Database Users

Removing encryption on Galaxy Tab

I encrypted my 10.1 yesterday without thinking all the way though. I found out that I could no longer flash kernels while the tablet is encrypted, since the SD card is not accessible in CWR.
I've tried doing a factory reset on my tab and each time, it boots up like nothing happened. I've also tried removing the pin that I put on it and the option to remove it is grayed out.
Do any of you know of a way to do a full wipe on the 10.1? Or could I reflash it using ODIN?
Thanks in advance.

id like to know this as well

still nothing? im starting to think this is an easy fix that nobody has posted about yet

there has to be something that im missing

try post # 6 in the linked thread, restore with unmodified vanilla version image from second link provided in the post, after booting from fastboot into recovery with clockworkmod recovery img; pushing it into the device sd with adb commandline, check the post for modifications and the link for details.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1161325

whenever i try to reset to factory defaults, it just reboots like nothing happened

re-flash a stock firmware via odin as tar or fastboot/nandroid as img (backup restore)

Ones the tab is encrypted, there's no way to un do it. Unless you do what mughalgxt suggested. Good luck

Thanks guys, I went through some of these steps and found some other good tutorials to get me back up and running. All i wanted was to try the new kernel/bonsai rom out and I'm now able to do that
**** encryption, put a lockscreen password and be done with it.

I'm still struggling with this, as well: off to read some of the linked threads, because even with flashing a stock image with ODIN I'm still not able to recover the device. At least I managed to proceed past the boot loop I WAS in (when attempting to flash from CWM) - but now, I can get to the point where the device prompts me for the decryption key (meaning, it's clearly not yet restored to factory defaults) - but can't get it boot to completion. I also note that I've still got CWM Recovery, not stock.
It seems, at some point, encryption-key be damned, right? Meaning, if I don't care about recovering the contents of the encrypted partition - surely these low-level tools have the ability to simply format the partitions? Perhaps not - at least, not CWM - as attempts to format /data continue to fail.
Off to review the linked threads to try to gain some additional insight.

I ran into this same issue a long while back. As I recall (and it's been a while), you won't be able to wipe from CWM, but you can wipe from Settings / Privacy / Factory Data Reset. I could be wrong, but I know that I didn't have to do any adb pushing or anything with special images.

Hi SacTilt-
Thanks for the reply - and agreed: Had I actively started the effort from a functioning device, I think I could have selected that option.
As it turns out - I ran CWM, rebooted into recovery, and... next thing I knew, I was in boot loop hell.
I've tried flashing a variety of files via ODIN: Some at least allow the device to boot to the point where I get the initial password prompt - which I can provide, and proceed past... but then the device just 'goes blank'.
What I'm looking for is a 'start-from-scratch', no concern for data loss, delete the dang encrypted /data folder already, will ya?... approach.
As I've mentioned, a variety of ODIN files from a myriad of sources haven't seemed to quite do the trick. I feel like I'm missing something obvious - but can't find the right angle to spot it.
Perhaps fastboot might be what I'm looking for?
FWIW: the device was rooted when I started, so I've got full Titanium backups, with which I can restore, once I recover the actual device / OS.
Thanks for any insight.

Hey guys...if anybody finds a solution to this, please let me know...I am stuck with this same damn experimental ROM I've had from day one...it's getting really old. All I want is to get rid of this stupid encryption. Thanks for any help. Tried ODIN flashing, wiping data from security screen, wiping from CMR, etc.

Have you tried formatting the sd? Whenever i had my ns4g i accidentially did the same thing and i wiped the SD and it removed the encryption.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium HD app

Cannot encrypt TPT after factory reset?!

