iPod Finished upgrade of 7.5 gen iPod Classic (See Pics) UPDATED 01.24.15

Way To Go Nood!

Nice Work.

Are u using Windows or OSX? What file format did use for the SD and which application?

I'm going to start sourcing the parts for this mod.

noodles5666 said:

Just got my thick back 1TB replacement metal back. Time to work on turning my other 7.5G iPod Classic into a 1TB ALAC Monster with 2,000mAh battery. Probably won't get started until January though, still reconverting my music to 320Kbps .mp3 for the 256GB Classic.

Click to expand...

Did u order order that battery from China? I ordered one with the thick back for mine. Going to do the mSATA mod probably 500GB.

noodles5666 said:

I ordered mine directly from the guy in China. He is on the Headfi boards. I already had the thick back with the 1TB markings on it.

Image

Click to expand...

Where did you get those backs from?

Installing an SSD into an iPod Classic in place of the hard drive

Hey all,

I'm kind of a noob here, but pretty much just the opposite
when it comes to the topic of this thread.

Props to Noodles for their nice job they did on their ipod.
I like to 1TB backings you have there. I haven't inquired
about those yet, but I see they look nice.

Well while I was just reading some info on this site
I stumbled upon this thread and another of interest.

Here's some pics of this latest project I've done.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/131371374@N08/

It's a 7.5G Ipod Classic 256GB mod. (I could have went
the 512GB or 1TB route, but opted for the 256gb for
the time being with this one.)

I did this mod with a gold faceplate, red clickwheel,
gold center button, thick gold U2 back plate, a 7.5G
motherboard (7th gen thin 160gb board), a Tarkan
SSD iFlash adapter, Samsung PM851 256GB SSD,
and lastly a 1900mah battery, (which is why I went
with the thick back plate with this one. With this
battery it's a tight fit, but pretty much a perfect
fit at that.)

The Tarkan SSD iFlash adapter is simply plug
and play. I hooked everything up, powered it
on for the first time and it instantly said to
connect to itunes and restore. Hooked up to
computer, restored through itunes and it was
ready to load. I personally have never used
Rockbox yet, but am going to get into that
very soon, or at least check it out. I've been
so consumed in the hardware side of it all that
I simply haven't had a chance to mess with
the software side, other than using itunes.

I'm in the process of testing the battery in it now
to see what type of play time it's capable of getting.
Word has it that with this type of set-up and ssd,
I believe it has the capability of possibly 100 hours
of continuous playtime off of one charge. We'll find
out and if anybody is interested I'll post results.
I believe by using a 256gb SSD versus a 512gb
improves battery run time per charge. It doesn't
take up as much juice to start up the 256gb ssd
versus the 512gb. Pretty much the same as in
comparing MPG in a car with a 4 banger vs. a V6
or something like that anyways. The bigger the
memory of the SSD, the more memory chips it
has on it and thus more wattage to fire it up
each time.

Honestly, with this type of set-up in this ipod,
if taken care of under normal operating conditions,
I see no reason why this ipod could last at least
10 years, including the battery. In reality the only
thing even remotely in the future that would need
to be changed would be the battery or headphone
jack. All else is solid state and should be good to
go for a long time to come. You'd truly not have
to buy another ipod for a long time to come.

With that being said, this is simply one of the best,
if not the best type of upgrade you can do to an
ipod, hands down. Doing a mod like this is basically
the same as if you were to upgrade a desktop or
laptop computer from HDD to SSD. There is no
comparison between the two. The ipod is much
more snappier, as Noodles stated I believe.

I have not experienced one bit of lag from it at all,
it's simply non existent. The lag/pause that you would
experience from a regular ipod is basically the MB
waiting for the HDD to search (and load) music into
buffer. The best thing about the 7G MB is the fact
that it has a 128mb buffer on board, compared to
the 5th gen 30gb only had a 32mb buffer, while the
5th gen 60gb & 5.5 gen 80 gb both sported a 64mb
buffer. If you wanted to do an upgrade like this I
suggest you either use a MB with the 64mb buffer
or the 7th gen 160gb MB with the 128mb buffer.

If any of you have any questions or what not,
I'm sure I can be of help, please ask away and
I'll get back with you as soon as possible.

Check out the pics and let me know what you
think about this mod. Much appreciated.

PS. sorry so long and winded. I get to typing about
this stuff and forget when to stop

Ipod Classic 7th gen 256gb SSD Mod - Gold U2 Version

Ahhh, ok, figured out how to upload and imbed pics...

here you go for anybody interested.

Hit me up with any questions you may have.
I'd be more than happy to help you out if you'd like.

Ipod Collector said:

Hey all,

I'm kind of a noob here, but pretty much just the opposite
when it comes to the topic of this thread.

