Database Users

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] Do you lose your data when flashing a new rom?

ok guys, i have had my ****ty 3rd gen ipod touch for a while now, and this christmas i know I'm getting a nexus 7. now i consider myself fairly good with technology. but the only realm i havnt explored is android and that starts with the nexus 7. I am planing on rooting, but keeping the stock rom. I know i can't do ota updates with root. So the only way if i wanted to update my nexus 7, would be by flashing the next stock rom via twrp. the question is will it keep ALL MY DATA (apps, media, and settings)???? if not how can i keep it?
thank you and thanks in advanced.

if the update changes the version of Android, like from 4.0 to 4.1, then a wipe is recommended. if its only a small update, like minor ROM update, and the android version stays the same (eg. cyanogenmod nightlies) then there is no need to wipe. You get to CHOOSE (and you will hear this word a lot in the world of android) to wipe your data or not with a custom recovery. just dont blame it when your apps keeps crashing after an major update.

how does keeping your data work with ota updates then, wouldn't it be just as dangerous? also i would format? then restore my data with titanium backup?(right?)

If you just unlock/root, but do not install a custom recovery, you should have no issues receiving ota's. It's the addition of a custom recovery that prevents the ota from installing. Though you may lose root, so an app like ota root save is a good idea.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

Can someone give a straight answer?
Do you lose data if you flash ROM?
For example flash the exact same ROM twice? Would data, like SMS get deleted?

sirNemanjapro said:
Can someone give a straight answer?
Do you lose data if you flash ROM?
For example flash the exact same ROM twice? Would data, like SMS get deleted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Straight answer is... no...
If you're flashing 'like-for-like'... that is to say UPGRADING a given ROM, then generally, you just 'dirty-flash' over the top.
If your're changing ROM completely, then a full SYSTEM WIPE is probably recommended.
Rgrds,
Ged.

Usually if you already did the unlock and recovery process (usually a one time thing in the beginning), then you mainly just have to understand the 3 main partitions you're dealing with on rom flashing from recovery.
/system = this is where the system/OS files live, and where for the most part the roms install to
/data = this is where the usual user data lives, since the /system rarely changes, stuff like settings, downloaded applications, etc is stored here. Rom installs rarely ever wipe this, and normally it does not need to be wiped if you're upgrading from one rom to the next (such as going from SlimBean 6.0 to 6.2, same type of rom just an upgrade). If of course they are different roms a /data and /system (and cache/dalvik-cache) wipe is recommended before flashing the rom.
/data/media (if I got that right) = sort of the "media" area of the device where you will store most of your stuff like downloads, music, pictures, etc. In recovery, wiping /data will usually not touch this, it's just like the /sdcard partition on older phones.
When trying out a new rom, it is always best to backup via recovery, the backups are stored in that media area I spoke of, and it's also advised to copy them onto a computer when you get a chance. The Nexus 7 and TWRP Recovery supports USB-OTG so you could plug up a thumbdrive and save the backup there directly. If you run into problems, you can always go into recovery, wipe everything and restore from a backup.
---------- Post added at 02:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:16 AM ----------
By the way forgot to mention, even if you're just flashing an upgrade, it's still idea to wipe the cache/dalvik-cache (it won't affect your data, but new binaries should be reloaded by erasing the cache so they can be re-built).

Thanks guys. My phone was stuck in boot loop and I had to flash the stock ROM again and again and again until I got it working.
I lost several messages, that is what I expected.
However, before I torched and burned the phone with ROMs, I backed up the device (or whatever I was backing up, I dont know) with CWM backup.
Is there a way I can get those SMS messages out of this backup?

sirNemanjapro said:
Thanks guys. My phone was stuck in boot loop and I had to flash the stock ROM again and again and again until I got it working.
I lost several messages, that is what I expected.
However, before I torched and burned the phone with ROMs, I backed up the device (or whatever I was backing up, I dont know) with CWM backup.
Is there a way I can get those SMS messages out of this backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the PRO (paid-for) version of Titanium, there is a way you can extract stuff from Nandroid backups... but I don't have a 'Tilapia' Nexus 7 to test. (with regard to your SMS problem).
Just running it (Extract from Nandroid backup in Titanium PRO) on my 'Grouper' Nexus 7, and I can see all my apps (and associated data) in my last Nandroid available for individual extraction and restore.
Rgrds,
Ged.

