The Factory Data Reset Option

[jusdebbie]

My bugs were so bothersome after the update, (worst one being that my texts lock in cap letters and refuse to spell out certain words and then cause a force close) that i reactivated another phone! Can i do the eris hard reset without it being activated? I too have the silent bug among other issues. Thanks.

 

[bjf88]

My bugs were so bothersome after the update, (worst one being that my texts lock in cap letters and refuse to spell out certain words and then cause a force close) that i reactivated another phone! Can i do the eris hard reset without it being activated? I too have the silent bug among other issues. Thanks.

You might, but once it does the factory reset, it goes through the whole setup process again which includes the activation. At least that's what mine did. I would give it a try if you would like to go back to your Eris.

However, the likelihood of the silent bug being hardware related is very good, which means a factory reset might not make a difference. In that case, you could contact Verizon for a replacement and they would want you to do a factory reset anyways, so you may as well get it out of the way before you call.

 

[Frisco]

I did a factory reset (1.5) before doing the upgrade. Doesn't that accomplish the same thing?

It is obviously helpful for the stock 1.5, however the OTA update brought to your device a brand new OS (minus what's on your SD card).

 

[paleodust]

My phone wasn't pulling some of my contacts off of the Google cloud no matter how many times I forced it to re-sync.

A factory reset solved the problem and they seem to all be there now!

 

[paleodust]

After a reset, how long do the apps stay in the Android Market? Do they eventually go away or do they hang out until you re-install them?

 

[Caddyman]

i think they eventually go away..

some people say they are gone immediately (not paid apps, free ones)

but i have done a FR and my free apps are still there

 

[paleodust]

After a reset, how long do the apps stay in the Android Market? Do they eventually go away or do they hang out until you re-install them?

I just learned the answer the hard way. They were all there and I installed one of them. A few minutes later, I went back to install some more and they were all gone, except for the paid ones.

 

[Frisco]

i think they eventually go away..

some people say they are gone immediately (not paid apps, free ones)

but i have done a FR and my free apps are still there

Same here. And doing a search in Market for the paid apps shows them, "installed." Clicking the app there causes the install to be done again.

 

[ErisOwner017]

Did a factory reset about a day after doing the update and not having all of my facebook contacts sync up with my phone. Now everything is working like a dream. This should have been part of the setup directions on VZW's PDF.

 

[TheNextCompanion]

I just did the factory reset and the speed dial issue and any lag issues went away. My Backup Pro which I got on Caddy's recommendation backed everything up perfectly in about 10 minutes.

 

[scrubs]

Does anyone know yet if the Factory Reset corrects the 50% time without signal issue?

 

[xx_bishop_xx]

Does anyone know yet if the Factory Reset corrects the 50% time without signal issue?

I performed a factory reset before and after each of the leaks, and I still have the 50% time without signal problem. It does not appear to help with the signal meter issue either.

However, I still agree it's a good practice.

 

[doogald]

Does anyone know yet if the Factory Reset corrects the 50% time without signal issue?

I did a factory reset after receiving the OTA yesterday, and I am reporting 50% time without signal.

 

[doogald]

So far, I have installed only the NYTimes app, but I'm also thinking about JuiceDefender. It's only been a day, though.

 

[ColonelPanic]

I still don't quite understand how this can occur. By necessity, LV3 (as you call it) requires a total wipe of the phone, completely replacing everything on it with the new OS. It shouldn't introduce the same bugs that an upgrade process would, and only those in the new OS itself, since there's nothing else there.

How does a factory reset make a difference? And is this the same as clearing the cache? (As mentioned by thenestor)? Is there some trace data that survives the "clean install" process that we've been doing on the leaks?

Since I am noticing issues that I never did on previous leaks, I know it's not hardware in my case - unless I just happened to break my phone the same day I installed LV3. If the problems persist I'll probably wind up doing one or the other of these, I'd just like to be sure of WHY I'm doing it... thanks

I agree that some of these bugs will be related to the new OS. Yes I believe that most of the issues being experienced are related to cached data and its interaction with different versions of various code strings. However, there are also files containing configuration data that there is no user access. Every operating system is structured this way. In windows we have the registry, in *nix we have config files etc. There are certainly files left in the Android system that we (the end user) don't have access to without root.


