Restore to factory, failed backups, files can't be found etc etc - Win7?

Question

Multiple probs...
have got to the point that wondering if there is an iTunes/Win7 issue...
Apple product: iPhone 3Gs 32GB*
Computer OS: Win7
+* NB: Throughout all of these issues iTunes repeatedly showed capacity as only 4GB, then at some point would switch to partially showing correct capacity (ie. had diff information between.. capacity shown in summary details, and that shown in used/free space status bar), OR would switch to fully showing correct capacity info (ie. summary details and used/free status bar info would agree).+
*ISSUE 1*
Orig issue - stopped being able to add music/video. Error message something like found folder where expected file.
*ISSUE 2*
Backed up iPhone (backup appeared successful.
Restored phone to factory settings (appeared successful)
Tried to restore backup > iTunes error message "iTunes could not... because the backup session failed" *NB: Searched computer, found the location that iTunes saves backup, files ARE there, and checked all photos and contacts are there (just in format that will need to translate if need to access via non-iTunes means)*
*ISSUE 3*
(Considered that might have been something wrong with my orig files, I decided to test with newly reset iPhone.)
Set up as new phone (as no choice).
Set up new music and added to phone (appeared successful; music visible on phone).
Repeated with more music; then started to get error message (for tracks that had orig been added successfully "The iPhone cannot be synced. The required file could not be found"
*ISSUE 4*
Tried to reset again to factory.
Had to use the Hard Reset method (simultaneously hold power button & home button, til slide bar for power off. Powered off. With iTunes running, hold down home button as plug into computer. iTunes recognises, asks if wish to reset device. Say yes, proceed through entire process, including entering simcard lock code, looks successful. Phone then has the "connect to iTunes"image.
Did this repeatedly without success (always returned to be frozen on the connect to iTunes image. Tried all sorts of combinations - unplugging, rebooting pc, nothing worked... once phone got to this point every time it was plugged in iTunes froze, as soon as unplugged iTunes fully functional. Considered that iTunes might be processing slowly, so searched again... found webpage said to "Keep your device connected until the Connect to iTunes screen goes away or you see iPhone is activated." ref http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
So repeated factory restore, and at end left phone connected overnight and still no change (still displaying connect to iTunes image). In morning, still no progress (still showing connect to iTunes image).
*ISSUE 5*
Happened to unplug phone, and replug into computer (not holding down home button or anything). iTunes then finally recognised phone. However, when tried to restore backup repeatedly still get error message "iTunes could not... because the backup session failed"
So unless set up as new phone again, am stuck.
Back to ISSUE 2/3 status.
Expect that if go ahead with setting up as new phone again, will not be able to backup phone successfully, and at some stage will stop being able to add music etc.
*ISSUE 6*
Have tried to go ahead with setting up new phone. Still no success.
Multiple error messages, most recent being
"The iPhone X cannot be synced. A folder was specified instead of a file."
Are there known problems with Windows 7? Or is this apple software issue? Apple hardware?<</div>
At this stage I no longer have a phone (it my phone for everywhere), or sanity buster for 15-20 hours/week commuting. Not particularly comfortable with that...
Message was edited by: RainingOutside
Message was edited by: RainingOutside

Answer 1

Hi, thanks for your feedback.
No. None of music in iTunes synced. By "none of them showing probs"... Meant that iTunes can see all of those files, so no prob of that type; HOWEVER those files cannot be synced to iPhone. This is current status. Previously files HAD synced to iPhone.
Ie one of first things that did was to reset all to ensure that working with only small test sample to minimize room for corrupted files.
So situation is phone reset to factory; newly installed iTunes on new laptop, with new iPhone profile. In iTunes only small number of music files, that I've newly added to reduce chance that those files corrupted.
From all that reading, and from discussions having with few fellow developers/analysts at work, thoughts are that iTunes not playing nice with 62bit Win7.
Does anyone have contact with apple to have confirmed?
There are number threads even just in this forum, reflecting same thoughts
Cheers