It was a stock ROM, nothing out of the ordinary. I mean, there was a different kernel, I've put root kernel. So, if there is option to get it from stock system, that would be nice.

sirNemanjapro said:
It was a stock ROM, nothing out of the ordinary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And?... your point is?
Please elaborate.
Rgrds,
Ged.

Some questions about Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and root/ROMs, etc.

Just got a GTab 2 7.0 a few days ago. A P3113, so only 8GB of storage, about half of which is the ROM and crap apps. I've rooted before (had a KF 1st gen when it came out), and just wondering about a few things with the GTab:
Right now, I don't mind the stock ROM so much. There are problem things that would be "nice to have", but right now, would like to generally stay as "stock" as possible. That being said, I'd still like to "de-crap" the ROM to free up some storage space, and I assume that might lead to it running a bit better, since so much seems to just pop-in while running other apps. So:
I know I need to root first, so my first question - how reliable is that? I'm on a Mac, but have access to a netbook running Win7, so could run Odin to "get things done". I'd hate to brick the thing, still having 51 weeks of warranty left. (I also understand that I might want to install something else to keep the flash count from showing it's been flashed).
Once root'ed, is it better to use one of the "de-crapped" ROMs floating around? And if so, which seems "best" (yeah, I know the moderators hate the "which is best" - I'm looking for stock - and STABLE)
Or, is it better to eliminate the apps myself? (Not sure if this is a wholesale "rm" to remove certain apps from a terminal app, using adb, or if they have some uninstallers embedded somewhere, or...) - so better to use one of the ROMs floating around?
Is the GTab 2 "stable", so even if you trash a ROM, you can still get into the ROM manager to restore a previously working, or stock, ROM?
I'll probably come up with a couple more questions, especially depending on the replies... TIA

Hi..
I can answer some of your questions. I hope that helps!
1- Rooting is easy and reliable. you may use "CF-Auto-Root" tool (search for it in XDA forum).
But you need to remember that rooting and custom ROMs void your warranty.
2- If you just need to free some storage space, you may use an app such as "Clean Master" to uninstall system apps and get rid of temp and junk files.
3- If you opt to use a custom ROM make sure it is very well supported and maintained.

aisais said:
Hi..
I can answer some of your questions. I hope that helps!
1- Rooting is easy and reliable. you may use "CF-Auto-Root" tool (search for it in XDA forum).
But you need to remember that rooting and custom ROMs void your warranty.
2- If you just need to free some storage space, you may use an app such as "Clean Master" to uninstall system apps and get rid of temp and junk files.
3- If you opt to use a custom ROM make sure it is very well supported and maintained.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - but prior to using Clean Master I assume I better either get a stock image to reload, or use CWM so I can make a backup of the ROM before messing something up?

tundrwd said:
Thanks - but prior to using Clean Master I assume I better either get a stock image to reload, or use CWM so I can make a backup of the ROM before messing something up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taking a backup is always good thing to do. I suggest you try clean master to know how it works and what does it do.

aisais said:
Taking a backup is always good thing to do. I suggest you try clean master to know how it works and what does it do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - I plan to use Clean Master. Allows me to be selective about what I remove/move, instead of getting a ROM from someone and they removed the ONE THING I really wanted.

Ok, got it rooted and CWM installed.
HOWEVER, when I boot into CWM, I DON'T see an option to backup my ROM (I've used TWRP before on my KF, so the menu is different).
What I've got on my screen in CWM:
Android system recover <3e>
Volume up/down to move highlight;
power button to select.
reboot system now
apply update from ADB
apply update from external storage
wipe data/factory reset
wipe cache partition
apply update from cache​
That's it. Where's the option to do a ROM backup? Oh, used file P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip Had CWM and Root all in one. I do have GT-P3113_ClockworkMod-Recovery_6.0.1.0.tar as well. Should I just go through procedure again to flash this CWM? Will it still retain SU?

nandroid backup ok to use? Seems it's just a wrapper for a backup script...

