One ROM to another ROM: backup/restore question - Nexus One Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

First, I have to thank the XDA forums helping me come over from my long WinMo background. Mad Props...
Being new to Android and my nexus one, I'm feeling the ROM flashing bug and want to try out a couple of different ROMS but don't want to have to add all of my accounts each time since I use crazy long, nearly impossible to type, passwords.
Is there some way to restore some of the configuration of my N1 between different ROM flashes?
Sorry if this has been covered, but I can't find it. It looks like the data is backed up in my nandroid backups, but I can't seem to find out how to only restore configuration.
Thanks
Rick

Take a look at Titanium Backup.
It works really well.
You need to be rooted and superuser in order to use it.
To find out more about adding superuser to a stock ROM, check out this thread at Modaco.
Edit:
Nandroid backups are really "just" disk images afaik.
There's no way that I know of to extract information from them.
brgds
Royan

Ok, thanks. I am running the backup right now and will give it a try tonight. Worse case, I just restore the nandroid backup and try again.

I've always wondered, what stuff is safe and not safe to restore in Titanium Backup. I've done a full restore when switching between like roms, but I'm guessing that wouldn't be a good idea if you were going from cyanogen to a senseUI rom.

Related

Restoring via backup?

I usually run Duttys 6.1 Hybrid V2 w/Cube ROM, but ofcourse like to try other cooked ROMs just to see what the other cooks are working on. My question is restoring after flashing back to my regular ROM and restoring via SPB Backup vs restoring by Sashimi (which I have not used yet) or just reinstall everything by hand (we all know that SUSKS). Which is the better way to restore? Is there anything bad about restoring via SPB backup after flash? Thanks, Kevin
Depending out you are trying to back up you shouldn't use a back up program to back up from one ROM to another ROM. The back up should only be with the same ROM some people do it but IMO it is a bad idea.
Look at using UC complaint ROMS and you pretty much make your ROM flash exactly the way you want it to. Here is a link that explains it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=366337
Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I am NOT restoring to different ROM, only restoring to the same ROM that the BU is built from. I should probably study up on Sashimi a that way I can rebuild all my apps regardless of flashed ROM. Thanks for the reply and Link. Kevin

Nandroid Backup and New Rom/New Version

Quick question, I hope I didn't miss this being answered somewhere else already. I like flashing different roms, and when I find one I like staying up to date with the latest version. However I'm sort of new at this and for a while I was just flashing Cyanogen's Roms, never needed a wipe.
My question is if I do the nandroid Backup + ext install a new rom, then restore that backup, is it taking me back to the previous rom that it was backed up on as well? If this is the case is there a way to pull the certain info and just move it into the new Rom?
The reason I ask is as much as I like doing this, it's somewhat time consuming setting up my shortcuts the way they were before, resetting my Locale (Program) situations, my scoreboard favs so on etc. Any help is greatly appreciated.
try "mybackup pro" from the market...
that will restore custom settings and apps to your new ROM
it may not do everything but its can get ya pretty close
Thanks
freaktractor said:
try "mybackup pro" from the market...
that will restore custom settings and apps to your new ROM
it may not do everything but its can get ya pretty close
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I'll give that a shot tonight, anything I don't have to redo is an advantage.

What does a nandroid contain?

Hey. Is a nandroid backup all encompassing (kernel and all that too?) or what? I plan to test some stuff out and previously went all out the past 4 or 5 times thinking that restoring from a nandroid will create some problem if I am using that as my default rom. Can I safely flash to a new Tom and install a different kernal then restore the nandroid I have now and be back with pershoot (the kernal I am on now with cm6)?
Lastly can I keep multiple nandroids of various rom/kernals (assuming I understand it correctly from my previous question) and go between them without having problems arise (assuming the backups themselves are stable)?
Thanks in advance, xda is awesome!
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
it is an image of EXACTLY what is on your phone at that time... so, rom, kernel, apps, text messages, call logs, ect.... literally everything...
you can keep images of as many different roms and kernals as your sd card will hold...
if you flash a new rom and kernel then restore back to an older nandroid you will revert back to that entire rom and kernel... however you can throw a new kernel on that old nandroid if you restore it...
it literally is as straight forward as it seems...
Yeah I keep many nand backups around. I actually rename them and move them to my computer, labeled in folders, for future use. And I just keep a current backup on the card. But it doesn't matter, keep as many as you like.
What I don't like is losing any recent info I've acquired since my last backup. I wish there were some way to extract the user data and merge that into a nand backup. For example I'll try out different themes or status bars, and wanna switch back via nand restore. But then I lose any texts, call logs, I got that day since yesterday's backup.
You have Call log backup, SMS Backup and APN backup - exactly for that. Search the market. And Titanium can backup app data, if needed.
JHaste said:
it is an image of EXACTLY what is on your phone at that time... so, rom, kernel, apps, text messages, call logs, ect.... literally everything...
you can keep images of as many different roms and kernals as your sd card will hold...
if you flash a new rom and kernel then restore back to an older nandroid you will revert back to that entire rom and kernel... however you can throw a new kernel on that old nandroid if you restore it...
it literally is as straight forward as it seems...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very cool. Going to have much fun with this tonight. Ty for the info guys!
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
RogerPodacter said:
Yeah I keep many nand backups around. I actually rename them and move them to my computer, labeled in folders, for future use. And I just keep a current backup on the card. But it doesn't matter, keep as many as you like.
What I don't like is losing any recent info I've acquired since my last backup. I wish there were some way to extract the user data and merge that into a nand backup. For example I'll try out different themes or status bars, and wanna switch back via nand restore. But then I lose any texts, call logs, I got that day since yesterday's backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sms backup and restore app and call log back and restore app from the market does it just fine for me.
JHaste said:
it is an image of EXACTLY what is on your phone at that time... so, rom, kernel, apps, text messages, call logs, ect.... literally everything...
you can keep images of as many different roms and kernals as your sd card will hold...
if you flash a new rom and kernel then restore back to an older nandroid you will revert back to that entire rom and kernel... however you can throw a new kernel on that old nandroid if you restore it...
it literally is as straight forward as it seems...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think the firmware is not included

