Downgrading unactivated iPhone from 3.1 -> 3.0.1 for unlocking

[miavfw]

NewB here...

So, I have inherited a 2G iPhone that the previous owner has "factory reset" before giving it back to me. I assume that it has the latest 3.1 firmware on it and to unlock / jailbreak it using RedSn0w I need to downgrade it to 3.0.1.

I've read the instructions on how to do this in iTunes (shift click on Restore and point to the right ipsw file which I have downloaded), BUT... when I connect my iPhone to iTunes, iTunes won't let me do anything unless there is a SIM card in the phone, and if I put my AT&T SIM card, it wont let me do anything until I activate the phone (which I don't really want to do on my account yet).

Any suggestions?

Thanks

DRC

 

[darngooddesign]

You can JB a 3.1 2G phone using PwnageTool on the Mac.

 

[miavfw]

You can JB a 3.1 2G phone using PwnageTool on the Mac.

Ah... I wish... Strictly Windows household here... I could build a hackintosh, but that's a lot of trouble just to unlock an iPhone

 

[miavfw]

Never mind... I got it...

The trick is to put the iPhone in "restore mode" (the power + home buttons press sequence), then connect to iTunes. iTunes will come up with a message saying your phone is in restore mode, from there, just do a shift + click on restore and pick your firmware version.

It's "downgrading" right now, but it's looking good so far.