I want to have a clean install on my Nexus, and I was wondering what it meant to "WIPE". Is it Factory reset, cache, dalvik cache, and system? Or is it also system too?
I have TWRP
Thank you!
factory reset. when you wipe data, you factory reset. that automatically wipes your cache and dalvik too.
simms22 said:
factory reset. when you wipe data, you factory reset. that automatically wipes your cache and dalvik too.
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Click to collapse
It's not system too?
iamjerry123 said:
It's not system too?
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Click to collapse
no.
simms22 said:
no.
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Click to collapse
Thank you so much for answering all my stupid questions. So If I wanted a new clean start for my phone (while it still being rooted and not losing all my SD card files) I would just have to do a factory reset, then flash?
Unfortunately, the terminology seems to vary from device to device and even from recovery to recovery.
It can mean either (a) "destroy the filesystem and rebuild a new blank one" or it can mean (b) "don't destroy the filesystem but delete all the files in it". In both of these cases, access to all files are lost, but there are subtle differences for the flash memory with regards to whether the blocks are marked as erased or not.
As regards to recent versions of TWRP, the "factory reset" button underneath the Wipe menu does not behave exactly like either of the above cases (although it is more similar to case (b)), nor does it behave the same way as the stock recovery's version of "factory reset", which deletes EVERYTHING in /data.
TWRP's version of "factory reset" erases everything in /cache, but when it comes time to deal with the /data partition, it avoids erasing all the files in /data/media. This is where the "internal SD card" files are stored INCLUDING ANY BACKUP FILES you might have made (if you didn't use an external storage for the backup)
Here's what I would recommend when using the Wipe menu in TWRP:
1) Put the tablet down on a table before you enter the Wipe menu - don't hold it in your hands. The reason for this is that none of the touch buttons require confirmation, so an accidental touch could lead to an immediate disaster involving loss of your backups.
2) If you are installing a new ROM from scratch, the only button you need to use is the "factory reset" button - nothing else. (Performing Dalvik wipe or Cache wipe are superfluous as the "factory wipe" button takes care of this) *1
3) If you are installing a ROM which is a small revision from a prior version - and the ROM dev has explicitly indicated it is OK to do a "no wipe" install, use only the "cache wipe" and "dalvik wipe" bttons. *2
In short, you should really only use the top four buttons in TWRP under normal circumstances. Especially you should avoid the "wipe data" button unless you are:
- selling the device or returning it
- some disaster happened where the /data partition fails to mount any longer.
*1 It is somewhat unusual that ROM devs fail to add a wipe of /system in their scripting prior to
installation; so typically using the "wipe sytem" button is not needed for new ROM installs, and it is cerainly not desired if you want to do a complete reset of whatever ROM is already installed.
*2 Doing this kind of thing is just asking for trouble - understanding and using the Titanium Backup along with full-wipe installs is a better idea.
cheers
Related
So I was reading the Royal Ginger Rom thread, and his instructions on the 3rd page I believe say to:
"Make sure when you wipe you wipe both on the main page of recovery. Then go to advance and wipe dalvik then go to mount and format boot, system and format sdcard. Then flash."
Have I been missing something here with all the ROM's I've been flashing? With all the ROM's I've flashed, I've only done "full data wipe", "wipe cache", and "wipe dalvik"
I've never done a format boot, system and fotmat sdcard.
And doesn't formatting a sd card wipe everything off it? Or am I thinking of something else
bballcat03 said:
So I was reading the Royal Ginger Rom thread, and his instructions on the 3rd page I believe say to:
"Make sure when you wipe you wipe both on the main page of recovery. Then go to advance and wipe dalvik then go to mount and format boot, system and format sdcard. Then flash."
Have I been missing something here with all the ROM's I've been flashing? With all the ROM's I've flashed, I've only done "full data wipe", "wipe cache", and "wipe dalvik"
I've never done a format boot, system and fotmat sdcard.
And doesn't formatting a sd card wipe everything off it? Or am I thinking of something else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you do full wipe /system is untouched so you should go format the /system, /boot, do full wipe. You can manually remount it but this is done auto when reflashing and reconstructing the image. Far as the format sdcard goes I take it that it access /sd-ext part which you should leave it alone if you don't understand.
BlackSHELF said:
When you do full wipe /system is untouched so you should go format the /system, /boot, do full wipe. You can manually remount it but this is done auto when reflashing and reconstructing the image. Far as the format sdcard goes I take it that it access /sd-ext part which you should leave it alone if you don't understand.
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So I should always do a FULL wipe then with whatever rom I flash? Could explain some "oddities" I've been getting at times lol
And just leave the format sdcard alone?
bballcat03 said:
So I should always do a FULL wipe then with whatever rom I flash? Could explain some "oddities" I've been getting at times lol
And just leave the format sdcard alone?
