iPod Resurrection with CompactFlash, Part 2

It's alive!!! Muahahaha....

Well folks, the iPod project is finally complete, and I'm happy to report that the operation was a success! For those who need reminding, the hard drive inside my old iPod (bought in 2006) died earlier this year, and I got the idea from some web articles to replace it with a 32GB CompactFlash card, with the help of an adapter.

But first a relatively brief run down on what took so long to get it done... A few things, really: First, once I initially opened up the iPod, I figured out that I'd purchased the wrong type of adapter to install the CF card with. That turned out to be an easy fix, as I contacted the Amazon merchant I bought it from, and they graciously and easily arranged for an exchange for what I needed. Secondly, not 15-20 minutes after realizing I had the wrong adapter, I messed around and broke the connection that attaches the hard drive ribbon cable to the iPod's logic board. More specifically, I accidentally tore the dang thing off! That pretty much ruined the logic board, so that sent me on another online search for someone who sold replacements. That search led me to iRepair.com, which offered one at a fair price. Thirdly, after the new parts arrived... I got caught up in other things in life, I suppose. Then this past week, I got into some weird sleep patterns, causing me to find myself awake way earlier than I wanted to be. Since I was up and about by 7 a.m. yesterday with not much to do, I figured it would be a perfect time to see if this project was finally going to work...

Let's get it started

The actual job itself was about as straightforward as one could hope for, as long as you start out with the proper tools, which I fortunately did. Since messing around with logic boards was new to me, I looked for some help, which I found at iFixit, another helpful site for do-it-yourselfers. The job started with opening up the iPod (again) with my plastic "spudgers"; special tools that allow you to open the case without scratching or otherwise damaging it. They usually come in a pack if you purchase a new iPod battery, which I was replacing as well, since I had the thing opened up anyway.

Opened up, minus the battery

Once opened, the Torx T6 screwdriver was all that was needed to remove the old logic board. Screws removed, I then had to remove two ribbon cables from the logic board - one connected to the iPod display, the other to the click wheel. There's actually a third, the one that would be connected to the old hard drive that I previously mentioned. But since that was the connector that I ruined, the cable was already out. I always try to learn from my mistakes, so this time I was VERY careful with the other connectors, haha.

Left to Right: iPod screen, top shell, old logic board

Installing the new logic board was a simple reversal of that process. From that point I installed the new battery, which simply consisted of plugging the connector into the logic board, and setting it in place. Next was attaching the CF adapter to the hard drive ribbon cable, then inserting the card into the adapter. That was pretty much it, other than closing up the iPod. Not much to it at all, except...

New battery, logic board and CF adapter installed

Since the CF card took up considerably less physical space than the hard drive, it sort of rattled and flapped around inside, when you shook it. To remedy that (and avoid any potential disconnections from vibration), I re-opened the iPod, cut out a small piece of cardboard to use as a cushion, taped it to the inside of the iPod's metal back cover, and closed it up once again. Sure enough, that did the trick. There's a noticeable difference in weight; the iPod definitely feels lighter in my hand without the hard drive in there.

CF card installed and cardboard in place

Once all re-assembled, I fired it up, and I got the initial Apple logo on the screen that told me that it was powering on, at least. Then my only concern was to see what it would do once I connected it to my Mac. Once connected, the computer recognized it right away, giving me a screen in iTunes, wanting to "set up" the iPod. A text field on the screen said "TRANSCEND" for the "name" of the iPod, which is the actually the brand name of the CF card inside.

Plugged in

I changed the name to "Scott's iPod" - obvious, but works for me.  Anyway, once I clicked "Done", I noticed oddly that it was reporting being formatted for Windows.  I can only guess that since most (if not all) media cards are formatted for use with Windows, that's what it chose for the iPod.  However, to avoid any potential conflicts in syncing with my Mac, I decided to "restore" the iPod, and see if that fixed the formatting. I did so, and the computer instructed me to disconnect the iPod and connect it to an external power charger to complete the process. Connected to the charger, the screen showed the Apple logo once again, along with some weird progress bar at the bottom. Once it was done "progressing", I re-connected it to the Mac, and the format showed up as "Macintosh", this time.

iPod set up & ready to go!

To test it out, I transferred over some Al Green music. Transfers were nice and speedy. Operation of the click wheel through the menus was fine as it was before, and music played just like it should. I haven't connected it to my car stereo yet, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work there as well.

Installing a flash-based memory card with no moving parts, this iPod should last me years and years to come. Battery life should be much improved as well, as it was never all that great when running on the original hard drive. I'm really glad that this worked out though, mainly because I'm attached to this particular model of iPod. Since it's an older model, it's perfect for use in my car. No more carrying around a boatload of CD's!

Besides, in the very near future who knows, one may not even be able to purchase an iPod that only plays music. I also own an iPod touch, which I like a lot. The extra features of this iOS-based iPod (wi-fi, e-mail, web, apps) make it very powerful and useful in many ways. But I suppose I'm "old-school" as well, being the kind of person that prefers simplicity in many cases. A great device that performs one task very well, suits me just fine. An iPod touch in the car would be definite overkill. With the iPod touch at home, and my newly resurrected 2006 iPod in the car, it seems I will once again have the best of both worlds.

Success...