I recently updated to 0089_US using CWM patched version & proceeded to perform the device encryption.
Everything went smoothly & the TPT performed as per normal.
However, three days ago, it suddenly started to act up & after a reboot, I started encountering a series of Force Close repeatedly on almost every other application I try to use.
Nothing I tried to do to recover from this problem resolved the problem.
As a last resort, I backed up all the data that I can access & performed a factory reset (Privacy | Factory reset).
After the factory reset, I setup my TPT & tried to perform the encryption again.
This is when I discovered that something is wrong.
I was not greeted with the usual dialogue that I encountered in the first successful encryption process.l
Instead, after confirming that I want to encrypt the tablet, all I get is a green android icon without any indication of any process going on in the background.
Pressing the Home button brings me back to the desktop minus the taskbar (Back, Home & Task switcher) at the bottom.
After the screen or screen lock timeout, the TPT will lock. Unlocking it will bring me back to the green android icon.
This is how it looks like:
Link to picture
This is how it should be if it was working normally:
Link to picture
I've already factory reset the TPT 3-4 times but each time, the situation is the same.
I've just tried reflashing 0089_US again & the situation has not changed.
Can someone advise me what is wrong here?
I've not placed any data back on my TPT at this point.
Please advise me as I need it to be encrypted.
Thanks!
Update: After reading this thread, I got the idea that if I can get my hands on a stock 0076_US NANDROID backup, perhaps I can get it back to the original state. My own NANDROID backups did not work because the data & system files did not successfully convert to .img files after the backup. I got an error that the CWM backup failed to generate the data backup because /sdcard/.android_secure cannot be found.
Konker
PS: I posted this at the Lenovo forum here but did not get any response.

Can I use CWM to restore system.img alone?
I'm wondering if its worth a try to restore a system.img to my TPT? I've since restored my data & apps using Titanium Backup.
I got a feeling that the system files are somehow not properly restored when performing the factory reset. Of course I would need a system.img file to restore so anyone who has a 0089_US system.img file to spare, I'll greatly appreciate it. Not sure if I'll lose root in the process.
Anyone with any clue as to what I'm facing, please point me in the right direction.
TIA!
Konker

Someone posted a nandroid for u in xda
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 Beta-4

Thanks!
ker2gsr said:
Someone posted a nandroid for u in xda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
I just saw it & am downloading now as we speak.
Are there any issues I should be aware of in using this Nandroid backup to roll back to 0075_US on my updated 0089_US TPT?
Please advise me accordingly.
Konker

konker said:
Thanks!
I just saw it & am downloading now as we speak.
Are there any issues I should be aware of in using this Nandroid backup to roll back to 0075_US on my updated 0089_US TPT?
Please advise me accordingly.
Konker
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so I've downgraded to my .75 nandroid from the cm9 port everything went ok
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[Q] Please help, S4 Complete Backup (Nandroid) tool/ dicerctions needed

Hey everyone, I'm new to android game, I've been cracking iPhones since 1st gen, decided to challenge myself. I have an S4, rooted, but no CWM installed. I want to save the recovery so if any issues ever occur, I can just flash it and have it covered under warranty, and also to be ble to return to stock wen I sell the phone.
Is there a tool i can use to make a nandroid backup? On my Nexus 7, There is an all-in-one tool and I can make a nandroid straight from my PC. Is there anything similar for the s4? If not, how to I make a nandroid backup? thank you everyone for your help, I appreciate it

Odin back to stock if you ever need to.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Dimon1990 said:
Hey everyone, I'm new to android game, I've been cracking iPhones since 1st gen, decided to challenge myself. I have an S4, rooted, but no CWM installed. I want to save the recovery so if any issues ever occur, I can just flash it and have it covered under warranty, and also to be ble to return to stock wen I sell the phone.
Is there a tool i can use to make a nandroid backup? On my Nexus 7, There is an all-in-one tool and I can make a nandroid straight from my PC. Is there anything similar for the s4? If not, how to I make a nandroid backup? thank you everyone for your help, I appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not entirely sure it's possible to do a nandroid backup without first having a custom recovery. However, it is "always" possible to use the Odin method to return to stock (including stock recovery). Personally, I installed TWRP and immediately did a full nandroid (including system, boot, cache, etc...) and I've frequently found myself restoring pieces of it as I manage to screw up different things. I did return my recovery back to stock once by using the "dd" method to flash the stock recovery.img onto the correct emmc block. There's instructions how to do this exactly on the TWRP homepage (make sure you get the correct phone - block numbers are different for different devices) - but instead of re-flashing TWRP, I pulled the recovery.img from the giant Odin image available here on XDA.
It may also be possible to use "dd" to pull a copy of your existing recovery image as well, but I've never tried it.

