iPhone Problems. Help, anyone?

Greetings earthlings. (I think it's ok to be posting this here. If not please move.)

Before I get into my issue, please, I don't want to see this turn into some rant against Apple. I just need some advice and am looking for a solution. If you can provide that, awesome! If you can't, then please feel free to move on.

Now. I've been having some pretty aggravating issues over the past month and a half. I won't get into what got me here ... I'll just start with where I am now.

I purchased a like new (9.9/10) iPhone 3GS from a local member on ebay about 2 weeks ago. I was actually pretty excited because the phone was one of the last 3GS's manufactured (2012) and it is Factory Unlocked.
The seller said it had been updated to iOS 6, which I didn't think anything about at the time.

So the phone arrives, I install my SIM and .......SEARCHING..... then .. NO SERVICE ... ???

My last working 3GS (on the same network) worked fine inside my home so I am immediately worried I have yet another big problem.

I head down to the mall and request that they replace the SIM I got from them when i signed up with my current carrier not even 2 months ago. Ended up having to pay $5 for a new one

Install new SIM in store. Seems fine. 5 bars, everything is recognized.... awesome!
Then I head out to my car to go home and notice the phone is "searching" again. By the time I get close to my home, the thing is back to NO SERVICE.

Over the past week or so I have been looking endlessly for a solution. The seller said he tried 2 different SIMS in the phone before shipping it and both worked....
I know that there were a lot of complaints with iOS 6 causing many phone to drop their WiFi connection but I couldn't find anything about that causing a network drop.

I tried to downgrade the phone back to iOS 5 but it seems that Apple "doesn't support" downgrading.
There was one possible solution where you download the 5.0 ISPW and then hit SHIFT while clicking RESTORE while in iTunes... you manually choose the ISPW you downloaded and that is supposed to load the old iOS onto your phone while iTunes is restoring it.... but it seems Apple must have patched that "hole" as i get an "error 3194" in iTunes before it completes.

My last 3GS had iOS 5 and it ran perfectly no matter where I was. That is the only difference bewteen these two phones so I have to think it has something to do with this "upgrade" to iOS 6.

I thought I'd throw this up here and see if anyone here could offer any help.

reply to post by HIWATT


When I purchased the iPhone 4G, iOS 5.1 had just come out because the 4GS had just come out as well. I knew better from day one NOT to upgrade from 5.0 to 5.1 on a regular 4G. Because my friend had a 3GS and upgraded his software and his phone ran like #, slow as hell and buggy. Apple doesn't concern itself with how well older models of their hardware will work with newer versions of their software, they're only concerned with the current model hardware and software. If you're too cheap to be left in the dust then Apple says # you.

I've got the same phone & upgrade that you have but no problems. I would try to wipe the device from scratch if you haven't done do already.

reply to post by HIWATT


From what I've read your phone should be OK with ios 6 , maybe its something loose inside the handset like this , the mobile antenna .


Here's another one , same problem .

I had that searching issue once.
When I took out my sim card i noticed there was a giant thumbprint on the contacts.
It seems that it had corroded the contacts a bit and was not making contact.

I took a pencil eraser to the sim card to wipe off the fingerprint.
And voila! It was working again.
Not sure if this will help. But it did in my case.

Originally posted by HawkeyeNation
I've got the same phone & upgrade that you have but no problems. I would try to wipe the device from scratch if you haven't done do already.

By "wipe" do you mean performing a factory reset?

ie: Settings/General/Reset/Erase all Content or Settings (or Reset Network Settings)

I've tried that and it had no affect on my problem.

If you mean connecting to itunes and doing a "Restore" I have tried that as well but keep getting error 3194

"The iPhone could not be restored. An unknown error occurred. (3194)"

I have looked into fixing this "error" but haven't found a way yet...

reply to post by HIWATT


Haven't read all the replies but it sounds like the imea number is blocked as the phone has been reported stolen.my mate had an iPhone 3 like that that he found.sorry to tell you but you have bought an iPod touch.

reply to post by gortex


Thanks for that. Although I know my way around inside one of these things (unfortunately), I'm resisting that until later this evening.