I guess one way to put it would be that the OTA is a messy install (upgrade) and the Leak is a clean install (bare metal install). In the OTA the probability is far higher that there are files that are modified, removed, relocated and discarded. In the leak when the full install is run ALL files are created new and are pristine.

You could have something as simple as a file who's permission was not updated properly causing problems. I am guessing but just trying to give some examples. So as to why does the reset have the effect that is referenced in the posts above, that would be because when you perform the rest all data is cleared and all files overwritten thus effecting a clean install.

That is not to say that there are no bugs inherent to the 2.1 OS. There certainly are, we have forums like these in which we try and solve these issues. My point is simply that, just as with a desktop OS, a clean install is the best option if you want to reduce unexpected trouble. As of right now if you do not want to install the LV3 ROM the closest you can get is to run the OTA and then Factory Reset. There will eventually be a utility posted by HTC and VZW that will perform the process for you.


I think Verizon will certainly look back and think that risking the potential bugs that are being reported in order to cut down on tech support load was, in fact, not the lesser of two evils. A document could easily be produced that could assist in the reload of apps etc. Of course the fix for most of these bugs is simple as well.. Factory Reset..

 

[Jacklad]

I have in the past, before LV3, experienced the "silent call" issue - after hearing many times over on various threads here that the issue is more likely hardware related than software related, it started to make me crazy thinking i may have a bad phone - couple that with not being able to have access to the quote/unquote official VZW OTA, I called tech support last night and am having another handset sent out - they say it will have the updated software already installed - maybe I'm being a little anal about it, but I share the thoughts of some of the other posters that nothing "feels" right about simply updated existing software, when there may be small issues that could just carry over into the "fresh" update - or, i could just be have some sort of cell phone OCD, or OTA, or OTD - OTCD? I don't know what to call it, but I'll feel better having a fresh phone.

 

[wpetering]

Factory Reset is a MUST DO. I'm at 2.1r3 and had all kinds of buggy crud happening. Did a factory reset last night and things seem to magically be fixed (except for the 50% signal).

 

[AcmeData]

After the OTA I didn't do a factory reset right away. 2.1 seemed great...much snappier, great new colors, etc. However, too many odd little glitches:

- Google calendar never fully re-synced. It just kept thrashing in a circle. Contacts and gmail did sync correctly.

- accessing POP3 email caused a warning dialog about "Mobile network not enabled" (it was enabled).

- HTC Sync on Eris couldn't find the open program on the PC.

- numerous odd warnings that would flash on briefly (couldn't read them) and be gone!

Did the factory reset and all is better! It should be required immediately after OTA.

 

[homerpez]

I don't want to reboot my phone right now because I'm using it, but can someone document the exact steps for clearing the cache using Fastboot/Recovery and post that here? I feel like that will save a lot of people a lot of trouble, because they won't have to reinstall everything.

I believe the instructions are these, but I can't check right now:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold down VOL DOWN and POWER. It will search for the files like PB00IMG.zip, etc..etc..
3. Scroll down to RECOVERY and press the POWER button. The phone will reboot with an exclamation point.
4. Press the HOME soft button and the POWER button at the same time, and you should be presented with a menu.
5. One of the options should be "clear cache". Click it.

I just tried doing this, because it seemed to be less catastrophic than a full reset (not in the mood to re-install everything at the moment). However it got stuck on step #3. It came up with the Eris picture with the exclamation point next to it, and just froze completely. I waited and waited. Finally had to pull the battery to reboot.

So... I guess if I do anything, it'll have to be the full reset. Still think I'll wait until someone can answer whether or not I'm wasting my time if I installed LV3 and not the OTA update (because it wipes the phone in that process anyway, right?).

 

[thenestor]

I just tried doing this, because it seemed to be less catastrophic than a full reset (not in the mood to re-install everything at the moment). However it got stuck on step #3. It came up with the Eris picture with the exclamation point next to it, and just froze completely. I waited and waited. Finally had to pull the battery to reboot.

So... I guess if I do anything, it'll have to be the full reset. Still think I'll wait until someone can answer whether or not I'm wasting my time if I installed LV3 and not the OTA update (because it wipes the phone in that process anyway, right?).

Oh, that's because you're on the leak. If you're on the leak, instead of "home" and "power," you have to do something else, but I can't find the thread that gives the alternative. Try power and call or power and volume up.