Aou said:
I'm not entirely sure it's possible to do a nandroid backup without first having a custom recovery. However, it is "always" possible to use the Odin method to return to stock (including stock recovery). Personally, I installed TWRP and immediately did a full nandroid (including system, boot, cache, etc...) and I've frequently found myself restoring pieces of it as I manage to screw up different things. I did return my recovery back to stock once by using the "dd" method to flash the stock recovery.img onto the correct emmc block. There's instructions how to do this exactly on the TWRP homepage (make sure you get the correct phone - block numbers are different for different devices) - but instead of re-flashing TWRP, I pulled the recovery.img from the giant Odin image available here on XDA.
It may also be possible to use "dd" to pull a copy of your existing recovery image as well, but I've never tried it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I'll be installing TWRP today, what is Odin if I can ask? I've never heard of any of it from Nexus 7.
Also, If i do a titanium backup, can I easily restore apps with setting and save games while I'm running CM10.1?

Dimon1990 said:
Thank you! I'll be installing TWRP today, what is Odin if I can ask? I've never heard of any of it from Nexus 7.
Also, If i do a titanium backup, can I easily restore apps with setting and save games while I'm running CM10.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You better find out what odin is because it's the only way you'll be installing twrp. And don't count on tibu restoring all your apps seamlessly. Never reinstall system apps.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

jd1639 said:
You better find out what odin is because it's the only way you'll be installing twrp. And don't count on tibu restoring all your apps seamlessly. Never reinstall system apps.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed TWRP through GooManager. I looked up ODIN and got general info, hopefully I won't get stuck, but I'm sure I'll find my way around. Thank you so much for your help! I figured that sys apps will just be for stock, but i have a MC4 save that i don't want to lose ::cyclops: it looks like it's CM10.1 time for me!

Dimon1990 said:
Thank you! I'll be installing TWRP today, what is Odin if I can ask? I've never heard of any of it from Nexus 7.
Also, If i do a titanium backup, can I easily restore apps with setting and save games while I'm running CM10.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the thread that explains how to return to stock using Odin. Be prepared for a large download.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
In short, "Odin Mode" is the download mode that's built-in to just about every modern Samsung device, beginning as far back as the Captivate, afaik. Each device has a button combination to enter "download mode" or "odin mode". This special mode sometimes requires specific drivers to connect to your PC. Flashing stock firmware using this method is common, but with an unlocked bootloader, it could be used to flash about anything. It's like a secondary recovery in a sense. It's harder to destroy download mode, but still possible if you mess up the bootloader somehow.
For our device the easiest methods to get to download mode are:
- Hold down the power button until the device force-resets itself. The moment the device turns black, release the power button and begin holding down the Vol-Down button. The device with vibrate once as usual, but then you'll see a screen that you've never seen before (begins with "Warning!!").
- Using any shell, such as ADB Shell or a terminal emulator, give the command "reboot download". This may require root privileges, I'm not sure.
- There's apps for this - haven't tried them yet.
As for Titanium backup - I love this program and have purchased Pro (totally worth it). As others have said, it's a bad idea to backup/restore System apps. Only do so with extreme caution. It is possible to restore only the data from system apps, but again do so with caution.
While Google does its own job at re-installing apps after a factory reset (if you allow it to), it usually doesn't backup data for each app. I have a couple authenticator apps that I backup this way, and it works great for this. I've also managed to keep my copy of Angry Birds Samsung Edition from my Infuse. Other applications that have since disappeared from Google Play are still backed up and get migrated to each new device I purchase.
And for that matter, with almost every User application, you can easily back it up (with data) and restore it on a completely different ROM. When changing major android versions, you sometimes will find apps force-closing on you, requiring that you wipe their data... but I haven't had that problem in a long time.
You'll see some other things that you can backup, like SMS, Access Points, Bluetooth Pairings, etc. .... I recommend only restoring these with caution - especially cross-ROM or cross-device.
Okay, I'm done being long-winded. Good luck, have fun.

