iPod could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1)

Question

Level 1

5 points

iPod could not be restored an unknown error occurred (-1)

Just got a replacement 2nd gen iPod Touch to replace a faulty one and when I tried restoring it with the backup I made before taking in my old one, I keep coming up with the same error message "iPod could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (-1)."

It seems to be running 2.2.1 and I know I need to update it to 4.2 but every time I try I get this error.

The thing that really worries me, is it seems to have overwritten the backup I made. How can I update the software and get my old backup?

The Settings menu has no "Software Update" option (that I can find) and the iTunes update seems broken... Did I just get a faulty replacement or am I doing something wrong?

iPod touch, iOS 2.x, trying to update to iOS 4.2

Posted on Nov 20, 2012 6:53 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,985 points

Nov 21, 2012 6:48 AM in response to Ponch22

Error 1 or -1

This may indicate a hardware issue with your device. Follow Troubleshooting security software issues, and restore your device on a different known-good computer. If the errors persist on another computer, the device may need service.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3694#error1

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Answer 2

Ponch22 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 21, 2012 10:53 PM in response to lllaass

Yeah, I found that already but don't have another computer to try it on... Guess it's another trip to the Apple Store for me (and a loss of my backup)

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Answer 3

Jan 12, 2013 2:07 PM in response to Ponch22

Can I ask if you managed to resolve your problem? I'm having the same issue and have been through various processes to try to fix mine but no luck yet. Just wanted to check before I make the trip to the Apple store

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Answer 4

Ponch22 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 13, 2013 7:15 AM in response to roismurphy

I did resolve my problem by setting up a Genius Bar appointment, traveling half an hour to the closest store, braving holiday shopping traffic at the mall only up have the Genius do a hard reset on the iPod which did the trick.

Hold the home button as you press the sleep/wake button for like 10 seconds. I think he held the home button until it turned back on.

Sorry I can't remember exactly; it was two months ago and I was ****** that it was something I could have done at home and not overwritten my backup files! Good luck!

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Answer 5

Jun 27, 2013 2:56 PM in response to Ponch22

hey man Ponch22 you saved my life man 🙂 the whole hassle of time, money troubles and all that. Cause I had the same exact problem u did and unfortunately the closest Apple Store to me was at least an hour ride from me and also they didn't have free appoinments for the next two months, so what I am trying to say is THANK YOU a million man!!! Great job for the info and the sharing. respect. U r a cool guy 🙂 thanks again

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Answer 6

Ponch22 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 27, 2013 8:51 PM in response to liutzkanov

No problem. Glad I could help others with the simple solution

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Answer 7

Jun 29, 2013 6:03 PM in response to Ponch22

i have the same problem ipod could not be restored.an unknown error occurred (-1) and i did what u told on the early post can u tell it once more about it plz.

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Answer 8

jaytango

Level 1

22 points

Oct 19, 2013 1:20 PM in response to venom mindfreak

I do think the Error (-1) is in fact hardware related. I have an ipad that i could not restore so I looked at the restore log and saw that the baseband is not communicating. Def. sounds like hardware. Here's the youtube link: watch?v=5YCz3SNsfPU

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