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foodcoma

Reacher

Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 303

Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 07, 2008 - 10:09 PM

Just picked up an iphone from Lawrence at computersolutions (really nice guy) today and am playing with it. I'm stuck with my GPRS package for this month as they only allow changes at the beginning of the month.

How do I prevent excessive data charges by accidentally downloading stuff from the internet while I'm not in a hotspot? For example, I hit the "Maps" button and the phone seemed to start downloading a bunch of stuff.

Also, is there a way we check to see if there's a download in progress?

boredengineer

SuperStar

Joined: Oct 17, 2007
Posts: 1344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 07, 2008 - 11:34 PM

you can turn it off completely. go to settings>network>edge and it should say CMNET. Just change it to CMNETX or CMNE and it won't connect you. The "E" will still show up, and you will get that annoying message "Unable to connect to EDGE" popup sometimes. Do your maps work??? mine is pretty useless as it only has satellite imagery.

computersolutions

FooJay

Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1753
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 07, 2008 - 11:46 PM

Or click on the software I installed and showed you Wink

called BossPref.

You can turn on/off EDGE (GPRS) in there easily.

I wouldn't be *too* worried about it, it seems now they send you an SMS when you are close to getting over. (Probably because too many people complained about extortionate bills). Last month I got one (and I made sure that mine is turned off until the end of the month). Otherwise, i'd get a killer bill *again*. It sucks that they don't do the GPRS extension when you tell them about it, only at the end of the month. Thats just designed to take your money away...

Call 10000, and make sure that they will send you a SMS when the GPRS usage gets close to the limit.

_________________
IT Support - http://www.computersolutions.cn | Web Design - http://design.computersolutions.cn

mikekim

Lurker

Joined: Jan 31, 2008
Posts: 21

Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 08, 2008 - 08:27 AM

computersolutions,

Hi, can the iphone receive chinese sms and also input chinese text?

I know the iphone is english, but can it be changed to chinese? thanks!

computersolutions

FooJay

Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1753
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 08, 2008 - 10:15 AM

Yes, yes, yes Wink

see the other post where I replied in more detail.

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mikekim

Lurker

Joined: Jan 31, 2008
Posts: 21

Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 08, 2008 - 11:07 AM

computersolutions wrote:

Yes, yes, yes Wink

see the other post where I replied in more detail.

Xie xie!

ash96

Low Seater

Joined: Dec 30, 2005
Posts: 3378
Location: Gubei, Rong Hua West Avenue
Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 08, 2008 - 11:23 AM

so far so good....everything runs well on iphone

it's just that...everytime connected to iTunes: slow down computer, sometimes it's not responding, iphone doesn't seems to sync with iTunes.

haha....

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The Sweet aSh® Tree ---> Malaysian / Singaporean Expats

foodcoma

Reacher

Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 303

Status: Offline

Posted: Mar 08, 2008 - 04:53 PM

computersolutions wrote:

Or click on the software I installed and showed you Wink

Thanks

Bosspref is indeed very useful. I was actually wondering if there is way to cancel a download once it has started because I was told that there is no way to do that on the iphone?

HDXLCR
Talker
Talker

Joined: May 14, 2008
Posts: 113
Location: No Longer in Shanghai - sigh

Posted: Sep 23, 2008 - 10:46 PM

Does anyone know of a good tutorial online for how to unlock a iPhone. I read Lawrence's instructions there wasn't enough details for me to figure out where to get all the files and programs to do it.

I then tried something called ziphone that I found with a google search. It is supposed to be automatic but it just puts my iPhone into recovery mode and hangs. I guess I need iPhone 101 or iPhone for dummies.

computersolutions

FooJay

Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1753
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 24, 2008 - 12:09 AM

Current set of software is called QuickPWN or Pwnage.

Can download from my site. I have PC and Mac versions on there.
You'll also need the latest firmware.

Download 2.1 firmware, and throw it in the iTunes folder with the other firmware files.
Then upgrade the firmware in iTunes, and run the Jailbreak/unlock software

www.iphonesim.cn/files

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xtr3m3

Newbie

Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 6

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 24, 2008 - 04:45 PM

Can someone clarify to me whether there's a way to unlock a 3g iphone without simcard hack, that is via software. I did some research and from what i found is that unlocking 3g iphone via simhack is not really stable, is it true? I want a white 3g iphone and a friend of mine in US can buy it for me anytime, im just not sure if there's a way to unlock it yet, a stable one that is.

computersolutions

FooJay

Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1753
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 24, 2008 - 05:49 PM

Currently there is no way to unlock 3g.