Good write up
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Aou said:
Here's the thread that explains how to return to stock using Odin. Be prepared for a large download.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
Thank you so much!
In short, "Odin Mode" is the download mode that's built-in to just about every modern Samsung device, beginning as far back as the Captivate, afaik. Each device has a button combination to enter "download mode" or "odin mode". This special mode sometimes requires specific drivers to connect to your PC. Flashing stock firmware using this method is common, but with an unlocked bootloader, it could be used to flash about anything. It's like a secondary recovery in a sense. It's harder to destroy download mode, but still possible if you mess up the bootloader somehow.
For our device the easiest methods to get to download mode are:
- Hold down the power button until the device force-resets itself. The moment the device turns black, release the power button and begin holding down the Vol-Down button. The device with vibrate once as usual, but then you'll see a screen that you've never seen before (begins with "Warning!!").
- Using any shell, such as ADB Shell or a terminal emulator, give the command "reboot download". This may require root privileges, I'm not sure.
- There's apps for this - haven't tried them yet.
As for Titanium backup - I love this program and have purchased Pro (totally worth it). As others have said, it's a bad idea to backup/restore System apps. Only do so with extreme caution. It is possible to restore only the data from system apps, but again do so with caution.
While Google does its own job at re-installing apps after a factory reset (if you allow it to), it usually doesn't backup data for each app. I have a couple authenticator apps that I backup this way, and it works great for this. I've also managed to keep my copy of Angry Birds Samsung Edition from my Infuse. Other applications that have since disappeared from Google Play are still backed up and get migrated to each new device I purchase.
And for that matter, with almost every User application, you can easily back it up (with data) and restore it on a completely different ROM. When changing major android versions, you sometimes will find apps force-closing on you, requiring that you wipe their data... but I haven't had that problem in a long time.
You'll see some other things that you can backup, like SMS, Access Points, Bluetooth Pairings, etc. .... I recommend only restoring these with caution - especially cross-ROM or cross-device.
Okay, I'm done being long-winded. Good luck, have fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much!

[Q] TWRP 'restore' fails every time.

Ok so after rooting and using Flashify to install Loki'd TWRP 2.3.6.2, I backed up my stock rooted. Then, I wiped and flashed PA 3.99. Other than this phone taking forever to do anything in TWRP, everything seemed fine. I booted into PA, installed my normal software setup, rebooted to recovery, and made a backup.
Now, if I try to restore (either stock rooted or PA, it fails. It says something about unchecking the MD5 verification option, which I have done in the general TWRP settings, as well as making sure it stays unchecked in the restore preferences. Have tried restoring to both stock rooted and PA from both a PA install, and a fresh stock rooted install. Both fail with the same error.
I'm backing up/restoring to/from the internal SD, not an OTG cable. my cable that worked fine for my Note 2 and HTC One does not work with my G2. I have also tried re-flashing TWRP in case it was a bad install or something.
Does anybody have any thoughts/suggestions on what I can do to be able to restore roms? I've never had any issues like this with any other device.

