So I found some of the roms I've backed up will not restore due to "md5 sum mismatch". I don't know what I am doing to cause the error. I deleted the original rom zip file from my sdcard, is that the reason? I did not think that would effect a nandroid. Could it be my sd maid app deleting needed files from the backup? Please share any wisdom.
My rooting/ROMMING experience is solely w/the HUAWEI ASCEND, but,I'll share some of my experiences that should be relative to your situation.
I was & still am a huge fan of SD MAID(PRO),great tool, whether rooted or not.Never had any unintentional deletions or issues w/it.
I'm certain you can rule this out as a cause for any problems.
If while in CWM RECOVERY,you can safely wipe DATA/FACTORY RESET,no problem.
But,if you go to the MOUNTS & STORAGE page,you can safely format everything EXCEPT SD CARD.This is probably where you ran into problems.The MD5 mismatch issue probably shouldn't have had anything to do w/your ROM backups disappearing.The SD-EXT function,I'm pretty certain,is for apps to SD storage,not the ROMS.
Also,on the ADVANCED & DEBUGGING page you can safely wipe DALVIK CACHE & battery stats w/no problems.
One other thing also,the MD5 mismatch is probably a compatibility issue w/CWM RECOVERY & the ROM you want to flash, or a compatibility issue w/CWM & the PHOTON.If there is another version of CWM available,or,a different recovery that will work w/the ROMS that you want to flash,I'd go that route,as long as you're certain that you'll be able to restore to stock if things get a bit on the fugly side.
On the HUAWEI ASCEND,there is a ROM(ICARUS 1.1) that requires CWM 2.5.1.8 to work.This recovery will also work w/CM6 & CM7,but,has MD5 mismatch issues w/SD EXT.
The ICARUS ROM will not work w/the two other versions of CWM RECOVERY available w/the ASCEND,so,you might want to start asking around XDA what recoveries people are using w/a certain ROM & if there are any known cross-compatibility issues.
My apologies if all/most of this is/are things you already are aware of,just trying to cover all bases.