IPod Touch 2G 32GB with White Apple Logo and Failed Restore / Recovery

Question

My Specifications:
iPod Touch 32GB 2G
iPhone OS 3.1.3
2.8 Ghz. Intel Core 2 Duo iMac
Mac OS 10.5.8
iTunes 9.0.3 (15)
Problem:
After updating my iPod Touch to OS 3.1.3, my iPod touch started having sync issues where it would say the sync failed. The backup files stopped being created and the latest version was over two weeks old (from prior to the updated to 3.1.3). After an application became unstable and crashed frequently, I tried to do a reboot by holding the Power & Home buttons until the Apple Logo appeared to begin the reboot process. After waiting for 6 hours, the ipod still had not rebooted but was frozen on the White Apple Logo screen.
Troubleshooting Steps I’ve Take:
1. Attempted to follow Apple Frozen iPod Touch and Common Issue Troubleshooting Guide. The iPod will not shut down using the Power Slider function.
2. Restore via iTunes using the DFU Restore Function (Power Button & Home Button for 10 seconds, releasing the Power Button, followed by plugging in the USB cable while holding the Home Button down). iTunes recognized the ipod at the point and began the restore process. The process took almost 32 hours and when it was completed, the ipod would not boot up by remained with the White Apple Logo. My original attempt was with using a powered USB hub.
3. Repeated the restore process but by plugging directly into the computer and eliminating all USB devices except keyboard and mouse. Deleted the OS 3.1.3 updated and made iTunes download the file in case it was corrupted.
4. Rebooted computer between each attempt.
5. Deleted iTunes and the Apple Mobile Device Services as per Apple Article HT1747. Rebooted the computer and reinstalled iTunes. iTune would not recognized the iPod Touch to do a restore using the DFU method. I’ve retried various timings and versions with the cable plugin, booting with the cable plug in and not plugged in, etc... No effect.
6. Repeated the above steps on a MacBook Pro running OS 10.6. iTunes wouldn’t recognize the iPod.
7. Repeated the above steps using a different sync cable. iTunes wouldn’t recognize the ipod.
8. Unplugged the iPod and let it completely drain until the screen went blank for 1 day. When pressing home button the Low Battery / Plug In warning appears. Recharged the battery using a wall plug for 12 hours. Retried the above steps. No change.
What I’ve Eliminated As The Problem Via My Troubleshooting:
1. Computer Hardware
2. iTunes Software
3. Sync Cable
4. USB Conflicts
What I Need Is A Solution:
1. Completely wiping my ipod is an acceptable solution at this point. I’ve spent a week working on this and wasted way too much time. Is my iPod trashed thanks to an OS update?
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've ready each forum posting involved White Apple Logo Issues and have come up empty. Am I the only persons would is having trouble restoring?
Thank you,
Paul

Answer 1

More Troubleshooting Steps For Your Consideration:
I was able to restore back to iPhone OS 2 by using a laptop that had not been synced with my ipod touch previously. When I did the DFU with it, iTunes downloaded OS 2 and it worked.
Then I went back to my iMac and proceeded to install OS 3.1.3 and that seemed to work ok too.
I've been getting the white apple logo of death, however, when I try to sync applications. All seems well, but as it is finishing the ipod touch reboots to the White Apple Logo Screen and stays there. iTunes seems oblivious to this taking place.
During my second rebuild starting with OS 2 and then updating to 3.1.3, it worked again. When I tried to add apps, I only put on a dozen. That worked too. I did get the White Apple Logo Screen of Death once again and I did the third sync to get the rest of my apps in place.
I'm on the third rebuild from version 2. I'm going to try to use an old file I have of 3.1.1 instead of 3.1.3. Also, I'm going to add one application per sync. At least this way I might be able to find out if it is a specific app that is causing the problems.
In my further research, it appears that this bug has been in place since the early days of iPhone OS 2.
All told I've spent over week with my computers tied up working on this problem. I think it would have more cost effective to just buy a new iPod. (I'd rather wait for the 4G version this fall!).
Just in case anyone else has been having issues, that is where I'm at. I'll let you know if I figure this issue out in more detail.
Thanks,
Paul