"iPod could not be restored. Unknown error (13)." Help!

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"iPod could not be restored. Unknown error (13)." Help!

I tried updating my iPod touch 1G (I wanted to update from 1.1.5 to 3.0), but it fails every time. I keep getting the error 13 message, and nothing I do seems to help.

This is what I have done:
- Updated iTunes to the latest version.
- I've restarted the iPod by holding both buttons a number of times.
- I've tried it in different USB-ports.
- I've uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes twice.
- I've tried installing and older version of iTunes (8.1.0.52).
- I've downloaded the firmware for 1.1.5 and tried installing it by holding shift and clicking Restore - this actually worked but if I try to update, it crashes again.
- I've removed all settings from the iPod (at this point I was trying everything I could think of).
- And I'm sure I've done something else as well, but as I've been about this for a few hours now, I've forgot.

Anyone who has the least idea what to do? I feel like I've read all the posts on the entire Internet on this subject, and nothing helps. I just want to update my iPod to 3.0, it shouldn't be this hard! Help me!

iPod touch 1G, Windows Vista

Posted on Jun 26, 2009 12:46 PM

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Answer 1

nahald Author

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Jun 27, 2009 11:52 AM in response to nahald

I finally solved the problem! This is what I did that didn't work (but it might work for someone else):

- I tried installing different versions of iTunes (7.4, 7.7, 8.0, 8.1.0.52, 8.2), making sure to delete everything each time I uninstalled it (on Windows Vista, look in C:\Users\User's name\AppData\ and in Local or Roaming).
- I tried downloading the 3.0 file several times (after removing it from the folder mentioned above).
- I tried shift-clicking on the Recovery button and choosing both the 1.1.5 recovery file as well as the 3.0 file (.ipsw).
- I tried plugging in my iPod in different USB ports.

This is what worked:

- I used a different computer. As it turns out, my old stationary computer (on the brink of death to be honest) saved the day.
- I started by updating the outdated iTunes (7.2 i believe it was), but as it turned out, I had to uninstall the update and install 7.7.1 instead.
- Using iTunes 7.7.1 (just google "old itunes" to find it) I proceeded to download (for the fifthieth time) the 3.0 update.
- After fixing some completely different problems with iTunes (it really is a dreadful program), I thus finally managed to install the 3.0 software for my iPod Touch! (I was dreadfully nervous the entire time it was installing, believe me).
- After the installation I had to - again - update to 8.2 in order to actually use iTunes with the iPod, but by that time I was so happy I had managed to install it that I didn't mind.

A few tips:

- If you end up with the "unknown error (13)" message every time, start by trying on a different computer. There really is no point to keep trying.
- If you don't have another computer, try installing the 7.7.1 version of iTunes, but make sure to remove ALL the files that have anything to do with iTunes before you install it!
- If you have problems with iTunes recognizing your iPod (my iTunes thought I had an iPhone...), try starting it in Recovery mode (turn on the iPod by holding both buttons, and once the apple appears on screen, release the top button but keep holding the home button until you see and image on screen).
- Check out different forum discussions. I would never have made it without Google and the fine people who write on discussion boards!

I hope I can help someone else who has the same problem by writing this, as I found it extremely frustrating that there was so little information from people who had actually succeeded in solving it. Also, I strongly recommend Apple to aquire an email support option - or to throw iTunes out completely. Whichever suits them best. It really shoudn't take 20 hours to manage to update your iPod...

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