If I remember it correctly, when performing factory reset under stock ROM, you basically erase everything you've put in the phone. However, I just noticed recently that factory reset does not seem to remove directories such as DCIM, TWRP and TitaniumBack (as well as the files underneath). At least that's what I saw in CM12 ROMs. Of course this is convenient when we flash different ROMs, but why is the difference?
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I am having problems with the phone (I cannot access apps store or the ext sd card) and only have Odin to work with. So, I want to flash a fresh original factory rom and then reflash the new rom. When do this, i am assuming the factory reflash erases EVERYTHING including voodoo lag fix and reinstalls the original factory rom. So, essentially it is reformatting the internal sd and then reinstalling a new copy. This is a correct assumption ?
Ok, I come from the Apple world where you have to restore the iPhone / iPad first to update to the latest iOS then re-jailbreak.
With the N7, if I wanted to upgrade to a newer version of Android (currently on 4.2.2, so whatever comes next), would I have to re-flash the N7 to stock 4.2.2 then re-unlock and re-root it?
What if I just want to do a factory reset to start over? Do I have to re-flash stock 4.2.2 then re-unlock and re-root in that case too?
Synomenon said:
Ok, I come from the Apple world where you have to restore the iPhone / iPad first to update to the latest iOS then re-jailbreak.
With the N7, if I wanted to upgrade to a newer version of Android (currently on 4.2.2, so whatever comes next), would I have to re-flash the N7 to stock 4.2.2 then re-unlock and re-root it?
What if I just want to do a factory reset to start over? Do I have to re-flash stock 4.2.2 then re-unlock and re-root in that case too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To do an official ota yes. There are stock odexed/deodexed ROMs you can flash in the dev forums without having to go through that though.
Sent from my Paranoid 3.0 Nexus7 running M-Kernel mr1
Locking/unlocking of the boot loader is completely independent from other "rooting" activity. Under normal circumstances, it is only unlocked once and then left that way.
In Android, there are 5 principal partitions: recovery, boot, system, data, and cache. In pure stock devices, it is intended that recovery, boot, and the system partition are always used in a read-only fashion by the end user. All user changes, customizations, settings, and data are recorded into the data (sometimes also called "userdata") partition. (The cache partition is used for temporary/transient stuff)
So, the Android "factory reset" is not precisely what you are thinking of - it is a procedure which erases only the cache and data partitions. IT RESTORES NOTHING - IT ONLY DELETES.
So, if a device "rooter" comes along and alters the boot/recovery/system partition, those changes stay on the tablet/phone even when a "factory reset" procedure is performed. THOSE CHANGES CAN BREAK THE SUCCESSFUL INSTALL OF AN OTA BUNDLE, so, yes - it is generally cleaner to install a pure stock ROM for the purposes of performing an OTA upgrade... at which point you need to re-root and re-customize ( not including the boot loader unlock step).
One more thing, too: because the Nexus 7 has no physical SD card, it has an "emulated" SD card which is stored in the /data (userdata) partition. When the "stock recovery" performs a "factory reset", it erases EVERYTHING in /data - including this psuedo SD card! The newer versions of the CWM or TWRP custom recoveries define "factory reset" a little differently - they erase everything except what is stored in the /data/media/ folder - the location of the emulated SD card (usually /data/media/0). This is important to understand, as your backups will be stored in there.
HTH
PS There is no need for you to "hurry up and install an OTA" if you are using a well supported custom ROM - generally after a few weeks a ROM dev will rebase their ROM onto the new release, and you can simply "dirty flash" the replacement ROM over the top of the existing ROM. That will save you some effort if you just wait a little.
So I just unlocked and rooted my N7 last night.
Since it is unlocked and rooted, do I have to do anything different if I want or have to perform a factory reset (using the hardware buttons to go into recovery mode and use the "wipe data/factory reset" option)?
If I do this factory reset, it stays unlocked right? Does it stay rooted too?
Synomenon said:
If I do this factory reset, it stays unlocked right? Does it stay rooted too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and Yes.
