Trying to upgrade iPod Touch 4G from 4.2.1 to 5.0.1...

Question

I have been having problems with my home button since late Dec 2011 (about a week before the warranty ran out). This week the button decided to completely die on me (I tried fixing it with rubbing alcohol and compressed air, nothing made a difference). I have been trying for 2 days now to upgrade to iOS5 so I can use the assistive touch on screen home button. I have a 64 bit Windows 7 system that is new and clean. I upgraded to iTunes 10.5.3 through iTunes itself (that was a fight). I did all my syncs and back ups. Then I tried to update my iOS through iTunes. I keep getting a 'connection timed out' error after anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes into the download. I've tried disabling my anti-virus and firewall, nothing changed. I tried running iTunes diagnostics and its telling me that the connecting to the firmware server was unsuccessful (connection timed out). So I tried to do a fresh install on a Windows XP machine that I use only for internet (not bogged down with tons of files and programs). This machine never had iTunes on it. That took half the morning to even get that to work, but I had the same outcome as on my other machine. I've tried downloading the IPSW file from many different sites. When I go to load that file on through iTunes (shift+click on upgrade or restore), it tells me that it cannot upgrade because the firmware is not compatible. I double and triple checked that I had the firmware for iPod Touch 4G (and yes, I have a 4G). I started iTunes in safe mode and am trying the download only now...so far its been downloading, but as I type this it is probably doing the connection timed out thing (yep, before I even hit Post Message). The computer is wired to the router, I could try a direct wire to the modem, but I don't know if that'll help. So I do not know what else to do. Anyone have any suggestions? I just want to get my iPod up and running with the on screen home button...

Answer 1

Prita wrote:
I want to update my current iOS from 4.2.1 to 5.0.1 for the Assistive Touch feature that allows you to have an on screen home button
I tried downloading the file myself (not through iTunes), making sure I got the iPod 4G file. Go into iTunes and install it and it says it cannot upgrade because the firmware is not compatible
iOS 4.2.1 - there's a clue. It begs the question about which model of iPod you have. Yes, I know you said:  (and yes, I have a 4G) by which I assume you're saying that you have a 4th generation Touch, but are you sure? This has been claimed before by people who then discover that they do not have a 4th gen Touch. Which size Touch do you have and what is the model number on the back of your iPod? If it says model A1288, that's a 2nd generation iPod Touch. Check this page  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353 for help in identifying your model of iPod.
The second clue - and the reason I've mentioned all this, is that you then say you have downloaded the file yourself but "it cannot upgrade because the firmware is not compatible." In other words, iOS 5.0 cannot be used with your iPod. That also suggests that you have 2nd gen Touch.
Persumbaly, you have tried connecting the Touch to iTunes and selecting "check for updates?" What does it say?