I have the same issue... although I did not try unlock.

I Jailbroke my iPhone 3GS on 3.1.2. with BlackRa1n RC3 and all was well for a couple of days. All of a sudden, I picked the phone up and it wanted to activate.?. If I run recovery in both normal and DFU modes, I get error 23. I have no IMEI or ICCID is unknown and no amount of trying gets past err 23.

I have read many posts and all say it is hardware - but i'm not convinced.

But for now.. 3GS = BRICK!

I am not sure what the culprit was- whether it was iTunes 9, iPhone firmware 3.1, or a hardware issue on my 3GS. But Wednesday evening I installed iTunes 9 and firmware 3.1 with success on both. Thursday (yesterday), my iPhone functioned properly all day until about 3:30pm, when I took it out of my belt clip and it had an error saying it couldn't make or receive incoming calls, and that I should connect to iTunes and restore.
So, after connecting it to iTunes, it comes up with an error message saying "iTunes cannot activate your iPhone because the SIM card is not inserted or a SIM PIN is required". After checking the SIM card and trying again, I called Apple Support, and a nice man guided me through putting it into recovery mode (holding Home when connecting to the Mac), and restoring, only for it to come up with yet another error message, saying it can't restore "Error (23)".

-I tried restore in DFU mode, no luck.
- change sim and sim dock, no luck.
- try to restore to 3.0 or upgrade to 3.2.1, no luck

my sbsetting is still stuck in the emergency screen and i am not able to bring it back to store. please help me on this issue.

Million thanks

Try cleaning the contacts on the SIM card.
Test with a different USB cable, port, a USB hub or a different computer
Try to make sure the iPhone has at least 50% battery charge before you try to reload the firmware.

Try everything in this document Update and restore alert messages on iPhone and iPod touch
Error 23 can be hardware related have you dropped or got the iPhone wet at all?

If you are still experiencing problems,

Can you post the most recent log file from %AppData%\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Updater Logs

if the log file is too big, just post the last hundred lines or so.

__________________
Please read the stickies and search the forum before posting!
----------
iPhone 3GS 32GB factory unlocked (4.0; Pwnagetool, Cydia)
iPhone 8GB (3.1.2; Pwnagetool, Cydia)

thank you for reply.

-tried with different sim card from different service provider.
-tried different computer with different cable and USB port
-tried reinstall itunes
-tried to restore in DFU mode
-tried downgrade to 3.0
-tried to load with blackra1n

seems that I am out of options, there there anywhere to clear the fireware or bootrom without going through itunes?

