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OK, I did the restore but it's actually a different error;

"The iPhone ~iPhone~ could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1604)."

I ran Recboot anyway, but it says "No device in recovery mode found".

What steps are you/have you taken? Did you create the firmware or are you using the one you found online? Also, how are you placing the phone into DFU?

I suggested iReb in an earlier post. If you haven't already, download it and use that. It will put the phone in the proper mode for a custom restore and if it gives you the 1015 after the restore, it can kick it out as well.
 
I don't get why you are on 3.1.3. You prefer the performance or you are trying to preserve your baseband for unlock? If you can somehow get a custom 3.1.3 firmware file then power to you; you will be jailbroken and unlock will be possible (I'm assuming you were unlocked because you were saying you didn't have the official SIM).

If you ended up restoring to a firmware above 3.1.3, then create a custom firmware yourself; do not trust custom firmware files on the internet. you can do this by downloading the official 4.2.1 IPSW file from Felix Bruns (Google it) and then using Pwnagetool (Mac) or Sn0wbreeze (Windows), create the custom IPSW from the official one and then shift (option on Mac) + restore to it using iTunes. You will be jailbroken and activated and all that's left is to run Ultrasn0w through Cydia.

If you're still on 3.1.3 and you're simply stuck at the SIM card activation screen, use Redsn0w 0.9.4 to jailbreak and activate your phone. (Can anyone confirm that the old Redsn0w hactivates?)
 
If you're still on 3.1.3 and you're simply stuck at the SIM card activation screen, use Redsn0w 0.9.4 to jailbreak and activate your phone. (Can anyone confirm that the old Redsn0w hactivates?)

It's been a while since I used 0.9.4 but luckily I never delete the old versions. Anyhow, I just tried and it does not have hacktivation.
 
It's been a while since I used 0.9.4 but luckily I never delete the old versions. Anyhow, I just tried and it does not have hacktivation.

Thank you for checking! The new Redsn0w(s) do have hactivation so I wasn't sure but I didn't want to recommend it without knowing for sure first.
 
I don't get why you are on 3.1.3. You prefer the performance or you are trying to preserve your baseband for unlock? If you can somehow get a custom 3.1.3 firmware file then power to you; you will be jailbroken and unlock will be possible (I'm assuming you were unlocked because you were saying you didn't have the official SIM).

If you ended up restoring to a firmware above 3.1.3, then create a custom firmware yourself; do not trust custom firmware files on the internet. you can do this by downloading the official 4.2.1 IPSW file from Felix Bruns (Google it) and then using Pwnagetool (Mac) or Sn0wbreeze (Windows), create the custom IPSW from the official one and then shift (option on Mac) + restore to it using iTunes. You will be jailbroken and activated and all that's left is to run Ultrasn0w through Cydia.

If you're still on 3.1.3 and you're simply stuck at the SIM card activation screen, use Redsn0w 0.9.4 to jailbreak and activate your phone. (Can anyone confirm that the old Redsn0w hactivates?)

Thanks both for the advise/research. I will do whatever makes the most sense. The original problem was the phone was slow & locked up on occasion - my logic in selecting 3.13 was simply that the old OS version was more likely to run quickly on an older (3G) iPhone.

However, the firmware I downloaded <b>was</b> from the internet - and at this point I just need to get the thing working again - so I'll do as suggested. The firmware from from Felix Bruns was dead easy even for me, now looking for Sn0wbreeze.

Update: Have Sn0wbreeze, went for simple mode (and pacman). I will keep the updates coming.
 
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IMO, 3.1.3 was the best ios for the 3G. However, I never went past 4.0.1 before I got my current iphone.
FYI, you don't have to d/l your firmware from a particular site. Usually, most of them provide a link to apple's servers. The most important thing is making sure you get the stock ios from apple.
If you use snowbreeze or pwnage, you'll need to make sure to sure that software's special DFU mode. This helps gets the JB process started. If you don't, the JB doesn't go well.

If you haven't already, read iclarified's tutorials. They're extremely helpful; it was useful to me when I first started out.
 
IMO, 3.1.3 was the best ios for the 3G. However, I never went past 4.0.1 before I got my current iphone.
FYI, you don't have to d/l your firmware from a particular site. Usually, most of them provide a link to apple's servers. The most important thing is making sure you get the stock ios from apple.
If you use snowbreeze or pwnage, you'll need to make sure to sure that software's special DFU mode. This helps gets the JB process started. If you don't, the JB doesn't go well.

If you haven't already, read iclarified's tutorials. They're extremely helpful; it was useful to me when I first started out.

My update failed last night when one of my kids used the laptop, no worries, I'll just do it again. Since I have to repeat anyway & you've indicated the old version of the OS might be good...

The sn0wbreeze page has this;

sn0wbreeze 2.0.2 [For 3.1.x to 4.0] -- Downloads : 955645

So can I just do awadeee's steps (see below) & substitute the 3.1.3 OS from Felix Bruns and the older version of sn0wbreeze?

