iPhone 3G - 16GB "No Service"

premaru · 14-06-2009, 10:00 PM

I bought this phone from someone. It says "No Service" when I inserted my O2 PAYG SIM card. Tried with other SIM cards, same issue.

Googled and tried ziphone.gui, resetting network settings, hard reset, everything.

Other functionalities like iPod, WiFi etc work perfectly fine. I am able to browse by connecting to my home WiFi.

Called up O2 to find out if this has been reported stolen (and hence blocked) - all they said was that if it was stolen, then it will display as "barred" instead of "no service". "No further information can be given, Sir"

What can I do now, to get it to work? Help me please!

Can I take it to Apple repair center? I do not have the receipt or anything to prove that I am the owner - but the handset is under warranty until August 2009 as per the website (I checked with the serial number). Will they ask for it?

It has 2.2.1 and I tried re-applying it through iTunes but still no luck :-(

kdc · 14-06-2009, 10:01 PM

well if o2 say its not been blocked then apple wont take it away from you, you've got nothing to lose by going in to them and asking them whats wrong.

premaru · 14-06-2009, 10:14 PM

O2 did not even ask for the serial number of the phone which I have.

If I take it to the Apple repair center, will I be held responsible if this was an illegitimate handset?

Will they ask me for a receipt to honour warranty?

hutch · 15-06-2009, 4:51 AM

Have you activated the Sim through iTunes?

premaru · 15-06-2009, 5:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hutch

Have you activated the Sim through iTunes?

How do I do this?

hutch · 15-06-2009, 5:26 AM

When you plugged the iPhone in for the first time with iTunes open it prompts you to register the sim

premaru · 15-06-2009, 6:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hutch

When you plugged the iPhone in for the first time with iTunes open it prompts you to register the sim

No it never prompted anything like that! Tried many times

Forbez · 15-06-2009, 7:31 AM

After a quick bit of Google-teching:

If you have a 3G phone, try this before trying the next steps (thank you Lindsay, Joe and Leonard!): Go to Settings: General: Network: Disable 3G. Then reset your iPhone.

Go to Settings:General:Reset.

Click Reset Network Settings

Enter your passcode if you have created one.

Click the red button: Reset Network Settings

The iPhone will take a minute to shut down, then it will reboot.

Hopefully, service comes back.
__________________________________________________ _________

Also:

If after activation you have NO SERVICE try reseting your iphone (hold down home button and top button for about 8 secs, like the ipod reset.) Worked straight away for me after an hour or so of panicking!

premaru · 15-06-2009, 8:17 AM

Thanks Forbez. I already tried those exact steps mate. It didn't work.

Will take it to the Apple service center and see what they say...

Forbez · 15-06-2009, 8:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.chris

Thanks Forbez. I already tried those exact steps mate. It didn't work.

Will take it to the Apple service center and see what they say...

Ahh, now re-reading your post I can see that you have. I dont know anything about the Iphone at the mo, so apologies.

Pug72 · 15-06-2009, 1:42 PM

Is it a 3G sim?

2G sim's might not work in an iPhone.

Scholes18 · 15-06-2009, 3:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pug72

Is it a 3G sim?

2G sim's might not work in an iPhone.

They do. Just wont be able to receive the 3G. Lad i play on xbl with has been with 02 for many years and bought and iphone3g and stuck his sim in it.

The shop just assumed that it was a 3g sim already so didnt mention to it him...

riprse · 15-06-2009, 5:28 PM

ive got the same problem as you, i bought a iphone for my daughter & cant get any service i have a 02 sim for it back nothing. im wondering if it could be a stolen phone. mine doesnt say barred either

*djjuk* · 15-06-2009, 6:46 PM

Had the same problem with a second hand 3G:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/iphon...ctivation.html

Ended up getting it replaced with a new one from Applecare as it was still within warranty. Give them a call, awesome service & turnaround.

