3G s/w update question

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3G s/w update question

Hi:

I just installed the newest version of iTunes on my PC (iTunes wasn't installed previously, I just upgraded to Windows 7). I then plugged my wife's 3G in and performed the OS upgrade to the latest version. Unfortunately, I didn't manually select "sync" or "backup" and I'm really hoping iTunes would have done that automatically? I, like a lot of people, have lost all her data - contacts, pictures, etc. I tried many things posted on many forums but nothing seems to work.

When I open iTunes, it only gives me the option to back up a restore to a backup file created only moments ago.....not hours ago when I upgraded the OS. I did however, find a file under "Users/NAME/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunes/Mobile Backups" with the date/time stamp of when I would have upgraded the OS. Thinking this was the file I was looking for, I tried copying and pasting the folder into "Users/NAME/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/MobileSync/Backup" and selecting it in iTunes. It appears in the drop down menu as "unknown" but doesn't work when I try to backup and restore from it. Error = "iTunes could not restore the iPhone 'Unknown' because the iPhone refused the request"

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I'd be someone's hero if I can get the pics back that were lost. It looks like the data might be there...I just can't figure out how to get it back on the phone.

Thanks in advance.

3G, Windows 7

Posted on Dec 27, 2010 8:04 PM

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Answer 1

AppleColin Author

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Dec 27, 2010 8:16 PM in response to AppleColin

I guess I should also mention that I have looked here for my backup file: Windows Vista and Windows 7: \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

Again, it doesn't contain one from a few hours ago when I performed the OS upgrade. Only recent ones as a result of me trying things from different forums. I did find what I think is a backup file here: "Users/NAME/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunes/Mobile Backups" but can't get iTunes to restore from backup when I copy and paste it into here: "Users/NAME/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/MobileSync/Backup"

Felt I should clarify that as my question is similar to lots of others on here but most people are able to find the backup file in the correct folder...I am not.

Message was edited by: AppleColin

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Answer 2

AppleColin Author

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Dec 27, 2010 10:07 PM in response to AppleColin

After hours of stumbling around I got all my wife's data back. For anyone else that runs into this problem, here's what I did:

(1) I deleted all but one folder in: "Users/NAME/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/MobileSync/Backup" and then deleted all the files in this folder but leaving the folder intact.

(2) Next, I copied all the files from: "Users/NAME/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunes/Mobile Backups/RANDOM FOLDER/Structured" and copied them into the folder above.

(3) Then I selected the folder which I copied the files to in: "Users/NAME/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/MobileSync/Backup" in my iTunes restore from backup option and what do ya know...it worked. All my wife's data was restored...pics, contacts, etc.

Hope that helps. I read a lot on this topic and didn't find anything that helped given that the data I needed to access wasn't in any of the folders iTunes was pointing me to when I tried to restore. I guess it worked this time b/c iTunes recognized the folder name and it didn't seem to matter that I deleted all its contents and copied the data I needed inside.

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Answer 3

Kermitz

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Jan 2, 2011 4:26 AM in response to AppleColin

I had the exact same problem but the only file in the C:\Users\name\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\Mobile Backups\RANDOM\Structured folder was Status.plist. If I copy this into the other folder as suggested no backups appear in itunes at all. Any suggestions??

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Answer 4

AppleColin Author

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Jan 2, 2011 4:25 PM in response to Kermitz

I would suggest creating a backup now that you can find in iTunes. Then access that folder and delete all the files in it. Copy and paste all the files from the folder you mentioned above into the new folder that you can access in iTunes and then try to restore from it (as iTunes should still see the original folder). That's what worked for me. I would recommend that you make copies of both folders somewhere though in case it doesn't work for you then you at least have original copies. Good luck!

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Answer 5

Lemke5

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Jan 4, 2011 6:22 PM in response to AppleColin

Thank You so much, AppleColin!!!
I've recently experienced similar problems on a 2nd gen. iPod Touch. I backed up my purchased items before updating the iOS. Once the update was complete, I synced my apps only to discover all that was lost. Calendar, Notes, Photos, all gone. Not to mention, much to my daughter's disappointment, the progress from all games. Restoring from backup was no good, as I had done the app sync in multiple stages before realizing what had happened. After several internet searched turned up nothing useful, I eventually found 8,192 files in an iTunes related directory similar to what you mentioned, and they had time/date stamps of just prior to the iOS update.
Following your steps, and a 30 minute restore later, all was back to normal, even with the new iOS in place and functional!
Words cannot express how happy and thankful I am. I can never thank you enough.

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Answer 6

Jan 26, 2011 4:06 PM in response to AppleColin

dude you saved my marriage!!! same thing happened to me today. Great save! Thanks.

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