iPhone stuck in constant state of reboot

[jayman30]

**Sorry for the length of this post, I tried to list all the details to help with a possible solution/suggestions.***

I tried taking a step back and using Pwnage Tool 2.1 to build a custom ipsw file and do a restore my iPhone using iTunes following a guide posted here.

I downloaded a fresh ipsw file from Apple using Firefox instead of Safari (as the guide suggests). I did this on my Macbook running Leopard 10.5.5 and iTunes 8.0.1.

After reading the guide carefully, I built the file making sure to UNCHECK the “Activate” Phone box.

I restarted the phone in DFU mode, fired up iTunes and, after unpacking the ipsw file, it refused to restore the phone using the custom firmware giving "This iPhone cannot be restored an unknown error has occured" error and directing me to this KB article.. This error occurred during the "Preparing to Restore your iPhone" stage.

After rebuilding the custom firmware a couple of times, renaming the restore ipsw to match the original file's name on the last attempt. But kept getting the same "Unknown Error" results, I restored the phone to Virgin status with the fresh, Firefox downloaded, factory firmware with no problems or errors at all. I did this while still in DFU mode, and without restarting my Macbook or changing anything from the attempts to restore with the custom ipsw.

Apparently this phone (or iTunes 8) is detecting the modified restore firmware. Is that possible? I heard that iTunes 8 used to able to detect jailbroke phones AFTER jailbreaking, but that had been fixed.

[Bad Ash]

Originally Posted by jayman30

**Sorry for the length of this post, I tried to list all the details to help with a possible solution/suggestions.***

I tried taking a step back and using Pwnage Tool 2.1 to build a custom ipsw file and do a restore my iPhone using iTunes following a guide posted here.

I downloaded a fresh ipsw file from Apple using Firefox instead of Safari (as the guide suggests). I did this on my Macbook running Leopard 10.5.5 and iTunes 8.0.1.

After reading the guide carefully, I built the file making sure to UNCHECK the “Activate” Phone box.

I restarted the phone in DFU mode, fired up iTunes and, after unpacking the ipsw file, it refused to restore the phone using the custom firmware giving "This iPhone cannot be restored an unknown error has occured" error and directing me to this KB article.. This error occurred during the "Preparing to Restore your iPhone" stage.

After rebuilding the custom firmware a couple of times, renaming the restore ipsw to match the original file's name on the last attempt. But kept getting the same "Unknown Error" results, I restored the phone to Virgin status with the fresh, Firefox downloaded, factory firmware with no problems or errors at all. I did this while still in DFU mode, and without restarting my Macbook or changing anything from the attempts to restore with the custom ipsw.

Apparently this phone (or iTunes 8) is detecting the modified restore firmware. Is that possible? I heard that iTunes 8 used to able to detect jailbroke phones AFTER jailbreaking, but that had been fixed.

Yes, that was possible but it was fixed in the latest version of the QuickPWN tool. Make sure you are up to date on everything.

[drome_mc]

Originally Posted by Bad Ash

The thing is, no offense to anyone, not every one does it right. I've never had any issue with jailbreaking. And I've done a lot of them.

Every single guide, if followed properly, works just fine.

If you've never had an issue with jailbreaking, could you help me out and tell me where I've gone wrong, then? Because I followed 2 iPod Touch guides -- 1st generation, v2.1 firmware -- and they both tell me different things. How could those both work, if followed properly? I've been obsessed with this for about 20 hours straight, now, and no results. Something's missing, but the guides certainly don't have the info.

For example, when you start up iTunes to restore, what do you do when iTunes doesn't recognize the iPod anymore?

Under other methods, iTunes recognizes it, says that it needs to be restored, but I get an error 1601: "An iPod has been detected, but it could not be identified properly. Please disconnect and reconnect the iPod, then try again. An unknown error occurred (1601)." Mac OS X 10.4.11.

Under other methods, I consistently get to the point where iTunes is restoring my jailbroken .ipsw file, then I get an error 21 after a few minutes, and it cancels: "The iPod "iPod" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (21)."

Any help, anyone?

[jayman30]

FINALLY got it to work with Quickpwn 2.2 and 2.2 OS Update. I uninstalled all Apple App Store apps, rebooted the phone then ran Quickpwn and it worked like a charm! Took 10 Minutes tops and now its working great!

Maybe a 3rd party app was causing all the problems.

[drome_mc]

Thanks for the follow-up report!

I'm still waiting for a release of an unlocked iPod Touch (1st Gen) 2.2 firmware. Stock 2.2 is worth more to me than an unlocked 2.1, at this point. Thanks again!

[drome_mc]

Just another update for anyone who may find this thread later:

First I followed jayman30's example and uninstalled all 3rd-part apps from my iPod Touch (1st Gen).

Then I carefully looked at the official release of QuickPwn/PwnageTool 2.2, where they seemed to feel that a 1st Gen iPod Touch should be able to be unlocked using either QuickPwn or PwnageTool.

1) QuickPwn

Same thing happened as always: I run the program and everything goes fine until it's in DFU mode and the firmware is being sent across via a progress bar, at which point it hangs. I force-quit QuickPwn after a few minutes of nothing happening, and the iPod hasn't been affected at all.

2) PwnageTool:

Same thing as always: I create a new .ipsw file, enter DFU mode, option-click "restore" on the iPod in iTunes, select my new .ipsw file, it begins to extract, then error 21.

Tentative conclusions:
-The same problem is affecting PwnageTool and QuickPwn, but they manifest themselves differently.
-Bad Ash likes to pretend that everything works perfectly if you follow directions.