I've got the same issue. Not having found out how to break the automatic set up to get version 17 downloaded, i did two things, and (touch wood) it seems to work: 1) I downloaded version 17 on the old phone (not sure it actually started before the data transfer started) and 2) I didn't put the passcodes in to tranfer the cards in my wallet. I'm going to guess the issue is in adding the cards as it didn't give me a chance to add the activation codes in when I did it the first times when it kept crashing...
Overall, have to say its a TERRIBLE customer experience. The whole data transfer phones side by side was a game changer, but this is beyond annoying. Phone currently telling me there's 4 hours of data transfer to go through... so I may not have cracked it yet... will KYP...