iOS 5 Direct Download 3GS

DO NOT DO NOT install iOS 5 on your 3GS, just did it and like may others lost EVERYTHING!!!! i was fully backed up but cannot restore nor can i go back to old version of OS.

just dont do it!

I fully agree with Reece Brailey : Simply don't upgrade your 3GS to iOS 5 !!!

You can't imagine how I regret now to have such a slow phone.....

hmmm fixed it !!! all going and really nice too.

restored phone (clean) and selected an older back up from the drop down that pops up, when it finished restoring i had the new OS and all my old data

going sweet now. wireless sync is great!!

Wow... talk about blowing things out of proportion.

I installed iOS 5 on my 3GS Saturday morning and have had no issues. Nothing was lost.

But then, unlike many that I have seen reporting issues, I sync my device daily, my contacts are synced to MobileMe (now converted to iCloud) and all my media exists in iTunes. I actually use the device the way Apple intended it to be used.

The majority of the posts I have seen complaining about issues are from users that rarely or never sync, did not let it complete a backup, or rely soley on the device for management of their contacts and calendars.

Again, mine like Reece brailey's is just one experience out of millions. It's ultimately a decision that every user must make for themselves, but do not let one person's drama discourage you.

To answer the OP's question, place the ipsw file in the iPhone software update folder, or simply download it via iTunes so that you ensure you have the correct ipsw file.