factory reset vs phone repair

[#1]

Hi all! What is the difference between doing a factory reset in the phone vs doing a phone repair through the pc companion suite? I was having issues with internet connectivity and I was advised to do a phone repair through the suite but since it'll erase my data same with the factory reset u want to know what makes this more effective.

And how do I get the shortcuts back of apps in the internal storage back to the menu screen? Appreciate the help!

[Uliwooly]

if you repair or do a factory reset your apps will be gone, you have to re-download them all, it's better to repair it with SUS

Update Service (SUS)

http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/tools/update-service/

http://www-support-downloads.sonymobile.com/Software%20Downloads/Update_Service_Setup-2.11.12.5.exe

Alternatives on How to backup Xperias

http://talk.sonymobile.com/thread/36355

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[Dr_Chris]

As I understand it, a repair "actively" seeks to repair software problems (and perhaps this is the reason why you were advised to do this), whereas a factory reset simply returns the phone to its factory settings, which may also inadvertently ("passively")  repair any software problems. Which process is more effective probably depends on the issue in question, and is often a matter of trial and error until the problem is solved.

[Nabeel]

Dr_Chris said it all

Factory data reset = Removing all the apps that you installed and clearing the data of all the apps , system apps as well as the one you installed.

(In this case only clearing up takes place)

Repairing = Reinstalling the whole firmware in your mobile. Means clearing all the data present on phone memory and reinstalling the whole system

( In this case Clearing + reinstalling takes place )

May i know what you mean by this -

And how do I get the shortcuts back of apps in the internal storage back to the menu screen?

[#5]

I initially thought that if I do a phone repair it will only erase data from the phone memory and keep those that are saved in the internal storage. Isn't this the case? I was hoping it is, so the question was intended for that. I'm assuming the widgets or shortcuts won't automatically go back to either the desktop or menu screen. If that's true, i wanted to know how I can get it back... is there an app that will let me do that?

[#6]

Thanks for the links.

I downloaded some games and one of them is Defender II. I'm now at level 300 and I was wondering if I do one of the back-up ways mentioned in the link, will it keep all the data including the level once I retrieve the back-up file?

[Uliwooly]

not quite, look on the market for an app that can back this up or at least this game's data, there's an alternative but it requires root access

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[Nabeel]

guamzintrusion19 wrote:
I initially thought that if I do a phone repair it will only erase data from the phone memory and keep those that are saved in the internal storage. Isn't this the case? I was hoping it is, so the question was intended for that. I'm assuming the widgets or shortcuts won't automatically go back to either the desktop or menu screen. If that's true, i wanted to know how I can get it back... is there an app that will let me do that?

That's correct, data on phone memory will be erased whereas data in internal memory ( Flash memory = 32 GB ) will remains as it is

And by doing a software repair, all shortucts and widgets will automatically reset themselves.

All will be rearranged

[#9]

Thanks this is helpful. But just to make sure i get it right..... If i do phone repair, the data and widgets of those apps in the internal memory will not be deleted from the desktop or menu screen, right?

Hmmm are all documents saved in the internal storage? I use app2sd so i can view apps in the phone memory but not sure if its safe to assume all documents and pictures are saved in the internal storage... Sorry im new to android... And it's my first phone with internal storage built in... Thanks for the patience!

[Thommo]

If you do want to backup installed games instead of redownloading from the google market then on my phone atleast I have a free app called astro - open this app choose Aplication backup - Tick the app or apps you want then select backup, This will create an APK and save it to a folder called Backup\Apps,

Now this won't save any data mearly create an installable file/APK - So if every app you have on your phone you want to backup to save time searching through the market then this is an option for you