Database Users

This is probably a stupid question, but I'll ask anyway...

OK so, I was getting ready to flash to a new rom. I performed a factory reset, wiped cache, data, dalvic, etc...twice. But not paying attention, I accidentally selected reboot system before flashing a different rom...
...it rebooted normally, except as a fresh install. So by wiping the system, I'm really only clearing user data? How do I get rid of the rom entirely? Let's say the new rom I try to flash is considerably smaller with a lot less bloat. Wouldn't simply overwriting old rom still leave behind all of that extra data?
Is it possible to completely wipe the system partition and flash a new rom with cwm and have it boot?
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda premium

new roms usually format the system partition - so nothing is left behind

In addition to what b63 said (which is correct), I think you're just getting hung up on some of the terminology. Doing a factory reset only wipes out userdata (data, cache, .android_secure) and doesn't touch your system partition. The ROM itself is still completely intact after a factory reset.
If you want to manually wipe your system partition you can do that, but you usually don't need to. In CWM go to "Mounts and Storage" and then select "Format /system" to do it. TWRP has an equivalent that I can't remember offhand, but it's something to the same effect (might be under "Advanced" or something). If you flash a ROM after you format /system manually it will boot fine, but obviously it won't boot if you format and reboot without installing a new ROM.

You're right, I just misspoke. The rom is only contained in the system folder, correct? I just couldn't understand why it would boot if I presumably wiped everything.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using xda premium

yes - if you look into the zip file of a rom you'll see there is mainly the system folder - that is /system
some have a data folder also - that are additional preinstalled apps in /data/apps
if your question is answered please mark the subject of the topic (edit first post) with [Solved]

Yes, the ROM's applications and binaries all live on the system partition, which is why it has no trouble booting after a factory reset. The data partition is basically reserved for user settings, apps, and other files.

[Q] Newbie questions (don't kill me Im new!)

Hy there I love xda and im a new user to xda nexus forum
With excelent guides I learnt how to root unlock and install custom rom (quite easy let it down into your internal storage and install from zip)
but I have few questions..
When I tried to wipe data and cache I accidentally did factory reset which ended up in no installed rom, internal storage empty and I was in custom recovery and I couldn't connect to computer, so I had to start from 0... last times I've been selecting wipe data and cache.. but I seen that in my nexus 7 some old files are still there (under a folder called 0) What should I do to make a clean install? which option of the new recovery should I choose? thankyou

mariosanoguera said:
Hy there I love xda and im a new user to xda nexus forum
With excelent guides I learnt how to root unlock and install custom rom (quite easy let it down into your internal storage and install from zip)
but I have few questions..
When I tried to wipe data and cache I accidentally did factory reset which ended up in no installed rom, internal storage empty and I was in custom recovery and I couldn't connect to computer, so I had to start from 0... last times I've been selecting wipe data and cache.. but I seen that in my nexus 7 some old files are still there (under a folder called 0) What should I do to make a clean install? which option of the new recovery should I choose? thankyou
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use TWRP for recovery and to do a clean install wipe all data from TWRP.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

mariosanoguera said:
Hy there I love xda and im a new user to xda nexus forum
With excelent guides I learnt how to root unlock and install custom rom (quite easy let it down into your internal storage and install from zip)
but I have few questions..
When I tried to wipe data and cache I accidentally did factory reset which ended up in no installed rom, internal storage empty and I was in custom recovery and I couldn't connect to computer, so I had to start from 0... last times I've been selecting wipe data and cache.. but I seen that in my nexus 7 some old files are still there (under a folder called 0) What should I do to make a clean install? which option of the new recovery should I choose? thankyou
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd flash a stock recovery image onto your device available here which would restore your device completely back to stock (with your bootloader unlocked) From there I'd just re root and do what you want. However I'd personally use CWM Touch Recovery myself, but I just like that recovery more (have used it and the non-touch version for ages and on many devices)

smt8544 said:
I'd flash a stock recovery image onto your device available here which would restore your device completely back to stock (with your bootloader unlocked) From there I'd just re root and do what you want. However I'd personally use CWM Touch Recovery myself, but I just like that recovery more (have used it and the non-touch version for ages and on many devices)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually have Team Win Recovery Project..
under wipe I can find
Cache
Dalvik
Factory Reset (This is the one I use.. but It leaves in my internal storage with a folder called 0 and my old data from previous roms is stored there)
System
External Storage
Int. Storage ?
Format Data (I did this and I lost everything except TWRM which I could boot at it (but I had no option to install from zip neither couldnt transferr a file through usb mount sd card didn't work))
Which one of all of this should I run before doing the install zip from sd card?

