Bricked Apple TV won't restore (error 9)

Question

Level 1

11 points

Bricked Apple TV won't restore (error 9)

I updated my Apple TV 2 a week ago to ios 4.4. Yesterday I reset it and now I'm stuck at an iTunes logo with a micro-usb pointing at it.

I tried to restore using a microUSB cable without luck (I'm getting "An unknown error occurred (9).". I entered DFU mode and I'm still getting the same error message.

I tried restoring to 4.4 and 4.4.1 and the error is always the same. Tried with 2 different microUSB cables in 2 iMacs and 1 PC.

Anybody is getting this error, too? Any clue on how to unbrick my Apple TV?

Thanks in advance

Posted on Oct 20, 2011 9:33 AM

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Answer 1

Choko

Level 1

4 points

Sep 1, 2017 6:51 PM in response to georgevilla

Was going to throw away my apple tv. Until I read this post and saved it from eternal destruction! 🙂 Thanks!

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Answer 2

Nov 22, 2011 11:33 PM in response to twigsntrees

Mark,

i think u need to bring it to a genius bar or a genius if u have one located near u. Ethan and i both are in KL and conincidentally however, am going to new york on the 1st of december for work, hence i hope i can resolve this 99USD problem with a new machine or a restore by the geniuses... good luck and if u found a way that works for u, please tell us how u get over the error 9... it is really not worth my time to buy another micro usb cable...

twigsntrees (Marc)

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Answer 3

Oct 20, 2011 9:37 AM in response to PaLnTsC

You aren't trying to restore with the power cable attached are you.

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Answer 4

PaLnTsC Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 20, 2011 10:26 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Nop. No power attached.

Strange thing is that iTunes won't tell me that the Apple TV is in DFU mode even when it is in DFU mode.

I tried Seas0npass for getting into DFU and it detect the Apple TV in DFU mode succesfully, but not iTunes.

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Answer 5

Oct 20, 2011 10:42 AM in response to PaLnTsC

There is no reason to invoke DFU mode unless you are carrying out unauthorised modification, in which case that may well be the cause of all your problems.

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Answer 6

PaLnTsC Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 20, 2011 10:47 AM in response to Winston Churchill

I know. I tried DFU since normal restore doesn't work. I don't know what other thing to try.

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Answer 7

Oct 20, 2011 10:57 AM in response to PaLnTsC

I'd be inclined to take it back to the store.

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Answer 8

PaLnTsC Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 20, 2011 11:23 AM in response to Winston Churchill

Thanks for your input Winston. Unfortunately I'm currently living in Argentina and the Apple TV is not selled here nor there are official Apple Stores. 😟

I bought the Apple TV in the US some months ago.

I think I will have to wait until the new Apple TV model comes out and buy a new one.

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Answer 9

Oct 20, 2011 11:37 AM in response to PaLnTsC

A bit of a long shot I suppose, but try it on someone elses computer.

One of my iPads failed to update to iOS 5 correctly and ended up in a loop trying to restart itself. Without being clever I think I know all the things to try, as well as if not better than most, but couldn't restore the ipad no matter what I did. We have several macs around us and I'd tried it on some of those too.

I use that iPad all the time for work, so sending it away for repair wasn't really an option. I grabbed the iPad, drove the 60 miles to the Apple Store with the intention of buying a new one while the original was sent away for repair. Just on the off chance (didn't have an appointment and they very quickly fit me in - nice people) I asked if they could have a go, you guessed it, it restored first time.

Of course I was watching what the ladies hands were doing, I never noticed if she had to stand on one leg or pull three times on her left ear. 😁

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Answer 10

PaLnTsC Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 20, 2011 11:41 AM in response to Winston Churchill

hahaha! Seems that "everything just works", but only on the Apple Stores 😝

I'm about to try on a new PC under Windows 7. Kepping my fingers crossed. I'll keep you updated.

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Answer 11

Oct 20, 2011 11:59 AM in response to PaLnTsC

Sorry, just posting to reveal previous responses

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Answer 12

PaLnTsC Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 20, 2011 1:07 PM in response to Winston Churchill

I tried with a PC/Windows 7 and unfortunately the problem is still there. At first I got error 9, then error 21 and then error 1611. I tried with another microUSB cable and I always got error 9 with that one.

I think it's worth mentioning that when I hit restore, the Apple TV disconnects and reconnect several times. I know this because of the silly sound that Widnows makes when connecting or disconnecting a USB.

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Answer 13

GSS2817

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2011 4:01 AM in response to PaLnTsC

I am having the exact same problem. Have tried on OS X 10.7.2, Windows 7 and Windows XP (all iTunes 10.5). Get Error 9 on all three computers. Started shortly after updating to 4.4. Wish I could find a solution.

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Answer 14

PaLnTsC Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 21, 2011 6:09 AM in response to GSS2817

Sad to hear that.

BTW, do you remember how the problem started? In my case, I unplugged the power cable and next time I turned it on I was getting a reset loop where all I was getting was a the Apple logo for a couple of seconds.

Please, let me know if you happen to find a solution.

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Answer 15

Krschan

Level 1

0 points

Oct 21, 2011 5:25 PM in response to PaLnTsC

Same Problem here,

I installed the 4.4 update when it hits the world. It ran fine for about 4 days, then suddenly it stopped the song it was playing.

Back in Main Menu all Internet Stuff was gone und it wasn't able to connect to Itunes sharing.

So I though lets update this, Prefences Update....

nothing... an hour later spinning weel but nothing....

Pulled the power cord.

Plugged it back in and it was caught in a boot loop, 10 seconds apple logo > blackscreen.

so I bought an Usb-mini-b-c-a cable. No idea what's the correct Name of it but it's the right one.

5 hour downloaded via itunes the new update...."itunes servers are not avalible"

tested a windows machine I own, same problem.

Later today it finally worked, connected to the update servers.. error massage bingo!

on several machines

finally it seems to be number 9

but I think its caught in the same Boot Loop as in the begining. No idea what to do anymore.

need sleep 2:25 in the morning

sorry for the bad english,

later

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