I recommend if you want a 3g phone, buy an unlocked one.
While others say its fine, my experience shows that locked ones have a number of issues.

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HDXLCR
Talker
Talker

Joined: May 14, 2008
Posts: 113
Location: No Longer in Shanghai - sigh

Posted: Sep 24, 2008 - 06:15 PM

Lawrence,

Thanks for the reply. I didn't want to bother you since I know you do this as part of your business but if you are willing to help I have a couple of questions.

The 2G phone I have is one that I use in the States with my AT&T service contract. I was hoping to use it here just for phone calls with my China Mobile SIM. I thought I read that if you unlock using the AT&T sim that it might not work again on AT&T. When I put the China Mobile sim in iTunes says there is a problem with the phone and won't connect.

Do I download the hacked firmware with the AT&T sim and then jailbreak/unlock with the China Mobile sim or is the sim not affected?

I put the iphoney firmware file in the correct folder and changed the extension on the 2.1 iphone file that was there. Will itunes just pick up the hacked file or do I need to rename it? If there are more than one firmware file in there will itunes give me a choice?

Thanks in advance. I can hack away at it (no pun intended) if I know the answers to these questions and maybe not need to bother you again.

computersolutions

FooJay

Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1753
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 24, 2008 - 10:30 PM

2g can be unlocked without issues.

Suggest upgrade to 2.1 in iTunes.

(Can download the 2.1 file from my server, and put in the iphone folder in itunes on the file system, its a lot faster than via iTunes apples slow servers)

Then put the phone in DFU mode.
- Power Off (wait till the phone is completely off)
- Press Power and Home for 10 seconds (count it out or use a clock).
- Let go of Power (keeping home held), for another 10 seconds or so.

It should show a black screen now.

Plug the phone back into iTunes. It should say its in recovery mode. If it turns back on, or doesn't, repeat trying to get into DFU mode.

Download the hacked firmware for 2.1 from my iphonesim.cn/files pwnage folder.
Do not rename the files, you don't need to.

Press and hold Option (or Shift on PC's) and click Restore in iTunes.
Browse for the firmware file you just downloaded.

It will install it. Leave both iTunes and the Phone until its completely done.
The phone should reboot 2 times, DO NOT TOUCH THE PHONE UNTIL ITS DONE.
IGNORE ANY ITUNES ERRORS.

DO NOT TOUCH THE PHONE UNTIL ITS DONE.

Did you get that part?

Ok.

Once its installed, you can go to cydia, and install OpenSSH.

Then go to the app store on the phone, and download any free application.

Once its downloaded, ftp into the phone using SFTP, and upload the MobileInstallation from my iphonesim site.

Instructions are on the site for that.

Turn phone off/ on again after uploading that.

Then you can dload apps from your favourite sites and install via iTunes.
(google ipa for more details on that).

Should take about 1hr or less. Depends how the App store is working, somedays its completely slow.

I can do it for you, but I will charge, as it takes time to do all that.

Do not be like the client i had today who came in, I worked on the phone for 1 1/2 hours, then he's like, do i have to pay you?

Sigh...

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foodcoma

Reacher

Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 303

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 24, 2008 - 10:42 PM

I believe my exact words were "what do i owe you for that?". Believe it or not, I have no issues paying for your services. My issue was that the fee you charged today was far different from what you said you would charge for upgrades when I bought the phone from you. I double checked with my gf later to made sure that I didn't misunderstand you the first time round, as she was there with me when I bought it.

Doesn't really matter anyway. You do what you need to do as it's your job. For me, the sum was immaterial and I just learned something today.

HDXLCR
Talker
Talker

Joined: May 14, 2008
Posts: 113
Location: No Longer in Shanghai - sigh

Posted: Sep 24, 2008 - 10:55 PM

computersolutions wrote:

I can do it for you, but I will charge, as it takes time to do all that.

Do not be like the client i had today who came in, I worked on the phone for 1 1/2 hours, then he's like, do i have to pay you?

Sigh...

Basically the reason I didn't expect you to help but glad you are willing to. The only way I could get it into DFU mode was to leave it plugged into itunes and do the home and power button initiation. Read that someplace in my travels.

I tried to restore with the new firmware once and got an error code 1600 (The iPhone "iPhone" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred.) so I hit OK and nothing happeened. I am running it again to see if I should not have hit the OK but so far it has been sitting there for 15 minutes not doing anything. Will go to bed and see if I should just not touch it until it is done.

