I was about to upgrade to the 10.1.3 stable (from 10.1 stable) of cm when i strumbled across several gigs of old files, app date, media and backups from my old n long gone cm9 install (under /data/media).
clearly all the wipes i performed since cm9 did not remove any of these files which include old apps i'd installed but havent used since cm-10.
Is there a way to do a complete wipe and get rid of all this excess garbage I have no more use for?
jbonetwo said:
I was about to upgrade to the 10.1.3 stable (from 10.1 stable) of cm when i strumbled across several gigs of old files, app date, media and backups from my old n long gone cm9 install (under /data/media).
clearly all the wipes i performed since cm9 did not remove any of these files which include old apps i'd installed but havent used since cm-10.
Is there a way to do a complete wipe and get rid of all this excess garbage I have no more use for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wipe the internal sd, don't forget to backup your files before.
Tectas said:
Wipe the internal sd, don't forget to backup your files before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done a data wipe/factory reset several times with cwm but this hasnt gotten rid of a lot of files...
jbonetwo said:
I've done a data wipe/factory reset several times with cwm but this hasnt gotten rid of a lot of files...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because a factory reset keeps the /data/media folder untouched, to be able to wipe, without losing the files from your internal sd, that's why i suggested a wipe of the internal sd, not a factory reset.
Tectas said:
Because a factory reset keeps the /data/media folder untouched, to be able to wipe, without losing the files from your internal sd, that's why i suggested a wipe of the internal sd, not a factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never done this before so please bear with me.
Is there anything specific I need to do before I wipe the internal sd? I've backed up the cwm zips that i need and the efs folder. anything else to keep me from bricking my phone?
A link to a guide of some kind would be very helpful.
1. backup efs and cwm backups to extsd
2. remove extsd
3. boot into cwm recovery, wipe internal sd
4. insert extsd and flash cyanogen 10.1.3 and gapps from it using cwm recovery.
does this sum it up or am i missing something?
Sorted it out:
1. backup to extsd
2. download & copy megawipe to extsd
3. copy roms & gapps to extsd
4. boot into cwm recovery. install megawipe from extsd. DO NOT RESTART.
5. install rom & gapps from extsd and reboot.
For anyone else reading this, please read general > sticky roll-up thread > flashed 4.2? Can't find /sdcard data?
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I do NOT reply to support queries over PM. Please keep support queries to the Q&A section, so that others may benefit
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Hi xda,
I'm not a typical android user and this was one of my firsts in messing around with my Tab 10.1. I have GTP7500 which I recently loaded up with CM10 and it's working fine except for the camera. Leave that and what I was going to say is that I'd like to remove my entire Internal Storage ( all the downloads, music, videos ) and stuff, i.e, like formatting the sd card. I'd like to know a way to format the internal storage of my Tab without affecting the system files as I don't want to create any troubles here. So, my questions are:-
1. Whether I can delete all the stuff shown inside the internal storage from my PC directly and would it affect the system? I cannot see any format option when I connect my tab to my PC so, I was hoping if I could manually delete all the files inside the storage and then doing a factory reset from cwm and installing the rom once again?
2. Or is there any app to do this?
3. Or if it is quite simple to do it the hard way, well, entering the fastboot and wiping the whole system (Read it somewhere before) and installing all the stuff again, then please do tell me that too. Otherwise, I'd go with the easy method, i.e, just format the internal storage.
Also, what about the format /sdcard option in the mounts and storages menu in CWM? I'm using CWM 5.5.0.4.
I think doing the "format /sdcard" in CWM should do what you are looking for as I have done that in the past. I would also temporarily back up the /sdcard contents onto your computer as a precaution in case an app was depending on any folders there, but I think it should be fine.
