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can't upgrade to iOS 5.1 - iphone won't connect

K

Keebler

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jun 20, 2005
2,961
207
Canada
Hi Folks,

I keep getting the error:

" there was a problem downloading the software for iPhone " ". The network connection could not be established. "

I checked all the steps in this doc, which they link to:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1275

But a no go. I haven't restored it yet, but annoying.

I'm using the airbase station, latest Lion update (ran the combo), and have iTunes 10.6. Internet is fine.

Confused...yes :)

I want that new iPhoto app... :)

Cheers,
Keebler
 
G

Griswaldo4g

macrumors newbie
Mar 8, 2012
2
0
Restoring to 5.1

Depending how much you want it, you can download the ipsw and restore to it. You can find some instructions I wrote at trialsandtribstech .blogspot. com.
 
S

sealdriver

macrumors newbie
Feb 19, 2012
19
0
North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
PIX said:
Download (not update) the ISPW file on your PC. 4S file is 800 MB and takes a minute if you have a good connection. The update file is platform independent. Transfer it to your Mac and update it in iTunes.

Instructions here as to where ISPW files are stored after downloading:
http://osxdaily.com/2010/10/25/download-iphone-firmware-ipsw/
Click to expand...

Ok, I'm not sure which file to download as I am in the UK

I have an iPhone 4 on O2
and an iPad 2 wifi/3g on O2
 
P

PIX

macrumors member
Feb 19, 2008
46
2
sealdriver said:
Ok, I'm not sure which file to download as I am in the UK

I have an iPhone 4 on O2
and an iPad 2 wifi/3g on O2
Click to expand...

It appears that in some situations there is a firmware update issue and is exclusive to Macs.

Just plug your iPhone into your Windows PC, launch iTunes, select your device and click Check for Update. Pick the download only option. Grab the update file from:
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Windows Vista & Windows 7: \Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Transfer ISPW file to your Mac. Launch iTunes and option click Check for Update and select the 5.1 .ISPW file and follow the prompts.
 
Last edited:
G

Gage

macrumors regular
Oct 12, 2011
103
0
I was having trouble getting my 4s & iPad 2 connecting OTA. One was getting an error message & the other was having trouble connecting to see if there was an update.
I then tried going through iTunes , but then I was getting another connection error message.
Just for fun about 20 minutes later, I tried the iPad OTA again, but this time it wasn't plugged in and it updated just fine. Tried 4s again OTA with it not being plugged in and it also worked just fine.
Maybe it was just coincidence, but it's odd that neither would update plugged in, but then updated fine when they weren't.
 
S

sealdriver

macrumors newbie
Feb 19, 2012
19
0
North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
PIX said:
It appears that in some situations there is a firmware update issue and is exclusive to Macs.

Just plug your iPhone into your PC, launch iTunes, select your device and click Check for Update. Pick the download only option. Grab the update file from:
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Windows Vista & Windows 7: \Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Transfer ISPW file to your Mac. Launch iTunes and option click Check for Update and select the 5.1 .ISPW file and follow the prompts.
Click to expand...

When I run iTunes on my Mac for the update it just gives me a message saying it is trying to connect to the update server, nothing else happens. I have just tried OTA unplugged but that is not working either.
 
wazgilbert

wazgilbert

macrumors regular
Jan 15, 2007
203
19
UK South
Oh FFS. here it is again. based in UK, ipad2 won't update unplugged, won't update plugged into 2007 Alu iMac.(10.6itunes installed)

:mad:
 
G

GreatBoo

macrumors newbie
Feb 2, 2012
9
0
UK
PIX said:
It appears that in some situations there is a firmware update issue and is exclusive to Macs.

Just plug your iPhone into your Windows PC, launch iTunes, select your device and click Check for Update. Pick the download only option. Grab the update file from:
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Windows Vista & Windows 7: \Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Transfer ISPW file to your Mac. Launch iTunes and option click Check for Update and select the 5.1 .ISPW file and follow the prompts.
Click to expand...


This works - I had to upgrade using an old Windows XP laptop, a depressing state of affairs.
 
I

iLoveiPhone23

macrumors newbie
Jan 30, 2012
8
0
I'm having trouble as well. I haven't updated my phone since I got it about this time last year because it is jailbroken. My cousins phone was also jailbroken and he updated his sunday night without a problem so I don't think that is the issue for me. It's giving me the same error message that it's is giving you guys and I'm starting to get angry and iTunes. I have no clue what to do. Please help guys...
 
chenks

chenks

macrumors 65816
Oct 23, 2007
1,197
500
UK
i posted this in another thread.
there appears to be a localised DNS issue in the UK it seems.

i temporarily changed my DNS server to OpenDNS and it updated instantly.
 
I

iCaleb

macrumors 6502
Apr 26, 2010
343
0
USA
I've been getting this damn message for HOURS!

Upated.jpg
 
R

Rogzilla

macrumors regular
Sep 11, 2007
192
6
iCaleb said:
I've been getting this damn message for HOURS!

Image
Click to expand...

Change your DNS servers to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4*. Worked great for me.

*Google Public DNS You can keep them there or, if you're paranoid like me, you can switch to your old DNS afterwards, just be sure to write down what they are before hand just in case.
 
I

iCaleb

macrumors 6502
Apr 26, 2010
343
0
USA
Thanks guys I changed my dns and it worked.

Will we have to mess with our dns settings when the next update rolls out. :mad:

SMH
 
brad.c

brad.c

macrumors 68020
Aug 23, 2004
2,053
1
50.813669°, -2.474796°
Thanks for the thread. Have been unable to connect in Canada via iTunes or OTA, but switching my iPhone 4 DNS from router defined to 8.8.8.8 worked.

Is this update host only registering with U.S. name servers?
 
SteinMaster

SteinMaster

macrumors 6502
Feb 28, 2009
260
0
USA
I was having the same issue for two days now. I changed my router DNS to 8.8.8.8 and it finally worked.
 
E

Eric8199

macrumors 6502a
Feb 27, 2009
801
188
I'm in the same boat. iPad updated today. iPhone 4S gives me the error. I really don't want to connect to the computer to update. This is supposed to be seamless Apple, I had faith in you. Wednesday was understandable. Yesterday was acceptable. Today not being able to update is a little ridiculous.
 
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