Database Users

Messed up home screen after backup

I apologize if this post isn't very clear, I'm tired and English is not my native language...
I upgraded to Cyanogen's 5.0.7 Test 5 ROM not too long ago from CM 4.2.14.1. Before doing that I backed up my app data wit Backup for root users. I haven't done that before, so I checked multiple boxes, not knowing which one was the correct one. The tutorial I followed then stated I should check the SD-card to make sure only app data was backed-up, and no system data.
So I checked and found only maps from my apps.
So far so good.
However, when I restored the app data, my home screen got messed up. It thinks the fourth screen is the center one (so it goes there when pressing the home button) and all widgets say "Problem loading this widget". Also I can't change anything. I Can't remove or rearrange widgets or shortcuts. If I try to do so, Android crashes (FC on android.process.acore).
I'm pretty sure it is completely my own fault, not a bug in the ROM. When I restored the data I must have corrupted the file in which the home screen data is stored.
So, finally my questions: Is there a way to restore this without doing a wipe (I'm guessing re-flashing without a wipe will still keep the corrupted settings)?
If anyone can tell me which file is responsible for the home screen settings, can I delete it so Android will restore it with a new (empty) one?
Can I replace it with someone else's? Or extract it from a ROM-file?
That are the solutions I came up with. If its easier to just wipe and re-flash, tell me and I will do so. I just hoped there was a way I can prevent having to set up the phone all over again...
Thanks in advance!

Did you nandroid backup? If you did, restore it and backup all your apps using Titanium Backup. Backup for root users has always gave me problems as well. Titanium Backup allows all the same options that you need, but just works better imho.
If you didn't nandroid and can't do that - I'm pretty sure a wipe is your only option. You can try fix_permissions from the terminal, but I don't think it's going to fix your problems.

I did do a nandroid backup, but that was just before I flashed CM 5... I guess restoring a nandroid backup from my CM 4.2.14.1 setup is not a good idea?
Hmm, guess I will be re-flashing this evening Thanks anyway!
EDIT: I will use Titanium from now on... I had heard of it, but the tutorial I followed used Backup for root users...

Restoring a nandroid backup is NOT bad at all. That's what its there for. It doesn't matter if you nandroided a completely different ROM then flashed CM5. Flashing a new ROM doesn't affect the nandroid backup EVER.
You flash a nasty, nasty ROM and are like, "Oh ****!" Just go nandroid.
I usually wipe all data/cache before restoring, but some people don't. Either way, it completely restores your phone to the state it was at before backing up. This includes applications and everything. (App data, system settings, app settings, etc.)

I thought nandroid just restored system files and settings... But if it completely restores my phone, a might just as well wipe and re-flash since it will restore it to the previous ROM.
Thanks for the info, I have learned some more about my phone

Some super-simple noob backup questions

Quick and to the point:
1. Is a clockwork backup a full image of the system, such that if I restore from it no matter what kernel, rom, mod, etc. I've installed, I get exactly the completely system and state that I had when I made the backup? I.e., it is a true failsafe against messing up the phone, so long as CWR will boot and the SD card is intact?
2. A complete backup with Titanium, backing up all apps and system data, is a migration path for trying a new ROM? IOW, I can simply do a complete backup with Titanium, wipe wipe wipe, install the target ROM, then restore "missing apps and data" from Titanium and -- voila! I'm on the new ROM, but with all my apps, configuration, etc. I had before?
I'm getting ready to try out the Syndicate ROM...

dwallersv said:
Quick and to the point:
1. Is a clockwork backup a full image of the system, such that if I restore from it no matter what kernel, rom, mod, etc. I've installed, I get exactly the completely system and state that I had when I made the backup? I.e., it is a true failsafe against messing up the phone, so long as CWR will boot and the SD card is intact?
2. A complete backup with Titanium, backing up all apps and system data, is a migration path for trying a new ROM? IOW, I can simply do a complete backup with Titanium, wipe wipe wipe, install the target ROM, then restore "missing apps and data" from Titanium and -- voila! I'm on the new ROM, but with all my apps, configuration, etc. I had before?
I'm getting ready to try out the Syndicate ROM...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha! I am searching now for the exact same question! I am looking to try the Epic Experience. I will follow this thread to see what the answer is.
Thanks.