Solving the 3194 iTunes issue is my focus right now. It's just that I've just recently purchased the phone and technically the sale (under ebay rules) is still "active" so poking around inside is a last resort.

Thanks for your input!

just sayin...

reply to post by glen200376


Thanks for that. I wasn't aware that could be an issue ?!

Is there some site where you can determine if your IMEI number has been "reported" ???

reply to post by HIWATT


Google iPhone blocked imea, you can get a program to spoof another imea if the phone is jail broken but it might be illegal to use in your neck of the woods.

reply to post by Alda1981


I asked that this remain respectful. Please comply with that.

I am not an "iDiot" because of my choice in mobile phones. ALL technology has potential issues. It's not specific to Apple.

reply to post by glen200376


I don't think this is the case, but it's worth investigating.

BTW the phone is Factory Unlocked (for use with any carrier), and not Jailbroken.

Originally posted by HIWATT
reply to post by glen200376

 

Thanks for that. I wasn't aware that could be an issue ?!

Is there some site where you can determine if your IMEI number has been "reported" ???

I'm not sure,I'd report him to eBay and ask for a refund.I wouldn't use it with iTunes on your account either.Get an android,cheaper and just as good some are better.

Originally posted by HIWATT
reply to post by glen200376

 

I don't think this is the case, but it's worth investigating.

BTW the phone is Factory Unlocked (for use with any carrier), and not Jailbroken.

the one my friend found was network locked to o2 in the UK.It did the same couldn't get on the network.he then jail broke it and unlocked it and it did the same with all different network sims.

Originally posted by glen200376

Originally posted by HIWATT
reply to post by glen200376

 

I don't think this is the case, but it's worth investigating.

BTW the phone is Factory Unlocked (for use with any carrier), and not Jailbroken.

the one my friend found was network locked to o2 in the UK.It did the same couldn't get on the network.he then jail broke it and unlocked it and it did the same with all different network sims.

If the IMEI # is blocked the phone wouldn't work at all then though right?

It DOES work... intermittently. If I'm outside in a wide open space it seems to be fine mostly...

reply to post by HIWATT


My friends one would do the same but wouldn't make a call or send a text.it could connect over wi fi and go online,use apps etc but that was it.

Originally posted by glen200376
reply to post by HIWATT

 

My friends one would do the same but wouldn't make a call or send a text.it could connect over wi fi and go online,use apps etc but that was it.

I am able to text when I have a signal.

Still attempting to fix error 3194 with iTunes.

I want to see about doing a restore on the phone before i open it up.

Have tried going into DFU mode, editing hosts file, etc etc... no luck yet

Originally posted by HIWATT
reply to post by Alda1981

 

I asked that this remain respectful. Please comply with that.

I am not an "iDiot" because of my choice in mobile phones. ALL technology has potential issues. It's not specific to Apple.

paying a hell lot of money for something you after need to jailbreak to make it work... for a technology they say its groundbreaking even if it exists already 3 years before and at prices you could get 2 phones with better tech... I try to point out you should respect yourself a bit...

Originally posted by Alda1981

Originally posted by HIWATT
reply to post by Alda1981

 

I asked that this remain respectful. Please comply with that.

I am not an "iDiot" because of my choice in mobile phones. ALL technology has potential issues. It's not specific to Apple.

paying a hell lot of money for something you after need to jailbreak to make it work... for a technology they say its groundbreaking even if it exists already 3 years before and at prices you could get 2 phones with better tech... I try to point out you should respect yourself a bit...

I paid $165 for a brand new iPhone 3GS that is Factory Unlocked. If there is a better phone out there for that price then by all means, my ears are open.

I'm neither an Android or Apple "fanboy" and I realize the prices are ridiculous for most consumer electronics.

It so happens I do like the way an iPhone is setup, and up until this past few weeks have never had any problems. I am aware of some of the shortcomings of the technology and more specifically, the business practices involved - and yes, it's all about money.

Do you have any knowledge to offer with regards to dealing with this "error 3194" ?

I'm determined to lick this issue. For myself, and for the fact that once I do, I will be able to offer my results to anyone else out there who also may need assistance.