First, my apologies for bringing up this subject yet again. I think my issue is a common one, but not totally sure, so I'm laying it all out here again...
I purchased a 3GS over a year ago - brand new, unlocked and jailbroken. I don't really know what the difference is between unlocked and jailbroken, and just today got conflicting definitions from staff at Apple Store and AT&T. Regardless, I purchased the phone so that I could use it in Costa Rica, where I live.
A month ago, I got the bright idea to use the phone as a hotspot so I could eliminate my internet provider and just get internet service through my cell carrier, Kolbi. I waited till I got to the States for Christmas before doing the IMEI unlock and the firmware upgrade - just in case there was a problem. I explained to the rep at AT&T that I was requesting the unlock for the purposes stated above and was VERY CLEAR about the previous unlock and jailbroken status of the phone. The rep assured me that there would be "absolutely no problem" and that I should go home, hook up to iTunes and install the upgrade. BIG MISTAKE.
I've been getting the "server unavailable" error, and after reading tons of stuff on the web, and certain this has to do with the phone getting bricked (a term I really don't understand!!!) due to the jailbreak.
So, my question is this: I can't get through the activation phase. I can't do anything with the phone - as the only screens it will go to is the apple screen, and the only thing it will do is repeatedly go thru the activation process, only to fail every time. I've done it in DFU mode, etc. No difference. Is there anything I can do to save this phone???
Apple says it can't do anything with it, and AT&T is washing their hands of it ("its a hardware issue, not our fault"). Thank you one and all for any input!
I purchased a 3GS over a year ago - brand new, unlocked and jailbroken. I don't really know what the difference is between unlocked and jailbroken, and just today got conflicting definitions from staff at Apple Store and AT&T. Regardless, I purchased the phone so that I could use it in Costa Rica, where I live.
A month ago, I got the bright idea to use the phone as a hotspot so I could eliminate my internet provider and just get internet service through my cell carrier, Kolbi. I waited till I got to the States for Christmas before doing the IMEI unlock and the firmware upgrade - just in case there was a problem. I explained to the rep at AT&T that I was requesting the unlock for the purposes stated above and was VERY CLEAR about the previous unlock and jailbroken status of the phone. The rep assured me that there would be "absolutely no problem" and that I should go home, hook up to iTunes and install the upgrade. BIG MISTAKE.
I've been getting the "server unavailable" error, and after reading tons of stuff on the web, and certain this has to do with the phone getting bricked (a term I really don't understand!!!) due to the jailbreak.
So, my question is this: I can't get through the activation phase. I can't do anything with the phone - as the only screens it will go to is the apple screen, and the only thing it will do is repeatedly go thru the activation process, only to fail every time. I've done it in DFU mode, etc. No difference. Is there anything I can do to save this phone???
Apple says it can't do anything with it, and AT&T is washing their hands of it ("its a hardware issue, not our fault"). Thank you one and all for any input!
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