can't use a '3' sim with an unlocked 3G

massf · 25-10-2009, 1:20 AM

I'm hoping someone can help me out here.

I brought a 16Gb 3G iphone of ebay, which the seller is adamant that it's been factory unlocked. I've put my wifes '3' sim in it and it doesn't pick up a network at all. If I yurn airplane mode on and off I get "Invaled sim". I've tried my 02 sim in the phone and it's fine.

One thing I did notice after numerous times of inserting the sim, is that the chip on my wifes '3' sim appears to be off centre a little, i.e. the iphone housing for the sim covers the edge of the chip itself.

Could this be why I'm getting invalid sim? because the chip isn't lined up with the connectors inside the phone?

please help!!! I've attached a photo of my wifes '3' sim (left), and my 02 sim (right) to show what I mean.

can't use a '3' sim with an unlocked 3G-img_3618.jpg

chelsea.tone · 25-10-2009, 5:52 AM

Could be the problem. Do you have any other sims to try ?

hutch · 25-10-2009, 6:53 AM

When you say factory unlocked do you mean its supposedly an officially unlocked phone? If it is then restore it in iTunes and after the restore iTunes will tell you its been unlocked, if it doesn't say that then its not unlocked.

shahlg42000 · 25-10-2009, 9:37 AM

Mate, i think you have been scammed.

Eitehr it had a softunlock and you upgraded it, hence loose all of that OR it was never unlocked in the first place..!

I had a 16GB 3G and i softunlocked it with 3 for good few months. I then bought a "FACTORY" unlocked iphone and guess what, after i departed with the money, it does not work... never was factory unlocked, the guy just lied to me. Because it was all sealed i did not test it, but took the guys word for it..!

Am waiting for an unlock for the 3Gs 3.1 05.XX baseband.. or for O2 to do it for free.

shah

massf · 25-10-2009, 9:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelsea.tone

Could be the problem. Do you have any other sims to try ?

My brother's on Orange, I'll try it with his tonight.

massf · 25-10-2009, 9:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hutch

When you say factory unlocked do you mean its supposedly an officially unlocked phone? If it is then restore it in iTunes and after the restore iTunes will tell you its been unlocked, if it doesn't say that then its not unlocked.

supposedly it's factory unlocked, but the seller has told me (after I purchased it of course) that it came from the carphoewarehouse, which immediately has made me suspicious

massf · 25-10-2009, 9:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shahlg42000

Mate, i think you have been scammed.

Eitehr it had a softunlock and you upgraded it, hence loose all of that OR it was never unlocked in the first place..!

I had a 16GB 3G and i softunlocked it with 3 for good few months. I then bought a "FACTORY" unlocked iphone and guess what, after i departed with the money, it does not work... never was factory unlocked, the guy just lied to me. Because it was all sealed i did not test it, but took the guys word for it..!

Am waiting for an unlock for the 3Gs 3.1 05.XX baseband.. or for O2 to do it for free.

shah

sadly I'm inclined to agree with you. I haven't upgraded it at all. I may try and restore it from Itunes and see what it says.....

chelsea.tone · 25-10-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massf

supposedly it's factory unlocked, but the seller has told me (after I purchased it of course) that it came from the carphoewarehouse, which immediately has made me suspicious

It WONT be unlocked then

you've been had m8. ask for a refund

hutch · 25-10-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massf

supposedly it's factory unlocked, but the seller has told me (after I purchased it of course) that it came from the carphoewarehouse, which immediately has made me suspicious

Get a refund straight away, if its a UK phone its not Factory Unlocked and you've been misled.

massf · 25-10-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelsea.tone

It WONT be unlocked then

you've been had m8. ask for a refund

I have done, and he's refuswed. I've opened a dispute with Paypal but I don't rate my chances.

Sadly it's a$$pieces like this that make Ebay a bad experience

wydchr · 25-10-2009, 6:52 PM

Are you sure your wife's sim card is a 3G one? it won't work in a 3G iPhone if it isn't. If it's not a 3G sim contact 3 and they'll send a new one for you.

David.

suniil · 25-10-2009, 7:11 PM

Sometimes it take more than 30 seconds to 1 minute to get it connected to 3 until then it just sits on no network mode

premaru · 25-10-2009, 9:57 PM

Insert some other SIM if you can get hold of one? Maybe T-Mobile or Vodafone etc and tell us what happens.

chelsea.tone · 25-10-2009, 10:00 PM

guys, if it has come from CPW it wont be unlocked. End of !

massf · 25-10-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelsea.tone

guys, if it has come from CPW it wont be unlocked. End of !

I have to agree. I tried my brothers Orange sim and got nowhere with that as well. Looks like the seller basically lied on his Ebay listing. It definately doesn't appear to be unlocked. I've escalated it to paypal so sadly it's in their hands now.

chelsea.tone · 25-10-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by massf

I have to agree. I tried my brothers Orange sim and got nowhere with that as well. Looks like the seller basically lied on his Ebay listing. It definately doesn't appear to be unlocked. I've escalated it to paypal so sadly it's in their hands now.

Good luck, hope you get your money back

wydchr · 25-10-2009, 10:29 PM

What version OS is the phone on and also the baseband (modem firmware) version of the phone, if it is OS 3.0 or 3.0.1 (or less) with baseband 04.26.08 then you can still unlock your phone but if it is the latest 3.1.2 with 05.11.07 then I'm afraid you're screwed.

David.

massf · 26-10-2009, 1:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wydchr

What version OS is the phone on and also the baseband (modem firmware) version of the phone, if it is OS 3.0 or 3.0.1 (or less) with baseband 04.26.08 then you can still unlock your phone but if it is the latest 3.1.2 with 05.11.07 then I'm afraid you're screwed.

David.

it's OS 3.1.2. The good news however is that Paypal have found in my favour, and agreed to refund me the full amount, so I'll be returning the phone tomorrow by next day special delivery!!

chelsea.tone · 26-10-2009, 4:58 PM

Thats good news

wydchr · 26-10-2009, 7:10 PM

Good news, you can't knock PayPal. A similar thing happened to me last month but I didn't receive a phone at all, Paypal found in my favour too, obviously, and recovered my money directly from the seller's - or should that be scumbag's - account.