best way to backup before flashing

[srsizzy]

So I know a lot of people use PIM/SPB to backup contacts/messages/etc, and I'm seeing those are all the SHOULD be backed up when flashing, but I'm wondering if there's a way to backup applications and settings that take a while to go through reinstalling and setting.

I used Sprite backup, but I'm guessing that's going to basically keep the ROM within it's full-backup file, so that doesn't help. Is there a way to use SPB or Sprite to backup everything BUT the ROM? The Sprite website says "fully customizable," but that's bullocks, it didn't ASK me if I wanted to backup the program files and it did that anyways.

Is there no way to backup all my applications and reinstall them all at once without having to make my own ROM with all the apps loaded into it?

I'm seeing Sprite has an "upgrade restore" mode for when you update a ROM within the same OS; does anyone know how well that works? Looks like SPB has a similar function as well?

[kevmo1965]

You NEVER run a backup after a flash to a new ROM.
Back up your contacts, calendar, and mail with WMDC or Active Sync and learn to use XDA_UC or Sashimi to setup after a flash.

[ACHlLLES]

Yeap. Just save contacts, and favorites via myphone, and flash away.

You are asking for trouble if you are going to restore old system backup over a new flash.

[eXplicit]

Microsoft MyPhone

[sprinttouch666]

if all u care about it contacts just copy ur pim.vol from the root of your device to your storage card before your flash. then copy it back after and soft reset.

(almost all rom's come preloaded w/ total commander so no need 2 install and extra cab)

[srsizzy]

It's pretty clear from the first post that I care about more than the contacts.

I'm way to tired to think about figuring out XDA_UC right now. This phone is giving me so much more of a headache than the Titan did. I shouldn't have trusted everyone's dislike of the stock ROM, I can't believe that it's any slower than MightyROM. The amount of times my phone has frozen in basic functions is absurd.

Anyways, so I guess the answer to my question is no, unless XDA_UC can be used JUST to install cabs because I don't care about the other stuff.

[Oridus]

Originally Posted by srsizzy

It's pretty clear from the first post that I care about more than the contacts.

I'm way to tired to think about figuring out XDA_UC right now. This phone is giving me so much more of a headache than the Titan did. I shouldn't have trusted everyone's dislike of the stock ROM, I can't believe that it's any slower than MightyROM. The amount of times my phone has frozen in basic functions is absurd.

Anyways, so I guess the answer to my question is no, unless XDA_UC can be used JUST to install cabs because I don't care about the other stuff.

I use XDA_UC To install all my favorite cabs after the initial setup post flash. Takes about 3 mins for all my cabs, soft reset and im g2g.

[ACHlLLES]

If there is freezing problem, it's most likely something you installed. My phone was constantly freezing, and stuck on boot screen which lead me to hard reset constantly. The cause was one of the Sense Tweak cab I installed that most people had no problem with. Just don't forget about stuff you are installing.

[srsizzy]

Originally Posted by Oridus

I use XDA_UC To install all my favorite cabs after the initial setup post flash. Takes about 3 mins for all my cabs, soft reset and im g2g.

Thanks, that's what I was looking to hear, though I still need to figure out how the program works.

Still seems like a hassle to go through and re-set-up email and specific settings for each program and ringtones and everything. I can't believe people flash their phones regularly. I got by on the same ROM on my Titan for 2 years with few problems.