What are my options? (Jailbroken iPhone 3G iOS 4.2.1 stuck in iTunes recovery mode)

[Granitel]

This is my first post on everythingiCafe and all I ask is a pointer in the right direction.

Last August I bought for my kid a jailbroken iPhone 3G iOS 4.2.1 (8C148) for use on T-Mobile voice/text with WiFi for data & Windows XP; at the moment, the iPhone is currently stuck in iTunes "recovery mode".

Unfortunately, I never owned an iPhone before and certainly I haven't done a jailbreak (although I believe one is in my near future)

Unfortunately, I don't know the baseband version (because the iPhone 3G will not boot to the Springboard/Winterboard GUI).

I need advice on which general direction to proceed.

Here are relevant details:

• The jailbroken iPhone 3G iOS 4.2.1 has been working fine since August on T-Mobile
• The only 'problem' was that Cydia video apps apparently work best on iOS 3.1.3
• Suddenly, this weekend, the iPhone 3G locked itself into iTunes recovery mode
• I connected it to iTunes but stopped short when it wanted to install whatever iOS it wanted to install (I don't want to do the wrong update & later regret it)
• Doing research, I have come up with a tentative plan for recovery
• Would technically knowledgeable folks here please review my plan & offer advice?

In my rough-draft plan, the goal will be mainly in this order:

1. Recover the phone, if possible with all data & with the jailbroken iOS intact
2. If that's not possible, at least recover the data & get the iPhone back on T-Mobile
3. That may require 'unjailbreaking' or learning how to 'jailbreak' myself
4. If possible, I would also like to downgrade to iOS 3.3.1

What confuses me is what are the proper recovery steps for the data and the iOS.

How does this plan look so far?

1. Download the iOS 3.3.1 ipsw from iClarified
2. Connect the iPhone to Windows XP iTunes via the USB cable
3. Start the backup process & hope that the data backs up (it has never been backed up)
4. Hold the shift key down to install the iOS 3.1.3 ipsw (somehow?)
5. Once the iOS 3.1.3 is installed, I need to then figure out how to jailbreak it
6. Presumably I use one of these WinXP jailbreak tools
   • iOS 3.x, JailbreakMe jailbreak tool
   • iOS 4.1 & 4.2.1 greenpois0n jailbreak tool
   • iOS 4.1 limera1n jailbreak tool (Windows & Mac)
   • iOS 4.3.3 pwnagetool Mac-only jailbreak tool
   • iOS 4.3.1 Redsn0w 0.9.6rc9 jailbreak tool, Windows & Mac
   • iOS 4.3.3 Sn0wbreeze 2.7 untethered jailbreak
7. Or, maybe I can skip all that and just use an 'unjailbreak' tool?
8. Would someone kindly advise me as to the next steps?

May I ask:
Q: What would you suggest as my next steps to resolve this problem?

 

[fearofnormalcy]

I'm waiting for our resident expert Europa to chime in, but I think you're over complicating things...there's a tool called TinyUmbrella (thefirmwareumbrella.blogspot.com) that has a nifty feature called "Fix Recovery". It may just kick your phone out of recovery without the need to restore and re-jailbreak.

I can say for sure though that the LAST thing you want to do is go past 4.2.1 as you're an unlocker. Firmwares from 4.3 and up have an unlockable baseband...in order to use them on a different carrier, you have to install an iPad baseband, and it's a headache you don't need at this point.

If I were you, I'd stay right on 4.2.1. I'm only familiar with JB's on Mac, so I'll let someone else chime in with further instructions for Windows.

Hang tight, I'm sure you'll get pointed in the right direction.

...and Welcome!

 

[Granitel]

I think you're over complicating things...there's a tool called TinyUmbrella

Wow. Thanks for the prompt help; I tried to install the TinyUmbrella FixRecovery tool but both versions available (4.2.1 & 4.3) failed to run (saying they needed zlib1.dll in order to start the application); so I'll try on another WinXP PC.

