Clear Cache and Data from Stock Recovery

K J Rad · Apr 11, 2011

I've seen a number of requests for this functionality and recently it became necessary for one user who had a disabled Home Key to clear cache and data without the use of ClockworkMod. I have reserached two methods to address this issue. These instructions require some familiarity of android, computer and tablet terminology and usage. Feel free to ask for clarifications in comments. Here we go...

Method I - Stock Recovery Command File

Technical: Stock Recovery command file can be used to perform a few additional functions as well as to alter the path to update files. These commands will execute with all privileges available to recovery mode.

Advantages: Very easy to use. Very little technical knowledge required. No third party software is required for use.

Prerequisites: You will need a MicroSD card formatted FAT32 and a method for transferring files from your computer to the MicroSD.

Usage:

1) Prepare a text file named "command" (no file extension) with one of the following commands on a single line. The wipe data command will wipe both data and cache. Wipe cache will wipe cache only.

--wipe_data
--wipe_cache

2) Place the file in a folder named "recovery" in the root directory of your MicroSD card.
3) From a powered down state, insert the MicroSD card into your tablet and boot into recovery by powering it on while holding down the Volume Up key.
4) Allow the command to execute completely then the tablet should reboot (this may not occur automatically depending on firmware installed).

Method II - Updater Script

Technical: The attached "Updater Scripts" perform delete commands (recursively if necessary) on the named directory or file(s). The directories are mounted automatically by the system before the script executes but it could be easily revised to include that step if necessary. The partitioning, formatting and directory structure are left untouched. Only files are deleted.

Advantages: No third party software is necessary for execution. Relatively easy to modify for more surgical precision (i.e. leaving installed apps but clearing possibly corrupted system data). Included example: "Clear Battery Stats"

Prerequisites: You will need a MicroSD card formatted FAT32 and a method for transferring files from your computer to the MicroSD.

Usage:

1) Download the attached archive (ClearData.zip) to your computer.
2) Extract the files to your computer. You should then have a folder named "recovery" (which contains a file named "command") and an additional archive named "update.zip"
3) Place the recovery folder and the update.zip in the root directory of the MicroSD card.
4) From a powered down state, insert the MicroSD card into your tablet and boot into recovery by powering it on while holding down the Volume Up key.
5) Allow the script to execute completely then reboot the tablet (this may occur automatically depending on firmware installed).

mydave1 · Apr 16, 2011

This will become handy someday.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

K J Rad · Apr 16, 2011

You're welcome. One quick note... the new stock recovery adds a menu simiilar to ClockworkMod. These methods will still work since the recovery folder/command file are checked first but it really isn't as necessary any more.

lrgche · Apr 16, 2011

Need Help

Tried both methods above but either way I get to the viewsonic splash with the message "Booting recovery kernel image" in the upper left and it just stays there, stuck there, I left it for a long time to see and it never leaves that screen.

Any ideas?

Loukoebel · Apr 16, 2011

Me too

I can't get into clockworkmod either. My machine is running faster. I almost hate to mess it more.

K J Rad · Apr 16, 2011

lrgche said:
Tried both methods above but either way I get to the viewsonic splash with the message "Booting recovery kernel image" in the upper left and it just stays there, stuck there, I left it for a long time to see and it never leaves that screen.

Any ideas?

That's an indication that you may have more serious problems. nvflash will be required. http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=861950

Once done you will likely need to install ClockworkMod and repartition your internal storage.

Loukoebel said:
I can't get into clockworkmod either. My machine is running faster. I almost hate to mess it more.

If your tablet boots properly but you can't get into CWM then it probably isn't installed properly (or at all). http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=865245

Keep in mind that CWM is NOT compatible with all ROMs. Make sure the developer for your chosen ROM recommends it before installing it.

lsu205 · Apr 17, 2011

Does your method in opening post have to be run from external micro sdcard?

K J Rad · Apr 17, 2011

Both methods are performed with an external MicroSD card. They will work from internal also but it is a little more difficult to get the files in place if your tablet is not booting properly.

lsu205 · Apr 17, 2011

K J Rad said:
Both methods are performed with an external MicroSD card. They will work from internal also but it is a little more difficult to get the files in place if your tablet is not booting properly.

so your method is a simple way to replace one of the main uses of Clockword MOD?--Plus you stay stock more or less.

K J Rad · Apr 18, 2011

That is correct. Method II can also be modified to be less intrusive (leave user apps installed) or embedded into update scripts to perform a wipe during new ROM installs.

lsu205 · Apr 20, 2011

K J Rad said:
That is correct. Method II can also be modified to be less intrusive (leave user apps installed) or embedded into update scripts to perform a wipe during new ROM installs.

