Hi. My phone broke today and it won't restore.

I am getting error (9) every time I try. I have tried using a different cable, different port, different computer (that didn't have iTunes on it to begin with), reinstalled iTunes, I found a YouTube video that suggested removing all files from Application Data\Apple Computer so I moved those, and I've tried recovering from both normal recovery and DFU mode (I think, it's hard to know that you've succeeded). Error (9) every time.

I have a 3.1 OOTB iPhone that was upgraded to 3.1.2 today. I originally had an issue where something happened to the root password (SSH just stopped taking it and I didn't switch it), so I successfully restored and then when I wanted to install Winterboard the phone just froze for an hour on the Apple logo. Restored again and got further that time, but after installing CategoriesSB, the Springboard seemed to permanently break and every time I made an SB refresh I got dumped in safe mode -- and the only way out of that was using Categories' SB refresh.

Went for another restore and that's when I was just stopped dead in my tracks; error (9) every time now after dozens of attempts.

Somewhere along this line, iTunes lost track of my backed-up data so that seems to be completely gone now.

The only thing I can think of is that my phone and jailbreak hates 3.1.2, as I was running on 3.1 until it updated when I did my first restore. But there was no other option but "update and restore," and I thought 3.1.2 was cracked so I just allowed it. Was that a really bad idea? Can I go back to 3.1 somehow?

Any help is hugely appreciated. I've only had my 3GS for two months, meaning I have 22 months of contract for it left.

The only thing I can suggest is to put your iphone 3GS in DFU mode and restore with firmware 3.1 or 3.1.2 from Apple.

You cannot go back to earlier firmware unless you have your ecid/shsh hash. If you don't know what it is then most likely you cannot restore.

Error 9 - I believe is a hardware error.
If DFU mode and restore firmware does not work, your only choice is to take it to Apple.

good luck with the restore.

Originally Posted by dtube

Error 9 - I believe is a hardware error.

Can you shed me a light, to fix this kind of error?

I don't know of a way to fix this.
from my recollection, error 9 is possibly a hw error.
If you can't DFU and restore the fw then take it to apple if the phone is still under warranty.
Sorry, I don't know much about this error. Try searching the forum

Originally Posted by dtube

I don't know of a way to fix this.
from my recollection, error 9 is possibly a hw error.
If you can't DFU and restore the fw then take it to apple if the phone is still under warranty.
Sorry, I don't know much about this error. Try searching the forum

Thanks for reply dtube.

I recently fixed this issue by hardware solution,but that was iphone 3G.

In this case (3GS),I'm having problem in removing serial flash chip of 3GS, since its a crystal type chip.


Now i think its time to call the attention of TA_Mobile.

Bro, TA_Mobile,come and share a bit here..

Regards,

Thanks guys. It would seem, after more research, to be an hardware error... I just don't get where that would've come from. It did always used to run a little hot, is that normal?

Any last ideas before I try Apple? Any chance that the jailbreak files were deleted in one of my millions of restores so that they can't see 'em when they repair?