So far iPhone 2.0 is.... DOA

Ugh. So I was really excited about the new iPhone 2.0 firmware. In fact, I had already grabbed a bunch of apps yesterday so I could sync as soon as possible. So far though it looks like my iPhone is dead.

On the first attempt to update, I got an unknown error. I then tried a restore. The restore "worked" as far as I know. iTunes said it was done and was going to restart my iPhone. On restart, the iPhone is now stuck in a "Slide for Emergency" mode where I can only make (I assume) 911 style calls. iTunes sees the iPhone, but gives me zero control over it. It is stuck "Accessing iTunes Store..." which makes me just a tiny bit mad that my phone is sitting here in brick mode essentially while trying to hit a store that is probably getting tons of traffic.

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I'm hitting the same problem, Ray. I didn't have the unknown error but am getting the slide for emergency and it's been that way for 30+ minutes. I'm going to let it ride for another 30 minutes...then see what's next

# Posted By Craig | 7/11/08 8:59 AM

@Ray,

Before your iPhone died did you like it? I know you didn't fork out the cash for your iPhone, but now that you have one do you think you would actually buy one?

ps if anyone wants to promo me one I wouldn't mind :)

# Posted By Gary Gilbert | 7/11/08 9:02 AM

Oh yeah - anger aside - I love my iPhone. I finally can check my mail from my phone, do texting easily, and I liked the apps there were in 1.x, but 2.0 is really going to explode things (when it actually works ;). It's also great for planes. I watch movies on it and since I've done that - flights have gone a heck of a lot faster for me.

# Posted By Raymond Camden | 7/11/08 9:07 AM

Ray - Craig again. I tried to access the iTunes store while hung. Now, when I click on my iPhone in iTunes, I get an error (unknown error -9838). I broke down and opted to call Apple. Once I get to a tech, which I am sure will happen in the next 12 hours :), I'll let you know what I find.

It does seem like it's a bandwidth thing but...

# Posted By Craig | 7/11/08 9:10 AM

Wow - that sucks! Makes me glad I haven't tried upgrading mine yet. After reading this article yesterday (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ZDNetBlogs/~3/33181...) I was planning to upgrade this weekend... maybe not.

# Posted By Simon Horwith | 7/11/08 9:10 AM

Same here. Just googling around while I wait for what's probably just too much traffic. Man, they can come up with a product like an iPhone but can't plan sufficiently to make sure these updates go smoothly. Sheesh!

# Posted By Felix | 7/11/08 9:12 AM

All same for me - I did the upgrade, am stuck in emergency mode and am geting a network connection to the itunes store error. What is that I didnt even order anything. I am very annoyed because now my phone is unusable while I am still on hold 30 mins later with Apple.

# Posted By Hunter | 7/11/08 9:15 AM

Im owned, they bricked my old phone and my new iPhone isn't working yet, getting 9838

# Posted By Miles Wade | 7/11/08 9:16 AM

Mine is stuck the same way...i am sitting on hold waiting for a iphone rep

# Posted By natalie | 7/11/08 9:16 AM

I'm getting the same issue too. I updated to 2.0 firmware and it's just stuck in iTunes saying "accesing iTunes store". If I unplug it, the phone just says "slide for emergency".

Perhaps it has to connect to the music store to reactivate after a firmware upgrade? That seems like a dumb design.

# Posted By Greg | 7/11/08 9:16 AM

And the error is that a secure network connection could not be established - make sure SSL 3.0 or TLS 1.0 are enabled and try again ... OMG the pain

# Posted By Hunter | 7/11/08 9:16 AM

Hey guys. I'm having the same issue here upgrading my first-generation iPhone to 2.0. I'm getting the same error code as Craig (-9838). This sucks! This is my business phone and I can't be without it. I knew the iTunes Store would be swamped, but you just expect Apple to stay on top of traffic.

# Posted By Ben | 7/11/08 9:17 AM

I have the same problem (in the UK).... hanging and no connection to the iTunes store to verify itself... very irritating

# Posted By flamejob | 7/11/08 9:17 AM

same problem here, the servers must be getting slammed

# Posted By drew | 7/11/08 9:18 AM

Got exactly the same problem. Got my iPhone 3G 8gb jut now, got told to upgrade my iTunes to 7.7, and now I get a -9838 when I try to connect to my iPhone. What a load of w**k. Well done Apple, you have exceeded yourself once again.

# Posted By Rob Raskovsky | 7/11/08 9:18 AM

Same exact thing for me - this sucks - I need my phone!

# Posted By Randy | 7/11/08 9:18 AM

I can forgive Apple for getting swamped. What is dumb is the 'you cant use the phone till you hit the store' "feature". That part is unforgivable.

# Posted By Raymond Camden | 7/11/08 9:18 AM

If someone finds a fix for the 9838 error, please post! Sitting here with a dead phone..... :(

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 9:18 AM

Same here, tried to upgrade to 2.0 now I get Slide for emergency.... Connect to Itunes, I get the "error -9838"
/sigh ....

# Posted By Dave Knife | 7/11/08 9:19 AM

Yep. Stuck as well. I thought it did a backup first, but I don't see that in iTunes either.

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 9:19 AM

Same problem here. On the verge of tears will check back here later. Hopefully its just to much trafffic.. If its not please let the solutions lay here some where after breakfast and a shower.

# Posted By Amanda Johnson | 7/11/08 9:19 AM

WTF?!?! I was so excited to get this upgrade, and this happens? I have friends driving out to see me right now and have no access to my phone whatsoever. As much as I love Apple, they aren't too swift with things on release. aslkdfjlsakdjf

# Posted By Joe | 7/11/08 9:20 AM

Same damn error. This blows!

# Posted By Maxwell | 7/11/08 9:20 AM

same here, in england.

glad it isn't just me though!

i assume its traffic and it will all be fine

# Posted By blaykey | 7/11/08 9:20 AM

does anyone know of any confirmed successful 2.0 upgrades? I'm hanging in -9838 land as well...

# Posted By jules | 7/11/08 9:20 AM

I wonder why I'm seeing a different error ... why do i see "make sure SSL 3.0 or TLS 1.0 are enabled and try again" instead of the 9838 error?

# Posted By Hunter | 7/11/08 9:20 AM

I was having the same problem with my iPhone when upgrading it to 2.0... The error was in itunes and whenever I would click on the iPhone on the left side of iTunes, the error would come up.. error 9838... the solution: I had to close iPhoto... then it worked perfectly after that... I think its because iPhoto was trying to bully iTunes into letting it read photos instead of go ahead and upgrade.... hope this helps (iPhone is working perfectly now..

# Posted By Firstjg | 7/11/08 9:20 AM

same here. this sucks.

# Posted By tori | 7/11/08 9:21 AM

same exact problem and ready to kill Apple right now.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 9:21 AM

Please someone post as soon as you find out the fix!

# Posted By Bob Gibson | 7/11/08 9:21 AM

I'm getting this same problem with new iphone 2

Aaaargh!!!

Not a smooth launch in the UK at all

# Posted By Jim Hill | 7/11/08 9:21 AM

Same problem here!

So Annoying!

# Posted By Jemima | 7/11/08 9:21 AM

I get the same error -9838. I am dead in the water. I hope they get a fix soon.

# Posted By Jason S. | 7/11/08 9:22 AM

Well, this pulled up pretty high on google while searching for this problem so we should make this our doa central.
I've tried syncing with dock, without, changed my itunes password, checked my network settings, nothing.
I can get to itunes store, but it pulls up an error box when I connect my phone. They're probably just swamped, but I'm getting more pissed by the minute.

# Posted By RCB | 7/11/08 9:22 AM

I got here by googling "iphone 9838" so that should tell you enough ;) No idea how to fix it, seems to be something wrong on Apple's end...

This is the bleeding edge, folks... This happens sometimes ;)

# Posted By Peter Marreck | 7/11/08 9:22 AM

@mike - On the Apple support forums, folks are saying that if you wait, eventually, it works. But the wait time can be 1 hour +. I think I'm about 40 mins in now.

(And by the way, this is easily the most quickly viewed blog entry I've written. 40 mins old and close to 700 views. Dang it I need to add some more ads! ;)

# Posted By Raymond Camden | 7/11/08 9:22 AM

my iphoto is closed...even restarted computer...grrrrrr...i am sooo pissed

ps- i am really not into the music they are playing on hold

# Posted By natalie | 7/11/08 9:22 AM

i have the same problem... sitting here with a brick and getting the -9838 error code. if anyone finds a fix, please post it!

# Posted By Dave | 7/11/08 9:23 AM

SAME PROBLEM
AFTER 30 minutes on hold with Apple, instead of them picking up, they just hung up on me!

# Posted By Anthony Moussa | 7/11/08 9:23 AM

Same here as of 9:22 A.M. Central time in the USA. The AT&T store said they couldn't activate it because

# Posted By Rekkart | 7/11/08 9:23 AM

Well, nice to see I'm not alone, I guess. Yay, progress!

# Posted By AAlgar | 7/11/08 9:23 AM

They should have rolled out 2.0 a few days ago, so we could upgrade first, and they could work out the kinks. I wonder if 3G users are having any problems.

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 9:23 AM

same same

this is kind of obnoxious, like how many people are without a phone right now? that's just uncool.

# Posted By Jono | 7/11/08 9:23 AM

You know what they say...

9838 is the new Blue Screen. Wah waaahhhh. silly early adopters, when will you learn?

# Posted By Nick | 7/11/08 9:24 AM

I'm getting this very same error. Does anyone know if there are any people who've successfully upgraded their 1G iPhone to 2.0 yet? I literally CAN'T call Apple cuz this is my only phone!

# Posted By Jaime Starstar | 7/11/08 9:24 AM

I am in Kentucky and having same problem

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 9:24 AM

9838 for me as well. At least they have decent hold music while waiting on the support line.

# Posted By Jeff K | 7/11/08 9:24 AM

FIX: CLOSE IPHOTO OR ANYHTING THAT CAN ACCESS THE IPHONE EXCEPT iTUNES

READ MY POST ABOVE!

# Posted By FIrstjg | 7/11/08 9:24 AM

Same problem here. On hold with Apple, I'll post if I find out anything.

# Posted By Jonathan Ellis | 7/11/08 9:24 AM

The same in Italy... exactly the same...
:((((((((

# Posted By Giacomo | 7/11/08 9:24 AM

I'm having the same issue trying to download 2.0 to my first generation iPhone. It's currently in emergency mode and I can't access the store, instead getting the cryptic 9838 error message. Extremely frustrating at best.

# Posted By Nate | 7/11/08 9:24 AM

Same error here and the apple support website has no record of error 9838, way to go apple. Does anybody know of a fix for this issue, if not my $400 paper weight is doing me no good.

# Posted By A in DC | 7/11/08 9:24 AM

Tried your fix, no workie

# Posted By theskunk | 7/11/08 9:25 AM

Support told me that their servers are backed up. It will take a while, so just sit tight. Ugh.

# Posted By Blake | 7/11/08 9:25 AM

Same for me! Just tried to download the 2.0 software - it went through the 20 minutes or so process, and right at the end came up with the error - 9838 message, leaving the iphone only able to make emergency calls. The graphic on the screen is requesting that I connect with itunes, but every time I do, the same error message comes up, saying - There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try again later. Fantastic!! I am now unable to access any of my iphone details on iTunes! Has anyone on the planet been able to successfully download 2.0 I wonder?

# Posted By Steve Barker | 7/11/08 9:25 AM

UPDATE**

Was having this issue, with phone connected, clicked on Itunes store, it connected, so I clicked back on my phone, and magically it finished, now operating fine. Contact, emails adds, calendars, everything still there but my photos =(

I would say be patient, seems like a traffic issue.

# Posted By Dave Knife | 7/11/08 9:25 AM

Closing everything fixes NOTHING

# Posted By Bob Gibson | 7/11/08 9:25 AM

This is definitely going to cause some type of class action law suit.
Just to think I am going away for a week in 12 hours, and I need my phone, if I can't get it to work, I will have to re-activate my old blackberry.

# Posted By Anthony Moussa | 7/11/08 9:25 AM

Exact same problem here.

# Posted By James Evans | 7/11/08 9:25 AM

closing iphoto doesn't work. or at least not for me. mines been closed the whole time.

# Posted By tori | 7/11/08 9:25 AM

Hanging after restore, 9838 also. Going to pick up a 3G iPhone right now.

# Posted By Justin S. | 7/11/08 9:25 AM

All systems are a go!!! Well it seems to be working, says its doing stuff.

# Posted By Amanda | 7/11/08 9:26 AM

hey guys, just got it to work *finally* clicked on and off of the iPhone in the sidebar in iTunes a bunch of times until it took. hope it helps.

# Posted By gta | 7/11/08 9:26 AM

-9838 problem here too. I'm very disappointed!

# Posted By justin | 7/11/08 9:26 AM

same -9838 error, with iPhoto closed the whole time. wow this is unbelievably infuriating.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 9:26 AM

And Microsoft added some upgrades today as well. Guess I'll try a reboot. I've already turned on SSL 3.0 and TLS 1.0.

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 9:26 AM

Same here! Any idea on wait times from apple support

# Posted By Top Timmy | 7/11/08 9:26 AM

Well, same error here. "Unofficial" upgrade to wife's iPhone last night worked great. I've tried forcing my phone into Recovery mode (Power off phone, Launch iTunes, Hold Home button & plug in iPhone) and now it's re-applying the firmware. Hopefully this will work!

# Posted By Ken | 7/11/08 9:26 AM

Same thing happened to me error occurred (-9838)

I left it for about 20 minutes... same thing... I read all the posts here and tried again. My iphone was connected to itunes... I was clicking on the itunes store and back again on the iphone icon and same error message came up over and over. I then clicked on ringtones (instead of itunes store) and back on iphone and it FINALLY finished the update... I guess i got lucky.

# Posted By Nelson | 7/11/08 9:27 AM

I am at work and was able to download the new 2.0 software to my phone, however, when the restore was complete, the phone got stuck on the activation screen. Only letting me make an emergency call if needed. I connect the phone to the computer and get an error that it could not be connected to iTunes Store (error -9838). This has been going on for an hour and a half now.

# Posted By Juan | 7/11/08 9:27 AM

@FIrstjg: there must be something else going on. i tried closing everything and still no success..

# Posted By Dave | 7/11/08 9:27 AM

Same error (-9838). Great work Apple!

# Posted By Chris | 7/11/08 9:27 AM

Looks like I'm not alone! Same error -9838. On the bright side, I can always make an emergency call, which I might have to do if they don't get this fixed right away!

# Posted By Luc | 7/11/08 9:27 AM

Same here. iTunes store says it has a problem and 9838 appears. So yes, no phone! How nice! Brick mode.

# Posted By chuck moffatt | 7/11/08 9:27 AM

it is telling itunes to load........... so hopefully it will work

# Posted By vin | 7/11/08 9:27 AM

Probably doesn't help that the new phone was released the same day as the update. I'm sure all the new phones are having the same access issues.

The posts sound painfully familiar. First phone release anyone?

# Posted By Heath | 7/11/08 9:28 AM

Here's the solution to this error:

Go into Image Capture on your Mac, and set the preferences to No Application when a digital camera is connected. Then connect your iPhone to iTunes and it will complete the activation process.

# Posted By Don Judd | 7/11/08 9:28 AM

Same problem. I guess I'll call AppleCare too.

# Posted By Daryl Spitzer | 7/11/08 9:28 AM

Same problem here. I'm in California.
Getting a -9838 error. Must be a problem in completion of the upgrade by connecting to the servers. By the way, did anyone already download apps yesterday?

# Posted By Larry | 7/11/08 9:29 AM

Got the new iPhone, plugged it in. Just sat for half an hour waiting for itunes store. Contacted O2, and they say that the phone has to be activated by them before it can be activated by itunes. This apparently can take "up to 72 hours". That sounds really intelligent!

Thought, OK, I'll upgrade the software to 2.0 and on my original iphone. Took ages to load the new software, and finally when the itunes restarted the phone, got (unknown error -9838) message. Now getting the same message on both the old and new iPhones.

You would have thought they'd be a little more organised than this.

# Posted By Michael | 7/11/08 9:29 AM

Same problem with my new iPhone 8GB 3G... Posting from Finland.

# Posted By caffagio | 7/11/08 9:29 AM

OK, I got it to pass the step with the error. The solution is: brute force. Here's what I did: I repeatedly clicked my Music library, then the iPhone device (whereupon it would try to connect again), until the error went away. Now the iPhone says "Waiting for activation" and is restoring.

This makes it seem like it's a traffic issue. Hope this works for others until they fix the capacity issue.

# Posted By Peter Marreck | 7/11/08 9:29 AM

Im getting the same error message! UGH! I so mad right now...

# Posted By Kevin | 7/11/08 9:30 AM

Closing the address book and calendar apps worked for me. Now fighting for access to the iTunes store.

# Posted By James | 7/11/08 9:30 AM

Update

like what others said, just wait it out. mine is working now.

# Posted By tori | 7/11/08 9:30 AM

Same problem. I restarted and after a re-launch of iTunes, was able to connect to the store. The "connecting" message took a while to clear and actually connect, but it looks like everything is going forward at this point. Will report back in a few.

# Posted By Mack | 7/11/08 9:30 AM

Common Apple, I am bricked on two phones now~

# Posted By DOA on two iphones mine and the LOH -9838 | 7/11/08 9:31 AM

same thing ,

tried ringtone-iphone buttons a couple of times IT WORKED.

