need help with iphone 3G

[sh56aak]

I can not find out the version on my iphone.
I can not force iphone to go in DFU mode.

Details -
I bought an unclocked 3G phone from China (don't laugh !).
Struggled at first becasue default language was chinese. Figured out how to change to english.

I purchased t-mobile activation kit. Pluged in sim card (which has $3 balance) and activated with t-mobile online. Got the sms from t-mobile that it is activated and got a new phone number.
I tried calling my other cell phone and it worked.
I think that I have an unlocked 3G iphone.
---------------
1) Now there is no "about" item in settings to find out the version.
2) I tried calling *3001#12345#* in emergency mode.. got check your number error voice mail but no menu - or anything.
3) I can not seem to put the phone in DFU mode (I read instructions a million times)... power button/home button etc.
4) As soon as i plug the iphone to usb cable - it pops up a USB config with four choices (mass storage, webcam, com port or pictbridge) Whatever I select - phone goes to normal mode.
5) Itunes does not recognize the phone. I installed 3 diff. versions of itunes 7.1.4, 7.4.x and 8.0.x. Tried on three diff computers (all with XP). Nope - it does not recognize the phone.
6) i downloaded quickpwn225 .. it does not recognize the phone as i can not get it in DFU mode.

What should i do? I want to download apps badly.

Do I have a dudh? i.e. Phone is working with t-mobile.

[PepeRB29]

how much did you buy this amazing phone from china for?


i'm gonna go out on a limb here, but if i had to bet, you bought an imitation iphone and that is why itunes will not recognize it. sucks for you

[Adam1389]

^^^^^ What he said. iTunes will detect the phone in DFU or recovery mode, may not always restore properly, but it will recognize it. The only USB option that should come up with the iPhone 3G is the Pictures.

[sh56aak]

yeah - it sucks. $300 bucks. Phone works, camera works but itunes does not work.
I was wondering what if i take it to apple store ?

[PepeRB29]

if you take a fake iphone into an apple store they will seriously laugh you out of the building. just chalk it up as a loss or put it on ebay and rip someone else off.

[Europa]

There are several imitation iPhones from China. If the default language was Chinese, it's likely an imitation. Watch a few of the videos on youtube and you should be able to tell for sure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2tVE7qRLwk

[sh56aak]

thx - I have been checking out all the fake one's on the net. But so far this looks real.
1) I entered serial number on the apple site... it is valid and it is still in the warranty.
2) speakers are located at the bottom
3) One sim card on top.
4) Only one button like real
5) No chinese writing in the back
6) Glass screen, not plastic
7) slider lock and unlock when you power on and off
8) no separate battery etc.. it is all sealed inside.
9) US battery charger (not Chiense or foreign)
10) 16 icons on the 1st screen... not less
11) Does not include stylus

Only thing i can tell that it may be used in china and needs to be reset. All networks and WAN listed are chinese companies and it may be locked for one of the chinese market.

Anyway - I have decided to take it to apple store tomorrow to find out. I may be laughed at but I will learn - I have t-mobile sim card in for testing.

Will know soon.

[Adam1389]

Hope it works out for you.

[naza42]

I have the same problem please let me know what they say after you have taken it to an apple store

[sh56aak]

Well - as suspected it is a fake.

Apples store was so amazed to see what I had. Actually - it took them 10 mins to confirm that it is a fake.
Two major differences -
1) Touch screen - original ipod is very touch sensitive. Fake one - you had to apply a little pressure.
2) There is not serial number on the back.
3) Actual storage is 5gb when you attach the phone to your computer in a usb mode -not 16gb.

Other than that - no way to tell it apart. Fake one works - you can copy music and photo in usb mass storage mode. phone works. internet works. (t-mobile works)
No one can tell apart - except there is no way to put new applications on it.

[PepeRB29]

that sucks it is a fake.


you should return the favor though and help someone else out with their bad karma by selling it on ebay :)

[Chex]

What happens when you try to jailbreak it?

[sh56aak]

I would not see on ebay without telling that it is a fake. (That's me!)..
I could not jailbreak or anything - like i said - none of the program can recognize it as iphone. Though I am sure that I can download and put new applications in a usb mode.

[ali500mph]

I have THE SAME PHONE!!! I was scared at first to get a t-mobile sim or not, but now I may as well. I figured out how to transfer music, but how do you transfer videos? and does the internet work? Also you said you can get apps on it. How?