My iPhone 4 is shut off and wont turn back on, unless i plug it in an outlet & when i do that it says "connect to Itunes" & then i do that and the phone wont turn on & it shows nothing is plugged in . HELP!

Did you ever find a solution to this problem? I'm also having the same issue.

I am having the same problem. Earlier today my iphone quit working and said i needed to sync with itunes. Well, this phone has not been synced to itunes in quite some time because i have no place to sync it. I am working on a borrowed computer at this time. the apple logo comes on for about 30 sec then it goes dark for 30 sec. I hold the on/off and home button at the same time and nothing changes. please help me....

Had exact same problem. Rang Apple support and various apple repairers. All of them said in effect, too bad, you'll have to lose everything since your last backup. It's a work phone with very important stuff on it and the latest backup was on a computer that had a virus. Convergence of crap :/

Happened to talk to a friend who said to try replacing the battery. Did that. Problem fixed. All data saved.

To all Apple support people: rather than say 'once it's in recovery mode you lose all data' try saying 'replace your battery and see if that works first'!!!!