The right to downgrade IOS from 4 to 3.1.3 should be returned!

I think that sometimes we act insane. 🙂.

I have a 32G iPod touch 4.0 (2G). I made the same mistake most of us on this discussion made: I upgraded to a ".0" release, and I did it early, rather than waiting to see what others found. Insane? No, not that. Foolish. I know better. Also, I didn't check to see what 4.0 would give me: folders (nice) and email changes (sort of nice, but really a "don't care" for me).

I have tried numerous times to "down grade" to 3.1.3. They say a sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, so I am stopping now. It tells me the firmware is (now) incompatible. Bummer.

Isn't it crazy to act as if Apple always lets us down? We didn't act like that when we installed 4.0, and I think that most of us installed it just because it was new and shiny.

I shake my head when I read of people bent out of shape because they cannot have new wallpaper on a 2G. I cringe when I read of people with an iPod touch 4.0 (2G) complaining that they are having problems installing 4.0. ("I keep aiming this gun at my head, and pulling the trigger, but it is jamming. Can someone help me?")

I feel like an idiot because I installed 4.0 when I didn't read what it would give me (not much) and I didn't wait and see what else it would give me (lousy battery life). So, like most of you, I await Apple to come out with an update, hoping it is sooner than later. Because, like you I like my iPod touch, I like my other Apple products, and I feel a bit let down. Why? It is not up to Apple's normal standards, that is why I feel let down.

**Slightly tongue-in-cheek**

I must be doing something wrong.

I upgraded to iOS4 with a 2 Gen model iPod, and I have seen no decrease in battery life. Really.

Of course, I don't run bluetooth--but I do use the wifi..a lot. The battery seems to be holding its own all day and into the evening. Folders are working well for me, as is iBook.

I don't have multitasking. Neither does my iPod; so we work well together.

Come to think of it...I'm not having any of the troubles I'm reading about with iOS4, so I must be screwing up somewhere since so many people are having issues.

**more serious now**

I know there are problems and issues with iOS4. But if you really want to choose to roll back your op system, there are ways you can do so. It's not a right; it would be a class act on Apple's part, however. Nothing I have seen in the Constitution or Bill of Rights guarantees the ability to have a corporation that at the end of the day is beholden to shareholders to offer several different years worth of software.

Doc

My reply was removed for non-constructive rants but that ^ is exactly how I feel in a constructive way.

Yes, I must admit I have not been able to down grade.

-fred

🙂 Good response.

It is a complicated problem. Apple did not just glue something shoddy together and throw it over the fence. They really thought your experience would be typical. And perhaps yours is. I just hope Apple fixes things for those of us who are having problems. I suspect your use and mine are similar. Yet, though not scientifically measured--I do not have a matching iPod still on 3.1.3 to compare--it is obvious that battery life is lessened, email on the iPod sometimes shows empty messages with date: 12/31/00 (indicating to me a messed up index of some kind), more apps crash, Calendar is slower to populate, location services no longer work at home, and it certainly LOOKS like the wifi signal reception is constantly shifting. (I have 3 APs at home... perhaps some new algorithm that keeps searching for the optimal one?)

I can live with this. And I know it may be very hard for Apple to fix this if really a very small percentage of users has these problems.

-fred

Frederick Avolio wrote:
I have tried numerous times to "down grade" to 3.1.3. They say a sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, so I am stopping now. It tells me the firmware is (now) incompatible. Bummer.

Don't give up, I have the exact same model as yours and I was able to roll back. I went to 2.2.1 since that is the last version that worked well with my cart stereo, but if I wanted I could now go forward to any OS version available. Here are some tips that you may not have tried:

1- You might want to go back to 3.1.2 ... I think there's something about 3.1.3 that might pose a problem. I can't even remember what (if anything) 3.1.3 did for the Touch compared to 3.1.2. You could also try 2.2.1, which is what I did and it worked.

2- If you don't have your older .ipsw files (I suspect iTunes deletes them, mine were gone) you can get a backup copy at http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/.

2a- Make sure that you select the correct model and vintage of your Touch when you select the firmware file.

2b- If your browser saves the firmware file with the .zip extension, just change it to .ipsw after you save it in a safe place on your computer. Do NOT unzip this file if it was saved as a .zip file.

