Root GNM recovery questions

[jpr8]

I know this is a long post and may require a long explanation so thanks if you decide to read on further.

I just had some questions about recovery that I was hoping someone could clear up. I try to do this stuff myself but the guides and the video(Kelso) use different recovery and I couldn't find answers by search. If you know of a post that addresses my questions please give a link.

In the GNM recovery under Nand backup I see by default "boot", "system", "data" and "cache" are marked with an x to indicate backup. Can someone explain what the other menu items (recovery, sd-ext, .android Backup) are for and when they should or should not be used?

I assume if you are using a2sd you would backup sd-ext but what about the other wipe options?
I just backed up the factory settings/rom and I used just the default x'd menu items, was that correct?
Now I am running the Kelso ROM w/a2sd and I'm not sure what additional items I should x for backup.

My second question is regarding wipe. While installing my first ROM (coming from the factory ROM) I wiped everything. If I want to install another custom ROM next what should I wipe? Some say wipe everything but sd-ext(Kelso video) and others say wipe only data, cache, davlik-cache. There are 8 choices and I am not sure which ones to use WHEN? Do I wipe different stuff when I'm just flashing a theme or flashing a OC kernal? Does having a partioned sd make a difference on what I should wipe...as you can see I'm pretty confused and just looking for answers so that I can "play" more. As of right now I'm happy with my setup and I haven't done any real damage...I'd like to keep it that way but I also want to experiment a little more.

 

[alfick3]

I know this is a long post and may require a long explanation so thanks if you decide to read on further.

I just had some questions about recovery that I was hoping someone could clear up. I try to do this stuff myself but the guides and the video(Kelso) use different recovery and I couldn't find answers by search. If you know of a post that addresses my questions please give a link.

In the GNM recovery under Nand backup I see by default "boot", "system", "data" and "cache" are marked with an x to indicate backup. Can someone explain what the other menu items (recovery, sd-ext, .android Backup) are for and when they should or should not be used?

I assume if you are using a2sd you would backup sd-ext but what about the other wipe options?
I just backed up the factory settings/rom and I used just the default x'd menu items, was that correct?
Now I am running the Kelso ROM w/a2sd and I'm not sure what additional items I should x for backup.

My second question is regarding wipe. While installing my first ROM (coming from the factory ROM) I wiped everything. If I want to install another custom ROM next what should I wipe? Some say wipe everything but sd-ext(Kelso video) and others say wipe only data, cache, davlik-cache. There are 8 choices and I am not sure which ones to use WHEN? Do I wipe different stuff when I'm just flashing a theme or flashing a OC kernal? Does having a partioned sd make a difference on what I should wipe...as you can see I'm pretty confused and just looking for answers so that I can "play" more. As of right now I'm happy with my setup and I haven't done any real damage...I'd like to keep it that way but I also want to experiment a little more.

When flashing a new/different ROM, I always just wipe everything. If you were flashing a new kernel or a fix, then you don't need to wipe all. I believe just wipe the dalvik, but others reading can correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't delete or reformat my sd card. I also don't touch the sd-ext since all your data and apps and such reside in these two partitions. You can copy everything over to the computer when you are usb connected, then reformat the sd card if you'd like. Then all you have to do is copy everything back over after the formatting is completed. Say you wanted to increase the size of your sd-ext, this would be the time to do that.

When I did nand back ups, I just selected everything. That was my own choice though. You'd be perfectly fine by just taking the defaults. Now, I'm using ROM Manager and the Clock Work Mod recovery, and it just backs up everything. With it, you get the choice of what you want to restore, rather than what you want to back up.

Hope this helps and clears up some questions you have.

 

[pmb116]

If I am flashing rom updates I just wipe cache/davlik. Same if I am flashing between the CM Roms.

 

[jpr8]

When flashing a new/different ROM, I always just wipe everything.

I also don't touch the sd-ext since all your data and apps and such reside in these two partitions.

I do appreciate your response but it still left me confused.

First you said wipe everything...then you say don't touch the sd-ext??

I never considered doing anything with the sd. Do some people re-format every time they flash?

Nand restore does not affect anything on the SD card does it (other than the ext)? So if I need to do a restore I don't have to move sd files back and forth do I?

 

[alfick3]

I do appreciate your response but it still left me confused.

First you said wipe everything...then you say don't touch the sd-ext??

I never considered doing anything with the sd. Do some people re-format every time they flash?

Nand restore does not affect anything on the SD card does it (other than the ext)? So if I need to do a restore I don't have to move sd files back and forth do I?

Sorry for confusion. Wiping doesn't touch the sd card, or the sd-ext partition. I don't know if some people reformat the sd card. I have, once or twice, just to make sure I had a clean start with my partitions. Three only time you will need to move files is if you decided to reformat the sd card.

 

[tripdoc79]

ill clear up some confusion for you. if you are using a2sd then you MUST make a backup of your ext along with the data, boot, system and cache. otherwise when you wipe your phone you will lose all your apps and there will be none to restore. when you use the Wipe ALL Data/Factory Reset option, it will wipe the cache, data and sd-ext partition. this is the option i use, along with a manual wipe of everything including the dalvik cache when i flash a new rom. so when you make a backup and are using a2sd yes you want to check the box that says sd-ext. note that you will need alot of space on your sd card when making that backup. if you are updating a rom or switching from one cm7 rom to another cm7 rom, you can just wipe the cache and dalvik-cache, and retain all your data and apps, note that this will take an extremely long to to boot for the first time as it will be rebuilding your dalvik-cache, so the more apps you have the longer the boot. when you are only flashing a kernel, all you need to do is wipe the cache and dalvik-cache. you do not need to backup the .android-secure because that is where the native a2sd store the apps on your sd card. only use the native a2sd if you are not using darktrems a2sd. the differance between native a2sd and darktrems a2sd is this: stock froyo and above have the optin in the app management menu to move the app to the sd card. that is the "native" a2sd, if you are using a ext partition then you are using darktrems. and you do not need to make a backup of the recovery, you can.. but it is totally optional. i hope this clears up some questions for you. and feel free to ask more.

 

[jpr8]

Tripdoc, thanks a ton. That clears up a lot for me. I just couldn't find a good explanation. Most of the guides/video are older and use one of the other recoverys.

So since I have an ext partition and use DT's a2sd I should back up "sd-ext" but not necessary to back up "recovery" or ".android_secure"

Flashing add-ons (kernal, themes, gapps) only wipe "cache" & "Dalvik-cache"

Flashing new rom wipe EVERYTHING.
question: if you are using a new rom and will be using DT's a2sd why would you wipe the sd-ext?

question: So when flashing a new rom (after wiping sd-ext as you said) I would restore apps from Titanium Backup (which is still on the sd card, right?) and then run the a2sd command to move them again?

Forgive me for re writing everything you just told me...it helps me to see it laid out simply (your paragraph was great but a little hard to decifer...LOL)

 

[tripdoc79]

Yeah when flashing a new ROM your ext will be wiped out.. Your can use tibu to restore them.. another way you can do this is by making a backup if the ext by itself and them restoring it after flashing your new ROM