backups vs upgrades
 

I'm getting ready to do my first upgrade (from Sprint stock ROM to Helmi's AKU3.5). However, I'm concerned about the guide's instructions to "back up" my data. Specifically, what do I need to do BEYOND merely sync'ing to save things like old SMS messages, my call history, photos I've taken, etc? Is it enough to just sync, then navigate to the phone's folder in Windows Explorer and indiscriminately copy everything in it to a folder on the PC's hard drive (or zip/rar it)? Or are there things I'm guaranteed to lose regardless of what I do, and other things that I have to do something non-obvious to back up?

For example, I have a ton of old SMS messages. I'm a packrat, and hate to delete anything. If I can't preserve them across the upgrade, can I at least dump them to some kind of human-readable file that I can print out and keep around indefinitely? Also, I'm bad about abusing the phone's call log in lieu of creating proper phone book entries for people I call. Is there any easy way to dump that log to a text file before blowing it away? Ditto, for things like saved PIE usernames/passwords, cookies, etc.

Also, are there any things that will be backed up, but can't be used by AKU3.5 or WM6 because the data format itself changed somewhere along the line?

Basically, I want to burn as few bridges behind me as possible, and feel confident that I know which ones WILL be burned regardless before I actually do it ;)

I always use the program PIM backup which is in the kitchens and available online to use to backup my messages (text, mms, email) and call logs, then I have my phone sync files/contacts/calendar to outlook. When I reflash, I restore the messages with PIM backup, and contacts/files/calendar via windows mobile device center (active sync of vista) and my phone has all the call logs and such that it did before.

OK, PIM Backup sounds like what I'm looking for.

While I'm at it, is there any program that can literally save a snapshot of my 6700, exactly as it is right now -- firmware, ram, and everything -- in case I want to do a "scorched earth" restore and put it back to the exact state it's in right now?

I will throw this into this thread.. But what do you guys use to backup the Messaging Settings?


Contacts I can Sync, but the settings for the 5 pop accounts and their signatures is getting annoying to have to enter.. It just takes awile..

To do this, you'll need a program like SPB Backup or Sprite Backup. Both of those will do this, but to get back to where you are, you'll also need your carrier stock ROM. To get back to the current state, you would reflash with the stock ROM and then restore.

I believe Sprite Backup has the capability to restore after doing a ROM upgrade. SPB does not, but it allows (I believe) 5 free backups in the unregistered version.