An iPhone has been detected, but it could not be identified properly

I had this same problem and am surprised no one else has found the solution, but here it is.

Navigate an explorer to

C:\Program Files\iTunes

Right click iTunes and selec "Run as administrator"

Voila!

Had the same issue after downloading iTunes 8.2 on Win XP Pro. After some googling this worked for me - disable the internet connection (Wireless/LAN) and try plugging back the iphone. iTunes recognized the iphone instantly, enabled the wireless and downloaded 3.0.

Yea, disabling wireless works for me every time. It's annoying, but at least it's not too involved.

Just turning it off on the PC did it for me. To be safe, I restarted itunes and unplugged the touch as well and then plugged them back in. Wifi was still enabled on the touch though.

I'm using a desktop that has no wireless card (so the proposed fix above doesn't apply), and my iTouch gives the same error when connecting to iTunes 8.2.0.23. This began happening after upgrading iTunes from the previous version.

Also, I don't have Admin rights on this machine, so the "Run as Administrator" suggestion doesn't apply either. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I appear to be in the same boat. Got the brand new iPhone 3GS today (my first ever iPhone). It connected fine once, and then once I disconnected it to walk about with it (it IS a MOBILE phone after all!) I could never reconnect it to the PC. I'm running the most recent iTunes, but I'm guessing that's where the problem lies?

Anyone have any ideas or solutions? I'm absolutely gutted, as I've been waiting for my previous contract to run out for about a year, and I can't believe my shiny new iPhone is not playing fair already!

Sri_C

Thanks for that suggestion as I was able to disable my wireless and now my Touch can be recognized. I had removed and re-installed iTunes, Apple mobile device, Apple Software updates and Quicktime, deleted all USB drivers and nothing. Your suggestion was the only thing that worked. Thanks again 🙂

iTunes 8.2.0.23 needs some serious work and testing.

It is not just a 64 bit issue either I have 32 bit Vista and got same error, when I accidentally selected the Update button late last night. I saw I was not alone with iPhone detection failure. I uninstalled and went back to 8.0.52 which had been recommended and still same error. I did a Vista system restore point just before iTunes upgrade which was using 8.1.1 just fine and that failed too. I spent two hours on it last night and then a few hours this morning on the phone with APPLE TECH 2nd Level. I was told for $200.00 I could get a new 3G S thanks to AT&T great deal and sacrifice. It may not work with my computer or at least iTunes 8.2 either. I could find another computer and install iTunes and if iPhone correctely detected then upgrade my iPhone to 3.0, that would surely complicate any solutions to the problem. We took shot in the dark by creating new Vista user on my PC and that failed as did changing USB ports. We uninstalled all four Apple related programs and re-installed 8.2 which failed. All I can say is my issue has been escalated to TECH at LEVEL 3 I sent iTunes Diagnostics text and msinforeport in hopes of helping us all. I was told that their Techs are being bombarded with issues right now and, it could take a week before I get any type of reply. I have 178 albums in the library which do play on the computer as do 8 movies but, they are there only for the sake of my iPhone which at present only has 2 movies and 34 albums. I have no current backup of my present iPhone on iTunes so will be spending hours writing down calendar notes, new contacts, passwords and other notes which will not be restored if I have to ReStore Factory setting on iPhone. I just got this phone in May to Replace original bought in February as that the phone audio quite for unknown reasons, I could not hear a thing while on phone yet ringer and iPod audio was fine. This Apple product sure makes their ads a joke or very sad.

Miracles do happen. I found another post regarding how to perform Device Firmware Upgrade. I connected iPhone and low and behold iTunes identified phone and asked if I wanted to upgrade to 3.0. I declined that upgrade as everything is working just fine now and plan to wait on 3.0 quite sometime. I did nothing new today I just connected and it worked, who know why or what caused problems prior two days.

I usually would be the first person to download an upgrade... but after the previous iTunes upgrade DISASTERS where hours & days of my life were waisted on trying to fix the problems; escalating all the way to level 3 techs..WHO WERE CLUELESS BY THE WAY.
I have decided not to download any more upgrades or buy the new iPhone 3GS.
until such time as apple gets its S**t together and test their product properly before rushing to market. it is unconscionable to put people through this kind of frustration repeatedly.... SHAME ON YOU, APPLE.
You also won't be seeing me buying an apple computer any time soon either....