I am unable to update my apple tv gen2

IT WORKED!!!! Finally!

Thank a bunch ghytty!

How do you update through itunes? I don't have the directory listed, does a folder need to be created and dump the file in it? Thanks for any help

You press the shift key on your computer then click on the restore button. Itunes will ask you for the location on your hard drive of the update file you downloaded.

I've downloaded the update but try as I may I cannot get iTunes, on either my MacBook Pro or my PC (Vista) to see the device.

I've googled it and tried all the solutions but to no avail. I guess I'll just have to wait until it finally becomes available over the air.

I've downloaded the update but try as I may I cannot get iTunes, on either my MacBook Pro or my PC (Vista) to see the device.

I had the same problem on an i7 iMac. It worked on a 2010 Mac Mini. On the slight chance that you missed Apple's writeup on this, the power and HDMI have to be disconnected from the Apple TV before connecting the ATV's micro USB to the Mac/PC; and remain disconnected during the upgrade.

Sorry if you've already tried this, moscowdog, but I found it was only recognised when I pressed and held (for about 15 seconds) the 'menu' and 'play' buttons on the remote (while pointed at the ATV, obviously 🙂). I think I got that info from another post in this thread. I tried to find the post to give credit to the author, but I couldn't because of the size of this thread! Anyway, thank-you, anonymous stranger.

I hope you are sitting down, because this is unbelievable. I am sitting in an apple store in Metairie, Louisiana, USA. I had an appointment at 7:20 with a "genius", who took my appletv, plugged it into the big screen tv here, and basically told me i didn't know what i was doing, and proceeded to update the device ... it failed. He then said that it was the device, gave me a new one, and tried to shuffle me out of the store, to which i asked politely that he check the version, and upgrade it if necessary. Prior to doing that, I told him what the lady on the phone here told me when i called it in, that they had a "special" network in the back that bypassed the bad servers. I mentioned that to him, and he said no. So I let him try the update again ... and if failed, of course. He then told me to go home and look it up myself to see if there were any issues with it because apple officially doesn't have one.

I asked him to look it up himself ... I mean, I already took my time to drive over here at their recommendation. As I look over at the "Genius" desk, he is working with another customer. I hope somehow, some apple big whig reads this, and calls the store manager in Metairie (Lakeside Mall). I"m the guy with the 7:20pm appointment.

Thanks ...

Got it to work with a manual update using ghytty's seed. Finally. Thanks, ghytty.

See this link for putting the ATV into DFU (whatever that is) mode:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2679422?answerId=12740793022#12740793022

the power and HDMI have to be disconnected from the Apple TV before connecting the ATV's micro USB to the Mac/PC

Oh, it's the simple little bits of information in life that make all the difference, like "Walk, Don't Walk" signs on traffic lights and "Don't connect the power" when plugging your AppleTV into your computer!

Thanks Quantumonion, worked a treat and new software is installed.

Tony

ghytty wrote:

You press the shift key on your computer then click on the restore button. Itunes will ask you for the location on your hard drive of the update file you downloaded.

Hi ghytty, when I shift key/restore it started to download the software but when I did "Option/Restore" it asked for the file location.

Tony

Thanks Quantumonion, worked a treat and new software is installed.

Excellent, glad to hear it Tony!

Option and restore will only work if you have the file already on your computer. It makes no difference where the file is to do it that way. Make sure that if you connect the unit to your computer that the HDMI cable is out and so is the power cable otherwise it will not show in iTunes and may cause the unit to stop working. Note:

Updating the software from anywhere other than apple.com will make your warranty invalid if the software brakes your unit.

Sorry for off-topic post, but Doug, I have had very similar experiences with the 'geniuses' (like you, I assume the name is intended to be ironic) at the Apple Store at Chermside in Brisbane, Australia. Ignorant, arrogant and uninformed. I vowed (and have managed since then) not to shop at the Apple store. I walk past it to buy Apple products from a department store (Myer) ... and I earn Myer loyalty points as well. The 'genius' I dealt with has so far secured probably fifteen thousand dollars in revenue for Myers.

Ugh. I guess I'll have to buy a micro USB. I don't find one in any of the umteen Apple items I've already purchased 🙂