik wipe unless you do it more than once?
It certainly doesn't hurt to wipe Dalvik after a wipe data/factory reset, but it should be already wiped.
I'm still fairly new, but I've flashed quite a bit. I didn't know to wipe dalvik x3. that's an interesting bit of info. Any reason why? Thanks
lp4261 said:
I'm still fairly new, but I've flashed quite a bit. I didn't know to wipe dalvik x3. that's an interesting bit of info. Any reason why? Thanks
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Safety reasons... personally I do factory then dalvik 3x then factory again and dalvik 3x again.
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
I tried this and now I have a paper weight lol j/k
tazzpatriot said:
I tried this and now I have a paper weight lol j/k
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My plan worked
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
I believe the reason is that sometimes even after a wipe people have reported residual data in the cache, I personally don't do it three times but I do a wipe, dalvik, dalvik, wipe.
Its not going to hurt anything and it gives me piece of mind.
Delvaris said:
I believe the reason is that sometimes even after a wipe people have reported residual data in the cache, I personally don't do it three times but I do a wipe, dalvik, dalvik, wipe.
Its not going to hurt anything and it gives me piece of mind.
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cool. Thanks for the good info.
x3? I do once before and once after. Frankly once before has been enough for me... though I suppose being safe has never hurt.
If the dalvik cache still won't clear after 3 times you can piss on your phone. That seems to really help.
in most cases once is enough but like I said, it's not likely to hurt anything to give it a couple of wipes to make sure all the junk data is cleared.
Let me put it this way...
I wont use a public toilet just by seeing it is clean... ill clean it like twice ...
This is why I dalvik 3 times lol
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
icbeer said:
If the dalvik cache still won't clear after 3 times you can piss on your phone. That seems to really help.
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I tried that today.. now my phone wont turn on... any fix?...
Jk
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
It would be interesting for someone like Amon to comment on the need to wipe data or recovery more than one time. In my opinion, once is enough. I'm 100% confident than wipes #2, #3, and so on are wiping blank space...
hallstevenson said:
It would be interesting for someone like Amon to comment on the need to wipe data or recovery more than one time. In my opinion, once is enough. I'm 100% confident than wipes #2, #3, and so on are wiping blank space...
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I personally and others have experienced residual data... so is three too much... maybe... but its safe... two might be a better choice... this guide was made to make sure you have no issues... therefore I said three times for safety... if you want to just do it once... be my guest
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
At the risk sounding like an idiot, I must ask this:
You mention wiping the Dalvik once a week. When you do this wipe, do you replace it (flash) something over it? Or can you simply wipe then reboot.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
J&M said:
At the risk sounding like an idiot, I must ask this:
You mention wiping the Dalvik once a week. When you do this wipe, do you replace it (flash) something over it? Or can you simply wipe then reboot.
Sent from my FroyoEris using XDA App
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Yep, just wipe and boot. After wiping dalvik, it will redo your app tree or configuration if you will, just clears all the current info and rebuilds it fresh.
Great thread, people still need it I guess
workshed said:
Yep, just wipe and boot. After wiping dalvik, it will redo your app tree or configuration if you will, just clears all the current info and rebuilds it fresh.
Great thread, people still need it I guess
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Lol thanks buddy!
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App
Related
Just also help me to understand about wipe.. once you are on wipe menu you get 4 to 5 option. How do I do complete wipe. Should the first option to be selected only or all options to be selected one by one. By now I have been selecting only the first option. Is it safe to wipe the SD card with this.
Wipe factory/data settings. Wipe dalvik-cache. You've now completely wiped your handset.
what exactly is in the dalvik-cache? are there times you wouldn't want to wipe the dalvik?
polo79 said:
what exactly is in the dalvik-cache? are there times you wouldn't want to wipe the dalvik?
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http://dbhcreative.com/blog/?tag=dalvik-cache
my understanding is that it is used by the java virtual machine for temp data by running programs... not sure if this is correct.
in any event, there doesn't seem to be a reason not to wipe it - and i've seen many posts about a performance gain if you phone starts to get laggy by clearing it.
jkhouw1 said:
http://dbhcreative.com/blog/?tag=dalvik-cache
my understanding is that it is used by the java virtual machine for temp data by running programs... not sure if this is correct.
in any event, there doesn't seem to be a reason not to wipe it - and i've seen many posts about a performance gain if you phone starts to get laggy by clearing it.
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thanks a lot!