I'm interested in this as well. But honestly I haven't been able to restore a damn backup in quite some time using my Galaxy Nexus using TWRP and CWM. It just seems like it tries to, but fails toward the end.
I did a backup of my stock/unrooted but haven't tried to restore it yet. Have you thought or tried to use one of the GUI Apps from the Play Store that does Restore/Backups? I would also pull those backups off of your phone and onto a PC. You can always copy them back later but I've erased everything using TWRP a few too many times.
I would also suggest trying to use CWM to restore the backups. I've never tried to restore a Nandoid from one recovery using another, but it may work.
Sadly with restore not working, it is kind of scary to even attempt it. I would make sure I have some stock images laying around with the ability to adb push if need be. Keep this updated please with either findings or solutions. If I knew 100% that my Nandroid backup was able to be restored, I would attempt to try some of the custom roms out there.

player911 said:
I'm interested in this as well. But honestly I haven't been able to restore a damn backup in quite some time using my Galaxy Nexus using TWRP and CWM. It just seems like it tries to, but fails toward the end.
I did a backup of my stock/unrooted but haven't tried to restore it yet. Have you thought or tried to use one of the GUI Apps from the Play Store that does Restore/Backups? I would also pull those backups off of your phone and onto a PC. You can always copy them back later but I've erased everything using TWRP a few too many times.
I would also suggest trying to use CWM to restore the backups. I've never tried to restore a Nandoid from one recovery using another, but it may work.
Sadly with restore not working, it is kind of scary to even attempt it. I would make sure I have some stock images laying around with the ability to adb push if need be. Keep this updated please with either findings or solutions. If I knew 100% that my Nandroid backup was able to be restored, I would attempt to try some of the custom roms out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
I have only tried directly through TWRP. I've been flashing phones and tablets for years, but only using TWRP and CWM. I've been using TWRP lately because it's gui is nicer and until now, I've never run into any problems with it.
And yes, restore not working scares me. I know I can adb stock if I screw things up, but I hope it doesn't come to that. I guess for now I'll keep running stock rooted (despite it's horribly ugly unlock animations) and just wait for official AOKP with 4.4...

[Q] Help walk-through post root/unlocked bootloader process

My apologies if this has been covered. I've successfully rooted and unlocked the bootloader. I've tried my best to do a lot of reading including going through item by item in the xda wiki glossary but I'm still a little confused/want clarification before I actually do anything with my phone.
My goals are:
1) To create a full .img backup of my current system so I can always go back to it if needed/worst case scenario
2) Create a list of all my installed apps. Backup a few select apps that contain data within them that does not get backed up in the cloud or appear in a copyable source anywhere when i browse the phone directories (an app called Pattrn specifically that stores favorited background images..)
3) wipe/clear the my current incarnation of kitkat and re-install it 'fresh' (possibly without the bloat?), then reload desired apps.
4) create a backup .img of this new instance.
-----------------
I'm generally pretty quick to learn technical content but I've honestly tried to fully grok the steps for the last two weeks and haven't gotten there/understand enough to be confident to do what I think I need to do.
can take this to PM if anyone has some patience to work with me. Gladly donate to any app you make or paypal a few bucks if you can help walk me through this..
My understanding is that I need to get TWRP or CWM installed in order to get a custom recovery (as opposed to a stock recovery process)---which will allow me to do step 3. But even getting TWRP going I'm confused..
Thanks

water- said:
My apologies if this has been covered. I've successfully rooted and unlocked the bootloader. I've tried my best to do a lot of reading including going through item by item in the xda wiki glossary but I'm still a little confused/want clarification before I actually do anything with my phone.
My understanding is that I need to get TWRP or CWM installed in order to get a custom recovery (as opposed to a stock recovery process)---which will allow me to do step 3. But even getting TWRP going I'm confused..
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can't help with everything..but with custom recovery..the easiest way is download flashify from play store and flash recovery image with itfrom here http://androidhosting.org/Devs/Dhacker29/msm8960/ you have a Razr M on kitkat use this one http://androidhosting.org/Devs/Dhacker29/msm8960/TWRP2710-RAZR_M-KITKAT.img
copy it to sdcard or internal storage...open flashify and select recovery image then choose the downloaded file..flash it and restart

