iPod iPod mini questions

I got a few mini questions. I did a preliminary search but nothing really came up. Other than the gig difference what were the other difference between gen1 mini and gen mini? How easy is it to open up an iPod mini? And lest say I replace the hd it came with. How would I load or copy the firmware over to the new hd? Would I just download something off the net then install load it on the hd then install it on the mini or is there another way to do it? Final question I thought I remember seeing in a mac magazine that there was a upgrade battery for the mini? Is this correct or was that for another iPod model?

BTW: ipod linux vs rockbox which is an all around better software for ipods?

P.S. other than ebay where would be the best place to purchase a working solid condition mini for low price? Thank you.

Well thank you. What is a good place to get a gen2 that not ebay? Also how hard would it be to swap out hds? I want to install a 16gig CF card in one. So what should I be doing to make sure it is installed and the firmware works. Should I instal the firmware to the CF card and then instal the card or do I have to like copy it from the original hd to cf card via coping software(is it called ghosting?)? Thank you.

greg555 said:

I'm not sure where the best place to get a mini is.

This guy upgraded a mini to 16GB with a CF card: http://geektechnique.org/projectlab/759/the-ipod-mini-remastered-now-with-16gb

Greg

Click to expand...

Very good news thank you.

How can I tell the difference between the 1st and 2nd gen?