iPhone 3GS - Restore from Backup = "No Service"

[Hintry]

I'm trying to help someone troubleshoot a 'No Service' problem on their Vodacom iPhone 3GS (OS 4.01, Modem Firmware 5.13.04).

It's the strangest thing... about 4 days ago (seemingly out of the blue) the phone gave a "No Service" message.

I initially tried most of the obvious things described here.

http://thedesignspace.net/MT2archives/000753.html

I then backed up the phone and did a clean restore. It works 100%

But as soon as we restore from the backup it goes back to "No Service" message

I assume there's something in the backup that's corrupting Network Carrier settings.

Edit: I've now also jailbroken with jailbreakme.com and ran Ultrasn0w to try unlock Carrier settings - but to no avail.

Anyone have any ideas how to solve this?

 

[Synaesthesia]

I then backed up the phone and did a clean restore. It works 100%

But as soon as we restore from the backup it goes back to "No Service" message

edit: just re-read your post. That is mysterious.

I assume there's something in the backup that's corrupting Network Carrier settings.

Exactly

Edit: I've now also jailbroken with jailbreakme.com and ran Ultrasn0w to try unlock Carrier settings - but to no avail.

That shouldn't work, it's an unlocked phone after all!

I suppose the backup contains lots of important information, otherwise you would stick with the clean restore. I'm trying to think of a solution.

 

[Hintry]

edit: just re-read your post. That is mysterious.
That shouldn't work, it's an unlocked phone after all!

I'm trying anything right now

I suppose the backup contains lots of important information, otherwise you would stick with the clean restore.

He's ready to cry at the thought.

I'm trying to think of a solution.

Appreciate it.

 

[Synaesthesia]

This is one tip I picked up from the Apple support forums:

Restore phone and setup as 'new phone'. If you set it up and restore from backup, you will just be re-introducing your old / bad apn settings. There is a method offered on some sites whereby you can delete the apn file from your backup which has worked for many.

Browse away at some more! http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...a=X&ei=vEZgTNTcFdKA4Qa3wvCeBw&ved=0CDIQrQIwAw

 

[Hintry]

This is one tip I picked up from the Apple support forums:


Browse away at some more! http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...a=X&ei=vEZgTNTcFdKA4Qa3wvCeBw&ved=0CDIQrQIwAw

Got an answer on another forum that seems to have done the trick

But will only know for sure after full restore using latest backup to the phone which takes 3 hours.

1. Remove the sim card
2. Disable 3G (Settings > General > Network)
3. Reinsert sim card
4. Renable 3G
5. Turn Airplane mode OFF
6. Turn Airplane mode ON

It's like a flippin magic trick