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General discussion

Can't Restore iPod Touch

Aug 14, 2010 9:14AM PDT

I had trouble with my iPod touch that was running OS 2.3 or similiar. When I connected it to my computer I had a notice that a newer software version was available (4.0?), so I attempted to update my iPod. A window opened up that said "Preparing iPod", but it did nothing, even after an hour. I disconected the iPod and reconnected, then I received a message that said "Error 1611. iTunes detecting an iPod in Recovery Mode" and it was recommended to restore the iPod. I click the Restore button, it seems like it starts the correct process until I get the same "Error 1611. iTunes detects an iPod in Recovery Mode. Click Restore to load software." After several attempts, nothing. Any ideas???

Discussion is locked

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Windows or OS X?
Aug 14, 2010 11:19PM PDT

If Windows, take a look here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1456?viewlocale=en_US

For OS X

Try creating a new account, with admin rights, login to that account
Fire up iTunes
Connect the iPod (you may have to rename it)
See if you can restore from there.
If yes, log back into your regular account and sync your playlists.


P

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Close, but no cigar
Aug 15, 2010 4:19AM PDT

P,

Following your suggestion to create a new account and then syncing, I got very close. The iTunes showed something it didn't before: "Downloading Software", then it went through the "Extracting Software" step, then the "Preparing iPod for Restore" window popped up. A progress bar appeared on the iPod Touch, same as always, but nothing happened and I got the dreaded error message "The iPod could not be restored. Unknown error error occurred (1611)". I have an appointment at the Apple Store genius bar today. My iPod is out of warranty but my Mac Mini is new, so I'm blaming this on my Mac since the iPod did this when I first tried to sync to it. Yesterday I downloaded new OSX update software and now the Mac at least recognizes the iPod where it didn't yesterday.

Dan

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Sorry Dan,
Aug 15, 2010 9:00AM PDT

not sure where to go from here

P

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Got it fixed
Aug 15, 2010 12:49PM PDT

I went to an Apple Store and one of the "Genius" people had some way to hard reformat the disk. It now works. Whoo-Hoo!! What do they have that I don't have to be able to format the disk that's different from the Restore option?

Thanks for your help.

Dan