[Touch HD General] kika.93:
Step 3b: File backup

Some applications store their settings in INI files or XML files or other files. Once you know in which file, it is pretty easy to backup their settings.

SASHIMI uses \SASHIMI\Program\INI\filebackup.ini for backing up files. It works like the regexport.ini file.

For example, if you have installed TouchLockPro in your internal storage (which I do not recommend), its settings are stored in \Program Files\TouchLockPro\TouchLockPro.xml. In the filebackup.ini file, add:

[TouchLockPro]
FileBackupDirMode=Auto
TouchLockPro=\Program Files\TouchLockPro\TouchLockPro.xml

For backing up Manila Stock tab add (not tested):

[Manila_Stock_Tab]
FileBackupDirMode=Auto
stocks=\Application Data\HTC\*.*,*

For backing up Opera settings, bookmarks, cookies, etc:

[Opera]
FileBackupDirMode=Auto
Secure=\Windows\Opera9\secure\wand.dat
Skin=\Windows\Opera9\Skin\*.*
Cookies=\Windows\Opera9\cookies4.dat
Bookmarks=\Windows\Opera9\opera6.adr
Settings=\Windows\Opera9\opera.ini

If you have many apps, you may prefer to make one big section for applications:

[Applications]
FileBackupDirMode=Auto
TouchLockPro=\Program Files\TouchLockPro\TouchLockPro.xml
Secure=\Windows\Opera9\secure\wand.dat
Skin=\Windows\Opera9\Skin\*.*
Cookies=\Windows\Opera9\cookies4.dat
Bookmarks=\Windows\Opera9\opera6.adr
Settings=\Windows\Opera9\opera.ini

This backup method works well for applications which are packed with the ROM, or for applications that you have installed in your internal storage, after the ROM install (which I do not recommend, I already told you that ;)).

For application that you have installed in your storage card and which store settings information in a file in their installation folder, there is no need to backup those files, as they are already on your storage card, and won't be deleted after a ROM flash. There is no need to reinstall the application either ! (for most of the applications, this is not true for all). The only thing to do for those application is to backup the shorcut to the application executable from the windows start menu. For example, if I have a say MultimediaApp installed in my storage card, and the shortcut to my MultimediaApp in the Windows start menu is in my Multimedia folder. Here is my entry in the filebackup.ini file:

[Shortcuts]
app1=\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Multimedia\MultimediaApp.Ink
app2=...
...

With this method you can also backup your ringtones (\My Documents\My Ringtones, but if you are using Microsoft MyPhone this is not necessary), Facebook links with your contacts (\FacebookInfo.vol) and other stuff I didn't think about.

Note:

You can also automatically copy files to your new ROM installation by placing them in the \SASHIMI\Auto\root\ folder, with appropriate subfolders for organisation purpose, see documentation (this is not really part of the backup process, it only concern restoration).

Step 3c: Automate applications installation

Ok, so if you are still following me at this point, you have done everything to backup your applications settings, right? But you also need your applications to be installed after your ROM flash. How about make all that automatic?

Well, it's very simple. For applications to be installed in internal storage, put your cabs in \SASHIMI\Auto\CAB. For application to be installed to the storage card, put your cabs in \SASHIMI\Auto\CAB\SC. That's it. For cabs that need user inputs during installation, see SASHIMI documentation for advanced options .

/!\ Applications already installed on the storage card shall not be re-installed, you just need to recreate the start menu shortcut, see Step 3b. However, it will not work for all apps, in this case, puting the cab in \SASHIMI\Auto\CAB\SC is the way to go, but remember to backup any settings file using Step 3b first.

/!\ If your new ROM does not contain Microsoft MyPhone, you should add its cab in this step.

If you want to change the place were the application shortcut is created in the start menu it's really easy. First launch SASHIMI->Tools->Additional tools->Make CustomLinks.INI, it will populate the configuration file for you.

SASHIMI uses another INI file to manage the shorcuts creation, named customlinks.ini. You can edit it to add the path where you want the shortcut for your app to be created, using the format: application_name=shortcut_path. The path is relative to the \Window\Start Menu\ folder, and the application name must be the exact name of the CAB used for installation (without .cab).

