iPod touch 4.2 just fried my 3rd gen iPod...

[Wolfpup]

So I just tried to update to 4.2 today, and iTunes sat for ages on a screen that said "verifying download with Apple" or something like that, with the iPod displaying an Apple with a progress bar that isn't filled at all... iTunes eventually timed out and said something like an unknown error has occurred, and then...that's it.

If I disconnect and reconnect the iPod, Windows makes the sound that it's recognized a new USB device, but iTunes doesn't 'see' it.

Is there a way to force a firmware update or something? Is sending it to Apple the only option?

EDIT: I should mention the hardware buttons on the unit seem to do nothing while it's in this mode. It seems like it ought to be possible to force a firmware update or something!

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

had same problem

have you tried the following?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808

 

[ouimetnick]

Did you put it into DFU mode and try again?

WARNING:
This tutorial will show you how to put your iPhone/Pod Touch into DFU mode. Please try this at your own risk, as I am not responsible or will not be held accountable for any damages done to your phone. Although there may be a resolution to almost all errors, please read the instructions carefully when downgrading so you won’t encounter any problems along the way.

DFU mode = Device Firmware Update mode

DFU mode is a mode where the iPod Touch/iPhone will be made to force a restore of the firmware into whatever version firmware it is given.

Getting your iPod Touch/iPhone into DFU mode is somewhat tricky, and it may require some patience/practice because timing is essential to get it to DFU mode and not into recovery mode.

1. First, Open up iTunes, plug in your iPod Touch/iPhone to the CPU's USB port. Turn on your CPU's speaker and make sure it is loud enough that you can hear it.

2. Hold down the Home button (top left for iPod Touch and top right for the iPhone with the screen facing you) and the Power button (located on the front bottom of your iPod Touch/iPhone) simutaneously, until the screen goes black and the device turns off. (past the red slider/slide to power off screen)

3. Now let go of the Power button, but continue to hold the Home button. Your iPod Touch/iPhone should have turned off and the screen should not be on.

4. After around ~10-20 seconds, you will hear a noise (beep/ding) from your CPU as if it had just recognized a new hardware device, now iTunes should recognize it in DFU mode.

5. After iTunes recognizes the iPod Touch/iPhone, let go of the Home button otherwise it will go into recovery mode and you will have to do the entire DFU process over again.

6. You will know when you have put your iPod Touch/iPhone correctly into DFU mode when the display is blank and that you do not have anything on your device

-http://forum.pocketables.net/showthread.php?t=566

 

[Wolfpup]

I didn't know about this...Power + Home for 10 seconds forces the unit to reboot. Doing that brought up a "connect this to iTunes" screen, which I did. iTunes said "this iPod is in recovery mode, you must restore it" or something, and I said okay...

And...YES! It's back! Worked this time, and it even restored from my backup of a few hours ago! Haven't lost much of anything. Thank goodness!

 

[Wolfpup]

Did you put it into DFU mode and try again?




-http://forum.pocketables.net/showthread.php?t=566

Thanks for the info guys! Thankfully just forcing it off fixed it, but I'll keep this for future reference. This is the first time I've had an iOS update fail on me...scary!

I'd like an excuse to buy a 4th gen model, but not like this!

 

[Wolfpup]

Wow, I've had two other people on another forum say they had the same issue with 4.2 screwing up, and then rebooting it allow it to be restored.

Apple's going to have a lot of support calls it sounds like!