Quick Guide : Jailbreak and Unlock iPhone 2G 3.1.2 Using Blackra1n

As I promised early in one of my earlier post, you will find here simple step-by-step guide to Jailbreak/Unlock Iphone 2G with 3.1.2 using the new tool Blackra1n. I used this tool last wednesday to unlock my 2G phone. Perhaps this is the simplest jailbreak process I have ever seen/followed. Thanks to George Francis Hotz commonly know as Geohot for this fantastic effort. To be frank, I was waiting for iphonedev team to release the jailbreak process and skeptical to use this tool. But it is absolutely amazing. Tool took hardily few seconds to jailbreak.

Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive guide. And even though this tool worked well for me, I will not guarantee the same for all. And this guide is only for 2G phone. Perhaps you can find out more references for 3G easily if you google for "Blackra1n + iphone 3G jailbreak".

Early, you need to be geek to jailbreak but this is not the case with this tool. Any newbie can do it easily provided you don't mess up with the steps mentioned below.

Follow these steps one by one:-  

• Use iTunes 9.0 or later version for the jailbreak. If you are using older version of iTunes, please upgrade it first. You can download the latest version of iTunes from Apple. I used 9.0.3.15, probably this is the latest version I guess.

• Before jailbreaking, backup all your data like contacts, sms, photos, etc via iTunes. Simply sync your iPhone and backup the iPhone data. So that you can restore these data back after your update.
• Download iPhone OS 3.1.2 firmware from here and save it into a folder on your windows machine.
• Connect your iPhone via USB and launch iTunes.
• Restore your iPhone with iPhone OS 3.1.2. For Windows, hold SHIFT key and click on the “Restore” button and select the firmware file (i.e. iPhone1,1_3.1.2_7D11_Restore.ipsw) that you have just downloaded. It is important that you hold the SHIFT button and press "Restore" button that is displayed on the iTunes which will result in a pop up windows to load the ipsw file. If you are looking for Mac, I have no idea :-). BTW, restoring will take some time. 
• If you’re not using official SIM like me, your iPhone will not be recognized by iTunes after restoration. Don’t worry. It’s normal. You can then close iTunes and continues with the next step given below.
• Go to blackra1n.com and download blackra1n. Both Windows and Mac versions are available. Download the one for windows.
• After downloading, Launch the software on your Windows system. Make sure your iPhone is still connected with your computer via USB.
• Click “make it ra1n” to start the jailbreak.
• Once you click the button, the jailbreak process starts and it’ll take around 30 seconds to complete. Wait until you see the message "your iPhone should be jailbroken after reboot".
• Now, you’ll have to install Cydia. Tap on the “blackra1n” icon. if you have WiFi connection, I suggest you to first enable it before continuing. This should speed up the download process of cydia. Tap on “Cydia” and then “Install” button to install Cydia. Just wait until the download and installation to complete. This completes the jailbreak.
• But if you need to unlock your iPhone 2G to work with unofficial sim, launch cydia and install bootneuter. After installation, reboot your iPhone. Yeap!!!, your iPhone  is unlocked and is running with OS 3.1.2!!!!. Now, no dependency, you can install any games/apps from the store!!!!

Note:

So, does it work with iPhone 2G previously jailbroken with PwnageTool or Redsn0w? Yes, it works!. It worked like gem for me :-).

Fernando Alonso - Back with Bang!!!

Initially I wanted to write only about the day three test @ Valencia. So was following the first half of the test via AutoSports. Thanks a lot to AutoSports for the excellent coverage (text). But I changed my mind once after going through various F1 sites focusing mainly on Fernando. So overall very satisfying day for all Alonso and his fans after 2 years of struggling with slow car. This is something to celebrate. But too I agree there are plenty of miles to go!!!!.

Complete Control @ Valencia:-
With the weather condition getting improved better and better as the day progressed at Valencia, Fernando Alonso ventured out to begin his Ferrari career. The Spaniard clocked a 1:16 on his first attempt and continued to shave that down until he managed to take the P1 slot with a 1:11.905. Quite amazing drive providing this is first official drive on F10. Finally he ended up in the top with the best timing of the day - 1m11.470s. Ironically only driver to clock 1m11s.