this is the log file i received:
2010-01-03 18:52:29.274 iTunes.exe[9876:21e8]: restore library built Aug 24 2009 11:22:55
2010-01-03 18:52:29.274 iTunes.exe[9876:21e8]: iTunes: iTunes 9.0.2.25
2010-01-03 18:52:29.274 iTunes.exe[9876:21e8]: iTunes: Software payload version: 7D11
2010-01-03 18:52:29.383 iTunes.exe[9876:2ca0]: iTunes: Specifying UOI boot image
2010-01-03 18:52:29.384 iTunes.exe[9876:2ca0]: AMRAuthInstallAttemptSimpleHttpRequest: attempting to connect to http://gs.apple.com:80/
2010-01-03 18:52:30.712 iTunes.exe[9876:2ca0]: _AMRAuthInstallIsHttpServerResponsive: server reponse status code: 200. status text: OK
2010-01-03 18:52:30.728 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: <DFU Device 07918978>: operation 44 progress -1
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: phoning home to gs.apple.com:80
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: tss_add_entry: ApECID
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: tss_add_entry: ApChipID
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: tss_add_entry: ApBoardID
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: tss_add_entry: ApProductionMode
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: tss_add_entry: ApSecurityDomain
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: tss_add_entry: UniqueBuildID
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: tss_add_entry: @Locality
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: tss_add_entry: iBSS
2010-01-03 18:52:30.730 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: tss_add_entry: iBEC
2010-01-03 18:52:31.400 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: received tss response
2010-01-03 18:52:31.419 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: <DFU Device 07918978>: production fused device
2010-01-03 18:52:31.419 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: unable to open device_map.txt: No such file or directory
2010-01-03 18:52:31.419 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU::OpenDFUDevice: path: \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1227#{B8085869-FEB9-404B-8CB1-1E5C14FA8C54}\0000#640f9905
2010-01-03 18:52:31.419 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU::OpenDeviceByPath: \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1227#{B8085869-FEB9-404B-8CB1-1E5C14FA8C54}\0000#640f9905
2010-01-03 18:52:31.436 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: <DFU Device 07918978>: operation 0 progress 2
2010-01-03 18:52:31.454 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: <DFU Device 07918978>: operation 0 progress 4
2010-01-03 18:52:31.472 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: <DFU Device 07918978>: operation 0 progress 6
..............
2010-01-03 18:52:32.230 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU::UploadData: EOF, cbRead: 425
2010-01-03 18:52:32.236 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: <DFU Device 07918978>: operation 0 progress 100
2010-01-03 18:52:32.237 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU::UploadData: ZLP
2010-01-03 18:52:32.240 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU::FinalizeDfuUpdate: GetStatus: status: 0, state: 6
2010-01-03 18:52:32.240 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU:rocessUpdateState: status.bState == DFU_STATE_MANIFEST_SYNC
2010-01-03 18:52:32.242 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU::FinalizeDfuUpdate: GetStatus: status: 0, state: 7
2010-01-03 18:52:32.242 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU:rocessUpdateState: status.bState == DFU_STATE_MANIFEST, PollTimeout: 3000
2010-01-03 18:52:35.243 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU::FinalizeDfuUpdate: GetStatus: status: 0, state: 8
2010-01-03 18:52:35.243 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU:rocessUpdateState: status.bState == DFU_STATE_MANIFEST_WAIT_RESET
2010-01-03 18:52:35.243 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU::ResetDevice: resetting...
2010-01-03 18:52:35.326 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: WinDFU::FinalizeDfuUpdate: success
2010-01-03 18:52:35.600 iTunes.exe[9876:300c]: <DFU Device 07918978>: DFU succeeded
2010-01-03 18:52:36.209 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore::OnInterfaceRemoval: \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1227#{B8085869-FEB9-404B-8CB1-1E5C14FA8C54}\0000#640f9905
2010-01-03 18:52:36.211 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore:rocessDevNodesChanges: device: 0x08d07758, notify: 2, connected: 1
2010-01-03 18:52:36.211 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: AppleDevice::NotifyDisconnect: DFU \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1227#{B8085869-FEB9-404B-8CB1-1E5C14FA8C54}\0000#640f9905, inst: 0x8d07758
2010-01-03 18:53:23.292 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore::OnInterfaceArrival: \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1281#{ED82A167-D61A-4AF6-9AB6-11E52236C576}\IB0000#4447ea91
2010-01-03 18:53:23.299 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore::AddAppleDeviceToDeviceList: \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1281#{ED82A167-D61A-4AF6-9AB6-11E52236C576}\IB0000#4447ea91
2010-01-03 18:53:23.317 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: AppleDevice::SetNotification: CONNECT, interface type: 1, id: \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1281#{ED82A167-D61A-4AF6-9AB6-11E52236C576}\IB0000#4447ea91, inst: 0x8d076b8
2010-01-03 18:53:23.317 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore::AddAppleDeviceToDeviceList, new device
2010-01-03 18:53:23.317 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore:rocessDevNodesChanges: device: 0x08d07758, notify: 0, connected: 0
2010-01-03 18:53:23.317 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore:rocessDevNodesChanges: device: 0x08d076b8, notify: 1, connected: 0
2010-01-03 18:53:23.317 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: AppleDevice::NotifyConnect: Device type: 2, Interfaces total: 2, arrived: 1
2010-01-03 18:53:23.317 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: AppleDevice::NotifyConnect: Interfaces total != arrived, no notification
2010-01-03 18:53:23.349 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore::OnInterfaceArrival: \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1281#{B8085869-FEB9-404B-8CB1-1E5C14FA8C54}\0000#4447ea91
2010-01-03 18:53:23.362 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore::AddAppleDeviceToDeviceList: \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1281#{B8085869-FEB9-404B-8CB1-1E5C14FA8C54}\0000#4447ea91
2010-01-03 18:53:23.386 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore::AddAppleDeviceToDeviceList, device already connected, new interface
2010-01-03 18:53:23.386 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: AppleDevice::SetDeviceID: AMD_INTERFACE_DFU \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1281#{B8085869-FEB9-404B-8CB1-1E5C14FA8C54}\0000#4447ea91, inst: 0x8d076b8
2010-01-03 18:53:23.386 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: AppleDevice::SetNotification: CONNECT, interface type: 1, id: \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1281#{B8085869-FEB9-404B-8CB1-1E5C14FA8C54}\0000#4447ea91, inst: 0x8d076b8
2010-01-03 18:53:23.386 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore:rocessDevNodesChanges: device: 0x08d07758, notify: 0, connected: 0
2010-01-03 18:53:23.387 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: WinAMRestore:rocessDevNodesChanges: device: 0x08d076b8, notify: 1, connected: 1
2010-01-03 18:53:23.387 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: AppleDevice::NotifyConnect: Device type: 2, Interfaces total: 2, arrived: 2
2010-01-03 18:53:23.387 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: AppleDevice::NotifyConnect: IBOOT, IBOOT \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1281#{ED82A167-D61A-4AF6-9AB6-11E52236C576}\IB0000#4447ea91, inst: 0x8d076b8
2010-01-03 18:53:23.387 iTunes.exe[9876:145c]: IBOOT, DFU \\?\USB#VID_05AC&PID_1281#{B8085869-FEB9-404B-8CB1-1E5C14FA8C54}\0000#4447ea91, inst: 0x8d076b8
2010-01-03 18:53:23.393 iTunes.exe[9876:21e8]: iTunes: SCEP 3
2010-01-03 18:53:23.430 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: iBoot build-version = iBoot-636.66
2010-01-03 18:53:23.432 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: iBoot build-style = RELEASE
2010-01-03 18:53:23.432 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: <Recovery Mode Device 07923C60>: operation 44 progress -1
2010-01-03 18:53:23.434 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: phoning home to gs.apple.com:80
2010-01-03 18:53:23.434 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: ApECID
2010-01-03 18:53:23.434 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: ApChipID
2010-01-03 18:53:23.434 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: ApBoardID
2010-01-03 18:53:23.434 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: ApProductionMode
2010-01-03 18:53:23.434 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: ApSecurityDomain
2010-01-03 18:53:23.435 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: UniqueBuildID
2010-01-03 18:53:23.435 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: @Locality
2010-01-03 18:53:23.435 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: RestoreLogo
2010-01-03 18:53:23.435 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: RestoreDeviceTree
2010-01-03 18:53:23.435 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: RestoreKernelCache
2010-01-03 18:53:23.435 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: RestoreRamDisk
2010-01-03 18:53:23.435 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: tss_add_entry: iBEC
2010-01-03 18:53:24.819 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: received tss response
2010-01-03 18:53:25.620 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: radio-error = 512
2010-01-03 18:53:25.622 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: radio-error-string = 'Communication failure'
2010-01-03 18:53:25.622 iTunes.exe[9876:36bc]: fatal recovery mode radio error
2010-01-03 18:53:40.646 iTunes.exe[9876:21e8]: iTunes: Restore error 23

