I'm going to do my best to answer all of your questions in order. I don't know how to do multiple quotes in a reply from my iPad so bear with me.
There's probably an easier way to do this, but what I do is I take the end quote (HTML code) and paste it at the end of each blurb that I want to comment on, and the start quote (HTML code) at the beginning. That way, when it posts, it'll only quote what I want quoted at each blurb as I've done here.
For your first paragraph, you are correct. The iPods that have the 128GB limit (80GB and 120GB) will be able to recognize up to 128GB while running the stock firmware.
I may very well start off focusing on making a few 128GB Flash-based iPod classics from these models, if, for no other reasons than (a) I personally don't need larger than that from an iPod classic and (b) used and working 80GB and 120GB iPod classics will probably be easier to find used on eBay for not an arm and a leg (don't you think?).
Though, I guess this begs a more philosophical question:
Buy broken or buy used?
Even beyond that, if the 160GB thin classics are in such high demand right now, wouldn't it be more lucrative to buy them, take them into an Apple Store, pay for them to swap it (assuming it's not covered by Apple warranty) and then take the replacement (an otherwise Apple Certified Refurbished iPod classic) and sell it on eBay to make a killer profit - rather than mod them?
I guess, furthermore, by that token, should I be targeting the 30GB 5th Gen or 5th Gen enhanced iPods instead? I recognize that the firmware is older and there's no Genius support (which I guess debuts in the 120GB classic), but that shouldn't matter much. I'd imagine that it is just as easy to get new front plates for the 5th Gen/Enhanced as it is for the "iPod classic" models?
Second paragraph, yes, Tarkan is very trustworthy and whatever he says works will most likely work for you. He has yet to steer me wrong. As he says, SD will get better battery life than mSATA.
Is there any reason at all to consider a dedicated PATA SSD? Or are they too expensive/obscure? I'd imagine they're not practical for the 256+GB capacities, but how about for 128GB?
Otherwise, are we also saying that SDXC (by way of CF to SDXC adapter) > CF, if given the choice?
Third paragraph, I'm not familiar with the improvements made from one generation to another, but you seem to know what you're talking about.
As best as I can tell the video-capable non-nano/non-touch iPods are as follows:
2005 - 5th Generation iPod (30GB Thin and 60GB Fat)
2006 - 5th Generation Enhanced (30GB Thin and 80GB Fat)
2007 - iPod classic (80GB Thin and 160GB Fat [this being the only one that doesn't use 1.8" PATA and therefore impossible to do storage mods with])
2008 - iPod classic (120GB Thin)
2009 through discontinuation - iPod classic (160GB Thin)
Fourth paragraph, I have never had to worry about the gap on my iPod but if you want peace of mind, there should be a thin layer of foam that comes on the stock HDD that comes in the iPod. You can pull this off and place it in such gap. In addition, I have tried installing the thick back for my iPod Video in order to install a larger 2,000mah battery which was supposed to fit in my iPod but upon attempting installation, I found that it was too thick and I couldn't close my iPod. Personally, I would just stick to the stock battery or a 3rd party clone of the stock battery that you buy on eBay (because you can't buy new original, genuine Apple batteries anymore). Whatever you end up putting in that gap, just make sure that you can still close your iPod.
Really, I don't want any kind of impact or heavy shaking (or who knows what) to cause the Tarkan board and adapted drive/card to dislodge and/or shake due to being lose. Similarly, I want whatever circuit board to be protected from whatever other crap in there that it ought to be protected from. It sounds like this worrying is unnecessary on my part. Really that's all I'm trying to do there. As for aftermarket batteries (which I'd more consider for anything older than a 120GB classic), I was thinking of using the NewerTech Batteries sold from OWC as I remember hearing that they were decent. If the stock battery is rated to last a while, I'll go with that. Or if the knock-off batteries on eBay are reliable, I'll go that direction too. Really, I'm looking to supply myself with batteries that will go for a while. Apple is not going to replace my modded iPod classic should there be a problem, so I want to be prepared for that eventuality and/or rebuild the thing so that I don't have to worry about it.