For clarity, the steps laid out for me by awadeee are as follows;

1. create a custom firmware yourself; do not trust custom firmware files on the internet. you can do this by downloading the official 4.2.1 IPSW file from Felix Bruns (Google it) and then using Pwnagetool (Mac) or Sn0wbreeze (Windows), create the custom IPSW from the official one and then shift (option on Mac) + restore to it using iTunes.

2. run Ultrasn0w through Cydia.

Sounds like step 1 might be fine with the older OS, but I'm unclear if I can do step 2 with the older OS (I'm also unclear on what step 2 is actually for??).

I'll resume anyway & post progress ... my wife's going shot me pretty soon :)
 
I
If you ended up restoring to a firmware above 3.1.3, then create a custom firmware yourself; do not trust custom firmware files on the internet. you can do this by downloading the official 4.2.1 IPSW file from Felix Bruns (Google it) and then using Pwnagetool (Mac) or Sn0wbreeze (Windows), create the custom IPSW from the official one and then shift (option on Mac) + restore to it using iTunes. You will be jailbroken and activated and all that's left is to run Ultrasn0w through Cydia.

I've downloaded 4.2.1 and sn0wbreeze-2.2.1.exe & run it. It's created the custom ipsw file on my desktop BUT it's stuck in "Waiting for IBSS".

Can I just cancel out, take the ipsw file sn0wbreeze created (hasn't changed in > 40 minutes) and upload that using iTunes now?
 
I've downloaded 4.2.1 and sn0wbreeze-2.2.1.exe & run it. It's created the custom ipsw file on my desktop BUT it's stuck in "Waiting for IBSS".

Can I just cancel out, take the ipsw file sn0wbreeze created (hasn't changed in > 40 minutes) and upload that using iTunes now?

I lieu of a response I cancelled out & restored the sn0wbreeze_iPhone 3G-4.2.1.ipsw snowbreeze created on my desktop with iTunes.

I now have a iPhone could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1600).

Next steps??
 
I'm not sure why you're having so many issues so here's what I think you should do. I'm going to upload a the custom 3.1.3 IPSW (give me a bit and I'll post the link) for you to make it easier. After that, use something such as redsn0w or iReb to enter a "pwned DFU mode". This will allow you to install custom firmware. You should be good to go after that.

Ok, and here you go. This is a custom IPSW for 3G on 3.1.3 that will be activated.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O92XUXO1
 
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I'm not sure why you're having so many issues so here's what I think you should do. I'm going to upload a the custom 3.1.3 IPSW (give me a bit and I'll post the link) for you to make it easier. After that, use something such as redsn0w or iReb to enter a "pwned DFU mode". This will allow you to install custom firmware. You should be good to go after that.

Ok, and here you go. This is a custom IPSW for 3G on 3.1.3 that will be activated.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O92XUXO1


Thank you - that WORKED - now everything works except the phone itself! :eek: I mean that wifi, etc is all good but the phone can't make a phone call lol. The following settings look suspect on the phone;

Settings > About > Carrier: Not Available
Settings > Phone > My Number: Unknown

My loose understanding is that this info comes from the SIM..the phone does have a SIM in it that worked before (the SIM was from my previous non-iPhone cell phone and I had been using it successfully in the iPhone). My carrier is FIDO if that helps.
 
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went for simple mode (and pacman)..

Love that Pacman. :D

IMO, 3.1.3 was the best ios for the 3G. However, I never went past 4.0.1 before I got my current iphone.
FYI, you don't have to d/l your firmware from a particular site. Usually, most of them provide a link to apple's servers. The most important thing is making sure you get the stock ios from apple.
If you use snowbreeze or pwnage, you'll need to make sure to sure that software's special DFU mode. This helps gets the JB process started. If you don't, the JB doesn't go well.

If you haven't already, read iclarified's tutorials. They're extremely helpful; it was useful to me when I first started out.

They do all come from Apple's servers (as it wouldn't make much sense to host every single IPSW on an independent server), but I just recommend Felix Bruns because I find his site easy to use and I always go there when I need firmware.

My update failed last night when one of my kids used the laptop, no worries, I'll just do it again. Since I have to repeat anyway & you've indicated the old version of the OS might be good...

The sn0wbreeze page has this;

sn0wbreeze 2.0.2 [For 3.1.x to 4.0] -- Downloads : 955645

So can I just do awadeee's steps (see below) & substitute the 3.1.3 OS from Felix Bruns and the older version of sn0wbreeze?

For clarity, the steps laid out for me by awadeee are as follows;

1. create a custom firmware yourself; do not trust custom firmware files on the internet. you can do this by downloading the official 4.2.1 IPSW file from Felix Bruns (Google it) and then using Pwnagetool (Mac) or Sn0wbreeze (Windows), create the custom IPSW from the official one and then shift (option on Mac) + restore to it using iTunes.

2. run Ultrasn0w through Cydia.

Sounds like step 1 might be fine with the older OS, but I'm unclear if I can do step 2 with the older OS (I'm also unclear on what step 2 is actually for??).

I'll resume anyway & post progress ... my wife's going shot me pretty soon :)

Ultrasn0w is the application that is responsible for unlocking your iPhone. Until you do that, your iPhone is locked. I'm assuming you need the unlock because you mentioned not having an AT&T SIM. And yes, Ultrasn0w is the used on mostall the devices (I think there was another Cydia application that did it first, I can't remember) and all firmwares, with the exception of the first iPhone which uses another method.

