Error 29 when trying to restore to iOS4

I'm having the same problem too - error 29. Hoping there's a solution soon or else i have to send the phone to 'repair'.

Same here. I've tried almost every suggestion I could find. This is very frustrating. Either of you previously replace your battery by chance?

Nope, i just got my iphone 3gs 16g 3 months ago.

Error 29 is a hardware failure. You will not be able to restore or update software with a hardware failure. To confirm, try restoring on a different computer than the one you are presently using. If you get the same error, this will confirm a hardware failure. If under warranty, make an appointment at an Apple store.

the error message does indeed indicate a hardware issue, but it's hard to imagine that upgrading the os would suddenly cause my hardware to fail.

same Problem here. Update from OS 3.1.3 to OS 4 ... already have tried apples Suggestions (restart, use different computer, create iTunes account and and and) --> Nothing.

Now my phone is dead.... getting always the error 29 by restoring the phone.

Can anyone help.

Maybe a regional error, since the last post is from Malaysia as well ?

I have tried all kind of methods in the forum, but still stuck with this annoying error 29; perhaps the best solution is send it to be fixed. What i concern the most now is it may take weeks for them to fix it.

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 create system_keybag
attempting to create system key bag on /mnt2
*entering update gas_gaugesoftware*
booted from secure root: give device keybag access to everyone
AppleKeyStore:cp key_storeaction(1)
AppleKeyStore:cp key_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 had the same problem. I tried a cumputer restart, different usb port, different cable, switching off any internet security, tiring to restore on my work computer...no luck. Called apple and now I have to go and get a new phone from my local apple store today!

Getting out of error 29 is easy. Google "iRecovery" on OS X or "iReb" for windows.. It's a command line utility that lets you type commands on the phone via USB.. Follow the instructions and that's it. Easy. Just tell us which baseband version you have.. If it says Modem firmware 5.11.07 that maybe the problem… I'm trying to force update it to something newer (mine isn't unlocked or anything).

Same problem. Have tried a restore on 2 different PC's and 1 Mac. Tried a rollback to 3.1.3. Created a 2nd Mac account. Nothing worked.

I also upgraded my battery recently, which seems to be the likely cause since the log file fails on "gas gauge", which is the battery meter I believe. Different voltages than the update expects is my guess.

All told probably 10 hours wasted on something that should not have bricked my phone. If Apple wants to hand these out for free, then they can feel free to do stupid overlord-y stuff like this. But when it's my money, it's my phone!

If anybody ever figures this one out, please post. I'll do the same.

I have same error29.The reason i think. is..... start from beginning

I broke hold button off my iphone 3GS had to fix it was willing to pay. I have never jailbroke my phone pained for all my app's then i took my iphone into apple elizabeth st in Melbourne they informed me that they did not fix iphones that i should try a store up from them. he was nice in store fixed my iphone. But later that month 3.1.3 came out and when i went to update i got error29 i then took my iphone to Designwyse in dingly they said they only fix apple computers not iphones sent me to southland apple center they tryed in two computers then took out back and opened it found that Been fixed before and would not fix it.

NOTE I WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED AND HAD NOT BEEN JAILBROKEN. they would not fix it told me to by a new phone.

I came home and found a program for mac called blackra1n also irecovery works. this fixed my iphone for firmware 3.1.3

I did same with ios4 and this time after using these programs my iphone reboots every few mins. many others with error29 have had this issues.

After all i have been throw with this iphone i think now apple have did something in IOS4 to break iphone as error29 has only happened to myself and others if not replaced or repaired by apple.

SO DO NOT UPDATE TO IOS4 if you have this error.

And thank you apple for stuffing a good iphone. I have spent well over $250 on app's and own 3g and 3gs and i will still buy a iphone4 but I do think what ever you did was wrong.

for everyone else who reads this apple meant it and your phone will be forever stuffed. and stuck on 3.1.3 cos i don't think apple will make a patch to fix this.

All, my battery was recently replaced and I had the exact same problem, with some research I was able to resolve the problem by following this video good luck to all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB8Z0Y9_URs&feature=fvst

I am experiencing the exact same error 29 loop. I work closely with these devices and did an experiment that had some interesting results. With the aftermarket battery installed, the update resulted in error 29 every time, but when I re-installed the original 3GS battery the device would complete the update perfectly.

The only difference in these 2 batteries were the circuit board that sits atop the battery and the part number. My original battery read "616-0434" and my replacement read "616-0431," I'm not entirely sure what any of this means.

Seeing the post from the Malaysian users makes me wonder if this is an Apple iOS 4 bug, and some battery model numbers were'nt included in the update.

I think Drew's error message log is VERY telling, there is something in the update that is working with the battery and some batteries aren't responding, or worse, being excluded. Can't wait to get to the bottom of this.

I can confirm that shawnff's video works. Watch the 2nd half when he talks about using iRecovery for the iPhone. Do it EXACTLY how he does it, and on a Mac. You can always sync with your PC after getting out of Recovery mode.

I also uninstalled and deleted everything Apple on my PC, rebooted, then reinstalled before trying to Restore. Not sure if that was necessary, but I finally got it working. Here's a link to the steps I took:

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11750503#11750503