Q: error 29 iphone locked in recovery mode

"Hey guys I just had a thought- any of you changed your battery recently before this error? I know this won't be the reason for all the error 29s especially the new phones, but I wonder of it's the circuitry of the battery itself- reason I ask is I changed my battery before error 29 but I never put the two together. But the new battery constantly causes the phone to crash with false battery levels and do I winder if changing back to my old stock battery might cure error 29. "

I did change my battery, and it happens to be larger than the original. Maybe it verifies HW during the restore and the upgraded batter is what is making it fail.

Same here too. Upgraded to a larger battery a couple of weeks ago. Battery meter in 3.1.3 was flaky after that btw. But anyways, got the same problem.

When it fails during update, sometimes you get a button to see details of the issue that is being sent to Apple. Read down that list and sure enough, it fails on "gasgauge..blah blah blah". I believe gas gauge is the battery meter, yes?

So trying to downgrade now until I can order up an OEM battery, but not having much luck there either. I leave for an SF to SD bike tour in 2 days, so I'm really hoping somebody figures this one out!

Message was edited by: criddar (fat-fingered the version number)

I doubt anyone will figure this one out now - changing my battery back worked a treat for me, so I can only advise to change your battery back to the original or an OEM apple one.

Upgrading to iPhone 4 now, so hopefully won't have need to post anymore on this topic! All the best to those still experiencing this issue.

i have the same problem....i dont want to use irecover as my iphone has only ever been linked to itunes. no jailbreak.

copying my post from another error 29 discussion:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11727411#11727411

I have the same problem on my iPhone 3GS. I did replace the battery from ifixit.com, since the phone had water damage and the old battery failed. When I get the error, I see the following error in the log file that is opened when iTunes attempts to send an error report:

...
entering createsystem_keybag
attempting to create system key bag on /mnt2
*entering updategas_gaugesoftware*
booted from secure root: give device keybag access to everyone
AppleKeyStore:cpkey_storeaction(1)
AppleKeyStore:cpkey_storeaction(1)
*gasgauge_swupdate failed: -1*
attempting to dump restore log
writing log file: /mnt1/restore.log

2010-06-21 13:42:14.000 iTunes\[1806:156e7\]: AMRAuthInstallDeletePersonalizedBundle
2010-06-21 13:42:14.000 iTunes\[1806:156e7\]: removed personalized bundle
2010-06-21 13:42:14.000 iTunes\[1806:156e7\]: <Restore Device 0x22d6ba10>: Restore failed (result = 29)
*2010-06-21 13:42:15.000 iTunes\[1806:207\]: iTunes: Restore error 29*
2010-06-21 13:42:21.000 iTunes\[1806:207\]: device connected (isDFU = 0)
2010-06-21 13:42:21.000 iTunes\[1806:207\]: iTunes: SCEP 3
...

I'm pretty sure the "gasgauge_swupdate" attempts to update firmware or do something to the battery and since this is a replacement, it may not have the same configuration as an original battery. I sent an email to the ifixit.com guys, but they aren't aware of this problem. They are sending a replacement battery, so I'll try installing that and upgrade again.

Drew

Message was edited by: drew2010

I have just tried the solution someone recommended on here by creating another account on your Mac then updating the iphone again it is now out of recovery mode and reloading the software. Will keep you posted.

I was able to revert my phone back to the 3.1.3 software version, here is what I did.
A couple of assumptions: you are running a mac, your phone version was 3.1.3 prior to upgrading to 4.0.

1. You need to download the old 3.1.3 software, you may already have the old version, just check to see if you have a file in /Users/<username>/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates/. The file should be named something like, "iPhone2,13.1.3_7E18Restore.ipsw". If you have this file, good you can move to step two, otherwise you will need to find a download link for it.

2. From iTunes, Option-click the restore button. This will open a finder window, select the 3.1.3 software package. Click Choose.

3. After the restore, you will most likely get the same error 29 message. Click through all this and use iRecovery to break the restore lock. You can follow the following website for instructions on how to do this: http://www.ihackintosh.com/2009/07/irecovery-iphone-recovery-mode-loop-restart/

4. Reboot your phone and you should be back at version 3.1.3.

I'm thought of trying this with 4.0, but from many comments it looks like the failed upgrade didn't run all the necessary programs to create a stable phone. So, we may be stuck at 3.1.3.

Drew

Hi Drew i am trying to do what you have explained i found the file you mentioned it is now on my desk top but i don't get a drop down box when i click restore ??

Make sure you are holding the "Option" key when clicking the restore button in iTunes. As noted, I'm on a Mac, so if you are on Windows you might have to hold down a different key (either Shift or Alt).

Drew

I am on a mac i just got back the message the iphone "iphone" could not be restored. The device isn't eligible for requested build.

1. Make sure you have the right version for your phone. There is a separate download for the iPhone 3G and 3GS.

2. Validate the checksum on the file you downloaded against my checksum. This will tell you if you have an official file or not:

ga-afrezell-20:~ dfrezell$ md5 ~/Downloads/iPhone2,13.1.3_7E18Restore.ipsw
MD5 (/Users/dfrezell/Downloads/iPhone2,13.1.3_7E18Restore.ipsw) = 4117e4b22565e69205a84e9eeef0583e

You will need to open up a Terminal shell and type the command:
md5 <path>/iPhone2,13.1.3_7E18Restore.ipsw

This takes a few seconds and the hex number should match mine: 4117e4b22565e69205a84e9eeef0583e

Here is the direct link I used to download the 3.1.3 version (iPhone 3GS version):
http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/content.info.apple.com/iPhone/061-7472.2 0100202.8tugj/iPhone2,13.1.3_7E18Restore.ipsw

Apparently edgesuite.net handles a lot of companies downloads.

3. I tried earlier software versions and got the same error you did. This may be a "bad thing". From my readings of various posts, Apple validates software packages before installing them on the iphone. Unfortunately, they only keep the latests versions on the validation servers. So, when trying to revert back to a previous revision that is no longer available, you get the "could not be restored" message.

Another possibility is the phone needs to be in DFU mode when restoring from a failed 4.0 upgrade. This is different from Restore mode, in that the screen is blank (no plug or any graphics) but you still see the iphone in iTunes. To get into DFU mode:

a. Make sure the iPhone is connected to the computer via usb.
b. Hold the Power and Home button for 10 seconds (really, do the 1-one thousand, 2-one thousand count in your head).
c. After 10 seconds, let go of the power button but still hold the Home button.
d. Wait until the iPhone shows up in iTunes, then you can let go of the Home button.
e. Attempt the restore from file again (3.1.3 file).

Drew

Thanks for all your help Drew, i did manage to get my phone sorted. I created a new mac account, downloaded version 4 again although it stopped loading on the phone half way and i kept getting error messages i let it finish downloading onto itunes then i clicked restore it then loaded onto my phone.

What baseband do you have? I'm stuck at 5.11.07. Maybe iOS4 doesn't work with BB from iOS 3.1.2. Mine isn't unlocked.. Even rewrote it completely via http://www.saurik.com/id/12 and
http://extechblog.wordpress.com/ . Still same outcome.. Can't do a normal restore without having to resort to iRecovery to get it out of the darn error 29 and recovery mode. At 3.1.3 the phone works just fine.

I did get back to 3.1.3 following http://www.saurik.com/id/12 and
http://extechblog.wordpress.com/ . Still needs iRecovery after aborted 3.1.3 firmware "update".

I didn't have to use irecovery or anything, i just did as i said above. Phone is working perfectly on version 4 now.