It seems error 23 means that the iPhone needs to be repaired/replaced by Apple.

__________________
Please read the stickies and search the forum before posting!
----------
iPhone 3GS 32GB factory unlocked (4.0; Pwnagetool, Cydia)
iPhone 8GB (3.1.2; Pwnagetool, Cydia)

Try to fully drain the battery and restore or update the iPhone to firmware 3.1.2.


Hope it helps...


P/S: if you're using the shift key + restore button method, make sure you've downloaded the firmware for your iPhone model.

__________________
Jailbreak and Unlock iPhone

from cpich3g twitter (cpich3g (cpich3g) on Twitter) :

"byproduct while fixing irc olehick's phone, a quick patch on iTunesMobileDevice to bypass error 23 in bspatch form. http://bit.ly/4mSMUN"

I do not know if it can help you.... There is a patch for mobiledevide.......

I just read this now on twitter but really does't know if it is related to your problem!

__________________
iPhone 3GS iBoot 359.3.2
3.1.2 Blackra1n / Blacksn0w

It would definitely allow you to restore further than you currently have got.
Even if it does not fix the radio, it will probably allow the rest of the restore to continue.

__________________
Please read the stickies and search the forum before posting!
----------
iPhone 3GS 32GB factory unlocked (4.0; Pwnagetool, Cydia)
iPhone 8GB (3.1.2; Pwnagetool, Cydia)

i have 8pcs 3GS with same error 23 (adio-error-string = 'Communication failure')

all iphone new 1 - 3 week used (not damaged & no water inside)


- I tried restore 312 in DFU mode with NEW BATTERY
- i try to restore & downgrade with ih8sn0w

PS i think problem with cert & IMEI

any ideia ?

Try the mobiledevice patch from cpich3g referred to in the previous post.

__________________
Please read the stickies and search the forum before posting!
----------
iPhone 3GS 32GB factory unlocked (4.0; Pwnagetool, Cydia)
iPhone 8GB (3.1.2; Pwnagetool, Cydia)