Two quick questions... Please help

[tjlamro]

My friend tried to jailbreak and unlock his Iphone 3GS and failed. He brought it over to me and its now in DFU mode I believe considering it is giving me the connect to Itunes signal. I tried to run f0recast to see what the baseband and version it was running because he does not know which it is. When I plug it in it just brings up Itunes and tells me to restore. F0recast does not recognize the phone.

Is there a way I can get forecast to tel me the phone info before restoring the phone. Also if I do restore the phone to the newest 4.2 OS on Itunes that does not mean I can't still unlock the phone right? As far as I know 3GS are all unlockable but I could be wrong. I just don't want to do anything stupid and ruin his phone because he wants to unlock it. Thanks for the help!

[belebartok]

I personally have not used f0recast. All 3g and 3gs phones ar jailbreakable and unlockable. The only thing that may cause problems is the baseband. If f0recast can figur it out, the best thing to do is probably activate the phone officially (with the carrier's sim) and start fresh. If it is your friend's phone originally he should have the right sim. If not, find someone, it's the best bet. It's what I do, it avoids problems later on. After you activate, iTunes should put 4.2.1 on the phone and you can follow the guide on the other page. The emergency call screen should go away after activation. Be aware that I am not an expert, and I can't guarantee anything.

[tjlamro]

He doesn't have the original sim cause he uses Tmobile just like me. I am guessing it has the newest OS and newest baseband... thats just my guess though. Are there any alternatives to f0recast so I can be sure on what this phone is running before I do anything? Thanks!

[Mes]

3GS phones have the same issues as iPhone 4. You need SHSH blobs for anything except the lasted iOS AND the baseband can easily be updated to an unlockable state. Sooooo, be very careful.

Use Tiny Umbrella to see what SHSH blobs you have. Always use a custome firmware to preserve the current baseband (modem firmware).

[belebartok]

I think you could probably run redsn0w and hacktivate the phone (understand what this does?). If you are unsure of the baseband, do NOT check "update to iPAd baseband. This should install 4.2.1 and make the phone work again. Then you can check baseband and bootloader and restore again if you have to or (if you get really lucky) just download ultrasn0w. I think for 3gs models this may be a tethered boot only, I will check after postin this. How old is the phone? Also if you hacktivate you will probably want to use SAM, but that can be done later. If you can wait, I think a better solution will be available from dev team soonish. A few weeks. Once again, my word is not gospel.

[Mes]

Connect to ITunes is activation.
Redsnow can activate although an official SIM is preferred.

[tjlamro]

What what? So I should use Redsnow? What does connect to Itunes is activation mean??

[belebartok]

Not sure about preserving the baseband. 5.14 and up cannot be unlocked.

[Mes]

tj... Yes

[tjlamro]

Ok connecting the phone now. Opened up redsnow 0.9.65b It wants me to browse for a firmware... which firmware should I browse for? The 4.2.1 that guide I mentioned tells me to download?

[belebartok]

Also this is a tethered boot, meaning you have to connect the phone to a computer and rejailbreak every time the phone turns off. If you can, I suggesting waiting a few weeks.

[Mes]

tj.. You browse for the firmware that is currently installed.

[tjlamro]

My main goal is just to check the OS its running and baseband... I was hoping that could be done without changing anything on the phone but forecast isnt doing that for me.

Right now I am on redsnow and it at the screen where i can check Install Cydia, Install custom bundle, Install Ipad baseband, Just boot tethered right now, or Just enter pwned DFU mode right now. Should I select any of those or just get out of this all together?

tj.. You browse for the firmware that is currently installed.

Right... and I do this on redsnow? Because these are the options I am getting...

[belebartok]

If you can't find he ipsw, do a search for it. I couldn't find it. Do NOT check update baseband for now.

[Mes]

If your main goal is to check current iOS, exit Redsnow and use Tiny Umbrella. I think it works without being activated.
If not, the check install Cydia + activation

[belebartok]

@Mes This is a tethered boot though right?

[Mes]

Yes, very likely. New bootroms are tethered. Maybe soon we will have an untethered one

BTW: The tethered boot issue is why most stay on 4.1

[belebartok]

If you have a later baseband, you have to upgrade to 4.2.1 though, right? It's a good thing Apple makes good hardware; this can be a huge pain in the ***, as our friend is learning... I got iPhones for Christmas for some people and it was one of the most stressful presents I ever gave.

[tjlamro]

Ok so I installed cydia and yes it did say it was tethered. This means that if he ever shuts off the phone he would have to do the jailbreak all over again right?

[Mes]

If you have a later baseband, you have to upgrade to 4.2.1 though, right?

No. The iPad BB can be installed without installing 4,2.1. The main issue is SHSH blobs. New
Phones likely have none saved for older versions .. so 4.2.1 is the only option.