3GS 359.3 bootrom 3.1.2=>4.1.2 no cydia

[macmodder]

My 3GS had version 3.1.2 (7D11), with an OLD BOOT ROM, and I wanted to upgrade to an untethered 4.2.1 and keep my current firmware. I have read a bunch of posts and guides about upgrading, but no matter what I do I end up with a perfectly good phone that is not jailbroken. Maybe someone can tell me what I am missing, or not understanding. I don’t care about unlocking because I am already on AT&T, so I just want to jailbreak.

After upgrade

Version: 4.2.1 (8C148a)
Firmware: 5.11.07
Bootrom : 359.3
Bootloader: 6.4

My first attempt was to use pwnage 4.1.3 with the 8C148a bundle and cooked my custom ipsw. Then got in DFU mode and had iTunes 10.1 (on mac g5) restore the custom version using ctrl-alt option. So far everything is OK.

I could not find a version of redsn0w 0.9.6b5 to run an a G5 mac, so from a windows XP computer I selected OS 4.2.1 and install cydia and got into DFU mode and ran redsn0w. Everything was successful, but I still had the apple symbol (no pineapple). Also, cydia was never installed! I can also run redsn0w over and over again with success, but never gets jailbroken. I can make calls, and everything.

What am I missing? Any suggestions??

Thanks

[iYeow]

Use redsn0w 0.9.6b6 to install cydia. Pwnage tools jailbreak for 3gs will only preserve bb and nothing else. It won't install Cydia for you.
If you experience battery drain, then you have to go back to 4.1 to resolve this issue. No other way around.

[macmodder]

Thanks - I tried 0.9.6b5 and 0.9.6b6 - same result. No JB.

I think if I select the cydia source before I build the custom ipsw then pwnage will install it, but if I can't JB then it won't work. I am probably missing a step some where

[Simon]

You should try restoring to a regular 4.2.1 first. Then run redsnow 0.9.6b6, point it at the regular 4.2.1 firmware and install cydia with it. Make sure you activate your iphone first with itunes after the restore before running cydia.

[macmodder]

If I use a regular 4.2.1 (instead of custom), will that update my baseband/firmware?

[Simon]

ya, but didnt you say you dont care about unlock and are on official carrier?

[macmodder]

I did - I am on an official carrier so I don't have to unlock. Just thinking about when my contract expires - wanted to keep my options open, if possible. Do you think the custom ipsw could be the reason?

[iYeow]

As i have said before, this custom firmware for 3gs with added bundle doesn't jailbreak for you , only preserve bb. Since you have restored to stock 4.2.1 , there is no reason to use CFW.

[Simon]

If you havent restored to regular 4.2.1 then try restoring to the custom one again, then try to run redsnow to install cydia again. Make sure you have the latest redsnow 0.9.6b6 and that you are pointing it to a regular 4.2.1 firmware, not the custom one.