This actually happened to my 3GS ( old bootrom). The phone was carrier locked, and from another country. I always used ultrasn0w to unlock. When I used redsn0w to create custom firmware and update to 5.0.1 with bb 5.13.05, the phone just started working. I didn't even perform the jailbreak step. It receives and makes calls, even push is working.

I still don't understand how. It might be that the phone is 2 years old, and the original carrier decided to unlock it. Whatever it is, I'm just happy it's working now. Only thing is that when I insert a SIM from a carrier that isn't currently selling the iPhone in my country, it doesn't work. Weird!

Hi,
I updated my 3GS (new bootrom) to 5.0.1 while preserving my baseband at 5.13.04. Redsnow successfully hactivated the phone and I used ultrasn0w to unlock. It's receiving signal properly. I used SAM prefs in order to activate so that push would work. Everything went fine, and iTunes activated the phone, and even iMessage was activated. But, push notifications are still not working, and I'm unable to send or receive iMessages.

How do I fix this? Under 'more information' in SAM Prefs, it informs that the phone is activated. Please help

Hi Guys, I posted a few days ago about updating my 3GS OLD BOOTROM from 4.2.1 with bb 5.13.04 to the latest 5.0.1 without updating my baseband. A little bit of history: This phone is from Canada, and it was carrier locked when I bought it. Until now, I have been using ultrasn0w to unlock and use it in my home country (not Canada). But after updating to 5.0.1 with bb 5.13.4 preserved, I am noticing something strange.

I used redsn0w 0.9.9b9d to create the custom IPSW and updated in iTunes with NO_BB_OLDROM..... file. The phone updated without a hitch. Here's the strange part:

I still haven't run the jailbreak using redsn0w, so there is no cydia on my phone. The first time it restarted, I used my current SIM (NOT the original SIM, its from a different carrier, different country). And it gets a signal, and I go through the whole activation process properly. How is this possible?? I Don't have ultrasn0w installed, and it is able to make and receive calls, messages, everything.

When I restart the phone now, it gets full signal, but switches to 'No Service' within a few seconds. When I turn Airplane Mode ON and OFF, it searches for around 3-4 minutes, and then receives the signal again!! This time, it hasn't lost the signal, and I'm able to make calls as normal. WTF?? Is this supposed to happen? I have restarted it multiple times, and following the same procedure, was able to get a working signal.

Well, there is one condition to this though: It's only working with carriers who are offering an iphone now on their network. It doesn't seem to work with any of the smaller carriers.

Oops. Thanks a lot for the info. I thought ultrasn0w was already updated to work with 5.0.1.

Just out of curiosity though, what exactly is the Stitch option for? Because, from what I could make out, the stitch option lets u upgrade to 5.0.1 in case apple stops signing it, but it also upgrades your baseband. Is that correct?

http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=75...

Go to the above link and download the 5.0.1 IPSW for 3GS

Hi guys,
Great work! I have an old bootrom 3GS at 4.2.1 right now with unlockable baseband (currently using ultrasn0w). I have a few question about updating to 5.0.1. I need ultrasn0w to work. Here goes:

1. Do I create a custom IPSW in redsn0w or do I need to use 'Stitch' option? I have stored my 5.0.1 SHSH locally.
2. Will redsn0w also hactivate? I have lost my original SIM, and I can't get another one.
3. If possible, please point me to a step by step tutorial that fits my needs.

Thanks for the help.

Hi, I have an old bootrom 3GS at 4.2.1 with BB 4.26.08. I plan on using redsn0w 0.9.9b6 to create a custom IPSW and update to iOS 5. I have a couple of questions:
1. Will redsn0w hacktivate my phone? (I don't have the original SIM anymore)
2. Will I be able to use SAM prefs with iOS 5 to activate later? It did not work for me at 4.2.1. I tried it multiple times, but I am using it with an Indian carrier (Airtel), but still failed. Any help in this regard would be apreciated.

Thanks

I have a question:
I have a new bootrom 3GS at 4.0 (Jailbroken) right now. I have created the 4.2.1 custom IPSW using PT on a friend's mac. Do I need to put the phone into recovery mode or DFU mode to restore? As I have mentioned already, the phone is already jailbroken at 4.0

u need 3.1.4 if u want to create a custom firmware for 3.1.2 IPSW

Thank you. I installed both icy and cydia, and cydia had problems. Also while installing sbsettings, it got stuck at mobile substrate for 30 min. when i tried to cancel it, phone was stuck with only the apple logo showing. had to put it back in dfu mode, restore again thru itunes and go thru the entire jailbreak process again.
DONT INSTALL CYDIA AND ICY at the same time!