anyone repair my 3gs iphone? or 'friendly' apple store worker?

[beacytan]

as title, i have a 32gb 3gs thats just been back to apple and they have said it was mis-used or accidental damaged, so its coming back to me unmended. i took it camping in america and it was over 40c and very humid, but i cant see any of the water damage markers showing. the screen comes on (but isnt backlit - thats not working) and i can see (inder bright light) its wanting me to plug it into itunes. when i do so, itunes tells me the phone is locked and i need to unlock it. i cannot do this as any time i try to put my 4 digit unlock code in, it just takes me to the make emergency call feature. can anyone help with this? or do you know anyone trustworthy who mends these? anyone know anyone who works in an apple store who would want to earn a few quid?

any help appreciated, please pm me.

[flik]

Is it not insured mate ?

[evilsatan]

Home insurance may cover it mate. Sounds like the inverter has gone but I would imagine this is built into the logic board and if other apple products are anything to go by that will cost a lot of money.

[beacytan]

@flik - no, it isnt, but you gave me an idea!!!
@evilsatan - sounds expensive but i would stil like someone to have a look and hopefully mend it if poss!!!

[maltloaf]

if the logic board is fried your best bet is to find another one with a smashed screen, you'll probably end up paying less

Have you tried a dfu restore out of interest ?

If apple find evidence of a big drop/impact or water damage they won't even open the case so it may be as simple as a loose connector. Open it up (a sucker from a kids toy works great) and see if there's anything obvious amiss.

[beacytan]

i havent done anything to it yet malty, its just on its way back from apple and i am stuck offshore. how can i restore when anytime i plug it into itunes, it says its locked. then it wont let me input the 4 digit code to unlock it??

[maltloaf]

i've not tried with a pin locked phone but you should still be able to do a force-reset which is holding power and home until it reboots. If you can do that, you'll be able to get to dfu restore mode.

[beacytan]

i tried mate, all i get is the plug into itunes logo, but like i say, when i plug it in it says its locked, when i try to put in the PIN, it just goes to the dialling screen for emergency calls. i may open it up and have a look when i get home if nobody can help me

[Spennyboy]

Try plugging it into itunes with the phone switched off and just the home button held in. I had a pin on my phone and restored it this way yesterday and it never said anything about being locked or asking for a pin.

[ak7000]

Try a dfu restore, shud take the lock off it.

[beacytan]

thanks lads. i am gonna try all of the above when i get back to dry land. i will come back in a few days and report back my findings. THANKS once again chaps