There has been some confusion over whether ClockworkMod Recovery actually wipes the dalvik-cache correctly. I decided to test it myself. I booted into CW recovery, fired up ADB, and mounted /data. Looking inside /data/dalvik-cache I saw a list of .dex files (the cache, of course). So I unmounted, then used the CW menu to wipe the dalvik-cache. Note, this is NOT just the "wipe cache" option on the main menu. This is a separate option under "advanced." Then I re-mounted /data and looked again . . . and the dalvik-cache directory was completely gone. Rebooting into Android and looking again, it was back (rebuilt) after a long-ish boot time (rebuilding phase), so I'm sure that at least my install of CW v2.5.0.1 is wiping the dalvik-cache just fine.
If you're still not sure, you could use ADB to wipe the cache yourself:
Code:
adb shell
mount /data
rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*
Then you can use the Clockwork menu to wipe everything else and flash your ROM. These three commands actually just delete everything inside the dalvik-cache directory, whereas Clockwork appears to remove the directory entirely. Doesn't really matter either way, the system will replace the directory if it gets deleted.
Feel free to replicate my results. That's how science works.
UPDATE: Just did a similar test with the "wipe data/factory reset" menu option. This actually wipes the entire /data directory, which includes the dalvik-cache, so doing a dalvik wipe would be redundant if you're doing a full data wipe anyway. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks I've never had any problems with clockwork, but it seems like there has been a pox on its name since my arrival to the android/evo community.
In particular, I always wondering if I was just being overly redundant going into the advanced menu and wiping dalvik cache ON TOP of a data/cache wipe when flashing a new rom. I'm gonna trust your experiment and stop doing it!
vladthedog said:
Thanks I've never had any problems with clockwork, but it seems like there has been a pox on its name since my arrival to the android/evo community.
In particular, I always wondering if I was just being overly redundant going into the advanced menu and wiping dalvik cache ON TOP of a data/cache wipe when flashing a new rom. I'm gonna trust your experiment and stop doing it!
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Can't argue with empty directories. The only possible catch would be if there is a dalvik-cache log or something elsewhere outside of /data, but I'm 99.7% sure just doing a "data wipe / factory reset" will wipe dalvik no problem. Still do the other "wipe cache" option as well, though.
Oh I will..I'm just lazy and if I don't have to go ALL the way into the advanced menu too wipe my dalvik I will feel a whole lot better about the world
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
redundancy never hurt anybody
when you clear the dalvik are you supposed to get some sort of confirmation. whenever i clear it ask me i want to and when i reply yes, it just goes back to the menu. idk if anything actually is happening. (is this what you guys are referring to?)
Yes, that's what we're talking about. Mine is the same way, but it appears to be fine. For one thing, if you do a data wipe first, the dalvik cache goes with it so there would be no real delay even if you then tried to clear it separately. It's already gone. But there should be some sort of confirmation added to the next update, IMO.
crakerjaks said:
redundancy never hurt anybody
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I always wipe at least twice, it's cleaner. No one likes leaving any bits behind after wiping only once.
firemedic1343 said:
I always wipe at least twice, it's cleaner. No one likes leaving any bits behind after wiping only once.
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Ah, aha, yes. Very good.
crakerjaks said:
redundancy never hurt anybody
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Click to collapse
redundancy never hurt anybody
TheBundo said:
redundancy never hurt anybody
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Click to collapse
I thought it killed the cat?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
For a couple of months I was under the impression the first wipe option in recovery (been using Amon RA's) totally cleared out *everything* while the other two options cleared out both cache's.
Now, I've been flashing roms almost daily for two months and now I feel stupid.
It didn't hit me until just now that even if I wipe all three multiple times, I can still boot into the rom.
It probably doesn't matter, but out of curiosity; is it possible to completely wipe a rom out of your memory?
Edit - oops wrong forum, meant for Q & A sorry mod please move =x
I was under the impression that it should be deleteing everything... Try clockwork.
I think when you flash a new rom, it completes the wipe. Not a dev though.
Sent from my FROYO'D EVO using xda app
I know this is not a development thread but I must insist we have something like this in this area. I would ask a mod to keep this sticky or maybe link to it from another sticky thread. I feel it's important to all development for accurate results and debug information.
