How to backup iPhone 3g with itunes

[ell]

Hi, I don't have a iphone, or anything "i" for that matter, I've tried googling but can't find the answer for this. My customer wants to backup her iPhone before I update it from itunes on her win 7 pc, but if I right-click on the iphone in itunes the only option is "eject" I looked around and can't find any other backup options, she doesn't have icloud in the phone settings either. Does she have to have a itunes account for the backup options to display in itunes?

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

Does she have to have a itunes account for the backup options to display in itunes?

Yes, that would be a start. Also make sure she is running the latest version of IOS and iTunes.

 

[ell]

Yes, that would be a start. Also make sure she is running the latest version of IOS and iTunes.

I installed the newest itunes for windows, still no backup options. But her ios on her phone is the original 3g and I don't want to update til I'm sure everything is backed up, lots of her business contacts in it.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

I installed the newest itunes for windows, still no backup options. But her ios on her phone is the original 3g and I don't want to update til I'm sure everything is backed up, lots of her business contacts in it.

Then you are SOL. At least check to make sure that maybe it is iOS 5.1.1. If it isn't at least iOS 5, it may not sync until it is.

 

[ell]

Then you are SOL. At least check to make sure that maybe it is iOS 5.1.1. If it isn't at least iOS 5, it may not sync until it is.

I see, I read where it stated updates get automatically backed up before the update, is that true? Is it backed up to her itunes acct online?

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

I see, I read where it stated updates get automatically backed up before the update, is that true? Is it backed up to her itunes acct online?

No, its backed up to the machine. iTunes only keeps track of purchases. If she wants it backed up online, it would have to be through an icloud account.

 

[ell]

Well I guess I'll just have to hope after she has logged into her itunes there's some new option for backup, weird. I did download the update and saved it (no idea where) because there was no mention of backing up before installing it. Not seeing any options to sync the thing either. Thanks for your help. I'll be remotely connecting today to try and get it done.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

Well I guess I'll just have to hope after she has logged into her itunes there's some new option for backup, weird. I did download the update and saved it (no idea where) because there was no mention of backing up before installing it. Not seeing any options to sync the thing either. Thanks for your help. I'll be remotely connecting today to try and get it done.

What update? iOS update? If you can get the phone to sync to iTunes you can update iOS through iTunes and it will do a backup before installing. Obviously you don't have that option, so you'll have to check through the iphone itself and see what version of iOS is on it. But nothing is going to magically appear and make the thing sync unless its just something that you are missing. If you could just find out what version of iOS this thing is running, that would be a good place to start.

 

[ell]

What update? iOS update? If you can get the phone to sync to iTunes you can update iOS through iTunes and it will do a backup before installing. Obviously you don't have that option, so you'll have to check through the iphone itself and see what version of iOS is on it. But nothing is going to magically appear and make the thing sync unless its just something that you are missing. If you could just find out what version of iOS this thing is running, that would be a good place to start.

yup, I will check that first, I do know its one of the first iphones, I'm googling and finding many instances of the same windows 7 only right-click on device option is the "eject" and no sync or backup, but no definitive solution, some bug, nice, wish I had more ios experience, I can see this is going to be a pain. She did have a previous itunes acct on an old pc that she used before with the phone, and she said she managed to acquire her login info for me. I didn't get to authorizing the new win 7 laptop yet, but I read that won't matter, the backup option should still be visible. Googling on....

 

[ell]

I just texted her, its version 4.2.6

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

I just texted her, its version 4.2.6

Yep, that's what I thought. The iphone is going to have to be updated first before it will even think about syncing.

 

[ell]

Yep, that's what I thought. The iphone is going to have to be updated first before it will even think about syncing.

thats what I'm afraid to do, can't risk her losing her contacts, recommendations?

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

thats what I'm afraid to do, can't risk her losing her contacts, recommendations?

There is no other way. She's going to have to bite the bullet and update the iphone first. If the iphone has been functioning fine, updating it is really not going to be a problem. I've never seen or heard of iOS updates bricking any iphone, ipad. I'm sure it has happened in rare situations, but I suspect in those cases something was going to go anyway or somebody fubared it by interrupting the process.

Seriously, think for a minute about what you are asking...

 

[ell]

I have no fear of doing the update, It's just if it deletes her contacts she will blame me ofcourse, guess I will explain it all to her and let her decide. She just wants to do Facetime and the guy at Verizon said she needed to upgradee

 

[Cornerstone Technologies]

I have no fear of doing the update, It's just if it deletes her contacts she will blame me ofcourse, guess I will explain it all to her and let her decide. She just wants to do Facetime and the guy at Verizon said she needed to upgradee

My terms and conditions state that I am not responsible for data loss, and that it is the responsibility of the client to have a full and complete backup. I would imagine you have something similar. We are not miracle workers, and sometimes what clients want done just is impossible, or its usually something they are unwilling to pay for.

For the future, seems like it is a nice opportunity to make a bit of money teaching this person how to run backups or at least setup icloud for her.

 

[ell]

My terms and conditions state that I am not responsible for data loss, and that it is the responsibility of the client to have a full and complete backup. I would imagine you have something similar. We are not miracle workers, and sometimes what clients want done just is impossible, or its usually something they are unwilling to pay for.

For the future, seems like it is a nice opportunity to make a bit of money teaching this person how to run backups or at least setup icloud for her.

yes, I have all that in my work orders, but we're like blind leading the blind, and I make it clear I am a complete mac rookie, but she tells me to figure it out cuz she knows sooner or later I do, love customers who don't expect you to be god.

 

[Tekguy]

Try re-enabling the backup preference in iTunes.

1.) Close iTunes.

2.) For Win 7 64bit, in the run dialog box enter "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt DeviceBackupsDisabled 0
For Win 7 32bit, in the run dialog box enter "%ProgramFiles%\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /setPrefInt DeviceBackupsDisabled 0
& press ok. iTunes won't open, but the preference will be changed.

3.) Open iTunes & see if the Backup option is available now.

 

[OzzyGeek]

Hi Sharepod may help you. http://www.getsharepod.com/

 

[ell]

I finally got it to backup, then updated it. Had to reinstall itunes and disable avira, plus she tried a diff usb port. Going to get her hooked up with icloud now too, thanks everyone!!