Ok - I'll reply to myself.
I don't know what was wrong with the CWM I installed via the aforementioned file (P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip), but I went to the CWM site, D/L'ed the latest touch enabled CWM for the P3113 (6.0.2.3, I believe), and installed it over the existing recovery image on the device (I had to create my own .tar.md5 - easy with *nix).
Anyway, I now have access to the backup options by scrolling down. The image from P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip, simply wouldn't scroll beyond what I listed earlier. Now can scroll down, make backups, etc.
Haven't tried yet to re-install the image I made with nandroid - I'm a bit leery of that - so I'll just get the stock 4.1.1 ROM from sammobile, and keep it around....

tundrwd said:
Ok - I'll reply to myself.
I don't know what was wrong with the CWM I installed via the aforementioned file (P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip), but I went to the CWM site, D/L'ed the latest touch enabled CWM for the P3113 (6.0.2.3, I believe), and installed it over the existing recovery image on the device (I had to create my own .tar.md5 - easy with *nix).
Anyway, I now have access to the backup options by scrolling down. The image from P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip, simply wouldn't scroll beyond what I listed earlier. Now can scroll down, make backups, etc.
Haven't tried yet to re-install the image I made with nandroid - I'm a bit leery of that - so I'll just get the stock 4.1.1 ROM from sammobile, and keep it around....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I did today, grabbed the stock image for a backup, rooted with Odin and CWM then flashed a CM based 4.3 ROM. Piece of cake.

LG G2 force closing

Hello,
So out of nowhere, everytime I open a LG app, such as the dailer,quickremote,launcher and even the gallery, it syas "App updates has stopped".
Also, when I opened Whatsapp, it said that my messasging files where damaged, luckily I could restore them...
Whats is happening and how can I solve this problem??
I'm to afraid to reboot my device, because I'm scared that It will end up in a bootloop...

If you're using an original stock ROM, than copy all your important files to your PC, and factory wipe.
If you're on a custom ROM, copy all your important files to your PC, than get a copy of your custom ROM zip file and Gapps onto your phone, than do the following (using TWRP, I don't use CWM):
1) Go to Advanced Wipe, and wipe everything except for Internal Storage.
2) Install ROM and Gaps.
3) Wipe Cache, Dalvik Cache, and Internal Storage.
4) Reboot.

palaczu said:
If you're using an original stock ROM, than copy all your important files to your PC, and factory wipe.
If you're on a custom ROM, copy all your important files to your PC, than get a copy of your custom ROM zip file and Gapps onto your phone, than do the following (using TWRP, I don't use CWM):
1) Go to Advanced Wipe, and wipe everything except for Internal Storage.
2) Install ROM and Gaps.
3) Wipe Cache, Dalvik Cache, and Internal Storage.
4) Reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so I'm on the stocks ROM, but rooted, with x posed and TWRP.... What do I have to do??

pottemans said:
Okay, so I'm on the stocks ROM, but rooted, with x posed and TWRP.... What do I have to do??[/QUOTE
Go to the post where you got your KDZ file, and ask the DEV quoting my second method, if using it will require re-rooting or re-flashing SuperUser again.
I don't think it does, but, better to be safe than sorry.
I personally always use plain stock (d80220a currently), or I use an AOSP, CM, or PA, and using the above methods during installation of a custom ROM, always prevented system ui or other FCs, which did sometimes happen when I didn't wipe cache, dalvik, and internal.
Just double check with the dev of your ROMs OP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

palaczu said:
pottemans said:
Okay, so I'm on the stocks ROM, but rooted, with x posed and TWRP.... What do I have to do??[/QUOTE
Go to the post where you got your KDZ file, and ask the DEV quoting my second method, if using it will require re-rooting or re-flashing SuperUser again.
I don't think it does, but, better to be safe than sorry.
I personally always use plain stock (d80220a currently), or I use an AOSP, CM, or PA, and using the above methods during installation of a custom ROM, always prevented system ui or other FCs, which did sometimes happen when I didn't wipe cache, dalvik, and internal.
Just double check with the dev of your ROMs OP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks.... But the weird thing is, is that it just appears out of nowhere! I'm using the stock rom, with root and Xposed since I got my LG and never had a problem with it! Don't you think a simple reboot will fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I assumed you've already rebooted your phone and cleared data and cache for the affected apps, and it hasn't solved your problem, that's why I provided the solutions above.

palaczu said:
I assumed you've already rebooted your phone and cleared data and cache for the affected apps, and it hasn't solved your problem, that's why I provided the solutions above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! What I'll do tomorrow is I'll backup my files with MyBackup, Backup my foto's and move those files to my computer... After I've done that, I'll try to reboot, but I'm just too afraid that I will get in a bootloop.... But I'll wait for tomorrow, since it's Kingsday were i live (The Netherlands)

palaczu said:
I assumed you've already rebooted your phone and cleared data and cache for the affected apps, and it hasn't solved your problem, that's why I provided the solutions above.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welp, I just noticed vibration is not working either....