UPDATED to 2.0.

# Posted By anirudha | 7/11/08 9:31 AM

I got through to Apple Tech Support. They said they're slammed and that this error is happening to everyone. The only solution is to "wait for a bit and then plug the phone back into the computer." She said that the firmware has installed, but it needs to connect BACK to the iTunes Store to verify, and since it can't get through, it's bricking the phone. Very nice person, my hold time was 30 seconds, tops. So, I'm waiting. Worse case scenario? I get a 3G phone later. :) Great device, worth the minor headache

# Posted By Drew | 7/11/08 9:31 AM

FIX - someone else was right.
Just click on and off of "iphone" in ITunes and by chance you will eventually get a connection to the store.
IM DONE!

# Posted By Anthony Moussa | 7/11/08 9:31 AM

Same thing in Japan. Early adopters are suckers.

# Posted By Zak | 7/11/08 9:31 AM

I was getting the 9838 error as well. I just decided to be patient and see what happens. Looks like it is a traffic thing. Mine finally connected and completed the restore process and is restoring my data from the backup it created.

# Posted By JP Roberts | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

iT DUN SAIS IT IS UNABVABLE AT DIS TYME like da spice tyme

# Posted By samo | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

getting message stating no more activations for iphones.... wtf mate.

# Posted By Josh | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

Just got a new message. "Iphone activations are unavailable at this time" message.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

Same thing is happening to me now....... :-/

# Posted By Alana | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

Hmm I'm now getting a -4 error instead of -9838. Has apple changed something?

# Posted By psycho | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

Just got a new message from iTunes (replaces the 9838 error)

iPhone activations are unavailable at this time.

We're sorry, we are unable to process any new activations at this time. Please disconnect your iPhone and try again later.

# Posted By Patrick | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

Just saw a "iphone activations are unavailable at this time...." message in iTunes with iphone connected.

# Posted By essam | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

I went to the Apple store at 6am this morning here in Buffalo. I was told at 7:45 that if I had discount through my work then I would have to go an AT&T store.

I went upstairs in the Galleria Mall to the AT&T store and cashed out. Agreed to the contract ect. They then were attempting to activate my 3G iPhone it was taking a long time and the manager announced that we could take the phones home and activate them ourselves. I had to get to work so I flew out of there. Now when I try to activate my phone in iTunes 7.7 I'm getting the -9838 error code.

# Posted By Pete | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

Dude, just restart your computer.

# Posted By rickyT | 7/11/08 9:32 AM

# Posted By Larry | 7/11/08 9:33 AM

I purchased an iPhone 3G an hour ago. The store was having problems with the iTunes activation, but I finally got it activated. When I got home, I tried to sync and got the 9838 error message. I got through to Apple iPhone support and the tech said the 9838 message means their server is too busy. He said their servers are slammed at the moment and if I wait until later, when the servers are less busy, it should work. I hope this helps.

# Posted By Eric Vollnogel | 7/11/08 9:33 AM

They've just now pulled the software update from the website. Great timing Apple.

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 9:33 AM

Ok, I did the image capture thing now, and now it's just stuck on "Accessing iTunes Store"... how long will it be doing this for?

# Posted By Joe | 7/11/08 9:33 AM

Mine got through after about 45 minutes, and is now up and working. It's just a network glitch, I guess. Sucks to wait, but better than a bricked phone.

# Posted By Larry Doyle | 7/11/08 9:33 AM

Now, iTunes is just holding forever, trying to connect through to the servers... no 9838, though, so I'm optimistic. Sort of.

# Posted By James Evans | 7/11/08 9:33 AM

Hi... Same things are happening to me this morning. First the -9838 error. Now I get an official "activations are unavailable" message.

# Posted By Seth | 7/11/08 9:34 AM

Hold down on the home button when you are docking the phone until you get a message in iTunes.

# Posted By Cory Martin | 7/11/08 9:34 AM

For the record, I am having the same issue (Error: 3839) that everyone else is having. I am in California, USA.

# Posted By Kyle Morgan | 7/11/08 9:34 AM

It looks like it's basically just a busy server error. Mine seems to have completed it now (re-syncing music now).

# Posted By Septimus | 7/11/08 9:34 AM

Don Judd's post about Image Capture is correct. The 9838 error will go away if you go into the Preferences and select No Application. iTunes will connect the phone to the store and start working.

# Posted By Rekkart | 7/11/08 9:34 AM

Ok after some time and another reboot, I got a restore screen and "Waiting for Activation This May Take Some Time" on the phone screen.

# Posted By Jaime Starstar | 7/11/08 9:35 AM

I had the -9838 too. I followed Don Judd's advice and it sorted the issue...

Here's the solution to this error:

Go into Image Capture on your Mac, and set the preferences to No Application when a digital camera is connected. Then connect your iPhone to iTunes and it will complete the activation process.

# Posted By Tim Jameson | 7/11/08 9:35 AM

Strange - if I click on the store I can access it but when I click back to iphone it cannot - when will this end???

# Posted By Hunter | 7/11/08 9:35 AM

Same 9838 here in NYC.

# Posted By Pi$$ed off Johnny | 7/11/08 9:35 AM

Restarted itunes, all good!!
Eastern PA 10:35 AM EST

# Posted By JL | 7/11/08 9:35 AM

Hey guys, I has having this same error, but then I just replugged it in a few times and now it seems to be moving along nicely albeit a bit slow.

# Posted By Aaron Guck | 7/11/08 9:35 AM

ack! I manually updated mine yesterday morning and it went off without a hitch. perhaps it's all down to networks being clogged?...

# Posted By Critter | 7/11/08 9:35 AM

I'm getting the 9838 too. I've had a bricked phone for over an hour.

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 9:36 AM

just tried restoring etc., it is only giving me the option to restore to 1.1.4 software (this was after i had updated to 2.0 and got the hanging screen/9838 error)

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 9:36 AM

and what if you dont have a mac - what is the fix??

# Posted By Hunter | 7/11/08 9:36 AM

guys, i had the same problem so i kept clicking on the music icon then back to the iphone one and after a few tries it worked fine.

# Posted By adam | 7/11/08 9:36 AM

Finally working.

# Posted By James Evans | 7/11/08 9:37 AM

Now it's stuck on "Accessing iTunes Store" instead of 9838, but it's taking forever...fingers crossed

# Posted By Randy | 7/11/08 9:37 AM

Spoke with Apple support, confirmed, this is a traffic issue. Please be patient.

# Posted By dave Knife | 7/11/08 9:37 AM

FIX......................

LIKE A FEW HAVE SAID TRY CLICKING AWAY FROM THE IPHONE DEVICE ON ITUNES AND BACK AGAIN UNTIL YOU GET THOUGH

# Posted By Jason Frey | 7/11/08 9:37 AM

I posted earlier that I was having the same problem. Well, now all is fixed. Error 9838 is a 'Server Overload' error. You don't have to repeatedly click off and on your iPhone in iTunes to get it to work. In fact, by doing this, you lose your place in 'line'. If you just wait, it will finish. Mine updated and is currently making phone calls on 2.0 software after a 40 minute wait. This just goes to show when 6 million iPhone users upgrade all at the same time, servers start to panic. Have patience!

# Posted By Luc | 7/11/08 9:37 AM

should it start doing something other than "accessing iTunes store" after getting past the error? lasdkfjlskdjf

# Posted By Joe | 7/11/08 9:38 AM

I had the same 9838 error as everyone else. After reviewing posts, it seemed to me it's just a web traffic issue. I kept hitting my iPhone in iTunes over and over, and finally got a new screen instead of the error, stating that no more iPhone activations could be completed at this time, try again later. So I unplugged my iPhone and plugged it back in, and voila.

So just keep trying, eventually you might get through.

# Posted By datico | 7/11/08 9:38 AM

Finally worked after saying "Accessing iTunes Store" for 5-10 minutes

# Posted By Randy | 7/11/08 9:38 AM

same here, had the 9839. closed itunes and iphoto, reloaded itunes only and now im stuck with "Accessing iTunes Store". Been about 5 minutes now. Garbage.

# Posted By st. louis | 7/11/08 9:39 AM

whoa, i just got an error message that my phone cannot be restored. this cannot be good.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 9:39 AM

OK! Now there's a new warning screen about no signal... Which is funny because I made a phone call immediately before plugging my phone in to my computer.

# Posted By Jaime Starstar | 7/11/08 9:39 AM

Same thing happened but this was eventually resolved.

Key is to not panic. It eventually goes through. I tried unmounting and reconnecting iPhone to iTunes and after 10 or so tries, I got lucky and it started communicating with the store. 5 minutes later, things are working.

Good luck and be patient.

# Posted By Dave | 7/11/08 9:39 AM

Same issue here in New Jersey..

How many are willing to bet that this update has worked for Windows Users before Macs?? ;)

The hold music for tech support is AWFUL.

# Posted By Chris Miller | 7/11/08 9:40 AM

Upgrading my existing iPhone, I was also getting the 9838 error (how I found this entry), but just rebooted and now "Accessing iTunes Store", now Restoring iPhone from backup. Success!

# Posted By RubyGrrl42 | 7/11/08 9:40 AM

Accessing iTunes Store...

////////////////////////

-_-

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 9:41 AM

Hang in there, mine has just corrected itself after leaving it to do its thing for an hour despite the 9838 error

# Posted By Richard | 7/11/08 9:42 AM

I've tried all of the recommended fixes and cant get any of them to work ... darn "network timed out" on accessing itunes store

# Posted By Hunter | 7/11/08 9:42 AM

Originally the error message I got was about the SSL 3.0 and the TSL 1.0 settings. I checked that in "Internet Options" and it was fine (obviously...)

Now I'm getting the could not connect to iTunes store, network timed out error.

This sounds like a server overload to me.

# Posted By Tom | 7/11/08 9:42 AM

I got past -9838 the same way as a couple of other posters (most recently Peter Marreck) -- keep trying over and over again. There was a long wait while it was "Accessing iTunes Store", and then it finally finished reactivating and started syncing my stuff back (which it's still doing now).

Good luck, all.

# Posted By S. Ben Melhuish | 7/11/08 9:42 AM

-9838 is a server load problem. Try again, and you will get through

# Posted By nob | 7/11/08 9:42 AM

GOT IT! ka ching, all to do with patience ... :-)

# Posted By Joe | 7/11/08 9:42 AM

You just have to be patient if youre not getting the error message, it took me 15 min to get it to activate. just let it sit there

# Posted By Andrew Strumfels | 7/11/08 9:42 AM

FINALLY!!! It worked. I used the method some have suggested-- clicked on ringtones and then back to the phone over and over. It was accessing itunes for awhile, but finally worked. Since the servers are slammed, the more times you try, the more chances you have to connect (in theory at least).

# Posted By Dave | 7/11/08 9:43 AM

I had the same problem but after about 40 minutes it finally worked. I guess it just takes time.

# Posted By Jeremy Jones | 7/11/08 9:43 AM

patience, my came back on.....thank god, just let it sit, it will do what it needs to do

# Posted By sam | 7/11/08 9:43 AM

Who says we dont live in an instant gratification world. Dont worry people, the pain and agony of being first will soon subside.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 9:44 AM

It's making progress... When I plugged the phone in I was getting 9838; now at least it's trying to access iTunes!! guess we'll all be playing the waiting game this morning...

# Posted By Alana | 7/11/08 9:45 AM

"Don't worry people, the pain and agony of being first will soon subside."

Lol... :)

# Posted By Alana | 7/11/08 9:45 AM

Does anyone know if when connected it will keep trying to sync with the store? If I just let it sit will it work??

# Posted By Hunter | 7/11/08 9:45 AM

Apple should give you guys a medal - good job on keeping everybody updated, and Apple tech Support should be relieved there are postings like this to help keep everybody sane

# Posted By joel Dobson Jr | 7/11/08 9:46 AM

ok at least now it's restoring my phone (i think to 1.1.4 -- WTF?)

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 9:47 AM

Now i just wish I didn't have so much crap on this thing because its still backing up my videos and what nots....

# Posted By Amanda | 7/11/08 9:47 AM

Patience? This is my phone that is used for my business and children to get a hold of me. Why the hell does my phone have to connect to the iTunes Store before it will work!

# Posted By Chris | 7/11/08 9:47 AM

Now that I've successfully upgraded. Any know how to hack 2.0? Its been 2 minutes, please help me.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 9:47 AM

I think I have some marginal success...now it's just updating everything to my phone. WOOHOO!

# Posted By Jaime Starstar | 7/11/08 9:48 AM

just started to work, 10 - 15 minutes maybe. once you access itunes store just sit back and wait.

# Posted By st. louis | 7/11/08 9:48 AM

i had the same problem of waiting for "accessing itunes store". i just waited and waited and finally it switched to "waiting for activation" then "restore complete" and now "phone is activated". for me, i didn't do anything. it was just a matter of time. although it was only about 15 or 20 minutes of waiting i believe. i hope this comment helps. best, v.

# Posted By Vincent | 7/11/08 9:49 AM

MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I bet apple put a loop in the installer just to get another story on the net about the iphone!

for(i=0;i<100000000000000000000000000000000000;i++)

You have to give them credit. They know how to produce press. bad press, but press none the less.

# Posted By Steve Nelson | 7/11/08 9:49 AM

Like everyone else - having the same problem. I'm hooked on a 30+ minute wait. Of course I have some phone calls coming in that I can't miss... well - I guess I can miss them because I did and I don't have a land-line here. Big BITE! I think I just got pwned.....

# Posted By Sole Collector | 7/11/08 9:50 AM

Help My phone died too. I guess I just need to get a new one. A little help from dog lovers please! http://www.pupa-wear.com

# Posted By pupa-wear | 7/11/08 9:51 AM

Great Now I got a NEW iTunes Error -4 this time!

# Posted By Troy Marsh | 7/11/08 9:52 AM

It's 10:48am EST here, I have been trying to at least 2 hours to get this update thing to work. I updated my iPhone, and when i connect it to iTunes I get an error. I am unsure of the code but it tells me the following:
"We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The
network connection times out.

Make sure your network settings are correct and your network
connection is active, then try again."

Why is it doing this? Is this the problem you are all having also? Anyone have a cure?

# Posted By Evolution | 7/11/08 9:52 AM

I waited for 10 minutes and was about to go do something while waiting and a error thing said you have timed out or been kicked off or something and I had to manually start over.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 9:52 AM

Woohoo. It worked. Like Amanda now though I'm waiting through a long sync. I assume when done I'll have a 2.0 phone. ;)

# Posted By Raymond Camden | 7/11/08 9:52 AM

well thats great...i thought that someething was wrong with mah netwrok and went and resetted everything...

actually brought the phone to work to see if i have any better luck, but now i see its on their end...greeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaat

# Posted By zeldaprimed | 7/11/08 9:52 AM

phone restored (no way to know if to 2.0 or 1.1.4), was hanging on the "accessing itunes store" screen that made me think the whole thing was busted the first time, then got a new error message, -4? Does anyone know what a -4 error is?

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 9:53 AM

I finished the download for the software and had it put on the iphone ages ago, now i have been trying for over 2 hours to get it to connect to the store, i got the (-9838) error several times now, and i finally got it to "accessing itunes store..." and it gave me error (-4), and i have to idea what to do at this point. You would think that after the fiasco of the first night of the iphone 1.0 launch they would have brought in more servers to deal with the obvious problem. the secret is that they don't care how long we wait because in the end we will still like the 2.0 software.

# Posted By nunya b. | 7/11/08 9:53 AM

I got a 9838 message error too, and now after restart iTunes, the message disappear and I got stuck with the "Accessing iTunes Store" loading message. I've been sitting here for at least 25 minutes and no luck.

# Posted By MOTOKA | 7/11/08 9:53 AM

Clicking refresh on this blog is the most fun I've had all week.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 9:54 AM

when i conect it says it cant access the itunes store...

wtf am i suppose to do?

what has worked for other ppl?

# Posted By knut | 7/11/08 9:54 AM

Nunya, I have the same -4 error now. Anybody know what a -4 error is??? I was getting the -9838 error before.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 9:55 AM

Here's an idea...email Steve Jobs and tell him to buy Cisco routers and Intel servers!

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 9:55 AM

Hey Guys, Be patient. I had all these problems. I have just manage to reconnect and be successful with the upgrade. You have to respect them folks at apple. It does what it says on the box! Rob

# Posted By Robert Foster | 7/11/08 9:56 AM

Nunya, I disconnected and then reconnected, and now I have the -9838 error again.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 9:56 AM

Same access issues here.

Well at least we're all feeling the same pain!

# Posted By MATt | 7/11/08 9:57 AM

im gettin a -4 error now .ughhh

# Posted By Brian Kirkegaard | 7/11/08 9:57 AM

network connection lost again. 4th time. I have to go to work now. this sucks.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 9:57 AM

I was getting the ~9838 error earlier as well, now am getting the ~4 error after waiting about 15 minutes with the "accessing itunes store" message.

what's a ~4?

# Posted By Curtis Elliott | 7/11/08 9:58 AM

holly, i have no idea what the problem is, i have tried using all sorts of search engines, and human help for it. and now my error is just haphazardly switching between (-4) and (-9838) with no seeming pattern or reason.

# Posted By nunya | 7/11/08 9:58 AM

I think I'll have a beer while I wait.

