Both unknown error (-50) and unknown error(-42408) triggered in itunes 11 when attempting to authorize or de-authorize account

This started when I was attempting to sync my iphone 4 (iOS 6.1 ) to my MB Pro (OSX 10.6.8) as I always did. This time, even though the phone would charge, itunes would not recognize it (it didn't show up in the sidebar). I realized there was an itunes update available and, thinking this would solve that problem, proceeded to update to itunes 11.

After completing the update, I again tried to resync my phone and was informed that itunes was having trouble syncing with my phone so I needed to reset my iphone to its factory settings.

This was a step I was hoping to avoid, but I figured, if it fixed it, I can always recover the data.

After resetting the phone, I again attempted to resync the phone from a backup stored on itunes, only to have an alert informing me that several of my purchased songs were not authorized to play on this computer (which actually have played dozens of times on this computer) and I would need to authorize the computer to play the songs. Then it said none of my apps were authorized purchases on my computer and I would have to authorize the computer to retrieve them.

I attempted to authorize the computer and I got these unknown error alerts simultaneously:

(note: I have a high-speed fully functioning internet connection.)

"We could not complete your iTunes Store reqeust. An unknown error has occured (-50)"

"We could not complete your iTunes Store reqeust. An unknown error has occured (-42408)"

(note: I also get the same error messages if I attempt to de-authorize the account)

I now have NO SONGS and NO APPS on my iphone.