Apple Support Story

Yesterday I purchased iPhone 4S, 64G white model. It is a beautiful device.  However, I soon realized there is one issue: iPhone does not show in my iTunes. I have so many apps in my iTunes for my previous iPhone 4, therefore, I do need to use iTunes to sync my previous iOS contents back to this new device.

Last night, I tried to google for solution, but with no luck. It looks like a common issue, but all the suggestions would not work for my case. I restarted my iMac 27 and restarted my iPhone. Still my iPhone is not in my iTunes.

Today is Sunday. I was not sure if Apple support was available or not. I dialed 1-800-MyApple anyway. Apple support was available. That's a good news. It took about 10+ minutes to get a support person on line. I spent 20 to talk with him.  He verified my iTunes and Mac OS versions.  He also told me to enable iTunes preference: Device section with Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads form syncing automatically enabled.  Still there was no luck to show my iPhone.

He transferred me to a senior special list on this issue. It took about another 10 minutes to get available person. Then we went through several times reboot with safe mode, hold on shift key while rebooting. He also instructed me to repair disk permissions from rescue HD after reboot with option key. Still no luck.  During the initial time, he also asked me if I connected my iPhones through USB hub or if there are any other USB devices. I cleared all those issues.

Then I asked my what are in my Macintosh HD's Library\StartupItems. That's something I did not know before. I found two items:

• Privoxy
• VistualBox

He recommended me to move those to Desktop or remote them if I don't need them.  I removed them. Still the problem existed.  He then sent me a file of "Capture Data.app.zip", which is an app to capture some disk log files for Apple engineers to analyze what may cause conflict or block iPhone display.  When I started the app, there were several options to select.  He was not sure what to select.

Finally, during the time I repairing my disk permissions, He told me take a break and he would call me back in minutes.  It had been over 1.5 hours passed. During this break, I grasped some food and drinks.  Soon he called me back.  Instead of capturing system log files, he suggested me to reinstalled iTunes from Apple web page.

I downloaded iTunes from the web. During the installation, I asked him if I should uninstall it first. He told me that iTunes is part of Mac OS application and it cannot be uninstalled.  Therefore, there is no need to uninstall iTunes.

I run the iTunes.dmg after downloading. I followed the instruction to install the app. After the installation, he told me to quit iTunes first and unplug my iPhone. Then start iTunes.  This time my iPhone is displayed in Devices on the left panel.  You got it finally! he said. What a relief from him, I can tell from his voice.

After the installation, I saw this nice end-thank-you screen:

It has been over 2 hours for my support case. It is actually not my iPhone's issue. It was my computer. However, my Mac just past 90 days telephone support warranty.  He did recommend me to get extended 3 year warranty.  

From this case, I realize that this warranty is actually great deal.  You have to pay for your get.  With extended 3 year telephone support, I think it'll save me a lot in terms of time and trouble to get my computer to local Apple store. Just image this case, how much Apple has to pay for support staff over hours on my one case.  The fee is basically break even for Apple to this type of service.

After my vacation back from China, I am sure to get the telephone support case.