"iPad mini is disabled" - tried to restore - no luck

[sparkie7]

Ok, I forgot the password on my iPad, tried too many times and it's disabled itself.

Updated my iTunes to the latest version (11.4) on my iMac 27" (OSX 10.6.8).

Then held home button and on/off button down till it did a Restore. But no luck - saying:

The iPad "iPad" could not be restored. This device isn't eligible for the requested build.

Got directed to:

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201442

I tried everything. There was no "gs.apple.com" on Terminal. Then turned off all security software (Firewall Off. and Little Snitch OFF)

Tried restoring again - no luck

What should I do next? Or have a missed a step?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Restoring is going to install the most current version of iOS, and unless this is a 1st generation iPad, that's going to be either 9.3.5 or 10.1.1. Neither one is compatible with iTunes 11.4 nor with OS X 10.6.8.

You're going to need either a Mac with OS X 10.9.5, or a Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 computer running iTunes 12.5.3.

 

[sparkie7]

It's an older iPad Mini. Not retina version.

I've got a mac with Mountain Lion 10.8.5, this won't cut it?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

If it's an original Mini, it will run iOS 9.3.5 and OS X 10.8.5 with iTunes 12.4.x is fine. If it's a Mini 2, that's iOS 10.1.1 and needs iTunes 12.5.x so requires 10.9.5 or higher.

But, if you're running 10.8.5 you can upgrade to 10.12.1 or 10.11.6 ( depends on exactly which model Mac it is)