Complete Reset - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Alrighty, I made two threads about this before and for some unknown reason they have been deleted? Either way, i'm going to ask a simple basic question then and not get into details this time.
How do I completely and utterly wipe everything on my phone so I can start over from scratch like it is brand new?
I've gone into CWM and the format section and have done every option there minus firmware. Not entirely sure how i'm gonna get access to my SD car now to toss on my ROMs an such again but desperate measures indeed going on here.
If I format the firmware as well what will it do?
There's files hidden on my system that I need to get rid of. I'm sick and tired of this app restoring old data when i've spoofed and changed all of my info. There's no possible way it should be able to which means it's hiding stuff somewhere in my folders deeply tucked away. Solution? I will delete and format EVERYTHING.
Help?

Flash the factory images.

I'll have to look up how thanks.
I formatted everything in a rage fit and wiped the SD card before flashing a new ROM so i'm sort of stuck in recovery right now and I don't know how to access it to put more files on via USB.

ZackBanditMan said:
I'll have to look up how thanks.
I formatted everything in a rage fit and wiped the SD card before flashing a new ROM so i'm sort of stuck in recovery right now and I don't know how to access it to put more files on via USB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I edited my post with a link to the instructions.
This will completely return your phone back to how it was when you first got it.

Chromium_ said:
I edited my post with a link to the instructions.
This will completely return your phone back to how it was when you first got it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read through it now and got the files in a directory, phone in bootloader but when I open the command prompt it doesn't allow me to type the commands. Is this because I formatted everything on the phone and it's not recognizing as a device?

Related

Complete wipe/reformat to start brand new

I've searched around various forums to learn how to do a complete wipe of the system to start completely brand new. I'm not talking about simply deleting user data, but system folders as well that may have gotten modified over time. I'm looking for the equivalent of an iPhone restore (it completely wipes out everything and loads the specified firmware).
So far I've seen people saying just to click on factory reset/restore in Android's settings or in CWM, but those only take care of user settings and files. I've also seen some people say that what I want is not possible.
Please clear it up for me. Is there a way to wipe everything (or reformat) to start off new with a chosen firmware from Asus? If not, then what's the closest thing I could do to achieve what I want?
Thanks
+1
need to go back to the start. sick of the android.launcher always force closing.
help would be appreciated.
I just did this yesterday by following the unroot guide on the sticky page. It takes you back to a 8.2.something ROM with the stock recovery and then the OTA brought me right back up to the latest .11 fw.
IT also wiped CWM and now it's bone stock.
zeus2you said:
I just did this yesterday by following the unroot guide on the sticky page. It takes you back to a 8.2.something ROM with the stock recovery and then the OTA brought me right back up to the latest .11 fw.
IT also wiped CWM and now it's bone stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me like this just removes/replaces the rooted files with the regular stock files, then loads the stock ROM over existing files. Yes it will appear as if you are back to out-of-box stock, but I believe you will still have random leftover files spread throughout your filesystem that had to do with modifications to root or whatever.
I'm looking for the equivalent of PC's reformat hard drive, install OS.
Spd2Last said:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me like this just removes/replaces the rooted files with the regular stock files, then loads the stock ROM over existing files. Yes it will appear as if you are back to out-of-box stock, but I believe you will still have random leftover files spread throughout your filesystem that had to do with modifications to root or whatever.
I'm looking for the equivalent of PC's reformat hard drive, install OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went a similar route, mainly by accident. I went through NVflash, which i believe formats and recreates partitions and will flash a rom of your choice. I went straight from format to prime 1.5 in this way. Qualitatively, it does appear a bit snappier than my previous install (root from factory > upgrade to prime).
yeah! i have noticed the leftover files etc too..
I would love to know if you found a way, specially how to format /sdcard and the internal storage
Backwardsblade said:
I went a similar route, mainly by accident. I went through NVflash, which i believe formats and recreates partitions and will flash a rom of your choice. I went straight from format to prime 1.5 in this way. Qualitatively, it does appear a bit snappier than my previous install (root from factory > upgrade to prime).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to customize what it is you want to flash? I've only found guides on how to use nvflash with a permade packages.

[Q] anyway to get internal sd data off when stuck in bootloop?

