If someone has given you an iphone and asked if you can help because the firmware update has broken the phone, how do you restore it to the old firmware and have it up and running again?
If the phone got bricked because of the 1.1.1 update, then take it to the Apple Store as they should fix it for you.
However, if it was bricked because you had third-party apps installed or if it was unlocked, then the Apple Store won't help you as you violated the EULA, and thus, the warranty. However, if you go in and deny the existence of third party apps, there is no way for them to prove it, so they will end up fixing it for you.
It's my understanding unlocked iPhones that were bricked have an IMEI number that doesn't match the back of the iPhone. My guess is if they knew that, it would be easy to tell if it was unlocked or not.
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