Need help with iPhone 3g

[txfarmboy]

I am new to iPhone, so forgive my ignorance.

I just got an iPhone 3g 16gb from my wifes aunt. There is no sim. when I turn it on I am told "No Sim Card Installed" insert vaild sim with no pin lock to activate.

I have no plans to use this as a phone. For now, just use it as a Ipod, camera, and video. Plus, WiFi.

My question is, how do I get going? I have heard to HACKTIVATE it. Buy new sim. Do both. Goto At&t and get a sim. My head is going to blow. I am sorry to say that my cell phone is with Sprint and I use the BlackBerry, so I am lost to this platform.

Any help would be great!!

[iYeow]

Restore to 3.1.3 and run Redsn0w 0.9.4 but point to 3.1.2 ipsw for 3g. It will hacktivate for you.

[i.Annie]

Since Yeow already answered your question, I'm curious. Do you ever plan on using it as a phone? Cuz you could sell that 3G for over $200 (give or take) and get a new iPod Touch 4G (which is pretty awesome with a camera on the front and back and retina display). It's got a new processor and is super fast and much better than an iPhone 3G.

But that's just me I'd do it if I didn't need it as a phone.

[dotFIVE]

Restore to 3.1.3 and run Redsn0w 0.9.4 but point to 3.1.2 ipsw for 3g. It will hacktivate for you.

I'll just translate this into links for you since you are new to iPhones and this may seem like gibberish.

Downgrading/restoring to 3.1.3:
How to Downgrade Your iPhone 3G[S] from iOS 4 to iOS 3.1.3

Jailbreaking [& hactivating (activating an iPhone without an AT&T SIM card)]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMU9GlIXgRs]YouTube - 3.1.3 Jailbreak/Unlock Iphone 2g, 3g & Ipod Touch 1st gen and 2nd gen with Redsnow[/ame]

Or if you don't prefer video:
Jailbreak iPhone 3.1.3 with Redsn0w 0.9.4 | Redmond Pie

Once you do the above, your iPhone will be fully accessible, without you inserting an AT&T SIM card! Oh the joys of having jailbreaks. If you have any questions just post.

[txfarmboy]

Thanks for the help. My wifes aunt never upgrade to iOS4. She told I could after I got a sim and activated the phone.

Thank you for the tranlation. It is like learning a new language. As of now, I have no plans to use as phone. It was free and I wanted an ipod touch. Maybe in the future I will sell it.

I will try the jailbreak and see what happens. Thanks for the help so far.

Also, I forgot to add. How dow I downgrade the software to 3.1.3? Is it going to be less hassle to just get a friends old sim card or buy one off ebay to get it activated thru iTunes?

Thanks again for the help!

[i.Annie]

On a 3G you can hacktivate do you won't need a SIM. I'm sure if it's easier for you to get a friend's SIM, the jb will be easier so long as you're not on 4.0.2 and up.

[dotFIVE]

What OS are you on? You can check by going to settings, general, about, then version. If you are on 4.0 or something the above step to downgrade should work. Honestly, activating through a jailbreak on 3.1.3 would be the easiest because you'd be killing two birds with one stone: activating and jailbreaking. No need to bother a friend. The process to hacktivate is included in the jailbreaking process; they are both one.

IMO stay away from iOS4 for now, it's a tad slower than 3.1.3 on a 3G. I'm on 3.1.3 and I'm content.

[BenderRodriguez]

IMO stay away from iOS4 for now, it's a tad slower than 3.1.3 on a 3G. I'm on 3.1.3 and I'm content.

False and True
On a 3G 4.0.x is slower then 3.1.3
But
On a 3G 4.1 is faster then 4.0.x

[txfarmboy]

I am not sure what os I have. I know she never upgraded to iOS 4. When I turn the iPhone on, it shows me the usb plug and I need to connect to itunes. it also says to insert the sim card. That is the only thing I can do with the phone. I am unable to get in the settings, unless you know a different way.

I have redsnow downloaded. Should I just run that?

I am going to run that. Wish me luck!!

[dotFIVE]

I am not sure what os I have. I know she never upgraded to iOS 4. When I turn the iPhone on, it shows me the usb plug and I need to connect to itunes. it also says to insert the sim card. That is the only thing I can do with the phone. I am unable to get in the settings, unless you know a different way.

I have redsnow downloaded. Should I just run that?

I am going to run that. Wish me luck!!

Try downloading this:
iH8sn0w.com | Jailbreak your iPod touches and iPhones

And see if that tells you what OS version you have.
If you're on 3.1.3, just follow the above video that I posted (it has all the files you'll need) and it should work just fine.

False and True
On a 3G 4.0.x is slower then 3.1.3
But
On a 3G 4.1 is faster then 4.0.x

Fair enough. Though 3.1.3 supports more jailbroken tweaks and apps.

[txfarmboy]

Try downloading this:
iH8sn0w.com | Jailbreak your iPod touches and iPhones

And see if that tells you what OS version you have.
If you're on 3.1.3, just follow the above video that I posted (it has all the files you'll need) and it should work just fine.




Fair enough. Though 3.1.3 supports more jailbroken tweaks and apps.

Good call! So far....It said I can jailbreak and is unlockable. Running 3.1.3!!

[i.Annie]

Then you'll want Redsn0w 0.9.4 and the 3.1.2 stock ipsw to jailbreak your 3.1.3 phone. In Redsn0w, you'll point at the 3.1.2 ipsw to get it to jailbreak properly.

[txfarmboy]

Then you'll want Redsn0w 0.9.4 and the 3.1.2 stock ipsw to jailbreak your 3.1.3 phone. In Redsn0w, you'll point at the 3.1.2 ipsw to get it to jailbreak properly.

I downloaded the Redsnow, but when I click on browse, I didn't know where to find it, the 3.1.2 stock IPSW. Is it within the program? I found a site and was able to download 3.1.2, but when I clicked on it, it didn't work.

Thanks again for your patience and help!!

[i.Annie]

You can download the ipsw from the Downloads section here on MMi.

You'll want to use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to download to avoid getting it in .zip format. It'll only show up in Redsn0w in .ipsw format.

[txfarmboy]

OK, downloaded iPod3,1_3.1.2_7D11_Restore.ipsw. When I run redsnow and goto my desktop to click on it, redsnow says :"Unable to recognize specified IPSW".

Not sure what to do next.

***Update : I downloaded the IPSW for the iPod. oops! trying again!

[i.Annie]

Make sure you have version 0.9.4 for Redsn0w.

[txfarmboy]

DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!

Thank you all!!!!!!

ps: I downloaded the redsnow 95 instead of 94.


HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!!!!