So the topic says most of it. After 2 years of glorious service, and many many many happy hours, my iPad is on it's last legs. I'm desperate for ideas!
On Saturday, Safari started crashing when opened.
On Monday, I tried to Restore to reload everything. 160X errors throughout (more info follows).
Today I tried to contact Apple Support, just to see if there was anything I was overlooking. Since my warranty has expired, they won't even talk to me. No email option, phone option wants to CHARGE ME MONEY to verify my device is dead.
Further, today, my iPad now crashes when running App Store. The Home button no longer works while in an app (I know the physical button is fine, since a single press at the home screen brings up search, but double tap or single tap does nothing otherwise...)
Basically, I've tried normal updates and restores, I've tried going into DFU mode first, I've tried all manner of hacks and tricks and nonsense. I can't get this thing to wipe and reload. I've tried three different machines, two PCs and a Mac. I always get 1600, 1601, or 1604, depending on what I've tried to do. Apple's support docs seem to indicate this is a USB-based problem, and given the number of cables, machines, and configs I've tried, I'm left to assume that the USB controller on the iPad itself is failing.
I was hoping to get an iPad 3 soon, if it has the rumored retina screen, but I'd really like having an iPad in the meantime as well. Anyone know anyone at Apple? Any tricks, tips, suggestions, hints? Apple's out-of-warranty support option will let me send it in to get fixed, but it's a flat ~420$, and they can decline to fix it, too. I'm heartbroken.