Fifth paragraph, staying away from fat iPods is a pretty safe way to go. The iPods that you listed are the best ones to choose from when doing this mod. Lastly, your part about "getting your feet wet" with the 80GB or 120GB to 128GB is also all correct.
Sweet. Yeah, I think a thin-only policy makes things a little bit easier. 30GB (5 or 5e) and 160GB (thin classic) if I want larger than 128GB; 80GB thin and 120GB thin if I don't and/or if I want to mod the firmware. That sounds simple enough. Do you have any insight and/or otherwise know what causes the limitation on the 80GB and 120GB classics? I'm sure there's an explanation and it'd be interesting to know for sure.
Sixth paragraph,
1) Buy the adapters directly from Tarkan, buy your SD card anywhere such as a local Best Buy, Amazon, etc., and buy any other parts (new faceplate, new back housing, new battery, etc.) from eBay. I don't have any specific eBay sellers but I usually try and order from sellers located in the U.S. due to shipping speed and ease of communication. Alternatively, instead of ordering the "other" parts from eBay, ifixit.com is a reputable company but their prices are often high.
I see iFlixIt sells the front plate (as well as everything else), but not the back plate. Incidentally, when following noodle's thread (as well as doing a simple search on eBay) there were far more eBay listings for back plates coming from China than anywhere else. Second most common was from Hong Kong, and then a few from the US. Are you saying that I should avoid these other ones? I'd figure that these are the actual OEM parts (seeing as those must've, at some point, been kept en masse in China). Do you have any opinions on those?
At this point, it seems like my fears of ruining the front or back in getting them open are somewhat silly as, even in the best case scenario, it'll still just be better cosmetically to replace the front and the back with brand new plates.
2) I cannot testify to the quality of any specific parts, but I have been ordering off of eBay for a while now and I have never had any bad parts. Just be sure to check the return policy just in case any of the parts are dead on arrival. Most U.S. sellers will be willing to work with you if any parts are indeed defective. Scuffing happens, to stock and aftermarket parts. In my experience, both stock and aftermarket parts "deteriorate" at about the same rate with normal use.
That's absolutely fantastic. I feel like, in that case, it makes sense to stock up on a ton of these parts. That way if any of these frankenPods die, it'll be pretty easy to revive and have it running good as new. I'd imagine that the logic board is typically the last part to die on them, yeah?
3) Depending on the condition of the iPod when you initially buy it, you may or may not have to replace the front and back plates/housings. Since a new front and back together cost about $15, it doesn't really hurt to replace them. Alternatively, if you don't mind waiting, you can always wait to receive the iPod, determine their condition, try to open them, see how much you destroy them, and then order a new front and or back if needed. Also, it is important to note that the plastic clips on the front faceplate of these iPod Videos and Classics have a tendency to break, so in most cases, it is in your best interest to replace the front in order to ensure that the iPod clips shut when you are done working on it. Usually you don't need to replace the back housing unless you simply don't want all of the scratches that the backs of these Videos and Classics are prone to.
That makes sense. I'm also finding that in many of these eBay listings for either broken or used iPods, that the front plate is not in the best cosmetic condition. It'd be nice to replace the center button on the 5th Gen iPods as those get scuffed fairly easily too. I'd imagine that the center button on the classics largely don't get much in the way of serious scuffing.
4) Yes, these parts should be widely available on eBay.
Sweet. Again, from China isn't necessarily a bad thing, is it? Because that's most of the listings?
5) The 5th gens can share backs with each other, but I'm not sure if the 5th gens can share backs with other gen Classics.
That makes sense. I'm guessing that there is a slight difference between the two. It'd be nifty if there wasn't; though it looks like the back plates to either are everywhere on eBay.
6) It isn't hard to replace the front and/or the back. You only have to transplant a few things. Search YouTube for a disassembly video of the 5th gen Video/Classic to see what I mean. Basically, all of the components are in a bundle in the middle and the front and back housings act as the "bread" in this iPod sandwich. Just have to transplant the bundle of components (motherboard) and a few other small things. Not hard.
I haven't watched the video, but just browsing iFixit seems to back this up. That's awesome. Seems like prying it open will be the hardest part, but that there are enough elements to protect me from anything that could go wrong along the way.
