Edit: Initial problem seems to have been fixed.

I'm not left with a slide for emergency/no sim installed sign, after putting my o2 sim in. What is the best way to solve this? I have read about using pwnage? But that requires Mac OS X I believe? So I'm waiting for an image (8 gig! :O) to download. If there is a better way then I'd be happy to do that instead?

Thank you




Original message below for background etc

Hi,

I'm trying to restore an iPhone. It was updated to 4.3.5 and locked when I've been given it. 4.2.1 seems to be having the most success restoring on itunes.

However I have TinyUmbrella which is using a save SHSH of 4.2.1 and have read that the gs.apple line in hosts needs to be removed for it to verify with Apple - but doing this means the restore fails straight away with error

However by not removing it I get most of the way through the restore, restoring iphone software, verifying software etc then it goes to verifying iphone restore for quite a while then to restoring iphone firmware. And then it fails with error 1013, despite me leaving the gs.apple line unchanged in hosts.

I've rebooted the computer between tries and that makes no difference

I read some information which said use redsn0w to select the IPSW and run through that, but that crashes at "Installing activation bundles"

The iphone now just constantly displays the connect to itunes logo, so really have no idea what to do now, anyone had experience of this or got any ideas?? I've left it on "installing activation bundles" at the moment, just incase it is supposed to take an exceptionally long time, but it seems to have crashed, again

Thanks to anyone that can help!

Originally Posted by TraderDJ

And then it fails with error 1013

Restore 4.2.1 with TinyUmbrella's SHSH cache again - when you get the 1013 error
Use the FixRecovery tool - downloadable from The Firmware Umbrella - TinyUmbrella to exit recovery mode in this situation. There are two versions of the FixRecovery tool, be sure to run the one for iOS 4.2.1 not the one for iOS 4.3.x

Originally Posted by Olethros

Restore 4.2.1 with TinyUmbrella's SHSH cache again - when you get the 1013 error
Use the FixRecovery tool - downloadable from The Firmware Umbrella - TinyUmbrella to exit recovery mode in this situation. There are two versions of the FixRecovery tool, be sure to run the one for iOS 4.2.1 not the one for iOS 4.3.x

Thank you for your help,

I've got the activation/no SIM message now. Am I right in thinking I need to use pwnage to fix this? The files are currently downloading so if this is the best way I'll post back how that works afterwards

Thanks

If you are stuck at the "slide for emergency" screen, then the fastest way to get past that is with the latest redsn0w 0.9.6 release. Last I saw that was 0.9.6rc19
Just make sure only "install Cydia" is ticked.

Pwnagetool Custom IPSW will also fix this, but it means you have to restore again (so slower)

Thanks that's worked I've been using rc16 before!

Now I'm only getting 1 bar of signal, but I can't phone anyone and it doesn't show me as registered to a network :\ I normally have full 3G/HSDPA signal but this won't even get 2G :\

I've tried "Ultrasn0w" but that hasn't made any difference

I have baseband 04.10.01, apparently there is no way to fix this? So do I do the whole process again with a different firmware file or what?? :|

One thing that wasn't clear initially - you said that the phone was "given to you". I'm hoping that the phone was obtained legally.

There are a few possible reasons for your lack of network reception.

1. The phone is locked to another carrier than the SIM card you are using. (ultrasn0w won't work as your baseband has been updated past the version supported by ultrasn0w. It is IMPOSSIBLE to downgrade the baseband to a version that ultrasn0w supports)
2. Your phone has been IMEI blacklisted (because it was stolen/reported lost/plan cancelled without returning subsidised phone) etc.
3. The phone is locked to the same carrier that your SIM card is, but rather than activating through iTunes, you hacktivated the phone instead
4. Hardware issue with SIM tray or antenna
   

It's illegal to help you with issue #2
Issue #1 - contact the original owner and ask them to contact the carrier the phone is locked to. They will often authorise an official unlock
Issue #3 - very unlikely, redsn0w can remove hacktivation and then you can re-activate through iTunes
Issue #4 - If you can see an ICCID in the Settings -> General -> about then the SIM is being read correctly. Diagnosing antenna problems is not so easy.

Originally Posted by Olethros

One thing that wasn't clear initially - you said that the phone was "given to you". I'm hoping that the phone was obtained legally.

There are a few possible reasons for your lack of network reception.

1. The phone is locked to another carrier than the SIM card you are using. (ultrasn0w won't work as your baseband has been updated past the version supported by ultrasn0w. It is IMPOSSIBLE to downgrade the baseband to a version that ultrasn0w supports)
2. Your phone has been IMEI blacklisted (because it was stolen/reported lost/plan cancelled without returning subsidised phone) etc.
3. The phone is locked to the same carrier that your SIM card is, but rather than activating through iTunes, you hacktivated the phone instead
4. Hardware issue with SIM tray or antenna
   

It's illegal to help you with issue #2
Issue #1 - contact the original owner and ask them to contact the carrier the phone is locked to. They will often authorise an official unlock
Issue #3 - very unlikely, redsn0w can remove hacktivation and then you can re-activate through iTunes
Issue #4 - If you can see an ICCID in the Settings -> General -> about then the SIM is being read correctly. Diagnosing antenna problems is not so easy.

Hi,
Sorry the phone was sold to me not "given" or "acquired" in any kind of dodgy way like that, just meant that it was in that state when I received it.

