Need help making "Frankenpod"

[aerlenbach]

I have a 10 GB 1st generation iPod. The one where the spin wheel really spins. It still works, except the battery is basically useless, and non of my computers have a firewire port that old.
What I want to do is "upgrade" it, by taking parts from a newer iPod, and integrate it inside of the old iPod. I want to use the iPod nano 4th generation, install the screen, and the innards in the old iPod, and make it so it looks the same from the outside, but runs like the iPod nano. I want the wheel and buttons to still work, and the headphone jack.

I'm willing to do anything and everything to make this idea a reality. Please, can anyone help me? Thank you very much.

-Æ

[alust2013]

That's simply not possible to do. The screens aren't the same shape, the scroll wheel wouldn't work with the nano's guts, and the switches and ports wouldn't line up on the logic board. I think about the best you can do is get a new HDD and battery, and then figure out the software issues from there.

[aerlenbach]

Would it be possible to do if I used any of the newer iPods? I just want a better quality screen if I can't have the features of a new iPod.

[alust2013]

Not likely. A new screen would require a different version of the OS, and that would require a new logic board, which may or may not fit, and certainly wouldn't work with the mechanical wheel.

[aerlenbach]

And you don't think there's any possible way to make the scroll wheel work with a newer OS?

[chown33]

How good are you at reverse-engineering embedded firmware?

[Consultant]

Most Apple computers have firewire 800. It can be used with Firewire 400 in the old iPod.

2 things you can do
- replace battery
- replace drive to CF card or similar flash memory card

[aerlenbach]

I've never reverse-engineered firmware before, but I'm willing to try.

How would I go about changing the iPod from having a hard drive to having flash memory?

[jared_kipe]

I've never reverse-engineered firmware before, but I'm willing to try.

How would I go about changing the iPod from having a hard drive to having flash memory?

He was joking.... mostly

[aerlenbach]

From what I've gathered at the University that I attend, the biggest problem that I would have is to make the operating system from the new iPod work with the scroll wheel and have it function properly. Do you think it is possible to have the scroll wheel work with a newer OS?

Alternatively, if I can't create this Frankenpod, does anybody know if this iPod 1st gen would work with iTunes 10.1.2? and if it can't, does anyone know how I could make it work?

[iMacC2D]

The iPod First Gen does work with iTunes 10.1.2. I still sync mine (a First Gen 5GB) with it on a regular basis.

Personally I think hacking a newer board into an iPod 1G would be next to impossible, if not for the connectors, the firmware and the internal device compatibility, you still need to cut the case to fit a dock connector in, and block off the FireWire port on the top (or leave it, it just won't work). A lot of custom case fabrication involved.

That and iPod 1Gs could be worth something down the track. I use mine regularly but keep it well protected at all times, so if it doesn't go up in value it's no big deal, but if it does I won't be complaining.

[psjj]

Haa!!!

That would be a 5G ipod inside the case and one of those dock adapter to USB link and with a home made fake firewire to usb cable.

Still have to figure out a mechanical link between the original clickwheel and 5G's one.

Then we have a scroll wheel iPod with color VDO :eek:
Off to ebay for the parts.......

Thanks for a great idea.

[aerlenbach]

Then we have a scroll wheel iPod with color VDO :eek:



That's my dream, but it sounds like it would be impossible. If the iPod still works on iTunes, I think I'm just gonna get a converter and some replacement parts and upgrade the SOB.

[Petered]

I'd rather be pushing flowers then be in the Pen sharing showers.