Help Any ROM over 2.2 (froyo) wont detect SIM?

[doctorwhobbc]

Im fine using 2.1 eclair and i get the standard NO SIM icon in notification bar when theres no sim and then when i insert sim i get signal as usual. However whenever i flash a ROM that updates android to 2.2 above (also tested 2.3) instead of getting the NO SIM icon i just get a NO SIGNAL cirlce with line through side, even when sim is inserted.

I am not on AT&T, the phone is unlocked to work in my country. The frequency my network operates at is 850/2100 but that shouldnt matter, it should still say NO SIM instead of NO SIGNAL.

i went to #*#*4636*#*# and a few things i want to mention are...
Signal strength: 0 dBm 0 asu
GSM servie: emergency calls only
GPRS service: disconnected
Network type: Unknown
GSM disconnects:
========DATA========
StateDcinactive state
disconnected with last try at 6:59PM
fail because no error
========DATA========
StateDcinactive state
disconnected with last try at 6:59PM
fail because no error
========DATA========
StateDcinactive state
disconnected with last try at 6:59PM
fail because no error


There is a thing down the bottom called "set preferred network type". its currently at unknown, but there is the option of GSM/WCDMA (my network). How do i change to GSM/WCDMA, everytime i select something, as soon as i close the service menu it resets to unknown.
There is also a field called SMSC with an empty value.

another confusing thing to add is whenever i goto the service menu (*#2263#*) there is no options to select, but when im on 2.1 stock there is things like auto, gsm etc.

Any help?

Thanks