Unknown device error

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Unknown device error

I have tried 3 different cables on my computer. A brand new Belkin wall charger from an At&t store. A used classic 80g iPod cable. A new 3g iPhone cable. All of these cables give me the unknown device error msg on Windows 7, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows Vista. This is my first iPhone (new warranty phone from a friend) and I'm not impressed with the compatibility. Any suggestions?

Custom build, Windows 7

Posted on Feb 26, 2010 11:57 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 27, 2010 2:46 AM in response to Matthew81

Whilst on - hold the power and home buttons together - count to 30 (it might be 20) - let go - it puts it in restore mode. If your computer doesn't work with that try another computer - then ignore the sync and sync it with yours instead.

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Answer 2

Matthew81 Author

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Feb 27, 2010 9:57 AM in response to Bright Night

I have 4 computers in my home and I have tried the iPhone on all 4. "Usb Device not Recognized" is the message I'm getting on all 4. I have tried the restore method as well and nothing has changed. Still getting the same message.

Message was edited by: Matthew81

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Answer 3

Feb 27, 2010 9:57 AM in response to Matthew81

Matthew81 wrote:
This is my first iPhone (new warranty phone from a friend) and I'm not impressed with the compatibility. Any suggestions?

Seriously, go back to your friend and ask for your money back.

If you get the same mesage from three different OS's and multiple cables, you've been sold a pup.

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Answer 4

Matthew81 Author

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Feb 27, 2010 10:08 AM in response to Graham Outterside

When I got the iPhone it was not linked through At&t and iTunes. I couldn't do it my self because of this issue so I brought it to my friend's house. He used an older iPod cable and his computer recognized it right away and there was no issue. I'm starting to believe that this is one model of the iPhone that does require a specific cable for compatibility. I have seen this phone link to a computer using a specific cable. But I didn't think it would be this picky with cables/computers.

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Answer 5

Feb 27, 2010 10:15 AM in response to Matthew81

Matthew81 wrote:
I'm starting to believe that this is one model of the iPhone that does require a specific cable for compatibility. I have seen this phone link to a computer using a specific cable. But I didn't think it would be this picky with cables/computers.

No such phone exists - there are old iPod mini cables around with firewire connectors but since them, the cables are all the same.

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Answer 6

Matthew81 Author

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Feb 27, 2010 10:33 AM in response to Graham Outterside

Why would the phone work on a computer with a specific cable. But not work with anything else?

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Answer 7

Feb 27, 2010 10:36 AM in response to Matthew81

Phone broken and intermittent, dodgy phone connector, and others I am sure.

Its easy for you to test - take the cable to the all these other computers you have tried on before and see if it works on all of them.

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Answer 8

Matthew81 Author

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Feb 27, 2010 10:45 AM in response to Graham Outterside

I will do that tonight as soon as my friend with the "Special" cable gets off. I'll post back the results!

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Answer 9

Matthew81 Author

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Feb 27, 2010 10:10 PM in response to Matthew81

This is what I have found out. I let my iphone run out of battery life then plugged it in to my computer. The battery screen came on with the charge symbol. The iPhone turned on at 20% then the "Unknown device" error pops up again. Windows is not recognizing this as an iPhone. Is it a software issue that can be fixed?

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Answer 10

Feb 27, 2010 11:34 PM in response to Matthew81

Matthew81,

Have you checked your device manager? I've had success uninstalling the "Apple iPhone" from the list, unplugging it, and re-plugging the device back in, letting it reinstall the device driver.

Hope this helps. You may also want to try cleaning out the dock connector of any debris.

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Answer 11

Matthew81 Author

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Feb 28, 2010 9:37 PM in response to shadowbeast

I have reinstalled the usb drivers many times. My comp recognized my friends 3gs instantly with no problems. So i know now its either the phone itself or the cable. I will be getting the cable that worked the ONE time tomorrow. If it doesn't work then its hardware or software of the ever so famous Apple product. Very impressive. Last resort is a guy who repairs iPhone's for good prices.

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Answer 12

Matthew81 Author

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Mar 2, 2010 3:17 PM in response to Matthew81

USB device not recognized: One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it.

This is the error message word for word. I'm bringing it to an apple repair store on Thursday to be diagnosed. Hopefully the repair is worth getting fixed because I won't be spending the money to buy a new 3gs with the 4g coming in a couple months.

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