Try a different USB cable and give the port a clean out of dust etc too.

RunningMan:

 

Try a different USB cable and give the port a clean out of dust etc too.

 

ok I'll try that thanks

Bit of a last resort, but I had a problem phone a few years ago and trying a new cable was the thing that finally worked.

RunningMan:

 

Bit of a last resort, but I had a problem phone a few years ago and trying a new cable was the thing that finally worked.

 

I've tried 2 other leads and the same thing just keeps on happening - preparing iPad to restore... then after 30 seconds iPad flashes, the Apple logo comes up then the ipad disappears from the finder...