3- For the remaining steps, try using a different computer than you normally use, you will need iTunes on it though. Using an alternate computer might be an important element -- it is the only thing I did different to make this work.

4- Copy the .ipsw file you saved to this alternate computer.

5- Get your Touch into DFU mode (Google for instructions). Although some claim you don't have to start with the iPod completely off to put into DFU mode, I always do (maybe that's why it works for me).

6- Hold down the Shift key (Windows) or Opt key (Mac) as you click the Restore button. Navigate to where you saved the .ipsw file.

7- Let the iPod complete the Restore process. Do NOT re-load your last backup, set it up as a new iPod, and un-select the option to have it load media onto your iPod (since this is not your main computer). Your iPod should come up in Manual sync mode, with the down-rev firmware.

8- Disconnect the iPod and connect it to your normal computer. Change your sync settings to how you like them and load it up.

Fred--thanks for the kind words!

Agreed...it's a tough, ugly mess and I did acknowledge it. I have noticed that my wi-fi signal strength readings are more accurate; I live in a concrete apartment and so I expect to have less signal in my bedroom than my office. I have also noted the calendar issue, but then, I have so much on it that the difference is minimal. (Perhaps a different method of filing/retrieving?)

I do know that iOS4 was made for the 3rd Gen iPod/iPhone, and 2nd Gen would have some issues. They said as much when it was introduced, so I guess in that respect I was prepared for a few changes in how the iPod responded.

Still, I'll take it the way it is now any day over a Zune. 😉

Doc

+"I do know that iOS4 was made for the 3rd Gen iPod/iPhone, and 2nd Gen would have some issues"+

They said 2nd Gen would not support all features, they didn't say it would turn iPods into useless crashing buggy bricks.

Some people have gotten lucky. Not I, my iPod is just about completely ruined since the update. I keep hoping every day for a patch release from Apple but apparently it's not a concern for them at all and those of us who have had problems since day one have now gone a month with broken iPods.

Kevinly--

Go back and check out Rockmyplimsoul's post above about how to roll back your iPod. Nobody should have an iBrick, and if you can get it back to 2.x, you could then reinstall 3.x.

Doc

Trying to downgrade my 2nd generation iPod touch from 4.0 down to 3.1.3, I followed rockmyplimsoul's instructions the letter: using a different computer (running WinXP) than the one I usually use for iTunes, with the firmware image iPod2,1 3.1.3_7E18Restore.ipsw downloaded from http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/ ; I put the iPod in DFU mode, hit Shift-Restore in iTunes, and selected the *.ipsw file. I then see iTunes extracting the image, and then it spins for about a minute with the message "Verifying iPod restore with Apple", and then it displays the error message "The iPod "iPod" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (3194)." Clicking Show Details reveals this:

2010-08-02 18:43:18.156 [1528:e40]: restore library built Jun 8 2010 at 18:17:31
2010-08-02 18:43:18.156 [1528:e40]: iTunes: iTunes 9.2.1.5
2010-08-02 18:43:18.156 [1528:e40]: iTunes: Software payload version: 7E18 (option key)
2010-08-02 18:43:18.187 [1528:688]: iTunes: Specifying UOI boot image
2010-08-02 18:43:18.187 [1528:688]: requested restore behavior: Erase
2010-08-02 18:43:18.218 [1528:688]: amai: AMAuthInstallPlatformCreateDataFromFileURL: can't resolve file
2010-08-02 18:44:00.453 [1528:688]: amai: tss submitjob: error from server=94 (This device isn't eligible for the requested build.)
2010-08-02 18:44:00.453 [1528:688]: amai: kAMAuthInstallRequestCacheLocalizedTssError: cached server error text: (3194) This device isn't eligible for the requested build.
2010-08-02 18:44:00.453 [1528:688]: amai: AMAuthInstallRequestSendSync: failed tss submission: This device isn't eligible for the requested build.
2010-08-02 18:44:00.453 [1528:688]: amai: AMAuthInstallBundlePersonalizePartial: server request error: This device isn't eligible for the requested build.
2010-08-02 18:44:00.453 [1528:688]: failed to personalize the restore bundle: This device isn't eligible for the requested build.
2010-08-02 18:44:00.453 [1528:688]: AMRAuthInstallDeletePersonalizedBundle
2010-08-02 18:44:00.515 [1528:688]: removed personalized bundle
2010-08-02 18:44:00.515 [1528:688]: AMRecoveryModeDeviceCopyAuthInstallPreflightOptions: failed to personalize bundle
2010-08-02 18:44:00.578 [1528:e40]: iTunes: Restore error 3194
2010-08-02 18:44:00.578 [1528:e40]: AMRAuthInstallGetLocalizedStringForServerError: no cached text for tss error code 3194

Any ideas?