I believe it's locked to another network (I'm on O2), presume it's a UK network it's locked to. So I'd have to get the original owner to unlock it? Is there any way to determine which network it's locked to and contact the network myself and pay for it to be done? (Might be easier than getting the co-operation of the owner, who took their time sending it to me, and never replied to emails etc)

Also what you say re #2 - IMEI blocking, is there a way to differentiate and be able to tell whether it's blacklisted or whether it's the network lock issue? As if it's blacklisted I obviously want a refund, but if its the network lock then it's up to me to get it unlocked.

Thanks

Originally Posted by TraderDJ

I believe it's locked to another network (I'm on O2), presume it's a UK network it's locked to. So I'd have to get the original owner to unlock it? Is there any way to determine which network it's locked to and contact the network myself and pay for it to be done? (Might be easier than getting the co-operation of the owner, who took their time sending it to me, and never replied to emails etc)

Also what you say re #2 - IMEI blocking, is there a way to differentiate and be able to tell whether it's blacklisted or whether it's the network lock issue? As if it's blacklisted I obviously want a refund, but if its the network lock then it's up to me to get it unlocked.

The model number should indicate which country (or group of countries) the phone was sold in. I can't recall if they lump Ireland in with the UK under the same model number or not. That can allow you to find out if it is locked to a local carrier.

There are at least 6 carriers in the UK sell the 3GS (and many more virtual carriers or network resellers) - all 6 official carriers allow authorised unlocks - but they normally require that this is requested by the person who signed up for the original subsidized plan/contract in the first place.

In the UK, it's common practice for any reputable seller of second hand mobiles to offer a "certificate" that can be verified online to prove the phone is not IMEI blacklisted. It costs a few pounds for a seller to apply for this IMEI blacklist check and you should NOT buy a second hand phone without such a certificate. Don't ask me why but the UK seems to have a higher rate of phone fraud than other countries. You can also pay a few pounds and check the IMEI on one of the many websites that offer such a service. Your carrier might also help. Keep in mind that neither your carrier or these websites might have the absolute latest blacklist information for other UK carriers.

Even if the IMEI checked out as not blacklisted the day you bought it, it's still possible for the phone to be registered on a blacklist later (many people sell their subsidised phones, then claim it as lost on insurance) it can take a month or more before the phone is blacklisted and then it can take even longer for the blacklist to propagate - each UK carrier must share their blacklist with the rest of the EU).

This is all so you are better informed, I'm not trying to scare you. I hope your seller was legit.

Originally Posted by Olethros

The model number should indicate which country (or group of countries) the phone was sold in. I can't recall if they lump Ireland in with the UK under the same model number or not. That can allow you to find out if it is locked to a local carrier.

There are at least 6 carriers in the UK sell the 3GS (and many more virtual carriers or network resellers) - all 6 official carriers allow authorised unlocks - but they normally require that this is requested by the person who signed up for the original subsidized plan/contract in the first place.

In the UK, it's common practice for any reputable seller of second hand mobiles to offer a "certificate" that can be verified online to prove the phone is not IMEI blacklisted. It costs a few pounds for a seller to apply for this IMEI blacklist check and you should NOT buy a second hand phone without such a certificate. Don't ask me why but the UK seems to have a higher rate of phone fraud than other countries. You can also pay a few pounds and check the IMEI on one of the many websites that offer such a service. Your carrier might also help. Keep in mind that neither your carrier or these websites might have the absolute latest blacklist information for other UK carriers.

Even if the IMEI checked out as not blacklisted the day you bought it, it's still possible for the phone to be registered on a blacklist later (many people sell their subsidised phones, then claim it as lost on insurance) it can take a month or more before the phone is blacklisted and then it can take even longer for the blacklist to propagate - each UK carrier must share their blacklist with the rest of the EU).

This is all so you are better informed, I'm not trying to scare you. I hope your seller was legit.

Thanks for the information, never heard of a certificate before and I've brought many phones over the years - no wonder mobile fraud over here is so high!

Hopefully the seller was legit. I've posted on the apple forums to try and find out what network mine is locked to. I know going to an Apple shop is an option, but there isn't one I can easily get to, but its a possibility if I don't get anything that works from the forums/apple phone support when I call them.

The model number is MC603B and the serial begins 85034 if anyone knows or can help here?

Thanks for the help, shame that the baseband had been updated, will just have to wait for (hopefully) another hack from Ultrasn0w if I can't get it officially unlocked

Originally Posted by TraderDJ

Thanks for the information, never heard of a certificate before and I've brought many phones over the years - no wonder mobile fraud over here is so high!

This is just what I have read, I'm sure many sellers don't bother paying the extra few quid to do an IMEI check (even though it's worth it for them if they later get a demand for a refund)

Originally Posted by TraderDJ

The model number is MC603B

definitely a UK model. Did you get a box with it? On the box they have an extra digit MC603B/? where? is usually L, A or X
I don't know how much of a "hard and fast rule" but I've only ever seen the X on unsubsidised phones (these should always be unlocked and can only be purchased without a contract directly from Apple)
However Apple can add/remove any phone to the "unlocked" list, so this is just a guideline.

Other than that, wait till after iOS 5.0 is released. Historically, most unlocks are released within a few months of a major new iOS version/iphone hardware.