this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2023

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123

Revived my beloved iPod Classic Gen5 30GB with a 64GB SD Card (i.imgur.com)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Gorroth to c/apple_enthusiast

31 comments fedilink hide all child comments

In the last years I read already a few times about the iPod now being super upgradable to an SSD or micro SD nearly as big as you want.

Source: https://hackaday.com/2022/02/16/classic-ipods-are-super-upgradeable-in-2022/

So I looked up the parts already a while ago on Amazon, but they were pretty expensive, so I decided to wait or don’t do it. But a few weeks ago I saw one part being available on AliExpress, so I instantly looked up the other parts and ordered (round about 30€). See below for part links (just for example). Last week all parts arrived and I started my project and put everything together. If you also want to do that, here is a link on how to dis-/assemble the iPod:

https://de.ifixit.com/Anleitung/iPod+5.+Generation+(Video)+HDD+durch+CF+oder+SDHC-SDXC+Speicher+ersetzen/7492

As I wanted to minimize the risk for shorts and loose parts inside, I 3D-printed two thin layers of TPU to place between adapter and backplate and between adapter and board.

I then assembled everything (without closing the case!) and restored the iPod using my old MacBook (2013 - running macOS BigSur). I restored the partition in finder and then restored the iPod with Apple Music. Tried with windows first, but couldn’t get it to work. Works like a new one now! Definitely recommend if you have one laying around.

Ask me if you have any questions :)

The printable case I made is available for free here:

https://www.printables.com/de/model/554008-ipod-classic-5g-30gb-case-with-hexagon-back

Parts:

CF to microSD Adapter:

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32969402274.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.24ce72daqORMJv&browser_id=962e1e44ceee4c6c9d9c6091befb193d&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=eeceeeccdcbefbd189fa2949ff11243daa41127157&gclid=&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%219.07%217.26%21%21%219.67%21%21%40211bda9b16921191572525772d071f%2166649911527%21sea%21DE%213959202765%21&algo_pvid=9e3d8cec-8d2d-457c-99ab-488d594cf9ec&_universallink=1&m_page_id=eeceeeccdcbefbd189fa2949ff11243daa41127157

CF Upgrade Card:

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32841639355.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.24ce72daqORMJv&browser_id=962e1e44ceee4c6c9d9c6091befb193d&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=eeceeeccdcbefbd189fa2949ff11243daa41127157&gclid=&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%212.61%211.83%21%21%212.78%21%21%40211bda9b16921191572525772d071f%2165127709746%21sea%21DE%213959202765%21&algo_pvid=9e3d8cec-8d2d-457c-99ab-488d594cf9ec&_universallink=1&m_page_id=eeceeeccdcbefbd189fa2949ff11243daa41127157

Shell replacement (optional):

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004601572132.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.1b1f5f7afDD4iS&browser_id=962e1e44ceee4c6c9d9c6091befb193d&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=eeceeeccdcbefbd189fa2b5ca820dc6e624e22d6eb&gclid=&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%2119.77%2119.77%21%21%21153.63%21%21%40211beeec16921192993844874d0775%2112000029788970474%21sea%21DE%213959202765%21&algo_pvid=6d6d105c-ec1e-4187-b4e6-45f1a85b0999

Edit/Update:

I made a dock for it, that works with the charging/sync cable and fits my case.

Here are the print files for the dock:

https://www.printables.com/de/model/555680-ipod-dockstand-for-gorroths-tpu-case

Edit/Update 2:

I now also made a storage/travel box you can 3D-print available to download here:

https://www.printables.com/de/model/565265-ipod-classic-5-box-inkl-kabel-management-airtag-ed

Look at my post on the box here for details:

https://lemmy.world/post/4144089

all 32 comments

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[–] Dougtron007 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is super awesome. I’ve always wanted to do like a 1tb personal music archive one with a huge battery. The enclosure makes this one extra special.

[–] Gorroth 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thank you! Yes I too wanted to have my local music library on a portable device. That’s the reason I never threw away my iPod even though the HDD was defective since like 2010. I always thought :“one day…“ and now I am super happy :)

[–] Dougtron007 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I wish the zune community was this extensive, maybe it is? I loved the zune too, honestly didn’t get the tribalism towards one or the other. An og model zune with a massive battery and some flash would be very cool.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I absolutely love my Zune HD but I'm not going to be upgrading the hard drive on it. My iPod classic was an easy upgrade

[–] Dougtron007 2 points 1 year ago

Did you ever use windows phone by chance? It was so beautiful and surprisingly easy to navigate. It was very inspired by the Zune design language.

