backing this mother up

[bradleyheathhay]

I have a 3GS 3.1.2 and I'm about to install blackrain. I'm writing because I really need to learn how to find the archive files that itunes makes for my contacts and calendar, so that if blackrain ends up taking a crap on my phone I can recreate my phone again using these saved files.

So, how exactly do I go about finding and saving the files I need to get my phone going again if armagedeon were to strike? Maybe there's a good tutorial on it?

Thanks all

 

[eawmp1]

You do a backup every time you sync. You can do a dated backup by control-clicking the iPhone icon while syncing and select backup.

 

[Gav2k]

Whatever you do find the backup and save it elsewhere when your ready to jb. Once you have jailbroken certain aspects sit in the backups so it's nice to have a baseline backup if you decide jb is not for you.

 

[bradleyheathhay]

update

The information I have says that in Windows XP, which is what I have, that iPhone backup is stored in...

\Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

But, when I try to get there I find that under AppleComputer the only directories are Installer Cache, iTunes, and QuickTime.

Any advice? Please help!

 

[NathanA]

\Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

But, when I try to get there I find that under AppleComputer the only directories are Installer Cache, iTunes, and QuickTime.

There are actually two "Application Data" folders within a given Windows XP profile (3, now called "AppData," if you're talking Vista/Windows 7). Are you sure you aren't looking under "Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer" by accident, instead of just "Application Data\Apple Computer"?

Does iTunes actually show that it has backups saved for your phone (under Edit -> Preferences -> Devices (tab))? If not, you'll have to tell it to create one. It should generate a fresh backup during every sync, but in case it does not for some reason, you should be able to right-click the little iPhone icon in the left column of the iTunes window while it is plugged into your computer, and select Backup from the pop-up menu.

-- Nathan