iPhone 4 8GB (GSM) - Bricked from iOS 5.1.1 update

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

My friend, Mercedes, owns an iPhone 4 8GB (GSM) on AT&T. She received a notification last night from her iPhone 4, that there was an iOS update, and she told the iPhone to install it OTA. Her iPhone downloaded it, and went through the install process. Instead of booting back into a functional iOS, it went to the "Connect to iTunes" screen. Upon connecting it into iTunes on her Windows PC, she discovered her iPhone had booted into recovery mode. I spent 6 hours last night trying things. I manually downloaded the 5.1 and the 5.1.1 IPSW from Apple directly, only to receive an Unknown Error, with error code (1) from iTunes. I've also tried using RecBoot to kick the iPhone out of Recovery Mode, only for the iPhone to go right back into it. I've also tried restoring to 5.1.1, and 5.1 in DFU mode, though I get a new error, error 21. Apple is saying error 21 is related to security software. I've followed their instructions which say to disable it, for it not to work. She just came back from our local AT&T store, and they refuse to do anything. They're saying that her iPhone didn't download the update fully, and for her to download the IPSW from Apple, and restore it in iTunes. I tried that at least 10 times last night. Should I just have her go to the Apple Store? I wanted to make that a last resort, as the closest Apple store is 100 miles away. Also, I checked the iPhone Updater Logs in iTunes, and I didn't see any errors. What are some other steps I should try before going to a Genius? Also, should I try working on it with my Mac, instead of her PC? Thanks!

 

[Xgm541]

If you've tried all the manual kick-out-of-recovery methods then your best bet is the apple store.

 

[Small White Car]

Should I just have her go to the Apple Store? I wanted to make that a last resort, as the closest Apple store is 100 miles away.

I'd consider calling someone before driving that far.

http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/contact/

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

I'd consider calling someone before driving that far.

http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/contact/

I called Apple, too. I forgot to mention that. They told me the same thing AT&T told her.

 

[fabian9]

Have you tried on a different computer? Tried rebooting the computer? Tried using a different USB port? If you're on a mac, you could also try to create a new user profile, install the latest version of iTunes and see if if works if you're logged in under the new user profile.

Just a few options that I can think of, hopefully one of these will solve your friend's issues.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

Have you tried on a different computer? Tried rebooting the computer? Tried using a different USB port? If you're on a mac, you could also try to create a new user profile, install the latest version of iTunes and see if if works if you're logged in under the new user profile.

Just a few options that I can think of, hopefully one of these will solve your friend's issues.

She's on a PC. I did have her try all the USB ports on her computer. I'll have her try and reboot the PC. I'll also try it out on my Macintosh.

 

[TheWheelMan]

Does she have virus and/or firewall software on her computer? I haven't had this specific error, but I do recall having some sort of problem updating my iPad once, and I think there was something being blocked by my firewall that caused the update to fail.

I only thought of this because you said you didn't see any errors in the logs, so I thought maybe it's not exactly an error.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

Does she have virus and/or firewall software on her computer? I haven't had this specific error, but I do recall having some sort of problem updating my iPad once, and I think there was something being blocked by my firewall that caused the update to fail.

I only thought of this because you said you didn't see any errors in the logs, so I thought maybe it's not exactly an error.

Norton Internet Security 2009. I've had a horrible history with Norton interfering within Apple's ecosystem. Also, I should probably remind her to download a new AV, like Microsoft Security Essentials. Her Norton subscription ran out Spring 2009. I'll have her download Symantec's removal tool.

 

[fabian9]

Norton Internet Security 2009. I've had a horrible history with Norton interfering within Apple's ecosystem. Also, I should probably remind her to download a new AV, like Microsoft Security Essentials. Her Norton subscription ran out Spring 2009. I'll have her download Symantec's removal tool.

yeh there are plenty of other virus scanners, some of which are free, which are much better than norton especially if the latest virus definitions are 3 years old!

 

[noteple]

Get it running on your Mac. Once it's up and running then you can try a restore from her pc. If you cannot get it going in your Mac then the Apple store is your next best bet

 

[FlatlinerG]

I would have to agree with most of the posts in here that recommend trying to restore it on your Mac. Norton can and will cause the errors you've been getting so far. Disabling it will work sometimes, but often you might have to completely remove it including running the Norton Removal Tool downloadable from their website.

Anyways, definitely give it a shot on your Mac and everything should be fine.

 

[bisnicks]

My friend, Mercedes, owns an iPhone 4 8GB (GSM) on AT&T. She received a notification last night from her iPhone 4, that there was an iOS update, and she told the iPhone to install it OTA. Her iPhone downloaded it, and went through the install process. Instead of booting back into a functional iOS, it went to the "Connect to iTunes" screen. Upon connecting it into iTunes on her Windows PC, she discovered her iPhone had booted into recovery mode. I spent 6 hours last night trying things. I manually downloaded the 5.1 and the 5.1.1 IPSW from Apple directly, only to receive an Unknown Error, with error code (1) from iTunes. I've also tried using RecBoot to kick the iPhone out of Recovery Mode, only for the iPhone to go right back into it. I've also tried restoring to 5.1.1, and 5.1 in DFU mode, though I get a new error, error 21. Apple is saying error 21 is related to security software. I've followed their instructions which say to disable it, for it not to work. She just came back from our local AT&T store, and they refuse to do anything. They're saying that her iPhone didn't download the update fully, and for her to download the IPSW from Apple, and restore it in iTunes. I tried that at least 10 times last night. Should I just have her go to the Apple Store? I wanted to make that a last resort, as the closest Apple store is 100 miles away. Also, I checked the iPhone Updater Logs in iTunes, and I didn't see any errors. What are some other steps I should try before going to a Genius? Also, should I try working on it with my Mac, instead of her PC? Thanks!

If you live in Toledo, you live closer than 100 miles from an Apple Store. There is one west of Cleveland that is probably ~50-60 miles from you.

 

[TheWheelMan]

Norton Internet Security 2009. I've had a horrible history with Norton interfering within Apple's ecosystem. Also, I should probably remind her to download a new AV, like Microsoft Security Essentials. Her Norton subscription ran out Spring 2009. I'll have her download Symantec's removal tool.

If she surfs the Net a lot, she really needs to get new virus software and do a scan of her computer ASAP. And I do think that removing Norton may solve the updating problems. I've always hated Norton.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

If you live in Toledo, you live closer than 100 miles from an Apple Store. There is one west of Cleveland that is probably ~50-60 miles from you.

You're right. I would take I-280 to the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/I-90), but I-280 is partially closed in Toledo because they're revamping the highway system. All of I-280, I-475, I-80/I-90, I-75, and US-23 is under heavy construction and lane closures. Ann Arbor is closer than Cleveland actually.

UPDATE: Apple sent her the exact same phone because last week she rolled an ATV, and her phone had water damage. AT&T and Apple forced her to buy a new phone. However, they are giving her subsidized pricing (in the middle of her 2yr agreement), and a $50. So, she paid $149.99 for an iPhone 4S 16GB.

When she rang Apple, they did say what I thought they would, that it was damaged, and the warranty was void. They also said that they tried to flash the iPhone's ROM, and it failed, which was very unusual.