BTW, I probably was going in the wrong direction ... but all I had to go on (so far) is whatever my research finds for me (which was what I posted above).

the LAST thing you want to do is go past 4.2.1

THAT's the kind of watch-out advice I need!

I was worried if I followed Apple instructions (see pic) that I would end up with iOS 5.0 if I didn't do things right. What I really want is iOS 3.1.3 (but I'm ok if the best I can do is stay with iOS 4.2.1).

...and Welcome!

Thanks. The warmest welcome you can give is the kind of information you just gave. I'll wait for more to point me in the right direction (and, I'll try to get the FixRecovery 4.2.1 to work for me on another PC).

My main goal right now is:
- Make the iPhone usable again (which is the emergency at hand, of course)
- If it's feasible, also downgrade from iOS 4.2.1 to iOS 3.1.3 (which appears to have better Cydia video-app support)
- Maintain the jailbreak/unlock (so that T-Mobile voice/SMS works along with local WiFi for data)

 

[Europa]

The last supported firmware for the iPhone 3G is 4.2.1 so don't worry about updating beyond that; iTunes will not allow it.

I recommend restoring to 4.2.1. The 3.x firmware is outdated and there are big fixes and security patches in 4.2.1. Which Cydia video app are you referring to?

Press the restore button in iTunes. It will download 4.2.1 if you don't already have it. It sounds like this phone has the iPad baseband, so anticipate a 1015 error at the end of the restore. Restore a second time at that point. Then jailbreak and hacktivate with limera1n and unlock with ultrasn0w. If you have a 4.2.1 SHSH on file you won't need to use a custom firmware. If you don't have the SHSH, you can make a custom firmware with snowbreeze, shift+restore (it will also jailbreak it) and then unlock with ultrasn0w.

 

[iphonewarrior]

You can downgrade your iPhone 3GS without the need for saved SHSH. Tools like TU may help you but you may need to restore via DFU mode. Installing the iPads baseband will ensure your unlock regardless of firmware - I would avoid using it though. Installing the iPads baseband has it's own problems with GPS not working.

 

[Granitel]

The last supported firmware for the iPhone 3G is 4.2.1 so don't worry about updating beyond that; iTunes will not allow it.

Oh. That's great to know. That means iTunes is safe, at least from the perspective of what it will put as an iOS on the iPhone 3G. Thanks for that datapoint.

Which Cydia video app are you referring to?

Cycorder is the video application that I wanted which isn't supported on any iOS greater than 4.0; from my research, the Cydia applications are most stable on 3.1.3 but that isn't from personal experience (other than to know that no free video recorder available on Cydia works with my iPhone 3G on iOS 4.2.1).

It sounds like this phone has the iPad baseband, so anticipate a 1015 error at the end of the restore.

Thanks for that headsup. I have no idea what the baseband version is because I never knew to look for it; and by the time I did, it was all locked up as it is now.

If you have a 4.2.1 SHSH on file you won't need to use a custom firmware.

I didn't do the original jailbreak; I bought it jailbroken off of Craigslist. So I have 'nothing' on file. But, if I at least know the steps, I can research them to run them, one by one.

Given that, is this the sequence for me?
1. Connect the iPhone 3G to iTunes on WinXP via the USB cable
2. Perform a backup of the data (if iTunes will allow that)
NOTE: The data has never been backed up or synced with iTunes which wasn't even installed on the WinXP PC.
3. Press the restore button in iTunes (this will download iOS 4.2.1 because I don't already have it).
NOTE: I'll anticipate a 1015 error at the end of the restore and will restore a second time at that point.
4. Since I don't have the SHSH (I don't even know what that means so I'll look it up); I will need to make a custom firmware with snowbreeze, somehow using shift+restore (which will also jailbreak the iPhone) and then unlock with ultrasn0w.
NOTE: I'm not sure if I also need to then jailbreak and hacktivate with limera1n and unlock with ultrasn0w?

