Q: Mysterious random total shut downs following 3.1 update

Would love to know if this workaround works for Windows. My 3G has had lots of "sleep" time since 3.1. How can you uninstall iTunes and then reinstall it and do a restore from backup - doesn't that delete all your backup files? Hopefully that is a dumb question...

I was kind of thinking the same thing. But the OP for this fix (or someone who posted it) included a link to here: http://theappleblog.com/2009/09/14/iphone-os-3-1-update-causing-crashes-on-iphon e-3gs/#comment-59966

And the comment there states:

"Well I should mention that I did a deep removal of iTunes 9. Follow the steps in the Knowledge Base article;
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1224
Then I downloaded and installed a fresh copy of iTunes 9 from the Apple website.
I restarted the computer, AND restarted the iPhone. I did not put the phone into DFU mode, I simply connected it via the dock, and iTunes gave me the option to add the iPhone as a new iPhone, or restore from a previous backup.
I chose restore from the backup iTunes auto-selected for me.
The iPhone was restored, and since then, everything has worked perfectly."

So, it looks like the person suggesting this fix did it through a mac, but once the reinstallation was done, he was still given an option to restore from backup. That's why I'm very curious to know if this has worked for anyone using Windows.

/shrug ?

Message was edited by: jleboeuf

hmmm, will the backup be deleted in a full uninstall? Id like to know also...

Since the option to restore from a previous backup, even after complete removal of iTunes, exists for mac users, it stands to reason that the process of removing iTunes completely from Windows would result in the same option. However, I've learned from experience to regard such assumptions with caution, especially when dealing with Windows.

Perhaps if no one else steps up to the plate on this issue, I'll have to be the guinea pig and give it a try.

No idea if the fix works for Windows. I'm downloading itunes right now.


Windows stores the user data (backups and whatnot), in one of two places. On vista, under c:\users\USER-NAME\APPdata\.. (down there somewhere).
XP, it's under c:\documents and settings\USER-NAME\Application Data\.. (down there somewhere)
not to be confused with where the program actually resides.
On XP, c:\program files\...
Not sure on Vista, something similar to XP


Removing itunes from the computer via add/remove programs would only remove the itunes program itself and not the user specific files (or shouldn't)

Well, that's good to know (I think). If reinstalling iTunes after a complete removal clears up the problems, even for a fraction of the people having the issues described in this thread, I would consider it a victory, albeit a small one.

Roger - are you running Windows/ OS 3.1?

Message was edited by: jleboeuf

Yep, Windows XP and iphone 3.1

Windows Vista at work.

Indeed - well, if you, or anyone for that matter, has any success with this method, please feel free to share your story =)

I know I'm all ears, for the moment.

I'm actually running XP in 'virtualbox'. I have a new instance of XP I was going to install itunes on, so I won't be able to restore. I'm going to wipe out and start over. I've wiped it so much the last week, the install from scratch is just an annoyance at this point.

You may try the alternative solution.

1. update iTunes to 9.0.1 (The program will uninstall iTunes 9.0 and install 9.0.1 itself)
2. plugin your iphone and sync
3. push restore button in iTunes's Summary page
4. choose restore from the backup after iphone OS installation completed

OD404,
the 'fix' says to remove all traces of itunes and do an new install of itunes 9.

Just to be sure no corrupt dll is hanging around, I'm doing a new install on a new XP box.

Upgraded to 3.1 about a week ago, and has been an utter disaster. All the problems described here made the phone unusable. Also couldn't sync; phone kept resetting in an endless loop. Spent nearly three days, several conversation with tech support and two trips to the Apple store to troubleshoot; finally, phone was swapped out for another with 3.0.1 firmware, and everything works perfectly again, albeit after 5 hours or so of restoring from back-up. (Unfortunately, the most recent back-up made under 3.1 firmware, could not be restored to 3.0, so phone came back into a considerably older state, but at least it's working!)

To anyone yet contemplating the 3.1 upgrade -- DO NOT DO IT, at least for the 3G; I've heard from a few friends with the 3GS that they've not experienced significant issues.

I too am having this issue. Has anyone had any luck getting Apple to completely replace their phone? I've tried everything (deep uninstall, restore with and without backup, hard reset), nothing works. It is driving me insane!

Will Apple replace the phone and, if so, does this fix the problem?

If you are still under warranty (or perhaps if you get a very nice apple representative) they will replace your phone, it seems. And this does fix the problem, inasmuch as the phone you will probably receive as a replacement will have the 3.0.1 firmware still installed on it.

I have had the same problem as everyone here with the iphone randomly shutting down since I updated to 3.1.
I seem to have found a way to stop the phone from shutting down, and thought I should share it with everyone until apple actually fixes the problem. Don't know if this will work for everyone, but my phone seems to be working fine now.
I have changed my Fetch new data settings (via the mail, Contacts, Calendars) option in general settings.
I originally had it set with PUSH on, and with Fetch set for 15 minutely updates.
By leaving the Fetch New Data PUSH on, I have just changed to manual fetch, and have not had a problem since.
The only drawback is that you can't get your emails or mobileMe updating automatically, but to me this is a small price to pay for a stable phone until apple can hopefully sort this out.

Would like to know if this works for anyone else here.