7) Replacing the battery is up to you. One tip that I have is that if you indeed decide to replace the battery (which isn't hard to do), since they are only a few dollars a piece, I usually buy 2-3 batteries, install each of them for a few days, test each battery's life and determine which one has the best life. The one with the best life is the one that I end up using. Then I just save the extra batteries for future projects.
What kind of batteries are there? What should I be looking for? I was thinking of getting the NewerTech batteries that OWC sells and primarily for any 5th Gen iPods that I'd be doing rather than iPod classics. Or do you not recommend these? Is there anything I can do to test battery health?
Seventh paragraph, no problem! I am happy to help!
No seriously man, you've been quite helpful. And I'm sorry to keep the barrage of questions coming. I think I'm nearing the end of them.
Eight paragraph, I have had and modded a mini. Just wasn't good for anything, modded or not. Didn't enjoy using it like I do when using my Video.
Yeah, the small monochromatic screen, I'd imagine, would be a bit of an eyesore. I was more curious since it already had the CF slot there. Though it might be too old to be worth it seeing as I'd probably want to replace the exterior and the battery right off the bat (given its age). Realistically, I'm not going to be buying an iPod mini to do this. 160GB classic will be my target for high-capacity and 120GB for low-capacity
though I may very well do 5th Gens in there too. It sounds like I may be doing quite a few of these as, at worst, I may be able to get good money for them and from people that would really get good enjoyment from such a thing.
Ninth paragraph, I know this paragraph is directed at noodle but I think I can help.
1) 256GB backing scan be found on eBay and as made by aftermarket companies. I have used them in the past and, in my experience, they have been just as good as the original backs.
That's fantastic. I'm toying with the idea of buying a lot of like 5 of them. If you have any recommendations as to which listings to do this with, I'd love to see them.
2) Aftermarket parts such as the 256GB back feel just as good as the originals in my opinion. Usually around the same cost as the original parts too.
Again, that's awesome. No reason to not just buy the backs and use them always
the end result will look much nicer, no?
3) Standing by
Tenth paragraph, the SD card route is definitely the best route to go in my opinion as it offers the best battery life and a sizable amount of memory at a reasonable cost. While the 1TB iPod is an awesome concept, I don't even have 1TB of content to fill it with and I don't want to forfeit battery life. Also, as Tarkan explains, syncing large amounts of data to mSATA iPods can result in the iPod battery dying before the sync is completed due to the iPod dying faster than it charges when syncing with iTunes.
No sappy closer to this reply. I'm sick of typing.
Yeah, mSATA sounds like the more experimental approach. Great if the goal is to maximize storage, but not great if the goal is to have something truly solid and robust. Again, while I'm largely leaning toward SDXC, I'm wondering if there's any merit to simply finding a CF card with the right capacity instead of bothering adapting to SD. Similarly, wondering if it makes any sense at all to find a PATA 1.8" SSD.
And no worries man, you've been insanely helpful. If there's anything I can do for you, you let me know.
I was checking Tarkans website since mi iPod Classic died. Then I proceeded to check video tutorials and iFixit and I was almost in dismay when thinking of opening the iPod.
As far as I have seen the back of the iPod has a very big chance of getting deformed. I even saw a video where the guy is pushing the sides of the back casing against a hard surface in order to flatten it again, which he did but not perfectly.
Here is the thing, the back of my iPod is engraved and I would want it to be ruined.
Any experience in this regard? How many chances of deforming the back casing?
Matthew, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that if you are not careful you will likely more mess up the front of the iPod rather than the backing. That said, you could always remove the engraving backing to save as a memento and install a new backing. Not the same, I know, but not bad.
It was a statement. I agree that in many ways the classics are better. I was just giving the op another option.
Oh sure, and I appreciate it. Am also curious mainly from a standpoint of how well it'd work. I very likely won't go the mini route, but I'd be lying if I said that it didn't cross my mind.
Since you have modded the mini, do you know whether it supports 128GB CF cards? I've seen confirmations online that it supports 64GB - but I haven't seen anyone that actually went for the full 128GB.
Would be interested to know this as well...
