This should be the first highlighted, double underlined bullet point in every intro to computer science class.
It should be one of the first things taught when you put any bit of memory-storing tech in anyone’s hands.
1 back up is ok. 2 is a lot better. 3 is more along the lines of total security.
Case in point: I was trying to update my phone from Android 2.2 to 2.3. My phone is rooted (read: jailbroken if you are fluent in iSpeak), so updates via traditional means (the easy way) are out of the question.
So I started poking around. I wanted to find a unofficial release of Gingerbread, with the proprietary bloatware (looking at you, Slacker Radio) removed, root privileges intact, specifically designed for the HTC Incredible.
And I found one.
I downloaded the .zip file, copied it to the sd card in my phone, and started following directions.
Part of the rooting process included installing Clockwork Mod. This incredibly powerful app allows you to set up a backup point of your phone’s entire system: contacts, text messages, apps, even browsing history; in one click. I ran a back up of my current setup (Bringing the total number of backups to 3: 1 when I first rooted back in June, 1 three weeks ago when I tried updating to Gingerbread the first time, and a third current back up.)
I followed the directions. I flushed the cache, I wiped the user data, and removed 2.2.
When I tried to install the new OS, I was greeted by this wonderfully horrifying error message: ‘error reading xx-xxxxxx.zip – file format not recognized.’ Priding myself as an on the spot troubleshooter, I grabbed a different version of 2.3. Same thing. I tried with a third. No dice.
At this point, I was getting a bit nervous- and decided to scrap the update and just restore from the last backup point. I was greeted by a new error: MD5 types don’t match, or something to that effect. I tried the first (original) backup point. Same thing.
At this point, I was already combing ebay for cheap verizon handsets, convinced my ignorance had rendered my phone a shiny, touch sensitive paperweight. As a last-ditch effort, I tried restoring from the 2nd backup point.
Success. My phone is back (well my phone as it thought it was on November 16th).
I am no longer concerned with getting my hands on Gingerbread. I’ll poke around to see if there are fixes available for the issues I have been facing (Mainly the browser in 2.2 likes to ignore mobile style-sheets, making the task of designing for mobile a massive pain in the arse).
And I am going to be more fastidious about regularly backing up all of my data.
And I am starting with rabbitmovers.com. It’s one thing when you put your own data at risk. It’s another thing altogether when you put your clients’.
And I am not going to let anything happen to them.
Peace,
SR