I see this all the time. People think they are fully wiping when a developer asks for it. I believe that some people still don't understand what a full wipe is because there is no such single option in ClockWorkMod Recovery. Most likely the reason for that is because Koush didn't want too many posts about "I'm stuck on Google logo" or "my phone won't boot". So here is a test you can do yourself: Backup your ROM of course, and then do a full wipe. Then don't install anything and just reboot. If you end up pass the Google logo and onto the boot loop screen, then what you think is a full wipe is incorrect. If you are stuck on the Google logo and nothing is happening however, then congratulations... you know what you're doing
For the rest of you, here are proper steps to fully wipe without leaving any trace of ROM on your phone:
wipe data/factory reset
format /system
format /boot
Now most people think that the first option is enough. That may often be the case but because the developer can drastically change the contents of the /system folder, things can get messed up if you don't format it. And guess what, that first option will not do it. Wipe data/factory reset only wipes the /data folder which contains your personal settings and all the apps you installed. The ROM is then left blank as if you just flashed it and you can start over. FYI, the format of boot partition simply wipes the boot animation and you can restore it using the advance option in recovery from ROM to another.
I've seen some zip files which do this automatically so that's fine but at least you know what needs to be done to fully wipe.
There you go. I hope this clears some things. Now lets flash some ROMs!
Thank you
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Sticky please!
I follow the above wipe method for my Epic Touch 4G,SGSII, with the exception of flashing Calkulins Format All.zip at the very end and i havent experienced any issues yet. Hope i didnt just jinx myself...
Simple, yet I'm sure beginners miss it. I also vote for a sticky.
Isn't the dalvik cache stored in the /data partition?
Hence, factory reset necessarily wipes dalvik but wipe dalvik only wipes the dalvik portion of the data partition?
Sent from my Sammy Nexus 4G using XDA App
all we need is a zip that does all of that and were good!!
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
no need to wipe when restoring?
Or use amonRA. Best recovery yet.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
donsh00tmesanta said:
no need to wipe when restoring?
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Click to collapse
Nope, restoring will format each partition before it restores it.
+1 for sticky
This is one reason I like the cwm mods...all the wipe options are in one place
kdepro said:
Isn't the dalvik cache stored in the /data partition?
Hence, factory reset necessarily wipes dalvik but wipe dalvik only wipes the dalvik portion of the data partition?
Sent from my Sammy Nexus 4G using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Yeah. Forgot that its the case. Op edited. Only 3 steps now.
Hi I really like your thread!
Can I post a similar thread on the Vibrant forum? I'll give you credit!
Sent from my Surround.
Does anyone know the edify syntax off the top of their head to properly accomplish this? most of my attempts haven't seemed to work. would they all be formatted EMMC, even SDcard and system?
Or switch to a better recovery.
http://rzdroid.com/ftp/recovery/gingerbread/2.1.4/RZR-2.1.4-download.html
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
VeryCoolAlan said:
Hi I really like your thread!
Can I post a similar thread on the Vibrant forum? I'll give you credit!
Sent from my Surround.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem go ahead. The more people know the better.
pfer10 said:
Or switch to a better recovery.
http://rzdroid.com/ftp/recovery/gingerbread/2.1.4/RZR-2.1.4-download.html
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
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I prefer kush's recovery. And this is a feature as far as I'm concerned. I usually don't do system format but when doing beta or alfa testing this is a must.
really2 good post man.. i've flash rom with full wipe as u said.. thanks a lot dude..
oICSv43 - *Matri1x* v13.0
Thanks. I never realized i should format the /boot. I have never done that.
Evo_Shift said:
Thanks. I never realized i should format the /boot. I have never done that.
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Well technically you shouldn't have to but this thread is about a full wipe so to wipe any traces you need to wipe it.
Gentlemen,
I am having great difficult when I wipe prior to installing a new ROM. I obviously am doing to much and on both occasions that I have done this on my N7 have lost everything including my backups and operating system. I am left with just TWRP which worked great for me on my KF so I am not blaming it.
Would someone please be kind enough to tell me exactly which areas to wipe because I like to experiment with different ROMs but can't stand the stress involved of wiping out the complete device again. I am 70 years old and my heart can't take it!
Thanks in advance.
wipe data, factory reset. thats all. dont wipe anything on the sd. you only need to wipe data when flashing 2 different roms, not when updating your current rom.
damn, youre older than me. and i though that i was the old man here. guess not :silly:
simms22 said:
wipe data, factory reset. thats all. dont wipe anything on the sd. you only need to wipe data when flashing 2 different roms, not when updating your current rom.
damn, youre older than me. and i though that i was the old man here. guess not :silly:
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the help. Should have started this when I was younger I guess hahaha
Always wipe north/south, then follow up with a wet wipe. Helps.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app