Error when trying to restore iphone with Custom firmware on Windows

[har02052]

Ok, so I know that this is Mac Forums, but I was hoping that I could get some help. I borrowed a friends mac and used pwnage tool to create a custom IPSW. I went through all of the steps as outlined on iclarified to get one made. I then install that custom file using his mac onto my iphone. No problem. Works like a charm. the problem is that I then take that file over to my PC laptop, and try to load that custom ipsw onto my wife's phone which is identical to mine and it won't work. I have Vista, I ran itunes as an administrator (otherwise shift-click doesn't open the file browser windows) and chose the correct file. But it won't load it. I have tried a few times. I tried it with the phones in DFU mode, or not in DFU mode. I tried making the file again with her phone connected to the mac and then reinstalling it using the pc but still no luck. My main thing is that I want to be able to restore my iphone using my PC rather than having to borrow a mac (yes I know, I should just get a mac). Just as a test, I then tried the same process using my home computer which has XP and still no luck. Am I doing something wrong (obviously), but what? Am I not really in DFU mode? I like how pwnage tells you that you are successfully in DFU mode in order to do the restore, is there a PC program that will tell you if you are correctly in DFU mode? I do know the process, iphone off, plugged in, both buttons for 10 seconds, release power, hold home for another 15-30, release, itunes opens up and says that the iphone must be restored. The only way that I can get my iphone going again on the pc is then to have itunes reload the stock firmware (but only 3.1.2, I did have my phone at 3.0 just because and I created a custom 3.0 but then this problem happened and I even tried the stock 3.0 but that didn't work and so I was forced to have itunes download the stock 3.1.2) which it does no problem whether or not the phone is in DFU mode. Anyway, sorry for my ramblings, I hope this problem makes sense and hopefully somebody can help me out.