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Click to collapse
1) Keep your battery 100% (trust me saves you alot of time recalibrating)
2) Format /system, /boot from Recovery
3) Wipe dalvik, full wipe
4) Flash whatever via SDCard
BlackSHELF said:
1) Keep your battery 100% (trust me saves you alot of time recalibrating)
2) Format /system, /boot from Recovery
3) Wipe dalvik, full wipe
4) Flash whatever via SDCard
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Click to collapse
Ah ok, I was totally unaware of step 2. I've just done "wipe data/factory reset" and the two cache's.
Interesting what I'll get from here on out now. What do you mean by "recalibrating" when you said to keep the battery at 100%?
bballcat03 said:
Ah ok, I was totally unaware of step 2. I've just done "wipe data/factory reset" and the two cache's.
Interesting what I'll get from here on out now.
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Click to collapse
Thats why we are here. Normally most leave it alone and only time we recommend it is when user is doing major upgrade for example switching roms or having some issue that none else can replicate. You are now good to go
BlackSHELF said:
Thats why we are here. Normally most leave it alone and only time we recommend it is when user is doing major upgrade for example switching roms or having some issue that none else can replicate. You are now good to go
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Click to collapse
thats sorta interesting
ive not once seen it mentioned in any of the rom threads or just around xda to wipe both boot and system until seeing it in the royalginger thread
not saying its wrong...but it should be maybe conveyed that only wiping date/factory reset, cache and dalvik isnt always sufficient
Freek91 said:
thats sorta interesting
ive not once seen it mentioned in any of the rom threads or just around xda to wipe both boot and system until seeing it in the royalginger thread
not saying its wrong...but it should be maybe conveyed that only wiping date/factory reset, cache and dalvik isnt always sufficient
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Click to collapse
Well normally people just do full wipe (/data, /cache, /sd-ext, /sdcard/.android_secure) and wipe dalvik but if you want to properly do it then you can format /system manually or do it via adb fastboot erase system -w. This is more clean way to do it as you get rid of the /system which is not normally covered with wipe.
A point of clarification. As I understand it, the Dalvik cache (used by Mobile Java apps) is a structure within the /data partition. A "full wipe / factory reset" formats /data, so a wipe of the Dalvik cache in addition wouldn't actually do anything.
Wiping the Dalvik cache along with /cache is usually recommended for ROM "upgrade" flashes, when /data is left intact.
Hi,
I have an HD2 with MAGLDR and CWM. Now i want to update my Hyperdroid ROM because of some issues. The Last Time i did this, all my previous installed apps, sms and contacts are still there.
How can i make a complete clean installation of all this?
Thank you,
trial
Enter cwm
Choose wipe data/ factory reset
Flash new rom.
samsamuel said:
Enter cwm
Choose wipe data/ factory reset
Flash new rom.
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Click to collapse
I sugest to flash "daf.exe" application to recreate boot. And OFC from cwm partition/format SD if you want clean installation.
If you have problem with some roms, put task29 and fix permition
GL
flashing from zip overwrites the boot and system partition, and 'wipe data/factory reset' wipes sd-ext, cache, data and clears the .android folders on the fat32 partition, so unless you want to change the partition size, there is no extra benefit in reflashing cwm (which is what "flash daf.exe" means, for anyone that has only used the flashing tool) and as for task29,,, well i've always considered that to be superfluous except in times where things are genuinely wrong, and indeed doing a full "task29, cwm, rom flash" every time (some people even consider re-flashing hspl, the radio and magldr a 'clean' install ) hugely increase the load on the nand blocks, and considering the number of 'bad block' threads that have been coming up the last 6 months, keeping the number of writes,wipes and rewrites low has got to be top priority.
(course, just my thoughts, I'm no electronics engineer or dev )
Hi,
I have an Iconia Tab A500 with CWM installed and sometime i switch on different ROM to test them.
Usually befoere making a full NANDROID restore i do only a "Wipe data" / "Wipe cache" / "Wipe dalvik" but sometime you can see on some post that you need in addition to format "/system /flexrom /data /cache, etc.."
So my stupid question, is it necessary to format each time i do a full restore or only to wipe.
In fact, what is the difference between "Wipe" and "Format" ?
Thx a lot for answer.
A developer could certainly give you a more accurate answer to your question than me but, as far as I know, wiping means erasing the data that you have added by yourself to the ROM (for example, your pseudos and passwords, apps, and so...), while formatting means erasing all the data that the developers have written originally.
Personally, when I restore a ROM, I never do a wiping nor a formatting, since the backup contains all the data of the ROM, afaik.
aranna said:
Hi,
I have an Iconia Tab A500 with CWM installed and sometime i switch on different ROM to test them.
