iPhone stuck on 'white Apple' boot screen cannot recover even in DFU mode.

Question

Level 1

8 points

iPhone stuck on 'white Apple' boot screen cannot recover even in DFU mode.

Basically, the phone was on charge all day via USB on my laptop, locked the screen and then when I got back from work it was powered off and couldn't switch it on. So, I performed a reset and the phone now only boots to the white apple and no further. I can only get it to do this whilst plugged into the mains charger, not on battery OR via USB to my laptop. I have tried leaving on charge overnight, 3 different laptops and finally an XP PC, all don't seem to power the phone on, only when I plug into the wall.

I've tried a recovery, but the problem is I can only get the phone into recovery mode whilst plugged into the wall i.e. I get the 'connect to itunes' graphic up but as soon as I unplug the USB and connect to the PC, the screen goes blank or at least dims anyway as I can still see the graphic, just 'greyed out'. I then have to reset the phone again (connected to power).

So, tried DFU mode, iTunes detects it (hooray I thought), downloads the 3.1.3 firmware, jumps to 'preparing iphone for recovery' and then sits there as the phone then becomes disconnected from the PC i.e. USB 'disconnect' sound is heard. I then get a '1601' error (I have the iphone updater log if you want it) and am back to square one.

Like I've said, I've tried 3 different laptops and a PC, from Windows 7 to XP, 3 different cables and 2 different chargers and it does the same thing on all of them. I have thought of trying to find a USB dock with a seperate power supply but now sure if they exist of if this will help.

Determined to fix this as I think the phone is great, if only Apple can sort out the battery life issues!

Hope someone can help.

HP 8530p, Windows 7

Posted on Mar 1, 2010 2:35 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Mar 1, 2010 10:15 AM in response to nexus_6

try this it worked for me
1. plug iphone into computer with itunes running (iphone was off)
2. Hold down power button and home button
3. When the apple logo comes on, let go of the power button but keep home button pressed for 60 seconds
4. You’re supposed to wait til you see the “connect to iTunes” image
4b. Mine never showed up, so after about 70 seconds I let go of the home button, and then the “connect to iTunes” image showed up
5. iTunes recognized the iphone and now i’m in the process of restoring it.

Reply

Answer 2

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Mar 1, 2010 10:17 AM in response to nexus_6

🙂 hello again, nexus.

Just doublechecking ... in the course of your troubleshooting to date, have you worked through the following document?

[Update and restore alert messages on iPhone and iPod touch|http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1275]

Reply

Answer 3

Mar 1, 2010 10:23 AM in response to b noir

yes i have and it is now half way through the os restore on the phone

Reply

Answer 4

nexus_6 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2010 12:22 PM in response to conorstewart

conorstewart@gmail.com wrote:
try this it worked for me
1. plug iphone into computer with itunes running (iphone was off)
2. Hold down power button and home button
3. When the apple logo comes on, let go of the power button but keep home button pressed for 60 seconds
4. You’re supposed to wait til you see the “connect to iTunes” image
4b. Mine never showed up, so after about 70 seconds I let go of the home button, and then the “connect to iTunes” image showed up
5. iTunes recognized the iphone and now i’m in the process of restoring it.

Thanks for the response, I'll try the procedure you have suggested although the only way I can get the phone to turn on is when connected to the mains power, it will not work via USB, and I have tried 3 differenct laptops, a PC and 2 different cables.

Reply

Answer 5

nexus_6 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2010 12:28 PM in response to b noir

I've gone though almost all the steps apart from the MSConfig one which I'll try now and get back to you. The error I'm getting is 1601 which hasn't got any steps specificlly listed here so I'm a little stuck.

As I've said, I can only get into DFU mode via USB and this fails after downloading the firmware. Do you want me to post the log file details?

Reply

Answer 6

nexus_6 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2010 12:53 PM in response to nexus_6

Just as I feared, the phone will not do anything unless connected to the main charger. I cannot get it into restore mode while connected to the laptop, which is a problem!

Reply

Answer 7

nexus_6 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2010 1:04 PM in response to nexus_6

Booted after MSConfig changes and still does the same thing, can only get into DFU mode via USB and fails with a 1601 error when attempting restore.

Reply

Answer 8

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Mar 1, 2010 1:54 PM in response to nexus_6

Maybe this will help... http://support.apple.com/kb/TA38633?viewlocale=en_US

Reply

Answer 9

nexus_6 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2010 2:14 PM in response to paulcb

I removed and reinstalled iTunes about 6 times, on 4 different machines and have the same problem.

Reply

Answer 10

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Mar 1, 2010 2:19 PM in response to nexus_6

Are you still under warranty, nexus? If so, I think the next thing to try would be taking the iPhone in for a checkup at an Apple Store, or sending her in for service. (If she's not being recognised on any PC you plug her in to, I fear that there's not much more you can do by way of troubleshooting off your own bat.)

Reply

Answer 11

nexus_6 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 1, 2010 11:30 PM in response to b noir

No, it's out of warranty now as I've had it for over 18 months. What's stange is that when searching for 1601 errors, they mostly reference jailbroken phones, which mine is not! Also, it appears Apple Support don't have 1601 error on their systems either? I don't really want to pay Apple even more money to fix what may be a simple fault, as I can get a PC to recognise the phone in DFU mode, just not in recovery mode so it's not completely dead.

Reply