Wipe data does what--remove the apps installed?

enigma0456 · Apr 20, 2011

And the partitions?

Your post is very interesting. It implies that you have a knowledge of the g-tabs partition structure. I have played with Linux off and on for the last 10+ years. When I began, I used Slackware and when you set it up you had to manually create partition tables using fdisk. You were only required to create two - the data partition and a swap partition but it was often recommended that you create several others - one to contain the home directory to prevent users from using all the disk space (in the days of small disks) for example. It appears that there are a lot of partition on the g-tab. Up to now, I have used various wiping tools like clockwork or calkulins wipe all on faith. I would really like to know what all the partitions are and what is in them. I have used terminal to get to the root folder and tried to do an fdisk to display the partitions but try as I might everything remains hidden. It would seem that a script like yours could be adapted to do many things but I would certainly want to understand the structure a little better before I did anything. I have searched and been unable to find that information. Can you point a way for the curious to learn more about the partition structure on the g-tab?

K J Rad · Apr 20, 2011

Wish I had a direction I could point you in. What I've found so far has mostly been stumbled upon while looking for something else. What I can tell you is this...

1) When using fdisk in Android you must specify the device to look at. Try something like: fdisk /dev/block/mccblk3 That should list the current partitions as defined by CWM or whatever was used originally.

2) Within one of those partitions in the list generated above are sub-partitions holding the bootloader, system, data, etc partitions. You can see how they're described in the .cfg files in the nvflash restores that are lying about.

K J Rad · Apr 20, 2011

lsu205 said:
Wipe data does what--remove the apps installed?

Removes user apps and their associated data as well as system related data and settings.

CodeNamePapa · Apr 20, 2011

K J Rad - any idea if the partition size can be set with these methods (2048 & 0) in case I can't get clockwork installed?

K J Rad · Apr 20, 2011

CodeNamePapa said:
K J Rad - any idea if the partition size can be set with these methods (2048 & 0) in case I can't get clockwork installed?

I'm looking for a solution to that problem. Unfortunately these methods still require the ability to get into recovery mode which likely won't work if you're having trouble getting CWM installed.

If, however, you can get into recovery... then it is theoretically possible to create a script that would accomplish that. As soon as I have one I'll be adding it to the mix ;-)

Edit: I've found something I think will work. Will do some testing tonight. It will still require access to recovery.

cyberpyr8 · Apr 20, 2011

I wasn't sure if you saw my other post but I am seeing no partition 0 when I NVFlash with a verifypartition.

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=13059520&postcount=57

K J Rad · Apr 20, 2011

I haven't yet but I will. Let's try to keep this thread on topic. Thanks.

CodeNamePapa · Apr 20, 2011

More thoughts:
because I went w/ cyan7 is it possible i have a "bad" kernel and that the stock bekit-1105 or the roebeet-3588 files are crashing w/ the kernel in place already?

I know custom ROMs can have a custom kernel applied separately, but I have no idea whether cyan7 loads it's own kernel...

I have yet to try the nvflash_gtablet_46 version, as I see the img files w/in are different from the original 1105 .zip

Also:
read on another thread that part 2 and part 3 aren't loading for other users when doing nvflash - I did notice that it pauses, runs some stuff, then starts loading part 4 through to the last part, then success. - do part 2 and 3 run for you?

edit: I see a 4349 downgrade.zip in another thread for those who got the OTA update but want to go back to stock 3588 prior to jumping off somewhere else - I can't expect that would help me as I can't do squat w/ recovery yet, but could that possibly "reset" any bad kernel problems? - again, I'm just thinking out loud.

K J Rad · Apr 20, 2011

This is well outside the scope of this thread but I find some of what you mention interesting so I'll address it and then end any further off topic discussions.

I did not build nor have I ever used Cyan7 so I have no basis for an opinion on the matter other than this... Each ROM comes with a kernel installed so if properly done an nvflash should overwrite any "bad" kernel.

Part2 and Part3 do indeed load, they are just displayed differently than the other Parts. Just minutes ago I flashed down from Mountain Laurel (4349 based with the new bootloader and recovery) with absolutely no trouble. I can, and have, read back those partitions after an nvflash to prove that point.

The 4349 downgrade will only work for you if recovery is working. Having never used it I don't know that it would "reset" the kernel but any subsequent flashing of a new ROM image would.

I am working on a stock recovery solution for partitioning but it isn't likely to help anyone who is stuck in an APX loop. I do have some ideas on what might help for that condition but I haven't been able to get my hands on one for testing and trying to help people here is like being a consulting mechanic for a car repair that's in someone else's shop having work done on it that you're not being told about.

I'll be happy to address any further comments or questions regarding your specific issue in an appropriate thread or via PM. Thanks.

Clear Cache and Data from Stock Recovery

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