I have a new Apple TV, I plugged it in yesterday and it worked fine. I then did the update and went to bed. Today I can't get the Apple TV to turn on again! HELP

Check these troubleshooting steps:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1551?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Specifically I wonder if the AppleTV may be trying to connect with an unsupported resolution giving a black screen. Try cycling display resolutions using these remote commands in step 6:

If your TV screen appears fuzzy or black (you see no video)

1. Make sure the television you are using supports the Apple TV resolution requirements. Please see the Apple TV technical specifications.
2. When you connect power, check to make sure the LED turns on. If the LED is not on, then verify with a known good power outlet or connect something else to the outlet you're using for Apple TV and make sure it works (such as a lamp or clock).
3. Make sure you're using the correct video cables and that they are connected firmly to Apple TV and to your TV.
4. Connect the HDMI cable directly into the Apple TV and your television, remove any third party devices or adapters.
5. Make sure the input setting you've selected on your TV matches the input you have your video cables connected to. See the documentation that came with your TV for more information.
6. Change the Apple TV resolution by pressing and holding the Menu and Up button for six seconds. The Apple TV will automatically cycle to the next resolution at approximately 20 second intervals. Pressing the Select button will immediately cycle to the next resolution.
7. If you are connected via HDMI, try unplugging and replugging your HDMI cable.
8. If HDMI isn't working on an Apple TV (1st generation), try component cables instead (and disconnect the HDMI cable temporarily). Read more about HDMI vs component video.

AC

As a last resort you may need to get the unit checked by Apple if under warranty, or assuming the update failed not hardware, then by using a USB to microUSB lead (that Apple annoyingly don't include!), try to restore the AppleTV software to current version software using instructions here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4367

Pay attention to differences in power connection depending on whether or not you have AppleTV2 or AppleTV 3.

I had LITERALLY just plugged mine in for the FIRST time and was going through the setup, turned on my home sharing in iTunes, had NOT yet gotten to turn on home sharing on AppleTV, but then it prompted me to run a software update. I did, and now it's giving me this. ***?? Is going and BUYING some tiny cable and connecting it to my computer seriously the only solution for this? This is a racket!

Afraid so - something went wrong during the update - updating computer like devices and firmware usually works fine but in a small number of cases a problem ensues.

I feel quite strongly that Apple should provide the USB to microUSB lead with the unit as it's a 'get out of jail' requirement if this happens.

Send feedback:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/appletv.html

You could equally take it back to where you bought in and say this happened staright away and you want a replacement as you've never even had it working properly so don't see why you should pay to get it working by buying a lead.

These leads often came with external hard drives or other peripherals - you may want to check if you have one.

Good luck.

AC