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 9:58 AM

i am getting 9838 error again.
awesome

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 9:58 AM

lol, gettin the 9838 error now

# Posted By Brian | 7/11/08 9:59 AM

this is ridiculous. though i am glad that it is not only me the one experiencing the issue, like nunya said, you would think they would figure something out by now to avoid this kind of problem. i have been an apple fan for about 5 years now and this is really disappointing. to top it all off i drive to the store nearby and #1 they won't let you in (because their ego is over the roof) and think it's cool to make a scene and only let iphone buyers in. #2 they tell me there is nothing i can do andthat i have to wait - without a working phone until the problem is fixed (this is when i thought it was only me with the problem).

overall Apple needs to step their game up if they want to be known for reliability and by now be prepared to face problems wit software that they seem to "never expect"

# Posted By noah | 7/11/08 9:59 AM

I don't understand Luc's comment above about "losing your place in line" if you disconnect and reconnect. After I get the -9838 error it doesn't appear to be doing anything, it's not hanging, it just stops doing anything at all, so it seems to me I need to unplug and reconnect in order to try to re-establish a connection to the server? Thoughts?

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 9:59 AM

It seems to work if you sit on your hands and cluck like a chicken.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 10:00 AM

Did anyone having the issue this morning get it resolved? Mine's been out of commission for 2 hours.

# Posted By agnprl | 7/11/08 10:00 AM

now it is telling me randomly along with the error9838 that it couldnt compete my request and the network connection was reset...ahhhhhhh!

# Posted By natalie | 7/11/08 10:01 AM

I just got off the phone to iphone support: 1 (800) 694-7466
The activation server is DOWN. Polite apologies. I told him Windoze users were
used to this, not die hard Mac users.

# Posted By Jim Long | 7/11/08 10:01 AM

I bet Blackberry is enjoying this blog!

# Posted By chuck moffatt | 7/11/08 10:01 AM

has anyone tried restoring to a different firware then upgrading again?

i am now

# Posted By Knut | 7/11/08 10:01 AM

I called apple and they said to unplug and try to reconnect every hour or so...the update won't complete until it connects. Sucks!

# Posted By agnprl | 7/11/08 10:01 AM

i would call tech support, IF THIS UPGRADE HADN'T THRASHED MY PHONE. (no landline.)

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:02 AM

Bad - Bad - Bad - Poor planing - 3G and 2.0 on the same day.

Maybe they need to buy some servers and storage, plus more bandwidth... (could buy Sun Micro :-) )

# Posted By Stephen | 7/11/08 10:02 AM

Apple also said you can't restore to a 1.x version once you've installed the 2.0 update (I told them I'd rather have a functional phone for the weekend, and apparently that isn't an option)

# Posted By agnprl | 7/11/08 10:02 AM

now it gives the 9838 over and over and over and over.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 10:03 AM

I think I'll go back to watching videos of the Gemini space program....back when computers REALLY worked....lol

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 10:03 AM

same here in Los Angeles... argh!

# Posted By mattdeuce | 7/11/08 10:03 AM

activation server is down? like altogether down? but some people say they are successful...

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:04 AM

It's simply a band width issue. The US has just woken. The rest of the world is out there too trying to access the site. It works. Its just that its too darn popular!

# Posted By Rob | 7/11/08 10:04 AM

I was having the same -9838 error message and tried unplugging several times but nothing would work. But then I decided to be a little more patient. I clicked between the itunes store and iphone tabs in itunes until I didn't get the error message and it just sat there attempting to connect. I left it there and finally my phone was able to connect. My iphone was alive for a few secs but then went into another restore mode. This time a progress bar is on my screen but it's going very slowly. Maybe I'll be good to go when it's done...

# Posted By Murray | 7/11/08 10:04 AM

I am starting to get angry emails from clients asking why I'm not picking up my phone...

# Posted By CPT Awesome | 7/11/08 10:04 AM

Worst. Activation. Design. Ever.

But I do have a table with a short leg, so I could always shim it with my newly-bricked iPhone. Which is nice.

# Posted By mpb | 7/11/08 10:05 AM

Mine in no longer "accessing the store". It's just sitting there. Does it need to be "accessing" in order to eventually fix? Or can I just leave it alone after hitting "OK" after getting the 9838 crap?

# Posted By finley | 7/11/08 10:05 AM

I am getting the error message -9838 too. How frustrating. I guess we will have to wait...I should have known..there would be a problem especially with the new 3g coming out today and also the new 2.0 software. i am just going to play golf and hope it is fixed when I return...FORE!!

# Posted By Bill Teague | 7/11/08 10:05 AM

And AT&T thought in store activations were a good idea... I truly hope whoever bright idea this was gets canned TODAY!!!!

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 10:05 AM

It has been saying Accessing Itunes store for about an 30 minutes now.

Should I just wait or continue to unplug and replug the phone back in?????

# Posted By Rock | 7/11/08 10:06 AM

I'm in. After 2 hours of continuously disconnecting and reconnecting with just "slide for emergency" on my phone, it's activated and in the process of Synching. I've got almost all 8GBs used up so it'll be a while. I'm confident it'll go well.
Luck to all!

# Posted By Felix | 7/11/08 10:06 AM

CONFUSCIOUS SAY: iPhone activation like athlete's foot- very irritating.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 10:06 AM

same error here. any help would be appreciated.

# Posted By pmi | 7/11/08 10:07 AM

i think if you have the "accessing iTunes Store" screen you should not disconnect. i think that is the goal. if it is spinning on that screen at least something is happening. i think if you are getting the 9838 error and hitting OK you have to eject then reconnect until you hopefully get the "accessing iTunes store" which from reading this board i have the impression can last for 40 minutes but then may work.

others thoughts?

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:07 AM

Update: My phone finished syncing. It's definitely 2.0. In iTunes though it is stuck on the 9838 error like everyone else. So I can't manipulate the phone via iTunes yet. But I can call someone. Of course, I've got no one to call right now. ;)

# Posted By Raymond Camden | 7/11/08 10:08 AM

anybody wanna grab some food? looks like this may be a while..

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 10:08 AM

anyone who has talked with apple support....what are they telling you???????????

# Posted By james | 7/11/08 10:09 AM

BIG thumbs down to Apple on this.

It's one thing to brick my iPod (music), but entirely another to brick my PHONE!

Thanks for nothing...

# Posted By gambit | 7/11/08 10:09 AM

took a long while - with the 9838 error. I did close iphoto. That did not immediately work. Likely the busy server issue. Finally the connection to itunes worked and the phone is restored and working. The sync did take much longer than usual after the connection

# Posted By lmb | 7/11/08 10:09 AM

One of my table legs is too short... Not anymore :)...

No seriously.... I was able to break into my house with it after I locked my keys inside... so it was not a total loss...

# Posted By Nat Wallen | 7/11/08 10:09 AM

Wait, if I clicked out of the error message, but kept it in the iPhone pane, will it still load up? Or do I need the error message to be up for the page to load in iTunes?

# Posted By gusapple | 7/11/08 10:10 AM

i got the same problem, can't be mad though, should have no this was going to happen, we all couldnt wait just one more day. hahahahahaha

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 10:10 AM

Well I'm going out to get something to eat. No sense in taking my paperweight with me. Hopefully the bandwidth ferries will wake up around turn my paperweight back into a phone by the time I get back home:)

# Posted By Rock | 7/11/08 10:11 AM

Keep clicking around until you see Accessing iTunes Store.. with a progress bar

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 10:11 AM

my husband is on line at the meatpacking (14th st NYC) retail store waiting to buy his 3G phone. we are texting and i just asked him to call tech support to ask about the status of the activation server (I'd call, but my phone is bricked!) and i will report back with an update ASAP.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:11 AM

A ray of hope out there... I've [finally] upgraded successfully by just rebooting the iphone on the dock and clicking between iphone and iTunes store. I think it was just patience, faith in karma and luck in getting through a window to the store to finish the upgrade. I still get the error (-9838) due to traffic I assume but I'm current and I have a working phone. Thank to everyone for the company and posts while I sweated this out. To all of you still waiting... hang in there.

# Posted By faucethead | 7/11/08 10:11 AM

ok so i started the process at home...downloading the update...but then started getting all the errors and whatnot

frustrated that i though it was my home network or something on my i end, i proceeded to work and thought id give it a try there. after getting to work i started reading this thread and found out it just wasnt me...

do any of you think thered be a problem if i managed to get it working at work instead of at home where i originally started???

# Posted By zeldaprimed | 7/11/08 10:11 AM

ok

this time when i clicked restore itunes decided to restore it to 1.1.4 instead of to 2.0

very intersting

but i have a flight in 1 hr so i just gotta do it...now i just hope it works....

# Posted By Knut | 7/11/08 10:12 AM

same thing, come on i need my phone back!

# Posted By art | 7/11/08 10:12 AM

Same problem. -9838

Did the ringtone thing and then got through only to get a -4 error. Then goes back to square 1.

Love Apple, but come on guys maybe space out each country by one day?

# Posted By Rix | 7/11/08 10:12 AM

Yippeee!
I finally was able to "access the itunes store" after about an hour. This process requires a lot of patience. My iphone classic is now syncing and operational again. Don't restart or disconnect, just wait it out.

Good Luck!

# Posted By Jessica | 7/11/08 10:12 AM

omg!!!!!!!!!! thiss fffffingg sux!!!!!!!!!!!1 whats this ? a 2.0 software update? yay!...[downloaded]....restored to factory settings? wtf! "cannot access to itunes store" wtf! wtf! wtf!....screw you apple!! get this fixed asap!

# Posted By Alex | 7/11/08 10:12 AM

i was having a similar problem but after re-connecting it several times (and after a bit of time) it gave me a different error "no new activations at this time" tryed again 15 minutes later and it finally started restoring :-p it took a while for it to re-transfer all the music but its done now.. the phone works again.. and i can download apps while on the phone.. they work.. but it wont connnect to itunes properly

# Posted By Patrick Reames | 7/11/08 10:13 AM

Holly,s got the right strategy. see 10:07 post. It worked half an hour ago for me and all is beautiful! Got all my mail, all my contacts all the music and SMSs. Have a beer, Be patient. It does work. It is seamless.

# Posted By Rob | 7/11/08 10:13 AM

what does this mean:

"rebooting the iphone on the dock"

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:13 AM

Mine finally updated and is now syncing.

# Posted By alec Tanner | 7/11/08 10:14 AM

i got a new error of -4

# Posted By pupa-wear | 7/11/08 10:14 AM

Accessing iTunes Store...

////////////////////////////

after a longish (20 minutes) wait this suddenly changed into: an updated iPhone!

keep retrying the iPhone icon in iTunes until you get to the stage shown above, then -

WAIT & BE PATIENT

# Posted By jules | 7/11/08 10:14 AM

This is an even worse disaster than firefox 3.0 launch

# Posted By Stanford | 7/11/08 10:15 AM

App Store tip:

I can browse the app store on my phone, but apparently I was too dumb to figure out how to download an app. If you click on the price (or the word Free) it changes to "Install". Not very obvious IMHO, but I now have an app on my iphone. :)

# Posted By Raymond Camden | 7/11/08 10:15 AM

I've been dealing with this crap for over two hours and don't even get the same error messages.

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 10:16 AM

just restarting the iphone [holding down the top button and the home button] while it's on the dock. I don't think it had much to do with it though. Just patience.

# Posted By faucethead | 7/11/08 10:16 AM

UK o2 iPhone user here...

Upgrading old iPhone to 2.0.. same problem as everyone else.

Error 9838... currently have a bricked phone.. pain in the rear end.. yes

Whose fault is this.. sucky Apple iTunes.. or o2? or a combination of both?

# Posted By GeoffC | 7/11/08 10:16 AM

Downloaded the unofficial version that came out last night... and upon iTunes extracting it was forced to restart... Now my MacBook Pro is a paperweight with a permanent blue screen. So... Using a family member's computer to do the update and now all I get is the -9838. I've got 2 very expensive paperweights and am not too happy!

# Posted By Sara | 7/11/08 10:17 AM

As soon as I closed iPhoto, it worked like it should. Coincidence? not sure...

# Posted By Kim | 7/11/08 10:17 AM

Have two iPhones. Both are brick, but I have two of them.

Apple tech support say it's too much traffic for their servers. Might have been smart to release the 2.0 software update yesterday in that case. Didn't Apple realise that all these new 3G phones and the original owners all trying to update at once was gonna cause problems with their servers?

The only consolation I have that I've been able to put my 02 sim card into my old Sony Ericsson and am able to still make calls.

# Posted By Michael | 7/11/08 10:17 AM

i am also stuck with the error.. that after waited over 30 min accessing the itunes store... now only for emergency till when? pretty bad

# Posted By Norberto | 7/11/08 10:17 AM

Wow guys,

The impatience here is mind boggling. My iPhone is bricked right now as well, but constantly clicking your iPhone only adds to the hits that Apple's site is getting. It's no wonder their server is overloaded.

The fastest way to resolve this, is wait a few minutes before trying again. The world is not going to end if your phone is offline for a couple of minutes or even hours.

# Posted By Brian Marquis | 7/11/08 10:17 AM

Sam problem. Getting an error 9838. On hold with apple for a half hour. NOT HAPPY :(

# Posted By neighborchris | 7/11/08 10:18 AM

Same problem here. If there's any consolation, it's that this is a widespread issue and Apple surely must be scrambling to fix it.

Combined with the MobileMe fiasco, Apple is really OFF THEIR GAME with iPhone 2.0. Seriously, in the words of P.B., how could they make such a colossal blunder????

# Posted By Sweet Blue | 7/11/08 10:18 AM

I did have the accessing itunes...then it stopped and now it says I can't connect and to check my network connection....its been about an hour now.

# Posted By Annie | 7/11/08 10:19 AM

Now getting the "accessing iTunes Store" message. been on that screen for about 25 minutes. I think I'll go mess with "MobileMe". Oh, wait... that's not functioning either.

Apple really needs to get some distance between updates, so that not everything is happening in one day. Last I checked there were 364 other days on the calendar.

# Posted By Heath | 7/11/08 10:19 AM

Same problem here. Been over an hour and still can't use my phone. Lame Apple.

# Posted By TWillz | 7/11/08 10:19 AM

.... I had this nagging voice in my head this morning telling me wait to do the upgrade for my older iPhone... Should've listened. Been a couple hours now trying to connect but just getting the 'network timed out' message. Ugh...

# Posted By Geoff | 7/11/08 10:19 AM

Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug ..... Plug .. 9838 - OK .. Unplug .....

# Posted By Rock & Smile | 7/11/08 10:20 AM

I just "upgraded" to error 4 from 9838....anyone got this one?

# Posted By robin | 7/11/08 10:20 AM

Greatly disappointed. For me I guess is ok to not have a phone for a little while, but there are people out there that make their living from their phone.

I understand that for Apple is pretty difficult to predict the amount of downloads and therefore prepare the server loads. Having said that, it is funny how Apple openly complains about the way other companies solve problems.

I am sure Apple will figure it out shortly.

# Posted By Alex | 7/11/08 10:20 AM

insult to injury...dot mac doesnt work either, and i need it for work...so no iPhone, no dot mac

# Posted By adam | 7/11/08 10:20 AM

I keep getting the error message "Network Connection was reset. Make sure you network connection is active and try again."

# Posted By Nick | 7/11/08 10:20 AM

what is the mobile me fiasco? the whole reason i want this upgrade in the first place is so that i can finally get my work e-mail (exchange/outlook on a PC) on my iphone and turn in their hideous blackberry that i am currently forced to lug everywhere...

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:21 AM

well i waited in line for 12 hours last night and ended up with a 16gb iphone 3g. The people at the AT&T store were having problems activating the phones and no one where i picked mine up was able to activate. So they sent me home and said that i should be able to activate it myself. Well i have been trying for over an hour now and have had no luck. I am also getting error message 9838. If anyone knows what to do please share!

# Posted By Tyler | 7/11/08 10:21 AM

Well, you would think that the weekend long startup the first time would of told them to boost the server capability.

# Posted By Speed | 7/11/08 10:22 AM

AHHHHH I WANT TO USE MY 3G i waited in line for hours.. just to have a brick.... house

# Posted By 9838 | 7/11/08 10:23 AM

I love to buy products that don't work. Thanks Apple & AT&T!!! You guys are awesome.

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 10:23 AM

Brickville here too. Or 9838ville. Guess I'll wait out the storm.

# Posted By Paul Terry Walhus | 7/11/08 10:24 AM

Also i was told by a sales rep at the AT&T store that AT&T has enough server power to simaltaneously activate 4 million phones, from the looks of it, those servers arent working right now....

# Posted By Tyler | 7/11/08 10:24 AM

house!

# Posted By damon | 7/11/08 10:24 AM

haha its crazy how many people across the nation are going through this right now. im still trying to get mine through the process as well.

# Posted By Mario | 7/11/08 10:24 AM

I just updated to the 2.0 firmware with the original iPhone and this is the error that I get:

We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The network connection was reset.

Make sure your network connection is active and try again.

