iPhone Unlocking/jailbreaking iphone without knowing firmware or Baseband number

[twinbee]

Hi all, I've bought an iPhone 3gs second hand off ebay (apparently locked to O2 carrier in the UK). Unfortunately, certain things (like downloading an app) required a 4 digit number code (seller got it off someone else, so he didn't know it offhand, but can find out apparently), so I tried to factory reset, but that also requires the 4 digit number code.

So I went ahead and installed iTunes to my PC, and tried to restore the iphone to factory settings that way. It seemed to work, and 'updated' it at the same time.

But now, whenever I turn on the iphone, I get "No SIM card installed. Insert a valid SIM with no PIN lock to activate iPhone".

To remedy this, I tried to go to www.iclarified.com but it's asking for the Baseband, and due to my iPhone's state, I can't find out. I can't find out my firmware number either if I need that. So how do I proceed?

To clarify, I'm currently only interested in using the phone 'offline' (no phone calls) for music playing / as a calc etc.

 

[TriJetHero]

"buying" a phone with a pin-code?

 

[twinbee]

It was second hand. Presumably he forgot to disable the pin, or do a factory reset.

 

[dhlizard]

It was second hand. Presumably he forgot to disable the pin, or do a factory reset.

Or the other - it is stolen

Common sense dictates one does not resell or purchase a phone with an active unlock code

 

[twinbee]

I hadn't considered that.

But I doubt it, because the main button is VERY hard to press, and the screen is cracked a bit. Also, the phone signal sometimes doesn't work according to the ebay advertisement. I only got it for £40, sold as "broken, or for parts". Sounds like a natural candidate for a 2nd hand sale if you ask me.

---- EDIT
I remember the nickname/email of the text that appeared when I tried to download an app and it asked for the 4 digit number. It's quite a unique handle, so I'll contact him to see if everything's above board.

 

[darricksailo]

If you're going to just use it like an itouch, I think all you need to do is hacktivate it? sn0wbreeze can make custom firmware to hacktivate the device. I'm not familiar with what this 4 digit pin is, sorry

 

[twinbee]

Thanks darricksailo. I ended up using Redsnow which seems to have done the trick (finds the firmware and baseband number automatically).

If the other guy gets back to me, and it turns out to be stolen, I'll be sending the iphone back to him, and getting myself a refund (at least) from the seller.