Props to Noodles for their nice job they did on their ipod.
I like to 1TB backings you have there. I haven't inquired
about those yet, but I see they look nice.

Well while I was just reading some info on this site
I stumbled upon this thread and another of interest.

Here's some pics of this latest project I've done.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/131371374@N08/

It's a 7.5G Ipod Classic 256GB mod. (I could have went
the 512GB or 1TB route, but opted for the 256gb for
the time being with this one.)

I did this mod with a gold faceplate, red clickwheel,
gold center button, thick gold U2 back plate, a 7.5G
motherboard (7th gen thin 160gb board), a Tarkan
SSD iFlash adapter, Samsung PM851 256GB SSD,
and lastly a 1900mah battery, (which is why I went
with the thick back plate with this one. With this
battery it's a tight fit, but pretty much a perfect
fit at that.)

The Tarkan SSD iFlash adapter is simply plug
and play. I hooked everything up, powered it
on for the first time and it instantly said to
connect to itunes and restore. Hooked up to
computer, restored through itunes and it was
ready to load. I personally have never used
Rockbox yet, but am going to get into that
very soon, or at least check it out. I've been
so consumed in the hardware side of it all that
I simply haven't had a chance to mess with
the software side, other than using itunes.

I'm in the process of testing the battery in it now
to see what type of play time it's capable of getting.
Word has it that with this type of set-up and ssd,
I believe it has the capability of possibly 100 hours
of continuous playtime off of one charge. We'll find
out and if anybody is interested I'll post results.
I believe by using a 256gb SSD versus a 512gb
improves battery run time per charge. It doesn't
take up as much juice to start up the 256gb ssd
versus the 512gb. Pretty much the same as in
comparing MPG in a car with a 4 banger vs. a V6
or something like that anyways. The bigger the
memory of the SSD, the more memory chips it
has on it and thus more wattage to fire it up
each time.

Honestly, with this type of set-up in this ipod,
if taken care of under normal operating conditions,
I see no reason why this ipod could last at least
10 years, including the battery. In reality the only
thing even remotely in the future that would need
to be changed would be the battery or headphone
jack. All else is solid state and should be good to
go for a long time to come. You'd truly not have
to buy another ipod for a long time to come.

With that being said, this is simply one of the best,
if not the best type of upgrade you can do to an
ipod, hands down. Doing a mod like this is basically
the same as if you were to upgrade a desktop or
laptop computer from HDD to SSD. There is no
comparison between the two. The ipod is much
more snappier, as Noodles stated I believe.

I have not experienced one bit of lag from it at all,
it's simply non existent. The lag/pause that you would
experience from a regular ipod is basically the MB
waiting for the HDD to search (and load) music into
buffer. The best thing about the 7G MB is the fact
that it has a 128mb buffer on board, compared to
the 5th gen 30gb only had a 32mb buffer, while the
5th gen 60gb & 5.5 gen 80 gb both sported a 64mb
buffer. If you wanted to do an upgrade like this I
suggest you either use a MB with the 64mb buffer
or the 7th gen 160gb MB with the 128mb buffer.

If any of you have any questions or what not,
I'm sure I can be of help, please ask away and
I'll get back with you as soon as possible.

Check out the pics and let me know what you
think about this mod. Much appreciated.

PS. sorry so long and winded. I get to typing about
this stuff and forget when to stop

Click to expand...

WOW! Congratulations for the awesome job there!
It looks amazing.

I am also a noob here, and a noob on the subject as well.

I am experiencing problem with the HD of my 7th gen iPod (the last one before it was axed) and I came here for help. It looks like you are the one who could help me.

I would like to change my 160 gb HD into a 256 gb flash memory.

I am no expert in hardware or software so I would need a step by step guide for dummies on how to open my ipod (tools, procedure), on where to buy what I need and how to install everything.

Do you think you can help me get my ipod back? and upgraded?

You need to grab Tarkans iFlash Bundle (iFlash v3 + SD Adapter v7) and a 256GB SDHC card. Now, you can get yourself a cheaper generic adapter on eBay but the one from Tarkan are special made for the iPods.

While you're at it, you can replace the battery with a fresh one.

rgarjr said:

You need to grab Tarkans iFlash Bundle (iFlash v3 + SD Adapter v7) and a 256GB SDHC card. Now, you can get yourself a cheaper generic adapter on eBay but the one from Tarkan are special made for the iPods.

While you're at it, you can replace the battery with a fresh one.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, mate.

any raccomandation for the 256GB SDHC card?

Do I simply open the ipod, remove HD and insert the iflash bundle + the card and close it?

noodles5666 said:

I used the PNY 256GB SDXC card in both my iPod Mini and 7.5G iPod Classic mods.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply.
And that is compatible with the Tarkans iFlash Bundle (iFlash v3 + SD Adapter v7)? cos it's not listed on their website among in their compatability list..