Does this sound like the right procedure to follow?

PS: I 'did' try the prior suggested 'fixrecovery' program from "The Firmware Umbrella"; but first it failed due to not finding zlib1.dll (which I put in the working directory to get past); but then it failed due to not finding MSVCR80.dll which I tried putting in the current directory but the program 'still' failed. (See 1,2,3 photo sequence below.)

 

[Granitel]

You can downgrade your iPhone 3GS without the need for saved SHSH.

Since the iPhone 3G seems to work best with iOS 3.1.3 with Cydia video applications (e.g., Cycorder), I was hoping to downgrade but I have to look up what a 'saved SHSH' file is.

I was researching and found these ipsw files from iClarified that I was thinking might be used to downgrade (somehow) to iOS 3.1.3. Are these the SHSH files you speak of?

Tools like TU may help you but you may need to restore via DFU mode.

I'll look up the "TU" tool and how to restore via Device Firmware Update; but I'm confused a bit whether this advice is the way to go or to use the prior advice to use snowbreeze (I will do some researching with these two options).

Installing the iPads baseband will ensure your unlock regardless of firmware - I would avoid using it though.

I have absolutely no desire to meddle with the baseband if I don't have to.

 

[iphonewarrior]

Since the iPhone 3G seems to work best with iOS 3.1.3 with Cydia video applications (e.g., Cycorder), I was hoping to downgrade but I have to look up what a 'saved SHSH' file is.

I was researching and found these ipsw files from iClarified that I was thinking might be used to downgrade (somehow) to iOS 3.1.3. Are these the SHSH files you speak of?

I'll look up the "TU" tool and how to restore via Device Firmware Update; but I'm confused a bit whether this advice is the way to go or to use the prior advice to use snowbreeze (I will do some researching with these two options).

I have absolutely no desire to meddle with the baseband if I don't have to.

Here is an article which explains what SHSH blobs actually are. Sorry for the confusion but TU stands for Tiny Umbrella, from reading your posts it appears that you've already explored that option. I think the best option is to use Sn0wbreeze. There is an easy to read guide to jailbreak your iPhone 3G here. After you've successfuly jailbroken you will need to install Ultrasn0w from Cydia.

 

[Europa]

You don't need an SHSH for 3.1.3 on the 3G. If you want Cycorder, I'd just download 3.1.3 for the 3G on iClarified's ipsw site and shift+restore. The phone probably already has the iPad's baseband on it and there is no way to change that. That's okay, though; it will allow you to unlock. It just makes restoring more difficult. If you get a 1015 error, you have that baseband and will just need to restore again. I'd try this before making the custom firmware with sn0wbreeze because it's easier.

 

[Granitel]

I'd just download 3.1.3 for the 3G on iClarified's ipsw site and shift+restore.

Thanks for all the advice. I have had 'some' progress. Sorry it took so long to respond, but, I was googling like crazy to make sense of all these things (every single one of which is brand new to me).

I realize now that the iPhone 3G doesn't have to save SHSH blobs; and that I 'can' downgrade from the iOS 4.2.1 stuck in restore mode to iOS 3.1.3 so that's the approach I took. I also realize the baseband is what the baseband is (it's probably the iPad baseband based on the results below.)

I did first try to get out of restore mode using Tiny Umbrella, RecBoot, iReb, & FixRecovery; but none worked for me.

So, I followed your advice as shown below to downgrade the iOS from iOS 4.2.1 to iOS 3.1.3:
NOTE: This was all done in 'restore mode' (nothing was done in DFU mode yet).