PS. The most important skill set you can develop right now is making backups using the custom recovery. You should be 100% comfortable using the backup/restore menus of the custom recovery ... and almost as important knowing where they are stored so you can get copies of them off the tablet for safe keeping.
Thank You!
bftb0 said:
Locking/unlocking of the boot loader is completely independent from other "rooting" activity. Under normal circumstances, it is only unlocked once and then left that way.
In Android, there are 5 principal partitions: recovery, boot, system, data, and cache. In pure stock devices, it is intended that recovery, boot, and the system partition are always used in a read-only fashion by the end user. All user changes, customizations, settings, and data are recorded into the data (sometimes also called "userdata") partition. (The cache partition is used for temporary/transient stuff)
So, the Android "factory reset" is not precisely what you are thinking of - it is a procedure which erases only the cache and data partitions. IT RESTORES NOTHING - IT ONLY DELETES.
So, if a device "rooter" comes along and alters the boot/recovery/system partition, those changes stay on the tablet/phone even when a "factory reset" procedure is performed. THOSE CHANGES CAN BREAK THE SUCCESSFUL INSTALL OF AN OTA BUNDLE, so, yes - it is generally cleaner to install a pure stock ROM for the purposes of performing an OTA upgrade... at which point you need to re-root and re-customize ( not including the boot loader unlock step).
One more thing, too: because the Nexus 7 has no physical SD card, it has an "emulated" SD card which is stored in the /data (userdata) partition. When the "stock recovery" performs a "factory reset", it erases EVERYTHING in /data - including this psuedo SD card! The newer versions of the CWM or TWRP custom recoveries define "factory reset" a little differently - they erase everything except what is stored in the /data/media/ folder - the location of the emulated SD card (usually /data/media/0). This is important to understand, as your backups will be stored in there.
HTH
PS There is no need for you to "hurry up and install an OTA" if you are using a well supported custom ROM - generally after a few weeks a ROM dev will rebase their ROM onto the new release, and you can simply "dirty flash" the replacement ROM over the top of the existing ROM. That will save you some effort if you just wait a little.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you bftb0:good::good:
Just as title states, I always spend a lot of time after restoring apps and data from flashing a new ROM getting my screen and layout and folders and widgets as they were prior to flashing a new ROM.
Is there a way to restore all this quickly?
NO
The problem you're having is when you install a different ROM you usually "Wipe" everything. If you don't wipe /data then everything you have is still there. However you will have problems going from one custom ROM to another, as each developer has made some tweaks to the system packages.
Generally speaking, if you are running a "Stock Odexed" ROM you could possibly dirty flash a "Custom Odexed" ROM.
Same goes for Deodexed to Deodexed. You will have problems if you try to cross dirty flash a ROM.
So the simple answer to your question is NO there is no easy way, even if you backed up your Applications using a tool like Titanium Back Up.
If you are just updating the same ROM, the developer will say to either Clean Flash (wipe everything) or Dirty Flash (IMO still wipe cache and dalvik). If you can dirty flash everything will still be just as you set it up.
Got everything restored already, I'll have to just suck it up then I guess.
Just makes me wonder how flashaholics do it.
Recently installed Hyperdrive Rom on my Verizon Note 3. SM-900V, NC4, running KK 4.4.2 prior to this installation.
Followed instructions re flashing back to NC2, Rom installed, everything is good,
BTW, as a part of the process installed SafeStrap, which provided a nice TWRP related recovery.
Did as suggested, a backup through recovery.
subsequently, made a couple of other changes, making a new backup through recovery each time. At present, there are three recoveries in backup.
Now comes the problem...........Decided to restore a prior backup, as instructed, did the full wipe using SS recovery, selected restore file desired, all went well and rebooted phone, only to have it hang once it reached the Bright Red Verizon screen.
Rebooted to recovery, followed the above procedure two other times on the remaining two backups. Same results.
Have wiped (Factory reset) each time in recovery with no apparent success.