water- said:
My apologies if this has been covered. I've successfully rooted and unlocked the bootloader. I've tried my best to do a lot of reading including going through item by item in the xda wiki glossary but I'm still a little confused/want clarification before I actually do anything with my phone.
My goals are:
1) To create a full .img backup of my current system so I can always go back to it if needed/worst case scenario
2) Create a list of all my installed apps. Backup a few select apps that contain data within them that does not get backed up in the cloud or appear in a copyable source anywhere when i browse the phone directories (an app called Pattrn specifically that stores favorited background images..)
3) wipe/clear the my current incarnation of kitkat and re-install it 'fresh' (possibly without the bloat?), then reload desired apps.
4) create a backup .img of this new instance.
-----------------
I'm generally pretty quick to learn technical content but I've honestly tried to fully grok the steps for the last two weeks and haven't gotten there/understand enough to be confident to do what I think I need to do.
can take this to PM if anyone has some patience to work with me. Gladly donate to any app you make or paypal a few bucks if you can help walk me through this..
My understanding is that I need to get TWRP or CWM installed in order to get a custom recovery (as opposed to a stock recovery process)---which will allow me to do step 3. But even getting TWRP going I'm confused..
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, with TWRP, there is an option to back up your current system, data, and boot image.
So, let's say you make a backup your stock kitkat rom, you can wipe that, install a compatible rom. And if that fails or you do not like it, you can boot back into TWRP and restore the backup you made with the restore option.
I'm not too sure what you are asking about your apps, but with titanium backup, you can backup any app + their current data. For example, lets say you backup your favorite browser and it has everything just the way you want it, you can back it up with titanium backup, flash your rom, and restore it with titanium backup.
Not sure if that was what you were asking with #2, but if you have another question, ask away. I'm on a road trip so I have plenty of time.
Sent from my DROID RAZR M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

crazy4android said:
can't help with everything..but with custom recovery..the easiest way is download flashify from play store and flash recovery image with itfrom here [link] you have a Razr M on kitkat use this one.. [link]
copy it to sdcard or internal storage...open flashify and select recovery image then choose the downloaded file..flash it and restart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for your fast response, I appreciate it. I can do this--can you just clarify for me to define specifically what 'custom recovery' means?
I might be over-thinking it but I'm still trying to actually understand what custom recovery means-I assume it is in contrast to the current recovery which is still whatever shipped with the phone from verizon/motorola? So the above .img is a kitkat-base recovery (possibly without verizon bloat?)
Thanks

poppers162 said:
Well, with TWRP, there is an option to back up your current system, data, and boot image.
So, let's say you make a backup your stock kitkat rom, you can wipe that, install a compatible rom. And if that fails or you do not like it, you can boot back into TWRP and restore the backup you made with the restore option.
I'm not too sure what you are asking about your apps, but with titanium backup, you can backup any app + their current data. For example, lets say you backup your favorite browser and it has everything just the way you want it, you can back it up with titanium backup, flash your rom, and restore it with titanium backup.
Not sure if that was what you were asking with #2, but if you have another question, ask away. I'm on a road trip so I have plenty of time.
Sent from my DROID RAZR M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you too for your response!
So yes, I would like to use TWRP for that--make a backup of my current stock rom in all aspects, then start with a fresh instance. Does doing the step the above poster linked basically get TWRP installed as a custom recovery---which then gives me the options to create those backups in the bootloader menu? again sorry for my confusion, I've read the guides and how-to but I'm getting tripped up on some of the lingo/definitions.
On #2 Yes, that is basically what I wanted--I've got titanium backup installed and have backed up a few of these programs to my SD card already. Only have a handful of programs that have any customization that I care to retain.

