Solution to "Absinthe 2.0.4"-Jailbreak-Problems
&
How to perform a CLEAN RESTORE, which can be jailbroken with "Absinthe 2.0.4" afterwards
It should work for these Operating-Systems:
- OSX: Lion, Snow Leopard, Leopard
- Bootcamp Win7 64bit
- ("native") Win7 64bit
- ("native") Win7 32bit
- other Win-Versions (like XP and Vista in either 32bit or 64bit builds) should work, too
My proposals have to be applied BEFORE you actually attempt to jailbreak with "Absinthe 2.0.4":
Recommendations and Precautions:
(!!!Before & During the restore- AND jailbreak-process!!!)
- always use the original Apple-USB-Sync-Cable
- always disconnect EVERY USB-device except the iDevice you want to jailbreak
- always connect the iDevice DIRECTLY to the jailbreaking-computer (NO USB-hubs or anything like it, NO dockingstation)
- always make sure the iDevice is fully charged ("my" absolute minimum: "half of the battery" left)
- always use latest iTunes
- always make sure iTunes has access to the internet, or that you have at least a "TSS-server" or "shsh-server" running (like "TinyUmbrella") which makes iTunes think it is communicating with Apple's servers. If you use a firewall, make sure it does not block iTunes.
- always DISABLE every password/-code or sim card protection on your iDevice (you can re-enable them again after the jailbreak)
- iPhone and iPad+Cellular- users: leave your SIM-Card in the iPhone/iPad and temporarily disable Sim-Code-Protection and Pin-Protection -> it comes handy for accelerated activation
- it is always a good idea to restart your computer (no matter if Mac or PC/Windows) before you begin to restore or to jailbreak.
(My Mac-Computers tend to behave strangely with the new build of "Java 1.7 Beta". "Java" is used in many programs. For e.g. with "JDownloader" or printing with "Deutsche-Post-DHL-Online-Franking-Poststamps-Printing").
So, restart and do not use any other programs before finishing with the jailbreak "Absinthe 2.0.4" or the "restore-process"!
- Consider to temporarily disable any "auto-starting" or "auto-launching" programs, which are started with your "Operating-System" for e.g. : "Antivirus-Programs, Nero, Power DVD, Adobe" and likewise !
- General advice for Windows-/PC- users run ALL iTunes and iPhone/iPod/iPad related software as administrator (-> "right click" your mouse and choose "run as administrator")
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Now, if you are sure you have considered and applied the "Recommendations and Precautions" from the top, follow these simple steps in order to perform a clean RESTORE, which can be jailbroken by "Absinthe" afterwards:
1) Restore the iDevice from scratch via latest iTunes with an All-New-Fresh iOS 5.1.1 (simply resetting "contents and settings" is NOT enough for some iDevices)
iPhone 4 GSM -users: Make sure you restore to the current "iOS 5.1.1 - 9B208" Firmware.
2) If iTunes recognizes the iDevice after the completion of the restore-process, then set up as NEW iPad/iPhone/iPod touch!
3) Do NOT setup/configure your Wifi/Wlan-Network when going through the "Slide-to-setup-menue" <- I don't really know how to call it ; The iPad/iPhone/iPod brings it on after the first start-up.
Don't configure anything. Whenever possible, for e.g. with "iCloud" or "Register your iPhone/iPod/iPad", SKIP it!
Again: Remember to set up as NEW iDevice!
4) iPhone- and iPad+Cellular- users have to WAIT for the "successful activation-message" in the iTunes-window. iTunes will be stating something like: "Your iPhone/iPad is activated...". If you see it, THEN and ONLY then, proceed to the last step!
Again: If iTunes asks, then set up as NEW iPhone/iPad
iPod- and iPad Wifi- users will just see the normal "iPod/iPad-General-Information-Screen" in the iTunes-Window. If you see it, you are good to proceed.
Again: If iTunes asks, then set up as NEW iPod/iPad
5) Perform the Jailbreak "Absinthe 2.0.4" and follow the "Absinthe 2.0.4 How-to" like shown in Post #1 (the opening post) by "AppleHacker". Start with step "3." !
If you keep getting errors with "iTunes" or "Absinthe 2.0.4" still continues to fail, your best bet should be this:
For Mac-Users:
- Check for "(Apple-) Software Updates". If there are updates -> download and install them.
- Go to Programs -> Utilities -> Disk Utilities -> select your Mac OSX-Partition -> Select "Repair Permissions" and let the Mac do the trick -> afterwards repeat the same with "Repair-Volume"
- Continue with the step "For Mac- and Windows-Users:"
For Windows- users:
- Start the "Apple Software-Update"-program and install the iTunes- and iPhone/iPod/iPad related software and updates
- General advice: run ALL iTunes and iPhone/iPod/iPad related software as administrator (-> right click and choose "run as administrator")
- Continue with the next step "For Mac- and Windows-Users:"
For Mac- and Windows- users:
- Create a new user-account in Mac OSX or Windows (depends what computer you are on) with administrator's rights, before you restore to the iOS 5.1.1 ! The "guest-account" will not work for you. It needs to be with administrative rights. After you created the new user account follow my guide like written above.