1. I first installed iTunes 10.5.0.142 on the WinXP PC
2. I then downloaded the iClarify iOS 3.1.3 for iPhone 3G (iPhone1,2_3.1.3_7E18_Restore.ipsw)
3. I downloaded Tiny umbrella v5.00.12 to the WinXP PC
4. I tethered the jailbroken iPhone 3G 4.1.2 stuck in recovery mode to the WinXP PC
5. I opened iTunes: I held the shift key & then pressed the Restore button
6. iTunes then asked for the ipsw file (I gave it the iPhone1,2_3.1.3_7E18_Restore.ipsw)
7. After a while, iTunes gave me a 1015 error (which, I think, means I have the iPad baseband)
8. I ran tiny umbrella and hit "exit recovery" & then unplugged the iPhone & tried to use it
9. I again ran thorough steps 5 through 8 (and again got the 1015 error).
10. Tiny Umbrella tells me the following versions are installed:
    • Device Model = MB702LL/A - iPhone3G
    • Installed Firmware Version = 3.1.3
    • Installed Baseband Version = 06.15.00-5.9_M3S2

I had expected the phone to have the desktop sea of icons; but it doesn't let me get there (is this because the SIM card is for T-Mobil?). All I can do is make an emergency call.

Was this supposed to be the expected results?
If so, would someone kindly summarize the next expected steps?

Thanks for all your help ... I much appreciate it and realize you don't have to help me ...

 

[Europa]

Yes, the previous owner installed the iPad's basband on it before you purchased it and this was the anticipated result. Now you just need to hacktivate, jailbreak and unlock. I prefer regular activation. Do you have access to an active AT&T SIM card (It won't affect the owners account). If so, put that SIM card in and you can remove it as soon as the phone activates. The phone will basically function as an iPod Touch at that point. You'll still need to jailbreak and unlock with ultrasn0w to get it to recognize the T-Mobile SIM. If you don't have access to an AT&T SIM, you'll have to hacktivate.

 

[iphonewarrior]

Use Redsn0w for hacktivation. SAM does everything for you.

 

[Granitel]

I prefer regular activation. Do you have access to an active AT&T SIM card

Thanks for sticking with me! Believe it or not, I 'am' trying my best to do the right thing.

I don't have an 'active' AT&T SIM card; but I have my 3-month old AT&T SIM card (because I switched off of AT&T expressly because they penalize users of smart phones who do not want a data plan)!

The 'activation' step in iTunes 'seemed' to work using that inactive AT&T SIM card!

Here is what I 'think' are the next steps based on your suggestions (is this right?):

1. This morning, I downgraded iOS 4.2.1 to iOS 3.1.3 using iTunes, iClarify, & Tiny Umbrella (in order to get out of iTunes restore mode)
2. But then, the iPhone 3G had no sea-of-icons home screen, and could only make emergency calls on T-Mobile
3. My next step was to activate (either with an active or inactive AT&T SIM card or using Hacktivate (with Redsn0w & SAM)
   • Note: Luckily, I didn't need Redsn0w because my 3-month old inactive AT&T SIM card worked great with iTunes to activate the iPhone 3G.
   • That finally got me the iPod-like sea-of-icons home screen! (THANKS!)
4. I think now I need to set up the home WiFi encryption key information
5. And then, I think, I need to install Cydia (can I now upload Cydia at this point?)
6. With Cydia, I can upload Ultrasn0w
7. Then, I can Jailbreak (using Ultrasn0w)
8. Lastly, I need to unlock (again using Ultrasn0w)

Is this the correct plan of action for an iPhone 3G, iOS3.1.3, Baseband 06.15.00-5.9?

 

[Granitel]

Success at last! (Thank you for your kind help!)
I was continually researching, starting with the advice here and then going back & forth to google to try to figure out what you meant by what you said!

(By that I mean I 'heard' you ... but I had to extensively google for background information to 'understand' what you were trying to tell me!)