@ mods i realised my mistake in posting this in the wrong section and posted in the right one but people are replying to this one......so please dont delete this just yet
I in my infinite wisdom tried to mod a file on my phone. I did a titanium backup 1st but forgot to move it to my external SD Doh!
So that went wrong and now I'm stuck in a boot loop with only the stock recovery screen. Need to install stock rom and adb not recognized. (Im sure ill figure that) but my main question is, is there some way to recover data from the internal "sd" memory?
I really appreciate any advice anyone can give
I am not sure if I understood your question.. if you have CWM then just access recovery mode and you will have an option to mount the SD and you will be able to access all your files via USB from your PC
?
I don't have cwm . Like I said I only have the stock recovery screens I.e factory reset and download mode.
Do a factory reset, it won't erase your data.
Not sure that would work. It says wipe user data and factory reset so surely it would wipe my data. Plus I don't think that'll work anyway as I changed a file which caused the boot loop so I don't think a factory reset will fix that file.
Androboyben said:
Not sure that would work. It says wipe user data and factory reset so surely it would wipe my data. Plus I don't think that'll work anyway as I changed a file which caused the boot loop so I don't think a factory reset will fix that file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what info are you trying to get off the device? the sms etc are stored on your data and will be wiped by a reinstall/factory reset
anything on the usb side for storage will not get touched
Factory reset wont clear anything on the internal_sd
thank you.....but
thanks for the replies peeps ill trust your knowledge (and have pressed the thanks button )
got a day off tomorrow so gonna try and get it up and running again,
Question though, being as i buggered up the stock rom wont flashing the new rom (when i figure out how) delete internal data either.
the reason im being carefull is i did some awesome illustrations (imo) for a childrens book im writing so hoping to save those.
Androboyben said:
thanks for the replies peeps ill trust your knowledge (and have pressed the thanks button )
got a day off tomorrow so gonna try and get it up and running again,
Question though, being as i buggered up the stock rom wont flashing the new rom (when i figure out how) delete internal data either.
the reason im being carefull is i did some awesome illustrations (imo) for a childrens book im writing so hoping to save those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it depends on if you use a wipe or non wipe rom, a non wipe wil lkeep qall the data stored on the android system intact but you might get bootloops if it doesnt replace the file you say you deleted
took the plunge......alls good
Richy99 said:
it depends on if you use a wipe or non wipe rom, a non wipe wil lkeep qall the data stored on the android system intact but you might get bootloops if it doesnt replace the file you say you deleted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Richy99, i took the plunge and followed nasgilani's guide to installing stock rom, i was supprised when it completed that even my home screens etc were as they were before (appart from widgets being blank) and glad to see "as you all said" my data intact.
i shall be more cautious before i start messing with mods next time
basically internal usb storage of 11gb will never be touched when you factory reset nor wil lanything on an external sd card
the only thing that gets wiped is the 1gb internal space for the rom and data on that partition such as sms/email etc
I know this is an old topic but I noticed it wasn't exactly answered.. I'm trying to send mine back to the factory for warranty because the power button no longer functions. I have the stock rom and recovery and I'm stuck in boot loop because I can't execute factory wipe with the power button. I'd like to pull my data off of the internal SD but am unable to fix the bootloop without forcing the wipe.
I know metter is over now, it was just ur worrying, otherwise wiping cache,wiping data from recovery , flashing stock rom (wipe/non wipe) nothing.will erase data on internal memory.
Just for knowledge
aroma file manager is available, which works from recovery, it can work even you device stucked, unable to boot..
Edit ; sometime you feel ashamed, just come to know this is 6month old topic
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

