Root Questions for you flashaholics (intermediate level)

[Roymus]

So I just flashed my third ROM (Fresh to Azrael to MikFroyo) and I have some questions about the flashing process...I know these have been answered here and there in other threads, but hopefully this will make it easier for new flashmaniacs. Thanks!

1. I use the Amon Ra recovery to make nandroid backups as it seems to be the consensus choice over Clockwork. What are the recommended choices on the Backup menu to select? I normally choose the boot, system, data, cache, and wimax options (boot, system, data, and cache are checked by default). Is there ever any reason to select the recovery, sd-ext or .android_secure options?

2. I like to make multiple nandroid backups to make it easier to go back to prior versions (I have a Fresh nandroid and Azrael nandroid backups on my SD card in addition to my current MikFroyo backup). Amon Ra uses a default file name for its backup that's kind of cryptic (at least the date is in there). Can these backups be renamed to make them easier to identify? Or does this break the Amon Ra restore process?

3. Like most people, I use the Titanium Backup paid version to back up all my applications + data before flashing a new ROM. However, I'm still a bit unsure as to what the best restore option to use after flashing. In the past I've used the full restore option (all apps + data), but I think that will restore older HTC com and system files, which might defeat the purpose of flashing the new ROM. When I flashed Mikfroyo, I just restored missing apps + data, which seemed to work ok...except I had to do an awful lot of tweaking to get everything working right. What are the best Titanium backup and restore options when flashing? Is it possible to create custom ones (for example, only restore user apps)? I've also found that it's a good idea to backup Bookmarks, SMS, and MMS using MyBackup Pro...for some reason, Titanium doesn't back these up reliably.

Note also that I'm having a HUGE problem with MikFroyo...for some reason, after I restore my apps and get everything tweaked the way I want it, the apps are NOT being saved...if I boot into recovery for any reason (for example, to flash a new kernel or do a nandroid backup), when I reboot the phone, all my restored apps are GONE...I basically have a "vanilla" MikFroyo installation! I will post details in a new thread...but I may be going back to Azrael based on this alone...note it's not a fluke, it's happened TWICE...any help would be appreciated!

 

[CzarMatt]

So I just flashed my third ROM (Fresh to Azrael to MikFroyo) and I have some questions about the flashing process...I know these have been answered here and there in other threads, but hopefully this will make it easier for new flashmaniacs. Thanks!

1. I use the Amon Ra recovery to make nandroid backups as it seems to be the consensus choice over Clockwork. What are the recommended choices on the Backup menu to select? I normally choose the boot, system, data, cache, and wimax options (boot, system, data, and cache are checked by default). Is there ever any reason to select the recovery, sd-ext or .android_secure options?

Sometimes when a ROM or application (such as Apps2sd) makes use of the sd-ext section, or a specific recovery, it might be a good idea to back up these. If you use RA you should be good not worrying about these options, but it doesn't really hurt to have at least one nAndroid with every option just to be safe.

2. I like to make multiple nandroid backups to make it easier to go back to prior versions (I have a Fresh nandroid and Azrael nandroid backups on my SD card in addition to my current MikFroyo backup). Amon Ra uses a default file name for its backup that's kind of cryptic (at least the date is in there). Can these backups be renamed to make them easier to identify? Or does this break the Amon Ra restore process?

You can rename the files so long as they don't have a space in the file name I believe.

3. Like most people, I use the Titanium Backup paid version to back up all my applications + data before flashing a new ROM. However, I'm still a bit unsure as to what the best restore option to use after flashing. In the past I've used the full restore option (all apps + data), but I think that will restore older HTC com and system files, which might defeat the purpose of flashing the new ROM. When I flashed Mikfroyo, I just restored missing apps + data, which seemed to work ok...except I had to do an awful lot of tweaking to get everything working right. What are the best Titanium backup and restore options when flashing? Is it possible to create custom ones (for example, only restore user apps)? I've also found that it's a good idea to backup Bookmarks, SMS, and MMS using MyBackup Pro...for some reason, Titanium doesn't back these up reliably.

I never have a problem selecting a batch operation of "Backup all user apps and data." Usually I just go through manually and uncheck/check the items I want to backup before running the batch operation. I've also heard that Titanium Backup does not backup SMS/MMS/etc, so you might want to stick with MyBackup Pro for that.


As for MikFroyo ROM, I'm not familiar with that ROM so I'm not sure what to tell you about your apps not saving issue. I'm sure someone else here can point you in the right direction.

 

[Xtremedays]

I am running Mikfroyo 4.4 and have had no issues like you are describing. Have you tried to wipe and reflash it? Maybe a bad install

 

[akazabam]

1) You should select .android_secure if you have any apps moved to the sdcard via normal froyo apps2sd. You should select sd-ext if you have your sdcard partitioned, and use a2sd to move all apps to the sdcard. I don't see any reason to select recovery. You need recovery to backup/restore, so what's the point?

2) Most people seem to be able to. I just write down the names they are given and description in a spreadsheet or just in notepad or something like that. It's up to you if you want to try it. And yes, don't put any spaces in the new name if you decide to to it.

3) Restore all apps + system data is the one you want to be careful with. That could easily restore things you don't want, and in some cases, will just flat out break things due to incompatibilities. Obviously never even consider doing that between AOSP and Sense, and vice versa. Personally, I just selectively decide with apps to restore, restoring just the app for some, and the app with data for others. Yes, it takes longer, and you still have to change all your settings manually, but it's safer. You're much less likely to cause problems.

4) Is this happening with every single app? Are you using a2sd? Have you moved most apps to the sdcard with froyo apps2sd?