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.

Hd2 sim contacts update - deletes????

Im just in the process of installing all the hotfixes for this phone and ive managed to install all but one; the sim contacts update.
When I try to install this over active sync it brings up a rom utility to upgrade the rom.
It also says it will delete all the data on the phone (which is expected from a rom upgrade)
Is this hotfix supposed to actually updgrade my rom???
Will it actually remove all my data?
Cheers Guys,
Crapbag

there is a threat about this already, yes it updates and no it wont delete the data

thanks Richy

Possible to Upgrade ROM's Without Losing all Settings and Data?

I am currently running the Elegancia 2.5 ROM, but I thought this might be a more general question about ROM's so I wanted to post it here.
I started with the Elegancia 2.0 and upon upgrading to the 2.5, I had to reinstall all my cabs (I save them to a specific folder on my SD card thankfully) and redo all my settings over again. Now that there is a 3.0 version out, I would like to upgrade that as well. However since there are so many settings and cabs that I have now changed and installed, I'd prefer not to go through and do it all again.
Is this possible or is it just the nature of the upgrades that require you to change and redo it all again?
Thanks

its my understanding that flashing erases everything except for the occasional system file left over from the previous ROM... my guess would be no... backup everything and reinstall... at max it'll only take a half hour to reinstall everything..

No way to change ROM's without losing all data...best thing for you to do is use an autoinstall program to resetup your device after a new flash....

mgioia2 said:
No way to change ROM's without losing all data...best thing for you to do is use an autoinstall program to resetup your device after a new flash....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, could you explain little bit more about the autoinstall program ? how does it work?

try xda_uc, google it. basically, you create a folder called xda_uc on your storage card, and when you first bootup, all the .cabs you add to the folder are installed in the background, and require no input from you. however, you need to find a rom that supports xda_uc. I use energyrom.

Isn't there any program like itunes for example for iPhone which backups and restores every setting. Any thought friends
Thanks

try spb backup...but it wont auto install everything back, but you do get to do some set up if you want as to what to restore.

freezes after update

I have updated from stock 1.48 ITA to stock 1.66 ITA, but since I had a lot of hacks and apps installed, I first made a backup with spb backup and after update I made a rom upgrade... All went quite well, apart from outlook push account which I had to re-establish, but recently i have noticed that at random very often the phone slows down considerably, especially when closing opera 9.7... Today I had to tap 6 times on a contact quicklink before being able to call... I have to add that I also had intalled CHT 1.8 and a few old HTC hotfixes released before rom 1.66, so I am wondering if any of this hotfixes, which I believe were imported during the restore of the backup, might be causing some problems... Although the rom upgrade mode in theory should verify system files and avoid replacing new files with older ones...

restoring a backup to a new rom is always troublesome, and rom upgrade mode is no exception. it doesn't work properly.

[Q] Backup/Restore to 7720 without going through updates?

Is there a way to backup system and then restore it back after coming back from Android.
I really like WP7 but like switching back to android to try some new android nand roms/apps etc but was wondering if it was possible to restore system back to 7720 with all aps without having to go through all the updates again etc?
I noticed backup option in the cab sender but assumed this is just for apps/settings?

As far as I know, zune has already made some backups (before every update) and you'll maybe able to restore it after flashing the rom...
But I would suggest you a dual boot if you often want to try new android roms... Much easier this way than constant flashing of wp7...

chabun said:
As far as I know, zune has already made some backups (before every update) and you'll maybe able to restore it after flashing the rom...
But I would suggest you a dual boot if you often want to try new android roms... Much easier this way than constant flashing of wp7...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I can restore straight back to 7720 via Zune without going through steps of separate updates?
Yes dual boot is an option but you cant use Android "roms" when dual booting, You can only boot "builds". It would be good for trying out Android apps but I like trying out new Android nand roms.
Ill re-flash to Android and see how I get on next time I want WP7

