Another 3G in Recovery Mode...need some help!

[nypgt96]

Hey everyone.
Haven't been on in a while and I guess that's a good thing...I have here a iPhone 3G running 3.0.1 jailbreak and unlock. I used blackra1n and cydia to do the JB and unlock. I am now wanting to do a fresh restore as I am selling the phone. ONE PROBLEM: Stuck in recovery mode. I have tried the following:
Enter DFU > Open iTunes > use custom firmware > apply restore > Result: Error 1015 > followed up with Tiny Umbrella (and on another try used blackra1n) to exit recovery mode > End Result: Still in recovery mode
Also tried iRecovery using terminal
Also tried holding down home button, inserting usb cord and allowing iTunes to detect phone, end result: no new firmware installed.
I would like some new options and your ideas on what I could do. Thank you for reading and thanks for any and all of your advice!

[Captinsmooth]

If you are not in need of a unlock just restore to new on 4.1 and then use redsnow to jb it.

[nypgt96]

I am very much in need of the phone being unlocked.
UPDATE: Somehow, someway, I got the phone to get back to a working phone. I then proceeded to use Blackra1n to JB it. Blackra1n is still doing it's thing after 5 minutes. My mac says the app is not responding. Will try to use jailbreakme.com if it's still working! But the most important thing is that it does need to be unlocked.