My iPhone ran out of power and now it won't be turned on

Question

My iPhone ran out of power and now it won't be turned on

Yesterday I got a "message" on my iPhone display which I had never seen before. The power was so low that it just showed a falshing bettery icon and a symbol that showed that I needed to connect it to a power source. I didn't have time to do this before it ran all out of power.

As soon as I got home I connected it and it was connected to the power source all night. Now, however, when I try to turn it on, while it's still connected to a power source, it shows the Apple logo for about 10 secs, then the light is dimmed in the display, still revealing the Apple logo, and then it just turns off again.

I've tried holding the power and home button at the same time also, that didn't work either. When it's not connected to a power source nothing at all happens when pressing any buttons.

Can somebody please help me with this?

Thanks!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.1), 2.0 GHz - 2GB RAM - 80GB HD

Posted on May 8, 2009 5:02 AM

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Answer 1

May 8, 2009 5:08 AM in response to Rune Neesgaard

http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/troubleshooting/phone/

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Answer 2

May 8, 2009 5:15 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks for the link. I found some helpful tips there for some other time. Ufortunately non that can solve my current problem. Any other ideas?

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Answer 3

May 8, 2009 5:19 AM in response to Rune Neesgaard

What happens when you connect it to your computer?

You can try forced recovery mode: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808

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Answer 4

May 8, 2009 5:44 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Nothing happens when I connect it to the computer. I've tried doing as it said in the link you sent me. When holding the home button before plugging it in to the Mac, I get the the recovery message in iTunes. But it says that it can't be restored ("error 23").

Message was edited by: Rune Neesgaard

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Answer 5

May 8, 2009 5:46 AM in response to Rune Neesgaard

Try the following:

1. iTunes open, phone plugged in. Phone off.
2. Hold sleep/wake button for 5 seconds.
3. Without letting go of sleep/wake button, now hold Home button for 10 seconds (BOTH held).
4. Let go of sleep/wake button, continue to hold the Home button until iTunes recognizes phone (about another 15-20 seconds)

Your profile shows 10.5.1, but if you're actually on 10.5.6, see THIS.

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Answer 6

May 8, 2009 5:55 AM in response to neuroanatomist

When doing this it actually begins to prepare the iPhone for restore, but after about 10-20 seconds I get the error message again.

I have 10.5.6. But the link you sent was about jailbreaking as far as I could see, right? My iPhone is not jailbreaked.

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Answer 7

May 8, 2009 6:01 AM in response to Rune Neesgaard

Not exactly - the link suggested that DFU mode does not work in 10.5.6. Yes, DFU mode is used for jailbreaking, but also for legitimate troubleshooting. The automator patch workaround was something I ran across when researching this issue (error 23).

As a side note, you may want to click My Settings on the right, and change your OS to 10.5.6.

As for the iPhone, your next step is probably a call to AppleCare or a visit to an Apple Store.

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Answer 8

May 8, 2009 6:13 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Unfortunately, the Automator patch didn't work either. I can't believe that something as high-tech as an iPhone can't handle running out of power! Well, I'll guess I'll have to go make a call.

Thanks a lot for your help anyway!

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Answer 9

judygr

Level 1

15 points

May 8, 2009 8:46 AM in response to Rune Neesgaard

I hope you are able to solve your problem. The iPhone is definitely designed to be able to run the power all the way down. In fact, the instructions to maintain your battery suggest doing that once a month. I do it now and then, not usually once a month and I am always able to get my phone back to where it would be usable in about 10 minutes of charge. I always keep it in the charger until it is fully charged, however.

I just didn't want you to think you made some big mistake to let it run out of charge. There must be something going on with your phone or the battery.

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Answer 10

May 19, 2009 11:34 AM in response to judygr

Okay, thanks for that. I just got a new iPhone from Apple so I hope this one is able to run out of power 😉

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