Q: When restoring or updating any iPod touch: "...the software update server cannot be contacted."

When I try to update or restore any iPod touch on my MacBook (year 2007, 10.6.8, iTunes 11.0.4), it puts the iPod into recovery mode and gives an error: "The iPod "iPod" cannot be restored at this time because the iPod software update server could not be contacted or is temporarily unavailable."  This happens after it extracts the software and says "Verifying update with Apple."  Also, the first time I try an update, it gives error code 3004, but it still puts me in recovery mode and when I try restoring it from that it gives the error I posted above.