Using 2G iPhone as iPod: Upgraded to 2.1...iTunes will not mount phone??

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Level 1

19 points

Using 2G iPhone as iPod: Upgraded to 2.1...iTunes will not mount phone??

Here is the deal, I bought the original iPhone on Day 1. I then purchased an iPhone 3G on Day 1. I was using my first iPhone as an iPod touch.

I upgraded my iPhone 3G to 2.1 with no problems. When I went to upgrade my iPhone 2G, everything seemed to go fine until the phone rebooted. I get an error message from iTunes 8 (35):

The iPhone "Eric's iPhone 2G" cannot be used with iTunes because the information required for activation could not be obtained from the iPhone. Check that the SIM card is inserted in your iPhone and that it is not PIN-locked.

See error message here:
http://www.installuniversity.com/iphone.png

Before this error comes up, iTunes says it is "Waiting for iPhone..." I have access to the emergency call screen and that is it. Any thoughts on how to rectify this? It won't mount in iTunes so I can't restore to a previous backup.

The phone has never been jail broke or anything like that. I live in the US.

Any help would be appreciated. I am on a Mac 10.5 as well.

iMac 24" 2.8Ghz / iPhone 2G as an iPod, Mac OS X (10.5.4), iPhone 3G owner as well

Posted on Sep 13, 2008 4:28 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 13, 2008 4:35 PM in response to Eric Barger

Have you installed any firmware updates on your first generation iPhone after it was deactivated since purchasing the iPhone 3G?

Installing a firmware update on an iPhone requires the iPhone being activated.

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Answer 2

Eric Barger Author

Level 1

19 points

Sep 13, 2008 4:38 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Well, I kept my 2G iPhone up to date while it was my phone. I can't remember when 2.0 was released. It seems like I downloaded the update for 2.0 the night before off Apple's website with a link from AI. I went to the store the next day and purchased the iPhone 3G. So, I guess I have not completed a firmware update since be deactivated.

What does this mean?

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Answer 3

Eric Barger Author

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19 points

Sep 13, 2008 4:41 PM in response to Eric Barger

I just got off the phone with support and they said to swap SIM cards with the 3G and plug the 2G in to the computer for about 5 minutes and that should take care of it. I will try and report back.

He didn't say specifically, but he eluded to the fact this happens due to the Jail Broken phones. Anyway, thanks, and I will report back. I assumed many people would have the same problem but I guess not or they are smarter than me since I am not use to the SIM card thing.

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Answer 4

Sep 13, 2008 4:42 PM in response to Eric Barger

Installing a firmware update on an iPhone requires the iPhone being activated.

People that cancel their cell phone service and want to use their iPhone as an iPod Touch cannot install future firmware updates when released, and probably are unable to restore the iPhone if needed or wanted.

This means your first generation iPhone is bricked unless you re-activate the iPhone.

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Answer 5

Eric Barger Author

Level 1

19 points

Sep 13, 2008 4:54 PM in response to Allan Sampson

It appears you are correct. Swapping the SIM out did not work. Frack!

Would jail breaking the phone at this point be my only option besides activating the phone if I want to use it again for an iPod? I can't believe Apple is allowing this. Not even a warning when I updated. 😟

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Answer 6

Eric Barger Author

Level 1

19 points

Sep 13, 2008 5:44 PM in response to Eric Barger

Well, I did the deed and everything is A-OK. 😉

I am disappointed in Apple on this one.

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Answer 7

CLuv

Level 1

0 points

Sep 14, 2008 4:52 PM in response to Eric Barger

Eric,

Did you have to reactivate your phone? I'm in the same issue myself, my problem is I lost the SIM card that went with my original iPhone. Picked up a new SIM from AT&T to see if that would work, and iTunes wants me to activate the phone. Granted it's using the phone number that is now attached to my iPhone 3G. I didn't activate it, but I'm wondering what you mean by the deed is done in your last post.

Would be nice if Apple prompted a user during the firmware update asking if you want to use your original iPhone as a Touch. Would make sense, since both Apple & AT&T know that the original has been deactivated.

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Answer 8

Sep 15, 2008 7:46 PM in response to CLuv

I had the same problem and while looking up an answer here my husband attempted to make a call from the emergency call screen. The iPhone popped up a message that Airplane mode needed to be disabled to make a call, when he disabled Airplane mode the phone attempted to make a call. He then plugged the phone back into the USB port and the phone showed up in iTunes and received the "iPhone is activated" message. No more issues and has the new 2.1 firmware.

Message was edited by: Lemonstuff

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Answer 9

ddbabq

Level 1

4 points

Sep 23, 2008 6:57 AM in response to Lemonstuff

Nice work, Lemonstuff.

I had the exact same problem, and my phone was in airplane mode. Once I attempted an emergency call, the phone asked me to exit airplane mode, and then everything went back to normal. I didn't even have to restore my phone.

Thanks for the information.

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Answer 10

heartdoc

Level 1

0 points

Nov 8, 2008 7:34 AM in response to Eric Barger

Eric,
Again could you clarify your note of what you did to get 2g iphone working. Did you unlock or try to activate with 3g sim card? Or did something else work? hanks

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Answer 11

Nov 28, 2008 11:16 AM in response to ddbabq

ddbabq/Lemonstuff,

I was wondering, have you tried to upgrade to 2.2 yet? If you did so successfully (or unsuccessfully), can you tell me what you did?

Thanks in advance!

SK

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