Can't make calls with any Orange SIM

[Guest klargon]

Hey dudes. To start with, I'll just make it clear that I have read the FAQ! The problem I have is in the FAQ, but I don't have a solution.

When I got my San Fran over a year ago, I'm pretty sure I registered the SIM online. However, I unlocked it straight away, and used my O2 SIM from then onwards. The problem is that I now need to use an Orange SIM (well, more specifically, the person who bought it from me needs to), and no Orange SIM will allow the making or receiving of calls. I realise from the FAQ that this may be due to a lack of initial activation. I lost the original SIM some time ago. I spoke with Orange both on the phone and in store and they showed the lack of technical knowledge that I expected them to have ("your phone is locked to O2", "unlocking it breaks the phone" and other such drivel). Nobody seems to be able to activate it for me, despite me explaining the problem and solution in detail.

So, I really just want an idea of what I can do to get it to work on Orange. Is there a specific department I can ring for this? I've tried registrations. The problem I have at the moment is I don't have an account with Orange, so they think they can't run diagnostics. I have the original lost SIM number, and an active Orange SIM card that isn't registered in my name, but they don't seem to be able to do anything with either. If I use a friend's SIM and ring them up, do you think they'll be able to activate it?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Guest bladebuddy]

Try buying a new orange sim card, top up and register the card. If that works you can then port your old number over to orange. I did this with giffgaff which by the way is a lot better and cheaper tariff than orange. So if you can receive a o2 signal giffgaff would be the better option.

[Guest klargon]

I still really need help here. I used my friend's SIM and contacted Orange. They confirmed that there is a bar set up with them, but they refuse to lift the bar without me taking a proof of purchase to an Orange shop. I keep any invoices in my email history, and can't see that I ever received an invoice from Orange for the phone. I don't understand how it can be so hard to lift the bar. Anyone have any ideas?

[Guest Andy58]

I still really need help here. I used my friend's SIM and contacted Orange. They confirmed that there is a bar set up with them, but they refuse to lift the bar without me taking a proof of purchase to an Orange shop. I keep any invoices in my email history, and can't see that I ever received an invoice from Orange for the phone. I don't understand how it can be so hard to lift the bar. Anyone have any ideas?

If you paid with plastic, find the statement that shows the payment.

[Guest klargon]

Sorted it! Went for the brute force approach of just trying as many people as possible until one did it. 3 phone calls, 2 emails and 4 live chats later, I finally managed to get someone to remove the bar. There's no way it should have been that difficult!

[Guest Carbonize]

Trust me Orange are a right pain in the arse which is why as soon as my contract ended I told them where to shove it and went to giffgaff.