[Q] [HELP] Switching ROMs on the Captivate

I was curious to know if someone could provide me with a step my step method of changing ROMs on a rooted captivate. I'm currently running Firefly ROM and want to know how to switch ROMs without loosing my apps and the data stored in them (such as high scores on games and such).
I tried Titanium Backup but it seems to cause problems with the system phone app when i switch and do "backup all user apps and data -> restore all user apps and data".
Also when i try to use rom manager to create a backup...the backup crashes, goes to a samsung "Android System Recovery"....the up volume button moves my selection down and the down volume moves my selection up. The power button doesn't select anything. When I press the menu button, all the text disappears.
I just want a sound way of backing up ROMs and Apps (with their data) to easily switch between ROMs more freely and with security of mind.
Thanks, and please respond.
Best to ask this in the Q&A section, and check the stickies. Tons of good info up there.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884364
Put the ROM on your sdcard
Boot to recovery
Choose the zip
Install
Reboot
Enjoy
Yes, please post questions in the Q&A section as mentioned above.
Also, disregard opcow's reply; he did not read your whole post and it does not apply to you. His method will wipe everything on your phone.
Most of the suggestions you'll get are TiBu (Titanium Backup). When you make a backup (I'm assuming you're doing a batch backup with TiBu Pro), only select User Apps. Don't select User Apps + System ... (don't remember what it's called). This way, you'll save your apps with their settings and info, but you will not back up your phone's settings, such as WiFi networks, GPS, etc.
Trust me though, because of the diverse way that ROMs handle things, you don't want to back up your system settings, otherwise you may run into issues such as those you mentioned before.
Another note: do not use ROM Manager!
It's a nice piece of software, but it doesn't work a lot of the time. This doesn't apply to your backups, you're just restoring the backups incorrectly, but regardless, don't use ROM Manager.
Anyway, to correctly apply a Nandroid Backup, you must have the same exact kernel and modem installed ATM on the phone that were present in the Nandroid Backup. For example:
Let's say you have XYZ ROM installed with SuckerPunch #47 kernel and the KP1 modem. Then you make a Nandroid backup of that ROM.
After that, you go and install ABC ROM with Speedmod kernel and JK4 modem. After a day of use, you want to restore your XYZ Nandroid backup.
In order to do this, you must install the SuckerPunch #47 kernel and the KP1 modem on top of the ABC ROM before you restore the Nandroid backup.
If you don't do this, you'll run into issues.
Hopefully that will fix your issue. I tend to steer clear of Nandroid backups because of all the issues that I've seen people have with them, but if you're looking to restore your phone to the exact state that you had it at one point, then a Nandroid backup is the way to go. Otherwise, use TiBu.
Also, before you backup or restore (the first thing you should do after you install TiBu) is to click on the button that says "Problems?". This will install a version of BusyBox that is known to work with TiBu. If you have a version that doesn't work correctly, then your backup or restore will not work correctly either.
Good luck!
Loggik said:
Also, disregard opcow's reply; he did not read your whole post and it does not apply to you. His method will wipe everything on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. I just read the first sentence. This question gets asked a lot and I just go into autopilot.
OP, It is true that my method will wipe your phone, but that's actually what you want unless you are going flashing a no-wipe upgrade, in which case my method would work just fine. But yes, generally your will want to back up with something like Titanium Backup. Backing up apps and data is fine, just don't restore system data and it shouldn't cause problems. I've done it at least 5 times in the last 2 days.
I would avoid nandroid backups. They aren't mostly useful after reverting to the ROM you were running when you made the backup, not for restoring apps.
Use MyBackup pro its more user friendly.
Thanks, a couple more follow ups.
Thank you very very much. Another quick follow up question.
My version of clockwork mod (v2.5.1.0 Speedmod ULFK) gives me the following options:
-Backup DATA: data + dbdata + cache
-Restore DATA
-Backup ALL
-Restore ALL (Be careful!)
....which 2 do i select to backup/restore a nandroid effectively. Based on your responses, ill most likely be doing TiBu, but just to better understand the architecture of the phone and the clockwork files i wanna know.
Also, is there a way i can change / upgrade the clockwork recovery version of my phone...whats the most recent version if i decide to do so?
Aside from this, Thank you to everyone who is helping me out with this issue. Much appreciated.
opcow said:
You're right. I just read the first sentence. This question gets asked a lot and I just go into autopilot.
OP, It is true that my method will wipe your phone, but that's actually what you want unless you are going flashing a no-wipe upgrade, in which case my method would work just fine. But yes, generally your will want to back up with something like Titanium Backup. Backing up apps and data is fine, just don't restore system data and it shouldn't cause problems. I've done it at least 5 times in the last 2 days.
I would avoid nandroid backups. They aren't mostly useful after reverting to the ROM you were running when you made the backup, not for restoring apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know if there is a way to restore apps using Titanium Backup without having to manually click through and accept each and every app?
killswitch7 said:
Do you know if there is a way to restore apps using Titanium Backup without having to manually click through and accept each and every app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buy the pro version. If you flash allot it is a must
killswitch7 said:
Do you know if there is a way to restore apps using Titanium Backup without having to manually click through and accept each and every app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like the above post says, buy Titanium Backup Pro; it's worth it, and it features the Batch Mode, which allows for what you're asking.
Ompalompa287 said:
....which 2 do i select to backup/restore a nandroid effectively. Based on your responses, ill most likely be doing TiBu, but just to better understand the architecture of the phone and the clockwork files i wanna know.
Also, is there a way i can change / upgrade the clockwork recovery version of my phone...whats the most recent version if i decide to do so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For a full on Nandroid Backup, select Backup All... and obviously Restore All... when the time comes that you need to restore your backup. But like opcow said, it's best to stay away from Nandroid backups... they can get messy
dingokevin said:
Use MyBackup pro its more user friendly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot agree. It may look more user friendly, but it has a lot less support. I've never even heard of it, whereas TiBu has almost every feature you could want. Plus, look at it this way:
Linux is in no way easier to use than Windows or OS X (though OS X is based off of Linux, but disregarding that...). However, it can do a TON more than Windows or OS X, but you just need to get used to it. Same with TiBu v.s. MyBackup Pro (or w/e it's called).
opcow said:
You're right. I just read the first sentence. This question gets asked a lot and I just go into autopilot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how you feel
thank you all!

