Persistent 1604 error when trying to upgrade via iTunes

[Daefos]

I am simply trying to upgrade my iPhone 4s with Apple's latest firmware, using recovery mode (not DFU, though I tried that). Nothing's working. It goes through the motions, but I keep getting error 1604 (sometimes 1601) at the end of the process. I disabled virus and firewall during the process. I'm using the very latest iTunes (10.6.1.7), recently installed. I went and bought a high quality connection cable (plugging directly in the main USB port), in case it was that. This is not a jailbroken phone. It is locked however, with a passcode I don't have. Could that be preventing a firmware upgrade or restore, or is there something I'm overlooking that may resolve the issue?

[cjmnews]

Unfortunately a locked phone can't be sync'd.

There is a work around: Forgot an iPhone Passcode? How to reset the iPhone passcode

I don't know if it actually works, as I have not needed it.

[Daefos]

That's not a workaround, that's exactly what I've been doing all this time! That's the thing that doesn't work. But you know what? As I am writing this, it appears to be (finally) working! That is, I got a screen that asked for an acceptance of the (5.1.1?) update, and then iTunes said it would take 44 minutes for the download. I never got either of those before. What did I do different? I thought of plugging the cable into my 1.1 USB hub. That brings the computer's USB 2.0 speed down to 1.1 speed. I noticed in the past there was one device (forget what it was) that only worked when plugged into the USB hub.

Though it makes no sense that the latest iPhone 4S should require 1.1 USB, what can I say.... unless it's due to a change in Apple's servers since I started trying this weeks ago? (Unlikely). Well, I still don't know if it will actually go through and complete the update, but crossing my fingers...

UPDATE: Nope. Now it says at the end of this that iTunes could not connect with the iPhone because it is locked with a passcode, and You must enter the passcode before it can be used with iTunes. Arrrrrgggggh!

UPDATE 2: Looks like that's not the end of it. It continued extracting software, then finally gave me an error 2002! Well, at least I've never gotten that number before.

[cjmnews]

You should be using USB 2.0, no hubs, direct connection.

The 5.1.1 update was just recently released.

Did you by chance install Find My iPhone? If you did, one of the options is to Remote Wipe. You could try that.

Apple says:

Error 1604: This error is often related to USB timing. Try changing USB ports, uninstalling and reinstalling USB ports, and other available USB troubleshooting steps (troubleshooting USB connections, device not recognized properly, computer won't recognize a FireWire or USB device). If you are using a dock, bypass it and connect directly to the white Apple USB dock connector cable. If the issue persists on a known-good computer, the device may need service.

If the issue is not resolved by USB isolation troubleshooting, and another computer is not available, try these steps to resolve the issue:

Connect the device to iTunes, confirm that the device is in Recovery Mode. If it's not in Recovery Mode, put it into Recovery Mode.
Restore and wait for error 1604.
When prompted, click OK.
Close and reopen iTunes while iPhone remains connected.
iPhone should now be recognized in Recovery Mode again.
Try to restore again.

If the steps above do not resolve the issue, try restoring using a known-good USB cable, computer, and network connection.

Apple also says:

Error 2000-2009 (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, and so on): If you experience this issue on a Mac, disconnect third-party devices, hubs, spare cables, displays, reset the SMC, and then try to restore. If you are using a Windows computer, remove all USB devices and spare cables other than your keyboard, mouse, and the device, restart the computer, and try to restore. If that does not resolve the issue, try the USB issue-resolution steps and articles listed for Error 1604 above. If the issue persists, it may be related to conflicting security software.

So it looks like you have a system USB problem that needs to be resolved. Try a new iPhone cable, a different port, fix your drivers, etc.

I got that info from: iTunes: Specific update-and-restore error messages and advanced troubleshooting

There are links in the specific sections that I quoted that may help you.

[Daefos]

You should be using USB 2.0, no hubs, direct connection.

I was. Weeks worth of attempts to redo the firmware at 2.0 USB. The only time I EVER got this close was when I plugged it into the 1.1 hub. (Proof of that is the fact I had no idea 5.1.1 update was recently released!). But I don't know if that's coincidental, as the process never completed, giving me a 2002 error. Then subsequent attempts using the 1.1 hub (under both recover mode and DFU mode) gave me the more usual 1604 error.

So it looks like you have a system USB problem that needs to be resolved. Try a new iPhone cable, a different port, fix your drivers, etc.

I had already tried 2 different USB cables, 3 different computers, 2.0 USB, 1.1 USB, direct USB inputs, different ports on each computer, made sure the antivirus and firewalls were disabled on all computeres, installed, reinstalled, re-reinstalled iTunes, made sure it was the latest version, etc. I still have an expensive paperweight resembling an iPhone. (There is no "find my phone" app installed).

I thought this was all because the iPhone is password locked. Cjmnews said in the message above that a locked iPhone can not be sync'ed. So now I'm confused as to whether restoring a locked iPhone online is possible or not?

[cjmnews]

It is possible through a Restore process. But your restore process is failing due to USB issues.

Do you have another iPod device you can check your USB connections with? You can follow the link above and try to resolve USB issues. Though you may have already done most of the steps from your description above.

The other possibility is that the Phone itself has the problem. You can take it to a Genius Bar and see if they can help. If it is under warranty, it could even be replaced.

[Daefos]

I'm confused about something. You said a locked phone can't be synched, but now you're saying it's a USB issue? So is it possible to restore an iPhone if you don't have the passcode or not?

I will really need to do this online, as I am very far from the nearest Apple store. I don't have another Apple device, but I can say the USB cables are both new; one of them is a good quality Belkin cable.

Originally Posted by cjmnews

It is possible through a Restore process. But your restore process is failing due to USB issues.

Do you have another iPod device you can check your USB connections with? You can follow the link above and try to resolve USB issues. Though you may have already done most of the steps from your description above.

The other possibility is that the Phone itself has the problem. You can take it to a Genius Bar and see if they can help. If it is under warranty, it could even be replaced.

[cjmnews]

You can't just Sync a screen locked iPhone.
You CAN restore a screen locked iPhone. You almost did it. Your USB issues are preventing it.

Use the Apple cable, not a Belkin.

Click on the Apple link to fix your USB error: iTunes: Specific update-and-restore error messages and advanced troubleshooting
Continue to Restore to get around the screen lock: Forgot an iPhone Passcode? How to reset the iPhone passcode

If you can't get it, get geeky help or go to an Apple Store.

[Daefos]

I thought when you say I can't "Sync" a screen-locked phone, you meant what happens during the restore process (ie. phone syncs to Apple servers...). If you think it will really change things, I will try an Apple cable. Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by cjmnews

You can't just Sync a screen locked iPhone.
You CAN restore a screen locked iPhone. You almost did it. Your USB issues are preventing it.

Use the Apple cable, not a Belkin.

Click on the Apple link to fix your USB error: iTunes: Specific update-and-restore error messages and advanced troubleshooting
Continue to Restore to get around the screen lock: Forgot an iPhone Passcode? How to reset the iPhone passcode

If you can't get it, get geeky help or go to an Apple Store.