[Q] how to clean '/' after multiple flashings

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How do I "clean" my phone after flashing different roms. I explored the contents of the root directory ('/') and I could find the files/directories which I suspect are from earlier roms that I had used.

I thought flashing stock rom through ODIN would delete everything related to previous rom but looks like that is not the case. Should I use reparttition option in ODIN with pit file to achieve this ?

What i do when i get to this point is copy everything off internal sd card onto a folder on my pc and format internal sd card. Then do all the normal clear data, cache, dalvik, init'd and ns tools and finally flash new rom...

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You'll want to go into CWM prior to flashing and format /system as well as 'wipe data/factory reset' (this will format the rest). Optionally you can format the sdcard, but with the above you'll have a clean system.

Originally Posted by scubadude

What i do when i get to this point is copy everything off internal sd card onto a folder on my pc and format internal sd card. Then do all the normal clear data, cache, dalvik, init'd and ns tools and finally flash new rom...

Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk 2

I understand sd card formatting & WIPE (data, cache & dalvik). But what exactly is init'd and ns tools ? how do I do this ?

Originally Posted by upichie

You'll want to go into CWM prior to flashing and format /system as well as 'wipe data/factory reset' (this will format the rest). Optionally you can format the sdcard, but with the above you'll have a clean system.

Thanks..I believe format /system will format /system (i.e. cleaning up system directory in root '/'). Does it mean that I don't have any other leftover in the root directory ( '/') ? Every thing that a rom & kernels install will be wiped after formatting /system ?

If you don't format sd card you still going to have those left over folders and files from various roms and programmes you have installed and removed. This stuff isn't necessary to remove but thought that is what you were asking about.



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Originally Posted by scubadude

If you don't format sd card you still going to have those left over folders and files from various roms and programmes you have installed and removed. This stuff isn't necessary to remove but thought that is what you were asking about.



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Essentially, /sdcard is the only thing you don't need to format. Apps store files here, but they aren't within the system and won't affect performance if they're left over. You can manually delete them if you no longer have the app, or you can backup things to keep and then format it as well.

Otherwise, you'll want to format everything (except for boot).

Init.d is a folder which contains scripts that run at boot. Wiping this prevents problems that may occur from leftover scripts. NSTools is an app that has settings that run at boot, such as overclocking, undervolting, etc. It is also advised to wipe these settings as to avoid conflicts when flashing new kernels, ROMs, etc.

But formatting /system and wiping data/factory reset (which formats the rest of the Androids operating system) will allow you to have a clean install of any ROM. The leftover app files on /sdcard are negligible and can be deleted.