[bhz1]

Be patient. When I downgraded my 2G back to 1.1.4 from 2.0, it took FOREVER on preparing for restore. I'm talking literally an hour or 2.

Someone correct me if I'm worng here, but I believe what it is doing is completely erasing the file system of your iPhone. If it is a similar function to the "erase all content and settings" that is accessible form the Settings menu in the iPhone, this is quite possible. I'm currently erasing all content and settings off of my 3G so I can do a nice clean restore before I decide if mine needs repair. i started it at least an hour ago and the progress bar still is only 2/3 complete. it must have taken at least 10 minutes to even appear in the first place.

I think we get used to our desktops and laptops that install and delete files quite rapidly. The iPhone processor is still an iPhone. It will be much slower.

[nuttolo]

no well, 'preparing iphone for restore' did not have any progress in the bar and after a few minutes i get 1601,1603 or 1604 error

Instead 'waiting for iphone' is stuck,it goes for hours with no results.i left it for a night but it did not work

[specialsyco]

try deleting the firmware you already downloaded an re-download it again from itunes and restore to regular firmware in dfu mode

thats what applecare people always tell you if you have a restore problem like this

[nuttolo]

I'll try do re-download it from iTunes...where is it saved? Both MAC and PC

[specialsyco]

mac user/library/itunes/ipod software updates

pc (this is kinda a guess but it'll be close) c:/user/program files/tunes/ipod software updates

if the pc one doesn't work just search for ipod and it'll show up

[nuttolo]

Ok Thank you

[jujubeanser]

I am in this same predicament, but let me explain further.

The iphone will get nowhere but "connect to itunes" mode. When you try to enter DFU mode, it is not as simple as getting to DFU mode from the phone when it is active. When you hold both buttons, the screen goes black after 6 seconds, it stays black for 7 seconds then the apple logo pops up. So I release the power button at +12seconds and that's what I presume is DFU mode. Once I select the firmware by holding option, it tries to restore and then will once again send me back to "connect to itunes" mode..

I am so frustrated!