Database Users

How to PROPERLY Flash a ROM

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....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol thanks buddy!
Sent from my ERIS using XDA App

Close please>?

if this is the wrong place for this SORRY IN ADVANCE
ok so after rooting my shift i followed all the steps got the recovery on there and downloaded a ROM and wiped everything and when the rom flashed it said error 7 instalation aborted so i hit reboot system now just to see what would happen because i did wipe everything so i was expecting to be stuck at the boot img..no problem was just playing around but the thing actually booted in a rom that looks 100% stock....what happened
even tho the ROM looks 100% stock it is def not i have adfree and esfile explorer added to app drawer now if its gonna flash the rom anyways why does cw 2.5.1 tell me its a no go with a stauts 7 i have even formatted my card to wipe it 100% and the same thing happens>?

when you "wipe" you're not wiping the rom. The data, cache etc yes. Only a rom install overwrites a prior rom. unless you format the phone.

RyteSyde said:
when you "wipe" you're not wiping the rom. The data, cache etc yes. Only a rom install overwrites a prior rom. unless you format the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah it must have just been an issue with the rom i was flashing because i flashed another one no problem thanks for that bit of info though

I had no problem flash nfinites stock rom...must have been something you did...not so much the rom...
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

JKILO said:
I had no problem flash nfinites stock rom...must have been something you did...not so much the rom...
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People that flashed the base steel posted had similiar issues. E.G. if you were on cm6 and wiped, then flashed the base, you'd boot into a fresh cm6. The partitions were setup wrong, I believe.
Sent from my Speedy Shift.

smoothtaste said:
People that flashed the base steel posted had similiar issues. E.G. if you were on cm6 and wiped, then flashed the base, you'd boot into a fresh cm6. The partitions were setup wrong, I believe.
Sent from my Speedy Shift.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok my fault...never took notice..thanks
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

I just rooted for the first time yesterday so I'm fairly new to all this... is it common practice to wipe cahce/dalvik prior to flashing any ROM?
I've gone back and forth from the stock ROM to another custom Sense ROM without wiping and no issues. Is it only advised if something goes wrong? Also, is there an issue with just going into recovery and wiping cache when NOT flashing a new ROM (just rebooting to the same one I'm using)? Thanks for the help.

HolyShift said:
I just rooted for the first time yesterday so I'm fairly new to all this... is it common practice to wipe cahce/dalvik prior to flashing any ROM?
I've gone back and forth from the stock ROM to another custom Sense ROM without wiping and no issues. Is it only advised if something goes wrong? Also, is there an issue with just going into recovery and wiping cache when NOT flashing a new ROM (just rebooting to the same one I'm using)? Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its good practice to always wipe. You may get by without it a few flashes. But eventually you'll be haunted by force closes, boot loops, etc.
Personally when I flash a new rom after the data, cache and dalvik wipes I format my boot, system, data and cache partitions manually via the mounts menu.
From experience, to truly see changes in rom updates or properly enjoy an entirely different one, this eliminates most problems before they ever manifest.
Sent from my Speedy Shift.

atrix non responsive after cm7

I was running cm7 since it was first released. I got a new phone so i decided to give my atrix to my younger brother. The problem is after i went through the process of putting the phone back to stock, there now seems to be dead zones on the phone. For example i cannot press the w,e,s, keys. Can anyone help me or tell me if i've done something wrong?

I'm not sure you did anything wrong specifically. Did you make sure the clear all the cache? How did you put stock back on it (IE. flashed stock via CWM, moto fastboot, etc)?.

Boot into recovery, wipe dalvik cache, system cache, reflash your firmware of choice, reboot.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

Ive had numerous problems with cm7 for atrix but ive found that backup everything you need with titanium backup and then just reflash the rom and wipe the data and davlik cache and it should. But yh there are lots of issues with the cm7 rom for atrix but its still in beta so dont worry too much it will be ok when there are more updates
Sam

samdrake112 said:
But yh there are lots of issues with the cm7 rom for atrix but its still in beta so dont worry too much it will be ok when there are more updates
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CM7 beta does not have the issues that the OP described so please don't let him think that's the reason.
OP, re-flash your phone with a different ROM or with CM7 again and see if it still persists.

