Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

0 points

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

I get the following message whenever I connect my iPhone 3G "An iPhone has been detected, but it could not be identified properly. Please disconnect and reconnect the iPhone, then try again."
I have uninstalled iTunes 8.2 using Add/Remove Programs. I have hot rebooted my iPhone in the cradle with iTunes open.
iTunes seems to function normally otherwise, as does my iPhone.
I'm using the 64 bit version with Vista.

Dell XPS 420, Windows Vista, 16 GB 3G

Posted on Jun 11, 2009 8:08 PM

134 replies

Jun 21, 2009 7:23 PM in response to MerlinBRT

I upgrade my 3G to the 3.0 software earlier today and I experienced this problem for the first time during the upgrade. I spend hours trying different things. What finally worked for me was the suggestion to disable the wireless network card on my laptop. As long as it's disabled the iPhone is detected fine. If the wireless card is active iTunes 8.2 only sees the iPhone about 1 out of 20 times.

I'm running XP Pro w/SP2 and current updates from Microsoft.

Jun 21, 2009 9:09 PM in response to Sri_C

This worked for me! Thank you.

AppleSSL

Level 1

0 points

Jun 21, 2009 10:47 PM in response to MerlinBRT

I struggled with this same problem for a while after I upgraded iTune to 8.2 as a precursor to upgrade to iPhone OS 3.0. By luck, I disconnected the computer from the network completely, plugged in iPhone, then iTune 8.2 recognized it right away and asked me if I want to upgrade the iPhone OS to 3.0.

Jun 22, 2009 8:25 AM in response to MerlinBRT

any progress????

Jun 22, 2009 8:30 AM in response to AppleSSL

does this mean that EACH time you want to sync your IPHONE you have to disconnect the computer from your network ???!!! Or is it a one time thing.

Jun 22, 2009 8:56 AM in response to Angelpunem

In my experience it's only wireless network connections that are causing problems and yes you have to disable your wireless connection each time you want iTunes to recognize your iPhone. I can charge it fine with the wireless connection active but if I want iTunes to see the iPhone properly I need to disable my wireless network card.

Kevin

MerlinBRT Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 22, 2009 9:04 AM in response to kbachelder

That leaves me confused. My PC does not have a wireless card. I do have a wireless router that I use to connect a laptop. But it is not part of the PC's hardware profile. Do you think that this wireless signal is having an effect on my iPhone that is preventing iTunes from identifying it? It seems like it would be totally unrelated to this issue. I'm also wondering if my Bluetooth mouse and keyboard might be causing this.
Any thoughts anyone. I will try these when I get home tonight.

Jun 22, 2009 10:06 AM in response to MerlinBRT

I don't think the wireless signal "in the air" is effecting your iPhone. More likely some of the software/setups on your computer.

Can't speak to your Bluetooth questions since I don't have those running on my laptop.

Kevin

MerlinBRT Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 22, 2009 10:16 AM in response to kbachelder

Not necessarily the signal "in the air" as much as what changes on my iPhone due connecting or reacting to that signal in the air.
I'll test it tonight. Lord knows I've tried crazier ideas to get technology to behave itself.

Jun 22, 2009 10:46 AM in response to MerlinBRT

I got the same error when I tried to download the 3.0 OS and finally got it working as usual again. Try to unplug all devices hooked up on your USB ports through the 'Safely Remove Hardware' feature and then reconnect the cable for your iPhone to your computer and iPhone. I had an external drive on one of my USB ports and when I removed it, the error from iTunes went away and I was able to restore my iPhone. Once you get it working, plug your other devices back in one by one. Hopefully this would be helpful to others. It was driving me crazy all morning.

MerlinBRT Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 22, 2009 10:54 AM in response to cbr600gyrl

Since everyone's work around is slightly different, based on their system, setup and configuration, but they all have a USB solution of some sort it seems like iTunes 8.2 is very sensitive and intolerant of any USB 2.0 variables. Apple needs to make this interface much more stable because even people who have no problem now could have one down the road if they change something or add a device that uses USB.
I'm still thinking my Bluetooth mouse and keyboard might play a part on my system.

sstiefel

Level 1

4 points

Jun 22, 2009 11:27 AM in response to MerlinBRT

Attempted to upgrade to 3.0 and got an error message during the process. That was four days ago! My phone shows the USB cord with the arrow pointing up to the iTunes store icon. The error message I get whenever I connect the iPhone to my laptop via USB cord says: "We could not complete your iTunes store request. An unknown error occurred. (-9807) There was an error with the iTunes store. Please try again later."

W1Face

Level 1

0 points

Jun 22, 2009 12:10 PM in response to MerlinBRT

I thought it had solved itself for a while, but it hadn't! I ensured that I always disconnected the phone following the correct procedure, and it actually worked for a bit, but it's started again.

Does anyone else have the "Apple Camera Detected" thing every time you plug it in? And then it asks what option you want, and have to cancel it each time. The iPhone may be great, but I'm not plugging the **** thing in to use as a webcam!

Has anyone got a method for this yet?

Jun 22, 2009 5:32 PM in response to surfer451

This is insane. Since upgrading to 3.0 (although it did it on 2.2) Its hit and miss. But the problem is iTunes 8.2. If I downgraded back to 8.1 it would work flawlessly. Since I'm using 3.0 thats not an option so I'm stuck. It makes no sense, I can connect my phone 7 times and each time perfect, then on the 8th go it brings up this stupid message. There is no solution. You have to try rebooting the phone or rebooting the computer.

It may as well come up with a message which says:

"An iPhone has been detected. Please reboot your computer to sync".
Apple needs to get a grip on this serious bug as It's driving me and alot of other people around the bend.

MerlinBRT Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 22, 2009 6:52 PM in response to Lord Norr

Okay, I'm throwing in the towel for now. I unplugged every USB device, turned off my Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, unplugged the wireless router and unplugged the cable, turned off wifi on the iPhone, and using a USB mouse I started iTunes. By the way, it seem to take an awful long time just to start up besides not seeing the iPhones.
Then I plugged in my iPhone and waited. Nothing at all. No error messages but no iPhone. I turned it off and on, left it hooked up while I restarted iTunes, did a hard reboot while it was plugged in. NO reaction whatsoever from iTunes.
Then I happened to notice that Skype was doing something in the system tray so I (for the heck of it) disabled it and immediately got the old error message that an iPhone has been detected but can't be identified.
This eco system is too fragile. Even if I got my iPhone identified once I could never be sure that I wouldn't breathe the wrong way and knock it out again. I'm going to live with my bizarro work-around of connecting to a spare XP tower (no keyboard, mouse or monitor) that can sit on my network at home and control the iTunes sync via GoToMyPC. This was the PC I was using before the Vista machine. I guess I'm using it as a iTunes 8.2 server.
This has to be an issue that Apple addresses in the not too distant future, one would hope. I'm going to try and wait it out.

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