[Q] Soft-Brick Assistance

Note: I may not use terms correctly, I have spent the past hour reading threads similar to mine in order to (hopefully) use the correct terms to describe my predicament.
I was using TriForce ROM 3.0 and I wanted to mix things up a bit because it was too much like the stock ROM. I found Negalite S4 and tried my hand at that, with devastating consequences. I booted my phone into TWRP did a wipe and then proceeded to install the Negalite S4.zip onto my phone. It got stuck in a boot loop. After a good 30~ minutes of it continuously rebooting I turned it off and booted back into TWRP. However, now that my phone was wiped, it is not a recognized device by my computer any longer. Since I wiped the phone clean the .zip is no longer on my phone either. So, all I have now is a phone that can boot into recovery (TWRP); which is a soft-brick (correct me if I'm wrong).
I have read other threads and the xda community informs the user to use KIES or ODIN (I have used ODIN once before). However, try as hard as I can to understand their directions... I don't know what to do with ODIN.
My computer does not recognize my device at all. It will only boot into recovery otherwise it's stuck in an infinite boot loop. I am really scared that I have ruined such a valuable phone and so I am not thinking clearly - which is only adding to my "noobishness."
Can anyone please help me out in a way that I can understand? All help is much appreciated!
_retro said:
Note: I may not use terms correctly, I have spent the past hour reading threads similar to mine in order to (hopefully) use the correct terms to describe my predicament.
I was using TriForce ROM 3.0 and I wanted to mix things up a bit because it was too much like the stock ROM. I found Negalite S4 and tried my hand at that, with devastating consequences. I booted my phone into TWRP did a wipe and then proceeded to install the Negalite S4.zip onto my phone. It got stuck in a boot loop. After a good 30~ minutes of it continuously rebooting I turned it off and booted back into TWRP. However, now that my phone was wiped, it is not a recognized device by my computer any longer. Since I wiped the phone clean the .zip is no longer on my phone either. So, all I have now is a phone that can boot into recovery (TWRP); which is a soft-brick (correct me if I'm wrong).
I have read other threads and the xda community informs the user to use KIES or ODIN (I have used ODIN once before). However, try as hard as I can to understand their directions... I don't know what to do with ODIN.
My computer does not recognize my device at all. It will only boot into recovery otherwise it's stuck in an infinite boot loop. I am really scared that I have ruined such a valuable phone and so I am not thinking clearly - which is only adding to my "noobishness."
Can anyone please help me out in a way that I can understand? All help is much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, download and install Samsung drivers from the Internet if your phone isn't installing them on its own. Download MDL stock. Open ODIN. Put your phone in download mode. ODIN should see your phone. Flash stock MDL. Use goo manager to install TWRP again after your booted on stock MDL. Or use ODIN to do it. Redownload the custom ROM you want and then flash in TWRP. Also wiping the phones dalvik, cache system ect shouldn't have erased your SD card in the first place. You mist have accidentally checked the wipe SD card in advanced wipe options. You never need to do that. So next time also have a nandroid backup on your external SD. I keep one on internal as well in case external card goes bad cause sometimes that happens. And never select that wipe SD card option. Unless of course you really do want to wipe your SD card. Don't do that and keep a full backup of your last working ROM and you'll not have this problem again.
3ncrypt3d said:
Okay, download and install Samsung drivers from the Internet if your phone isn't installing them on its own. Download MDL stock. Open ODIN. Put your phone in download mode. ODIN should see your phone. Flash stock MDL. Use goo manager to install TWRP again after your booted on stock MDL. Or use ODIN to do it. Redownload the custom ROM you want and then flash in TWRP. Also wiping the phones dalvik, cache system ect shouldn't have erased your SD card in the first place. You mist have accidentally checked the wipe SD card in advanced wipe options. You never need to do that. So next time also have a nandroid backup on your external SD. I keep one on internal as well in case external card goes bad cause sometimes that happens. And never select that wipe SD card option. Unless of course you really do want to wipe your SD card. Don't do that and keep a full backup of your last working ROM and you'll not have this problem again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank-you for the detailed response, I'll get started now! I did wipe the SD card, you're right. I'm so glad that you posted, thanks again.
If I need help I'll edit this post (no bumping within 24 hours). I'm hoping I have enough smarts to knock this out though. Again, thank you so much.
EDIT: Excuse my ignorance. I'm not sure what MDL stock is, I figured it was the default ROM - I have a nandroid of that. However, even after re-installing the samsung drivers, rebooting both my phone and computer - nothing happens. I don't know how to proceed from here. I can imagine I'm becoming a pain and do apologize.
_retro said:
Thank-you for the detailed response, I'll get started now! I did wipe the SD card, you're right. I'm so glad that you posted, thanks again.
If I need help I'll edit this post (no bumping within 24 hours). I'm hoping I have enough smarts to knock this out though. Again, thank you so much.
