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iPad not eligible for the requested build in 4.3 iOS update?

I have an iPad1 running iOS 4.2.1 set up with a mac and iTunes 10.2.1.

After plugging in my iPad, iTunes informed me that there was an iOS update available (iOS 4.3). I tried having it download and install the update.

I get an alert box that the iPad could not be updated. It said that the iPad wasn't eligible for the requested build. Hunh? Clearly it is eligible - Apple said so via iTunes.

I tried rebooting the iPad and the Mac but the same error message occurred.

I don't see a pile of these errors on a Google search so I assume this is something specific to my iPad (never jailbroken, plain vanilla iPad regularly backed up and updated via iTunes).

Any idea?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 13, 2011 9:08 AM

Reply
57 replies

Mar 13, 2011 9:11 AM in response to Gerald Striph

Try a System Reset:
Hold down the on/off switch and the Home button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo. Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it appears.

A System Reset does not remove any apps, music, movies, etc. nor does it cause any settings to revert back to default.

Also, you might wish to download the iPad-2 User Guide. Pay special attention to page 162.
http://support.apple.com/manuals/#ipad

Finally, a less thorough version of the Guide is included as a Safari bookmark and a more thorough version of the Guide can be downloaded at no charge via iBooks.

Mar 13, 2011 11:21 AM in response to Philly_Phan

Thanks for your advice. The system reset described above didn't help. I have an iPad 1 (not 2) and I don't see anything in the manual to really help.

The exact alert box message is:

"The iPad "my ipad's name" could not be updated. This device isn't eligible for the requested build.

I suppose I could do a set up as new and reload the whole thing though that is a real pain -- reloading passwords, losing in progress games... I'm hoping for something simpler.

This iPad started on iOS 3 and has been updated automatically, without problems, using iTunes. It seems to function perfectly in every other way.

Any other ideas out there?

Mar 13, 2011 1:38 PM in response to schaufma

I've been working with Apple - if it is a server problem, they're not saying.

Have uninstalled iTunes (with tech help, not just taking to trash) and reinstalled.
Have tried to restore as new using DFU mode - won't -- all w/same error
Have tried logging on as a different user
Have tried different cable, different usb port
Have tried system reset on iPad
Have deleted and redownloaded the 4.3 update
Have restarted the computer.
No JB history.
No virus software on the mac (I know, but Apple asked).

Going to try on a different computer -- if not, apple support tech thinks it is the iPad even though no signs of other misbehavor.

Will let others know.

Mar 13, 2011 4:44 PM in response to Gerald Striph

I had the same problem today with updating an original iPad to 4.3. What seemed to fix it for me was going to homefolder/Library/iTunes/iPad Software Updates and deleting the iPad ipsw file that was there. I also went ahead and did a system reset (home and power button held down) on the iPad. Then I tried again with the update. This time, iTunes downloaded the 4.3 file and actually succeeded in installing it. I see that an earlier poster already had tried these steps. All I know is that it worked for me in getting rid of that annoying error message and let the update proceed on my iPad.

iPad not eligible for the requested build in 4.3 iOS update?

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