mariosanoguera said:
I actually have Team Win Recovery Project..
under wipe I can find
Cache
Dalvik
Factory Reset (This is the one I use.. but It leaves in my internal storage with a folder called 0 and my old data from previous roms is stored there)
System
External Storage
Int. Storage ?
Format Data (I did this and I lost everything except TWRM which I could boot at it (but I had no option to install from zip neither couldnt transferr a file through usb mount sd card didn't work))
Which one of all of this should I run before doing the install zip from sd card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it would be easier and cleaner if you restored back to stock before trying to re root, flash recovery, etc. If you have no important data on your device I'd go for it. If you do have important data, then try and pull it to your computer and then flash a stock image and re root etc.
I always find that in times when my device is screwing around, or I have file dregs around the place, I find it simply easier to backup important things and flash a stock image.

Q: Wipes?

When I want to install a new ROM I usually do system wipe, factory reset, dalvik cache and cache..
I've noticed that there are others 3 options which one of them gave me a brick.
Format Data (gave me a semi brick since I could only access recovery mode but the rom to install had been wiped and couldnt transfer files to my nexus 7 through adb push)
External Storage wipe (since the nexus 7 hasn't got an sd card this option is dangerous?)
Internal Storage (even more dangerous?)
When I flash some folders are still there after doing the process described in the first line of this thread..
I would like to know if I can safely include the External Storage wipe or Internal storage wipe, and IF I do one of these 2 will I loose the .zip I have in my nexus 7 ready to flash?
Should I include one of these 2 options before flashing a new rom? (Since Format Data I know it wipes everything and only lets you access recovery, and you can't install anything since your .zip has been wiped aswell)
Thank you

Your already doing it right. The N7 only has internal storage. No need for anything else. I do have a superwipe flashable zip that erases everything except storage and repartitions the device. Not needed in almost any case except for bug fixes/tests.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

All of these wipes are unnecessary. A factory reset is the only one needed, and it covers /data and /cache. Plus most installations will wipe the dalvik for you.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

TWRP Question

There is option in the wipe section that says clear data, if I did clear the data, will I lose just only lost my internal storage data (games,apps,moives, etc) or I'll lost everything( The entire ROM)?

If you format data, you'll loose everything. It will wipe data/media which stores everything you've put on the device. This includes sd card because it is actually stored in data/media. Normally, Factory Reset is used when you want to change roms which have a different base. I recently formated data on my GNex because it had become corrupted & I want to start with an "out of the box" experience. Wipe Data, & it will wipe everything! If you do need to use that function, put a rom, gapps, & all other data you want to keep on a storage device & mount it within twrp to flash those items.
Suggest you go to Team Win's website & study the functions.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2

djd338 said:
If you format data, you'll loose everything. It will wipe data/media which stores everything you've put on the device. This includes sd card because it is actually stored in data/media. Normally, Factory Reset is used when you want to change roms which have a different base. I recently formated data on my GNex because it had become corrupted & I want to start with an "out of the box" experience. Wipe Data, & it will wipe everything! If you do need to use that function, put a rom, gapps, & all other data you want to keep on a storage device & mount it within twrp to flash those items.
Suggest you go to Team Win's website & study the functions.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I wipe system on my nexus 10? Cuase I heard that wiping system can damage the device?

AnchorChin said:
Can I wipe system on my nexus 10? Cuase I heard that wiping system can damage the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When attempting to wipe the system, always carry safety glasses. My ex-girlfriend tried this once and the device blew up in her face... I eventually had to get rid of the poor thing....

djd338 said:
If you format data, you'll loose everything...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the difference between format data, and wiping internal storage?