EDIT: Excuse my ignorance. I'm not sure what MDL stock is, I figured it was the default ROM - I have a nandroid of that. However, even after re-installing the samsung drivers, rebooting both my phone and computer - nothing happens. I don't know how to proceed from here. I can imagine I'm becoming a pain and do apologize.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2375523
The link above is the tar file for stock MF9. If you just use the link for the from the first post you just need to download the first file (not the kernel). Once downloaded you need to extraxt that zip and you will get a .tar.md5 file from it. Later open odin and make sure only auto reboot is checked. Click on the PDA slot and find the .tar.md5 file you downloaded click on it. Next put your phone into download mode and connect it to your computer. Wait for it to install drivers and you will see a yellow box with "com:[some number]" once you see that click start and from there let it do its thing and whoola you have your phone back to MF9 stock. Good luck!
Sent from my SPH-L720
ROMANTiC KiD said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2375523
The link above is the tar file for stock MF9. If you just use the link for the from the first post you just need to download the first file (not the kernel). Once downloaded you need to extraxt that zip and you will get a .tar.md5 file from it. Later open odin and make sure only auto reboot is checked. Click on the PDA slot and find the .tar.md5 file you downloaded click on it. Next put your phone into download mode and connect it to your computer. Wait for it to install drivers and you will see a yellow box with "com:[some number]" once you see that click start and from there let it do its thing and whoola you have your phone back to MF9 stock. Good luck!
Sent from my SPH-L720
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you did it! That post is solid, I understood every-bit! My phone (most likely) is downloading the firmware now. I don't know how long it will take to get off the "Downloading... Do not turn off target !!" screen, but I'll edit this post after letting it sit over night! Thank you both so much.
_retro said:
Well, you did it! That post is solid, I understood every-bit! My phone (most likely) is downloading the firmware now. I don't know how long it will take to get off the "Downloading... Do not turn off target !!" screen, but I'll edit this post after letting it sit over night! Thank you both so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your welcome glad to help again, should take less than 10 mins. If its more than that just reboot your computer and repeat the steps from opening odin and finding your file. Another GS4 saved ;D
Sent from my SPH-L720
ROMANTiC KiD said:
Your welcome glad to help again, should take less than 10 mins. If its more than that just reboot your computer and repeat the steps from opening odin and finding your file. Another GS4 saved ;D
Sent from my SPH-L720
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You were right, it was quite snappy. I cannot believe I was so panicked over this! My babies safe ... for now.
So how did Twrp wipe nor SD card? When by boot into recovery and immediately click on Wipe, it'll wipe everything Necessary except the internal and external memory. Did you click the option to choose what you want to wipe? Happens more than ya may think, cause I've done it myself lol. Good to hear it's back up, I still get freaked out by those occurrences
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
reverepats said:
So how did Twrp wipe nor SD card? When by boot into recovery and immediately click on Wipe, it'll wipe everything Necessary except the internal and external memory. Did you click the option to choose what you want to wipe? Happens more than ya may think, cause I've done it myself lol. Good to hear it's back up, I still get freaked out by those occurrences
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wasn't human error through TWRP, it was an error while flashing Negalite. It asks if you want to wipe everything, data, or nothing at all. Silly me thought let's wipe EVERYTHING! Heheh
3ncrypt3d said:
Okay, download and install Samsung drivers from the Internet if your phone isn't installing them on its own. Download MDL stock. Open ODIN. Put your phone in download mode. ODIN should see your phone. Flash stock MDL. Use goo manager to install TWRP again after your booted on stock MDL. Or use ODIN to do it. Redownload the custom ROM you want and then flash in TWRP. Also wiping the phones dalvik, cache system ect shouldn't have erased your SD card in the first place. You mist have accidentally checked the wipe SD card in advanced wipe options. You never need to do that. So next time also have a nandroid backup on your external SD. I keep one on internal as well in case external card goes bad cause sometimes that happens. And never select that wipe SD card option. Unless of course you really do want to wipe your SD card. Don't do that and keep a full backup of your last working ROM and you'll not have this problem again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN IS NOT RECOGNISING MY PHONE ...WHAT TO DO????:crying::crying::crying:
Ridddeathmetal said:
ODIN IS NOT RECOGNISING MY PHONE ...WHAT TO DO????:crying::crying::crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reinstall drivers, use different USB ports, used different USB cables?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
romantic kid said:
reinstall drivers, use different usb ports, used different usb cables?
Sent from my sph-l720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried 4 ports...in different pc also but same result used 3 cables...but none recognising it.....drivers have been downloaded and reinstalled