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 10:24 AM

Robin, a bunch of us have also seen the -4 error

Knut, mine looked like it was restoring to 1.1.4 as well but i can't tell for sure because without being able to complete the upgrade my phone is stuck in brick mode and i can't access the "About" info

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:24 AM

this is mind boggling. why are people waiting in a line for 12 hours to buy a phone that will be available every single day starting today? Just to show your friends you were one of the first to buy a 3G iPhone? I will never understand that mindset. You don't have to wait in line like you're buying bread in the former USSR to buy a freaking cellphone...I'm also having the same problem upgrading the software. But maybe I am more patient than the rest. It's not a big deal, I have other phones and once this traffic problem subsides, my iPhone will be updated...today, tomorrow, in a few minutes, in a few hours. It's not the end of the world.

# Posted By Alex | 7/11/08 10:26 AM

My phone is activated and working, but now I can't sinc and upload my contacts etc...

Now I am still getting the error -9838 again.....

Damn upgrades

# Posted By Speed | 7/11/08 10:26 AM

THE ULTIMATE TRICK TO SOLVE THE 9838 ERROR AFTER UPGRADING IPHONE VIA ITUNES : Wait a few minutes, then plug iphone and try again.

By trying many times a minute, you don't helps servers to manage the colossal amount of users trying to activate.
Example : If 1 000 000 users are actually trying to activate 20 times a minute, the server have to manage 20 000 000 activation request. So, try once an hour, it's really fairplay and democratic.

Cheers,

Seb from FRANCE

# Posted By Rock & Smile | 7/11/08 10:26 AM

the error (-4) message has shown up for many people now, including myself. and also, last time i got the "accessing itunes store.." i waited and it gave me error (-4), but now i am back to error (-9838). so i'm going to try and wait for another hour again and then try to do it.

# Posted By nunya | 7/11/08 10:26 AM

i like the guy that suggested having a beer. at 10 in the morning.

# Posted By damon | 7/11/08 10:26 AM

I kept clicking from the iPhone to another selection, then back on the iPhone. Keep dismissing the error message and try again. Took me about 15 minutes for it to go through. I'm up and running again.

Bad, bad, Apple.

# Posted By Josh | 7/11/08 10:27 AM

iBrick!
GG apple way to keep us happy

# Posted By GW | 7/11/08 10:28 AM

I thought I was all happy - got to an AT&T store early and only waited 2 hours to get my shiny new phone. Oh, but wait, AT&T couldn't activate it. "Just take it home, plug it in iTunes, and you'll be all set." Yeah. That was 2 hours ago and I'm still getting iTunes errors like many folks here. To add insult to injury, though, AT&T moved my cell service off the old phone onto the new one. Since the new one ain't activated yet and it doesn't seem it will be any time soon, I have NO cell phone service at all.

I expect such shananigans from AT&T, but I really expected better from Apple. Here's Apple launching their new, much anticipated product - one would think that they would have done just a little planning to accommodate the demand. They really blew it.

# Posted By Unhappy Camper | 7/11/08 10:28 AM

OK, so now everything's good to go (or so I thought), software 2.0 is installed, -9838 error is gone, phone data is restored, I tried buying a couple of apps on the app store on the phone and none of them finish loading when I run them... I see the startup screen, then it crashes out to the home screen =(

# Posted By Peter Marreck | 7/11/08 10:28 AM

Not sure if this is listed in the 100's of comments. If you plug your phone into your computer and hold down the home button for around 30 seconds it goes into a hard reset and will restore from iTunes.

Sadly with the way they are being nailed right now you may still have trouble registering it still because it is looking to confirm you are a authorized AT&T customer.

Wish everyone luck. I am waiting till Sunday to upgrade hoping their problems have been fixed.

# Posted By Brent Jones | 7/11/08 10:28 AM

F at pc guy from the mac commercial is getting his revenge and I am super mad at apple for this. I love mac ecept today...

I am on call for work and now I have a brick! I will for sure complaint, this is not acceptable.

The iphone upgrade is as good as steve case's health...The apple is rotten.
Apple guys they try to appear like computer gurus, they are not that cool today...

Are you ready for a class action against apple for ruining your day?

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 10:28 AM

# Posted By Alex | 7/11/08 10:28 AM

I was fortunte enough to have upgraded my old iPhone 1.0 to 2.0 YESTERDAY morning,before the servers were swamped. I will say to all of you out there waiting that the wait is worth it.Sit tight and pretty soon you will be playing with all kinds of great free apps from the app store! Good luck,

PS I am sitting here trying to help my father upgrade his phone and the dreade unknown error 9838 is haunting us as well!

# Posted By SMM | 7/11/08 10:29 AM

Start digging this story

http://digg.com/apple/iTunes_is_not_working_for_up...

# Posted By Rex | 7/11/08 10:29 AM

I can't be patient any longer.. ACCESS ITUNES ALREADY DAMMIT

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 10:30 AM

Forgot to mention: DO NOT REPEATEDLY PLUG AND UNPLUG YOUR IPHONE! This puts unnecessary wear and tear on the hardware. JUST KEEP CLICKING BETWEEN YOUR LIBRARY AND THE IPHONE IN THE ITUNES INTERFACE AND HIT "OK" ON ERROR UNTIL THE ERROR DISAPPEARS!

This got me past all -4 and -9838 errors (eventually), but now I still have the issue where new iphone apps won't finish loading (even after a phone restart) and I can't run my shiny new toys!!

# Posted By Peter Marreck | 7/11/08 10:30 AM

Alex : You don't even knows what's an ironical sentence.

# Posted By Rock & Smile | 7/11/08 10:30 AM

dude!! i got a graphic saying ihone activations are unavail! wtf? hahahahaha

# Posted By damon | 7/11/08 10:30 AM

Ha, I just got it to connect, no more error. Now I get a message that iphone activations are unavailable at this time. F'n yes.

# Posted By Robert | 7/11/08 10:30 AM

Myself and several other colleagues updated our 1.0 phones yesterday - zero problems.

The iTunes activation servers have been up and down, so that's probably the culprit, not the new software.

# Posted By Chris | 7/11/08 10:31 AM

What a mess . . . Apple tech says wait. Can't get through to ATT.

Bought the new phone in an ATT store. To the counter at 9:30, they took all my info, signed the new contract, ponied up my CC — but they couldn't connect the new phone to iTunes. "Go home, do it there" — and it's almost 2 hours, now, minutes waiting.

Very crummy anticipation by Apple and everyone concerned.

I've had all the error messages:

-9838

-4

For a while, got the "Accessing i Tunes Store" message, but now . . . just a blank screen. Waiting for lightning to strike.

And worse of all, my old 2G iPhone, apparently because of what was done in-store, is now, totally out of service.

# Posted By Ron Naveen | 7/11/08 10:31 AM

ok now i got the -4 error anyone knows y?

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 10:33 AM

Ok well can I say "me too?" Yes I can ... yes I can.

As well, last night while checking to see if the new firmware was released a bit early, I got the iTunes update and did it. Then, for no good reason, I went to the iT store and bought a few albums. Downloading them was an absolute nightmare - every other song resulted in an error and my mbp spinning its cpus for many minutes at a time.

Let's hear it for capacity planning.

# Posted By Lee | 7/11/08 10:33 AM

Trying to restore my old backup to my iPhone and upgrade to 2.0 later:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808

Anyone else had any luck as an existing o2 customer?

# Posted By Rix | 7/11/08 10:33 AM

I reset my internet settings the TL 1.0 and SSL 3.0 to disabled restarted then reenabled and restarted and it now works. Also set internet security to low.

# Posted By Jim | 7/11/08 10:33 AM

Oh, even better... I've been re-trying the iPhone activation and now, instead of error -9838, I get a nice, courteous message - "iPhone activations are unavailable at this time. Please disconnect your phone and try again later."

Apple really screwed this one up. I *_WAS_* an Apple fan-boy, but they've managed to put my customer satifaction in the toilet and then flushed it.

# Posted By Unhappy Camper | 7/11/08 10:33 AM

POSSIBLE SOLUTION....

Ran into same problem as others here..... did a little digging on apple.com.... in the new manual for the new and old iphone... it specifies that you need to use the new version of itunes 7.7 in order to upgrade! .... im trying this as we speak

# Posted By mike | 7/11/08 10:33 AM

The same freakin error "check your network settings"!!!
Did anyone manage to get the update working??

Adit

# Posted By Ads | 7/11/08 10:33 AM

I didn't find the image capture trick to work...the only thing that did was the brute force method of clicking between the music library and the iphone. After about 100 clicks, and one false alarm, it took. Another quibble about this whole thing is that 9838 is listed as "an unknown error", when it seems pretty clear what the error is. I would have at least appreciated an honest error message (e.g., "iTunes servers are busy, please try again later"), because until I read these posts, I had some concern that my phone was in trouble.

# Posted By KMan | 7/11/08 10:34 AM

just got the "accessing itunes store"!!

# Posted By Mario | 7/11/08 10:34 AM

Alex : You don't even knows what's an ironical sentence.

sorry, my internet irony radar seems to be malfunctioning...

ps: it took me about 4 tries to get my phone working.
very fast 2.0 update, don't know what the problem is there. I was PATIENT. I didn't plug and unplug...do it every few minutes and then just wait a bit.

# Posted By Alex | 7/11/08 10:34 AM

Ok, so I got the -9838 error for a few hours as I updated to 2.0, now it's teasing me and giving me Accessing the iTunes Store bar at top for a few moments and now I get the -4 error - all this after 90 minutes on hold with apple

the apple rep told me they were the same, I am afraid that the -4 error is different, has anyone recovered from a -4 error?

# Posted By Wade | 7/11/08 10:35 AM

RIX: thank you. f these f'rs. juvenile, big talking, asswipe know-nothin chumps.

# Posted By damon | 7/11/08 10:35 AM

has anyone been able to activate in the past hour at all.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 10:35 AM

HAHA People are actually trying to do this update without iTunes 7.7 first???

no wonder things are going to hell right now

# Posted By Alex | 7/11/08 10:36 AM

POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... POSSIBLE SOLUTION... HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE .........

Ran into same problem as others here..... did a little digging on apple.com.... in the new manual for the new and old iphone... it specifies that you need to use the new version of itunes 7.7 in order to upgrade! .... im trying this as we speak

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 10:36 AM

Was getting the 9838 error. I unpluged from the dock, held donw the hold keyand went direct to my MacBook. The 9238 error has one away. Now getting hung on accessing iTunes Store. Back to where I was 2hrs ago! Will keep you all posted

# Posted By Chris | 7/11/08 10:36 AM

I'm getting the -4 error now after getting the 9838 for 45 minutes.

# Posted By John May | 7/11/08 10:37 AM

i just got error -4 now maybe that is progress

# Posted By jo | 7/11/08 10:37 AM

same...accessing itunes store now for about 10 mins. not cool.

# Posted By jj | 7/11/08 10:37 AM

All That Is Happening to Me To.....I Think Im Just Gonna Start Breaking Stuff Until It Works ='(

# Posted By Brian | 7/11/08 10:37 AM

like someone suggested earlier, instead of unplugging/replugging the iphone, just hit a different tab on itunes like movies or something then click back on iphone. it just now worked for me doing that.

# Posted By Mario | 7/11/08 10:37 AM

Hang in there people. I'm in the UK, and have an original iPhone which had version 1.1.4 of the software on it. I decided to update it to version 2.0 to see what the fuss was about, and it looked like it had wiped my phone. All I had on the phone was the connect to ITunes icon, and iTunes saying there was a network error to connect to iTunes store. After finding this blog, I've been clicking on and off my iPhone for over an hour and finally the install has completed and I have my phone back (notes, txts, contacts etc).

*phew*

# Posted By Z | 7/11/08 10:37 AM

ME TOO DAMN IT ALL!!! SAME HANG!!! 2 HOURS and WAITING FOR SUPPORT!!.

# Posted By SteveO | 7/11/08 10:38 AM

YES IT'S WORKING Hello 2.0!!!

Sometimes bad things happen so that people can bond - so from that context it was great going through this crisis with such a huge iPhone community! thanks for the tips - in the end clicking on ringtones and iPhone repeatedly did the trick.

Apple always gets it right in the end - just imagine we were relying on Microsoft? We'd be stuck without a phone for months!!!!

enjoy...

# Posted By Rix | 7/11/08 10:38 AM

I've been trying for about an hour... now it's skipping the 9838 error and giving me the loading the store thing and then it pops me with the -4 error.

I'm just trying over and over...

# Posted By Joseph | 7/11/08 10:38 AM

Thankfully I can confirm that once it does connect, the phone is ok. The people who think that they did something (clicked ringtones, closed iphoto, etc) were just seeing coincidences I am sure. All I did was keep trying every once in a while over the last hour.

# Posted By Richard | 7/11/08 10:38 AM

Man, I've got iPhone App blue balls of the highest degree... I can download from the App store but, can't finish the firmware update to my Edge iPhone.

Anybody see this Shazam app? If this works as advertised, it should be freaking amazing. You supposedly hold it up to audible music and it determines the song you are listening to. Read the reviews. They're all positive.

# Posted By rustedshut | 7/11/08 10:39 AM

OMG!!!!! i keep getting error -4!!!!!! this is getting really annoying, i can believe apple did this to all of us

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 10:39 AM

Just connected...anyone else?

# Posted By neighborchris | 7/11/08 10:39 AM

FIX: w/ phone connected click itunes store

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 10:39 AM

I'm having the same problem. I keep asking myself why I put up with this? How can a company produce such a great product that they know people want and not be prepared for the influx of software updates and the data that comes alone with it? So now I have no cell phone and another "ipod" sitting around. Totally annoyed.

# Posted By Sean Parchem | 7/11/08 10:39 AM

Trying <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/10/how-to-fix-an...;.

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 10:39 AM

wow... i was so excited to get this update... and now i'm stuck saying "accessing itunes store" i did all of the stuff that folks mentioned in this blog...

awesomeness... :\

i guess i just have to wait even more patiently

- iphone 8Gig EDGE.... macbook 10.5.4 itunes 7.7

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 10:39 AM

HA HA HA HA HA HA.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE NEW IHPNE AND WORKING SOFTWARE!!!!!!!!!!

TAKE THAT LOSERS!!!!

# Posted By zeldaprimed | 7/11/08 10:39 AM

glad I got mine done when it was leaked yesterday... Sorry you're all having problems.

# Posted By JC | 7/11/08 10:39 AM

for anyone sitting with the "accessing itunes store" screen, don't disconnect! a lot of us have been trying for an hour to get there. the alternative is an immediate 9838 error. i just got the "accessing itunes store" error for the first time in about 90 minutes. i'm expecting it to take a while but i consider this at least a step in the right direction.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:40 AM

Yeah same problem here in Alabama. 9838 message first, now im getting the -4 error message. If i new this would brick my iphone I wouldnt have done this, right now im 30 minutes late for work cause I cant get this phone working...

# Posted By Victor Robinson | 7/11/08 10:40 AM

Same after getting 9838 for an hour I get -4

# Posted By Justin SR | 7/11/08 10:40 AM

yeah its working!!!!!!!!
=D

# Posted By Brian | 7/11/08 10:40 AM

wtf.. been getting time outs accessing itunes store, I unplugged to plug into my macbook, and right when I plugged into my SLEEPING macbook pro, the iphone lit up and said activated... weird

# Posted By observer | 7/11/08 10:40 AM

keep trying it eventually will work. Eject phone quit itunes then reopen itunes with phone connected. i did this about 5 times. it worked.

# Posted By michael black | 7/11/08 10:41 AM

After 2 hours and 40 minutes, I finally got through and my iPhone is restoring from backup. What a bitch though!

Don't lose faith, keep trying guys.

# Posted By Ben | 7/11/08 10:41 AM

I was tuck with the -9838 error for 20min.

I've been ejecting the iphone from itunes and plugging it back in for 20 min.

The -9838 error is gone, and now I get a -4 error.

Anyone know what -4 is?

Lucien.

# Posted By Lucien Palmer | 7/11/08 10:41 AM

hi people!

IT WORKS EVENTUALLY, I PROMISE!!!

okay so i just waited on the phone with apple for 30 mins and then got cut off. but in the meantime, i just clicked back and forth between purchased songs and "iphone". It kept giving me 9383.

Then i waited 5 minutes and tried again and it went to "Activating iTunes Store" for about 3 minutes. then -4 came up. The next time I tried, it synched and worked.

The whole thing took about an hour from when I first downloaded the update.

so it WILL happen, do not worry and don't bother calling apple.

# Posted By copleycrew | 7/11/08 10:41 AM

When you click on and off of the iPhone in iTunes - does the progress bar go solid immediately, or is it zebra striped for a bit and then go solid?....

--Frustrated in CT

# Posted By Jerkoff | 7/11/08 10:41 AM

This is hilarious! We are so tied into our technology, it's really crazy. 2 hours without my phone and I'm ready to have a stroke. My i-tunes isn't searching automatically anymore so I don't know if it will work and I'm seeing patients all day long. If I leave the phone plugged into my mac, will it eventually work?

# Posted By TXNeuro | 7/11/08 10:41 AM

Finally updated.

# Posted By Heath | 7/11/08 10:42 AM

Had the same issue for hours, it just finally worked (here in France). I guess Apple added some servers and/or network bandwidth

# Posted By lejon | 7/11/08 10:42 AM

-4 error is that apple is -4 degrees of technology from where they SAY they are.

# Posted By damon | 7/11/08 10:42 AM

Looks like the brute force approach of clicking on/off iphone icon works!! I did in abt 20 clicks!! After that it says "iPhone activated" on the iphone screen.
So its a matter of patience.
Good luck to everyone else. I hope Apple fixes this soon and I hate apple for integrating the stupid activation!!