My Wiping Problems

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:
Click to expand...
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

The Most Clean Installation Possible.

Hi guys,
"Do I need to make a full wipe?", I see this question asked over and over on development thread. And the developers patiently answer all the time. Well you can stop asking, here is the answer.
There is a lot of reason why you should do a full wipe.
1-) It prevents FC's, bootloops, gives better battery life and reduce other unexpected problems.
2-) By trying to save a little time you might end up with problems, loose a lot of time try to fix them, and finally making a wipe anyway to solve your problems.
3-) Some people just flash over their old ROM and then complain that the new ROM is buggy or Android plainly sucks. I don't think it's fair to blame hard working people(who gives you FREE products) for your own lazyness.
So why not do it right from the begining and save some time to everybody. Here is the procedure that I use(Thanks to Memnoc and DarkAdrien.) and is the most clean installation possible.
Memnoc and DarkAdrien's original post was created for battery optimization, I only re-wrote the steps that involve flashing a new ROM.
This will work with every Rom but some ROM's might ask for extra steps (fix permission, etc..), read instructions first.
1- Make backup of your current ROM. (no need to do this everytime, I keep one backup of my favorite ROM)
2- In recovery go to "mount & format" and format system.
3- Format data.
4- Format cache.
5- Go to Main menu and do "Wipe data/ Restore"
6- Wipe cache partition.
7- Go to Advance and wipe calvik cache.
8- Flash your new ROM ONLY. (IMPORTANT: Wait after #10 before flashing anything else)
9- Reboot
10- (This step might not work between ICS/JB or between AOKP/AOSP/Samsung)
Go back to recovery and in Backup choose "Advance restore" and then choose "restore Data". -Reboot again
(if you have problem with some apps, you might want to uninstall them before the backup and reinstall them the normal way after #10, or you can use Titanium Backup to test if they work well in the new ROM)
# 2-3-4 are not doing the same thing as #6, Read original post bellow for explanation.
This whole process from 1 to 10 should take you 15 minutes. From 2 to 7 should take less than 1 minute.
Your phone will have a very clean ROM and all your apps, contacts, SMS, games, etc... will be exactly like they were before.
I've flashed over 50 roms using this procedure and it always work fine.
Memnoc original post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16808932
DarkAdrien original post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=937080
If it helps please says thanks.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

You obviously don't have 20+GB of data to backup/restore each time...

Kremata said:
making a full wipe is ALWAYS better.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then, by your own admission it is not always necessary. "better" ≠ "necessary"
If posters were clear that it is only recommended, not necessary, then no one would need to ask the question in the first place.
I've seen posts telling people to do a wipe when upgrading from official stock to another official stock. There is absolutely no need for that except in the rarest of circumstances.

full wipe is only required if there are major changes in the new rom to be flashed or the user is facing any trouble in his previous roms. Unless otherwise its a waste of time.

That list is a little excessive and needs to be tuned down. When you flash a rom it already formats everything except for "system"
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

bala_gamer said:
full wipe is only required if there are major changes in the new rom to be flashed or the user is facing any trouble in his previous roms. Unless otherwise its a waste of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question.
I've been using LI5 for quite sometime without any problems, and a couple of days ago suddenly the phone started showing signs of sluggishness.
Even moving between the screens of Apex launcher seemed to be quite jerky. I tried uninstalling some apps etc (thinking they might have caused some memory leak or something), to no avail.
Just wanted to ask, will a full wipe and reinstall solve this problem? I'm planning to restore all my apps back.

