The iPod 'iPod' could not be restored.An unknown error occured(9).

i got my ipod touch for christmas when it had v 1.1.1 and i recently updated it to 1.1.3 then when i plugged it in it said it detected a ipod in recovery mode you must restore so when i tried to restore it it say the ipod "ipod" could not be restored what should i do

Exact same problem with my iPod Touch 8gb. I have the most up-to-date version of iTunes on my Macbook Pro (recently upgraded to 10.5.1). I got the notification to upgrade to the latest (january update) iPod software so I thought, "what the ****." I downloaded the update and then it just hung, for about an hour. I thought that downloading and installing a 128mb software upgrade was a bit much so I unplugged the iPod and reconnected. It remained stuck in Limbo with the connect icon being the only thing visible or accessible on my iPod. iTunes completely froze up and wouldn't let me exit out, so I had to do a hard reboot.

After disconnecting the iPod from the laptop a few times and retrying the restore function, it finally worked and it restored my iPod back to factory settings. Which really ****** me off because I spent a lot of time arranging music, movies and podcasts on the device, not to mention arranging custom cover art. Not one word from Apple about this error and how it completely screws up your iPod. Then to add insult to injury, they want to charge you for the update that ****** everything up to begin with. Way to go Apple! Microsoft doesn't even screw you over that bad!

This is my response on another post but fits here as well.

First, this is not a OS error and XP or Vista doesn't matter. I happens using both systems. I tried SergZaks recommendation below after my Touch locked up.

*Start up iTunes(7.6.0.29, if you were wondering)
*Made sure my iPod was OFF
*THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT AS IT IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS SOLUTION AND ALL THE OTHERS I TRIED(which was everything I found here)- While plugging in my ipod and during the entire "restore" process I held down the "HOME" button. *
*The rest of the upgrade went smoothly. I now have a working version of 1.1.3 firmware and am re-synching as I type this.

Using his exact method I was unsuccessful. When I did his process I was told that an error occured again during the restore. My iPod was now on, but same thing, same picture and same error. Here is exactly what I did at this point. I did not turn off the iPod or unplug it from the computer. For some reason I closed iTunes. While the Touch was still plugged in and on I tried again using the following additional steps and it restored mine:

First, per Sergs recommendation I held down the home button on the Touch.
Second, I now opened iTunes and it immediately said I had in iPod trying to restore.
Third, I clicked the Restore button all the while holding down the home button. During the hole process I never let up the home button until it told me the restore was complete and the iPod was restarting. My iPod was restored.

I guess everyone can try variations of Serg or my suggestions. I may take several attempts, but one or the other, or a combination of them obviously must work. It does appear that regardless of how you go about it, holding down the home button appears to be key in the process. Whatever you try, hold down home and keep holding it down.

One last thing. One other time I had this exact same error. Spent hours trying to figure it out. I finally unplugged my Touch from the computer and hooked it up to the AC wall charger and it seemed to reset it. However, this time that trick did not work for me.

Good luck.

I have tried one thing with the iPod touch that may work for you all is to do the following:

(winXP)
Right click your start toolbar and go to PROPERTIES
Go to the START MENU tab
Click Customize
Go to ADVANCED tab
In Start Menu Items:
Scroll all the way down until you see System Administrative Tools
And select DISPLAY ON ALL PROGRAMS MENU AND THE START MENU
then click OK

Now go to Start
Then click on ADMINISTRATIVE TOOLS
Click on SERVICES
Scroll all the way down until you see a service named WORKSTATION (Right click on it THEN CLICK PROPERTIES)
Go to where it says Startup Type: and select MANUAL
Then click on START
click OK

Now scroll up again to REMOTE PROCEDURE CALL (RPC) LOCATOR
right click on it and go to PROPERTIES
On Startup Type: select MANUAL
then click START
and click OK


You're done, now go open iTunes and try to restore your iptouch if this problem still persists then this goes beyond my knowledge I hope I helped some of you guys BYE BYE

(by the way the steps are the same for vista)

Message was edited by: linkintek06

Tried this... it didn't work. But my problem is with the software 2.0 upgrade, and error code 6.

Same error here (6). I originally had sync problems when MP3 files were missing or otherwise invalid - and - I was trying to sync photos. Removing the photo sync resolved this, but left me with an uncomfortable feeling - only two days old.

I thought upgrading to software version 2.0 might help, so purchased and downloaded. When trying to install, I received an error that it could not be updated and told that I needed to restore. Tried restoring (I think every idea on this page), but continue to get "The iPod "iPod" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred(6).

That seemed to work. I have no idea what it does but it fixed my iPod. I have a similar post regarding this problem and I cut 'n' pasted the solution there.
Thanks a ton!

I wasn't having any problems before the update, now I can't restore. None of the options on here have helped, either.