Difference between update.zip, nandroid restore, ROM.tgz, and sbf

[billygalbreath]

I'm pretty sure I get the jist of it, but want confirmation.

Update.zip allows you to update system files (like installing/upgrading a custom rom) without damaging any user data/apps/settings.

Nandroid restore wipes all user data while installing a custom rom. Its basically a backup of the dev's device.

Rom.tgz... well, tbh, idk wth this is or does.

Sbf allows you to install roms while wiping all data, even group 42 which is where the motorola M is stored for pre boot animation image.

Someone care to confirm, correct, and/or fill in the missing pieces for me?

[thebowers]

I'm pretty sure I get the jist of it, but want confirmation.

Update.zip allows you to update system files (like installing/upgrading a custom rom) without damaging any user data/apps/settings.

Yes you are correct with this one.

Nandroid restore wipes all user data while installing a custom rom. Its basically a backup of the dev's device.

Nandroid can be done without wiping data as long as you are staying within the same version of Android (2.01, 2.1). Accept when going between ERE to ESE versions of 2.1.

Rom.tgz... well, tbh, idk wth this is or does.

This one is the money. Kind of like doing update.zip with nandroid together. You can pick and choose what apps, kernals, patches to install all at once.

Sbf allows you to install roms while wiping all data, even group 42 which is where the motorola M is stored for pre boot animation image.

Haven't done the Sbf one so I can't provide input on it.

Someone care to confirm, correct, and/or fill in the missing pieces for me?

My answers are in red.

[hughesjr]

I'm pretty sure I get the jist of it, but want confirmation.

Update.zip allows you to update system files (like installing/upgrading a custom rom) without damaging any user data/apps/settings.

This is sort of true. update.zip is a name built into the default restore app, such that if it is placed in the /sdcard directory, it will initiate an update. I am not sure that there are any restrictions to actually prevent removing things from /data .

Nandroid restore wipes all user data while installing a custom rom. Its basically a backup of the dev's device.

Nandroid is a custom "Recovery" system. It replaces the standard recovery system and allows several backups. It also allows you to use update.zip from above. Some ROM providers (most actually) provide their ROMs via a Nandroid backup. You can choose specific parts of a Nandroid backup to restore.

Rom.tgz... well, tbh, idk wth this is or does.

tgz means 2 things

1. The t part means the file is tarred (a Linux term that creates one file that contains many files combined together) .. tar is short for Tape Archive.

2. The gz part means that the file is gzipped (uses zip compresssion).

The ROM part is just part of the file name. People who provide ROMs this way (like DroidMod) use a program Menu to allow choices in the install ... then after you make your choices, a Nandroid backup is restored.

Sbf allows you to install roms while wiping all data, even group 42 which is where the motorola M is stored for pre boot animation image.

sbf is an image format from Motorola and is a complete phone image that wipes everything except your sdcard and provides an entire OS for the phone. It requires a special program to use.

Someone care to confirm, correct, and/or fill in the missing pieces for me?

See inline comments above.

[billygalbreath]

So... an update.zip has the potential to wipe out installed apps and custom user settings?

I've used all methods mentioned above except the rom.tgz (and being a debian sid user since 2002, I know what .tgz is). My main reason for asking is I'm kinda tired of losing all my apps and settings everytime I update my phone and I'm looking for a way to keep said things during upgrades. Ultimate Droid has been releasing updates faster than I log onto my pc, and I like to stay on the cutting edge (hence why I'm a Sid user).

It doesn't take me long to restore all my apps, accounts, contacts, alarms, icons, wallpapers, etc etc etc... maybe 30 minutes tops. Its just a pain in the arse, you know..

[Matth3w]

No, an update.zip won't uninstall anything really.

[52brandon]

update.zip is the most versatile way to do it. Works on both available recoveries

nandroid is the type of recovery android phones use, it is typically mis-spoken as being an sprecovery backup of a ROM. While both recoveries technically use nandroid, they are not interchangeable

don't really know the definition of thr rom.tgz files but they appear to work like the update.zip files but are sprecovery specific

.sbf files are motorola's specific file type and the only way to flash EVERYTHING. From root to recovery to splash image, everything. It uses RSD Lite to apply to your phone

[Golfcrank]

update.zip is the most versatile way to do it. Works on both available recoveriesnandroid is the type of recovery android phones use, it is typically mis-spoken as being an sprecovery backup of a ROM. While both recoveries technically use nandroid, they are not interchangeabledon't really know the definition of thr rom.tgz files but they appear to work like the update.zip files but are sprecovery specific.sbf files are motorola's specific file type and the only way to flash EVERYTHING. From root to recovery to splash image, everything. It uses RSD Lite to apply to your phone

Thanks all. I think I understand it. I have unlocked my Atrix 4G Telstra Model MB860 and flashed CM7 using CWM. I used CWM to backup beforehand (I think or maybe that was not possible). I have a backup in clockworkmod folder called Telstra_2.2_rom.My question is: can I just restore the CWM backup and then my phone is back to stock Froyo except it is still unlocked. Thanks.