iPad 2 [CDMA, iOS 4.3.5 (8L1)] update fails: unknown error occurred (9)
I'm trying to update (or even reset) an iPad 2 (Model A1397, EMC
2424, iOS 4.3.5 (8L1)), but attempts to do either a normal iTunes update
or an iTunes recovery-mode update fail with: "An unknown error occurred
(9)." shortly after the messages:
Verifying iPad restore with Apple...
Waiting for iPad...
I know nothing, but, in my book, a useful error message will include
some clue as to what the program was doing when the failure occurred,
and what, exactly, failed. "An unknown error occurred (9)" fails on all
counts.
All the usual suggestions (different computer, USB cable,
"/etc/hosts" file, and so on) had no effect or did not apply. Around
here: iTunes version: 12.2.1.23; Mac OS X versions 10.10.5 (MacBook) and
10.11.1 (Mac Pro).
Apple phone support suggested using WiFi instead of USB, or turning
off the iCloud service, but this is iOS 4.3.5, which predates both WiFi
updates and iCloud, making this advice about as useful as the error
message.
A visit to the local Apple store was even less productive,
duplicating the whole range of failures, but offering nothing except a
$250 swap to solve what sure looks to me like a software problem (in a
device which is not worth close to $250 these days). Aside from being
unable to get updated via iTunes, this iPad seems to work just fine. If
someone could run some real hardware diagnostics which reported some
actual problem, then I'd be satisfied, but declaring a hardware problem
based on a nearly content-free iTunes error message is most
unsatisfying.
Best of all, any iTunes update attempt leaves the unit in a
persistent I-want-an-update mode. So far, the only known cure for that
is a little fiddling with a third-party program ("Wondershare Dr.Fone
for iOS", in "free trial" mode), which restores normal operation.
So far as I can determine, Apple does not allow updates to any iOS
version other than the latest (9.1), but making a leap smaller than from
4.3.5 to 9.1 would be one thing I might try if it were not prohibited.
So, having gotten nothing useful from Apple support, I'm asking here
for help. I'm open to suggestions, and am willing to provide any
information I can, on request.
iPad 2, iOS 4.3.3, Actually it says iOS 4.3.5 (8L1).