[Q] Phone stuck in TWRP boot loop; no files show up when plugging in OTG cable

What kind of method would I need to use to be able to get my phone back to stock? I tried to take the update, but failed, and then in a haste deleted all of my storage on the phone. I know that I need to use the OTG cable, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I put a .tot file on the root of a thumb drive to see if i could see it through TWRP but I couldn't. I am in a bootloop that goes straight to TWRP, but I don't have any files to flash to get it to boot up the rest of the way. Do I need to use the KDZ file instead? I have no experience using ADB either so if that is what I need to do, I definitely need assistance with it. Thanks in advance I hope?
No worries, nice and simple fix. Terminal command is awesome.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451696
Let us know how it goes!
asdfvtn said:
No worries, nice and simple fix. Terminal command is awesome.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451696
Let us know how it goes!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where will this get me? I dont think I have any kind of rom or anything to boot to because I deleted my memory on accident after I was already in the bootloop. Does the stock rom still exist under everything despite wiping all of memory? Not just data but EVERYTHING (yes I know, I shouldn't have been so antsy while not being familiar with TWRP).
joshuaclogg said:
Where will this get me? I dont think I have any kind of rom or anything to boot to because I deleted my memory on accident after I was already in the bootloop. Does the stock rom still exist under everything despite wiping all of memory? Not just data but EVERYTHING (yes I know, I shouldn't have been so antsy while not being familiar with TWRP).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you wiped, you selected dalvik, cache, and data, correct? If so, you'll be fine (If you truly wiped everything already, you wouldn't have TWRP anyway). The line from that link I posted simply deletes the OTA you downloaded. If you type it exactly as written, nothing else will be done to your phone. Be sure to triple check what you're typing though.
Feel free to keep looking around though if you like.
Best of luck
asdfvtn said:
When you wiped, you selected dalvik, cache, and data, correct? If so, you'll be fine (If you truly wiped everything already, you wouldn't have TWRP anyway). The line from that link I posted simply deletes the OTA you downloaded. If you type it exactly as written, nothing else will be done to your phone. Be sure to triple check what you're typing though.
Feel free to keep looking around though if you like.
Best of luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both of the methods there do the same? And I selected format data which now that I read is so far from what I wanted haha
joshuaclogg said:
Both of the methods there do the same? And I selected format data which now that I read is so far from what I wanted haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Both methods result in the same thing. Format data won't wipe everything.