When they say wipe data, I have always done factory reset. It keeps your sdcard intact. To do a full wipe, I have run through the top row of wipes in the wipe option: cache, dalvik, factory reset, system. If I'm wrong here, please let me know.
Format data will completely wipe your data off the N10. For example, if you download a rom to flash then go and format data, that rom will not be there to flash
Sent from my Nexus 10

AW: TWRP Question
Hey, is there any way I can update OTA with the TWRP? I can not get it to work. Always boots into the recovery and then does not commence with the updating process.
Thank you
Cheers :beer:
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 10 mit Tapatalk 2

IRKONIK said:
Hey, is there any way I can update OTA with the TWRP? I can not get it to work. Always boots into the recovery and then does not commence with the updating process.
Thank you
Cheers :beer:
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 10 mit Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, using sideload within TWRP combined with adb sideload as originally listed by tcrews here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2144385&page=3
This is how I applied the OTA and it worked flawlessly. My system was Stock 4.2.1, Rooted, Unlocked, TWRP.
I sideloaded the OTA like this:
1. make sure you have the latest SDK drivers for android installed on your computer.
2. download the OTA to your computer (I renamed it to JDQ39.zip to make typing easier)
3. install and run OTA RootKeeper on your tablet to protect your rooting.
4. connect to your computer, boot to TWRP recovery, select Advanced, Sideload, swipe to begin
5. on the computer enter "adb devices" to make sure you can see the nexus.
6. on the computer enter "adb sideload JDQ39.zip"
7. after all is done and the nexus reboots, restore Root with RootKeeper, and TWRP with GooManager.
8. verify all is well, then make a new Nandroid backup of your 4.2.2 system.
Good luck

AnchorChin said:
Can I wipe system on my nexus 10? Cuase I heard that wiping system can damage the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most custom ROMs format it before installing (/system holds well, system files) for a clean working folder. No damage.
espionage724 said:
What's the difference between format data, and wiping internal storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Format data formats what would be user installed apps, saved settings; Wipe internal storage formats /data/media, which is another path for /sdcard, /storage/sdcard0 and so on.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app

Kata i1 CWM Recovery & Custom ROM
Hi... is there anyone here knows to port CWM on Kata i1?

How to flash a Rom on a Nexus 7

I have flashed many a Rom in my day, but the Nexus 7 is a unique beast. How do you flash a ROM and how do you go about erasing the internal storage without losing all the data on the device. I.e. what you are flashing the TWP back ups and the Titanium back ups.
IF THIS HAD BEEN POSTED BEFORE I AM SORRY I AM ON MY NEXUS I DON'T HAVE A WAY TO SEE OLD POSTS.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Unlock the bootloader. (THIS WILL ERASE EVERYTHING - PERFORMS A FACTORY RESET).
(So perform a backup first using either adb pull or Carbon (available on PlayStore)).
Fastboot flash a custom recovery, (CWM or TWRP).
Reboot into that recovery...
Flash the ROM of your choice.
Rgrds,
Ged.

No no I already did that. Like on my S3 I need to wipe cache/delvik factory reset. Doing the factory reset erases the internal storage, since that is where the ROM is being flashed from and where the twp back ups are those could get erased. Which can brick a device. So what do I do to flash a ROM cleanly. Every time I flash a ROM it bootloops.

waffleb051 said:
No no I already did that. Like on my S3 I need to wipe cache/delvik factory reset. Doing the factory reset erases the internal storage, since that is where the ROM is being flashed from and where the twp back ups are those could get erased. Which can brick a device. So what do I do to flash a ROM cleanly. Every time I flash a ROM it bootloops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
factory reset on the nexus devices, DO NOT WIPE /data/media which is where your 'sdcard' data is.....

waffleb051 said:
No no I already did that. Like on my S3 I need to wipe cache/delvik factory reset. Doing the factory reset erases the internal storage, since that is where the ROM is being flashed from and where the twp back ups are those could get erased. Which can brick a device. So what do I do to flash a ROM cleanly. Every time I flash a ROM it bootloops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little vague about what you're asking here...
Haven't used CWM for a while (I forget the details), but in TWRP, having pressed WIPE...
...you can then select (In the wipe menu) CACHE, DALVIK CACHE, FACTORY RESET all with relative impunity... even SYSTEM ('Wipe System? This will wipe your ROM') can be wiped, if you have NANDROID BACKUPS or flashable ROMs to fall back on in internal storage.
The options to wipe EXTERNAL STORAGE, INTERNAL STORAGE and FORMAT DATA, however should be treated with EXTREME CAUTION... as you may be left only with a custom recovery (if you have wiped SYSTEM beforehand)... and then you'll have either have to adb push a NANDROID (or flashable ROM) from your computer or fastboot flash back to stock.
(As an aside by the way, you aren't really 'bricked'... you just have no usable ROM on your system; but that really isn't a problem if you know how to use adb or fastboot).
------
FACTORY RESET in TWRP doesn't wipe the internal storage... if that is what you're alluding to...
Rgrds,
Ged.

That is exactly what I was wonder thank you for both your answers