# Posted By Adit | 7/11/08 10:42 AM

Anybody here like pancakes? It's almost 11am CST and I'm hungry for some breakfast. Instead on sitting here at work, not using any apps.

# Posted By rustedshut | 7/11/08 10:42 AM

well... that didn't work... it's got pass the accessing itunes store part and then the error came up again...

i've been trying to update for almost 2 hours now...

i did the clicking back and forth stuff.. i guess imma do it again until something else happens.

this update better be PERFECT!!!

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 10:42 AM

i was totally about 2 break my phone..
i love you guys (inna non-homosexual way)
=]]]]]]]]]

# Posted By Brian | 7/11/08 10:43 AM

okay it works now! I shut off everything (itunes/iphone) unplugged and replugged and restarted itunes and iphone. Now seems to be a fully functional iphone.

# Posted By jd | 7/11/08 10:43 AM

MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7 MAKE SURE YOU ALL HAVE ITUNES VERSION 7.7

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 10:43 AM

okkkkk. mine just went through everything and i now have 2.0 installed. only thing it didnt do was sync my music and now i cant get to the iphone screen with the tabs that allow me to choose what to sync

# Posted By Mario | 7/11/08 10:44 AM

Mine is stuck in "slide for emergency" too - if anyone gets through to apple - please post how to fix this. URGH!

# Posted By michelle | 7/11/08 10:44 AM

FYI, I updated iTunes to 7.7 two days ago and still recieved the 9838 error. Once I took it off the dock, hit the home key the update finished I am now running 2.0

# Posted By Chris | 7/11/08 10:45 AM

be discouraged.
I have been working on this for 2 hours and 43 minutes. I have plug in and out. nothing. I have let it sit "accessing the itunes store" 18 times and have been kicked off after 5 to 15 minutes everytime. I have click back and forth onto other things and back to my iphone and waited 5 seconds and waited 5 minutes. nothing. I have reset my iphone, rebooted my mac and turned everything off and on. nothing.

we are doomed.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 10:45 AM

Listen, the guy who posted the iphoto thing just got lucky. That doesn't work at all. My iphoto is completely shut down. I'm so sick of this crap from Apple. I leave in 1.5 hours for a weekend trip with no phone to use.

# Posted By sean Parchem | 7/11/08 10:45 AM

Listen...I'm an Apple fan too and I am also waiting for my iPhone to complete the update process like many other people around the world. Did any of you really think that there wasn't going to be network slowdowns this morning? Let's be serious. I am not a patient man...trust me...but can only control what we can control. Everyone will get their toys working again soon. Please stop connecting and disconnecting your phones repeatedly as you will cause excess wear on those parts. Go out and get a cup of coffee and relax for a bit...it is Friday after all.

# Posted By lage-t-willy | 7/11/08 10:45 AM

yeah Mike we all have itunes version 7.7. good lord. that's not the problem.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:46 AM

mine just worked woohoo!!!!! be patient peeps

# Posted By Alex | 7/11/08 10:46 AM

Almost three HOURS! And it is finally restoring.

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 10:47 AM

I just went from an error 9838 to an error 4. Hopefully it will go down to 0 :-)

# Posted By Embeee | 7/11/08 10:47 AM

I guess patience will win ... some freakin day ..

# Posted By shashank | 7/11/08 10:47 AM

Itunes 7.7. No kidding. You think these people on the blog are complete idiots. That's the first thing they did. Apple should have known what was coming. It's really horrible planning one their part.

# Posted By sean Parchem | 7/11/08 10:47 AM

KJN, i feel your pain. I've been at it for 3 hrs 51 mins and nothing.

also sean is correct, the iPhoto thing is not the problem. my iPhoto has been off the whole time. that's not the problem. the problem is with Apple's servers.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 10:48 AM

If you are getting the (-9839) or (-4) error when updating your iPod to 2.0... basically just connect your iPod so it displays in iTunes then click between your music library and the iPhone icon. It will take several attempts but when it does connect it goes quickly. (Basically, if it takes more than 5 seconds try clicking back and forth again don't wait around for more than a few seconds)

# Posted By Scott Hrdlicka | 7/11/08 10:48 AM

Here's an idea...email Steve Jobs and tell him to buy Cisco routers and Intel servers!
# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 9:55 AM

Shut up nerd.....wait like the rest of us!

# Posted By Sk8rCai | 7/11/08 10:48 AM

I've used a packet sniffer to look at what is happening (full details <A HREF="http://jimmyblake.com">here</A>;. Basically the -9838 is, as someone pointed out earlier, a cannot connect to the iTunes Music Store via SSL.

I've look at the request and response packets via the sniffer and effectively the iTMS server is sending a HTTP Error 500-13 message, which is 'Server too Busy. What this means is there are just too many people trying to connect for the amount of available network connections to the server. iTunes then converts this into the -9838 message we are all seeing.

If you manage to get a progress bar, this means the connection has been established to the iTMS (you are beyond the -9838) and you should leave it to takes its course.

For some people it seems to work (not for me unfortunately) but some are bombing out with a -4 error - which is a timeout. If iTunes doesn't receive the activation response back from the iTMS within a given period iTunes will exit with this error.

So effectively, no matter what you click before you try activation on iTunes will help in the slightest. You just have to keep pounding away until you get a slot and hope that the iTMS can process the activation before it times out.

Annoying thing is that I already have activated my new iPhone 3G once with no problems, but I have to reset it after cocking up the synchronisation and ending up with masses of duplicates.

:(

Good luck guys.

# Posted By James Blake | 7/11/08 10:48 AM

I got same error... However don't worry...just be patient. The -9838 error finally didn't come up and now itunes is restoring my 16GB iPhone (not 3G)....Whew!

# Posted By Kiwi | 7/11/08 10:48 AM

hour 3, and still no progress. i have been getting the "accessing iTunes store" several time now, error (-4) and error (-9838) millions of times, and now i am at an accessing itunes screen, lets see if it works this time. it is amazing though, i am going crazy because i can't use my phone and the new upgrade for 3 hours, which isn't that long in the grand scheme of things. thanks for returning my sanity, this thread is awesome =P

# Posted By nunya | 7/11/08 10:50 AM

well still waiting, 9838 basically translates to 'sorry we're busy please try again'! Dont worry it doesnt mean your iphone is briked its just taking forever to activate all the phones (even the lite activation). AT&T in America is taking forever to complete the process and O2 in UK only processed half the orders from the pre-order, they hope to have all pre-orders complete by tonight but I think its unlikely. Thats why you might only be able to do the emergency call even after activation.

Sit tight, you have the iphone and it will sort itself out in next few days!

# Posted By London-John | 7/11/08 10:50 AM

WTF.

# Posted By Austin | 7/11/08 10:50 AM

Just to give you a ray of hope.. after about 3 hrs mine finally started working!!!!!!!!

# Posted By Drew | 7/11/08 10:50 AM

It took me 2 hours but finally got through the connecting itunes store issue. One less trying to connect now guys!

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 10:51 AM

JAmes Blake, you are a awesome, I've been going at this for 2 hours now with no luck, atleast now I understand the technical bs

# Posted By Wingchunlover | 7/11/08 10:51 AM

Thanks James Blake, that was a constructive post.

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 10:51 AM

TRY THIS:

Download any app inside of the iTunes store with your phone disconnected. Then, connect your phone. My phone activated and synched great after hundreds of -9838 error messages.

:)

Good luck!

# Posted By andrew | 7/11/08 10:52 AM

I ran the Help > Diagnostics on itunes and i got this.

Connection attempt to Apple web site was successful.
Connection attempt to iTunes Store was successful.
Secure connection attempt to iTunes Store was successful.
Secure connection attempt to iPhone activation server was successful.
Last successful store access was 2008-07-11 11:45:29.

So there is no problem with itunes store and SSL. I think it is the itunes store that is getting bombarded.

# Posted By Pradeep | 7/11/08 10:52 AM

thanks for walking with me this hard but at the end rewarding path!!! I still love my Iphone

# Posted By Daniel | 7/11/08 10:52 AM

Hey guys,

I ran into the same problems as you. (First generation iPhone, updated to 2.0, failed during the update, then restored, and couldn't activate.)

I am now able to connect to the iTunes store. It activated my phone and completed the restoration, and I'm happy to say it "restored" it to 2.0.

So, you might want to give activation another shot if you were unable to before!

Good luck!

# Posted By Jered | 7/11/08 10:52 AM

no more 9838!!!!

but... now its -4 error...

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 10:52 AM

lage-t-willy you must not have a job. I actually do and I must have my phone for it.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 10:54 AM

Just got it to work. Just keep ejecting and plugging back in. I did it about 4 times. I also toggled between iPhone and the Store.

Good Luck!

# Posted By Michael | 7/11/08 10:54 AM

So I wonder how long it will take to restore 15GB of data...probably another hour or so.

You can't even leave your computer during the "accessing iTunes Store" phase because I was getting errors every few minutes forcing me to unplug and replug the phone.

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 10:55 AM

Still restoring.. but I have a blue bar slowly moving. iphone info finally came up on itunes and iphone reads "Sync in Progress instead of the emergency call slider.....Fingers crossed.

# Posted By Kiwi | 7/11/08 10:56 AM

Mine finally updated!!!

# Posted By John May | 7/11/08 10:56 AM

Apple just released a new fix patch on their website for iPhone. The patch fix a problem on the upgrade process from iPhone version 1.X. to 2.0 There is only one requirement, and that is that you need to have iPhone 2.0 or higher installed and also ITUNES VERSION 7.7 HAHAHAHAH ITUNES VERSION 7.7.

Have a good Day

# Posted By Apple Support | 7/11/08 10:57 AM

what is bothering me on this is that apple made a one fit all solution: the new 3g needs to go online to sign up but for the iphone edge, why do we also need to register with the apple store again?

they could have bypassed that online registration and everybody would have been on their merry way. The apple engineers sgould be sent to beijing and run a marathon under the ultra polluted air or I guess they already have a smug a thick smug in their brain...

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 10:57 AM

I was just sitting her thinking... I know alot of ya'll still haven't gotten your phones unbricked. I guess I'm blessed that mine finally got reactivated but I find my self ticked off because it has to reload all of my music and such... Its taking forever and all I want to do is just go back to bed. But I can't do that because my phone is my alarm clock. But I guess it could be worse... I could still be sitting here with a bricked phone.

# Posted By Drew | 7/11/08 10:58 AM

kjn you must be a very grouchy individual. Let me ask you...can you control this situation? Can you, kjn, fly out to CA or where ever the hell Apple's servers are located and fix the issue? Probably not. Therefore all you can do is wait like everyone else and stop griping about it. You are not benefiting anyone with your posts and personal attacks to someone who was trying to be positive.

# Posted By lage-t-willy | 7/11/08 10:59 AM

UP DOWN UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A Select Start...

...oh, wait. That is the code to getting 50 lives in Contra...for the original Nintendo.

...no secret order of "clicking" here.

# Posted By cgramatges | 7/11/08 10:59 AM

here's a question... once you get a slot and the progress bar "accessing iTunes store"... if it is taking like 5 hours and not just immediately working... is that a sign it will probably time out? in other words, for the people now reporting success, how long did you sit on the "accessing itunes store" screen?

(i will never get an answer to this because once the people are successful i am sure they are quickly exiting this board which reminds them only of their last 3 hours of misery)

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 11:00 AM

I got your back t-willy.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 11:00 AM

Put your right foot in, take your right foot out...

# Posted By The Other Brian | 7/11/08 11:01 AM

I'm having the exact same problem, perhaps we should return them to Apple and get free replacements.

# Posted By Dominic Cooper | 7/11/08 11:02 AM

Phew! Finally connected and now waiting for everything to sync.... which, is going to take awhile.

# Posted By geoff | 7/11/08 11:02 AM

this is bs. 2.0 is installed on my phone now. i got aim on it, that doesnt even do anything. a white window pops up for a second then im back at home screen. and i cant sync my music and its backed up. its saying "the iPhone, "iPhone" cannot be synched. the file cannot be found"

# Posted By Mario | 7/11/08 11:03 AM

thank you for killing my phone 2.0

# Posted By RJ | 7/11/08 11:03 AM

Put your iphone in and you shake it all about... You get really frustrated and throw it out the window, that's what it's all about

# Posted By Mike Kurrle | 7/11/08 11:03 AM

shut up.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 11:03 AM

Hopefully we look like we are all getting on track!

# Posted By Chris | 7/11/08 11:04 AM

I just kept clicking the iphone in the side bar and letting it try to connect in the background. It would usually beep or something after like 30 seconds and let me know which error it was getting. Then the last time i heard it beep i went to click the iphone again and realized that it was working.

# Posted By Drew | 7/11/08 11:04 AM

I'm Getting the "We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The network connection timed out." HELP ME

# Posted By Calvin | 7/11/08 11:04 AM

When it worked, the "accessing itunes store" screen was only up for about 30 seconds. itunes is still restoring music music and videos

# Posted By Kiwi | 7/11/08 11:04 AM

HALLELUJAH IT FINALLY WORKED! I sat on the "accessing itunes store" screen for about 20 minutes.

Now my phone reports Sync in Porgress and I have a box on the iPhone screen that says "Waiting for activation This may take some time." Time? I've got nothing but time!

WOO HOO!

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 11:05 AM

If you've got a connection not timing out with the -4, don't close it. -9838 is that the server cannot accept any connections as there are no sockets free.

-4 is a timeout between the iTMS and iTunes, a connection reset from Apple's enf.

There doesn't seem to be a pattern to when the -4s are appearing yet (it could be some internal process that is a bottleneck within the activation system). If you've got a progress bar and no -4, you may be OK.

# Posted By James Blake | 7/11/08 11:05 AM

has anyone had a -4 error and then success?

# Posted By Wade | 7/11/08 11:07 AM

Do you have to have service to activate??

# Posted By Jon | 7/11/08 11:07 AM

I think kjn is right. This is pure stupidity on apples part and we are paying for it.

# Posted By r12 | 7/11/08 11:07 AM

PATIENCE!

Just spent 1 1/2 hrs clicking between Error Message (OK) Music and iphone iconw. Sure that server traffic overwhelming.

Relax and get a coffee/tea.

# Posted By Lou Moriconi | 7/11/08 11:08 AM

in conjunction with att pricing, this iphone is so expensive that i expect a better service than today. This is just amateurism. The server may be done but how come they don't have back up servers? They launch a worldwide upgrade and can only support half the population of the vatican!

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 11:08 AM

wade, i was seeing -4 errors at some point. yes now i have had success.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 11:08 AM

I've experienced 5 cycles (of varying lengths) of the scrolling "accessing the iTunes store" bar, ending in a "-4" error...over the last 45 minutes or so. Just now it stopped scrolling and I have "sync in progress" on the phone. Hope this helps!

# Posted By The Other Brian | 7/11/08 11:08 AM

I had the same problem and the att store told me to either take it to a apple store or call them and we all know that would be pointless. so i just kept clicking on and off of the iphone diskimage on the sidebar and about 15 mins in I got it.

Now everything is working great

# Posted By Matthew Schimenti | 7/11/08 11:09 AM

kjn is right. we should be mad. I would be mad if my plane was delayed.

# Posted By grampas underwear | 7/11/08 11:09 AM

I'm syncing at this point. 1hr 10 min total. It'll happen...it's lunchtime on the east coast so go and grab a bite to eat. God bless.

# Posted By lage-t-willy | 7/11/08 11:09 AM

ready for the worst, most depressing story?
today i was in line at 2 am for my new phone.
and then AT&T effed up the orders at the apple store and so they couldnt activate phones for a lot of people. and now, installing 2.0 on my old iphone
is totally stalling and i'm stuck on emergency calls mode.

/suicides.

# Posted By brendan l | 7/11/08 11:09 AM

still no go.....

the error message doesn't come up immediately anymore... it takes about 5 minutes.. and then it says the same thing... -4

yep

i will definitely post when the success happens... hopefully itll be before lunch...

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 11:09 AM

See I'm not the only one.. Still stuck on hold with apple

# Posted By Don | 7/11/08 11:09 AM

Wow...they are still down. That must be some bug!

# Posted By DiddyHo | 7/11/08 11:09 AM

curse you

just kidding.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 11:10 AM

Holly, once i recieved the accessing iTunes store message i left it alone until it reactivated my phone. Before the successful attempt...i just kept trying..the only difference between my final attempt and previous attempts is: on my final attempt i completely ejected my iPhone, Quit itunes and plugged my iphone into a different port, then reopened iTunes.

# Posted By michael black | 7/11/08 11:10 AM

I think it worked!

It took about 10 tries of ejecting, restarting itunes, plugging the iphone back in...

The software appeared to install... settings restored... in the process of music and videos restoring...

# Posted By Lucien Palmer | 7/11/08 11:10 AM

ITS SYNCING NOW!!!

so... now i'm waiting on that... this is fun!!

patience is the key

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 11:11 AM

my error (-9838) messages have gone away and now i keep getting the "accessing itunes store" and then error (-4) so i am just going to keep trying till i get the connection and it doesn't time out.

# Posted By nunya | 7/11/08 11:11 AM

Grampas, you make me laugh because I am a flight attendant and now if the crew desk calls me to get on your plane, I i can't pick up the phone, my iphone is a brick...

if the plane does not take off it is because bricks dont fly...

