Help! - Error 1015 and stuck

Question

Help! - Error 1015 and stuck

I just bought a used iPhone 3G 8GB off an ad page, first time ever touching an iPhone so I was pretty excited.

GPS wasn't tracking, and some old junk was still left on it from the previous user who I think unlocked/jailbroke it or something. I confirmed that the model number was for FIDO which is my carrier so decided to just reset the phone.

Went into iTunes, said an update available, so from there ran the restore/update.

Seemed fine then got the error 1015 and the annoying screen showing the USB cable and iTunes logo came up and has been there 2 hours now.

I tried re-running the restore on the PC, then tried on the MAC. As per some fixes I found online, I updated iTunes, restarted the computer and phone, even tried running 3rd party apps like 'RecBoot' and 'Error 1015 Fixer'. Nothing so far has fixed it.

Kinda bummed, having had this phone only 2 days and bricking it doing a simple 'restore'. This is my only phone, no landlines, so for now, kinda screwed and thinking it was a waste of money.

Any ideas?

PowerPC G5 2Ghz / WinXp DuoCore 3.4Ghz, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Dec 17, 2010 4:56 PM

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Answer 1

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 17, 2010 5:15 PM in response to StreetRodder75

Error 1015 is normally caused by attempts to downgrade the iPhone's software. This can occur when you attempt to restore using an older .ipsw file. Downgrading to a previous version is not supported.

I would recommend finding & deleting ALL .ipsw files on your computer. There should only be one, but delete ALL that you find. You will have to turn "Show All Hidden Files & Folders" on to see them. They are located here:

OS X: ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates

XP: C:\Documents and Settings[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

7 & Vista: C:\Users[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Try to restore again after doing so. This will force iTunes to download a fresh copy of the OS. Make sure ALL firewalls & anti-virus are disabled or completely turned off BEFORE you attempt to do so.

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Answer 2

Dec 17, 2010 5:28 PM in response to wjosten

I deleted the files, but then realized it probably won't work.

I tried to run the restore on my PC, when it failed I tried on my MAC. If the file on the PC was a problem, the fresh copy on the MAC should have worked.

Must be some sorta of override no? I mean, if my computer had issues, I could format and install from scratch... must be some way to bypass the screen or force install...(?)

What gets me is that when I opened iTunes it said a newer version was available... I had 4.x and the newer version was just a little newer... but still, it was newer. I saw a few posts about the downgrade causing issue which is why I figured it would be fine.

Message was edited by: THRobinson

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Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 17, 2010 5:39 PM in response to StreetRodder75

Your problem could be that the phone you purchased was jailbroken or the firmware was downgraded at some point in the past. The problem with downgrading firmware is that it creates a mismatch between the baseband & the OS. While users "successfully" downgrade the OS, they can't downgrade the baseband, thus creating a mismatch. This can so corrupt things that it becomes impossible to restore the phone. I can't say for certain this is your problem, but it could very well be. Try restoring your phone, again, after deleting all the existing .ipsw files. But this time try DFU mode:

1. Close iTunes.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and then launch iTunes.
3. Turn your iPhone off (hold down the power button at the top of the iPhone).
4. Then, hold down the sleep/wake button and home button together for EXACTLY 10 SECONDS, then release the sleep/wake button.
5. Continue to hold down the Home button until a message appears in iTunes telling you an iPhone in recover mode has been detected. When you are in DFU mode your iPhone screen will be completely black. Remember that if you see the restore logo, iTunes logo, or any message on the iPhone screen, you are not in DFU mode but standard Recovery Mode.
6. Hit the OK message that should popup to restore your phone.

If this does not work, I have no further suggestions.

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Answer 4

Dec 17, 2010 5:55 PM in response to wjosten

Sigh....

Had it in DFU mode, downloaded a new file, etc... after it says restoring the firmware it pops up with that 1015 error message again.

So... does this mean it's garbage?

😟

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Answer 5

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 17, 2010 6:10 PM in response to StreetRodder75

So... does this mean it's garbage?

Could very well be the case. The problem with downgrading firmware or jailbreaking an iPhone is that the OS can become so corrupted that updating or restoring the phone becomes impossible. I've seen this before. As a last ditch effort, make an appointment at an Apple store. See if the geniuses can restore your phone. There is no cost for this & if they can't restore the phone...well, just chalk it up to a learning experience and move on.

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Answer 6

Dec 17, 2010 6:13 PM in response to wjosten

Man... that blows... had the phone for 2 days, and all I did was click the restore and update button on iTunes.

What a rip off... only thing I learned was to stay away from iPhones. Never heard of problems like this with a Blackberry.

Thanks for the help though.

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Answer 7

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 17, 2010 6:14 PM in response to StreetRodder75

Hold on a minute...what version of iTunes is on your computer? You need iTunes 10.1 or greater to install iOS 4.2.1.

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Answer 8

Dec 17, 2010 6:18 PM in response to wjosten

Well, like I said in the OP, updated iTunes already, so, running 10.1.1.4 on Windows. MAC was updated too but it's turned off right now... would be whatever is the most current there as well.

Ran through the Apple Support suggestions which were to reboot the system, iPhone, update iTunes, etc...

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Answer 9

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Dec 17, 2010 6:21 PM in response to StreetRodder75

Make an appointment at an Apple store, you have nothing to lose at this point.

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Answer 10

Dec 17, 2010 6:28 PM in response to wjosten

Ya pretty much... downside of being in a small town is there aren't any.

But will give it a try, find something nearer Toronto... failing that, maybe check the ads for hackers who jailbreak phones, likely they'd know what's happening.

I really just wanted to remove all that crap off, not sure why it should be so difficult. Saved up for over a month to afford a used phone, so 'lesson learned' isn't an option at this point. :S

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Answer 11

Dec 17, 2010 8:11 PM in response to StreetRodder75

I (sorta) fixed it...

After almost 6h now of trying this and that... I came across a post that in passing mentioned holding ALT+SHIFT when clicking restore to choose a file.

I downloaded 3.1.3 and installed it. Oddly rebooted with an emergency call screen in Spanish, but after a restart, it's running. Tried to restore stuff like my contacts from iTunes but says version is too old so... debating installing 4.1.0... 4.2 is where it went bad so... not ready to try that yet.

Backing up my SHSH Blobs though, saw many posts about 1015 errors and needing those saved beforehand.

Thanks for the help and hopefully this thread helps another newbie like me.

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Answer 12

Dec 17, 2010 8:14 PM in response to StreetRodder75

- with the iPhone plugged in and the USB screen on, wait for iTunes to launch and state that the phone is detected
- Download 3.1.3 to your desktop
( http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=750 )
- Hold down ALT+SHIFT and while holding, click the restore button in iTunes
- Navigate to the 3.1.3 file and let it run, iPhone may require a restart when done.

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