Forums | MacLife

Nefarious · 2008-08-05 5:03 pm

My email to Steve Jobs:

5 stupid issues

1. iPhone Original sim card went bad.
2. Proceeded to ATT store.
3. ATT replaced SIM card. ATT store representative unable to activate the iPhone in the store. (stupid issue #1)
4. Returned home.
5. Plugged iPhone into iMac iTunes 7.7
6. Begin re-activation BUT ---> iTunes message states that ATT says this phone cannot be used with this ATT account. (stupid issue #2)
7. Called ATT at some corporate office. ATT representative is unable to get thru to the correct department within ATT to resolve this issue. She states that this has been ongoing within ATT for the past 24 hours at least. (stupid issue #3).
8. ATT representative will call me tomorrow with an update. ATT representative stated that she cannot (= is not allowed ) to email me. (stupid issue #4)
9. REALLY stupid issue: my iphone is now BRICKED. It won't even function as an iPod, except for calendar alerts and calling 911.

I emailed Steve because I thought he might be able to put some pressure on ATT to clean up their act.

Note: Both of the ATT representatives did their best to help me out.

Farmerkev · 2008-08-05 5:53 pm

You should have added a P.S. "And for Gods sake eat a sammich man".

Susie · 2008-08-05 6:24 pm

Can I move this to the main boards?

Nefarious · 2008-08-05 6:47 pm

Sure... let's do it. Moving now.

yep, Steve should eat some meat to gain some proper weight.

Bat · 2008-08-05 7:36 pm

Macrobiotic meat?

Mm... a green eggs 'n' ham sammich. wink

jeff-o · 2008-08-06 8:19 am

Or at least, you know, some scrambled eggs or something. No need to go full carnivore, but at least vegetarian!

Bat · 2008-08-06 5:32 pm

Disable Airplane mode before installing the new iPhone 2.0.1 software update. Having Airplane mode turned on can result in a non-functional phone when the update is applied, reports iPhoneAtlas. You may receive the error message: “Information for activation cannot be obtained from the iPhone.”

Fortunately, you can disable Airplane mode from the emergency screen if your iPhone is put into an inactivated state by the problematic update.

Also, you may get the following error: “iTunes could not update the carrier settings on your iPhone. An unknown error occurred (OxE80000001).” If this error occurs, try clicking the “Restore” button in iTunes rather than “Update.”

iPhone 2.0.1 software update can brick your iPhone

Nefarious · 2008-08-06 5:56 pm

My iPhone remains bricked as my ATT representative is still unable to contact the appropriate department within ATT. I will try again myself to see if there is an alternate route to this impervious department.

Bat · 2008-08-07 12:10 am

Your assignment, Agent 00N, is to penetrate this cell and restore service to your and other afflicted iPhones if possible. Failure is not an option.

That is all. Carry on.

LLEVIATHANN · 2008-08-07 8:47 am

Is this a G3 phone? If so it's been less than 30 days. As a consumer you have the right to return the whole damn thing and start fresh.

Nefarious · 2008-08-07 9:04 am

LLEVIATHANN wrote:
Is this a G3 phone? If so it's been less than 30 days. As a consumer you have the right to return the whole damn thing and start fresh.

Original iPhone purchased in late April.

Nefarious · 2008-08-08 2:46 pm

Day 4: iPhone still bricked.

Bat · 2008-08-08 2:53 pm

[s]SBC[/s] AT&T sucks.

smilr · 2008-08-09 1:23 am

Jailbreak and unlock - If it works you may still not have service with AT&T, but at least it should get you your iPod touch style features back.

Nefarious · 2008-08-12 1:27 pm

iPhone has been unbricked. Details later today or tomorrow.

Bat · 2008-08-12 2:33 pm

W00ts.

Nefarious · 2008-08-12 6:29 pm

The down and dirty: I had to get out of a pre-paid account and into a regular account with a new phone number. I thought I was in a regular account as of May. I guess not. confused

The new phone number has more lucky digits than the last one.

In total, I dealt with 3 ATT store employees and 6 ATT tech support people. All of the tech support people were very gracious.

Total time on the phone. About 4-5 hours. blotto

SIM card replaced 3 times. (driving 20 miles and back 3 times). hmm

We tried various combinations of new account and replacing old phone on same account. confused

I also tried calling Applecare iphone support and didn't have the patience to keep waiting. down

ATT's phone menu system when calling up ATT is abysmal.
The best phone number to call for iphone support is 1-877-419-4500 ( ?? or is it 1-800-..... ).

The primary blame goes to ATT and iPhone activation software. The followup blame goes to ATT software gurus for not properly training all of their tech support employees fully. One ATT rep said that a revamp of training is in the works. hmm

ATT rep donates a month's worth of daytime phone minutes to my account.

Today, my first ATT rep called back to followup as she had done every couple of days. (She must not work every day. envy Who knew. wink )