Usually befoere making a full NANDROID restore i do only a "Wipe data" / "Wipe cache" / "Wipe dalvik" but sometime you can see on some post that you need in addition to format "/system /flexrom /data /cache, etc.."
So my stupid question, is it necessary to format each time i do a full restore or only to wipe.
In fact, what is the difference between "Wipe" and "Format" ?
Thx a lot for answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install RA Recovery, you only need to select in wipes "user data/factory reset", then do a dalvik wipe. This formats your partitions so no need to do 6 different things. System gets formatted when the rom installs.
so, wiping or formatting as no effect when you restore a backup because all is erased.. strange.. so why on most tutorial we ask to do a wipe ?
Strange...
Can you give me an example of tutorial where it is said that you have to do a wipe before a restore with CMW ?
aranna said:
so, wiping or formatting as no effect when you restore a backup because all is erased.. strange.. so why on most tutorial we ask to do a wipe ?
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Click to collapse
To me this is a better safe than sorry situation. It's probably unnecessary and redundant but i'd rather wipe and format everything before i flash just to be sure im getting a clean base, rather than flash, have bugs, and have to go back into recovery and wipe anyway and reflash
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
you know I always understood that restoring did not require a wipe, but since I've started this tablet, I've noticed I get failed restore more often. I've started wiping before restore but sometimes it still fails.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
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.
Whole Story:
I'm on a i337m Canadian S4 - Comes with Bootloader unlocked.
Last night I clicked "Format Data" by mistake in the newest TWRP - Lost everything - Could not do anything - flashing Roms did not work, so I downloaded a complete Restore of 4.2.2 from Sammobile and Odin 3.0.7 and was going to flash it back to stock.
About 1/2 way through the flash, something failed regarding a partition - Now my phone will not do anything other than display the below screen. It does not load a recovery, it does not go into download mode. Kies does not detect the phone anymore.
What can I do? Anything?
I'm so depressed over this.
bigystyle84 said:
Whole Story:
I'm on a i337m Canadian S4 - Comes with Bootloader unlocked.
Last night I clicked "Format Data" by mistake in the newest TWRP - Lost everything - Could not do anything - flashing Roms did not work, so I downloaded a complete Restore of 4.2.2 from Sammobile and Odin 3.0.7 and was going to flash it back to stock.
About 1/2 way through the flash, something failed regarding a partition - Now my phone will not do anything other than display the below screen. It does not load a recovery, it does not go into download mode. Kies does not detect the phone anymore.
What can I do? Anything?
I'm so depressed over this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Format data will do nothing other than restore to factory settings, it should boot straight after.
winwiz said:
Format data will do nothing other than restore to factory settings, it should boot straight after.
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Click to collapse
From what I've read, Format Data using the newest version of TWRP deletes everything, causing everything not to work and is some sort of bug.
The ODIN Flash then failed after too.
I have the i337M Canadian version with the S600 Qualcomm
I've flashed via Odin dozens of times before with my previous Note II / S3 - never had one fail.
bigystyle84 said:
From what I've read, Format Data using the newest version of TWRP deletes everything, causing everything not to work and is some sort of bug.
The ODIN Flash then failed after too.
I have the i337M Canadian version with the S600 Qualcomm
I've flashed via Odin dozens of times before with my previous Note II / S3 - never had one fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does adb detect the phone?
kingzain900 said:
Does adb detect the phone?
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure - I can see when I get home.
Can a cable cause this? I am not using the Cable that came with the phone - That wasn't included when I bought it. I'm using a Sony Cable from a Xperia T I used to own.
Why did the Odin flash fail to begin with?
Why did Format Data in TWRP cause all this to happen?
bigystyle84 said:
I'm not sure - I can see when I get home.
Can a cable cause this? I am not using the Cable that came with the phone - That wasn't included when I bought it. I'm using a Sony Cable from a Xperia T I used to own.
Why did the Odin flash fail to begin with?
Why did Format Data in TWRP cause all this to happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also ask Does god exist and what is the meaning of life.
Haha. I don't know. Such rethorical questions.
The cable matters because the other cable might not push enough current. Not sure. About the rest I have no idea. TWRP has a bug that's for sure. I don't use it. Check what adb says.
RESOLVED!!!
Tried my Laptop running Windows 7, and switched the cable. Also tried ODIN 1.85 instead of 3.07
Finally! This version of ODIN recongizes my phone.
3rd Attempt at flashing the firmware worked. The first TWO times failed.
Once it flashed, it froze, but factory rest has me back to Stock.
Now - to avoid that format Data button in TWRP, think I'll be giving CWM a try for the first time in years. Need me some Google Edition.
bigystyle84 said:
RESOLVED!!!
