How to create my custom ipsw with pwnage tools 4.1.3?

[tomchook]

I'm using vmware workstation to emulate OSX, and this would be my first time creating my own custom ipsw.

I could only find guides for older versions of pwnage tools or for pwnage tools 4.1.3 but for patching with the 06.15 baseband (I would like to keep my older baseband: 04.26.08)

I know that there are some cautions before creating a custom ipsw, so here are my specifications:

iphone 3G, 3.1.2 unofficial carrier (unlocked with ultrasn0w) with 04.26.08 baseband. Last time I upgraded to 3.1.2 was with a custom ipsw I found online.

Can I proceed with creating the custom ipsw?
Before clicking shift+restore, should I put my iphone in "restore mode" or "DFU mode"?
If I would like to "format" my iphone, can I skip to synchronization before the restore? (since I formatted my computer I just installed the itunes, but never synchronized my iphone)

Thanks for your help!

[Tario70]

tomchook, the 4.1.3 automatically keeps your original baseband if you choose not to update to the iPad baseband.

You need to follow the directions, On a virtual Mac you will not be able to use the DFU pwned mode of PwnageTool, you'll need redsn0w if you're on Windows to get to that pwned DFU state.

Personally, this is how I do it. Make sure you sync first in order to get all your applications synced over to your computer.

Then create your custom Firmware in your virtual. Since you are unlocked, if you don't have an official sim to activate it you'll need to ensure you check Activate my phone. (I'd also advice against enabling anything except the Battery Percentage).

When PwnageTool asks if your phone has been pwned before just select yes. Then finish creating your custom IPSW.

Now, if you are on Windows, you'll need redsn0w & that Apple IPSW (Not The custom one!) Open redsn0w (if on Win 7, run as admin & run in compatibility mode of Win XP). Then when the selection screen comes up, only check DFU Pwned Mode. Follow the steps to get yourself in DFU mode.

Once redsn0w finishes, you'll then need to click finish on redsn0w & then open up iTunes to do your Shift+Restore. Navigate to your custom Firmware & then let install the custom firmware.

That should take care of your install. There is a new way to get activated apparently. After you hacktivate you can go in to cydia & install SAM. Here's the info from the Dev Team Blog

Update #6: Developer @sbingner (author of TetherMe) has made some excellent progress devising a new hactivation method that kills two birds with one stone for all you ultrasn0w unlockers. His tool, “Subscriber Artificial Module (SAM)” tricks your iPhone and iTunes into creating legitimate activation tickets even though you’re unlocked with ultrasn0w. This means you get the full benefit of push applications, and your battery life increases substantially. If you’d like to try it out, check out Subscriber Artificial Module

To help make it easier to try out @sbingner’s tool, we’ve updated redsn0w to include a new “Deactivate” option for the 3G and 3GS. Use this option *after* you’ve installed SAM…it will remove the normal patches made to lockdownd and let SAM take over. (sbingner plans on making a button to do this within SAMPrefs too). Great work, @sbingner!

The new redsn0w with the “Deactivate” option is at:

* OSX
* Windows (Windows 7 and Vista users, please run redsn0w as Administrator in “XP Compatiblity Mode”)

That should do it I think...

~Tario70

[tomchook]

Tario70, thank you for the detailed and quick reply!

Make sure you sync first in order to get all your applications synced over to your computer.

As I mentioned I would like to have a "clean start", so I would prefer not to sync. Should that cause any problem? (I didn't sync yet my iphone with itunes since I formatted my computer and installed itunes)

if you are on Windows, you'll need redsn0w & that Apple IPSW (Not The custom one!)

Should I download "iPhone 3G (4.2.1/8C148)" from felixbruns dot de slash iPod slash firmware ? Would that be the Apple IPSW?

To help make it easier to try out @sbingner’s tool, we’ve updated redsn0w to include a new “Deactivate” option for the 3G and 3GS. Use this option *after* you’ve installed SAM…it will remove the normal patches made to lockdownd and let SAM take over.

I don't get it. After checking "activate my phone" on PwnageTools why do I need to activate again with SAM? Just so I can get the "push" option working? And let's say I installed this SAM, do I actually have deactivate with redsn0w? (it doesn't make sense) or should I just install SAM, Revert Lockdownd to Stock, De-Activate iPhone, Activate with iTunes and install ultrasn0w?

Thank you again for your help!

[tomchook]

Just a bump. I see Tario70 is not here. Can anyone else help me?

Thanks and merry Christmas!

[Simon]

If you have a official carrier sim use that to activate with (so dont choose activate in pwnage tool). If you dont and choose to activate with pwnage tool then your push notifications will not work and your battery will drain very fast. This is what SAM fixes, it gives you a proper activation.
No need to use redsnow to deactivate anymore though, it is all built in to SAM now. You can follow this for that: iClarified - iPhone - How to Hactivation Your iPhone Using Subscriber Artificial Module (SAM)

Yes you can download the regular apple firmware from felixbruns.

[tomchook]

Thanks x98car! and would it be OK not to sync my iphone before restoring it? I didn't sync yet my iphone with itunes since I formatted my computer and installed itunes.

[Simon]

If you dont care about any settings/contacts/pics etc then you dont have to sync first if you dont want to.

[tomchook]

Thanks!

[Simon]

no prob, good luck

[tomchook]

When PwnageTool asks if your phone has been pwned before just select yes

It didn't ask me that, but before I created the IPSW it asked me if I have a contract that would normally be activated with itunes. I clicked "no". Should I be OK even that it didn't ask me if I pwned it before (I used simple mode).

Thanks!

[Simon]

You should use expert mode. If you have a official carrier sim to activate with then you can click yes to that as it is better to use that sim to activate instead of getting pwnage tool to do it.

[tomchook]

why should I use expert mode? I assume it has more tweaks, but the only thing I want is to pwn it (I made sure the options for "activate" and "battery percentage" were checked)

By the way, at the end it told me I need to use "recovery mode", but if I'm going to use Windows should I still restore my iphone while in DFU mode? or recovery?

[Simon]

You don't have to use expert mode. I just prefer it. You have to put the phone into pwned dfu before restoring to a custom firmware.