Strange iphone problem.. help please..

[SPFH73]

Ok guys im new to this forum so hello to everyone!
I hope you can help me,

I got an iphone 3g from a friend last week but whatever happens the thing just wont boot,
Its on the 06.15 ipad baseband,
It suffers from the 1015 error but nothing can bypass it,
It has been restored to 4.2.1, 4.1,3.2.1 custom ipsw for all of those from both online and ones created myself using sn0wbreeze and pwnage tool,
I have also used ireb, irecovery, fix recovery, tiny umbrella, redsn0w, blackra1n and pretty much everything else to try and exit recovery mode but nothing will work.
The phone just will not get to the emergency screen.
Where every other guide online works for every other phone it just returns to the connect to itunes screen and stays in recovery.
Every guide online has been followed and nothing has worked!

Ive made custom ipsw without updating baseband,
Ive tried jailbreaking with cydia only using resn0w,
Boot tethered only using redsn0w,
Nothing will boot.
Nothing works at all!
If i restore to stock firmware i get 1015 error on itunes, i then cannot exit recovery mode how ever hard i try,
And when i restore to custom firmware i dont get the 1015 error but the phone wont boot and itunes and the computer can only detect it in recovery mode.
also just tried restoring again to 3.2.1 and used the redsn0w, enter pwned dfu mode, run again and install cydia, run again and boot tethered right now but with no success.

Is there any chance the phone could be permanently bricked and wont ever restore?
Or is there something that im missing?

Does anyone know what could be stopping this iphone from booting?

Ive tried to include as much info as i can!

Thanks so much in advance,
Steve

[Mes]

It seems you've mentioned every jb'ing method available and had no success. From a logical standpoint, it sounds like a hardware problem.

But let me suggest 3.1.2. This is the easiest of all firmwares to load.
I would try all modes (recovery, DFU) until it restored w/o error.

[SPFH73]

Thanks for the quick reply mate I will definately try that,
Its so frustrating as I know abit about jailbreaking etc and have fixed problems like this before,
This one just won't work like the rest,
What could the hardware problem be mate?
Thanks

[Mes]

Before speculating about a hardware problem, try 3.1.2. If it still errors after several tries, look at the iTunes error logs for additional hints. (don't remember where they reside, but likely in the temp folder)

[SPFH73]

Hi guys,
Cheers for the reply,
I think ive found the problem.
I tried restoring to 3.1.2 with no success but run a verbose boot,
It said it was unable to boot due to the system crashing,
Ive been told it could be due to a faulty NAND...
Im used to NAND gate IC's through electronics but nothing to do with how an iphone operates!
Can this be fixed?
Or is it time for the bin/need the IC replaced?
Cheers

[SPFH73]

Does anyone know how to fix a NAND fault?
Or would it require literally replacing the IC itself?
Cheers

[Mes]

If it's really a NAND gate problem, it's a motherboard issue. I suggest taking it go a good repair shop. Most MMi members are users.
The handful of MMi hardware experts usually 'replace' the motherboard.
The isolated experts that can actually 'fix' a motherboard problem are extremely rare.

Good luck.

[SPFH73]

Thanks mate,
I however was told to post up my error update logs from itunes to show if there are any other faults.
I was told this from a friend,
Heres my log anyway if anyone can help,

http://pastesite.com/25569

Many Thanks

[Mes]

You're loading 4.2.1.
The only thing I see is the mis-matched BB error 1015. Maybe someone else ...

Since you're using 4.2.1, Did you get 3.1.2 to load correctly?

[SPFH73]

I did before but now whenever i try and downgrade it comes up with error 1015 but tiny umbrella still says its on 4.2.1...
Im downloading 3.0 as ive heard this can resolve the NAND problem if that is it,
To clarify,
Il put it in PWND DFU mode with redsn0w,
And for mac alt+restore and select the 3.0 firmware,
And then it should load all the way until the 1015 error?
Should i repaste the script when ive tried this?
Cheers

Thanks for your continued help by the way mes,
Deserve a thanks

[Mes]

I did before but now whenever i try and downgrade it comes up with error 1015 ...

That's ok ... iTunes error 1015 expected. Use Tiny Umbrella and press 'exit recovery'.

With any 3.0, 3.1.2, or 3.1.3 restore, if iTunes reports a 1015 error, use Tiny Umbrella and press 'exit recovery'

[SPFH73]

Im sure though before i restored to 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 and done exactly as above but then when it returned to the recovery screen tiny umbrella still said it was on 4.2.1.
The only way i think it changed the firmware it would load was by using a custom ipsw where it actualy completed the restore process and no 1015 error,
But then it wont boot either,
Strange..
Wouldnt be surprised if its a motherboard issue..

[Mes]

Don't worry about what Tiny Umbrella says ...... after .... a 3.1.2/3.1.3 restore. It's doesn't matter.

What is important, does it load? Does iTunes report a 1015 error?
If it does, then ...use... tiny umbrella for one (1) thing. Press the 'exit recovery' button. That's all.

[SPFH73]

Ok mate,
Im trying 3.0 now,
If that doesnt work il try 3.1.2 and get back to you,
Would seeing the logs help?
Cheers

[Mes]

A custom 3.1.3 does not try to update the baseband, no 1015 error is expected.

...Would seeing the logs help?..

A 3.x log file might be helpful

[SPFH73]

Ok mate,
Firmware 3.0 still gave the 1015 error...
Heres the log for that,
Clip #004W
Tiny umbrella failed to kick it out of recovery mode, exit recovery just led back to the recovery screen once again,
What firmware should i try now mate?
3.1.3?

[Mes]

The 3.0 log looked clean ... until the 1015 BB mismatch error.

I have an idea. It assumes the 6.15 BB is corrupted and nothing else will work.
Reload the iPad BB with redsn0w rc16. Point to iOS 4.2.1, check one (1) box only, install ipad BB.
It should load and finish fairly quickly --- but not boot.

Then go back and restore 3.1.3 again using the same procedure.

[SPFH73]

And heres the log for the 3.1.3 mate,
Tiny umbrella still had no luck...
Cheers

Ok mate i will do that now

I noticed on the log when installing ipad BB,
"reference from: /jailbreak
Reason: image not found"
Its just stopped and looks to be frozen,
I wont touch it just yet though,
Is this what you meant by it wont boot?

[Mes]

Sure. What was loaded before didn't boot, so I didn't expect any more.

Now the BB is updated - again
Start over (hold power + home 8-10 seconds) to power off device.
Reload 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 like before and see if it gets any further.

[SPFH73]

Still no luck mate,
Still 1015 error and no boot from tiny umbrella,
Finding it strange because even with a nand fault would it still get the 1015 error?
I thought it was just a software problem and nothing to do with hardware.
I know that the NAND is the flash memory though so maybe theres a problem there when it comes to the end of the restore?
Any more thoughts buddy?
Cheers