IPhone 3gs says no service and cannot activate it.

I am trying to activate my iPhone 3gs and it says 'No Service' and when connected to iTunes it says that there is no sim card installed. I think it is on i.o.s 5 but not entirely sure as i bought it off of eBay and fixed it.
When i try to activate it on wi-fi it says the activation server is currently down.
Thanks for any advice you could give me on how to get it working

Here's what you do
1.Make sure your phone is not plugged into the computer.
2. Put the iPhone into recovery mode (this is NOT DFU mode). Do this by
     a). Hold down both the power/sleep button and the home button until the screen turns black/off
     b). As soon as this happens release the power button but NOT the home button
     c). If done correctly then the Apple logo will appear, KEEP HOLDING THE HOME BUTTON and eventually a connect to itunes graphic will appear. You can release the home button
3. With the connect to itunes graphic on the screen, plug your phone into the computer. iTunes will start up if it is not already on, and then will say the phone needs restoring. Ignore this and COMPLETELY quit iTunes.
4. With iTunes off and the graphic still on the phone screen, hold down both the power/sleep and the home button again for 9 seconds (count 100, 200, 300...) or until the screen goes black
5. When the screen goes black release the home button straight away.
6. It will start up with the iPhone activation screen ignore this. iTunes should have started up, if not do so. Go to the iPhone tab and either resotre from backup or set up as a new phone.
You're welcome

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    1.Make sure your phone is not plugged into the computer.
    2. Put the iPhone into recovery mode (this is NOT DFU mode). Do this by
         a). Hold down both the power/sleep button and the home button until the screen turns black/off
         b). As soon as this happens release the power button but NOT the home button
         c). If done correctly then the Apple logo will appear, KEEP HOLDING THE HOME BUTTON and eventually a connect to itunes graphic will appear. You can release the home button
    3. With the connect to itunes graphic on the screen, plug your phone into the computer. iTunes will start up if it is not already on, and then will say the phone needs restoring. Ignore this and COMPLETELY quit iTunes.
    4. With iTunes off and the graphic still on the phone screen, hold down both the power/sleep and the home button again for 9 seconds (count 100, 200, 300...) or until the screen goes black
    5. When the screen goes black release the home button straight away.
    6. It will start up with the iPhone activation screen ignore this. iTunes should have started up, if not do so. Go to the iPhone tab and either resotre from backup or set up as a new phone.
    You're welcome

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    2. Put the iPhone into recovery mode (this is NOT DFU mode). Do this by
         a). Hold down both the power/sleep button and the home button until the screen turns black/off
         b). As soon as this happens release the power button but NOT the home button
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