Noob Flashing ROM Questions

I'm new to this whole thing, as anyone who saw my last thread I made a really dumb mistake and at that point I've decided to make sure I know 100% what I'm doing before I attempt anything else.
Anyways I have a rooted HTC One, still have custom recovery, I think what I had flashed was a stock ROM but I was looking into trying another ROM. The thing is I don't want to have to redownload and re-install all of my apps and whatnot again as that was a pain in the butt. I know there's backups and whatnot through TWRP and Titanium, but do they carry over from ROM to ROM or are they specific to a certain ROM?
Or am I completely off base with this whole assessment lol. I'm trying to learn all this stuff but it's definitely a lot of information to take in and I don't want another fiasco like last time
You can use titanium backup that way you can bring your data with you but restoring data can cause lag and other issues. That's why I just reinstall them all one by one I actually enjoy the process of setting up a new Rom. It is not Rom specific at all. Also check out SMS back up & restore. With that app you can even save your texts.
"You are and will become your most dominant thoughts" - Napoleon Hill
SkinnyBiggs said:
You can use titanium backup that way you can bring your data with you but restoring data can cause lag and other issues. That's why I just reinstall them all one by one I actually enjoy the process of setting up a new Rom. It is not Rom specific at all. Also check out SMS back up & restore. With that app you can even save your texts.
"You are and will become your most dominant thoughts" - Napoleon Hill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good stuff thanks for the help man. I'll probably experiment with it a bit later but will probably just do a clean wipe to be safe
If you are flashing a rom with the same base that you already have (eg. both sense roms) you can try a dirty flash and you wont loose anything except your widgets on your home screens, I do it all the time bit it does not always work from one rom to another, ALWAYS make a nandroid backup before you flash anything!!! just in case.....

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