[Q] What should be wiped when flashing new ROMs?

[snsd]

I’m using ClockworkMod Recovery v5.0.2.0 (on an LG Optimus T). I’m experimenting with different ICS ROMs. From reading various posts on this wonderful forum, I’m fairly sure one should always wipe the cache and Dalvik Cache when moving to a newer release of a ROM or to a completely different ROM. Is that correct? And, if one is going to a completely different ROM altogether (even if the old and new are both ICS) then one should also wipe data/factory reset?

Does that make sense? If so, is the reason one doesn’t wipe data/factory reset when going to a newer release of the current ROM because then that data is carried over to the new ROM and it saves time in terms of reconfiguring settings...?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Dave

 

[clintoy]

a wipe is always suggested when installing newer version of rom or totally different flavor to avoid data errors or mismatches in settings depending on the degree of change from previous release. i guess most have been able to manage to retain same data and not do a total wipe out to factory because of customizations which is very annoying to do all over again.

if you want to experience the full potential of a certain rom, i suggest to do a full wipe.

note: i have been able to switch from CM7 to CM9 and back with only dalvick, cache, and battery stats wipes. although, i get to reinstall a few apps like Titanium due to FCs.

 

[mihir287]

New release of same rom : Wipe cache and dalvik cache. (If any errors arise with the apps later you should do a full wipe)
Different rom : Wipe data/factory reset, cache, dalvik cache. Sometimes it is recommended to wipe /system too.

 

[snsd]

Thanks for the responses. Sincerely appreciated. So, if I'm trying a different ROM, I need to do the factory reset, cache and Dalvik Cache wipes - and if just going to a newer version of a ROM, I can skip the factory reset - and go back and do the factory reset if problems arise with any apps. If I do experience issues with my apps, does that mean I just have to do a factory reset - or do I need to reinstall the ROM first and then do the factory reset...?

I presume the benefit of not doing the factory reset is that there is then no need to reinstall apps, fix settings...

When you say "Sometimes it is recommended to wipe /system too", which option is that in CWM or do I have to do that from my PC...?

Thanks in advance for any clarification.

Dave

 

[aravindsagar]

If you get FCs with some apps while going to a new version of the ROM(without a /data wipe), try clearing the data of that app alone. That might help.

To wipe system, you can use the zip attached. It was provided with some ROM when there was an error in formatting /system automatically before the new rom installation. Just flash it like any other zip and it will format your /system.

 

[emptyness]

You can use Titanium Backup to backup/restore your applications. Just be carefull with system apps, restoring data from different roms can cause fc.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA

 

[GobletSky31689]

Check this thread for info on partitions and cwm options......

CWM - Clockworkmode menu options & Partitions– GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Though it is already mentioned in above thread..i again remind you to NOT format the boot partition as this is one of the only few things which can brick your device while using cwm......

Click Thanks on above thread if it helped you.....

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:01 PM ----------

To wipe system, you can use the zip attached. It was provided with some ROM when there was an error in formatting /system automatically before the new rom installation. Just flash it like any other zip and it will format your /system.

Are you sure it works with clockworkmod recovery???

show_progress 0.1 0
format SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.2 0
show_progress 0.2 10

This script has two problems in my opinion:
1.AFAIK this type of script format(amend) is not supported by cwm now.
2.When editing with n++ it shows CR LF at end of each line......
and "carriage return" line code is used in windows while unix uses LF (line feed) for it's text.....so there should be LF only.....i think

Please correct me if I am wrong as i am just trying to learn here.....:fingers-crossed:

 

[aravindsagar]

Check this thread for info on partitions and cwm options......

CWM - Clockworkmode menu options & Partitions– GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Though it is already mentioned in above thread..i again remind you to NOT format the boot partition as this is one of the only few things which can brick your device while using cwm......

Click Thanks on above thread if it helped you.....

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:01 PM ----------



Are you sure it works with clockworkmod recovery???

show_progress 0.1 0
format SYSTEM:
show_progress 0.2 0
show_progress 0.2 10

This script has two problems in my opinion:
1.AFAIK this type of script format(amend) is not supported by cwm now.
2.When editing with n++ it shows CR LF at end of each line......
and "carriage return" line code is used in windows while unix uses LF (line feed) for it's text.....so there should be LF only.....i think

Please correct me if I am wrong as i am just trying to learn here.....:fingers-crossed:

Sorry, I'm not the developer of that zip, I just got it long back from some other thread. Couldn't locate that thread, so just attached it again.
Anyway, it works fine with my ThunderG recovery, which has not given me any problems till date.

 

[muning98]

New release of same rom : Wipe cache and dalvik cache. (If any errors arise with the apps later you should do a full wipe)
Different rom : Wipe data/factory reset, cache, dalvik cache. Sometimes it is recommended to wipe /system too.

This right here.