Custom ALERT TONE for iphone need HELP please.

Question

I understand how to create a custom TONE as an M4R file and import into itunes into the TONES library.
When i sync my TONES to my iPhone, it lists as a RING tone.
My custom ring tones, which are approximately 10 sec long work just fine when set as my RING tone for incoming calls.
HOWEVER ....
What i am DESPERATELY trying to do is create a custom ALERT tone and have it LIST as an ALERT tone in my phone and NOT a ring tone. Seems custom tones do not work for sms alerts.
I searched EVERYWHERE and can not seem to find an answer. I realize apple wants us all to BUY alert tones, but i should be able to create my own too no?
I created some custom alert tones, approximately 1 sec long each. Converted them to M4R files and sync'd them to my phone.
In my phone they appear under the RING TONES list and not ALERT TONES.
Maybe this dosent matter, however, when i try to set my TEXT ALERT SOUND to one of my custom ALERT tones, they do NOT work. My text messages come in without playing the sound.
Can ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME figure out how to properly create a TONE as an ALERT TONE for my iphone?
HUGE THANKS to ANYONE that can help.

Answer 1

I've never been able to assign custom tones under alerts.  It doesn't matter though as you can assign ringtones as alerts as of iOS 5 I believe.  I had a similar issue with silent alerts, sometimes they would play, other times theywouldn't, but they would always play when selecting them under settings.  Resetting all settings (not content) has so far fixed that issue for me.  Try resetting your settings after you've synced your tones.