First off might I comment that Syndicate Rom is a great choice. Not just saying that cause any of them are my buddies either, cause IDK Any of them... so far though Running Syndicate Rom/Kernel with SetCPU at 200-1200 has been the smoothest Rom experience I have had up to date.
1. Is a clockwork backup a full image of the system, such that if I restore from it no matter what kernel, rom, mod, etc. I've installed, I get exactly the completely system and state that I had when I made the backup? I.e., it is a true failsafe against messing up the phone, so long as CWR will boot and the SD card is intact?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes in theory it is a backup of everything, data, apps installed, boot, system, literally the entire phone is backed up. Is it a failsafe though? I would rather say not. On some phones we can restore a clockwork recovery and have no issues, but since I've had my epic and switched around with different Roms, I've noticed that restore dosen't work quite as it should, probably because Roms are so much different, and you run into FC's, boot loops, and other issues... Restoring peices in advanced restore works well but a complete restore almost always has bugs.
True statement though that even if you screw up and get a boot loop, or constant force closes/phone restarts, as long as you can get back into clockwork your phone is not screwed. You were right on that one. So no worries if you wanna test and play.
2. A complete backup with Titanium, backing up all apps and system data, is a migration path for trying a new ROM? IOW, I can simply do a complete backup with Titanium, wipe wipe wipe, install the target ROM, then restore "missing apps and data" from Titanium and -- voila! I'm on the new ROM, but with all my apps, configuration, etc. I had before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have the idea right. You really don't even need to back all your apps up with titanium anymore these days, though, it too is plagued with FC's and problems. If you are using clockwork recovery, and you have made a backup already... all you have to do when installing a NEW rom is first wipe-fest, then let it boot once, then restart, go to clockwork, go to Advanced Restore, and ONLY restore the DATA part. (Reason for this is if you restore Boot, System, etc it will try to restore the Rom you just installed... Data is where all your apps/settings are at) This will do exactly the same thing as titanium backup will do, only with less bugs and alot easier.

Cool... thanks for the great response.
It's too bad there isn't an iron-clad, 100% reliable means to take a snapshot of the phone that can be restored reliably.
On WM it was simply a matter of using one of the various backup utilities (I used SPB Backup 2) to make an image of the system. No matter what I did to the phone, I could always wipe it back to factory clean, then restore from backup and have my phone back exactly as it was, with no issues.
I'm trying a CW backup, factory reset, restore cycle right now to see what happens. I'll report back on my experience.
EDIT: Okay, one deviation from the WM experience: The factory reset did NOT reset the kernel -- MixUp is still showing as the running kernel. Is Odin the only way to get the factory kernel back?​No matter what, I'm on my way after that to the Syndicate ROM!
EDIT: Okay, the CW restore seems to have restored everything back to the way it was, without problems after some brief playing around. No FCs (so far). On to wiping again, installing Syndicate Standard, then restoring data from CW as recommended here.​

OperationMove said:
You have the idea right. You really don't even need to back all your apps up with titanium anymore these days, though, it too is plagued with FC's and problems. If you are using clockwork recovery, and you have made a backup already... all you have to do when installing a NEW rom is first wipe-fest, then let it boot once, then restart, go to clockwork, go to Advanced Restore, and ONLY restore the DATA part. (Reason for this is if you restore Boot, System, etc it will try to restore the Rom you just installed... Data is where all your apps/settings are at) This will do exactly the same thing as titanium backup will do, only with less bugs and alot easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright I took the plunge and it seemed to work well. Some things that I noticed was that on first boot (before I did the restore), all of the preinstalled apps showed up (for instance, wireless tether, wired tether, launcher pro, etc...). Since I did a restore of the data, all of MY apps are there, but some of the apps that were preinstalled disappeared. Not all of them, though. For example, Launcher Pro and Wired and wireless tether disappeared, but Car Home is still there.
Another thing to note is that my widgets on the home screen don't seem to function correctly at first. I had to remove them and readd them to the home screen for them to work.
Other than that, everything is as it should be.

hotwired34 said:
Alright I took the plunge and it seemed to work well. Some things that I noticed was that on first boot (before I did the restore), all of the preinstalled apps showed up (for instance, wireless tether, wired tether, launcher pro, etc...). Since I did a restore of the data, all of MY apps are there, but some of the apps that were preinstalled disappeared. Not all of them, though. For example, Launcher Pro and Wired and wireless tether disappeared, but Car Home is still there.
Another thing to note is that my widgets on the home screen don't seem to function correctly at first. I had to remove them and readd them to the home screen for them to work.
Other than that, everything is as it should be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... okay. So just to provide a different datapoint, I'll go the Titanium route to get my own apps and settings back, and report. I'm guessing CW wiped the DATA partition before the restore, wiping out the pre-installed stuff from the ROM.

