How to reboot iPhone 3G without using the sleep/wake button (which isn't working)?

[Granitel]

Q: Is there a way to get this iPhone out of its stuck mode without taking it apart?

More than a year ago, this forum helped me jailbreak and unlock a Craigslist iPhone 3G iOS 4.2.1 for my kid to use on the T-Mobile network, and everything has been fine ever since on iOS 3.1.3.

Today, my kid tells me that the sleep/wake button on the top right stopped working a while ago (it pressed down with a good click feeling - but it just doesn't do anything). This hasn't been a problem - until now.

Now, the iPhone 3G is locked up with all the icons and we can't reboot it.
The kid took the SIM card out, and now, even with the card back in, it just says "No SIM card installed".

If we could just get the sleep/wake button to work, we could reboot it easily.
My kid asked me how to reset/reboot the iPhone 3G without the sleep/wake button being operable.

These methods won't work:
1. Press and hold the sleep button till you can red swipe to shut down => we never get the red swipe message!
2. Press and hold the home and sleep buttons for 20 seconds till the phone does a forced reset ==> nothing happens
3. At the top right corner, squeeze (pinch) the front screen together with the back case while pushing the Power button.

Googling, I find one option to reboot the Iphone 3G is to take the phone apart.

My question: Is there a way to get this iPhone out of its stuck mode without taking it apart?

 

[Granitel]

UPDATE:
I had asked the same question on another iPhone forum and the answer came back to simply allow the kid's iPhone to die and then when I power it back up, it would reboot on its own.

This hint saved me having to take it apart to remove the battery, so I list it here for others to benefit in the future.

How to reboot an iPhone 3G whose sleep/wake button is inoperable:
1. Press and hold the sleep button till you can red swipe to shut down
2. Press and hold the home and sleep buttons for 20 seconds till the phone does a forced reset
3. At the top right corner, squeeze (pinch) the front screen together with the back case while performing the above step
4. Allow the iPhone battery to discharge fully overnight & power it up in the morning!

 

[Applejuiced]

If its JB why dont you just install sbsettings or activator and you can set any kind of button or gesture to restart the phone.

 

[Granitel]

If its JB why dont you just install sbsettings or activator and you can set any kind of button or gesture to restart the phone.

Hmmm... Because I didn't know that capability even existed for the iOS 3.1.3 phone that my kid has, that's why!

Googling, I find these of interest:
- Fixing sleep/wake button with QuickLock2


- sbsettings

 

[Granitel]

install sbsettings or activator and you can set any kind of button or gesture to restart the phone.

This is nice to know.
It's my (non technical) kid's phone.
Is there a suggested button which isn't already being used a lot?
Or a specific gesture?

When the kid gets back from school, I'll see what I can install on it by way of sbsettings.