Updating the iPhone 3GS

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Level 1

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Updating the iPhone 3GS

Every single time that I had to update my iphone I have gotten an error. Each and every single time I had to wipe it and reinstall everything. 3.1.2 is no exception. I'm trying to find out why, but I have no idea what could be the issue.

Before even downloading the update, I make sure to close my firewall. I check if iTunes is at the latest version. Nothing else is running on my pc that could interfere with the process. Ports are open, and so forth.

Is this intended by Apple? That at each upgrade, a forced Restore must be made to successfully upgrade it? I'm a little disappointed with this process and I lose quite a bit of time each time to set it back up.

Is it something that I'm overlooking that would cause an error to happen during the update process?

And, finally, is there any way to check (manually) if the download package that iTunes automatically grabs is corrupted before installing it?

Windows Vista

Posted on Oct 12, 2009 11:23 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 12, 2009 11:35 PM in response to illus1onz

I had a similar problem, the update downloaded fine (3.1.2), but when the Iphone tries to update it gets as far as the backing up loading bar, then after that 'iTunes has encountered a problem and needs to close' error message and it closes and still doesnt update. Ive never had such a problem before, all other updates have been fine, my iTunes is up to date, and Im running Windows Xp.

Any help would be appreciated.

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Answer 2

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Oct 12, 2009 11:37 PM in response to illus1onz

This Apple support article on update errors may be of use to you:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1275

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Answer 3

illus1onz Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 13, 2009 12:06 AM in response to modular747

Read that a while ago and I'm well aware of it.

"The alert message in iTunes may also include one of the following numbers (but is not limited to): 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 14, -18, 19, 20, 21, 23, -48, -50, 1002, 1011, 1013, 1015, 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1608, 1609, 1611, 1612, 1639, 2003, 2005, 2006, 3004, 3013, 3014, 3015, 9807, -9808."

My guess is that when something goes wrong with the update process, iTunes randomly picks one of those numbers, packs up its toys and stops the update process.

Why can't it trigger say error 1011, when it timed out, or crashed at a specific stage of the update process, or because of something malfunctioned? It would make troubleshooting much easier when you know what you have to fix.

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Answer 4

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Oct 13, 2009 12:10 AM in response to illus1onz

My guess is that when something goes wrong with the update process, iTunes randomly picks one of those numbers, packs up its toys and stops the update process.

My guess is that you're guessing wrong, and there is specific meaning to the error numbers which are known to Apple engineers. Besides guessing about the error numbers, did you try the fixes suggested in that article?

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Answer 5

maxeym

Level 1

14 points

Oct 13, 2009 12:22 AM in response to illus1onz

Itunes asked to update my iphone to 3.1.2 so I accepted. During the firmware update some error occurred witch stopped the update. Now my iphone thinks it is still updating and my iTunes doesn't notice my device anymore. Does anyone know what to do?

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Answer 6

modular747

Level 6

19,656 points

Oct 13, 2009 12:28 AM in response to maxeym

Recovery mode:

1. Start iTunes
2. Connect iPhone to a USB port on the computer, not an external hub or keyboard.
3. Press BOTH home and sleep/wake buttons until the Apple icon appears, then continue pressing the home button alone until iTunes sees the phone in recovery mode.
4. Follow prompts to restore.

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Answer 7

maxeym

Level 1

14 points

Oct 13, 2009 1:48 AM in response to modular747

I tried but I keep getting the image of iTunes and the USB plug on my iphone and iTunes does not recognize anything. I held the home button for 5 minutes.

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Answer 8

rslygh

Level 1

8 points

Nov 9, 2009 7:39 AM in response to maxeym

@maxeym

If it's not being recognized by the computer, first thing to try would be to uninstall/reinstall iTunes to make sure software is working properly. Then attempt to use Recovery mode to perform a factory default. If the phone still doesn't get detected on your machine, try a different computer if you can. If that still doesn't work, you'll have to try an Apple genius because it's likely a hardware issue.

If your phone does end up getting detected, but recovery mode doesn't work either, try a restore from DFU mode. DFU doesn't load the OS, so it's less prone to problems.

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

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

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