[Q] OS Backup Question

[SocketTumi]

Hi, I am sure this is answered somewhere here, but there is so much cumulative information and half-answers to go through.
First the short version then some additional info.
Short;
How can I do a complete backup of a new TF701 so that I could restore it to the state it arrived in before I would unlock the bootloader, root, and install a recovery?
Info;
Although I am not an expert, I have rooted/put clockwork recovery on a few different phones and tablets. I am familiar with adb and know there are techniques to use that to do a backup.
A bit more info;
I have another TF701 that is rooted and works reasonably well, but I did something at some point that now it randomly reboots, as well as it will not install the update to go from JB to KK (I get a "not enough space" error that I assume is really a misleading error based on having encrypted the device).
On the new TF701, after turning it on, all I have done is apply the various system updates. I would like to capture the device in this state so that in the future I can restore to it. IE, that I would both be able to restore to this clean KK as well as stock recovery, and anything else (if there is) software-wise that might cause the device to misbehave. Having a re-locked bootloader isn't necessarily a requirement, as I'm not sure how hard that is, but if possible I would like the state captured to be with the device as it currently is with the locked bootloader.
If possible, I don't want to root, install a recovery, and only then be able to do a backup and have to rely on someone's post of a "Stock recovery" or image.
My main concern is not around returning the device and getting support or things like that; it is being able to return the device to a known, pristine state, since most backup methods don't seem to backup everything; they either only backup apks, or only backup the system rom, or only the "sdcard", etc.

 

[berndblb]

Hi, I am sure this is answered somewhere here, but there is so much cumulative information and half-answers to go through.
First the short version then some additional info.
Short;
How can I do a complete backup of a new TF701 so that I could restore it to the state it arrived in before I would unlock the bootloader, root, and install a recovery?
Info;
Although I am not an expert, I have rooted/put clockwork recovery on a few different phones and tablets. I am familiar with adb and know there are techniques to use that to do a backup.
A bit more info;
I have another TF701 that is rooted and works reasonably well, but I did something at some point that now it randomly reboots, as well as it will not install the update to go from JB to KK (I get a "not enough space" error that I assume is really a misleading error based on having encrypted the device).
On the new TF701, after turning it on, all I have done is apply the various system updates. I would like to capture the device in this state so that in the future I can restore to it. IE, that I would both be able to restore to this clean KK as well as stock recovery, and anything else (if there is) software-wise that might cause the device to misbehave. Having a re-locked bootloader isn't necessarily a requirement, as I'm not sure how hard that is, but if possible I would like the state captured to be with the device as it currently is with the locked bootloader.
If possible, I don't want to root, install a recovery, and only then be able to do a backup and have to rely on someone's post of a "Stock recovery" or image.
My main concern is not around returning the device and getting support or things like that; it is being able to return the device to a known, pristine state, since most backup methods don't seem to backup everything; they either only backup apks, or only backup the system rom, or only the "sdcard", etc.

The short answer is: You can't.
You can't do anything in terms of backing up anything system related with a locked bootloader
You cannot relock the bootloader
You cannot make a nandroid without a custom recovery installed.
What's wrong with the stock recovery image and the stock rom you can find on Droidbasement????
They are just that: Pure stock. If you flash those you're tablet is back to factory specs except for the BL unlock.

Try formatting /data on your old tablet, then reflash the rom. Most likely your problems are related to the encryption....

 

[SocketTumi]

You can't do anything in terms of backing up anything system related with a locked bootloader.

Well, I said I understand I might need to unlock the bootloader.

I don't understand why, for example;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351
after an adb restore;
"You're back to normal, short of possibly some widgets on the home screen. [...] I did have an issue with not all files being restored to the Internal Storage; in particular, the Gallery still displayed all the folders and files that it had cached (which it expected to be there) as only gray boxes, and would not display the images, nor would it rescan the media. [...] this will not back up SMS messages"
Why??? Is this a bug in adb? something about not being able to lock the file system? Those questions are rhetorical, but I don't understand why everything with Android seems to be "it works, ... except ..."

What's wrong with the stock recovery image and the stock rom you can find on Droidbasement????.

Probably nothing, but what is it's provenance? It was not posted by Asus, right? How do I know it was not posted by some hacker who has added three lines of code that captures every "keystroke" I make? Most of the posted tutorials just say "go here ..,. download this ..., type this ... and there is no explanation of what is going on or why I should trust that download. If I can't get a purely stock rom, how did the person who posted that one?

 

[berndblb]

Well, I said I understand I might need to unlock the bootloader.

I don't understand why, for example;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351
after an adb restore;
"You're back to normal, short of possibly some widgets on the home screen. [...] I did have an issue with not all files being restored to the Internal Storage; in particular, the Gallery still displayed all the folders and files that it had cached (which it expected to be there) as only gray boxes, and would not display the images, nor would it rescan the media. [...] this will not back up SMS messages"
Why??? Is this a bug in adb? something about not being able to lock the file system? Those questions are rhetorical, but I don't understand why everything with Android seems to be "it works, ... except ..."

Why should something titled as experimental developed for a Samsung Nexus on ICS from 2011 not work on your current tablet?
I don't even know where to begin.......
And anyway, that post is about backing up apps and data. Doesn't backup the rom....

Probably nothing, but what is it's provenance? It was not posted by Asus, right? How do I know it was not posted by some hacker who has added three lines of code that captures every "keystroke" I make? Most of the posted tutorials just say "go here ..,. download this ..., type this ... and there is no explanation of what is going on or why I should trust that download. If I can't get a purely stock rom, how did the person who posted that one?

Yes, you should only download from reputable sources. How do you find out if they are reputable? Google is your friend.
How could they do it? Because they know a whole lot more than you do.... or I for that matter.
But it's totally up to you to benefit or not from a boatload of work done for free in the spirit of sharing.

 

[SocketTumi]

Try formatting /data on your old tablet, then reflash the rom. Most likely your problems are related to the encryption....

Thank you. I was trying to avoid starting over on that tablet, but that worked.