Reset S4 with broken LCD

Hi guys, i've broken my Galaxy s4 lcd some day ago, and yesterday i've decided to sell it on ebay.
But now i have to wipe it. The problem is that i am running a custom Touchwiz rom and Philz touch recovery. So i don't think i can use Kies to make a factory reset.
I can use Odin to flash a stock image etc... But i don't know how to solve completely my problems.
Can someone help me? Thx
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41392134
Take help from this
"If someone helps, never forget to hit thanks ? "
DeepankarS said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=41392134
Take help from this
"If someone helps, never forget to hit thanks ? "
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the replay.
However, the Galaxy S4 doesn't have fastboot mode, but only download mode and recovery mode, so I don't know how to use the commands...
OmniSlyfer said:
Thank you for the replay.
However, the Galaxy S4 doesn't have fastboot mode, but only download mode and recovery mode, so I don't know how to use the commands...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin will fix it.
Flash the stock ronin Odin. All your user data will be (sort of) removed.
A skilled user could still recover your user data' but most people won't even know its there.
You will not need the phone's screen to work at any point in the Odin process.
Skipjacks said:
Odin will fix it.
Flash the stock ronin Odin. All your user data will be (sort of) removed.
A skilled user could still recover your user data' but most people won't even know its there.
You will not need the phone's screen to work at any point in the Odin process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok perfect
I've just finished to flash the stock rom, I hope evrything worked fine. I'll try to install Kies3 to see if I can maybe do another wipe or something else to delete definately all my data inside (including photos etc...). Any suggestions?
OmniSlyfer said:
Oh ok perfect
I've just finished to flash the stock rom, I hope evrything worked fine. I'll try to install Kies3 to see if I can maybe do another wipe or something else to delete definately all my data inside (including photos etc...). Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin will wipe the data as well as Kies will.
But neither really removes the data. Both just remove the directory structure which makes it easy to sort the data.
To really remove the data you need to overwrite it with new data. That is much more difficult to do without access to the screen on the phone.
You could do it in recovery with the device mounted via usb to a computer. But you generally need to select that in recovery using the touch screen.
You can also push data to the device to overwrite using adb, but its more difficult.
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Skipjacks said:
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahahahahah
Skipjacks said:
Odin will wipe the data as well as Kies will.
But neither really removes the data. Both just remove the directory structure which makes it easy to sort the data.
To really remove the data you need to overwrite it with new data. That is much more difficult to do without access to the screen on the phone.
You could do it in recovery with the device mounted via usb to a computer. But you generally need to select that in recovery using the touch screen.
You can also push data to the device to overwrite using adb, but its more difficult.
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahahah. Thank you so much for the explanation
I think the buyer will find some photos of me in the phone, i hope he will not die coz of my ugly face
I think this thread can be closed.
Skipjacks said:
Odin will wipe the data as well as Kies will.
But neither really removes the data. Both just remove the directory structure which makes it easy to sort the data.
To really remove the data you need to overwrite it with new data. That is much more difficult to do without access to the screen on the phone.
You could do it in recovery with the device mounted via usb to a computer. But you generally need to select that in recovery using the touch screen.
You can also push data to the device to overwrite using adb, but its more difficult.
All in all though...unless you have evidence of your participation in a crime on the phone, don't be so worried about it. It will be okay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since Google implemented Trim in Android 4.3, it's impossible (as of yet) to recover deleted data. I tried several guides here on XDA on data recovery and none of them work anymore.
See for example this article.
http://forensic.belkasoft.com/en/why-ssd-destroy-court-evidence
So basically if you delete a file or format your system, the data is really gone.
Lennyz1988 said:
Since Google implemented Trim in Android 4.3, it's impossible (as of yet) to recover deleted data. I tried several guides here on XDA on data recovery and none of them work anymore.
See for example this article.
http://forensic.belkasoft.com/en/why-ssd-destroy-court-evidence
So basically if you delete a file or format your system, the data is really gone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That article was one of the most awesome nerdy things I ever read. I had no idea about the garbage collectors on solid state memory.
Skipjacks said:
That article was one of the most awesome nerdy things I ever read. I had no idea about the garbage collectors on solid state memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my experience, flashing stock firmware with Kies DOES NOT wipe the user data/files from phones SD card. I have to always do factory reset from stock recovery to wipe it.
tomtro74 said:
From my experience, flashing stock firmware with Kies DOES NOT wipe the user data/files from phones SD card. I have to always do factory reset from stock recovery to wipe it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wont ever wipe the external sd card
The internal sd card should depend on the tar file and if it formats that partition or not.
I never really paid attention to it myself because I have never had to flash a full stock restore on my S4 so I have no idea what the standard for S4 firmwares is.
The internal data partition though should be wiped with a full stock firmware in odin every single time.
Skipjacks said:
It wont ever wipe the external sd card
The internal sd card should depend on the tar file and if it formats that partition or not.
I never really paid attention to it myself because I have never had to flash a full stock restore on my S4 so I have no idea what the standard for S4 firmwares is.
The internal data partition though should be wiped with a full stock firmware in odin every single time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's not. Believe me. I used to flash stock rom on S4 number of times and I can confirm that flashing stock rom with Odin DOES NOT WIPE any user data. Your photos and other files stays intact as well as the apss ( you may loose some apps internal data ) until factory reset is performed either from stock recovery or from rom itself.
tomtro74 said:
Well, it's not. Believe me. I used to flash stock rom on S4 number of times and I can confirm that flashing stock rom with Odin DOES NOT WIPE any user data. Your photos and other files stays intact as well as the apss ( you may loose some apps internal data ) until factory reset is performed either from stock recovery or from rom itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well how about that.....you learn something new every day!
OmniSlyfer said:
Hi guys, i've broken my Galaxy s4 lcd some day ago, and yesterday i've decided to sell it on ebay.
But now i have to wipe it. The problem is that i am running a custom Touchwiz rom and Philz touch recovery. So i don't think i can use Kies to make a factory reset.
I can use Odin to flash a stock image etc... But i don't know how to solve completely my problems.
Can someone help me? Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if your S4 opens, just connect it to the PC and then the internal memory will appear
delete whatever you wants

Categories

Resources