Yeah, I tried a few various ROMs, like CM, PA, Mahdi, SlimKat, PAC, etc, and because of all the bugs, I always endup going back to stock.
The only thing I don't like in the stock ROM, is the way the calling and massaging apps UI look. Other than that, I'm satisfied.
I used Sony phones before, and they didn't have so many bugs in the custom ROMs.
LG G2 ROMs seem to plagued by bugs, which is evident from all the beta releases, and hardly any STABLE versions. Even the so called stable releases are plagued by bugs. I think all the good devs are gone. They probably got real jobs, and don't have time to tinker with all these ROMs, especially that the LG G2 has so many variants.
Personally, I'd go back to Sony, especially that the Z2 has 3GBs of RAM, but, it's just so much bigger than the G2, and the performance vs price, compared to the G2, is just not worth it.
Anyway. Good luck with your problem.

palaczu said:
Yeah, I tried a few various ROMs, like CM, PA, Mahdi, SlimKat, PAC, etc, and because of all the bugs, I always endup going back to stock.
The only thing I don't like in the stock ROM, is the way the calling and massaging apps UI look. Other than that, I'm satisfied.
I used Sony phones before, and they didn't have so many bugs in the custom ROMs.
LG G2 ROMs seem to plagued by bugs, which is evident from all the beta releases, and hardly any STABLE versions. Even the so called stable releases are plagued by bugs. I think all the good devs are gone. They probably got real jobs, and don't have time to tinker with all these ROMs, especially that the LG G2 has so many variants.
Personally, I'd go back to Sony, especially that the Z2 has 3GBs of RAM, but, it's just so much bigger than the G2, and the performance vs price, compared to the G2, is just not worth it.
Anyway. Good luck with your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Yesterday Quickremote and Apps-update radomly started to work again, so basically everything is fine now.... Only 2 things are still doing weird....
1) Notification LED not working. It's working with Knock-On though, not with Lightflow....
2) Vibration isn't working at all... not in system apps, games and/or vibrate mode....

Need help/overwhelmed! Noob flashing to GPE 5.0.1?

Hi,
I want to install the ROM here on my Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505). I rooted and installed CM on it about 4 months ago, but since have forgotten anything about the process except for towelroot lol. My phone is currently running jflte snapshot M10 ROM for CM. Unfortunately, I have grown quite sick of it as I find I have to restart my phone once, maybe twice a day for everything to run smoothly. I run into problems where the WiFi likes to get stuck saying 'Turning on..'. Ive also been having problems with Google Maps and GPS lately and havent been able to rely on it, possibly its an issue its having with CM. I want to have the fresh Lollipop feel on my phone without any problems if possible. The only trouble is I dont know how to get there. Can anyone help me? Ive completely forgotten the process needed and when I try to look for it on here I am overwhelmed with things I need to do, which version I need to use etc etc. If anyone would be able to help me achieve this it would be greatly appreciated. In the end I just want a nice Lollipop android phone that doesn't have problems on my current S4 (Id rather not have to get a new phone at least until December ) I'm pretty sure I dont have a custom kernel or anything like that as it mentioned in some pages that I will need to get one I think? I also have philz CWM installed.

You have Philz installed, so you don't need to root again. Download the ROM and follow the instructions on the page.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
You have Philz installed, so you don't need to root again. Download the ROM and follow the instructions on the page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also mentioned to make sure I have the latest modem for my variant, how do I check/update that?
In regards to the kernel (which has a link on the same page), what do I do with that?

I don't have the latest modem for my I9505 and that ROM works perfectly fine. Where you've been on a custom ROM for a while finding out which modem you're supposed to use may be difficult. That's also why I recommend not worrying about it, unless you need to.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I don't have the latest modem for my I9505 and that ROM works perfectly fine. Where you've been on a custom ROM for a while finding out which modem you're supposed to use may be difficult. That's also why I recommend not worrying about it, unless you need to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks. In regards to the kernel that is linked on the page, I guess I would be at an advantage if I downloaded and installed that too. How do I install it?

If' we're talking the same GPE ROM, and I think we are, the kernel is included in the ROM download. You'll be prompted to select a kernel when you run the install through the recovery.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
If' we're talking the same GPE ROM, and I think we are, the kernel is included in the ROM download. You'll be prompted to select a kernel when you run the install through the recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks a lot!
So process:
Backup data/photos etc
Nandroid backup
Full wipe using philz?
Flash ROM
Done?