Make sure sure you really stick to all precautions, recommendations and steps I have given you at the beginning. Often very small negligences will result in failure.
Simply re-do the whole restore-procedure, starting with "Step 1)", using the newly created user account !
If you are still reading this, -after you have gone through the red and yellow written advice- because the restore didn't work for you, I suggest you do this:
Software-related:
- use "TinyUmbrella's SSH- and shsh-server" instead of the "iTunes-built-in-server"
- try the "iREB r5" -tool (made by "iH8sn0w), especially if you want to restore a custom-firmware with modded "baseband" -configuration
- try if "custom-firmwares" work for you
- try one of the "up-to-date/current" version of these jailbreak-tool-alternatives:
a) "Sn0wbreeze"
b) "Redsn0w"
c) "PwnageTool"
d) "cinject"
e) "iFaith"
Hardware-related:
- use "DFU-Mode" to restore ("How-To-DFU-Mode" can be found further down in this thread @ iTunes error "20, 21 and 3194", see either step "4) to 7) for Windows-users" or step "5) to 9) for OSX-users" )
- try different computer
- try different Operating System
- and last but not least: if possible try another original Apple-USB-Sync-Cable
For Mac users there is another (possible) fix:
You should try this ONLY if your machine is acting-up all crazy and if you are desperate enough to try. It is called the:
"PRAM + NVRAM" -Reset. In my case it fixed several issues (especially after "Apple-Combo-Updates") like: Not working sound-card, not working wifi-sync with iTunes, other iTunes related issues, blocked foto-stream and such. However, it should really be your last call and you should have backed up your important stuff. If you really choose to perform this "PRAM + NVRAM"-Reset, then you should seriously consider to reinstall your OSX at a future date, when you have enough spare time to do so, because there might be a flaw in your OSX which is not good!
After you have gone through the "PRAM + NVRAM"-Reset return to the
"For Mac- and Windows- users:"-advice and start from there.
How to do a "PRAM + NVRAM" -Reset on MacOSX :
-> close all running programs
-> disconnect all hubs, printers, docks...simply everything...
-> connect an USB-Keyboard (wireless/bluetooth keyboards will not work)
-> if you happen to have a "MacBook" of some sort, connect the "Mag-SafePower-Charger" (or in simple words: Connect it to electrical-power)
-> disable the "Lion-Resume"-function temporarily
-> restart your Mac
-> as soon as the screen goes dark/shuts off IMMEDIATELY press the follwing keys at the same time: "alt + cmd + r + p"
-> keep holding them until you hear the "apple-welcome-bleep-sound" for the 2nd time!!!
!!! Yes, 2 times !!!
-> then release the keys
-> the Mac will boot up like usual. That's it, the reset is done.
Since a number of users run into the iTunes error "20, 21 and 3194" here is one possible solution:
Windows-users:
1) Navigate to : C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
2) In "hosts" delete this entry: 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com
3) Then try to restore again using "DFU-Mode"
You get into "DFU-Mode" by doing this:
4) Connect your iDevice to your PC or Mac via USB cable and launch iTunes.
5) Hold down the Home+Power button for 10 seconds.
6) After 10 seconds, release the "power button" but keep holding the "home button" until iTunes detects your iPhone in recovery mode.
Once your iDevice is in DFU mode, you should see nothing on its screen. It should be completely blank.
7) Proceed with "
Step 1)"
Mac-users:
1) Use "TinkerTool" to show "hidden- and system- files".
2) Navigate to your hosts file: It is in Macintosh HD/etc/hosts.
3) Add the following lines to the very bottom/end of the hosts file:
" 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com"
4) Safe your changes and quit "hosts file"
5) Then use "DFU-Mode" to restore. You get there by doing this:
6) Connect your iDevice to your PC or Mac via USB cable and launch iTunes.
7) Hold down the Home+Power button for 10 seconds.
8) After 10 seconds, release the "power button" but keep holding the "home button" until iTunes detects your iPhone in recovery mode.
Once your iDevice is in DFU mode, you should see nothing on its screen. It should be completely blank.
9) Proceed with "
Step 1)"
My Line-Up of iDevices and the system I successfully restored and jailbroke with :
iDevices: iPhone 4S, iPod touch 4G, iPad 1+Cellular ; all on "fresh" iOS 5.1.1 firmware
Operating Systems: OSX Lion 10.7.4, Bootcamp Win7 64bit
Computers: MacBook Air 2010 and MacBook Pro 2010
...whenever I stumble across more pieces of important information for the "Absinthe-Jailbreak-iTunes-Puzzle", I will add them here. So if the suggestions didn't work for you, check back a few days later, maybe I found some more interesting facts...
Good Luck
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From Bookreader:
Had the same issue as many others not able to complete the process. After doing a fresh restore and set up as new phone was able to jailbreak. I'm on Win7 64Bit
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S l o w l y Saving for New Toys 
Thanks for this freed up my ipad 2 cheers
