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Just for Fun: What to expect from this eBay Auction?

braddick

braddick

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jun 28, 2009
3,953
1,076
Encinitas, CA
Ok, so kind of on a whim I purchased this iPhone4 off of eBay.
Here's the auction link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-iPhone-4-8GB-Black-Sprint-PLEASE-READ-AD-FIRST-/170965828589?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&nma=true&si=LZ%2B3mgbCE1kzCuz%2BfKAsRtvyjmo%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Based on what the description says, do you believe a simple DFU restore might 'fix' this one? If not, what would you speculate is wrong with this iPhone (taking into account the description may not be accurate- but for argument's sakes, let's say it is...)?

It is, "out of delivery" so I should have it later this afternoon.
Photos along with any update to follow. . .
 
If it was as simple as a DFU restore he would have done it himself and sold it for more.
Its a risk, it could be anything from water damage to any other hardware issues.
Also its a Sprint CDMA iphone 4 so good chances are its blacklisted.
 
Applejuiced said:
If it was as simple as a DFU restore he would have done it himself and sold it for more.
Its a risk, it could be anything from water damage to any other hardware issues.
Also its a Sprint CDMA iphone 4 so good chances are its blacklisted.
Click to expand...
Bingo. Based on the seller's feedback, he's no stranger to iPhones. I'm betting on a botch hack/mod attempt.
 
sracer said:
Bingo. Based on the seller's feedback, he's no stranger to iPhones. I'm betting on a botch hack/mod attempt.
Click to expand...

I'm betting a hardware issue, the reading the other auctions this seller knows his/her way around an iPhone and knows how to put something in DFU and restore.

Buyer is going to be disappointed. But I hope I'm wrong.
 
I'd bet $$$ it's hardware related. If this seller can't do a DFU restore I'd be shocked.

It is extremely rare to get a "deal" on a serviceable iPhone. That's why in 9 of 10 cases you're either better off buying a certified pre owned from a reputable source, or a refurb straight from Apple for the extra bucks.

This has "relist" written all over it...
 
Ok, iPhone arrives and I start out to think it may be a possible score.
Couple of quick photos, out of the box:
IMG_0410.jpg

IMG_0409.jpg

IMG_0412.jpg



I plug it into my iTunes (latest update on an iMac) and get the dreaded (yet totally expected):
IMG_0413.jpg


iTunes tells me this iPhone needs to restore, so I do so. . .

IMG_0414.jpg


Times passes.
IMG_0415.jpg
IMG_0416.jpg


And right when I think it just might work out and oh, so easily(!), I get this:
IMG_0417.jpg


There may be more to try. I'll be looking around these forums for possible answers, but so far, it's a no go.
:(
 
Try using Redsn0w or TinyUmbrella to kick it out of recovery.

EDIT: And if that still doesn't work, I'm pretty sure you can easily get your money back, all the device needs is a good main board. As long as the other parts are good you could make more parting it out and selling them individually.
 
^
I'll try this!
The good news is I need to glass, front and back, for my iPhone4S- worse case scenario.
(I think this will fit/work?)
 
braddick said:
^
I'll try this!
The good news is I need to glass, front and back, for my iPhone4S- worse case scenario.
(I think this will fit/work?)
Click to expand...

It's relatively to take the mainboard in and out of the iPhone 4S. But I hope that kicking it out of recovery does the trick.
 
braddick said:
Ok, iPhone arrives and I start out to think it may be a possible score.
Couple of quick photos, out of the box:
Image
Image
Image


I plug it into my iTunes (latest update on an iMac) and get the dreaded (yet totally expected):
Image

iTunes tells me this iPhone needs to restore, so I do so. . .

Image

Times passes.
ImageImage

And right when I think it just might work out and oh, so easily(!), I get this:
Image

There may be more to try. I'll be looking around these forums for possible answers, but so far, it's a no go.
:(
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear that. Keep us updated.
 
So, went out with a few friends and honestly, checking Google while a bit tipsy is probably ill advised, but I did so as this has taken on a whole new level of challenge.
After trying the above without success I have taken to watching YouTube videos.
(One has me going into my host file via GO > /private > host, and editing out the last line. Did so, nothing changes...)

The quest continues.
 
Just spent a few minutes with Google found this thread which may be of use. Looks like error code -1 will be a hardware issue, might not be fatal as described in the thread.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3416793?start=30&tstart=0

May help you.
 
Error -1 means that it is a hardware problem. I had the error happen to my iphone 4s. I went to the apple store and got it replaced under warranty .
 
After messing around with various tools I now get the 1601 error. I also think, as Pwnage Tool keeps pointing me in that direction, the firmware installed is, Installous 4.4.1 and that can't be good.

All else fails I will set up a Genius appointment, just to see what my options are.
 
Alrighty then.
I thought I was on to something when I attempted this:
IMG_0418.jpg


Which led me to this:
IMG_0419.jpg


It looked like then I could option click while clicking the restore on iTunes thus allowing me to choose the firmware but each and every single one of my options wouldn't load into iTunes and when I released the option key and simply clicked 'restore' with iTunes in went through its procedure and ended with a 1601 error.
(I had already replaced the USB cord.)
 
braddick said:
Alrighty then.
I thought I was on to something when I attempted this:
Image

Which led me to this:
Image

It looked like then I could option click while clicking the restore on iTunes thus allowing me to choose the firmware but each and every single one of my options wouldn't load into iTunes and when I released the option key and simply clicked 'restore' with iTunes in went through its procedure and ended with a 1601 error.
(I had already replaced the USB cord.)
Click to expand...

That error if I recall is from when the iTunes server won't validate the firmware.
 
Hardware failure. You can report not as listed as the phone is broken, not outwardly visible, but internally. Or take a chance with the Apple store.
 
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