I upgraded from stock ICS to stock JB, then through three more JB revisions.
I have yet to perform a wipe and everything is running great!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

g4rvd4 said:
Question.
I've been using LI5 for quite sometime without any problems, and a couple of days ago suddenly the phone started showing signs of sluggishness.
Even moving between the screens of Apex launcher seemed to be quite jerky. I tried uninstalling some apps etc (thinking they might have caused some memory leak or something), to no avail.
Just wanted to ask, will a full wipe and reinstall solve this problem? I'm planning to restore all my apps back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If a normal flash dosent work good go for a full wipe
《swagged from aokp》

kilrah said:
You obviously don't have 20+GB of data to backup/restore each time...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
20gb data? Your apps use up to 20gb? o.0....
bala_gamer said:
full wipe is only required if there are major changes in the new rom to be flashed or the user is facing any trouble in his previous roms. Unless otherwise its a waste of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah true but seriously I hope they tried wiping before they complains problems like tons of apps fc... Really annoying...

tanjiajun_34 said:
20gb data? Your apps use up to 20gb? o.0....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nanodrois backups can be up to 4 gbs or more.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

g4rvd4 said:
Question.
I've been using LI5 for quite sometime without any problems, and a couple of days ago suddenly the phone started showing signs of sluggishness.
Even moving between the screens of Apex launcher seemed to be quite jerky. I tried uninstalling some apps etc (thinking they might have caused some memory leak or something), to no avail.
Just wanted to ask, will a full wipe and reinstall solve this problem? I'm planning to restore all my apps back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the exact problem, same launcher too, a full wipe sorted it. Restored apps with titanium and now I'm flying.

kilrah said:
You obviously don't have 20+GB of data to backup/restore each time...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your telling me you have 20gb of ROM+APPS?

SlimJ87D said:
Nanodrois backups can be up to 4 gbs or more.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No but 20gb+ When did your phone has so big data partition?
unless you telling me you backing up your sd cards as well which is pointless..

irish-sid said:
I had the exact problem, same launcher too, a full wipe sorted it. Restored apps with titanium and now I'm flying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool.
Which ROM btw?

tanjiajun_34 said:
No but 20gb+ When did your phone has so big data partition?
unless you telling me you backing up your sd cards as well which is pointless..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm sure if we think it over there can be plenty of reason why someone doesn't have room for backups if they are a flashholic, loves music, games and always on the go.
Who knows, I don't think it's that big of a deal.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

I have a 16GB phone and an 8GB card and, as of yesterday, they were full to the brim.
So- yes! People can have that much data.

Just one question................. Do I need to do a full wipe?
I'm sorry I just had to, but pretty much the rule is if the Android version is the same a full wipe is not needed, if it's an upgrade to the same android version ex 4.0.1 to 4.0.2 there is a chance you will need a full wipe, if the android version completly different ex 2.3.6 to 4.0.1 or 4.0.4 to 4.1.1 there is a good chance you will need a full wipe.
The exception is stock ROMs are usually designed as no wipe, therefore they have been designed so you shouldn't need a full wipe, but if there are any problems, like lag, or bootloops you should wipe, but it is not always needed.

Aughhhhh.
I've been quiet for a while and nice and peaceful.
Feel.....anger.....rising.....must....resist....temptation......
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

g4rvd4 said:
Cool.
Which ROM btw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check Rom 5.5
DeadSOL said:
I have a 16GB phone and an 8GB card and, as of yesterday, they were full to the brim.
So- yes! People can have that much data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have my music, pics, nandroids, titanium backups and the Rom I'm about to flash on my exSd. I pull the card out, wipe the phone clean, Stick it back in, flash rom, restore apps. Very quick easy process.
If you're that anal then you should save up and invest in a 32gb sd card or whatever bigger is available. We'll all need one eventually

Kremata said:
I don't see the reason why someone would not make a full wipe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Developers sometimes label their ROMs as "No wipe". Whether you feel this is accurate or not, don't be surprised when folks don't wipe.