[–] Gorroth 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hmm… The zune never was a big thing in Europe, so I never actually saw one in real life. But as far as I know the memory-chip is soldered on, so I don’t think there is an easy way to upgrade. The battery is said to be replaceable though. I don’t mind what hardware one is using. It has to fit your needs, not everyone’s. For me the iPod was the one thing I always had with me since I got it in 2005(?), so for me there is a heavy nostalgic factor that got me to do this.

[–] Dougtron007 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I know it’s off topic but I’ve always thought it would be cool to put a MacBook into a transparent plastic shell.

[–] Gorroth 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You mean like those old GameBoys? The bottom side would look pretty cool, but i could imagine the back of the display would look a bit boring. But that sounds like an interesting project. Do such shells even exist?

[–] Dougtron007 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have no idea, I feel like the screen would be tough as it’s pressed with glass and the keyboard is riveted in I believe. It would probably be more doable for older iBooks and MacBooks that are plastic.

[–] Gorroth 1 points 1 year ago

Hmm… yes you are probably right. There are DBrand decals that look like the interior, but I know that’s just not the same…

[–] LazaroFilm 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Awesome! Next update should be USB-C

[–] Gorroth 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks! Actually I looked up if that’s possible somehow, but unfortunately it seems not. Or at least not in an easy way

[–] LazaroFilm 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I mean the pins are there. You would need to des older the connector and install a female USB-C one with 4 pins. Something like this. Then you’d likely need to print some holder/cover. For it.

[–] Gorroth 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes you are right. Designing a holder or cover for it to hold it in place wouldn’t be a problem for me once it’s soldered in (especially as there are two little screws holding a plastic surrounding of the 30pin I could repurpose). But I don’t have the tools and skill to solder something that small…

[–] LazaroFilm 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I see, the connector is soldered to the main board directly, you’d need to desolder it which is a risk. Second best is to take an old docking cable and change the USB-A to USB-C… also digging into that connector pin out… it’s crazy! It has USB, FireWire, analog video and analog audio out!!! No wonder it had so many pins!

[–] Gorroth 2 points 1 year ago

Yep I saw that when it was disassembled. But as I use this one with my 2013 MacBook Pro, which has USB A Ports I think I’m good for now :)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Looks great! The iPod modding scene is alive and well. eBay is full of used/for-parts pods that often require a simple battery replacement to get up and running again. My favorite website for aftermarket parts and accessories is Elite Obsolete Electronics.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Good write up. I imagine most people interested in iPods know about him but for those that don't DankPods has a lot quality entertaining videos on modding iPods.

Here's his 1tb iPod video.

[–] Gorroth 2 points 1 year ago

Thank you! Actually I didn’t know him, thanks for adding a link!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Looks great.

[–] Gorroth 1 points 1 year ago

Thank you :)

[–] TCB13 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Why did you pick that CF to micro SD instead of this https://www.iflash.xyz/store/iflash-solo/ ?

[–] RunningWolfie 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Why did OP pick a $6 one over a $30 one?

[–] Gorroth 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Yep you’re right :) I wanted to spend as less money as possible. And even with the 6$ card the iPod feels way faster than before. I don’t need 1TB for my music library, so that setup was the best choice for me. I also had a 128GB microSD laying around, but 64GB is more than enough for me.

[–] TCB13 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Thanks for the feedback, I own a classic 6th gen and I was looking into possible upgrades. Your solution might be best for mine given the low cost and the limitations my iPod has:

The 6th Gen models (80Gb/120Gb/Thick 160Gb) are limited to LBA28 addressing by Apple, so these models will only show and use up to 128Gb of the storage installed

I'm not sure, however, if the ZIP/CF adapter fits inside my iPod (https://yuuiko.github.io/iPodGuide/iPodGuidev2-1.pdf) there are thinner and thicker versions of the iPod and I believe mine if the thinner one. Controversially there's also this guy here https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/458929/Installing+a+CF+drive+in+iPod+Classic+6th+Gen

Anyone reading this with a iPod classic 6th gen that did this upgrade? Any feedback?

[–] Gorroth 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Do you own some calipers? If yes you could measure the thickness. If it’s as thick as the 5G (30GB, which is the thinnest of the 5th gen), then I don’t see a reason why it shouldn’t work. And if you „have nothing to loose“ I would suggest just opening up your iPod and have a look at the internals. This way you can compare the different cf cards and look for one that has the same connector as your iPod. There are many on AliExpress you could choose from. Pretty sure that can be done somehow :)

[–] TCB13 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm waiting on the tools to open it as I also have to replace the battery. I'll see then what can be done.

[–] Gorroth 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’ll keep my fingers crossed! When everything arrived and you need further help, feel free to ask :)

[–] TCB13 2 points 1 year ago

Thank you.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I just did this one and it's absolutely perfect