ok so i tried to do the hardware unlock by opening my phone but royally fucked it up and wouldnt recommend anyone doing it. i got the antenna part open and was working of the metal backplate when i stuck my tiny screw driver in too far and popped, im guessing, the battery pack. well the thing started flared up and smoke started coming out only for a few seconds. funny thing is i turned the iphone on and it was still working but of course the battery meter was now saying less than 10% left. i stopped doing what i was doing at this point and put the antenna part back on and left the phone alone. After i got done breaking and smashing everything in my room, i docked the iphone and attempted to upgrade to 1.1.2 (it was at 1.1.1 jailbroken for the HW unlock process). It hung at preparing the ipod or the thing after that so i exited everything and redocked the iphone then left it on the dock to charge. The charging signal came on but obviously it was not holding any battery so it was no use. I took it off the dock and just left it there for a few day (it wouldnt turn on, it would show the needs charging signal but now it just doesnt turn on). Today i tried docking it again to restore it to 1.1.2 but when i dock it the apple logo on the iphone comes up for a few seconds and then it turns off then back on by itself then off again over and over. I put it in restore mode and itunes detects it and the iphone stays on at the itunes connecter sign. i try to restore to 1.1.2 and it works until preparing iphone when it reboots the iphone or something so it starts restarting over and over again.

so now my question is can i put this POS back in the box and return it to the store? i still have all the plastic wrapping things and am within the return date. will they check if the thing is working or just take it back with the restocking fee? could i say the thing isnt working when i opened it, it just keeps restarting? how could they tell that ive opened up the antenna case part if ive kept it pretty much unscratched? please help me here i messed up bad!

Not sure why you're even posting this. If I tell you "yeah, they'll take it back" would you believe me? and if I tell you "no way" wouldn't you still try it ?

Just take it back and see. It probably all depends on luck and the person you'll meet at the apple store.

Anyway, sorry about your phone, I can guess how you feel, remember it's just a phone though, don't take it that bad and one way or another you'll have a working one after some time.

i think they will test it before getting it back. It all depends on how smart the person is

ok im gonna be going in for an exchange since im within 14 days. is there any way they would know i opened it or check if the warranty was voided? if the phone looks intact, i should be ok right?

I work in a very similar store. Wait till lunch when they are really busy, act pissed but tell whoever the person you are talking to that it is not their fault and they are doing a good job. Be clear about whatever story you come up with. Tell them you have very little time before you have to leave.

Yes!!! At&t will take your phone back, trust me i have done it myself.As long as you are in your 14 day warranty.Very 1st day i had mine tried to jailbreak it, to make a long story short f&%cked it up pretty bad.Next day took it back and said its broke i would like my money back.AT&T gave me my money back minus the 10% restocking fee which was like 42$.I took 42$ out of my wallet and said ok i would like to buy another one.They were more than happy to sell me another one and now i have a 1.1.2 otb week 40 iphone that is jailbroken to the fullest.the first one is always a learning experince.So yes they will take it back just play dumb..............."Ummm..this is what it did when i turned it on".hope this helps!!!!

tbh, it's allready cheap of us to buy a iphone at very low price and unlock it. Returning it then cause you failed and have a worthless piece of hardware is your own fault and something you shouldnt do (returning that is).

You can respect those dev teams for releasing those jb/unlocks, well respect apple for making the iphone and dont be such a cheap ass.

so just to clarify: you're trying to steal an iPhone from apple. Get a free one to play with an f*ck up. Nice to see what humanity is coming too.....

Originally Posted by techguy1

Yes!!! At&t will take your phone back, trust me i have done it myself.As long as you are in your 14 day warranty.Very 1st day i had mine tried to jailbreak it, to make a long story short f&%cked it up pretty bad.Next day took it back and said its broke i would like my money back.AT&T gave me my money back minus the 10% restocking fee which was like 42$.I took 42$ out of my wallet and said ok i would like to buy another one.They were more than happy to sell me another one and now i have a 1.1.2 otb week 40 iphone that is jailbroken to the fullest.the first one is always a learning experince.So yes they will take it back just play dumb..............."Ummm..this is what it did when i turned it on".hope this helps!!!!

Since when do you have to pay restocking fee on a BROKEN, returned item? Isn't that illegal?????

That is, of course, assuming companies act in good faith believing it was broken at the time of purchase, since they can't prove otherwise - i.e.: that you broke it.

I believe restocking fee applies only if you return it for a refund. If you return it for a new one they won't hit you with the fee BUT they might try to make you wait and send it to be checked and fixed.

In your position, I'd take it back for a quick refund, then go to a different store and buy a new one.