Maybe I was lucky, or maybe it was because I went all the way back to 2.2.1? Maybe go back to 2.x, then try to go forward if you want/need 3.x installed, but you may still need to use DFU/Shift-Restore to go forward from 2.2.1 to 3.x.

I'm still at 2.2.1, and although Live Updating on the iPod has returned and it now works with my car stereo, most of the Apps I have do not work (though I'm not much of an App guy).

Update: regarding the 3194 error, I found this: http://deals-n-discounts.com/error-3194-on-restoring-3gs/
Per those instructions, I added "74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com" (without the quotes) to C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts -- and now I get error 3014, with these details:

2010-08-02 19:02:32.703 [1236:36c]: restore library built Jun 8 2010 at 18:17:31
2010-08-02 19:02:32.703 [1236:36c]: iTunes: iTunes 9.2.1.5
2010-08-02 19:02:32.703 [1236:36c]: iTunes: Software payload version: 7E18 (option key)
2010-08-02 19:02:32.734 [1236:8d4]: iTunes: Specifying UOI boot image
2010-08-02 19:02:32.734 [1236:8d4]: requested restore behavior: Erase
2010-08-02 19:02:32.734 [1236:8d4]: amai: AMAuthInstallPlatformCreateDataFromFileURL: can't resolve file
2010-08-02 19:03:32.921 [1236:8d4]: amai: tss submitjob: invalid response
2010-08-02 19:03:32.921 [1236:8d4]: amai: AMAuthInstallRequestSendSync: failed tss submission: Internal error
2010-08-02 19:03:32.921 [1236:8d4]: amai: AMAuthInstallBundlePersonalizePartial: server request error: Internal error
2010-08-02 19:03:32.921 [1236:8d4]: failed to personalize the restore bundle: Internal error
2010-08-02 19:03:32.921 [1236:8d4]: AMRAuthInstallDeletePersonalizedBundle
2010-08-02 19:03:32.984 [1236:8d4]: removed personalized bundle
2010-08-02 19:03:32.984 [1236:8d4]: AMRecoveryModeDeviceCopyAuthInstallPreflightOptions: failed to personalize bundle
2010-08-02 19:03:33.062 [1236:36c]: iTunes: Restore error 3014

I'm guessing this means that the fake gs.apple.com at 74.208.10.249 is not compatible with the latest iTunes. Looks like I'm stuck.

See my post above, try an earlier OS release than 3.1.3. If you're successful, then try moving forward to 3.1.3.

I tried installing the 2.2.1 image, same procedure as before; when using the etc/hosts hack, the result is failure with error 20 and these details:

2010-08-02 19:22:57.625 [3920:268]: restore library built Jun 8 2010 at 18:17:31
2010-08-02 19:22:57.625 [3920:268]: iTunes: iTunes 9.2.1.5
2010-08-02 19:22:57.625 [3920:268]: iTunes: Software payload version: 5H11a (option key)
2010-08-02 19:22:57.703 [3920:85c]: iTunes: Specifying UOI boot image
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: iTunes: Specifying UOI boot image
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: iBoot build-version = iBoot-889.24
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: iBoot build-style = RELEASE
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: AMDeviceIoControl: GetOverlappedResult failed
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: AMDeviceIoControl: pipe stall
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: USBControlTransfer: error 31, usbd status c0000004
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: command device request for 'getenv radio-error' failed: 2008
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: radio-error not set
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: no variant specified; authinstall is disabled
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: unable to open device_map.txt: No such file or directory
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: <Recovery Mode Device 0E68CE68>: production fused device
2010-08-02 19:22:57.796 [3920:ac0]: <Recovery Mode Device 0E68CE68>: Recovery mode failed (result = 20)
2010-08-02 19:22:57.828 [3920:268]: iTunes: Restore error 20

I get the same result both with and without the etc/hosts hack. The error occurs immediately after extracting the image; it looks like it isn't even attempting the verification step.