iPhone could not be restored. An unknown error occured (6)

Start by reviewing this tech note: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1275

What OS are you running? If it's Windows 7 AND your computer has the Intel pm55 chipset there is a known bug in the BIOS. Get the latest BIOS from HP.

A few other things to check. Usually restore problems can be traced to USB problems on your computer. First charge the phone for at least 30 minutes. When you connect it use a USB port directly on your computer, not a hub, keyboard port, or monitor port. Also disconnect any USB devices that draw power, such as backup or CD drives that don't have their own power supply.

Verify that you have the latest version of iTunes (Help menu, Check for Updates).

If it still doesn't work completely remove iTunes, reboot, download a fresh copy, and install it. See: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1925?viewlocale=en_US

Another thing to try is create a new user ID on your computer with admin privileges, log in to that user and try to restore again.

Don't give up hope; this can be fixed.

Ok this is pretty stressful i have done all that i can and i am getting no where. I have removed iTunes completely from my computer. And reinstalled it and i am still getting the error message The iPhone could not be restored. An unknown error occured (13) WHAT TO DO HELP!!!!!!!!

Did you see the previous messages in this thread, including the Apple tech tip and my post about it most likely being a USB issue? Have you tried the USB tips (no hub, no monitor port, no keyboard port, plug the iPhone directly into a USB port on the back of your computer, disconnect other power-using USB devices).

Have you tried rebooting your computer and immediately trying to update without launching any other programs?

In addition to those, Error 13 sometimes means that your antivirus is blocking the update. Try disabling it.

It's also possible that your USB drivers are out of date. Check with Dell's site or run their updater on your computer.

same stuff, unknown error (6)
I'm working on winxp pro freshly installed with the latest itunes version, i get the cable + itunes screen, tried multiple hard resets, tried doing the DFU thing(how accurate the timing has to be?), nothing. Does it mean i can start using my phone as a paper weight from now on or is there any other thing i can do(besides going to apple store)?

Have you read down the thread and tried ALL of the suggest fixes, including the Apple tech notes?

yep, and from error 1601 and 1602 i leveled up to (4) and now (6) still a long way to go to (13)

and i've started with a semi working iphone: couldn't do anything on itunes no uploads downloads, music transfers, os upgrades, so i decided to go back to the very beginning and reset the whole phone.

Hey sawa85sa,
ran into this problem myself (iphone) and came across your thread. I have since fixed it and returned to bring you good news. Im running itunes on my pc, never had connectivity issues before, but i was stuck with a restore screen and 1601 error in itunes. After 4 hours of wrestling with it, uninstalling itunes, reinstalling itunes, i plugged it into my parents IMac and it restored with no issue. I guess thats a point for Mac. You must not give up, try other computers, try a mac or a pc (opposite of whatever you're using) Hope this works for you, i know how poop it is to be stuck like that.

Cheers

now i only need to find somebody with a mac... might be tricky but thanks for help(hopefully it'll work)

Hello again,

Looking back... i think my 1601 error was the caused by an issue where my computer was recognizing the iphone as a camera device, not as the iphone. After i got back on my feet by restoring on a mac, I realized my computer didnt recognize the iphone in itunes, and it WAS recognized in "My Computer" as a camera device. I would attempt THIS if you are still having issues on that computer (An portion of the solution I found here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6663161&#6663161 regarding my recognition problem):

"My iPhone was NOT showing up in iTunes and NOT showing up under the Device Manager's Universal Serial Bus controllers where it should show up. But, it WAS under the Device Manager's Portable Devices listed as Apple iPhone, with a camera driver. So I could see it under Windows' My Computer as a Portable Device and it would open like any generic digital camera."

The procedure:

Find the listing for Apple iPhone in the Device Manager under Portable Devices:
Right Click it to get to the Properties
Click the Driver tab
Click the Update Driver... button
Click the "Browse my computer for Driver Software..."

Browse to this location:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers
Click NEXT
Vista will then (hopefully) install the right drivers.



I would try that first, then see if your device will restore. I bet itunes can recognize it in dfu mode enough to dl the update, but then it dosent recognize it as an iphone to actually resotre on. I hope this helps you out. Keep at it.

K-nadian