My iPhone is fried - no power, no charge, no sync - for no reason

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Level 1

4 points

My iPhone is fried - no power, no charge, no sync - for no reason

Yesterday I placed my iPhone in my pocket during a long drive back home. After using it at lunch, I went to place a call a couple hours after and my phone was off.

I figured a program had gotten stuck open and drained the battery, as it would not turn on or reset. A few hours later, I get to my destination, plug it into the charger, and left it for about 13 hours until this morning.

My phone did not charge. It will not sync to my computer (unrecognized by numerous USB ports on different computers.)

A hard reset and soft reset has not solved the problem. I cannot enter restore mode as the phone will not power on.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

My warranty is still valid, if I bring it into the Apple store can they issue a replacement on the spot?

Thanks!

Message was edited by: kynikos

iphone 3g, Other OS

Posted on Jan 19, 2009 6:50 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 19, 2009 7:58 AM in response to kynikos

The terms I provided are the proper terms - especially for an iPhone reset, which is neither soft nor hard. An iPhone reset is similar to a computer restart, which is not hard or a hard shut down. An improper shutdown or restart is a hard shutdown with a computer and not good to do unless there is no other option. An iPhone reset insn't hard, and Apple doesn't use the term hard for an iPhone reset with any of their documentation.

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Answer 2

Jan 19, 2009 6:53 AM in response to kynikos

they will see whats wrong with it before replacing it, they may be able to fix it for you.

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Answer 3

Tbo6652

Level 4

1,081 points

Jan 19, 2009 6:54 AM in response to kynikos

i would definitely bring it to an Apple Store...they may be able to fix it...if a replacement is needed, there is no way to know if they can give you a replacement, until you get there(or atleast call ahead)

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Answer 4

kynikos Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2009 6:55 AM in response to Tbo6652

I figured they'd tried to fix it beforehand. I just can't go phone-less for too long 🙂

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Answer 5

Jan 19, 2009 6:58 AM in response to kynikos

Do you mean by a soft reset selecting erase all content and settings from the iPhone at Settings > General > Reset, and by a hard reset you mean an iPhone reset, which is done by pressing and holding the home button and the sleep/wake or on/off button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo and then release - ignoring the slide to turn off prompt when doing so?

If so, how were you able to do either one if your iPhone won't power on?

Sounds like you need to make an appointment at an Apple store if there is one nearby. If this problem cannot be resolved by any other means besides an exchange under warranty, your iPhone will be exchanged on the spot.

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Answer 6

kynikos Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2009 7:43 AM in response to Allan Sampson

In those terms, I didn't perform a soft reset for the reason you stated--I can't power it on.

In the past, if the phone has been off and I press & hold the home and power buttons, the phone will perform a hard reset. In this case, when I press and hold the home and power buttons, nothing happens.

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Answer 7

kynikos Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2009 8:34 AM in response to Allan Sampson

Ok. I didn't say your terms were incorrect, but thanks for clearing that up. Do you know of anything that I can actually try that may solve this problem?

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Answer 8

Jan 19, 2009 8:39 AM in response to kynikos

Sounds like you have no other option but calling AppleCare at (800) 694-7466 to handle everything over the phone including an exchange under warranty - if you didn't purchase the AppleCare extended warranty, there will be a $29 fee for expedited shipping for your exchange, or make an appointment at an Apple store if there is one nearby. If you just show up, you must wait your turn in line between scheduled appointments or in the hope that a scheduled appointment doesn't show or is late. $29 may be a better deal in that situation including roundtrip travel time, etc. and depends on the earliest appointment available.

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Answer 9

slickest

Level 1

40 points

Jan 19, 2009 8:50 AM in response to kynikos

I had this problem with my old first generation iphone. I took it to the Apple Store and they cleaned out the data connector, which sorted the problem for me.

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Answer 10

kynikos Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2009 8:51 AM in response to Allan Sampson

Thanks for the help. Looks like this is my only option but I think I'll be making some more last ditch efforts today.

After doing some more research this morning I think this is a problem with the logic board. Pulling out the SIM didn't change any of the other boot scenarios. Even if the battery were dead, the phone should still power on when connected to a power source.

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Answer 11

kynikos Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2009 9:09 AM in response to slickest

Interesting...did your phone cease to function for no apparent reason before you got the fix done?

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Answer 12

slickest

Level 1

40 points

Jan 20, 2009 7:39 AM in response to kynikos

I didn't get so far as the phone ceasing to function. I noticed the problem when I left the phone on charge overnight and had warning in the morning that there was something like 20% battery left.

I thought the charger might be broken so I plugged it into the usb port on my computer (with different ipod wire) and it sitll didn't charge.

I don't live too far from the Apple store so I immediately went there, and that is when the cleaned the connector for me. It started to work (charge) fine after that.

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Answer 13

kynikos Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 20, 2009 1:18 PM in response to kynikos

Thanks for the help, guys. I brought my phone into the Apple store and they verified it was a hardware problem and were unable to boot it as well. They suggested that it could have happened by using an incompatible charger or FM transmitter. I got a replacement a few minutes later 🙂

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Answer 14

ewau

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2009 1:55 PM in response to kynikos

Hi there,

I seem to have a similar problem. The FM transmitter seems to have fried my iPhone. You say Apple replaced yours. I don't have any purchase receipt of this phone that I bought, and it's unlocked. You reckon Apple will give me the same treatment as you got ???

Regards,

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