dwallersv said:
Hmmm... okay. So just to provide a different datapoint, I'll go the Titanium route to get my own apps and settings back, and report. I'm guessing CW wiped the DATA partition before the restore, wiping out the pre-installed stuff from the ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, since yesterday, I tried both ways. I did a wipe back to the default Syndicate Rom and installed Titanium Backup. While restoring, I noticed that not all apps would restore (seemed to be ones that were in the stock ROM so it's understandable). I did a restore of apps + data. Now, I had most of my apps back, however, I noticed that some of the data was missing. For me, most importantly was the SMS Messages. I also wanted to note that doing an application by application restore of the backup was very time consuming! I had to basically reinstall every app (and then Titanium restored the data)

Nandroid doesnt seem to touch the kernel on our phones ether I noticed. I had a problem yesterday after I flashed a new rom and when I went to do a restore through nandroid I got a bootloop. Once I reflashed the kernel it fixed the bootlooping problem. I have noticed this in other instances to with kernels not being backed up since I did one after I rooted my phone so I would have a stock image.

Thanks guys on your experience and feedback on the backup thing that I'm wondering what to do after stock root.
dito33
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

pyroswithoutfire said:
Nandroid doesnt seem to touch the kernel on our phones ether I noticed. I had a problem yesterday after I flashed a new rom and when I went to do a restore through nandroid I got a bootloop. Once I reflashed the kernel it fixed the bootlooping problem. I have noticed this in other instances to with kernels not being backed up since I did one after I rooted my phone so I would have a stock image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I have been told in the past- a nandroid restore does not replace the kernel

Any problems moving to 4.3 after restoring apps and settings w/Titanium Backup Pro?

I'm thinking about finally moving to 4.3 using a custom ROM (haven't decided which one yet). I have Titanium Backup Pro and plan to restore all my apps and settings after the upgrade. Is this process likely to end in a stable system? I don't have the time and patience to go through installing and configuring everything again, so if it's not a dependable process I might as well wait for the OTA update (and deal with Knox later...)
Thanks!

Don't worry, this is what I did all is fine.
Before anything, make a backup of your internal SD (just in case), EFS backup and all apps with Titanium. Then in Phils recovery select option to erase everything for new ROM flashing. I also did manual wipe of cache & dalvik just in case. Don't worry, your internal card won't be touched, but always better safe than sorry. Then flash MJ5 kernel, and finaly flash your chosen ROM. Then you can restore apps from titanium. I had like 2 apps that didn't work at all after restore, probably incompatible with 4.3. The system is stable 100%. Never had a reboot.

Thank you Dalanik. This is very encouraging to know.

oren_b said:
I'm thinking about finally moving to 4.3 using a custom ROM (haven't decided which one yet). I have Titanium Backup Pro and plan to restore all my apps and settings after the upgrade. Is this process likely to end in a stable system? I don't have the time and patience to go through installing and configuring everything again, so if it's not a dependable process I might as well wait for the OTA update (and deal with Knox later...)
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try it? How did it go?
I had faced a lot of issues when I did this recently. My contacts and message apps started to crash. Could have been OS problem no idea, but I was losing all my messages and my contacts. Ended up using super backup and import/export feature. Then on TB i restored only the apps and not the settings or system data. Now its perfectly stable, no crashes whatsoever

If you erase phone completely for flashing, contacts will be restored automaticaly from google contacts, but I'm afraid SMSes won't. That's another thing worth backing up. I used SMS BAckup and Restore, works perfectly, although you can also use Titanium as well.

[Q] Multiple Issues - Should I wipe my phone?

