AT&T Activation server down

Question

Level 1

15 points

AT&T Activation server down

So, I'd been having problems with my phone where the iPod would stop playing while I was using the WiFi and restarting it hadn't helped, so I thought I should try a full Restore.
I've been syncing, so no worries about losing information. The software downloaded into iTunes and everything went OK until it got to the re-activation part.

"iPhone activations are not available at this time due to scheduled AT&T system maintenance... please connect again after 3pm EST Sunday"

Well, that's just great isn't it. Now I've got a $600 paperweight all day.

HOW ABOUT TELLING US OF *SCHEDULED* MAINTENANCE *BEFORE* THE RESTORE PROCESS STARTS..?

It wouldn't be hard to check that the AT&T activation server was alive before the process started and to give us an option box that said when we would be able to complete the process before we started.

24" iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 15, 2007 8:27 AM

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Answer 1

troyh3

Level 1

25 points

Jul 15, 2007 8:34 AM in response to GadgetGav

I'm trying to activate for the first time and got this message last night. I have to wait almost 24 hours to activate my $600 paperweight. Apple needs to do something about AT&T's service, my first impression of the iPhone is incredibly negative after this. And why not let me at least sync my iPhone so I can use it while AT&T figures out how to run a reliable service?

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Answer 2

Jul 15, 2007 8:44 AM in response to troyh3

Want some cheese with that whine?

It is called server/system maintenance and this is the downside of providing the ability to activate a cell phone at home in this manner which is a first in the industry. The iPhone is in it's infancy and so is this activation process and the servers that run it.

It is not going to kill you to wait until after 3:00pm EST today. Is the sun shining where you live? If so, great. Get out and enjoy it with your existing cell phone if needed which should still be working.

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Answer 3

epontius

Level 3

700 points

Jul 15, 2007 8:50 AM in response to GadgetGav

"scheduled maintenance" is usually code for "our system had a horrible crash". So it probably wasn't planned. Of course you could always hope that they are actually making some major hardware/software upgrades that would require them to take the service offline...but I doubt it.

Erik

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Answer 4

troyh3

Level 1

25 points

Jul 15, 2007 8:55 AM in response to Allan Sampson

System maintenance should not bring the site down for up to 24 hours, any IT network worth its salt should be able to handle rolling upgrades. And they've had several system maintenance sessions in the last 2 weeks, not just this one. FYI, this system maintenance is not just for iPhone activations, AT&T's entire account system is down.

Yes, the sun is shining where I live, it'd be nice to be outside listening to my new iPod that I paid $600 for.

It's not "whining", it's called "constructive criticism". Sorry to offend your sensibilities.

But "Want some cheese with that whine?" is a good one. Wait til you get into high school this fall, you're going to learn a ton more good cut-downs like that! 😉

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Answer 5

Jul 15, 2007 9:02 AM in response to troyh3

"Constructive criticism"?

You obviously don't have a clue about what this means or how to do it.

I'm not the one who has my panties in such a knot over having to wait until after 3:00 pm EST today - you poor soul.

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Answer 6

troyh3

Level 1

25 points

Jul 15, 2007 9:13 AM in response to Allan Sampson

No, you're the one with your "panties in a knot" (another winning expression) over someone corroborating a problem with activation. The more Apple knows about problems, the more likely they are to fix them. Nitwit.

(And before you go off about me not posting on AT&T's forums, I've posted there too).

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Answer 7

Jul 15, 2007 9:13 AM in response to epontius

AT&T's systems are down for this period of time because of billing system upgrades. Its nothing that "crashed" its just a scheduled maintenance (that by the way was planned). Every carrier has them, its just not recognized, because people with their services arent activating iPhones.

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Answer 8

Jul 15, 2007 9:15 AM in response to troyh3

Read the Terms of Use for these discussions - "nitwit". Too funny - have fun today staring at your "brick".

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Answer 9

Jul 15, 2007 9:25 AM in response to GadgetGav

Well part of there servers are back up your account information is back on line. But the activation is still down.

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Answer 10

troyh3

Level 1

25 points

Jul 15, 2007 9:26 AM in response to Allan Sampson

Thanks! Good thing it's a pretty brick.

You have fun today being an unpaid Apple tech support guy and berating people in online forums, just like you seem to have done every day since at least 2003.

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Answer 11

troyh3

Level 1

25 points

Jul 15, 2007 9:31 AM in response to bigguy42431

I called AT&T a few minutes ago, they are now giving a time of 12-2pm EST.

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Answer 12

Jul 15, 2007 11:28 AM in response to troyh3

Activation Servers are back up and running.

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Answer 13

DRigg

Level 1

0 points

Jul 15, 2007 12:30 PM in response to GadgetGav

I'm in Honolulu, HI. Which means it's 3:30 EST. While I'm able to start inputting my current AT&T number/info for activiation after a few minutes it says iPhone activations are not available at this time. Anyone know what's happening here?

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Answer 14

appenz

Level 1

10 points

Jul 15, 2007 1:26 PM in response to DRigg

Same problem here. Trying to activate and account verification times out at 1:24 Pacific (4:24 EST). Calling them right now.

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Answer 15

appenz

Level 1

10 points

Jul 15, 2007 1:31 PM in response to GadgetGav

This may take a while.

Just called AT&T iPhone activation services. According to Christina, the rep I talked to, they are "currently updating their servers" and their "best estimate" is that the servers will be back in 24 hours (or Monday afternoon). She said it may be quicker and I should keep trying to activate via iTunes.

Nice work, AT&T.

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