Tried my Laptop running Windows 7, and switched the cable. Also tried ODIN 1.85 instead of 3.07
Finally! This version of ODIN recongizes my phone.
3rd Attempt at flashing the firmware worked. The first TWO times failed.
Once it flashed, it froze, but factory rest has me back to Stock.
Now - to avoid that format Data button in TWRP, think I'll be giving CWM a try for the first time in years. Need me some Google Edition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wiping data, opposed to Formatting data.
TWRP FAQ
What to Wipe in TWRP
If you are switching ROMs (changing from one ROM to a completely different one) then you should perform a factory reset. A factory reset wipes data and cache (which includes dalvik cache). A factory reset will also wipe sd-ext and android_secure if your device has those items. 99% of the time, this is all that you need to wipe and you only need to do it once, not three times as some people would lead you to believe.
If you're installing a nightly update, then oftentimes you don't need to wipe anything at all. However, if you encounter strange behavior, then you may want to consider performing a factory reset. Of course, if the ROM maker recommends that you do a factory reset during an update, then it's a good idea to follow their recommendation.
The vast majority of ROMs wipe system as part of the zip install. This means that in most cases you do not need to wipe system... ever.
At this point, cache (not dalvik cache) is primarily used for recovery. It's used to store the recovery log and for storing OTA (Over The Air) updates. You probably don't need to wipe cache, and cache is already wiped as part of a factory reset.
In most ROMs, dalvik cache is stored in the data partition, so if you do a factory reset, you've also wiped dalvik cache. In a few custom ROMs, especially on older devices with small data partitions, the ROM maker may have moved dalvik to the cache partition to provide you with more room for apps. Since we wipe cache with a factory reset, again, you probably don't need to wipe dalvik. There are a few situations where you may need to wipe dalvik cache when installing updates, but you will know that it's needed when you are greeted with force closes when trying to open some apps.
Depending on your device and its configuration, you may have options for wiping internal storage, external storage, sd-ext, android_secure, and/or an option for formatting data. There's almost no reason that you would ever need to use these items. These options are there for convenience. For instance, if you're getting ready to sell your device, then it's a good idea to wipe everything on the device so that the new owner doesn't get your private data. Note that these wipe options may not be completely destructive. If you store especially sensitive information on your device or are really concerned about your private data, then you may need to look into other options to ensure that your data is fully destroyed.
norml said:
Wiping data, opposed to Formatting data.
TWRP FAQ
What to Wipe in TWRP
If you are switching ROMs (changing from one ROM to a completely different one) then you should perform a factory reset. A factory reset wipes data and cache (which includes dalvik cache). A factory reset will also wipe sd-ext and android_secure if your device has those items. 99% of the time, this is all that you need to wipe and you only need to do it once, not three times as some people would lead you to believe.
If you're installing a nightly update, then oftentimes you don't need to wipe anything at all. However, if you encounter strange behavior, then you may want to consider performing a factory reset. Of course, if the ROM maker recommends that you do a factory reset during an update, then it's a good idea to follow their recommendation.
The vast majority of ROMs wipe system as part of the zip install. This means that in most cases you do not need to wipe system... ever.
At this point, cache (not dalvik cache) is primarily used for recovery. It's used to store the recovery log and for storing OTA (Over The Air) updates. You probably don't need to wipe cache, and cache is already wiped as part of a factory reset.
In most ROMs, dalvik cache is stored in the data partition, so if you do a factory reset, you've also wiped dalvik cache. In a few custom ROMs, especially on older devices with small data partitions, the ROM maker may have moved dalvik to the cache partition to provide you with more room for apps. Since we wipe cache with a factory reset, again, you probably don't need to wipe dalvik. There are a few situations where you may need to wipe dalvik cache when installing updates, but you will know that it's needed when you are greeted with force closes when trying to open some apps.
Depending on your device and its configuration, you may have options for wiping internal storage, external storage, sd-ext, android_secure, and/or an option for formatting data. There's almost no reason that you would ever need to use these items. These options are there for convenience. For instance, if you're getting ready to sell your device, then it's a good idea to wipe everything on the device so that the new owner doesn't get your private data. Note that these wipe options may not be completely destructive. If you store especially sensitive information on your device or are really concerned about your private data, then you may need to look into other options to ensure that your data is fully destroyed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - I realize this and am installing TWRP as we speak. (I just prefer it)
I was actually reading the Complete Guide in the general section and saw under CWM install that you need to format data between switching Roms.. I never actually did this ever with previous phones. Completely my fault for reading the CWM part, not the TWRP part, right under neath. I thought the Format Data was something S4 specific since this is my 2nd day with the device.
I'm now rooted with TWRP back on.