I had 2 problems. (1) Your iPad could not be activated because activation server cannot be reached. Try connecting your iPad to iTunes to activate it, or try again in a couple of minutes." "If this problem persists, Apple Support at apple.com/support." (2) ERROR 9 trying to update or restore it in system restore. I tried virtually everything to no avail trying to restore an old iPad 2 with both the activation AND error 9 problems. finally i took the advice of using a USB hub AND force terminating usbd before iTunes finally recognized the iPad and starting restoring it. PHEW.