Root Yet another noob question.

[Andoug]

I've looked around and have seen different answers for this. When doing a backup with Titanium before flasing a rom do you need to just back up all user apps or do you need all user apps + system data? Most of what I've read says not to restore system data when flashing a custom rom so what would be the point. Doesn't your nandroid backup have all of that stuff in it?

 

[Kennyc11]

Yes, the nandroid backup has all the stuff in it, but if you flash a new rom, you can not recover that stuff from the backup for the new rom. If you flash a new rom and restore app+system data, it is known to cause issues, thats why it is not recommended. Just restoring the app is okay because there is not data going along with it, it's like just downloading it from the market, only easier cause all of the apps are right there.

 

[sdrawkcab25]

I've looked around and have seen different answers for this. When doing a backup with Titanium before flasing a rom do you need to just back up all user apps or do you need all user apps + system data? Most of what I've read says not to restore system data when flashing a custom rom so what would be the point. Doesn't your nandroid backup have all of that stuff in it?

Great titanium guide:
http://androidforums.com/incredible-all-things-root/233251-how-titanium-backup-tips.html

 

[Andoug]

Yes, the nandroid backup has all the stuff in it, but if you flash a new rom, you can not recover that stuff from the backup for the new rom. If you flash a new rom and restore app+system data, it is known to cause issues, thats why it is not recommended. Just restoring the app is okay because there is not data going along with it, it's like just downloading it from the market, only easier cause all of the apps are right there.

Great titanium guide:
http://androidforums.com/incredible-all-things-root/233251-how-titanium-backup-tips.html

Thanks for the responses. The guide was helfpul. One last question (I hope). The guide author explains how he backsup his backup files to a pc at times. Would it be a good idea to backup your backup files before actually flashing a new rom? Kinda to keep your system data that was backed up with the different roms in synch.

 

[Podivin]

You can't have too many backups.
*I* always keep a fairly current backup of my SD card on my PC. That way if/when the SD card quits working I don't lose everything. The general rule of thumb (for a phone OR for a PC) is backup however often it takes so that you don't feel like the world has ended when a problem happens. I backup my SD card at least once per month, more often if I've added a lot to it that I don't want to lose (pictures, music, eboooks, etc).

 

[WormDoes]

You can't have too many backups.
*I* always keep a fairly current backup of my SD card on my PC. That way if/when the SD card quits working I don't lose everything. The general rule of thumb (for a phone OR for a PC) is backup however often it takes so that you don't feel like the world has ended when a problem happens. I backup my SD card at least once per month, more often if I've added a lot to it that I don't want to lose (pictures, music, eboooks, etc).

+1 to all of this. My laptop's hard drive crashed yesterday and I had neglected to make a backup at any point. It's funny because I had about 15 nandroid backups all saved on my comp. I was over cautious with my Inc and reckless with my comp. Backups are your best friend, you can never make too many. Wish I followed my own advice

 

[Eusibius2]

+1 +1 +1 +1 for all the backups...

I back up my Inc with built in software (NAND + Titanium), then make a backup of the SD card to my PC (via USB with Acronis), then I make a backup of my PC onto a removable HDD that's sole purpose is for bacups ONLY. It has 1TB of space just for that purpose alone. Takes about 6 months for it to fill up. Then I swap out for another 1TB drive, and start over again. My backups are regularly scheduled - depending on importance and frequency of data access.

I've always wondered about how often to BU my phone though, and what parts. Thanks for the Titanium backup guide. Certainly a good link to know about!