Aik82or said:

WOW! Congratulations for the awesome job there!
It looks amazing.

I am also a noob here, and a noob on the subject as well.

I am experiencing problem with the HD of my 7th gen iPod (the last one before it was axed) and I came here for help. It looks like you are the one who could help me.

I would like to change my 160 gb HD into a 256 gb flash memory.

I am no expert in hardware or software so I would need a step by step guide for dummies on how to open my ipod (tools, procedure), on where to buy what I need and how to install everything.

Do you think you can help me get my ipod back? and upgraded?

Click to expand...

Hey Aik82or,

I got your message also, but I see that a couple of other very helpful people
took a moment to give you a reply before me.

Honestly, I just wanted to add that, unless you are good at electronic stuff like this,
I'd leave this type of upgrade up to the pro's, just in case so you don't damage the
ipod you currently have. Not saying that you can't do it, but it's a bit more difficult
to do than you may think, or a lot of patience is needed at least. You have an ipod
that is worth $100 even with a hard drive going bad in it.

Second, I'd like to add that even though I haven't gone the SD route as others have
explained already, I will say that I personally went the SSD mSata route when modding
ipods and have found it to absolutely work great if you're using the right parts.

For those of you who have gone the SD route, what issues have you had to overcome
with using SD cards, if any ? Please post if you don't mind. I haven't priced SD cards
lately but will have to take a look at current prices. If there is a big difference in price
with the SD cards versus SSD, that even though I can't make a good judgement call
on which is the better route, I'd say that SSD is also a good option route to go also.

Ipod Collector said:

Hey Aik82or,

I got your message also, but I see that a couple of other very helpful people
took a moment to give you a reply before me.

Honestly, I just wanted to add that, unless you are good at electronic stuff like this,
I'd leave this type of upgrade up to the pro's, just in case so you don't damage the
ipod you currently have. Not saying that you can't do it, but it's a bit more difficult
to do than you may think, or a lot of patience is needed at least. You have an ipod
that is worth $100 even with a hard drive going bad in it.

Second, I'd like to add that even though I haven't gone the SD route as others have
explained already, I will say that I personally went the SSD mSata route when modding
ipods and have found it to absolutely work great if you're using the right parts.

For those of you who have gone the SD route, what issues have you had to overcome
with using SD cards, if any ? Please post if you don't mind. I haven't priced SD cards
lately but will have to take a look at current prices. If there is a big difference in price
with the SD cards versus SSD, that even though I can't make a good judgement call
on which is the better route, I'd say that SSD is also a good option route to go also.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, mate. I am in contact with Tarkan and he has been kind enough to help me too. I am no expert, you're right, but I have patience and will to learn, so I will give it a careful try. I read that the most difficult part is opening the iPod, so I might look up for help or assistance by somebody about that.

I ordered the iflash bundle. And I also found the memory card only on amazon.com which might come with custom's fee here in the EU. The price is not bad though and I read online that is probably the best to use with the iflash.

noodles5666 said:

The ONLY issue I have seen with going the SDXC route it the inability to use the 2000mAh battery. But for me that is a non issue as I prefer the thin back look anyway. I currently have a 256GB ($88) and a 512GB ($600) card in my 2 Classics and a 256GB in my 2G Mini. I also prefer the stability that SDXC offers over mSATA.

Click to expand...

What type of stability issues do you know of with the mSATA's ?

I've been using my 5.5g with a Samsung 256gb mSATA ssd for the last
2 months with no stability issues whatsoever, other than the minor fact
that it sometimes needs a reboot. Other than that, it's been working great,
better than I thought it would myself.

Most of the stability issues that people might have from using a mSATA drive
is simply from not using the right sized battery for the memory size they
are using. Under powering the mSATA will definitely lead to power corruption
loss, especially when syncing. But if you have the right sized battery to match
with the memory size of the mSATA being used, I'm sure that the ipod can
bring you years upon years of trouble/issue free operation, especially in the
7th gens.

$600 for a 512gb is ok if ipod is just for your own personal use, but to
actually assemble mods for resale for the price difference between the
2 mediums, mSATA is most definitely the route to go, especially when
pairing the mSATA to Tarkan's adapters, hands down. They're very
efficient and not to mention very fast when it comes to syncing it.

My 7.5g ipod will sync at an average of 6-7 megs a second, and that's
loading it on usb 1.0. I'm using a 1900mah battery in it which just ran
for over 110 hours of continuous play on one charge. That's impressive
to say the least, not to mention not one single hiccup in the process.
Playing a playlist with 4000 tracks in it, the ipod made it up to 1769
tracks before the battery finally died.