OS 3.1 Cannot Restore Error Code (2009)

happened to me as well. also got error 1611. off to the apple store. will let you know what happens there.

Hi,

Try the general tips in this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1275

Also, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes. You can download it here: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

-Jason

I had a similar problem, looked it up on google and tried this

Run the application "Activity Monitor" Do find or spotlight to find the application quickly. Disable/force quit iTunes helper.

Once I quit iTunes helper the phone started to sync/restore.

This is the link http://www.iphonealley.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4340

Message was edited by: RR

I got the same error message (2009). I tried to restore 4 or 5 times. I finally ran the restore 4 times in a row and got a different error number each time. If finally updated on the 4th or 5th try.

3.1 update bricked the phone. in the end it the phone wouldn't allow a "restore," even at the apple store. so they replaced the phone for me.

happened to me, too.

3.1 update bricked my phone.

in the end it the phone wouldn't allow a "restore," even at the apple store. so they replaced the phone for me.

seems that when a restore isn't possible, they'll replace the phone (not sure if that's because i have apple protection and 2 months left on my warranty. truck on down to your local apple store and talk to them.

Just ran into a 1611 error today after one of the users I manage unplugged her iPhone in the middle of the 3.1 OS update. I know the original question was about a 2009 error, but this may be somehow related since the other user mentioned having a 1611 problem. Recovery mode didn't work for me, but the trick is to try putting the phone in DFU mode, which is different from recovery mode because it doesn't load the iPhone OS. I don't actually know what DFU stands for, but I do know that it worked for the problem I was having. If DFU mode does not work, then it is most likely that you have a real hardware issue and the only way to fix it is to have Apple repair the phone. It won't hurt to try the DFU mode trick though since it won't make anything worse. Here's how you do it:

To enter DFU mode:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer
2 . Turn iPhone off. You may have to hold the power and home buttons down together to force the phone off
3. Once the phone is off, hold the power and home buttons together for 10 seconds exactly
4. After 10 seconds, release the power button but keep holding home until the computer recognizes that a USB device was plugged in
5. iTunes should detect your iPhone correctly, and also allow you to restore to the factory default settings. The iPhone screen should also be black when it's recognized. If it shows the iTunes logo with the cord, then you're in recovery mode and should start over at step #2.

Give this a try and let us know if it worked

Link to my post about this:

http://techierambles.blogspot.com/2009/09/restore-iphone-with-error-13-or-1611-i n.html

This worked for me. I had been stuck on the restore loop over and over upgrading until 3.1 until I did the DFU step below. It still had to do a full sync when completed, but got to 3.1.

Glad to hear it. I literally was on the phone with iPhone tech support telling me that the 1611 error was hardware so I was going to have to pay them to repair the phone when I found something online saying to try DFU mode. As he was asking me if I wanted him to setup an appointment with a Mac Genius, I was able to tell him no and that I already solved it on my own. Hopefully this saves a few more people from having to bring their phone in.