Rescue A Pod

[iMac600]

Working for an Apple dealer has several perks. Occasionally we get some damaged or outdated hardware that customers have given us to dispose of. I haven't come across much in the way of Macs, but there's quite a bit as far as iPods go. There's a damaged iPod Nano 1G there, along with a 5th Gen iPod in several pieces. We don't fix these.

However, I do.

In the box, the first one I noticed is a white 20GB 4th Generation iPod. At first, I thought the hard drive was failing since it would power up, but would crash with a Sad iPod error. After giving it a good charge, the hard drive finally kicked over and booted into the iPod OS. The problem isn't with the hard drive, it's with the battery. Picture a car with a flat battery, the engine trying to start but failing to do so. This is the same case.

The condition is too good to throw it out, so i'm ordering a new battery. The total cost of repairs comes out to $30.



I'll look at the 5th Gen iPod next week.

 

[kvanderlaag]

Aw, sweet. I want a first-gen iPod because I'm a big fat weirdo.

 

[jwmcfarlin]

That's good action, there. I have a circa 2005 30GB iPOD that I replaced the battery in, and then like an idiot let drop to no charge and sit there, so I'll be doing that again sometime. These little machines have good longevity--mine went to Iraq with me twice and until the battery gave out was doing fine.

Best,

John

 

[LCGuy]

Very nice, I have the exact same model, but a 40GB. Got it new back in 2005 and its the only iPod I need to this day, as much as I'd love a Touch I think I'll just wait till the HDD goes in my 4G

 

[iMac600]

Just to follow up, the issue does in fact seem to be the battery. To dive in with a little more detail, the iPod starts up with the Apple logo and spins up the hard drive. At the point where the drive begins to unpark the head, the entire unit shuts off and the hard drive re-parks. All because a running circuit board, hard drive motor and head mechanism all exceed the current output of the battery pack and charger combined. (I would assume even when charging, the iPod uses a little more kick from the battery to unpark and move the arm and heads)

The iPod Video in the parts bin at work is finally back together, but the screen is shattered (including the spare unfortunately), the hard drive is stuffed and the battery won't retain a charge. I threw it back in the box and left it at that.

 

[Byrd]

I've the same still in daily use - a 40GB 4G like LCGuy. Does all I need, and USB 2.0 and FW support is excellent. Hard disk has stiction problems, but I've a bung 3G 40GB iPod (dead battery) in waiting should it ever curl up and die

 

[iMac600]

Just a follow up, I changed the battery over with a 900mAh replacement from Jaycar electronics. After a couple of hiccups starting the hard drive again (went over the ribbon cable, reseated), it's finally up and running. Charging now.

Total cost of this iPod is $23.

What still needs to be fixed, one logic board screw needs to be replaced and the outer case needs to be polished up a little.

From daily iPod, to years in the garbage boxes, to here where it's overhauled and cleaned up. Another Apple device bought back from the edge.

 

[Mars478]

Would you be willing to send me the motherboard from the 5th gen iPod? I would like one for a project