iPhone iphone 3 without valid SIM -- what to do?

[kwalker]

I apologize in advance for asking what I suspect is a very basic question.

I inherited an old iPhone 3 from my father. My goal is to use it to surf the web via wireless -- I have no desire to use it as a phone. I connected it to iTunes and did a "restore" to factory defaults, but the process came to a grinding halt with the message that I had no valid SIM card.

What is the best way for me to proceed? The jailbreak tutorials I've found assume that one is starting with an operational, functioning iPhone, but mine won't allow me to do anything but make an emergency call.

Again, my goal is to use it as, basically, an iPod Touch. I want Safari via wireless and not much else.

 

[dhlizard]

Borrow a sim to activate it, then take it out.

 

[kwalker]

Thanks for the suggestion. Another basic question: Can I use any random, cheap prepaid GSM SIM card? Or does it need to be a SIM card with a carrier like AT&T or t-Mobile that Apple does business with?

 

[dhlizard]

Unless the phone is unlocked, it has to be a sim from carrier who sold phone.

You father should be able guide you.