Thanks but still...
astrojo3 said:
I think doing the "format /sdcard" in CWM should do what you are looking for as I have done that in the past. I would also temporarily back up the /sdcard contents onto your computer as a precaution in case an app was depending on any folders there, but I think it should be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. But would it remove other stuff including the boot files and other core files of Android? I've somewhere seen similar posts and whom did the format /sdcard but they proclaimed they lost whole files and had to do bootloader and install cwm and other stuff all over again to gain access. I've already managed to do format the sd card while installing the ICS official ROM for my tab but I did that via Samsung's recovery menu, i.e, one you get when installing their official ROMs and did a factory reset which erased all my internal storage files. But the same option won't remove internal storage in cwm. So, is format /sdcard the option to do this? I'd be glad to get a clear answer.
sangeeth96 said:
Thanks for the quick reply. But would it remove other stuff including the boot files and other core files of Android? I've somewhere seen similar posts and whom did the format /sdcard but they proclaimed they lost whole files and had to do bootloader and install cwm and other stuff all over again to gain access. I've already managed to do format the sd card while installing the ICS official ROM for my tab but I did that via Samsung's recovery menu, i.e, one you get when installing their official ROMs and did a factory reset which erased all my internal storage files. But the same option won't remove internal storage in cwm. So, is format /sdcard the option to do this? I'd be glad to get a clear answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, format sdcard in CWM. It will only wipe the data stored there. Your bootloaders and ROM will remain unaffected, however I would still backup the sdcard to your computer before doing this just in case.
bkress said:
Yep, format sdcard in CWM. It will only wipe the data stored there. Your bootloaders and ROM will remain unaffected, however I would still backup the sdcard to your computer before doing this just in case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering about this, too. Thanks for helping!
Sent from my GT-P7500 using XDA Premium HD app
The method above does work. However, if you really want to wipe the whole device completely clean, using Odin to flash stock firmware will blow it all out and make you factory-fresh in one operation.
Hi All,
I did a factory reset today and flashed the stock 4.1.1 Polish ROM via Odin. This process seems to have wiped my files (including photos etc) from my S3 (internal memory, not SD card). I've flashed plenty of ROMS before and this has never happened.
Anyone know if it's possible to get them back? I guess I've installed new apps etc now so a lot of the data would have been overwritten. Frustrating!
Thanks for any tips.
UnitedWeFall said:
Hi All,
I did a factory reset today and flashed the stock 4.1.1 Polish ROM via Odin. This process seems to have wiped my files (including photos etc) from my S3 (internal memory, not SD card). I've flashed plenty of ROMS before and this has never happened.
Anyone know if it's possible to get them back? I guess I've installed new apps etc now so a lot of the data would have been overwritten. Frustrating!
Thanks for any tips.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You answered your own question with your first sentence : I did a factory reset...
Unfortunately its not possible to get back the data
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Unless you backed up on PC or sd card...
Factory reset in S3 will always wipe internal memory as it shares internal memory for applications.
If you want to restore try some data recovery software that supports SD card.
ultramag69 said:
Unless you backed up on PC or sd card...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be the only way. There is a very small window to recover data wiped from flash memory and on a phone it would be even more difficult. Maybe a Clockwork backup?
Internal SDcard is mounted on the system partition via Fuse..so if you format the /system partition..sdcard is formatted as well..
Pointers for future..
Use CWM for flashing ROMS..(I hate Odin )
Backup your internal SDcard on your PC regularly
Perform a Nandroid Backup on your ExtSDcard before flashing any ROM.
If you ever need to factory reset..use the wipe data/factory reset option in CWM and not in Stock Recovery
For a clean install, if you want to wipe system partition..use wipe /system option under mount and format in CWM..it just wipes the system files and your SDcard data will be safe..
You will not face such issues if you in the future if you follow these pointers.
zoot1 said:
Internal SDcard is mounted on the system partition via Fuse..so if you format the /system partition..sdcard is formatted as well..
Pointers for future..
Use CWM for flashing ROMS..(I hate Odin )
Backup your internal SDcard on your PC regularly
Perform a Nandroid Backup on your ExtSDcard before flashing any ROM.
If you ever need to factory reset..use the wipe data/factory reset option in CWM and not in Stock Recovery
For a clean install, if you want to wipe system partition..use wipe /system option under mount and format in CWM..it just wipes the system files and your SDcard data will be safe..
You will not face such issues if you in the future if you follow these pointers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. Lesson learnt I guess..