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 11:11 AM

I too agree with kjn. this is really a ridiculous situation and apple should be ashamed.

# Posted By holly | 7/11/08 11:11 AM

alright, got it squared away. finally got to the iphone setup screen and used the backup option and now everythings fine. good luck to everyone and hope you enjoy your new iphones and/or the new software

# Posted By Mario | 7/11/08 11:11 AM

I never said anyone could not get mad. Be mad all you want. Heck...take legal action against Steve Jobs if you desire. But at some point you need to stop being angry.

# Posted By lage-t-willy | 7/11/08 11:12 AM

I'm really glad I found this thread, I was worried something really bad happened to my phone. At first I was getting the error message involving SSL and the other acronym, I forget. I disabled my firewall and stopped getting that error, and just started receiving the timeout message. I guess I'll just keep trying and hopefully get a slot...

# Posted By Aaron | 7/11/08 11:13 AM

still stuck at 11:13 Central time

# Posted By JoelA | 7/11/08 11:13 AM

Yeah, the -9838 (can't make connection error) seems to have gone away. The -4 seems to be a timeout from Apple's end as it is resetting the connection.

There are an abnormally high amount of checksum errors meaning packets are being corrupted somewhere, I think Apple's infrastructure is creaking under the load.

Packet dumps of all this at jimmyblake.com for those interested.

# Posted By James Blake | 7/11/08 11:14 AM

You know what the worst is?

Some people can't even eat dinner EVER. It's a friggin fancy phone, go read an article while you wait.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/News/HumanitarianCrises...

# Posted By Zanzibar | 7/11/08 11:14 AM

like finding a parking space up close.... at the mall... at christmas.... on christmas eve....

# Posted By Austin | 7/11/08 11:15 AM

brenden 11:09am,

Wow! That is truly a frustrating story.

I was on hold with Apple tech support for an hour this morning before giving up. My phone is now useless.

I think I'll go to the bathroom while I wait and take a hearty # 2.0

# Posted By -d | 7/11/08 11:15 AM

thank you for that bit of wisdom, lage-t-willy

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 11:15 AM

Woohoo! Like most people on here, I just kept unplugging and plugging my phone over and over again and it eventually worked. I went from error 4 to error 9838 and back again and then it just worked. Been working on it for about and hour or more, now. Good luck to the rest of you!

# Posted By Richard | 7/11/08 11:16 AM

restore mode won't work!!! still no network connection. keep switching from iphone to music in sidebar, should work after a while

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 11:16 AM

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS.....WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS....I think santa decided to show up early for me this year. I've just got my iPhone updated.

Wish you guys the same luck!!

# Posted By Santa | 7/11/08 11:17 AM

I am quiting. I am going to the apple store.

# Posted By kjn | 7/11/08 11:18 AM

Ditto and I have been on hold with tech for about 30 minutes as well. Only I did not restore, itunes decided to do that by itself. Now i know what "emergancy calls only" looks like in Japanese. Great!

# Posted By Chris | 7/11/08 11:18 AM

@Austin

That's a very good example. :)

I have to leave my house soon, and I won't have a phone. It's slightly frustrating.

# Posted By Aaron | 7/11/08 11:19 AM

I continue to get -4 error, over and over. Someone wrote that there's a patch on the Apple website if you have iTunes 7.7 - is that true or a joke?

# Posted By Caroline | 7/11/08 11:19 AM

zanzibar, who do you think you are? my turn to tell you to go read a book. I need that phone to work! If dont answer the phone while on call, I can loose my job. So yes there are starving people etc but also they are working people that need a phone to work. Welcome to 2008!

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 11:19 AM

Time to play some Battlefield 2142 while I wait for Apple to pull their heads out and fix the issue. Everyone thinks Microsoft is so bad...looks like we have a competitor.

# Posted By DiddyHo | 7/11/08 11:19 AM

patience is a virtue (that i don't totally have), but mine just got through...server overload...

# Posted By ep | 7/11/08 11:20 AM

going on 2 hours of nothing but the same old error messages. any word on when this will be resolved? patience is one thing but some of us have sh*t to do...

# Posted By dave | 7/11/08 11:20 AM

I never realized how important my phone was until I could not use it. My phone is my life-line, as well as my best friend. I use it to read news while i sit on the toilet, and to watch girls dance on youtube first thing in the morning while i need some pleasure. It is there when I need it, and not having it was like having a family member in a coma.

Luckily I am back up and running - from 9:05 AM finished 12:18PM - There is hope out there!- And the joy of seeing the Sync in Progress screen is like a joy you will have never experienced before. Your best friend opening his eyes from his coma, your family member taking a breath when you thought they drowned - THANK GOD MY IPHONE WORKS AGAIN - I love you all and thank you for keeping me updated on your progress throughout this tumultuous morning!

# Posted By Carl | 7/11/08 11:20 AM

Tried updating my first gen iPhone. Got all the way to reboot and the phone seems to be in a loop. The Apple logo shows up for a while then the screen flashes and the logo comes back up. Did this for nearly an hour. I disconnected the phone, restarted my iMac and did a restore. The restore went through but I'm still at the exact same start up loop thingy.

Hopefully it's the network/apple's servers are slammed thing. Gonna leave in the cradle for a while and cross my fingers.

(kicking myself for not waiting a few days to update)

# Posted By dreamland_01 | 7/11/08 11:20 AM

Herve-
If you are so important, don't upgrade your phone when you are on call.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 11:21 AM

OK.............................. HERE WE GO.................. First i restored my phone.... to get rid of that initial jailbreak..... it restored to 1.1.4 and kept saying my software was up to date........................................ kept clicking check for updates.......... and BOOM!!!! itunes is now downloading the 2.0 software!! ........any minute now!!!!!!

Best of luck to all..... i mean i will say this...... its still really early guys..... in california its only 9:21 AM right now...... and im sure MILLIONS are all trying to update all at once...... looks like it to me that Apple is definitely on top of this...... have patients everyone!!!!!

Best
Mike

# Posted By Mikey | 7/11/08 11:22 AM

My 3G Phone is working, I can make calls, access the internet via 3G etc, but when I connect to iTunes it just displays 'accessing itunes store', and then displays -4 error. Won't let me sync contacts or music.

O2 help desk say that they have to activate the phone first and afterward iTunes has to activate it for syncing. This seems a little stupid to me.

Anyway, I'm gonna play super monkey ball, and leave it alone for a few hours. No point in me clogging up the system. Hope you guys don't have to wait too long (and that the traffic eases up by the time i try again in a few hours)

# Posted By Michael | 7/11/08 11:22 AM

well said MDS

# Posted By Mike Kurrle | 7/11/08 11:22 AM

Mikey-
Let me know if jailbreak works on 2.0 will ya?

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 11:22 AM

that s the thing mds, I am just a worker and I trusted until this day apple too much!

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 11:23 AM

haha, you poor soul, the problem isnt getting the update, its connecting to itunes after you have the download in order t finish

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 11:23 AM

Why thank you Dr. Kurrle.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 11:23 AM

-4 error is a timeout from Apple's. About 30% of the data coming to and from Apple (at least on my network) is corrupted. Looks like their networks are overloaded.

# Posted By James Blake | 7/11/08 11:23 AM

Mine is also now working. I kept unplugging and restarting, unplugging and restarting. Good thing I'm sitting through a boring lecture with time to do this! Good luck!

# Posted By caroline | 7/11/08 11:24 AM

I think I just realized why it has to do this...well I talked to a MobileMe person today because my computer said that it couldn't register my phone on the syncing network..or something like that. It must be that they have to do this so that it registers it on their network and can be used with MobileMe. I am not sure, but I think I am on to something here. If this isn't true, those who created this activation process for those who have iPhone gen 1 are a bunch of serious retards.

# Posted By DiddyHo | 7/11/08 11:24 AM

OK, after 2 hrs my phone now says its activated.... but i keep getting the -4 time out and it wont let me sync...

i think its weird it activated for me but now wont let me sync my data back, until it does something else over the network? which i still keep getting the -4 now

# Posted By GA | 7/11/08 11:25 AM

So I posted earlier (9:30ish ET) to say that the firmware was stuck on the error message. It's finally started restoring at 12:30ET... 3 hours of watching it, clicking on and off the iPhone icon to get it to reconnect to the iTunes server.

But now it IS restoring the phone... though it's taking a long time.

The need for patience is true -- though Apple should have thought of this. The only good news is that with the shortage on 3G phones at the stores, 3G registrations will pretty much stop, so the rest of the day will be Edge phones upgrading to the new firmware.

# Posted By Drew 2.0 | 7/11/08 11:25 AM

yest it was candid on my part to believe that apple is always smooth. but also we are bombarded by apple marketing to tell us, that mac are not pcs, the fat pc guy is always and the young mac guy is just cool. Well today the young mac guy is not that cool...

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 11:26 AM

bend me over...i am missing important calls

# Posted By tony g | 7/11/08 11:27 AM

I've been doing the sidebar up and down thing for like 2 hours. No luck. Problem is, I'm on vacation in the woods, and just came to town to update. Didn't bring the charger for my MacBook...b/c update will only take 1/2 hr....right?!?! Friendly man let me use his charger for an hour or so, so now I have 1.5 hrs. of battery life left. My only entertainment has been hitting refresh on this page. Sooooo wish I had waited. Thank goodness I'm on vacation and have time to do this!

# Posted By aaron | 7/11/08 11:27 AM

Same thing happened to me this morning! was really annoying. I connected the iphone back up to the itunes and it finally backed everything up. But still it will not connect to itunes store. so all the apps I bought yesterday are not on my iphone yet. Really annoying bug! I was not expecting these problems with Apple. So I don't know what to do now?

# Posted By Devin Crawford | 7/11/08 11:28 AM

Sat on hold for 45 minutes and then they hung up on me. Called back, got through and they hung up on me again. Is anyone else getting an error that says, "We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The network connection was reset. Make sure your network connection is active and try again."

I'm at work. My connection is fine. This sucks.

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 11:28 AM

WITH A LITTLE LUCK, WE CAN HELP IT OUT,
WE CAN MAKE THIS WHOLE DAMN THING WORK OUT.
WITH A LITTLE LOVE, WE CAN LAY IT DOWN,
CAN'T YOU FEEL THE TOWN EXPLODING?

THERE IS NO END TO WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER, (together)
THERE IS NO END. (there is no end, there is no end)
THE WILLOW TURNS HIS BACK ON INCLEMENT WEATHER,
AND IF HE CAN DO IT,
WE CAN DO IT, JUST ME AND YOU.

AND A LITTLE LUCK, WE CAN CLEAR IT UP,
WE CAN BRING IT IN FOR A LANDING.
WITH A LITTLE LUCK, WE CAN TURN IT ON,
THERE CAN BE NO MISUNDERSTANDING.

THERE IS NO END TO WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER, (together)
THERE IS NO END. (there is no end, there is no end)
THE WILLOW TURNS HIS BACK ON INCLEMENT WEATHER,
WE CAN DO IT, JUST ME AND YOU.

WITH A LITTLE PUSH, WE COULD SET IT OFF,
WE CAN SEND IT ROCKETING SKYWARDS.
WITH A LITTLE LOVE, WE COULD SHAKE IT UP,
DON'T YOU FEEL THE COMET EXPLODING?

WITH A LITTLE LUCK, WITH A LITTLE LUCK,
WITH A LITTLE LUCK, A LITTLE LUCK, A LITTLE LUCK...

WITH A LITTLE LUCK, WE CAN HELP IT OUT,
WE CAN MAKE THIS WHOLE DAMN THING WORK OUT.
WITH A LITTLE LOVE, WE CAN LAY IT DOWN,
CAN'T YOU FEEL THE TOWN EXPLODING?

WITH A LITTLE LOVE, BABY, WE CAN SET IT OFF,
SEND IT ROCKETING SKYWARDS.
WITH A LITTLE LUCK, WE COULD SHAKE IT UP, OH YEAH, YEAH.

WITH A LITTLE LUCK, WE CAN HELP IT OUT,
WE CAN MAKE THIS WHOLE DAMN THING WORK OUT.
WITH A LITTLE LOVE, WE CAN LAY IT DOWN,
CAN'T YOU FEEL THE TOWN EXPLODING?

WITH A LITTLE PUSH, WE CAN SEND IT OFF,
WE CAN SEND IT ROCKETING SKYWARDS.
WITH A LITTLE LOVE, WE COULD SHAKE IT UP,
DON'T YOU FEEL THE COMET EXPLODING?

WOW, WOW, WOW,
OOH, OOH.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 11:28 AM

After the 2.0 update, when I unplug and then replug my iPhone I get a "this accessory is not made to work with the iPhone." And it wants me to put it in "airplane mode." What's up with that?

# Posted By jmb | 7/11/08 11:28 AM

Hoooooray....it finally updated to version 2.0

As upset as I was, I am now happy. Keep trying, it eventually works

# Posted By footmdrph | 7/11/08 11:28 AM

I did successfully update my iphone to 2.o this morning about 6:30 eastern time US.. I went to update my wife's iphone and thet was about 8:10 eastern time US and have been stuck in the loop ever since...typical Apple...in the meantime the wife's iphone is a pretty paperweight...I know it will happen eventually...but still...

# Posted By John Gardner | 7/11/08 11:29 AM

MDS..... well i wasnt going to jailbreak it after the 2.0 update...... i have AT&T - only reason i jailbreak'd the phone initially was to get additional apps..... but with 2.0 im assuming i wont need to.....

however.... i do remember seeing an article on DIGG yesterday boasting that they had successfully jailBrOke 2.0

good luck!

as for my 2.0 update...... so far so good.... software downloaded... its installing as we speak...... any minute now!!!

# Posted By Mikey | 7/11/08 11:29 AM

2 hours still backing up my iphone.. its moving very slow.
good thing i'm off today and can keep track and able to use my home phone.
it sucks though

# Posted By nightymight | 7/11/08 11:29 AM

Wow.

# Posted By Joshua Curtiss | 7/11/08 11:29 AM

footmdrph did you do anything different.

Share with us.

# Posted By Rock | 7/11/08 11:29 AM

This is why I own a Treo ;)

# Posted By rYAN | 7/11/08 11:30 AM

Working! This Shazam app is outstanding and incredible!

# Posted By rustedshut | 7/11/08 11:30 AM

So this was two hours ago: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080711-laun...

**Anyone who purchased the 3G today and take it home to activate have any success yet? Please share if you have!**

Thanks.

# Posted By waiting... | 7/11/08 11:30 AM

Luckily I had little problem with my upgrade, but this board is too damn funny to give up on now.

# Posted By MDS | 7/11/08 11:30 AM

I'm confused, my phone is activated but I can't sync, because i still get the -4 error... wtf

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 11:30 AM

@DiddyHo

When you connect your iPhone iTunes opens a connection to Apple's activation server cluster at albert.apple.com via SSL. Earlier these servers were overloaded and not accepting connections resulting in error -9838.

Now they are just timing out most of the time resulting in a error -4.

albert.apple.com is only used for activation, not for MobileMe or other iTunes services including DRM as far as I can see.

# Posted By James Blake | 7/11/08 11:30 AM

Well Ray, if you ever wanted some real world load testing for your Blog app, this is a great way to do it. Make an iPhone post on the iPhone 3G launch day. ;-D

# Posted By Joshua Curtiss | 7/11/08 11:30 AM

Yep, me too. Stuck in "Emergency Mode. Thanks for posting this blog entry - finding out others are in the same boat is the only thing saving my sanity.

# Posted By Mark Burton | 7/11/08 11:31 AM

son! finish your iphone upgrade, people are starving in this e-world!

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 11:31 AM

does any one else get the message we could not complete your itunes store request the network connection was reset

# Posted By kerry triplett | 7/11/08 11:32 AM

Just had some robot tell me that, "in order to help me, I'll need to speak with a representative. And there are no representatives at this time."

I don't blame them. I'd be hiding somewhere, too.

# Posted By matt | 7/11/08 11:32 AM

@Mike

A -4 error is a timeout, so maybe iTunes is trying to establish a connection to another service (MobileMe?) to handle the syncing.

If I every get my bloody iPhone working I'll dump the network logs and have a look.

# Posted By James Blake | 7/11/08 11:32 AM

Same problem here! If any of you guys resolve find a way to resolve this issue through Apple tech support could you please report the resolution. This is bush league APPLE!

# Posted By Scott | 7/11/08 11:33 AM

Well looks like I'm stuck too. I had a successful 2.0 upgrade this morning around 7am (CST). Then I tried to jailbreak it. Well apparently iTunes has to be open for the jailbreak to work, and I inadvertently closed itunes during the jailbreak. So then I had to restore it in iTunes. Now I'm getting the same error as the other 6 million people in the world.

Awesome!!! (sarcasm)

# Posted By Jesse | 7/11/08 11:33 AM

I'm still trying, too, and getting the -4.

"Fate's net is vast and its mesh is coarse,
Yet none escape it."

-Tao Te Ching

# Posted By Zanzibar | 7/11/08 11:34 AM

@JoshuaCurtis: Heh, yeah I know. I'm going to do another blog entry later today on what went on server side. I figure most folks here in the thread could give two hoots about ColdFusion. ;)

@All: To all who are doing their best to stay polite and respectful - thank you. I appreciate it.

