Jailbreak iPhone 3GS won't detect any Wifi

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I've just bought a jailbroken iPhone 3GS off eBay. It's my first iPhone so am unfamiliar with a lot of settings, so hope someone can help.

If I switch Wifi on it searches for signals, but doesn't find any. I've tried typing in my home network and password but that didn't work (yet my laptop was using the network so I know the network was OK).

I asked the guy I bought it off if he could used to Wifi and he said he never had any problems.

Do I need to switch on any other settings? Currently Airplane Mode, Location Services, 3G, Bluetooth and Cellular Date are all switched off. (I'm on a v/ limited PAYG data package, so really only want to use WiFi unless absolutely necessary). I'm in UK on Orange network and the phone isn't unlocked to other networks. There's also currently no email account setup in the phone.

Any advice?

(If you ask me to specify an OS or version no. please indicate where I might find it (newbie, remember :))
 
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I've just bought a jailbroken iPhone 3GS off eBay. It's my first iPhone so am unfamiliar with a lot of settings, so hope someone can help.

If I switch Wifi on it searches for signals, but doesn't find any. I've tried typing in my home network and password but that didn't work (yet my laptop was using the network so I know the network was OK).

I asked the guy I bought it off if he could used to Wifi and he said he never had any problems.

Do I need to switch on any other settings? Currently Airplane Mode, Location Services, 3G, Bluetooth and Cellular Date are all switched off. (I'm on a v/ limited PAYG data package, so really only want to use WiFi unless absolutely necessary). I'm in UK on Orange network and the phone isn't unlocked to other networks. There's also currently no email account setup in the phone.

Any advice?

(If you ask me to specify an OS or version no. please indicate where I might find it (newbie, remember :))

Try the tips in this discussion:
No wifi after jailbreak - iPhone, iPad, iPod Forums at TiPb.com
 
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Thanks - just tried that but there were no wifi networks to delete. I've rebooted several times anyway and it' stil doesn't ever find a wifi signal.

BTW - I should point out it was already jailbroken by the previous owner (not by me when I got it) and he said he had no problems connecting to WiFi with it since he did the Jailbreak.
 
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Thanks - just tried that but there were no wifi networks to delete. I've rebooted several times anyway and it' stil doesn't ever find a wifi signal.

BTW - I should point out it was already jailbroken by the previous owner (not by me when I got it) and he said he had no problems connecting to WiFi with it since he did the Jailbreak.

He may well have been lying. Certain jailbreak methods do cause havoc with wi-fi and even cellular service. Last time I jailbroke my 3Gs, I lost cellular service, and the only way to recover it would have been to flash the baseband with the iPad version. I backed off that. In doing some reading, it appears that the wi-fi loss is a common problem with the Blackrain (however it's spelled) exploit. My best suggestion is to try a free public wi-fi access point somewhere to rule out a problem with your home wi-fi. If it can't connect there, take it back up with the guy you bought it from.
 
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I've tried it in various locations. I'm currently at work with 10 networks showing on my Macbook, none appear on the iPhone.

He could be lying, but he's been pretty honest with other elements of the purchase that he needn't have been (if he was a dishonest character), he's also got 100% feedback, so I'm inclined to think he's telling the truth. I'd rather fix it if poss.

One thing I noticed when it's searching is the rotating 'searching' graphic (the one like the YouTube 'loading' graphic) only appears for 1 second, then disappears for 5 or 6 seconds, then does the same again. Is that normal?
 

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You can always just reset it back to factory reset and see if wifi works or not. If it does then at least you know.

It's not hard to jailbreak, takes less than 15 minutes in most cases. >_>"
 
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Would I lose all the apps that only work via Jailbreak? If so I'd keep that as my last resort.
 
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Right - I finally got a glimpse of a signal for a split second at work, so when I got home I tried using the iPhone right next to my home router, and signal was found right away.

If I move any more than 3 meters away I lose the signal. :-/

Obviously this is still next to useless! Is this likely to be a hardware fault, or could this still be down to it being jailbroken?
 
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Right - I finally got a glimpse of a signal for a split second at work, so when I got home I tried using the iPhone right next to my home router, and signal was found right away.

If I move any more than 3 meters away I lose the signal. :-/

Obviously this is still next to useless! Is this likely to be a hardware fault, or could this still be down to it being jailbroken?

It could be either the hardware or the jailbreak. You won't know unless you do a factory restore and try it the "right" way, or perhaps jailbreak it again using another method. Really though, you need to start a discussion with the seller immediately. Even if he didn't lie about it, it obviously is not working as intended or advertised and he needs to be able to make it right. If you do anything on your own, like tinker with the hardware or un-jailbreak it, then re-jailbreak it, you are likely forfeiting any right to get your money back from him.
 
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Yeah, I think you're right lifesabeach, that's a good point.

I also found out last night switching the mute button on sends the phone crazy (constantly vibrating in and out of silent), and the mute switch is (I think) in the same location as the Wifi antennae. Therefore I think the phone's been damaged by a drop on the corner at some point (maybe even by the courier whilst in transit).
 

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