Been perfect since

tomelli · 15-06-2009, 8:13 PM

Can't be totally sure.....read it somewhere a little while age, but check the code on your o2 sim card. It should have 3g in the last four digits. If it does not, then it is not a 3g sim and will therefore explain why you can't get a service.
Good luck.

premaru · 15-06-2009, 8:45 PM

Well I took the handset to the Apple repair center.

They took out the SIM that I was using, inserted their SIM (was O2 as well) and to my surprise it worked!!!

Put back my SIM and again "No Service".

They said that only "iPhone" SIMs will work with iPhone 3G.

So now I'm looking to buy an iPhone SIM from fleabay. I hope I can transfer my existing number from another network?

premaru · 16-06-2009, 8:13 AM

Damn!

I put in my friend's iPhone SIM card - IT DOES NOT WORK! No Service

I am going back to Apple. Any ideas why this could happen?

jerryq7777 · 16-06-2009, 8:25 AM

Any 02 sim will work i was using my 02 contract sim and then a simplicity sim for months.

nitro1471 · 16-06-2009, 9:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomelli

Can't be totally sure.....read it somewhere a little while age, but check the code on your o2 sim card. It should have 3g in the last four digits. If it does not, then it is not a 3g sim and will therefore explain why you can't get a service.
Good luck.

A 2G sim will work in a 3G Iphone, I was using my old 2G sim for a few months until I realised that I didn't have a 3G signal, I just went into an O2 shop and asked for a 3G sim which they provided FOC.
Btw I am on contract with O2 and I had upgraded a number of times over the years to 3G enabled handsets but O2 never sent me a new 3G sim.

voxish · 16-06-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.chris

<snip>
They said that only "iPhone" SIMs will work with iPhone 3G.
<snip>

Errm I've read loads of posts on here that the Simplicity sim works just fine. Can some tech person on here give a definitive answer?

Alan13 · 16-06-2009, 12:02 PM

I have an O2 contract with a Sony Ericsson X1. The sim from that works perfectly in my iphone and shows G3 at all times.
Regards Alan

twist · 16-06-2009, 12:29 PM

search iphone hacks, a few ppl had this, just search no service

premaru · 16-06-2009, 8:05 PM

Took it back to Apple. Got a replacement :-)

I'm very happy now and awaiting the software update tomorrow.

*Cyborgmatt* · 25-06-2009, 12:34 AM

A friend of mine bought a 16GB 3G off ebay and passed it onto me to jailbreak and unlock for him, problem is I'm getting the same problem you're getting, no service.

I've tried the last firmware and the newest one etc but nothing is getting it to work, I'm using my o2 simplicity sim that works fine in my 2G, I checked the warranty and it still has until September 2009, is it worth going into one of the apple stores and seeing if they will replace it? even though it's not on the iphone contract?

Azzin · 25-06-2009, 6:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.chris

Well I took the handset to the Apple repair center.

They took out the SIM that I was using, inserted their SIM (was O2 as well) and to my surprise it worked!!!

Put back my SIM and again "No Service".

They said that only "iPhone" SIMs will work with iPhone 3G.

So now I'm looking to buy an iPhone SIM from fleabay. I hope I can transfer my existing number from another network?

Utter rubbish.

I don't have an "Iphone" sim at all, I had an original 2G iPhone (with a 2 or 3 year old O2 Simplicity sim) and I've just got a 3G iPhone and the old sim works fine, picking up a 3G signal straight away!

I did try to pre empt the situation by ringing O2 and explaining that I needed a 3G sim, but when I put that in the iPhone I just get "No Service".

Azzin · 25-06-2009, 6:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.chris

Took it back to Apple. Got a replacement :-)

I'm very happy now and awaiting the software update tomorrow.

Hmmm-maybe I'll put my 3G sim in and take it to Apple and get a brand new replacement (this unit was 2nd hand and is under warranty until 28/11/09)....