# Posted By Raymond Camden | 7/11/08 11:34 AM

too things - one, i held in power button and home button and it's restoring me to 1.1.4 - HILARIOUS - two: the image for me to enter this time are my initials - what's the chance

# Posted By Wade | 7/11/08 11:34 AM

I got it to work!! Just use the last bit of patience before smacking it to the wall and it worked!

# Posted By Kenny G | 7/11/08 11:35 AM

No success stories for 8 min. did the servers finally give up the ghost?

# Posted By aaron | 7/11/08 11:36 AM

Kenny how long did you have to wait?

# Posted By Rock | 7/11/08 11:36 AM

Interesting thought piqued by a prior post - anyone with .mac account able to upgrade yet - wondering if it's a mobileme issue as opposed to iTunes store only

# Posted By Wade | 7/11/08 11:36 AM

updating 1st gen. 8 gig iPhone to 2.0 today (July 11th) gave me a 'We could not complete your iTunes Store request. An unknown error occured (-4). There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try again later.'

anyone experience that? Any ideas on what a (-4) error means.

i gather that the issue is probably an itunes issue and not an iphone issue. seeing that you need itunes to finish the installation and itunes is probably slammed, i think i will have this unusable brick sitting in it's dock for awhile. damn this sucks...

please advise.

# Posted By david | 7/11/08 11:36 AM

Okay guys... I had the same problem all morning.... I kept clicking... to get the "Accessing iTunes Store" scroll bar.... After get the error msg after about 10 attempts.... it finally worked. My phone is now restored! Thank you Jesus....

Good Luck to everyone... Definitely not a good day for Apple.

# Posted By Jeremy | 7/11/08 11:37 AM

my phone just keeps showing the link to itunes screen, and when i do, itunes after about 10 seconds tells me i have timed out. help?

# Posted By KRM | 7/11/08 11:37 AM

Let go over a cliff, die completely, and then come back to life
- after that you cannot be deceived

Zen Proverb

Let go over the apple store, kill completely, and then come back to your mac
- after that you cannot be deceived

Apple Proverb

# Posted By HERVE DUFRAUX | 7/11/08 11:37 AM

Everything that's been written is true. Just got mine working after 3.5 hours. Just stick with it people. You'll get there. Peace out.

# Posted By CSD | 7/11/08 11:38 AM

I kept getting the -4 error message, I rebooted my macbook and plugged in my iphone all seems right now! Not sure if the reboot actually corrected the issue, but it worked for me.

# Posted By Kevin | 7/11/08 11:38 AM

David - please read above - lot's of ideas and info here for you

# Posted By Wade | 7/11/08 11:38 AM

I finally made it. Everything works. Except for no interface page when I try to re-sync. I won't worry about that for now.

Keep tryin' guys!

# Posted By Paul | 7/11/08 11:38 AM

CF?! What's that? This is an APPLE blog, isn't it?

# Posted By Todd Rafferty | 7/11/08 11:39 AM

The servers are clogged up. Apple should have been prepared for this!

# Posted By Scott | 7/11/08 11:39 AM

Jeremy said: "After get the error msg after about 10 attempts.... it finally worked." I've tried more than 100 times. There should be a que (line) or something ;-)

# Posted By aaron | 7/11/08 11:39 AM

same problem here.... (-4) error every 5 minutes or so, i just clock ok and it pops up again. Any fixes yet? or just patience?

# Posted By Graham Gaylor | 7/11/08 11:40 AM

Wow, this is bad. My fault for even updating when I really need my phone for work right now. I should have known that when it took 3 days to activate my iphone a year ago that I shouldn't have even touched this 2.0...
Best of luck everyone!

# Posted By baron | 7/11/08 11:40 AM

Same error here. No cell phone, nice...... Thanks Apple!!

# Posted By John Jacobson | 7/11/08 11:40 AM

Freakin' Lame.

I've been trying to upgrade for 3 hours now, and have had a myriad of errors.

Server overload? You think, Apple? DUH! Why didn't they release the software for previous iPhone versions a couple days ago, then you don't have new and old users overloading the system at the same time.

I demand restitution!

# Posted By StPatty33 | 7/11/08 11:40 AM

Just be patient and keep trying, it will work eventually. I retried over 45 minutes and finally the iphone restarted with everything update.

# Posted By frustrated | 7/11/08 11:41 AM

the 9838 problem I solved by rechecking my system updates. It is something to do with not having the right quicktime thing installed. Getting itunes hang on synching the damn thing though.

# Posted By Iain | 7/11/08 11:41 AM

only tried to buy one app from the app store: the football plays thing. Message came back and said, "App no longer available" !!!!!! On day #1????

# Posted By Paul | 7/11/08 11:41 AM

ONLY ONE ADVISE.. BE PATIENT.. NOTHING WE CAN DO. IT HAPPENED WITH THE FIRST ROUND OF THE IPHONE.. AT THAT TIME WAS MORE ATT THAN APPLE.. LOOKS STUPID THAT APPLE DID NOT LET THE OLD USER GET UPDATED IN ADVANCE TO AVOID THIS JAM...

# Posted By Norberto | 7/11/08 11:42 AM

-4 is a timeout error. Most people are getting it when Apple's activation server is resetting the connection.

If you go to my blog from the link in name name below, I've got a full dump of what it looks like.

If someone has got this to work by rebooting, closing iTunes or other such thing they have just been lucky. Just keep retrying.

# Posted By James Blake | 7/11/08 11:42 AM

I've been trying to upgrade for an hour. I've only gotten one message and that's that the network connection timed out. I guess this is just the waiting game.

# Posted By Dean | 7/11/08 11:43 AM

I've been trying since 8 this morning, Still no luck! I thinks its a Microsoft sabotage.

# Posted By Chris Mckernan | 7/11/08 11:44 AM

<a href="http://op-for.com/simpsons_nelson_haha2.jpg"&...;

your phones are broken!

# Posted By NELSON | 7/11/08 11:44 AM

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. has anyone contacted apple?? im dieing!!

# Posted By kerry triplett | 7/11/08 11:44 AM

I have a Motorola Q here running a Microsoft OS.... working just fine today!

# Posted By TJ Downes | 7/11/08 11:45 AM

I'm sorry APPLE... you stand up on stage in your cocky black turtle neck being all cool and this happens! . . I'm so stupid to think this would work today ... NOW.. I don't have a phone.

BUT... when I do have a phone EVERYONE should call ATT and DEMAND credit for their lack of service. TOUGH.. they got in bed with APPLE and they can just bill them for this stupid error. I hope their stock gets slammed today too.. I'm p oed big time right now at myself for biting into the poison apple . . . . . suffer you little children!

# Posted By RichieRich | 7/11/08 11:45 AM

ive been trying for 3 hours + at this point, im going to scream!

# Posted By ticcoh | 7/11/08 11:45 AM

tried itunes service and support online... got a message stating "we'll be back soon" in lieu of service or support. HA!

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 11:45 AM

sorry, this is what I meant to say:

http://op-for.com/simpsons_nelson_haha2.jpg

# Posted By Nelson | 7/11/08 11:46 AM

Seeing all these comments I'm really glad I downloaded the update and installed it manually yesterday afternoon. Total upgrade time for my phone was less than 10 minutes. Hang in there folks, the new software is worth a little pain trust me.

# Posted By Dan Skaggs | 7/11/08 11:46 AM

Apple is monitoring this blog and the more you moan and groan, the longer it takes.

# Posted By Big Brother | 7/11/08 11:46 AM

So I have attempted to restore my Iphone. No luck!!!! Its restoring in brick mode. Bad jooo joooo I tell you!

# Posted By Andrew | 7/11/08 11:46 AM

Having same issue- called Apple. They said the server is done. Leave your phone connected and when it comes up in a couple of hours (hopefully- her words) it would connect and complete automatically. unitl then we are all without phones!

# Posted By Melissa | 7/11/08 11:46 AM

I contacted Apple. After waiting more then an hour on the phone I explained to the tech that I updated my phone this morning and now I can't re-activate it. He basically said that there is nothing he can do, the activation servers are down and there is no ETA on when they will be available again.

At this point I got a little angry and asked him what's the point of Apple not only releasing a new iPhone but also a new update to all original iPhones if thier servers couldn't handle it.

All he said is sorry I can't help you and hung up.

GREAT SUPPORT!!! :(

# Posted By BigMak | 7/11/08 11:48 AM

I tried 50 times in an hour and still no luck getting the update.

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 11:48 AM

good work Jimmy....

One question, would it help being on a faster machine like a MacPro connected to a wired network rather than an old Powerbook on WiFi? ... or is network speed at that level not a problem?

# Posted By flamejob | 7/11/08 11:48 AM

I was going to check to see if Apple's stocks were hurting at all from this, but I quickly realized... I don't have my phone.

# Posted By Aaron | 7/11/08 11:48 AM

Just like the Pixar movie, "just keep trying, just keep trying, just keep trying"

It took 20 or so attempts and a reset of the iPhone, but finally, success.....

# Posted By Nemo | 7/11/08 11:48 AM

Welcome to the Jungle!!!!! 2hr and counting.......This f___ng sucks!!! Can we sue apple for this? lol

# Posted By Ivan | 7/11/08 11:49 AM

10 more minutes and I quit! Hear that Apple? but don't worry, i'll be back tomorrow.

# Posted By aaron | 7/11/08 11:50 AM

I shorted AAPL stock... at least I'll be compensated for the pain.

# Posted By arjan1071 | 7/11/08 11:50 AM

if you keep getting a 4, eject Iphone, unplug it, then plug it back in - eventually it will take. I've been down since 9:30 EST, and finally got through - and got the phone back.
Everything restored - I think I'll wait a week or two before trying to access ITunes store for ANYTHING.
good luck

# Posted By Joel Dobson Jr | 7/11/08 11:50 AM

I keep getting a network connection timed out error...I have not once gotten a -9838 error.

It starts by trying to access the itunes store but then gives me the time out error

sucks because I have to wait every time to see if it will be timed out...and so far for the past hour or so it has timed out everytime

# Posted By gary | 7/11/08 11:50 AM

I too, have been trying for over 3 HOURS!! With no luck, this is ridiculous

# Posted By MAD AS HELL | 7/11/08 11:51 AM

am i the only one gettting the connection reset error??

# Posted By kerry triplett | 7/11/08 11:53 AM

IM IN IM IN IM IN !!!!!!!

IM ACTIVTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ITS BEEN 3.5 HOURS!

IM SCREAMING

# Posted By ticcoh | 7/11/08 11:53 AM

Kerry wrote: "am i the only one gettting the connection reset error??" No, I get the same thing.

# Posted By aaron | 7/11/08 11:53 AM

finally after two hours of clicking back and forth to keep the 'accessing itunes store' thing going and after getting error 4 fifty times it worked, 2.0 baby!

# Posted By shawn | 7/11/08 11:54 AM

I still can't believe this! They hype the crap out of this launch and then fail!!!!

Shame, Shame on Apple!!!!

# Posted By John Jacobson | 7/11/08 11:56 AM

Could someone who has gotten through explain the best way to do so?

Option 1:Click on library, than iphone, repeat?

Option 2:Eject iphone, plug back in repeat?

# Posted By Johnny boy | 7/11/08 11:56 AM

Would it be better to not wait for the -4 every time, and just continue clicking between music and iphone? or is it best to wait for the error every time?

# Posted By Mike Kurrle | 7/11/08 11:57 AM

Arrggh THis sucks! I have been sitting here plugging and unplugging my phone for almost two hours now. One of the guys in my office just sat down plugged his phone in and connected! Arrrgh! Not Fair!

# Posted By Matt | 7/11/08 11:57 AM

Is there anything i can do to see if the activation works?
i read people clickin and clickin...what do i click during the ACCCESING ITUNE STORE time?

thanks

# Posted By Fco | 7/11/08 11:58 AM

This is truly horrible.
Took the day off today as I'm heading for vacation tomorrow and the entire day so far has been a waste.

:(

# Posted By john | 7/11/08 11:58 AM

this is bullshit

what are you guys doing? are you gonna keep trying to connect, or just let it connect on its own?

as i repeat, this is bullshit.

# Posted By Joey | 7/11/08 11:58 AM

Hey Guys I got through to atandt the server crashed they said at the most it will be several hours they said to go to apple.com/feedback for possible comps for the inconvience.

Hope this helps

Nicolle

# Posted By Nicolle | 7/11/08 11:59 AM

I'm done activating and have a working phone again, but now I can't connect to the iTunes store to get the apps. Do keep trying, but know that once you're done with the update and the activation, the iTunes store still isn't working right. Sigh.

# Posted By caroline | 7/11/08 11:59 AM

I am currently restoring music and videos. AFTER TWO HOURS!

But clicking back and forth did it for me!

Ah this has been so frustrating!

# Posted By Elizabethmarian | 7/11/08 11:59 AM

I am having the exact same problem. But look on the bright side. If Apple cant fix it, then i guess they will just have to replace our phones with an iPhone 3G

# Posted By Ian | 7/11/08 12:00 PM

fco

during that time.. dont click anything just let it run... hopefully you will get acess.. if not keep trying itll happen...

patience is the key

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 12:00 PM

Oh yeah they said to leave your phone hooked to the pc and when it is caught up it will update

# Posted By Nicolle | 7/11/08 12:00 PM

any news on how to stop getting the -4 error

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 12:00 PM

If Microsoft had a launch like this it would be on the front page of the NYTimes. Somehow, Apple gets treated VERY well by the media.

I've been at it since 9am, and just NOW, I mean as I type this, my phone is "Activated" so I'm hoping for the best.

# Posted By finley | 7/11/08 12:01 PM

click back and forth what?
sorry for the question...
i just got here LOL
thanks

# Posted By Fco, | 7/11/08 12:01 PM

its true you just have to wait, its noon in Chicago i started this at 8:30am, it just automatically went through.

There is no fix, just keep plugged in and wait....

Thankfully you all kept me humored!

Ciao

# Posted By ticcoh | 7/11/08 12:01 PM

THIS IS A SCAM TO MAKE U BUY THE 3G!!!! LOL IVE BEEN GETTIN-4 FOR AN HOUR

# Posted By tmo | 7/11/08 12:02 PM

my itunes update went fine, then it took a while to access the iphone 2.0 upgrade but then that downloaded no problem BUT NOW my iphone is in emergency call mode (like many posts here) and I keep clicking on my iphone in itunes and get a message that my itunes request cannot be completed because my network connection has been changed (which it has not to my knowledge) and to check the network connection and try again. I am able to go into my itunes account, the itunes store, etc. without any problem. My network connection is fine. I wanted to take a roadtrip this morning but am not going without my phone and so I am sitting at home staring at this computer. Any ideas?

# Posted By Laura | 7/11/08 12:02 PM

soooo... does anyone knows a good joke??? while we wait haha

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 12:03 PM

I am in MI and both my husband and I have bricks. we were told that it's because the sever cant handle all of the updates at once so we have to be patient and it blows but i guess patience is a virtue that i have to have right now

# Posted By Amber | 7/11/08 12:03 PM

If it hangs for over 5 mins, click off of the iPhone, then back on it... KEEP RETRYING.

I dont know if this does anything, but it did when clicking "check for updates", but try holding Option when clicking the iPhone icon.

# Posted By james | 7/11/08 12:03 PM

fco

if you are getting an error message just click the iphone image on the side panel and then press okay on the message and then click on something else in the itunes panel (any thing like ringtones, music, etc.)

then keep clicking back to get rid of the error message... then let itunes do its work

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 12:04 PM

Yeah JR.... What's the difference between an orange?

# Posted By Mike Kurrle | 7/11/08 12:04 PM

OK, phone is now 2.0, but then it had another error. So, none of my setting or contacts or sms, plus it still won't register in iTunes, but it's still trying.

# Posted By finley | 7/11/08 12:04 PM

an orange and what?

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 12:05 PM

A bicycle silly, a vest has no sleeves!

# Posted By Mike Kurrle | 7/11/08 12:05 PM

mike... i dont get it lol

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 12:06 PM

i'm guessing the people who got it to work are not refreshing this page again and again. they are playing with their fancy 2.0 iphones. I tried pluggin, unplugging, and up down arrow off of iphone. still no luck.

# Posted By aaron | 7/11/08 12:06 PM

What does a Pizza man and a Gynocologist have in common?

They can both smell it but they can't eat it!

That was for you Steve Jobs!!

# Posted By Pissed | 7/11/08 12:06 PM

Yeah, you're not supposed to... that's the point, it is supposed to be just a lame joke. hehe

# Posted By Mike Kurrle | 7/11/08 12:07 PM

Since a few of you seem to be getting activated, I covered my short position in the stock... made $150 in 10 minutes on the drop... so I feel like I've actually come out ahead with this glitch.

# Posted By arjan1071 | 7/11/08 12:07 PM

Good idea, JR. Here's a joke:

Two therapists pass each other in the hallway. One says "Hello", the other thinks "I wonder what he meant by that?".

# Posted By finley | 7/11/08 12:08 PM

I just left mine plugged in and it finally started to load.

STOP LOOKING AT THE SCREEN AND GO KICK THE CAT .. or something else less violent.

NOW it is doing the "sync in progress" ... I hope this doesn't time out. I wonder how many of us iPhone users are 'TYPE A" personalities?

# Posted By RichieRich | 7/11/08 12:08 PM

hey aaron,

mine works... just gotta be patient

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 12:09 PM

i dont get it o.)? haha

hey and What do you call a fish with no eyes?

