iPhone 3G: Do I need original carrier sim to unlock? (Ver. 2.2 | 02.28 Baseband)

[turtlewax_15]

Dear GeoExpat Users,

I'm running a Rogers iPhone 3G with firmware version 2.2 and baseband 02.28.00. It is currently unlocked, running on SmarTone-Vodafone in Hong Kong.

The phone was unlocked when yellowsn0w just came out.

Flashforward to today, and I'm wondering what's the best way to approach? I'm looking to upgrade my phone to take advantage of push notifications and new application updates.

According to this redsn0w link, if my Iphone is "at 04.26 (baseband) or earlier, use a custom IPSW from PwnageTool to update your firmware to 3.1.2" with ultrasn0w.

The problem though, is that PwnageTool is a Mac OS X only application. The docs also tell me to upgrade to iPhone 3.0 before I use it. Since this is already unlocked and I don't have the original carrier sim, is it safe to do a vanilla upgrade through iTunes?

So I have a few questions:

1. Is blackra1n, for iPhone 3G still a tethered only jailbreak?
2. What are viable solutions for Windows? The ultrasn0w documention only refers to iPhone firmware 3.0?
3. Finally, since this iPhone is from Rogers in Canada, and I no longer have a Rogers sim, do I need the original sim to successfully unlock it using whichever method?

Thanks guys for the help! Gonna get back to researching!

[BenderBends]

the only "tethered only" jailbreak is for the iPhone 3Gs and the 2nd gen iPod Touch.

you do NOT need original sim. you dont need any sim inside during the process, but you can have your original or your new sim card inside with no problems.

you will want to update to 3.1.2 ... dont do 3.1.3, its not worth it.

you should follow iClarifieds tutorial for windows 3G jailbreak/unlock:
iClarified - iPhone - How to Jailbreak and Unlock Your iPhone 3G, 3GS Using BlackSn0w [Windows]

[turtlewax_15]

That's an excellent article. Thanks for the link. Though I was hoping to use blackra1n as a second option. Will have to do a tad more research.

Thanks mate.

[BenderBends]

blackrain is perfectly fine on all versions.
like i said, the "tether only" option is for ONLY the iphone 3GS, and the ipod touch 2nd generation.
all other iphones updating to 3.1.2 or earlier are 100% normal updates.

[penguinsix]

Do not upgrade to 3.1.3 until you have a very thorough read through of the jailbreak sites. There is a firmware update within 3.1.3 that closes a hole in the modem firmware (v. 5.12.1) and it's a real bear for those on 3GS' phones (slightly more manageable on others). But really--take a look at the hack blogs as this firmware update really bricked a lot of phones for those looking for unlocks or jailbreaks.

Jailbreak iPhone 3.1.3 with Sn0wbreeze | Redmond Pie

btw, would Rogers do a IMEI unlock?

Apple’s Official iPhone 3G Unlock