Overall, my S5 is working pretty well, but it has started doing something strange. A few times each day, I get a "Unfortunately, _____ has stopped" message. A few times, I've noticed that "travel wallpaper" is the app that has stopped. I've never tried to use that (whatever it is). I'm pretty sure "Google news stand" or something like that was the app sometimes, as well as other apps.
For a couple months, I've been rooted and use Titanium Backup to freeze some of the bloatware that I felt pretty sure I don't want (all from a list of "safe to remove" apps). I use Greenify on a few apps, but not the ones that are showing up in the error messages.
A week or so before I noticed these errors, I had installed a bad .apk. It seemed sketchy, so I quickly uninstalled it. I ran Clean Master and it found nothing bad. But I'm still thinking I might want to wipe my device. I'd kind of like to go through the process just to do it. I've been doing regular backups with Titanium and I can't think of anything on the phone that I can't restore from scratch.
Is there a best method for wiping and using Titanium Backup to restore?
Edit: "Wi-Fi Direct share" is another app that gets the error message.
Edit: I used Safestrap to backup immediately after I rooted. The phone was stable at that point and for a month after.

ergalthema said:
Overall, my S5 is working pretty well, but it has started doing something strange. A few times each day, I get a "Unfortunately, _____ has stopped" message. A few times, I've noticed that "travel wallpaper" is the app that has stopped. I've never tried to use that (whatever it is). I'm pretty sure "Google news stand" or something like that was the app sometimes, as well as other apps.
For a couple months, I've been rooted and use Titanium Backup to freeze some of the bloatware that I felt pretty sure I don't want (all from a list of "safe to remove" apps). I use Greenify on a few apps, but not the ones that are showing up in the error messages.
A week or so before I noticed these errors, I had installed a bad .apk. It seemed sketchy, so I quickly uninstalled it. I ran Clean Master and it found nothing bad. But I'm still thinking I might want to wipe my device. I'd kind of like to go through the process just to do it. I've been doing regular backups with Titanium and I can't think of anything on the phone that I can't restore from scratch.
Is there a best method for wiping and using Titanium Backup to restore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you wipe your phone may I suggest that you unfreeze everything first, then see if you get the "Unfortunately...." message. If you stop getting that message then it is a pretty good chance that you have something frozen that an app or system needs to use. Wiping your phone and getting a fresh install of apps is always a good idea...if you have the time and inclination to do those type things. Installing apps from a backup is handy, but if you have a bad download/app install you will only be replicating the problem by installing from a back up. This is usually not a problem, but you never know. If you wipe, and have the time, try downloading the apps you want from Play Store to make sure you have the latest/fresh app. Yeah it is a PITA but you can be assured that the apps on your phone are the latest versions.

jpcalhoun said:
Wiping your phone and getting a fresh install of apps is always a good idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll probably do that when I have a chance. Is there a particular method of wiping that is recommended?
I would like to restore my Nova Launcher home screen settings, Wanam settings, and any other customizations like that if possible.

ergalthema said:
I'll probably do that when I have a chance. Is there a particular method of wiping that is recommended?
I would like to restore my Nova Launcher home screen settings, Wanam settings, and any other customizations like that if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing a Factory Reset is a good way to wipe your phone without touching your system apps. Or, if you have a custom recovery on your phone, you can do a full or partial wipe through recovery. I've used both methods and don't know if one way is any better than the other. You can save your current Nova setting to your SD card and restore after you have wiped. I don't use Wanam so I don't know about that app's settings and restore capability.

Immediately after I rooted, I made a backup with Safestrap. Titanium Backup has been backing up my apps and data.
Should I try to install the Safestrap recovery backup I made a couple months ago?
I did a lot of research before rooting, and so many people said how easy it was, etc. While using towelroot was super easy, learning how to correctly use Safestrap, etc. was not - especially since there were a couple error messages along the way and it didn't work quite how the info I gathered said it would (even the video from the Safestrap app page was not how most people set it up).
Regardless of what restore method you recommend, any info and helpful tips would be appreciated. I'm moving all my photos, videos, etc. to my computer, so there shouldn't be anything on the phone that I could not restore.
I saved my settings in Nova Launcher and Wanam. Hopefully, most of my customizations will restore from those settings - but I obviously all the icons won't return because some of the apps were not installed before the Safestrap backup.