An interesting point to note is that Alonso's 1:11.905 after just an hour in the F10 was only 0.183s off Felipe Massa's best time. And Massa had two full days in the car to achieve that. Waiting for Massa to comment on this :-). Bang on target. Outstanding effort it is, meanwhile the regaining world champion was struggling with his mclaren.
The final standing on day three - Valencia:

1	Alonso	Ferrari	1m11.470s
2	de la Rosa	Sauber	1m12.094s  +0.624
3	Schumacher	Mercedes	1m12.438s  +0.968
4	Alguersuari	Toro Rosso	1m12.576s  +1.106
5	Button	McLaren	1m12.951s  +1.481
6	Petrov	Renault	1m13.097s  +1.627
7	Hulkenberg	Williams	1m13.669s  +2.199

Chaos @ Valencia
What do you get when you cross an Formula 1 test in Spain with the first day of Fernando Alonso publicly behind the wheel of a Ferrari?. Apparently, chaos.

This is what Ferrari reported in their site

Valencia, 3 February 2010 – Great enthusiasm at Cheste’s “Ricardo Tormo” circuit for the official debut of Fernando Alonso behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 single-seater. 30,000 fans came to see Fernando on the track, creating a traffic jam at the exit of the Valencia-Madrid highway. This is quite unusual for a Formula 1 test, but it shows how much Fernando is adored in Spain and the great expectations the fans have regarding his arrival in Ferrari.

And Ferrari also posted an lengthy Q and A with Alonso. Few of them which are interested to me are posted below. Complete Q and A can be found in ferrari site.
Is it true that you’re a great poker player?
«Not great. But I like it.»

With whom are you playing?
«In Spain with my friends and when I’m away on the internet.»

And at the paddock?
«With Kubica and Fisichella.»

Who’s the fourth player?
«We’re looking for one. Possibly a chicken.»

Who wins most?
«Robert [Kubica]. »

Who’s bluffing the best?
«Also Robert.»

So he wins all the time!
«No, because also Fisico is really good.»

The most beautiful day of your life?
«…has still to arrive, I’m living in the future.»

And in the past?
«I think maybe the feeling when you unpack your Christmas presents when you’re seven years old won’t come back. Not even when you win the World Championship.»

Out of the five books published about you, four in Spanish and one in French, which one do you suggest?
«Not one of them. They’ve been all written in a hurry to make money when I became famous. I haven’t even read them.»

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
«At home in my armchair.»

Dying your hair like Schumacher, reproached by Briatore?
«Oh my God, I don’t think that’s really important, is it? But when I look at my father, he’s all white and it really fits him. So what...»

Today Schumacher isn’t exactly popular amongst the Ferraristi.
«He’s a great champ. He left Ferrari before I arrived. And let me say it again, I like to talk about the future.»

Please say something to the Ferrari fans.
«I can’t guarantee any results. We know that I’ll always give it everything. There won’t be a day when I’m not thinking of the team.»

Promised?
«Promised!»

That's all for the first winter test. Will keep posted when the second testing program starts on 10th of this month.

Valencia Test Report - Day One

Initial test result started coming in from Valencia. Looks like Ferrari is stealing the show :-). Very happy to hear this. Waiting for Alonso's result :-). Probably it should be better. Also good to see Kubica driving for Renault. Refer Formula-One site for more details. 

Position	Driver	Car	Best Lap Time	Laps Completed
1	Felipe Massa	Ferrari F10	1:13.088	32
2	Pedro de la Rosa	BMW Sauber C29	1:13.247	21
3	Nico Rosberg	Mercedes MGPW01	1:13.543	30
4	Gary Paffett	McLaren  MP4-25	1:14.018	34
5	Rubens Barrichello	Willaims  FW32	1:14.449	42
6	Robert Kubica	Renault R30	1:15:298	37
7	Sebastien Buemi	Toro Rosso STR5	1:19.279	10