Thank you - that WORKED - now everything works except the phone itself! :eek: I mean that wifi, etc is all good but the phone can't make a phone call lol. The following settings look suspect on the phone;

Settings > About > Carrier: Not Available
Settings > Phone > My Number: Unknown

My loose understanding is that this info comes from the SIM..the phone does have a SIM in it that worked before (the SIM was from my previous non-iPhone cell phone and I had been using it successfully in the iPhone). My carrier is FIDO if that helps.

Have you installed Ultrasn0w from Cydia yet? Your Fido SIM will not work until you do, since your iPhone is locked to AT&T.
 
Have you installed Ultrasn0w from Cydia yet? Your Fido SIM will not work until you do, since your iPhone is locked to AT&T.

Thanks for the response. No, sadly it's not at all obvious to me how to do this. Thru google I've learned that the modem firmware is a factor (mine is 6.15) and OS of course is 3.1.3 per above.

Most of the help pages I see tell you to upgrade the OS...which I'd rather not do, since I was pretty helpless until ylerT helped me out.

If anyone cares, we won the aforementioned soccer game yesterday :) first win for the kids.

EDIT: Is this what I have to do? (from this very forum);

*****************************
Steps to Unlock:

*Make sure to turn of 3G*

1. Connect to WIFI
2. Open Cydia, it will take a while to load and update Cydia give it some time, it might restart the phone, if it does just re-open Cydia again.
3. Once Cydia is done updating go to MANAGE
4. Click SOURCES
5. If you see 666.ultrasnow.com, go to next step
-if not seen, Click on Edit button at the top-right and then click on Add button on the top-left. Enter http://repo666.ultrasn0w.com click on Add Source button.
6. Let Cydia to add Ultrasn0w repo to your current Cydia sources. Once done, click on the Return to Cydia button to get back to Sources section. Tap on the repo name and then tap on Ultrasn0w tool.
7. Now you will see Ultrasn0w repo in your Sources section.
8. Click on Install button on the top-right to install Ultrasn0w tool.
9. Once Ultrasn0w tool has been installed, click on Restart Springboard button and your iPhone should catch your carrier signals automatically. (insert carrier sim)

Note: If your iPhone fails to pick signals after installing Ultrasn0w 1.2, reboot your iPhone after restarting Springboard.
**********************
 
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Yes, you need to install ultrasnow to unlock your phone. Didn't I tell you to read iclarified?:rolleyes:
You shouldn't have to add the source, but if the source doesn't show up in your list on cydia, then you'll need to add it.
 
When I go into Cydia it spends alot of time downloading, fails, then reloading data. Ultimately it arrives at a screen where it wants to;

1. Upgrade Essential
2. Complete Upgrade
3. Ignore (Temporary)

I selected Essential BUT when it tells me what the essential upgrades are, one of the items until the INSTALL list says;

"iPhone Firmware (/sbin)"

So do I so the essential upgrade here? (I do NOT want to upgrade the iPhone firmware, the whole point was to get me onto 3.1.3). Or does this mean something else & I'm just paranoid?

Incidentally I spend about a half hour trying to find Cydia on the net before I realized it was an app already on the phone!! :rolleyes:
 
When I go into Cydia it spends alot of time downloading, fails, then reloading data. Ultimately it arrives at a screen where it wants to;

1. Upgrade Essential
2. Complete Upgrade
3. Ignore (Temporary)

I selected Essential BUT when it tells me what the essential upgrades are, one of the items until the INSTALL list says;

"iPhone Firmware (/sbin)"

So do I so the essential upgrade here? (I do NOT want to upgrade the iPhone firmware, the whole point was to get me onto 3.1.3). Or does this mean something else & I'm just paranoid?

Incidentally I spend about a half hour trying to find Cydia on the net before I realized it was an app already on the phone!! :rolleyes:

yes your paranoid upgrading essentials in cydia is for cydia only it wont do anything to the phones firmware
 
yes your paranoid upgrading essentials in cydia is for cydia only it wont do anything to the phones firmware

I've had the "wheel" (phone thinking i guess) for about an hour after restarting springboard. Time to reboot the phone?

EDIT: I can't even reboot the phone, no combination of power or even power & home will restart it. I suppose I have to wait for the battery to drain.
 
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OMG the phone appears to work!! I've given it to my wife, fingers crossed.

Thank you everyone, especially ylrtT who posted that firmware. I will tuck that file away into my home storage along with related programs & directions in case I have to do this again sometime. Before that firmware file was posted, I'd mentally given up and made plans to just bring the phone somewhere to be fixed. It's much better though that I (somewhat) understand what has to be done so I can repeat it if necessary. And, hey, I like to fix things MYSELF :)

Since I have such a collection of experts here - might as well ask another q (or more :D ).

This phone uses voice & wifi, my wife does not have or want a data plan. Does enabling the 3G help the wifi? If it doesn't I think I'll leave it disabled as it's a documented battery hog.

Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
 
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