I would really like to check out the recently released i717 official rom, but i don't want to have to go through the process of backing everything up, wiping everything, running odin, risking bricking my device, and then have to move all my data back over.
Is there a version of this rom that has been rooted and zipped so i can install it with twrp like every other rom i've ever come across?
thanks in advance,
cpgeek
If you use the Kies software on your pc it will install the stock rom and save your apps and data.
If you use the stock rom in the development section by pmtr3 you can flash that as a zip and it is rooted.
But when you change a rom to a different base you should factory reset and wipe first. If you skip this procedure (called dirty flashing) you can have troubles later.
rangercaptain said:
If you use the Kies software on your pc it will install the stock rom and save your apps and data.
If you use the stock rom in the development section by pmtr3 you can flash that as a zip and it is rooted.
But when you change a rom to a different base you should factory reset and wipe first. If you skip this procedure (called dirty flashing) you can have troubles later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for your fast reply, I apologize my search-fu rather tanked on this one d'oh
thanks again though!
Yeah buddy, the xda apps stink. I usee the odin tar from samfirmware.com to get the stock JB. This morning I flashed the pmtr3 stock on top of what I had without backups or resets. But its the same base.
At least be sure to do usual wipes. If it borks your phone you can always fix it later.
rangercaptain said:
If you use the Kies software on your pc it will install the stock rom and save your apps and data.
If you use the stock rom in the development section by pmtr3 you can flash that as a zip and it is rooted.
But when you change a rom to a different base you should factory reset and wipe first. If you skip this procedure (called dirty flashing) you can have troubles later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have spoke more carefully - I *always* run "factory reset", wipe "system" and "caches" from TWRP, it's the internal sd filesystem data that I wanted to retain which is separate from the OS image and it's active data files. I don't want to have to move around my music, pictures, app archive, etc.
cpgeek said:
I should have spoke more carefully - I *always* run "factory reset", wipe "system" and "caches" from TWRP, it's the internal sd filesystem data that I wanted to retain which is separate from the OS image and it's active data files. I don't want to have to move around my music, pictures, app archive, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldn't have to worry about wiping your internal memory. I updated with kies and didn't touch my internal memory, and neither did kies. However it is recommended. I now have some extra folders that aren't being used on my internal memory. I'd delete them but last time I did that I kept getting errors. So now I make a spot on my external sd card saying "internal backup" and copy everything to it. Then I wipe internal as I do a factory reset. Once up and running I move what I need back to the internal memory from the sd backup.
I want to remove files that have accumulated from other roms. In others words like stock, but with custom rom. I like Beanstown106 with SD swap.
Thats a little tricky with sd swap but you will have to painstakingly go file by file and see if it's something you have deleted to something that you are still using. If you have any apps that created a folder and are gone for good then you are safe to delete. But avoid any system app folders and anything that you are still using like pictures, music and so on avoid.
M.A.D.NoTe.||
thx for help
I'm installing cleanrom ace 4.9 my goto rom next to beanstown106. No SD swap and I was thinking of formating SD card. Now how do I erase what a factory reset won't delete.
I usually wipe EVErYTahING wenever i flash something new sd card and all just to start from scratch but all i got on sd card is pix and music so its easyily backed up
SAPPERJD said:
now how do I erase what a factory reset won't delete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from recovery, format internal and external sd. that will wipe everything out completely.
I did consider formating from recovery. I'm just scare of deleting the OS and my phone ending up being useless. I did research and what I read it won't. Any advise is welcome THX to everyone.
SAPPERJD said:
I did consider formating from recovery. I'm just scare of deleting the OS and my phone ending up being useless. I did research and what I read it won't. Any advise is welcome THX to everyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would it end up being useless? Its no different than a pc...your reformatting and installing the OS on a clean slate.
I was thinking if I formated the internal it would delete recovery as well. And had no way of installing a new rom. Thx again really help full.