water- said:
thank you for your fast response, I appreciate it. I can do this--can you just clarify for me to define specifically what 'custom recovery' means?
I might be over-thinking it but I'm still trying to actually understand what custom recovery means-I assume it is in contrast to the current recovery which is still whatever shipped with the phone from verizon/motorola? So the above .img is a kitkat-base recovery (possibly without verizon bloat?)
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can do diff things like poppers162 mentioned you can backup ur entire rom with it...its very easy to flash nd very user friendly to navigate..no the above is a recovery img...you can boot ur phone into it once you flash it..then from there you can backup ur stock rom..and install/flash custom roms with bloat removed..
or another option is just freeze the apps you don't want with titanium backup..its almost as effective as uninstalling

Okay.. I've got TWRP going and creating a backup of my current system onto an external SD card. .. progress.
I've already backed up everything I desired in titanium.
Next up doing a 'clean' start in kitkat--or a slightly improved version. I realize at this point maybe things become more subjective to people's preferences.. I'm not looking to go to CM. I found some stock or a very-nearly-stock version of kitkat I can now 'start' fresh with--the google play edition? or do I need to download "Android 4.4.2 Blur_Version.183.46.10.XT907.Verizon.en.US"? I guess I need some more help at this point. Verizon is my carrier..
Thanks--do appreciate the help! :good:

water- said:
Okay.. I've got TWRP going and creating a backup of my current system onto an external SD card. .. progress.
I've already backed up everything I desired in titanium.
Next up doing a 'clean' start in kitkat--or a slightly improved version. I realize at this point maybe things become more subjective to people's preferences.. I'm not looking to go to CM. I found some stock or a very-nearly-stock version of kitkat I can now 'start' fresh with--the google play edition? or do I need to download "Android 4.4.2 Blur_Version.183.46.10.XT907.Verizon.en.US"? I guess I need some more help at this point. Verizon is my carrier..
Thanks--do appreciate the help! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android 4.4.2 Blur_Version.183.46.10.XT907.Verizon.en.US is complete stock with all the verison bloatware...as for the google play edition..i don't know if theres a flashable rom..the one in the Droid RAZR M Android Development is for fastboot i think..not sure and i myself havent looked into how to fastboot a fxz

water- said:
Okay.. I've got TWRP going and creating a backup of my current system onto an external SD card. .. progress.
I've already backed up everything I desired in titanium.
Next up doing a 'clean' start in kitkat--or a slightly improved version. I realize at this point maybe things become more subjective to people's preferences.. I'm not looking to go to CM. I found some stock or a very-nearly-stock version of kitkat I can now 'start' fresh with--the google play edition? or do I need to download "Android 4.4.2 Blur_Version.183.46.10.XT907.Verizon.en.US"? I guess I need some more help at this point. Verizon is my carrier..
Thanks--do appreciate the help! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's only a handful of roms compatible with the kitkat 3.4 kernel. I, personally, love cm11 test build. It's been going great. I would give it a try. If you don't like it, you have your backup!
Sent from my DROID RAZR M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Kitstalk ran pretty smoothly minus the speaker phone issues I like it but I've always been a fan of beanstalk... that was a few days ago when I flashed it so it may be fixed now I haven't checked on it...
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

success..95% or so
wanted to follow up here.. some of the terms finally clicked in my mind to understand the functions of recovery/fastboot/bootloader/flashing..etc. I wonder if there is a flow-chart type diagram available out there--that type of thing would have really helped to understand--being able to visualize where these different aspects interact and where files etc line up with them.
Short version: successfully running GPE rom smoothly and enjoyably on a 'clean' system.
needless to say I used TWRP to backup my system. And Titanium for specific apps. Used rsdlite to flash the GPE rom from the forum here. Then I factor reset the rom, then I think I formatted internal storage space?? --at that juncture I was a little less clear what the specific sequence should have been to 'start fresh'. Should I have factory reset my device before flashing the rom? Or maybe it really doesn't matter.
Thanks for everyone's help. One thing that didn't migrate over through gcloud backups--embedded images in text msging program. relatively small loss though
cheers