Can't Update to iOS 5.1

Great Advice!

Within seconds of applying these changes in the System Preferences panel, iTunes began downloading iOS 5.1. Thank You!

It works! Thanks

Wow. Can't believe it. I couldn't contact the servers either (Charter DNS settings). Changed it to 4.2.2.2 (Verizon DNS) and it worked immediately. What's up with that? I should add that changing to Verizon or Google DNS servers can slow down iTunes downloads for movies and such. I used to keep my DNS settings on Google (4.4.4.4) but after repeated slow movie downloads I found blogs saying not to use Google since it "tells" Apple's servers an incorrect location for your home. I switched back to Charter's DNS servers and things improved immediately so if you make this switch I suggest going back after you are done upgrading.

Ditto

***ATTENTION EVERYONE!!!!!

Here are detailed step by step instructions, for these who are not exactly super tech savvy. :-)

Adjusting you DNS settings work like a charm!

Google Public DNS IP addresses

The Google Public DNS IP addresses (IPv4) are as follows:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

So do this on your IOS iDevice:

-Go to settings,

-Then to Wi-Fi,

-(Find the network your connected to) touch the blue arrow all the way on the right of the Network WiFi Name,

-Go down to DNS (you will most likey see something like for example: 192.168.254.254, 192.168.1.1) in that field,

-Totally delete everything in that DNS field,

-Replace the pervious address with exactly this: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4

-You are all done, just exit out.

Then just retry to check for updates and all will go smooth, the problem is - I think some ISP's have got certain Apple servers address blocked, or Apple's software servers are not registered correctly to point to the right physical location your IOS iDevice is trying to get the update from, when on certain ISP's networks. For one I am on Windstream, and it appears they have some kind of problem either blocking or not routing the IP correctly.

Google DNS worked for me too!

Thank you!!! Pwned my problem right there. Thanks so much, I'm such a noob when it comes to networking... (If you could explain to me what DNS is and what it does, that'd be awesome)

DNS = Domain Name Server,

Theses "DNS" servers are located all around the world in masses, most every ISP = Internet Service Provider, has their own set. A DNS server translates for example: www.apple.com is equal to 17.172.224.47, now it takes a DNS server to look up www.apple.com and super quickly translate out the IP address which is how the WWW = World Wide Web actually connects and works. The web adress names where just created so we could relate to them easier as humans, computer to computer uses IP Addreses. IP = Internet Protocol.

how do you update DNS? I can not get past the "CONTACTING SOFTWARE UPDATE SERVER..." message either. I'm on a brand new i7 imac with the latest version of Lion(10.7.3) and the latest version if itunes(10.6) and it displays same message constantly. Is it really just a matter of patience?

Thank you so much for the instructions 😎

Worked like a charm, once again thank you..

mwblank

***ATTENTION EVERYONE!!!!!

Here are detailed step by step instructions, for these who are not exactly super tech savvy. :-)

Adjusting you DNS settings work like a charm!

Google Public DNS IP addresses

The Google Public DNS IP addresses (IPv4) are as follows:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

So do this on your IOS iDevice:

-Go to settings,

-Then to Wi-Fi,

-(Find the network your connected to) touch the blue arrow all the way on the right of the Network WiFi Name,

-Go down to DNS (you will most likey see something like for example: 192.168.254.254, 192.168.1.1) in that field,

-Totally delete everything in that DNS field,

-Replace the pervious address with exactly this: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4

-You are all done, just exit out.

Then just retry to check for updates and all will go smooth, the problem is - I think some ISP's have got certain Apple servers address blocked, or Apple's software servers are not registered correctly to point to the right physical location your IOS iDevice is trying to get the update from, when on certain ISP's networks. For one I am on Windstream, and it appears they have some kind of problem either blocking or not routing the IP correctly.

Thank you so much for the instructions 😎

Worked like a charm, once again thank you..

Worked for me! Changing DNS to 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4! But I really hope this update will fix my autofocus on the camera ..

Thanks for this, really strange how one has to muck about to get your iPhone updated. The 8.8.8.8 works but one question, do I need to change my DNS back to what it was or can I leave it on 8.8.8.8 etc ?

Steve

PS: I suppose I would do the same for my iPad !!

I had the same problem, and guess what? You just need a good internet connection