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iPhone Backup Hang - Fix without Restore?

I have an 16GB iPhone 3GS (model MB715LL) with iOS version 4.3.4. I've been successfully synching/backing up the phone for months with the same set up, most recently with iTunes version 10.4.0.80 running on Windows XP SP3 with all current security patches. Recently, however, iTunes hangs during a synch when trying to do a backup (I've gone so far as to leave it on all night just to verify that it's just not taking a long time for some reason). I've tried obvious things like closing everything on the phone, restarting, and doing a reboot on the computer but the backup continues to hang.


The sequence I see is this:

  1. Plug in the phone (genuine Apple iPhone USB connector)
  2. Dialog box reminding me that iOS version 4.3.5 is available (I had previously downloaded it). I choose "Later" although choosing "Update" makes no difference in the hanging.
  3. I click my device and choose "Sync"
  4. The status at the top goes through the normal pre-stuff (Starting, Backing up, Preparing to sync, etc...)
  5. The status gets to 'Syncing "Paul's iPhone" (Step 1 of 3)' <new line> "Backing up" and the "bar" gets about 1/2" wide and never moves beyond there....


I've looked online and the "fix" to this problem with iTunes seems to be to restore the iPhone to the factory settings and then restore from the last backup. That may work, however, I would prefer a solution that actually fixes the problem. It is annoying that I (and many other iPhone users experiencing the same issue over & over again) should have to lose a bunch of data (calendar entries, text messages, etc...) since my last backup because no one seems to know how (or care) to fix this reccuring problem.


Is there a way to fix or troubleshoot this issue without "punting" and restoring the iPhone and losing data since the last backup?



Here's the log from the diagnostics test if that helps (skipping the CD/DVD tests):


Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (Build 2600)

LENOVO 2007WLY

iTunes 10.4.0.80

QuickTime 7.6.9

FairPlay 1.12.20

Apple Application Support 2.0.1

iPod Updater Library 10.0d2

CD Driver 2.2.0.1

CD Driver DLL 2.1.1.1

Apple Mobile Device 3.4.1.2

Apple Mobile Device Driver 1.57.0.0

Bonjour 3.0.0.2 (333.2)

Gracenote SDK 1.9.1.485

Gracenote MusicID 1.9.1.102

Gracenote Submit 1.9.1.133

Gracenote DSP 1.9.1.43

iTunes Serial Number 0013B0B808xxxxxx

Current user is an administrator.

The current local date and time is 2011-07-29 12:25:33.

iTunes is not running in safe mode.

WebKit accelerated compositing is enabled.

HDCP is not supported.

Core Media is supported.

Video Display Information

ATI MOBILITY FireGL V5200

 

**** External Plug-ins Information ****

No external plug-ins installed.

**** Network Connectivity Tests ****

Network Adapter Information

Adapter Name: {1C799DAC-EF07-4C75-9F31-CDCAFCC762E1}

Description: Intel(R) PRO/1000 PL Network Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport

IP Address: 0.0.0.0

Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0

Default Gateway:

DHCP Enabled: Yes

DHCP Server: 10.1.10.1

Lease Obtained: Fri Jun 24 12:00:12 2011

Lease Expires: Fri Jul 01 12:00:12 2011

DNS Servers:

Adapter Name: {B62B24F2-410A-44A7-B838-92605E4A4829}

Description: 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport

IP Address: 192.168.1.103

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1

DHCP Enabled: Yes

DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1

Lease Obtained: Fri Jul 29 11:56:45 2011

Lease Expires: Sat Jul 30 11:56:45 2011

DNS Servers: 68.87.77.130

68.87.72.130

Active Connection: LAN Connection

Connected: Yes

Online: Yes

Using Modem: No

Using LAN: Yes

Using Proxy: No

SSL 3.0 Support: Enabled

TLS 1.0 Support: Enabled

Firewall Information

 

Connection attempt to Apple web site was successful.

Connection attempt to browsing iTunes Store was successful.

Connection attempt to purchasing from iTunes Store was successful.

Connection attempt to iPhone activation server was successful.

Connection attempt to firmware update server was successful.

Connection attempt to Gracenote server was successful.

Last successful iTunes Store access was 2011-07-29 12:22:49.

 

**** Device Connectivity Tests ****

iPodService 10.4.0.80 is currently running.

iTunesHelper 10.4.0.80 is currently running.

Apple Mobile Device service 3.3.0.0 is currently running.

Universal Serial Bus Controllers:

Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C8. Device is working properly.

Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C9. Device is working properly.

Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CA. Device is working properly.

Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CB. Device is working properly.

Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 27CC. Device is working properly.

FireWire (IEEE 1394) Host Controllers:

NEC OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller

Connected Device Information:

Paul's iPhone, iPhone 3GS running firmware version 4.3.4

Serial Number: 5K0443xxxxx

 

**** Device Sync Tests ****

Sync tests completed successfully.

iPhone 3GS, iOS 4.3.3, iTunes version 10.4.0.80

Posted on Jul 29, 2011 11:07 AM

Reply
58 replies

Oct 13, 2011 11:57 AM in response to Paul_iPhone7

Figured out my issue!


Background:

Win 7 64 bit

Itunes 10.5 public release

Iphone 4


Symptoms:

Iphone 4 backup/sync hanging

Itunes Store was blank


Fix:

Uninstalled AVG Family Safety (like net nanny, an online website monitoring app for my children)

ran command promt as administrator, typed netsh winsock reset

Rebooted


That fixed boy my backup and itunes store issue. My suggestion is if you have anything like this, Nortong Online Security, Net Nanny, AVG Family Safety, Safe Eyes, Covenant Eyes, etc. you should start by uninstalling it and see if it fixes your problems. Hope this helps someone.


Erik

Oct 26, 2011 3:26 PM in response to Paul_iPhone7

mtanneryd has the answer!! Awesome! A real solution given:😀

1. Reset synch history

2. Delete all backups (from the same pref page where you delete sync history and also directly in the file system, c:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup)

3. Start a command prompt (run as administrator) and issue 'netsh winsock reset'

4. Reboot


Item 3 IS THE KEY.

Oct 26, 2011 3:32 PM in response to fresnoapple

the 'netsh winsock reset' tip helped for a while for me, but I kept having recurring sync hangs and problems, incl iTunes freezes and lockups until I found another solution, as referenced here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3280228


1. Go to C:\ProgramData\Apple\Installer Cache\AppleApplicationSupport 2.0.1

2. Right click

3. Uninstall

4. C:\ProgramData\Apple\Installer Cache\AppleApplicationSupport 1.5.2

5. Right click

6. Install

7. Restart Windows


I haven't had one problem or hang since, and I don't plan on updating iTunes or any other Apple software anytime soon.

iPhone Backup Hang - Fix without Restore?

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