For exemple, here is my customlinks.ini:

[LNK Files]
ManillaTodayPagev0.4=\PROGRAMS\Settings\Manila
tasksplus151=\PROGRAMS\Tools
TotalCommander=\PROGRAMS\Tools
HD Tweak 0.5.4_English=\PROGRAMS\Settings\System
IrisBrowser=\PROGRAMS\Connectivity
MusicID=\PROGRAMS\Multimedia
CorePlayer v1.3.2a Build-6909 for PPC=\PROGRAMS\Multimedia
HDWallS_v0.24b=\PROGRAMS\Settings\Manila
Scan2PDF.Mobile.1.01=\PROGRAMS\Programs
MyPhone_Beta_WM_Professional=\PROGRAMS\Tools
FdcSoftTaskMgr3.1=\PROGRAMS\Tools

Notes:

- People already using UC (User Customisation) can add their existing installation script to SASHIMI, see documentation.

Step 3d: Mail accounts and Wifi settings

SASHIMI provides a tool to automatically configure emails accounts and wifi settings, it is called Makisu. Unfortunately, it does not retrieve already configured settings and accounts. You have to enter them all manually in this step. But after that, you will never ever have to configure them again in your life :cool:, whatever how many ROM flash you will do.

Launch MAKISU directly or go to SASHIMI->Tools->MyCustomTools->Makisu.

To add an email account select EMAIL and follow the instructions. At the end, when asked to add to XML say yes. Repeat the operation for each of your email account. If you have an Exchange account go for Exchange/active sync. After that, go to WIRELESS as many time as your number of favourite WiFi hotspots.

When your are done, go to XML Operation->Create XML. Select the \SASHIMI\Auto\XML folder and press OK. When asked to provision now press No. That's it.

If you encounter difficulties, remember to watch the videos.

Step 3e: Owner and Device Info

Launch SASHIMI, go to Tools->Registry Tools->Backup Owner, press OK.

It will create owner.reg file in \SASHIMI\Backups, copy or move it to \SASHIMI\Auto\REG\. That's it.

Step 3f: Advanced functions

SASHIMI also allow to execute EXE, MortScript and install certificates during user customisation process, see documentation.

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OK, now you are done for the configuration phase. Steps 1 to 3 are only to be done once. Backup your XML, REG and INI files on your PC (I personally backup the entire SASHIMI folder on my PC). The hard work is finished, now you can enjoy automatic backup/restore of all your data in just a few steps.

Step 4: Backup

Before flashing your new ROM:

Step 4a: PIM backup

To backup contacts, agenda, tasks, mails and SMS/MMS as well as music, picture and documents placed in the internal storage, just launch Microsoft MyPhone synchronisation.

Note: If an Exchange account is configured, its mails will not be backed up by MyPhone, you have to use your Exchange synchronisation. Same for Windows Live contacts.

Step 4b: SASHIMI backup (other data/settings backup)

You can do the backup manually or automatically.

Manually:

Launch SASHIMI, go to Tools->Registry Tools->Custom Export. It will backup all registry keys specified in your regexport.ini file. Pay attention to the logs to see if everything worked well for each step. Then go to Tools->File Tools->File Backup. It will backup all the files specified in your filebackup.ini. Pay attention to the logs once again.

Automatically:

Go to Start Menu -> SASHIMI -> SASHIMI Quicklinks -> FullBackup

Check once again that your Makisu XML file is in the SASHIMI\Auto\XML, your owner.reg file in \SASHIMI\Auto\REG and your cabs in \SASHIMI\Auto\CAB. Remember to include the Microsoft MyPhone cab if it is not included in the ROM you are going to flash.

Step 5: FLASH!

:cool:

Step 6: Restore

Step 6a: SASHIMI

After flashing go to your storage card and launch SASHIMI (\SASHIMI\Program\Bin\SASHIMI). Select AUTO and check the logs. If you have many apps to be installed, the operation can take some times.

Step 6b: Microsoft MyPhone

Just launch Microsoft MyPhone and log in, it will download all your PIM data (you need a data connection at this time, and your time/date settings must be correct).

DONE! :D

For each new ROM flash, go through step 4 to 6. You will sometime need to modify your SASHIMI regexport.ini and filebackup.ini to add new tweaks/applications settings, but that's it.

Conclusion

With this method I am able to backup/restore almost all my data and settings automatically, including Manila configuration, Opera bookmarks, cache and cookies, Start Menu shortcuts organisation, WiFi settings, Email account settings, OS tweaks, Wallpaper, ringtones, notification, owner info, "my contact card" info, Facebook link with contact, messenger, windows live & facebook login/passwords, 3rd party application settings, etc... in less than 2 minutes!

I will attach my SASHIMI ini files to this post later on.

Thanks to:

bengalih for its great SASHIMI application

Mandragore for posting its INI files that helped me much and answering questions in other threads

murducky for its tuto on SASHIMI on Touch Pro

All XDA community, continue to share, share, share!