ergalthema said:
Immediately after I rooted, I made a backup with Safestrap. Titanium Backup has been backing up my apps and data.
Should I try to install the Safestrap recovery backup I made a couple months ago?
I did a lot of research before rooting, and so many people said how easy it was, etc. While using towelroot was super easy, learning how to correctly use Safestrap, etc. was not - especially since there were a couple error messages along the way and it didn't work quite how the info I gathered said it would (even the video from the Safestrap app page was not how most people set it up).
Regardless of what restore method you recommend, any info and helpful tips would be appreciated. I'm moving all my photos, videos, etc. to my computer, so there shouldn't be anything on the phone that I could not restore.
I saved my settings in Nova Launcher and Wanam. Hopefully, most of my customizations will restore from those settings - but I obviously all the icons won't return because some of the apps were not installed before the Safestrap backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SafeStrap is the only recovery available for a retail S5. You have essentially two options: Do a factory reset which will not remove your firmware or ROM, it will only remove apps and associated cache and data. Many times that is all one needs to "clean-up their phone" and getting back to operating like new. Or, option 2, wipe data, cache, delvek cache, factory reset and flash your backup, if you trust it. If you don't trust your current backup make another one and flash that backup then restore your apps. I personally would do option 2. Make a new backup in Safestrap, then do a factory reset and flash the backup. That will accomplish what you want. You can always replace apps. The most important thing is to make sure you have a backup of your current ROM before you do anything.

jpcalhoun said:
The most important thing is to make sure you have a backup of your current ROM before you do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, why is the ROM backup important? Because it's more difficult to get root back otherwise? I was more concerned about restoring my customizations for launcher, etc.

ergalthema said:
Hmm, why is the ROM backup important? Because it's more difficult to get root back otherwise? I was more concerned about restoring my customizations for launcher, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I misunderstand what it is you're trying to accomplish. Just a reminder-- RULE #1: if you're going to hack a phone (and you already have done that by rooting and installing SafeStrap) always, always have a backup.
Refresh for me what it is you're trying to accomplish. I haven't used SafeStrap in a couple of years, I have a Developer Edition. However, I'll try to help you accomplish what you want without bricking your phone, that is priority one. Even if you loose root, you can always use towelroot again to re-root. If you brick your phone, well, that is another story.

jpcalhoun said:
If you brick your phone, well, that is another story.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the kind of reason I posted this.
I made a Safestrap backup immediately after rooting. Everything was stable then (and for a month or so after).
Basically, I've tried a lot of apps, and one that seemed sketchy recently. My phone started throwing up the "___ has stopped" errors regularly, so something seems wrong. I want to go back to a stable state. I might even not freeze any apps with Titanium Backup for a while to see how it run. There are some apps that are currently on my phone that I won't bother reinstalling. Otherwise, I don't really want to change anything.

ergalthema said:
That's the kind of reason I posted this.
I made a Safestrap backup immediately after rooting. Everything was stable then (and for a month or so after).
Basically, I've tried a lot of apps, and one that seemed sketchy recently. My phone started throwing up the "___ has stopped" errors regularly, so something seems wrong. I want to go back to a stable state. I might even not freeze any apps with Titanium Backup for a while to see how it run. There are some apps that are currently on my phone that I won't bother reinstalling. Otherwise, I don't really want to change anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I understand...again, LOL. Yes, first unfreeze anything you have frozen and see if the error message goes away. If it does then you had something frozen that an app or system needed. The trick is going to be discovering what you had frozen that was causing the error. Uninstall (using the stock apps manager) any apps that you no longer use or want.
If the error has not returned, then freeze a few apps at a time and see if the error returns. If it does then you have narrowed the problem down to a few apps. Sorry, there is no better way to go through the "freezing" process. Sometimes it is just trial and error. By the way, what error(app) was stopping. That might help identify what you Don't want to freeze.
To avoid a Factory Reset, you can go into recovery and wipe cache and delvek cache. Do not select/wipe data, system or anything else. Then select reboot phone from within SafeStrap. When your phone re-boots Android will build (optimizing apps) delvek cache. This will not brick your phone, but it will clean it up and get rid of potential problems left over from uninstalled apps. And, you will not loose root.

jpcalhoun said:
By the way, what error(app) was stopping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a variety of apps that get the stop error - a lot of different apps. It's not consistent and seems to happen randomly (often apps I've never used). Because of that, I'm tempted to try to go back to a previous state. If you think it's sufficient to clear those caches and uninstall any apps I'm unsure of, then I might try it. However, I'd probably still worry that something bad was still installed somewhere. Maybe the only way to remove all doubt would be to factory reset. Or would my Safestrap backup be a certain way to put my phone back to its state before the sketchy app was installed?
I might try your method first to see how it goes.
If I wanted to use the Safestrap backup, I'm not sure exactly how. Do I open Safestrap and "install recovery"?
I really appreciate all the info. I'm learning a lot here.