Is this now being caused by the fact that I'm @ NC2, rather than NC4?
Would appreciate any suggestions as how I can get back to being able to restore and use any of the prior backups.
As a temporary measure, I went into recovery and reinstalled the Hyperdrive rom but would like to be able to go back in time if possible, and for no other reason to be able to understand just exactly what is causing this issue. Perhaps others have the same and have resolved in some way. A Google search shows that some are suggesting a return to factory settings, i.e. a full wipe through recovery, however I've done that with no success.
Another question, what happens if I also "wipe" the system files as well as dalvic, cache and data? Have hesitated to do that for fear of the unknown consequences
Recently installed Hyperdrive Rom on my Verizon Note 3. SM-900V, NC4, running KK 4.4.2 prior to this installation.
Followed instructions re flashing back to NC2, Rom installed, everything is good,
BTW, as a part of the process installed SafeStrap, which provided a nice TWRP related recovery.
Did as suggested, a backup through recovery.
subsequently, made a couple of other changes, making a new backup through recovery each time. At present, there are three recoveries in backup.
Now comes the problem...........Decided to restore a prior backup, as instructed, did the full wipe using SS recovery, selected restore file desired, all went well and rebooted phone, only to have it hang once it reached the Bright Red Verizon screen.
Rebooted to recovery, followed the above procedure two other times on the remaining two backups. Same results.
Have wiped (Factory reset) each time in recovery with no apparent success.
Is this now being caused by the fact that I'm @ NC2, rather than NC4?
Would appreciate any suggestions as how I can get back to being able to restore and use any of the prior backups.
As a temporary measure, I went into recovery and reinstalled the Hyperdrive rom but would like to be able to go back in time if possible, and for no other reason to be able to understand just exactly what is causing this issue. Perhaps others have the same and have resolved in some way. A Google search shows that some are suggesting a return to factory settings, i.e. a full wipe through recovery, however I've done that with no success.
Another question, what happens if I also "wipe" the system files as well as dalvic, cache and data? Have hesitated to do that for fear of the unknown consequences
Bump
Kicking Deuce on the Beast, Note 3
sacgeek said:
Recently installed Hyperdrive Rom on my Verizon Note 3. SM-900V, NC4, running KK 4.4.2 prior to this installation.
Followed instructions re flashing back to NC2, Rom installed, everything is good,
BTW, as a part of the process installed SafeStrap, which provided a nice TWRP related recovery.
Did as suggested, a backup through recovery.
subsequently, made a couple of other changes, making a new backup through recovery each time. At present, there are three recoveries in backup.
Now comes the problem...........Decided to restore a prior backup, as instructed, did the full wipe using SS recovery, selected restore file desired, all went well and rebooted phone, only to have it hang once it reached the Bright Red Verizon screen.
Rebooted to recovery, followed the above procedure two other times on the remaining two backups. Same results.
Have wiped (Factory reset) each time in recovery with no apparent success.
Is this now being caused by the fact that I'm @ NC2, rather than NC4?
Would appreciate any suggestions as how I can get back to being able to restore and use any of the prior backups.
As a temporary measure, I went into recovery and reinstalled the Hyperdrive rom but would like to be able to go back in time if possible, and for no other reason to be able to understand just exactly what is causing this issue. Perhaps others have the same and have resolved in some way. A Google search shows that some are suggesting a return to factory settings, i.e. a full wipe through recovery, however I've done that with no success.
Another question, what happens if I also "wipe" the system files as well as dalvic, cache and data? Have hesitated to do that for fear of the unknown consequences
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am essentially having the same problem. I am currently running on Biggins ROM and that had me install a unified verision of the NC2 and NC4 kernels (I came from NC4 prior to flashing). I wanted to go back to stock root and flashed my backup from SS, everything went well so I restarted and just like you the phone just never went passed the Verizon logo screen. So I reinstalled the Biggins ROM and it works fine now but I also want to know what I have to do when I want to install other ROMS or simply go back to stock root.