Thanks again for getting me started.

xtr3m3

Newbie

Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 6

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 24, 2008 - 11:29 PM

Thanks CS for answering my question, i wish someone out there would come out with a software hack for 3g iphone soon!!

computersolutions

FooJay

Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1753
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 24, 2008 - 11:36 PM

You aren't in DFU mode if its error 1600.

Try, try again... can be tricky.

Power off completely
Power+Home button held down for 9 seconds, on the 10th let go of the Power button
Hold home still for another 10 seconds or so (can hold it for longer, doesn't matter).

Phone can be plugged in or not plugged into the PC/iTunes for this, doesn't matter.

I usually leave it plugged in, just remember to ignore any iTunes errors that may/may not appear.

@foodcoma.
Its what I usually charge. No more, no less. I told you if you weren't comfortable with that, you didn't have to pay. If you expect me to sit there and work on something for an hour and a half for nothing, then you have the wrong idea.

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PhillipWangUSA

Lurker

Joined: Dec 27, 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Los Angeles/Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 12:00 AM

I'm currently running 2.01 FW on my 2G Iphone in the US. The phone is unlocked and jailbrokened. Would I have any issues using a prepaid China Mobile sim card? I'm assuming everything should work.

Also, how is the reception in Shanghai with the 2G iphone? I'm using Tmobile in Los Angeles and it sucks Mad

computersolutions

FooJay

Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1753
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 12:21 AM

no, will work fine.

2.1 is more stable though. 2.01 - 2.02 are buggy.
Reception is what it is. Good in some places, bad in others. iPhone reception is about average. Coverage is a function of the provider, not the phone, although some phones have better antenna's than others...

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PhillipWangUSA

Lurker

Joined: Dec 27, 2005
Posts: 37
Location: Los Angeles/Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 01:07 AM

Thank you. I will update to 2.1 when I get a chance.

Actually I think reception varies with phones. I had a Sony Ericsson K850i and the reception is always full and the iphone would be 1 bar in the same area/service provider.

izzyshanghaied

Barker

Joined: Aug 03, 2007
Posts: 154
Location: XuJiaHui
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 02:03 AM

Hi CS,

Followed your instructions above for the 2g update but when i press shift+restore it never gives me the option to browse for the file i downloaded from yoursite. itunes tells me the phone is in recovery mode - what am I doing wrong?

Cheers in advance Wink

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computersolutions

FooJay

Joined: July 02, 2006
Posts: 1753
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 09:59 AM

If you are on a mac, its option restore, pc, its shift restore.

Make sure you are on a recent version of iTunes.

For 2.x firmware, you need 7.7 or above.
I have 7.7 and 8 for download on my site.

(www.iphonesim.cn/files)

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izzyshanghaied

Barker

Joined: Aug 03, 2007
Posts: 154
Location: XuJiaHui
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 10:10 AM

HI Lawrence, thanks.

I'm on a PC running Itunes 8. My 2g iphone was on 1.1.4

I followed your instructions, but when i hit shift and click on restore it doesnt give the option to browse for firmware. I have now since 'accidently' upgraded to the original 2.1 and now it's asking for a proper sim for activation Confused

Now I have no idea what to do!

Cheers again!

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HDXLCR
Talker
Talker

Joined: May 14, 2008
Posts: 113
Location: No Longer in Shanghai - sigh

Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 11:37 AM

Having spent a few hours trying to get this to work I can understand why Lawrence has to charge for this service. It is not easy and not quick. It also reinforces my original idea that it would be nice to find a good set of instructions and a forum so I don't have to rely on the good will of Lawrence.

Following the instructions provided, I downloaded the firmware and put it into the correct folder so that I can select it with the shift restore. All that works. I have been unable to get this thing into DFU mode without it being plugged in. I press menu and power together and after about 1 second the apple logo shows on the screen, at 6 seconds it goes blanc, at 8 it comes back. At 10 I release the power and at 20 the menu. The logo is there at that point. When I plug into itunes (8.0) it reboots and comes up with the menu on the iphone screen. Tried it at least 30 times, always the same.

When plugged in, it stays blank and at 10 seconds release pwr, at 20 release menu. Always blank screen. I have to unplug it and then replug and it comes up and says that the phone needs to be restored. I restore with downloaded file and I end up with 1600 error. I can restore with original file no problem.

I won't bother Lawrence anymore as it seems I may have an odd problem that hopefully someone else has already experienced. Just need to find the right forum online.

My suggestion is that if you have the time during the day to go see him, try it once and then go see Lawrence. Don't know how much he charges but it is probably worth it in the end. I am just too stuborn to let something like this beat me so I will keep looking and trying.