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Apple TV shows a flashing question mark after trying to update

Hello everyone!

I own a first generation Apple TV which I updated succesfully up to v2.1 so far. By then this procedure came along with more or less the same problems I'll describe below - but up to now the updates always worked some day.

Now I wanted to update my ATV to v2.2 and used the usual update feature in the settings. ATV downloads the update, asks for updating and then restarts with an ATV-logo with a flashing question mark.

What I've done next:

1. Pulling out the power plug leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2. Holding down MENU + Minus on the remote restarts the ATV with Apple TV Recovery Mode
2.1 Restart leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2.2 Diagnostic analysis says ATV is free from defects
2.3 Restore resets the ATV to v1.0
3. Now I've got v.1.0
4. Step 1 leads to a restart with v1.0
5. Step 2 to leads to the same results (restart leads to a restart with v1.0)

So what am I to do? I'm out of warranty and don't want to pay for a malfunctioning update feature 😟

"Our records indicate that your product is not covered for service.
Your product is not eligible for complimentary phone support."

Thank you!

Message was edited by: robertternes

Apple MacBook Pro 15.4" 2.4GHz (Feb 2008), Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Oct 4, 2008 5:08 AM

Reply
7 replies

Oct 4, 2008 9:04 AM in response to Winston Churchill

I bought it second hand so I can't confirm that it hasn't been hacked before my time - I can only conform that I did nothing.

Well the updates worked fine before (with some problems sometimes, but as I said: they worked some day - sooner or later) and I bought the ATV before v2.0 even was released (so I'm over some successfully installed updates now). The problem only appears now after trying to update from v2.1 to v2.2 and now even after trying to update from v1.0 to v2.2.

Oct 4, 2008 9:14 AM in response to robertternes

It might seem quite obvious but the problem is either your tv or the update process. You can continue to try to update hoping that the issue lies with the server connection or assume you have an issue with your tv.

If the issue lies with the tv I'm not sure there is much more you can do beyond a restore. I suppose you could try removing ALL the cables and powering down the tv for 30 seconds or so before and after restoring again, you might even try restoring immediately after a restore.

Oct 4, 2008 10:25 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Thank you very much for your help. I've found a workaround 🙂

I restored my ATV once more (1.0 to 1.0) und only set up my internet connection without connecting the ATV with iTunes (Pressing the MENU button when ATV wanted the code to be entered in iTunes). Then I started the update process once more und then it worked fine.

The problem before, I think, was the issue that ATV was still connected to iTunes and then led to the bug.

Thanks 😉

Oct 4, 2008 12:42 PM in response to robertternes

robertternes wrote:
Hello everyone!

I own a first generation Apple TV which I updated succesfully up to v2.1 so far. By then this procedure came along with more or less the same problems I'll describe below - but up to now the updates always worked some day.

Now I wanted to update my ATV to v2.2 and used the usual update feature in the settings. ATV downloads the update, asks for updating and then restarts with an ATV-logo with a flashing question mark.

What I've done next:

1. Pulling out the power plug leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2. Holding down MENU + Minus on the remote restarts the ATV with Apple TV Recovery Mode
2.1 Restart leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2.2 Diagnostic analysis says ATV is free from defects
2.3 Restore resets the ATV to v1.0
3. Now I've got v.1.0
4. Step 1 leads to a restart with v1.0
5. Step 2 to leads to the same results (restart leads to a restart with v1.0)

So what am I to do? I'm out of warranty and don't want to pay for a malfunctioning update feature 😟

"Our records indicate that your product is not covered for service.
Your product is not eligible for complimentary phone support."

Thank you!

Message was edited by: robertternes

I had this problem: Disconenct your internet modem and router, plug them back in,make sure the WEP password (if you have one) is right when you reenter it in on your Apple TV, and than try. If that doesn't work, I would d the last resotrt - Take the Apple TV to the nearest Apple Store/Best Buy or Comp. USA (if they're still alive where you live).

Good Luck.

Apple TV shows a flashing question mark after trying to update

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