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 12:09 PM

Ugh... same problem and I can't get through to tech support... but after seeing how many people are experiencing the same issue, I'm not surprised.

I guess I'll *try* to be patient.

# Posted By Rebecca | 7/11/08 12:09 PM

I was running into the whole "accessing itunes store" stalling problem so I let my phone work on that for about 3 hours. When I came back nothing had changed so I did a recovery mode restart (turn off phone, start itunes, plug in phone while holding down home key) and it re-downloaded the update. Trying to sync the phone did not work the first time around but it finally did on the second try. I think the recovery mode move helped.

Good luck everyone, there is hope.

# Posted By Adrian | 7/11/08 12:09 PM

I got it working!!!!!!!!!!!! all i did was chose a song and the little arrow that takes u to the itunes store, clicked it about 7 times and BOOM!!!! Hope this works!!!!

# Posted By Titanium524 | 7/11/08 12:09 PM

Well you made the news at least ... http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?com...

# Posted By Kevin Benore | 7/11/08 12:10 PM

jr

lunch!!!!

# Posted By smiley | 7/11/08 12:11 PM

Glad to see I'm not the only one with the problem. Sucks that I don't have a phone for a while, though, until I can fix this! http://www.theutensils.com

# Posted By Kayla Iacovino | 7/11/08 12:11 PM

JR -

fshhhhhhh

# Posted By caroline | 7/11/08 12:12 PM

LOl no you call it fsh but thats a good one haha

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 12:13 PM

My brother is on 2.0 but he upgraded yesterday.

# Posted By Evan | 7/11/08 12:13 PM

u got it rite caroline

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 12:13 PM

My feedback to apple through apple.com/feedback:

To whom it may concern,
I support your product--obviously since I'm willing to spend $600 on a phone with you. That being said, your simultaneous launch of the new G3 iPhone and the 2.0 software update for previous iPhones was a HUGE mistake.

I (and millions like me, I'm sure) have been stuck without a phone for over 4 hours now because of your server issues. With all the hype behind the new phone and the software update, the execution was horrible.

Successful people know that you underpromise and overdeliver. Apple has overpromised and severely underdelivered in this matter. Grown adults have TAKEN THE DAY OFF WORK because of the amazing possibilites of your product and updates, and your poor planning has left those people feeling silly and in a position to be mocked for thinking so highly of Apple.

I wonder how many people that RELY on their phones for business purposes have been severely effected by this down time. I know of one for sure...

I hope you learn from this egregious error, and have the good business sense to make amends to your loyal consumers through some sort of comps. Good day.

# Posted By StPatty33 | 7/11/08 12:16 PM

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I need my phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

# Posted By YO | 7/11/08 12:16 PM

Have the same problem but mine was on the Emergency only and now it went to 'No Service' after not being able to access the iTunes store for the last hour and a half. Called Apple and they said the servers are jammed due to overload. Will take a while and told to try later. My phone shows no service. Not happy. All the stores are aware of the problem

# Posted By decdog | 7/11/08 12:17 PM

I have a good joke...

What do you call a cow with no legs?

Ground beef!

# Posted By Timmy | 7/11/08 12:17 PM

i'm getting the same damn slide for emergency screen. i can't get anybody on the phone at apple and i'm starting to get realllllllllly angry. anybody able to fix this on their own???
thanks...

# Posted By jenn | 7/11/08 12:19 PM

Not sure if anyone's posted this tip already, but after waiting 3 hours I think I may have the solution.

Click on the iTunes Store tab.
Click on a song in the store and let the page load.
Then immediately click on the iPhone tab.

I got my phone activated and synced using that method after waiting from 9 a.m. to past noon.

# Posted By Seth Daivs | 7/11/08 12:19 PM

The main stream press - old skhool press - whatever you want to call them are starting to pick up the story. Here are a few links:

http://www.solecollector.com/forums/viewtopic.php?...

# Posted By steve | 7/11/08 12:21 PM

So basically, everyone is having the same problem. I still am a huge apple fan, however this is not cool. I am getting -4 error as well, anyone with -4 error finally get theirs to function correctly with itunes after the installation of the software

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 12:21 PM

can i walk out of the store with a phone
take my chip out of my old phone
and have it work?

# Posted By tom | 7/11/08 12:21 PM

Completed the update at around 9 AM Central time, then had to wait for activation. It is now, 12L21, and I am finally restoring the data. I'm none to pleased about the server issue. For those wanting to know, click between the library or store and your iPhone icon. That was my method.

# Posted By CS | 7/11/08 12:22 PM

Mine just finally worked. JUst keep trying to restore it and it will go through. I had to do this about 20 times until it finally worked. Good luck to all of you.

# Posted By Curt Watson | 7/11/08 12:23 PM

CS how long did you let it sit on "Accessing Itunes store"??

# Posted By Rock | 7/11/08 12:24 PM

Same thing here. Waiting for the iTunes store.

# Posted By Peter Gilbert | 7/11/08 12:24 PM

With all due respect, I'd conscript all those who slept in front of an Apple Store today and bought a new iPhone; and send them to Iraq. Better yet to Afghanistan!

# Posted By Hakki Ocal | 7/11/08 12:24 PM

Mine is stuck on slide for emergency as well, but iTunes gives me "We could not complete your itunes store request. the network connection timed out." I've been trying the clicking between music library and iphone in iTunes and still gives me the same "connectin timed out." Why wasn't I smart enough to just wait a few more days and do this after the mad rush!??

# Posted By lekili | 7/11/08 12:24 PM

Its nice to know that I am not the only one experiencing this problem after downloading the new software update. Let's hope there is a fix around the corner which will not cost us anything.

# Posted By Eric | 7/11/08 12:24 PM

Seth 12:19,

Great solution - it worked for me. I guess Apple gives priority to $0.99 song purchases over iPhones.

Thank you!

# Posted By -d | 7/11/08 12:25 PM

As to speed of connection or computer - no - I have a macbook pro, hooked it up to my ethernet (as opposed to air port) and have a 20MBPS speed connection at moment and I have been getting -4 errors for HOURS

Anyone ever comment on the .mac account being a cause?

# Posted By Wade | 7/11/08 12:25 PM

im also keep getting the -4 error should i press music and iphone back n fwd or should i keep waiting on the accessing to itunes store..?. help!!!!

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 12:25 PM

I finally made it kids. Stay patient.

# Posted By GT | 7/11/08 12:26 PM

same "your network connection has timed out" problem here... Effff

# Posted By Ryan | 7/11/08 12:26 PM

I am having the same issue. Here is my blog post on it. I just want to get my contacts to work! Need to make some phone calls.

# Posted By Dmitry Kalashnikov | 7/11/08 12:26 PM

Apple should have postpone the 2.0 update for 1G iphones while they release the new 3G iphone. I've been waiting 4 hours patiently to reactivate my iPhone but when both family & business communication is being interrupted someone should be accountable.

# Posted By Atoni | 7/11/08 12:27 PM

People, People...

As usual, a problem with traffic.

Have just got off a live chat with a guy called Emer at Apple and he was very apologetic and said that the amount of hits the store is getting is creating issues, sit back, chill and hook up to itunes later in the evening and we'll all be playing with Apps by midnight. Remember the only thing Apple can't control is enthusiasm...

Apple won't let us down, not too much anyway...

# Posted By Liam | 7/11/08 12:27 PM

Good thing I have the day off today, cause I feel like I'm going to be sitting in front of my computer for an undetermined amount of time...

# Posted By Timmy | 7/11/08 12:28 PM

I am thinking for those getting network errors, your computer is set to a connection timeout that kicks you out faster than apple's network kicks you out - if it's apple's fault I have been getting itunes store error - I started to sync - YAHOOOOOOOO

# Posted By Wade | 7/11/08 12:28 PM

So, it does work. WoW. I only had to go for 4 hours and a half. Amazing.

# Posted By Dave | 7/11/08 12:29 PM

My itunes is still saying that software version 1.1.4 is current...whats up with that? i updated itunes to 7.7 last night

# Posted By Jason | 7/11/08 12:29 PM

Steps to getting past the (-4) error:
1. Keep your phone plugged in.
2. As you get error messages, click ok.
3. Click on your music folder and then return to your iPhone to reset the connection between your computer and the Apple servers.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you finally get through.

# Posted By GT | 7/11/08 12:30 PM

I'm sorry, but those of you who opted to do this right before leaving for a trip KNOW BETTER. It is the 1st day of a major launch. Don't get your panties in a wad because you could not wait to update until you got back.

We all know that there are always systems bogging down with this much activity and all of us who want the latest, shiny update. Just chill out.

I am waiting here like the rest of you... and will admit to being slightly amused as I pass the time listening to you all get so impatient. ;)

and class action guy (@ 9:25 am)? you definitely need a life. Seriously.

# Posted By S3in LA | 7/11/08 12:30 PM

After over a dozen failures from "not able to access itunes store" and a dozen removals from the dock and resets and such, mine finally went through. Sync'd OK and phone was working but now its still updating music, videos, etc.. WHy on earth would Apple release the 2.0 update for the old 2.5G iPhone on the same day 58736578365489 people are going to be activating their new 3G iPhone?

# Posted By Rich Pugh | 7/11/08 12:30 PM

It amazes me that Apple's IT department isn't more agile in getting this problem resolved.

Tens of thousands if not millions of customers have been locked out of their phone for hours now.

Virtual server enterprise? Obviously not. C'mon, bring another 50 virtual servers up and keep your customers happy instead of locking them out in the cold for hours on end.

The sick part is all of us would have been better off upgrading yesterday with the "unofficial" firmware. Wait for the official release and we're screwed.

# Posted By primo | 7/11/08 12:31 PM

I did it! I got it to work!

Here's how:
Simply rub the belly of your nearest and dearest pet while muttering a short prayer to the all-powers Ra, God of the Sun.
Next, turn around three times before kneeling uncomfortably in your chairm hold down the "F8" key and lick the Shift key.
Finally, picture Steve Jobs naked, and chant "Mecca lecca hi, mecca hiney ho!" for a solid 2 minutes.

That's it!

# Posted By StPatty33 | 7/11/08 12:31 PM

any news?

# Posted By kerry triplett | 7/11/08 12:32 PM

Let's see:

1). Buy iPhone for $600.
2). It goes on sale for $400 a month later.
3). Now it's $200 and new and improved.
4). My $600 iphone is now a brick.

Steve Jobs is getting a free kick in the nuts the next time I'm in Cupertino!

# Posted By finley | 7/11/08 12:32 PM

The 2.0 took some time (10 min). After downloading iphone backs up, restores. verifies and loads firmware. after that It tries to access itunes store which has not connected in 1 hour. My iphone is locked for emeregency calls untill I can access itunes store. (CRAP)

# Posted By Mike | 7/11/08 12:32 PM

HOPE IS OUT THERE! I JUST KEPT SYNCING AND I GOT IT WORKING. YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT!

10:31, LOS ANGELES

# Posted By YO | 7/11/08 12:32 PM

Yup, i'm pissed too. Basically, Apple put too much effort into securing their phones. The only thing that is backlogged is the "activation." This is especially retarded for those of us who either have the old iPhone, or were existing customers... we have sim cards that are active, so if Apple wouldn't have tried so hard to prevent phone unlocking, we would all be golden and the only people trying to activate today would be brand-new customers.

Let's hear it for customer loyalty incentives!!!

Yay AT&T and Apple!!!! Also, I give it less than a week before people are selling unlock procedures online anyway. This is absolutely rediculous.

# Posted By Brandon | 7/11/08 12:32 PM

d 12:25

Glad I could help. I endured 3+ hours or 9838 and -4 error messages. I found this blog by googling the error message and joined in on the round of misery and mirth.

Just want to make sure, but you didn't actually buy the song. I didn't have to do and it still worked for me.

Hope it works for everyone else too.

# Posted By Seth Davis | 7/11/08 12:33 PM

hahaahhaha MY PHONE WORKS NOW!!

THANKS BITCHES!!

# Posted By hahaahha | 7/11/08 12:33 PM

ok so I have been at this since 9 am!!!!!!! it is now 1:30 and still I have a $400 brick. It keeps telling me the network has to reset...can anyone tell me what that means??

# Posted By natalie | 7/11/08 12:34 PM

I'm having the same problem. I can only make emergency calls while my phone cannot access the itunes store. It says my "network settings" has been reset. I'm not sure what to do. My phone can't be accessed at all. If anyone figures out what to do, LET US KNOW please.

-James

# Posted By james | 7/11/08 12:34 PM

OK -- praise GOD! I just waited and kept turning off and on my iphone, restarted computer, itunes, phone, many times. Went to get something to eat, now my phone is back on and activated. YA! Good luck all.

# Posted By Laura | 7/11/08 12:35 PM

I keep getting this error message.
we could not complete you itunes store request. the network connection timed out.

this is while it is trying to access the itunes store. is anyone else getting that?

# Posted By ryan | 7/11/08 12:35 PM

Mike 12:32.

Had the same problem. Used my method, see Seth 12:19, and it worked. Try it yourself.

# Posted By Seth Davis | 7/11/08 12:35 PM

looks like the sync is in progress...
?
So the answer is if u continue to get the error message in iTunes.
Unplug and Replug back in the usb cable. Eventually ull get through
to complete the update and your phone will restore to Firmware 2.0.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. Keep the
Faith!

# Posted By RON REESER | 7/11/08 12:36 PM

thanks seth! that totally worked!

Not sure if anyone's posted this tip already, but after waiting 3 hours I think I may have the solution.

Click on the iTunes Store tab.
Click on a song in the store and let the page load.
Then immediately click on the iPhone tab.

I got my phone activated and synced using that method after waiting from 9 a.m. to past noon.

# Posted By shara | 7/11/08 12:36 PM

4 and a half hours and finally there, just had to sit and wait it out. "this may take some time" is a bit of an understatement.

# Posted By juice | 7/11/08 12:36 PM

Seriously...in a world of instant gratification good old fashion patience will prevail...been attempting since 7:20 AM PST...still hasn't worked...OH WELL...Life will continue.

# Posted By Scoop Eclectic | 7/11/08 12:36 PM

Yikes??? shoulda googled before applying update.... *Sigh*
Hilarious.

# Posted By jrw2k | 7/11/08 12:37 PM

i decided to take a break from trying to connect and decided to look at the apps im not going to be able to get for a few hours. As i was doing this itunes interrupted me and began connecting i was extremely happy and began to believe god perhaps didn't hate me, until i got the same awesome error message i've been getting.

I LOVE APPLE!!!

# Posted By kerry triplett | 7/11/08 12:38 PM

THIS WHOLE THING IS RIDICULOUS. AFTER 4 HOURS AND TRYING IT FINALLY ACTIVATED AND AFTER WAITING 15+ MINUTES FOR MY MUSIC AND VIDEOS TO "SYNC" I FIND OUT NONE OF THAT GOT SYNCED.

# Posted By noah | 7/11/08 12:38 PM

i wonder how much money at&t is losing because current iphone users are unable to use their phones.

# Posted By nunyabiz | 7/11/08 12:39 PM

im trying the song thing and it just wont work can you explain it i might not be doing it right

# Posted By JR | 7/11/08 12:39 PM

I can't connect to the network either - tried calling apple support and guess what?

"No agents available at this time"

- r u kidding???? This SUCKS. I've been trying to update now for 2 hours!!!!

# Posted By MAria | 7/11/08 12:39 PM

an update to the Seth 12:19 method...

hit enter when you get the error, 'down arrow' to switch tabs, then 'up arrow' to have it try again...

this is the fastest way to get in as many attempts as you want until you get lucky and squeeze in.

# Posted By Brandon | 7/11/08 12:39 PM

Image Capture on my Mac was responsible for the iTunes activation not working.
Run Image Capture, go to options in the window itself and deselect
'Automatically download all items'.

# Posted By Marc | 7/11/08 12:40 PM

SO AS I TYPED MY LAST ANGRY COMMENT I decided to check my iTunes and all the tabs to personalize the syncing popped up.. my iPhone is syncing as we speak. Let's hope it works this time...

# Posted By noah | 7/11/08 12:40 PM

itunes song stratagy didnt work for me

# Posted By natalie | 7/11/08 12:40 PM

This is pants!!!

# Posted By Andy Clowes | 7/11/08 12:41 PM

nunyabiz....

they are obviously losing no money. everyone already paid. if you want to return the phone, 10% restock fee.

they are set, lol

# Posted By Brandon | 7/11/08 12:41 PM

hahahahahaha! Mine is working finally! Listen to me, sound like a little girl who just cuntjob...sweetness! SOon I will have apps.

# Posted By Jeff | 7/11/08 12:42 PM

If I leave and just leave my phone plugged in, will it automatically update while im gone or do I have to sit here and click back and forth from phone to library for it to update?

# Posted By Matt Jackson | 7/11/08 12:43 PM

Oh the things we do for our Iphones!! I'm getting that (-4) error too. Thank the heavens I don't have anything to do today cause I have a feeling that my tush is going to be sitting here for a WHILE! Good Luck to eveyone!!! May whatever or whoever you believe be with you! lol!

# Posted By Charlotte | 7/11/08 12:43 PM

OMG!!!!!!!!! Sync in progress idk what i did but i did it haha im so happy well ill wait till its all synced to let u guys kno

coldfusionjedi

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So far iPhone 2.0 is.... DOA

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