RonDutt, thanks for the quick reply. For some reason I couldn't find the original post, so your borrowed one was a huge help earlier. I've forced the phone into 1X mode following the HiddenModeOperation regkey from
here.
When you say the hardware button combo, do you mean the one from
here? After my previous bad experience with different forms of hard resetting, I can never be too careful.
I'll keep trying the hard reset, browse, soft reset, etc pattern you mentioned. Are my settings listed under "Security" ok? I assume it'd do me no good to be attempting using an incorrect login. Also, do I risk being banned or anything from trying too many times? I'm right in downtown Boston so coverage is not an issue.
Also, when I did *228, option 3 to get the phone working, it said my phone was already listed, so I'm going to assume that means the ESN/MEID is already in the system. I'm a bit confused by what you said about trying with a friend's phone though. If I activate another phone in place of my phone, won't that de-list my phone, keeping me out of the system permanently?
Thanks for the help so far!