How do I unlock iPhone without losing pictures/videos?

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How do I unlock iPhone without losing pictures/videos?

HELP! I was updating the latest operating system on my iphone4, but it got stuck in recovery mode. The screen shows an Itunes logo, a USB and an arrow from the USB to the Itunes logo. In Itunes, it says "iTunes has detected a phone in recovery mode. You must restore this phone before it can be used with iTunes." There is no error message or error number. I clicked on the "Restore" button, but it said it will erase everything by restoring the original factory settings. How do I fix this problem without losing all the pictures and videos I took with the phone? Nothing has been transferred to or from the phone except contacts. I only have two songs on the ipod portion of the phone, but would like to preserve them if possible. Please help me save my pictures and videos!

Message was edited by: Viceman010

Dell Optiplex GX270, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Mar 23, 2011 7:02 PM

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Answer 1

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Mar 23, 2011 7:07 PM in response to Viceman010

You upgraded your software without making sure that everything on your iphone was on your computer?

Not a good idea.

I doubt that there is anything you can do now.

Sorry.

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Answer 2

Viceman010 Author

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Mar 23, 2011 7:10 PM in response to roaminggnome

I have over 15 gigs of pictures and videos on my iPhone. No way my computer can store that much. Are you saying the only way to unlock the phone to is to erase everything? That's crazy. There has to be a way to restart the phone without deleting everything?

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Answer 3

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Mar 23, 2011 7:12 PM in response to Viceman010

EVERYTHING that is on your iphone should ALWAYS be on your computer and included in your regular backup of your computer.

The iphone is NOT a storage device. It simply mirrors the selected content of your computer.

It seems that your iphone has suffered an error and needs to restore. This will erase everything. This is one of the many reasons that everything on your iphone should always be on your computer.

Sorry.

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Answer 4

Viceman010 Author

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Mar 23, 2011 7:19 PM in response to roaminggnome

I don't need an iPhone to show me what I have on my computer. My phone isn't a storage device, it's a phone and camera that I use regardless of my computer. The computer is fine and I don't transfer anything from the computer to the iPhone. I never heard of a cell phone crashing like a cheap computer.
Is this the best Apple can do? Have a phone crash and the owner loses all their pictures and videos? There is no space on my desktop to store 15 gigs of pictures and videos. There has to be some way for a technician to retrieve the photo album?

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Answer 5

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Mar 23, 2011 7:30 PM in response to Viceman010

Sorry about your situation.

The iphone is designed to be used with your computer.

It is NOT a stand alone device.

It seems that you may have purchased a device without understanding what it is.

Nothing should live on your iphone alone. This is not what the device is. You should be syncing regularly making sure that everything is on your computer and included in your regular backup of your computer.

I'm sorry about the misunderstanding, but unfortunately you are in a tough position not having everything on your computer as it is designed.

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Answer 6

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Mar 23, 2011 7:41 PM in response to Viceman010

Try using iPhoneView software. Also, you might be able to kick it out of recovery mode and get it working with RecBoot.

Basic troubleshooting steps.

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Answer 7

Viceman010 Author

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Mar 23, 2011 8:14 PM in response to Mac-Medic

Would a successful RecBoot preserve my pictures and videos? I found a blog extolling the virtues of data recovery with utilities ZiPhone and Tiny Umbrella from this page:
http://securitysauce.blogspot.com/2009/02/saving-data-on-iphone-in-recovery-mode .html

I want to make sure I get this right the first time. Thanks!

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Answer 8

Mac-Medic

Level 6

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Mar 23, 2011 8:20 PM in response to Viceman010

You won't lose anything trying RecBoot. Did you try iPhoneView? They have a demo. You should be able to pull your data off with that.

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Answer 9

Viceman010 Author

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Mar 23, 2011 8:26 PM in response to Mac-Medic

Tried a Google search for iPhoneView, but no website. Is there a link to a blog or download page?

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Answer 10

Mac-Medic

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Mar 23, 2011 8:27 PM in response to Viceman010

http://www.ecamm.com/mac/phoneview/

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Answer 11

Viceman010 Author

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Mar 23, 2011 8:34 PM in response to Mac-Medic

This looks like a great utility, but it appears to only work with a Mac. I use Microsoft XP Pro. Should I give it a shot anyway or use RecBoot first? Thanks so much for helping!!

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Answer 12

Mac-Medic

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Mar 23, 2011 8:39 PM in response to Viceman010

Try RecBoot. If RB works, backup right away and restore.

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Answer 13

Viceman010 Author

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Mar 23, 2011 8:50 PM in response to Mac-Medic

I downloaded the file for Windows, extracted all files, tried to open/run RecBoot.exe, but a window came up saying: "To run this application, you must first install one of the following versions of the .NET Framework: v4.0.30319
Contact your application publisher for instructions about obtaining the appropriate version of the .NET Framework"

What the heck is the .NET Framework? Why won't it install?

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Answer 14

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Mar 23, 2011 8:53 PM in response to Viceman010

Sorry, I have no idea what that's about. I suggest finding a Mac computer to use RecBoot with....maybe at a library or Apple Store.

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Answer 15

Viceman010 Author

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Mar 24, 2011 2:24 PM in response to Mac-Medic

Great news! I found the Microsoft page to download Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (Web Installer): http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/confirmation.aspx?FamilyID=9cfb2d51-5ff4-4 491-b0e5-b386f32c0992&displaylang=en

After installing .NET Framework 4, the RecBoot software worked like a charm! It kicked the phone out of Recovery Mode and back to normal. I bought an external hard drive and copied all my photos and videos to it.

My gratitude to you Mac Medic- you saved the day and then some! However, I'm reluctant to try any software upgrades for my phone, fearing another phone crash calamity like this one. Is my concern justified?

This is the RecBoot result. It brings up a DOS window:
C:\Documents and Settings\[computer ID]\My Documents\Downloads\RecBoot v1.1Win\RecBoot>
iTunnel --autoboot
Will try to kick connected devices out of the Recovery mode..
recovery connectcallback
recovery disconnectcallback

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