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iPhone 3G Unlock with no SIM

Jailbreaking an iphone 3g with no sim

assumptions: iphone 3g (not 3gs).
unable to determine current firmware on phone.
unable to determine which carrier phone is locked to
phone is in 'emergency calls only' state, and is locked to unknown carrier
using Windows XP (should work on Vista)

must have:
redsn0w
iphone 3.0 firmware (.ipsw file)

files & reference: - I 'd read these links first before attempting

http://blog.iphone-dev.org/
http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/06/25/jailbreakunlock-iphone-30-windows-redsn0w-edition/
http://www.simonblog.com/2009/06/25/complete-guide-jailbreak-iphone-3-0-using-redsn0w/
http://limitededitioniphone.com/how-to-put-the-iphone-into-dfu-mode/
http://www.iclarified.com/entries/index.php?caid=2&scid=11&seid=1

Phone will say 'insert sim with no PIN to activate iphone' and have usb + itunes icon

connect iphone to pc
put it into DFU mode - not this step is possibly crucial to unlocking it when no SIM is available
should appear in windows as usb device
open itunes 8.2
restore iphone os 3.0 to it - use shift-restore and select the downloaded IPSW, or if you are certain

the firmware already matches what redsn0w supports, just let it download the default update from itunes

download redsn0w + iphone firmware that MATCHES what you just downloaded

redsn0w - open and browse to ipsw
redsn0w will patch ipsw
put iphone into DFU again (follow prompts)
redsnow will upload patched ipsw
after a few restarts iphone should load up hacked firmware and launch into springboard
it should show 'insert sim'

connect to wireless network
open cydia
enter in URL for ultrasn0w in sources

install ultrasn0w
status window should say complete
reboot phone
insert any known working SIM

test by calling & SMSing