You've got it.
When you are prompted to select the kernel, use the Googy Max kernel. The stock kernel sometimes causes random reboots. Also, on first boot the S4 will sit for a fair amount of time before prompting you to set a language. THIS IS NORMAL. It's because Android 5.0.x uses Art instead of Dalvik, and has to compile the apps the first time around.
In other words, after rebooting, just be patient.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
You've got it.
When you are prompted to select the kernel, use the Googy Max kernel. The stock kernel sometimes causes random reboots. Also, on first boot the S4 will sit for a fair amount of time before prompting you to set a language. THIS IS NORMAL. It's because Android 5.0.x uses Art instead of Dalvik, and has to compile the apps the first time around.
In other words, after rebooting, just be patient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks a lot for the help! Greatly appreciated. Hope I dont run into any problems

I installed that ROM on Sunday, so what I did is still fresh in my mind. If you have problems, just use this thread and quote me. I'll do my best to help.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I installed that ROM on Sunday, so what I did is still fresh in my mind. If you have problems, just use this thread and quote me. I'll do my best to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All installed, was quite easy! Looks bloody beautiful, love it already. Thanks a heap!

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I installed that ROM on Sunday, so what I did is still fresh in my mind. If you have problems, just use this thread and quote me. I'll do my best to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made and error when backing up and didnt back up my photos onto a computer Is there any way that my nandroid recovery or titanium backup have saved my photos and how could I recover them?

jc258 said:
I made and error when backing up and didnt back up my photos onto a computer Is there any way that my nandroid recovery or titanium backup have saved my photos and how could I recover them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, they are gone forever.
How is that even possible that you wiped them? Wiping in the custom recovery never touches your internal storage by default. So you have done it yourself. You probably did a factory reset from within android itself. Never do that again. Use the custom recovery for wiping only and you never will have this problem again.

Lennyz1988 said:
No, they are gone forever.
How is that even possible that you wiped them? Wiping in the custom recovery never touches your internal storage by default. So you have done it yourself. You probably did a factory reset from within android itself. NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. Use the custom recovery for wiping only and you never will have this problem again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about that? It happened the first time I flashed a ROM. Wiped cache, wiped Dalvik through CWM. Never did a factory reset. No need for caps.

jc258 said:
Are you sure about that? It happened the first time I flashed a ROM. Wiped cache, wiped Dalvik through CWM. Never did a factory reset. No need for caps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's not possible for it to happen without you doing so. Unless you encrypted your phone or something.
ps removed the caps

The rom he installed has an aroma installer which offers the option to do a simple wipe (Dalvik, cache and data), no wipe (Dirty flash) and a factory reset (which also wipes the internal storage).
By default it is set on factory reset option.
It also says in red letters that this option is recommended.
So maybe he left it on factory reset (since it was also recommended) , instead of changing it to simple wipe, and that wiped the whole phone, including the internal storage.
Will a software that recovers deleted files not work? Since the phone wasn't encrypted.

It would if Windows saw the internal storage as a drive. Due to MTP it doesn't. He'll have to do a search, but there was another S4 owner who lost his photos and was trying to get them back. I don't know if a solution was ever found.

GDReaper said:
The rom he installed has an aroma installer which offers the option to do a simple wipe (Dalvik, cache and data), no wipe (Dirty flash) and a factory reset (which also wipes the internal storage).
By default it is set on factory reset option.
It also says in red letters that this option is recommended.
So maybe he left it on factory reset (since it was also recommended) , instead of changing it to simple wipe, and that wiped the whole phone, including the internal storage.
Will a software that recovers deleted files not work? Since the phone wasn't encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that's the case then shame on the developer. A factory reset in a custom recovery should leave the internal storage intact.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
It would if Windows saw the internal storage as a drive. Due to MTP it doesn't. He'll have to do a search, but there was another S4 owner who lost his photos and was trying to get them back. I don't know if a solution was ever found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's impossible. Once it's gone the files are permanently gone. Not even a professional company can restore them. That's because of TRIM that Android has from version 4.3.

Lennyz1988 said:
If that's the case then shame on the developer. A factory reset in a custom recovery should leave the internal storage intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not in the recovery. It's in the aroma installer. Those are 2 different things.
Besides, there is a description, under each setting, of what each one does.

@Lennyz1988: Perhaps you should bring this up with the developers of the ROM and see what they say. I suspect they have a very good reason for wiping the internal storage, and my gut instinct tells me it has to do with the Android folder on there.
On the flip side, thanks for the homework you gave me. I have to look into what TRIM is all about, as my last device was powered by Gingerbread.