TheATHEiST said:
Is there a way to backup system and then restore it back after coming back from Android.
I really like WP7 but like switching back to android to try some new android nand roms/apps etc but was wondering if it was possible to restore system back to 7720 with all aps without having to go through all the updates again etc?
I noticed backup option in the cab sender but assumed this is just for apps/settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The backup option does restore apps, settings texts etc. but needs a ROM in NAND to backup to, and is fussy about partition size. So I would remove any partition, then backup and send a partition and storage unlock your card, before going to nandroid.
Because you know your SD works. you can do the one shot and leave your phone for a couple of hours (and give people grief for wrong postings), then restore. then setup any partition.
when all is running good, do another backup just in case.

you thanked me prematurely!
To remove a partition, a hard reset is required,
I've just tried it so thats no good.
so you would think that you have to set up a partition first, then backup, then storage unlock, then nandroid, then flash rom, then upgrade via cabs, then set up same partition, then restore.
But there seems to be only the latest restore available, and when Zune upgrades, it creates a restore point, so may overwrite our backup. This may explain fussyness.
Anyway, I am testing this ATM.

The backup is stored in C:\Users\YOUR USER NAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Phone Update\d28adbc9 - aeb87692 - 70440b17 - bbf75b0f\RestorePoint, and is a file named something like 432F7761-9CC0-4CB0-BF3B-E9E6C0198BCD.
It is overwritten on zune update and cab sender backup. I have copied the backup file from the last time I was on BTTF mango, but am still unable to restore it(errors 801812E0 in Zune and "can't restore phone" in cab sender restore).
I am thinking it is either the partition (Although the different size error is absent)or the fact that it is a new ROM (therefore a new phone) that makes the restore impossible.
There also is another file in the folder called activeID.DAT
I don't know what this is but its presence or absence has no effect on my inability to restore, although it wasn't there when I made the backup from the last ROM.
I am putting this info out in the hope that someone can find a way to do what Microsoft has patently failed to do.
Edit; thanks lantern20, I am on Windows 7

On WinXP it's located here:
C:\Documents and Settings\Your Username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Phone Update

Robbie P said:
you thanked me prematurely!
To remove a partition, a hard reset is required,
I've just tried it so thats no good.
so you would think that you have to set up a partition first, then backup, then storage unlock, then nandroid, then flash rom, then upgrade via cabs, then set up same partition, then restore.
But there seems to be only the latest restore available, and when Zune upgrades, it creates a restore point, so may overwrite our backup. This may explain fussyness.
Anyway, I am testing this ATM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Robbie P - any progress with testing?
Does restore work from a clean install + partition (to original size), before allowing Zune to do any updates? If so that would be hugely helpful.

melando said:
Robbie P - any progress with testing?
Does restore work from a clean install + partition (to original size), before allowing Zune to do any updates? If so that would be hugely helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See my post after the one you quoted.
The problem is that after updating the ROM, a hard reset is needed to apply the developer/chevron unlock (therefore you lose all data). Hard reset is also needed to apply or remove any partition.
Finding where the backup is stored on your computer helps to stop the file being overwritten by zune but I have not been able to restore.
It may be that you can only restore to the same set-up (flashing), as each new flash may set up the memory uniquely.
I will be changing my software radio next week to 5.61 (and therefore the ROM arrgh!), so will give it all another go then.

Robbie P said:
See my post after the one you quoted.
The problem is that after updating the ROM, a hard reset is needed to apply the developer/chevron unlock (therefore you lose all data). Hard reset is also needed to apply or remove any partition.
Finding where the backup is stored on your computer helps to stop the file being overwritten by zune but I have not been able to restore.
It may be that you can only restore to the same set-up (flashing), as each new flash may set up the memory uniquely.
I will be changing my software radio next week to 5.61 (and therefore the ROM arrgh!), so will give it all another go then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great - really interested to know whether you can flash from scratch, send the same partition cab as before, hard reset to activate and then successfully restore to get straight back to 7720 (without using Zune at all). I will watch this space.

was there any follow up on this?
is it possible to 'image' the nand with wp7, try Android (or even another wp7) and then restore the image back again?
i had no problem transfering the wp7 special partition from card to card so that part would be ok.