Root [MetroPCS] [Help] How do I perform a proper Nandroid Backup with Link2SD installed with created links?

[androidman12]

I did some Google searching but have not yet found a definitive answer to my current dilemma. What is the best way to go about doing a complete nandroid (Rom backup) with Link2SD installed, with apps already linked to the LG Optimus F6?

Say I want to backup and restore my current rom (With apps and symlinks). Will the data on the ext4 partition, still be intact, on my external sd card after I restore? Since the ext4 partition can only be viewed on my android phone and not my PC?

Basically what will happen to the Link2SD card setup? Also should I unlink created links of all my apps before restoring a backup? I use Clockwork Mod for recovery and backup & restore.

I also have Titanum Backup, but have been having some current issues with boot loops, every time I restore my apps and system data from previous rom backups (Dedicated to the specific rom I backed up.) So hopefully there is another solution. Thanks.

 

[Rukbat]

You have 2 options:

1) Restore the apps to internal memory and do a nandroid backup. After a restore, move them back to the SD card with Link2SD.

2) Just do a nandroid backup. The links will be restored as-is, and will still point to the same locations on the SD card. If you haven't done anything to the SD card between the backup and restore, you shouldn't have any problems. ("Shouldn't have" means I've never done it that way, so no guarantees, but an analysis of what's happening says it should work.)

If you back everything up first [use Helium and back up both the apps and the data - data only is the default], they do a nandrod, factory reset and do a nandroid restore, and the apps link wrong, at least you'll be able to reinstall them with Helium and move them with Link2SD. The worst that will happen is that you'll waste a couple of hours. But then you'll know whether you can depend on that method or not.

Either way, moving everything back to internal storage first, or having to reinstall everything, is going to be a pain, but if backing up and restoring without moving the apps back works, you'll know that you can save yourself a few hours when you want to back up later. (Which you should do before making any major changes.)

 

[androidman12]

Well I did method 2) before I read your post, to test. But I'll check out Helium and will also try your preferred suggestion as well. I also noticed today, when I did a cwm backup, that it also saved the ex4 partition (Same partition Link2SD uses I presume.) New to phone rooting (But not hacking or should I say modding in general.) Thanks for your post Rukbat.

Update 1: Ok I downloaded Helium and did a backup (App + App Data) to my external SD Card like you suggested. All should go well. Thanks again.

Update 2: I had to unlink all apps linked by Link2SD for Helium to backup the app + app data but it worked. Thanks.

 

[Rukbat]

Now that you have everything backed up, reformat the ext4 partition on the card and do a nandroid restore. (Nail-biting time.) If it doesn't restore the links, at least you have the Helium backup to restore the apps, then move them. But you'll know for sure. (It's better to know when a) you have the time and b) you have all the parts, than when the phone goes weird, you have to do a factory reset and the restore you thought would work doesn't - and you absolutely MUST walk out of the house in 15 minutes with a working phone. That's why I have a backup of everything timed for the middle of every night - I treat my phone's apps and data the way I would a commercial server, as far as data integrity is concerned. If it's not important enough to back up, it's not important enough to take up space in the phone.)

 

[androidman12]

I restored GT's Xperion Rom. It didn't restore links but I was able to restore all apps with Helium, remount Link2SD script and relink everything no problems. Also just did another backup. I currently have 10 rom backups with varying different configurations. Also thanks for the advice. I am very OCD when it comes to backups and saving data.

I currently have six 2 Terabyte external drives, hooked up to my computer and probably thousands of dvd-r's at this point. So you can only imagine, how much data I backup. But yes, I am going to get into scheduling my phone backups. Thanks for that tip as well. Much appreciated.

@Rukbat

what is your opinion on this mod 11extsd2internalsd [MOD]App2External_SD (Fixed Duplicate files) linked below. Have you tried that mod yet? Basically tricking your phone to believe your external sd card is really the internal memory? Or foldermount? Trying to get some opinions on this, in case I want to install some games in the future. Now that I have Link2SD up and running for apk's.

http://androidforums.com/lg-optimus-f3/801368-mod-app2external_sd-fixed-duplicate-files.html

 

[Rukbat]

I've never used any of those apps, but back in Gingerbread days I was running a ROM that did exactly that - it used a partition on the external SD card as internal storage. And it worked for a few years, until I retired the phone. (It still works - I charge the batteries (I always have more than one for any phone) every 4-6 months - but since I don't use the phone ...)

As for backup, the professional backup scheme is a full backup at the beginning of the month, then incremental backups daily. Every week you reuse the Monday-Thursday media, but make a new Friday backup for that week. At the end of the month you keep the end of month backup (and the original full backup).

Then you do the same thing the next month.

Different people have different ideas about how you handle it on a yearly basis. Keep all the original and end of month backups for a year? Keep the original backup and the last incremental backup of the year? Keep all the backups?

I have one backup of all my apps (even the ones I no longer use) for two reasons. It's faster than downloading the apk again, and some of them may not be available any more. (Anything earlier than version 6 of Maps was a pretty good navigation app - I wish I had kept a backup of it back then.) I back up some data on a daily basis, some less frequently, some almost never, depending on how bad the situation would be if I lost it. (For instance, my medical data - daily BP, blood sugar, etc., is backed up daily. My car insurance cards are backed up once every 6 months.)

I had a client who didn't believe in backups - "computers don't fail, only the people who use them do". Then they lost their hard drive, including about $500,000 of accounts receivable. Seagate replaced the hard drive. I put it into the computer and installed Windows on it so they could get something for the box at the bankruptcy auction. I became a bit OCD about backing up at that time.