I guess that the built-in backup of n810 does not backup everything.

- the OS2008 feature upgrade maybe
- the Rfcomm beta packages (installed in redpill mode)
- the packets needed for portrait mode (kernel patches and all, using apt-get)
- something else?

So, what is the procedure / software to get a full backup of the device?


ps. and what happens if I as root run apt-get upgrade and boldly select "y"?

make an image with dd ?

Generally speaking a full backup is hardly necessary -- or meaningful -- but here's what I'd do to create and restore "nearly full backup". I haven't done this as-is, but the general idea should be clear.

Backup:
- normal backup with Backup/Restore
- full backup of $HOME: (cd /home/user; tar -cpf /path/to/mmc/home.tar .)
- full list of installed packages: dpkg --get-selections >/path/to/mmc/packages

Note that these steps do /not/ cover dpkg status, diversions or anything like that. Backing up that data can be useful, but generally it does more bad that good. Maemo-specific metadata, such as menu locations of applications etc, may also be missing.

Restore:
- normal restore with Backup/Restore
- restore $HOME: tar -C /home/user -xpf /path/to/mmc/home.tar
- reboot -- some services may be monitoring changes in files, so just in case, reboot
- restore package state (as root): dpkg --set-selections </path/to/mmc/packages && apt-get update && apt-get upgrade

Obviously I take no responsibility for running apt-get manually. I'm not aware of ill effects or running apt-get upgrade, but I'd assume Application manager takes care of certain unspoken rules of Maemo of which apt-get is simply unaware.

If you really need to backup installed applications as is, you can use dpkg-repack to recreate already installed packages. These packages can then be installed with "dpkg -i".

If you're in Windows, you could use Acronis True Image. See http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=18460 and http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=24667, which also describe Linux approaches, like using partimage.

You'll probably find more using the maemo Google search in my signature (the link for Newbies).

And, of course, remember to back up your cards and data via the USB or SSH.