Apparently, now that I'm on iOS 3.1.3, I had these options for jailbreaking:
a) Spirit (download it to the PC, tether the iPhone, and hit 1 button to jailbreak)
2. Redsn0w (as suggested here)
3. Jailbreakme.com (connect to wifi, go to www.jailbreakme.com in Safari, follow instructions to jailbreak)

Here is what I did:

1. In a prior post, I finally got out of iTunes recovery mode by using Tiny Umbrella, iTunes, and iClarify ipsw files for the iPhone 3G iOS 3.1.3 (all the data was lost in that process)
2. In a prior post, I activated the iPhone by tethering to iTunes & using my 3-month-old inactive AT&T card
3. Now, with the T-Mobile SIM card in the still-locked iPhone ... I set up the WiFi encryption for my home network (I don't have the T-Mobile data plan ... which is the whole reason for switching off of AT&T)
4. And then simply went to Jailbreakme.com in Safari & moved the slider to begin the process
- I eventually saw the message "Cydia has been added to the home screen" (so that solves the question of how to get Cydia on board)
5. I started Cydia ...
- It asked "Who Are You?" (I said "Hacker" although that was being generous)
- Cydia started downloading packages & reloading data.
- Cydia requested one of 3 essential upgrades (Essential, complete, ignore).
- I let it do a complete upgrade & then it asked to "Close Cydia & Restart".
6. I clicked on the open-book icon for "Manage" at the bottom of the Cydia screen
- Then I hit the "Sources" button in the center of the screen.
- Then I hit "repo666.ultrasn0w.com" & then "ultrasn0w" (which only then revealed itself to be version 1.2.4)
- I hit the "install" and "confirm" buttons & it installed & reloaded data.
- I had to hit the home button to "Reaload Springboard"
- As I was reading what to do next, a zillion backed-up text messages came in (it is, after all, my kid's iPhone)
7. I went to the home screen & pressed Settings, General, Network, and changed "Enable 3G" from "ON" to "OFF".
8. I had the T-Mobile SIM card already in so I didn't have to pop it in at this point ... but ... everything was working perfectly by this point.

My kid lost all the data ... but now, thanks to your help and from others, we started with a T-Mobile jailbroken/unlocked iOS 4.2.1 iPhone 3G (baseband 06.15.00) which was stuck in iTunes restore mode - and now ended with a working T-Mobile jailbroken/unlocked iOS 3.3.1 iPhone 3G (baseband stayed the same)!

To help others, here are some pictures of this set of steps you just walked me through.

I'm hoping the 3.1.3 iOS will be faster & more compatible (e.g., with Cycorder) than the 4.2.1 was; however, I'm not really sure 'how' I downgraded to iOS 3.1.3 without going into DFU mode (must have been the TSS button in Tiny Umbrella); but with your advice and that from others, things moved (finally) right along!

 

[Europa]

Cool. Glad to hear you got it restored, jailbroken and unlocked again. You'll have to go through the same steps each time you restore since it has the iPad baseband.

 

[Granitel]

since it has the iPad baseband.

Thank you for your prompt help. I would never have been able to narrow down the solution to the choices that worked without the astute advice!

As for the baseband, where does it come from?

I mean, nothing I did updated the baseband (which, given what it is, was expected by most of you, since the baseband is apparently only one way).

What step 'would' have updated the baseband had I not had the iPad baseband already in the iPhone 3G? (Is the baseband included in the ipsw file that I loaded?)

 

[Europa]

Thank you for your prompt help. I would never have been able to narrow down the solution to the choices that worked without the astute advice!

As for the baseband, where does it come from?

I mean, nothing I did updated the baseband (which, given what it is, was expected by most of you, since the baseband is apparently only one way).

What step 'would' have updated the baseband had I not had the iPad baseband already in the iPhone 3G? (Is the baseband included in the ipsw file that I loaded?)

You're welcome. The previous owner wanted to unlock it before selling it to you, but his current baseband was not unlockable so he installed a custom firmware that included the iPad baseband.

 

[fijiman]

You must have a huge back log of unanswered posts to deal with.... lol