Iphone 4 won't "backup" (computer, itunes, cable, flash)

[golfgal]

My DD's Iphone 4 (purchased in June) won't perform a backup. Her on/off button stopped working. She brought it to the Apple store, they said she needs a new phone, fine as long as they send a NEW phone. They told her to back up the phone with Itunes and bring it back and they will replace the phone. She came home, tried to perform a back up and kept getting an error that basically said she can't do this backup. As a result, it appears that her phone is wiped. It doesn't register on Itunes any longer and she can't perform a 'reset" because that button is broken.

Has anyone has this issue and/or have any tips to help? She doesn't want to lose all her apps/contacts/etc.

[kazyn]

Originally Posted by golfgal

kept getting an error that basically said she can't do this backup

What is the exact error?

[Thegonagle]

Have you tried using iCloud to back-up instead? Or turning on Wi-Fi sync? Both are options in iTunes under the summary tab for the iDevice. (The paradox being that iTunes needs to "see" the device in order to show you the options for that device. Hmmm...)

Also, based on my experience with my iPod, the Apple charge/data connector is pretty finicky. Try cleaning both sides of the connector with canned air, or try a different Apple brand cable. Or both.

If they replace it under warranty, it might be a with a "refurbished" device, but I don't think there's anything wrong with that. The phone being replaced is no longer anywhere near new, whereas a refurbished device is supposed to look and work like new.

[linicx]

Create an iPhone folder. Sync the phone to the computer and dump everything in the folder.

Now, if it is impossible to turn on the iPhone, take an external drive and the iPhone to the Apple store. This external drive is not terribly expensive. It may be called a THUMB drive, a JUMP drive or a FLASH drive. I bought two of the 16GB drives before Christmas for $20. The guys at the Apple store can transfer phone content to the external drive --- IF there is any content that can be retrieved. iCloud is a good thing.

When I bought my iPhone 4 I purchased Apple Care for Apple tech support. Plus I buy the monthly insurance for the same reason I buy house and car insurance. Things go bump in the night and cell phone companies are extremelly reluctant to replace, refund or pretend to like customers.

[golfgal]

Well, her phone wouldn't do anything. She took it to the Apple Store and they ended up giving her a new phone. The on/off button was stuck. I still don't know what happened with the backup though. They said this wasn't an uncommon issue with Iphone 4's.