 

[jaybigboy34]

I also did the factory reset and things are working much better now.

 

[Tarheel_Rambler]

Oh, that's because you're on the leak. If you're on the leak, instead of "home" and "power," you have to do something else, but I can't find the thread that gives the alternative. Try power and call or power and volume up.

I don't want to reboot my phone right now because I'm using it, but can someone document the exact steps for clearing the cache using Fastboot/Recovery and post that here? I feel like that will save a lot of people a lot of trouble, because they won't have to reinstall everything.

I believe the instructions are these, but I can't check right now:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold down VOL DOWN and POWER. It will search for the files like PB00IMG.zip, etc..etc..
3. Scroll down to RECOVERY and press the POWER button. The phone will reboot with an exclamation point.
4. Press the HOME soft button and the POWER button at the same time, and you should be presented with a menu.
5. One of the options should be "clear cache". Click it.

Use shortcut solutions if you like, but don't be surprised if you introduce new problems, or the problems just don't get fixed. Clearing the cache is only part of what happens in the Factory Reset. There are config files that stay in place that may be part of the problem as well.

The main thing is, use the suggested solutions as presented...or don't. But posting all the objections and excuses for using shortcuts only confuses the issue for others coming here for help.

The posted suggestions fully document why they are making the suggestion. That alone should give someone looking for help enough information to make an informed decision. When you go to a medical specialist for advice, you don't expect to sit in the middle of a debate while two differing opinions get hashed out. The same should be expected here. The debate just makes the noob want to go bash their head into a wall.

 

[jreed2560]

Use shortcut solutions if you like, but don't be surprised if you introduce new problems, or the problems just don't get fixed. Clearing the cache is only part of what happens in the Factory Reset. There are config files that stay in place that may be part of the problem as well.

The main thing is, use the suggested solutions as presented...or don't. But posting all the objections and excuses for using shortcuts only confuses the issue for others coming here for help.

The posted suggestions fully document why they are making the suggestion. That alone should give someone looking for help enough information to make an informed decision. When you go to a medical specialist for advice, you don't expect to sit in the middle of a debate while two differing opinions get hashed out. The same should be expected here. The debate just makes the noob want to go bash their head into a wall.

If I were a noob, I would like all the information I could before I made a decision. In a perfect world where one solution worked for everyone your logic would be undeniable. But we don't live in that world, and what works for some may not work for others. This is a open forum and members are free to debate and disagree as long as they are doing so in a respectful manner. The world would be very boring if we all agreed on everything.

 

[OhBe1]

After OTA, my weather and calendar apps would force close. I did a factory reset and everything is fine. Shame on Verizon for not including this as part of the update instructions! I can't say that this will fix everyone's problems, but it worked for me. Just do it!

 

[homerpez]

If I were a noob, I would like all the information I could before I made a decision. In a perfect world where one solution worked for everyone your logic would be undeniable. But we don't live in that world, and what works for some may not work for others. This is a open forum and members are free to debate and disagree as long as they are doing so in a respectful manner. The world would be very boring if we all agreed on everything.

Not really a total noob... but this is basically what I'm saying/thinking... I'm kind of treading lightly here, as I'm fresh off of (in my mind) ruining my phone, by installing the V3 leak, when V2 worked so much better for me. Figured V3 would polish up the few issues there were, instead of what it ended up doing. So every new thing I do is giving me the thought "will I be able to use my phone after this?"

It's like a PC that you make your livelihood on. If it's running slow, you won't hesitate too much to run a file cleaner or anti-virus. But totally re-installing Windows from scratch might make you think first. (My Eris happens to be my only phone, period).

Kinda want to try smaller steps before I go for the big one, of wiping everything out. And since I still can't totally wrap my head around how I'd benefit from a full reset (since installing LV3 did that for me, I thought), I'm even more hesitant to do it. The cure might be worse than the disease...

Oh, that's because you're on the leak. If you're on the leak, instead of "home" and "power," you have to do something else, but I can't find the thread that gives the alternative. Try power and call or power and volume up.

Turns out it was Power + Volume Up.

Just ran through the process, and I'm not sure it did any good... I'm also not sure it did any harm, either. I'll keep everyone posted.