Wipe Everything
droidstyle said:
from recovery, format internal and external sd. that will wipe everything out completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to clean up my directory structure. If I format the internal and external sd using recovery (TWRP) to wipe everything, what rom will boot? Will my custom rom boot or will the original verizon rom boot? Will I have to unlock the bootloader again? Thanks.
rechbo said:
I want to clean up my directory structure. If I format the internal and external sd using recovery (TWRP) to wipe everything, what rom will boot? Will my custom rom boot or will the original verizon rom boot? Will I have to unlock the bootloader again? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you will lose all data and need to reflash the rom in recovery...no you will not have to unlock again, nothing performed from recovery will overwrite the boot.img.
I was scared of the losing my OS as well, but it's not that hard. Treat it as two steps. Formatting your sDCard, and then prepping your SdCard by doing a Nandroid backup to your SdCard, and copying a flashable ROM (and kernel if your ROM does not flash a kernel) to your SdCard. Before formatting your SdCard copy anything you want to keep to your computer. I just copy the whole card to my computer.
Reboot and do your data resets and wipes, including internal storage (format data in twrp) Then flash your ROM that you put on your ext SdCard. Your nandroid backup is your insurance. Worst case you boot into recovery and restore your backup.
(But you should still have a working toolkit or ADB on your computer and you can recover from any screw up)
As long as you have what you need on your (ext) SdCard before wiping internal storage, and you only do a data reset and cache wipes and only do 'format data' you will be fine.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
I've read some other posts where this has caused a certain amount of controversy but no post seemed to actually answer the question..
Using the Wipe data\Factory reset in ClockWorkMod Recovery has started to wipe the ENTIRE device
(excluding the external SD card)
I have flashed dozens of custom ROMs in the past and what normally happens is my external SD card contents remains safe, this still happens, no problem there, and all my personal documents such as music, pictures, videos and all other files that are not part of the actual ROM itself remain safe too.
BUT
Yesterday, i flashed a certain ROM designed to resemble the S4 (with leaked 4.2.2). Its performance was shockingly bad and other reasons caused me to flash a new ROM which i had used in the past - but when i wiped data/factory reset through CWM - ALL MY INTERNAL SD CONTENTS WHERE GONE
Things i did notice with the 4.2.2 ROM before re-flashing were that:
-When i connected it to the computer (via USB) my device was seen as i9500 (the S4)
-Also, it had created a "0\" folderto store the system ROM.
-I also noticed, wehn re-flashing, it took longer to wipe data than usual..
NOTE: I DID NOT USE THE FACTORY RESET THROUGH ANDROID SETTINGS - THIS, I KNOW, WILL WIPE THE ENTIRE INTERNAL SD, PERSONAL FILES AND ALL. THIS WAS DONE THROUGH CWM.
Because obviously the 4.2.2 ROM wiped my entire Internal SD i had no ROM packages left on it to flash and because obviously i didnt know this until i wiped/reset it involved me having to use ODIN to reflash a STOCK ROM just to be able to boot up and transfer files (ROM packages) from PC to phone - which obviously then meant i had to reflash CWM aswell before i could install the new ROM.
Final Note:
The problem i have, is that i have to do the above EVERYTIME i want to flash a different ROM (i flashed 3 last night).
For some reason when i wipe through CWM my internal SD card is COMPLETELY WIPED!
The question is......Why???
Could the 4.2.2 ROM have re-partitioned my internal SD card and now CWM thinks the ENTIRE thing is data to wipe?
This is the only reasoning i could put to why it wont leave MY FILES alone...
If this IS the case, how do i get it back to normal??
I'm told, on numerous websites in BIG BOLD RED LETTERS that selecting 're-partition' in ODIN is bad and is just a ticket for a free paperwieght (the phone!).
Thank you to ANYONE who can help with this......
The clue may be in the 0 folder. Please read link in my signature to see if it helps
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
rootSU said:
The clue may be in the 0 folder. Please read link in my signature to see if it helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help, however the info you suggested does not solve my query..
The info you've provided assumes that the data is stored somewhere else, ie. 0\
Although my device did create a 0\ location when wiping the data, no personal data was in this location.
When i flashed back to stock using Odin, i could see that my phones internal storage was only 1.0-1.5GB used.
Before i started this i only had about 900mb left on my device!
So its not that my data is hiding somewhere.....its gone, and everything on my hones internal storgare is wiped everytime i "wipe data/factory reset" through CWM.