iPhone won't activate after "auto" reset

Question

iPhone won't activate after "auto" reset

Hi,

I went to bed at 10:30pm last night, set my iPhone alarm for 05:30am this morning, dimmed my brightness to its lowest setting (as I always do, so I don't get blinded when I check the time during the night) and then left my phone beside my bed.

This morning, when the alarm went off, I couldn't switch it off, because my iphone was in the middle of some "restore" after doing what can only be called an "automatic" reset. I had to switch the phone off to stop the alarm.

Now, I can't get past the activation screen and keep getting the "Your iphone could not be activated because the server is temporarily unavailable" screen. No matter HOW many times I try, or how long I wait between tries, it just won't complete this part.

I followed the advice in various forums, and tried connecting to iTunes. However, iTunes says "The software on the iphone has expired and must be updated to a new version" - all of which I find extremely strange as:

1) My iPhone is (was - God only knows what it's on now) on the latest build of 5.1

2) iTunes is on version 10.6 (updated recently)

3) When I clear the iTunes message, it tries to sync the phone but, obviously as the phone hasn't yet activated after the auto-reset, can't.

4) The iTunes screen showing the iPhone information states that the software is the latest version and doesn't need changing.

I'm now stuck with an iPhone which doesn't work and I don't live near an Apple store either - only a Stormfront store

Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks,

Tony

iPhone 4, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Mar 15, 2012 12:10 AM

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Answer 1

Jason_T

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2012 5:02 AM in response to anthonyfromtain

I have a similar situation. I woke up with a 'bricked' iPhone. I can't get into it as I had a beta version installed and the beta has expired. I used that beta version because the stable iOS 5.0 gave me a SIM error every so many hours (after which I needed to turn on and off my phone). Tried everything, and installing the beta solved that issue for me (really glad it did). I installed it as a non developer.

I now can't update the iOS through iTunes, I can't get in my phone, I simply can't use the device as I can not get passed the developer screen. I can't even backup because a session cannot be started from iTunes. All iTunes is saying is "The software on the iphone has expired and must be updated to a new version" and when I check for update, it gives back "This version of the iPhone software (5.1) is the current version".

So I'm stuck with a great device which doesn't work.

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Answer 2

Jason_T

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2012 6:08 AM in response to anthonyfromtain

Ok, I have found the solution to my problem. Go to this site and download the 5.1 software:

http://jailbreakhow.net/download-ios-5.1-firmware-ipsw-iphone-4s-4-3gs-ipad-2-1- ipod-touch-4g-3g-direct-links/

After you have downloaded the file, start iTunes, connect your iPhone. Hold SHIFT and click on the "Update" button. Find your .ipsw file and update your iPhone. It's good to go.

More info on how to use .ipsw files, you can also check this site:

http://osxdaily.com/2010/11/23/how-to-use-ipsw-files/

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Answer 3

Mar 15, 2012 6:14 AM in response to Jason_T

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the info but my phone ISN'T a jailbroken phone, nor do I want it to be. I tried to re-install the correct download of iOS5.1 this morning, and it wouldn't work, but I didn't really have a great deal of time as I was running out the door to go to work, so I'll try again in earnest when I get home tonight.

I'm still perplexed though, I didn't do any kind of update on the phone yesterday at all and my wi-fi is off overnight, so *** the phone did, I have no idea.

Cheers,

Tony

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