How to get the phone open?

[#1]

Hi,

I just got an Xperia Mini and I have inserted my SIM-card and I am currently charging the battery with power on, but when I click the power button and the lock-screen appears the bar I am supposed to slide over to open is colored grey and I can't move them. The display says "SIM card locked" and I cant't do anything. If I hold the power button for some time I can't even select an option in the menu that appears.

Have I misunderstood something or is this not normal behaviour. I am going to return it if this is how things are from start-off.

Help is greatly appreciated, and YES, the sim card works a charm in my old phone and it is open in all ways possible.

[Annie]

Hi,

Please let us know if you purchased the phone from the SIM card provider, if not, the phone might be locked to a specific network and you may have to contact that provider in order to unlock the phone. Also, have you tried another SIM card in the phone? Have you tried starting the phone without a SIM card to see if it works? Awaiting  your reply.

[#3]

No, I have purchased the phone on it's own, but the phone won't work "alone" either, without a SIM. It starts as it should but I can't move the unlock slider and no parts of the screen seem to interact with the movement of my finger. I can adjust the sound level via the physical buttons, otherwise it seems locked. I think I will return it as it seems there are a lot of trouble with these phones.