Apple TV 1st gen Factory Restore Problems

I have an Apple TV 1st generation that I tried to do a factory restore on.  I did not unplug durring the progress bar.  It then started up with the apple, then the opening video with all the tv screens.  It asked me for the language, I selected English, then had me choose the correct internet connection so I typed in the password for our Wi-Fi, then it came up with the code to connect to our home computer and started flashing a new code every 2 seconds.  I unplugged the Apple TV and waited about a minute then plugged back in.  It again had the normal start up, but then after the opening video it began flashing between a screen with the apple then a blank black screen then to a menu screen and cycling through each screen about every 1-2 seconds.  I unplugged again and waited about 10 minutes but then had the same results.  Is there anyway I can do another system restore as I cant get it to stop flashing. 

I FIXED IT!!!  So here is how to fix your Apple TV 1st generation if you are having the problems listed above.  I am listing it step by step as I have not found the solution to my problem ANYWHERE and I have been looking all day and figured it out myself.  Here we go:
If you have done a FACTORY RESTORE and it is now flashing different through different screens I recomend doing a FORCED RESTART from the totally awesome guys at MethodShop, here is the link: http://methodshop.com/gadgets/tutorials/appletv-fix/
If their instructions do not fix your problem here is what I figured out (assuming the diagonstic test says that your Apple TV is working correctly).
Keep your Apple TV plugged in, and allow it to go to sleep.  It can take up to 45 minutes.  Once it has gone to sleep (the screen will have photos scrolling on the TV) press the MENU button on the remote to wake it up.  The Apple TV will wake up on the MENU screen.  Scroll down to SETTINGS then select SYSTEM UPDATE.  Follow all instructions to update the system to the current update. 
WARNING: If you take too long once you have woken up the Apple TV it will start freaking out again and you will have to let it go to sleep again.
I have tried this twice now to make sure the first time was not a fluke and its working perfect now.
Hope this helps someone else!

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