Q: HOw do I update my ipod touch 3 to ios 5?

Upgrading iOS

   1. How to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

   2. iPhone Support

   3. iPod Touch Support

   4. iPad Support

     a. Updating Your iOS to Version 6.0.x from iOS 5

          Tap Settings > General > Software Update

     If an update is available there will be an active Update button. If you are current,

     then you will see a gray screen with a message saying your are up to date.

     b. If you are still using iOS 4 — Updating your device to iOS 5 or later.

     c. Resolving update problems

        1. iOS - Unable to update or restore

        2. iOS- Resolving update and restore alert messages

You have to hook it up to the computer that you normally sync with and update it through iTunes. Once you get your device upgraded to IOS 5, you will be able to update after that wirelessly.

Cheers,

GB

Read my previous post. However, if it is used you should restore it as new:

If You Are Locked Out Or Have Forgotten Your Passcode or Just Need to Restore Your Device

  1. iTunes 10 for Mac- Update and restore software on iPod, iPhone, or iPad

A Complete Guide to Restore or Recover Your iDevice (if You Forget Your Passcode)

If you need to restore your device or ff you cannot remember the passcode, then you will need to restore your device using the computer with which you last synced it. This allows you to reset your passcode and re-sync the data from the device (or restore from a backup). If you restore on a different computer that was never synced with the device, you will be able to unlock the device for use and remove the passcode, but your data will not be present. Refer to Updating and restoring iPhone, iPad and iPod touch software.

Try restoring the iOS device if backing up and erasing all content and settings doesn't resolve the issue. Using iTunes to restore iOS devices is part of standard isolation troubleshooting. Restoring your device will delete all data and content, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, and calendar information, and will restore all settings to their factory condition.

Before restoring your iOS device, Apple recommends that you either sync with iTunes to transfer any purchases you have made, or back up new data (data acquired after your last sync). If you have movie rentals on the device, see iTunes Store movie rental usage rights in the United States before restoring.

Follow these steps to restore your device:

     1. Verify that you are using the latest version of iTunes before attempting to update.

     2. Connect your device to your computer.

     3. Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes under Devices.

     4. Select the Summary tab.

     5. Select the Restore option.

     6. When prompted to back up your settings before restoring, select the

          Back Up option. If you have just backed up the device, it is not necessary

          to create another.

     7. Select the Restore option when iTunes prompts you (as long as you've backed up,

         you should not have to worry about restoring your iOS device).

     8. When the restore process has completed, the device restarts and displays the Apple

         logo while starting up:

           After a restore, the iOS device displays the "Connect to iTunes" screen. For updating

          to iOS 5 or later, follow the steps in the iOS Setup Assistant. For earlier versions of

          iOS, keep your device connected until the "Connect to iTunes" screen goes away or

          you see "iPhone is activated."

     9. The final step is to restore as New.

Are you sure you have a 2G iPod. Those can only go to iOS 4.2.1.

Identifying iPod models

iPod touch (3rd generation)

iPod touch (3rd generation) features a 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen multi-touch display and 32 GB or 64 GB flash drive. You can browse the web with Safari and watch YouTube videos with Wi-Fi. You can also search, preview, and buy songs from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store on iPod touch.

The iPod touch (3rd generation) can be distinguished from iPod touch (2nd generation) by looking at the back of the device. In the text below the engraving, look for the model number. iPod touch (2nd generation) is model A1288, and iPod touch (3rd generation) is model A1318.

OK, so go up to the top of iTunes and click on View - click on Show Sidebar. Once you do that, you should see a section in the sidebar called "Devices", and your iPod should be listed. Click on it.

At this point, you may see a message telling you there is a more current version of the IOS, and do you want ot update now. Click on "Cancel".

Go to each of the tabs in the Device Profile screens (Summary, Info, Apps, Tones, Music, etc.), and set up your options as you wish for syncing.

Once you have set everything up, then click on the Summary tab again, and then click on Update. It will update your iPod to the most current version of the IOS.

Once that is done, then click on the "Sync" button at the bottom of the page to sync the rest of your data to the computer.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

GB