ergalthema said:
There are a variety of apps that get the stop error - a lot of different apps. It's not consistent and seems to happen randomly (often apps I've never used). Because of that, I'm tempted to try to go back to a previous state. If you think it's sufficient to clear those caches and uninstall any apps I'm unsure of, then I might try it. However, I'd probably still worry that something bad was still installed somewhere. Maybe the only way to remove all doubt would be to factory reset. Or would my Safestrap backup be a certain way to put my phone back to its state before the sketchy app was installed?
I might try your method first to see how it goes.
If I wanted to use the Safestrap backup, I'm not sure exactly how. Do I open Safestrap and "install recovery"?
I really appreciate all the info. I'm learning a lot here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, glad to help.
Ok, lets try the safest process first and progress from there.
1. Remove all unwanted and/or not used apps
2. Unfreeze everything and see if any errors occur
3. If no error then you have something frozen causing the problem. If the error still occurs then go to 4.
4. Enter recovery and clean cache and delvek...reboot phone and see what happens
5. If errors continue to occur then do a factory reset
6. If errors continue to occur after Factory Reset then wipe phone and flash your backup
How to flash backup: Go into recovery (SafeStrap), select Wipe and wipe (cache, delvek, data), and do a factory reset. Then, while still in recovery, go to Restore and select your backup and swipe to install the backup. After the install, select reboot.

jpcalhoun said:
2. Unfreeze everything and see if any errors occur
3. If no error then you have something frozen causing the problem. If the error still occurs then go to 4.
4. Enter recovery and clean cache and delvek...reboot phone and see what happens
5. If errors continue to occur then do a factory reset
6. If errors continue to occur after Factory Reset then wipe phone and flash your backup
How to flash backup: Go into recovery (SafeStrap), select Wipe and wipe (cache, delvek, data), and do a factory reset. Then, while still in recovery, go to Restore and select your backup and swipe to install the backup. After the install, select reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I defrosted everything and still got errors.
I entered recovery, selected Wipe, then Advanced Wipe. That gives me options for "Dalvik Cache", "Cache", and a few others.
You said "delvek" where Safestrap Advanced Wipe says "Dalvik". I don't want to risk anything. Can you confirm that I should wipe Dalvik Cache and Cache?

Yes, wipe cache and dalvek cache
---------- Post added at 07:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:08 PM ----------
Dalvik
---------- Post added at 07:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------
I'll get it right in a minute

apps crashing in my backup (kitkat) after upgrade to Cyanogenmod 12 (lollipop)

Hi guys, so basically I made a backup of my STOCK rom and then I installed CYANOGEN mod 12 on the phone... Realizing I totally forgot about my contacts I then backed it up and "restored" my old backup of the stock rom which is kitkat. to find that EVERYTHING "stops working" so I cant get to my contacts.
Now heres where I believe I went wrong. I used philz touchwiz and upon my process to flash the phone I did the system/factory reset option or something like that and it asks if you'd like to wipe the phone to install a new rom. I selected yes so I thought that I was good to go and did not go further into the other stuff... I flashed cyanogen mod on the phone and then it said it was "upgrading my apps" ok well thats fine, and it ran great and no issues.... So going back to my STOCK backup after that, all the apps just crash, which I assume is due to still having the old apps which are "upgraded" to lollipop but the apps of course crash on "kitkat"
So, I've read that in a backup it saves all your apps and stuff.. It should return your phone back to exactly where it was when you made the backup. so why is it i'm having the app issues? I guess I need to delete them right?
So what is the options i need to do to get rid of the apps and do a proper phone wiping prior to a backup so that when I load my kitkat backup that It runs fine as it should? Wipe cache? dalvik? /data?, etc etc.... will it erase the main phones memory as a hole or no?
let me know how to correct this, I greatly appreciate it. I've tried googling to no prevail so far.

If I'm understanding correctly, you're trying to restore your KitKat apps onto cm12.
If that is the case, it will keep force closing apps. When upgrading and moving from touchwiz based Roms to AOSP based Roms you can't just restore from backups, the environment is different.
So to carry your contacts, I suggest recreating the same KitKat environment by clean installing whatever ROM you had, let google play store install the apps, then restore your app data only using philz advanced restore option (make sure all other options besides app data or data are unchecked)
Once all are restored, make a backup of your contacts and SMS using call log back up and SMS backup apps from playstore.
Back up any app progress using adb like
#adb -backup -f appname.ab -obb -noapk com.android....
And then do a clean cm12 install, let play store install all apps and start restoring call log, SMS, and your app data.
This takes a while, but it is worth it!