bold 9700 nov 2009
droid eris nov 2009
omnia II august 2009
so they are comparing themselves to phones that are 8+ months old.. so last generation in terms of mobile phones and saying they have a similar problem so its ok for us to have it If its been a known problem for phones then they should of ensured their phone didn't have the issue.

people expect much more from Apple.

Just a guess, really, but your link says that error 21 relates to a software clash...



Now, I realise that you're using a Mac, so this might not be relevant, but I would try doing a Safe Boot anyway (restart with Shift key held down for up to a minute, until you see the OS X login window with "Safe Mode" in red text above it). This should disable any extras you might have unwittingly installed. Whilst you are in safe mode (extensions disabled) then try launching iTunes, check for any updates, then connect the iPhone again. Hope it doesn't lock up this time. If that allows you to backup the iPhone, then restore it and see if it works again after you've restarted the Mac as normal. If not, then *something* in OS X must be clashing with iTunes' ability to sync with your iPhone.

I don't know if it's possible, but with iPods you can "Enable disk mode" in iTunes settings (Select iPod under Devices, and select the relevant check box in the main window). Is that possible with an iPhone? I dunno, as I've never had one, but I'm wondering if enabling disk mode will allow you to copy off photos/videos etc in the Finder (if the iPhone mounts in the desktop). Like I say, I'm not sure if disk mode is allowed on iPhones, but could be worth investigating.

Failing that, call AppleCare or make an appointment at a Genius Bar in your nearest Apple Store for advice.

Coolio, will give that a go now, thanks.

I would call Apple up but my my only phone is my iPhone

Back in a few!

Fingers crossed!

Oh, and see my edited bit in the post above about Disk Mode, I thought I could edit it quickly without anyone else replying!

My problem is the other way around though.

I have nothing on my iPhone. Everything was taken off by getting my iPhone to work using my work PC. There are no photos, videos, contacts, etc... on my iPhone currently.

I have one backup of my iPhone from last night. That backup was taken whilst all the photos/videos/etc... were still on.

If I lose that backup then I lose all my stuff.

If I could find the backup file and keep it safe somewhere I'd feel happier about reinstalling iTunes.

Oh and Safe Boot mode disables my AirPort so I can't run the iPhone update service

Sorry, I misunderstood your current situation with the iPhone contents.

According to THIS APPLE SUPPORT PAGE, iTunes on Mac OS X stores the iPod/iPhone backups here:

~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
(that's the "Library" folder within your Home folder)

Hope that helps.

PS: Sorry, I forgot Airport is disabled on Safe Boot, I don't think Ethernet is though, so you could maybe try connecting to your router with an Ethernet cable instead?

I'm sorry but don't really see how the phone's age is relevant. It's not like this is CPU power or screen resolution that are constantly advancing technologies. As far as I'm aware the laws of physics haven't changed in quite some time. It's not like they all had the same PR [LIFTED] 8 months ago and Apple just didn't notice, so they are somehow negligent at this point. Other phones have had this problem before, nobody made a fuss. Now the iphone 4 has this problem and suddenly it's the next worst thing after the credit crunch? Apple's contention is that is big, thin touchscreen phones have issues with reception and actually always have had. Yet those defects have not ended up being highlighted in the media at all. Right up to the launch of the iPhone 4, nobody apparently gave a damn. Why is this? IMO, because no previous smartphone (Apple or otherwise) has managed to get a fraction of the rate of sales that Apple have had with the iPhone 4 and following on from the launch of the iPad, Apple are currently tech story number one. Apple have been a victim of their own success and a victim of their own high profile. Now that is partly of their own making - Apple market themselves much much much more than HTC do for example. A high profile is a two edged sword and just now Apple are seeing that in, to use a convoluted pun, sharp relief. But it doesn't change the fact that, if Apple's numbers are accurate - and I'm sure we'll find out soon if they are, because I'm sure any number of actually competent journalists will be checking them - the public reaction and press coverage is vastly out of proportion to the actual rate of occurrence of the problem, and the number of people who are actually having problems is vastly outnumbered by

a) The number of people who aren't having problems.
b) The number of people on the internet shouting 'iPhone4DeathGripLOL'.

All this depends on whether Apple's numbers pan out. If they do, then it really is a mountain out of a molehill. If they don't, then to be honest I think Apple are screwed as a company, because nobody will ever believe a word they say again. This really could be Gerald Ratner bad. I can't honestly think any company would be that crazy.


More fool them, frankly.

No worries

Just getting a bit stressed with not having contact to the outside world

I've taken a copy of the backup now and it should also be on Time Machine so that's safe. I'm currently re-installing iTunes so hopefully it'll just work straight off this time?!

Exactly!

According to Apple's figures on the numbers of iPhone 4 owners reporting these antenna/signal problems, it amounts to 0.55% of the total units. Now, whilst this is still a significant amount when you're selling millions of the things, but it's nothing like the amount you'd think it was the way the media report it. They've just totally overblown the story.

I'm not implying it's not a real issue, as Oli can surely confirm it is, but the media love to blow a story out of all proportion.

It's not an issue for me anymore. No matter how I hold the phone the signal never drops. Mainly because at the moment it resembles a very fashionable, slim brick.

Oh well, off to the Apple store tomorrow. Reseller first then to Apple if they can't help. No genius apps until Wednesday though I wonder if I can jump the queue?

A genius might be able to get the phone you have working, the reseller will probably just want to swap it. Take the laptop in as well if you're going to see the genius, yes? Always helps if you can show them what happens, plus it may be something they need to fix on the laptop rather than the phone...

Personally, with all the issues you've had with your model, I would take it back to your network provider and demand a replacement - it might actually help your case that it's not functioning at all now!!

It does sound like you got a "Friday afternoon" unit to me.
Good luck.

press Conf video
More Apple PR

That was quick of them. Nothing on how to claim a free case yet though....

If you go to apple without an appointment. Go there early and take a small child with you. Nothing queue skips like a screaming child.