iPod Classic Repair

Identification and Background

iPod Classic

Released in September 2007, the iPod classic sported a thinner body and dramatically increased battery life. The case of the iPod classic is clad in shades of anodized aluminum with a chrome rear panel and was offered in sizes of 80, 120, and 160 GB.

Use the iPod identification system to help you identify your iPod. They tend to look very similar, and it's important to know which one you have before ordering any replacement parts.

The iPod Classic looks like the 5th Generation iPod, but with a metal front case and multiple case color options. Troubleshooting and replacing parts is somewhat complex, but we have made it easier below.

Note: There are two versions of iPod Classic: thin and thick. The thin version refers to the 80 GB, 120 GB, and thin 160 GB models. The thick version refers to the thick 160 GB model. If you are unsure which 160 GB version you have (as some parts are not interchangeable between models), perform the following steps:

1) Locate the serial etched on the rear panel of the iPod

2) Go to Apple's Online Service Assistant and enter your serial number and country

3) Look at the text under the picture on the left. If it reads "iPod Classic," you have the thick version. If it reads "iPod Classic (Late 2009)," you have the thin version.

iPod won't turn on

No matter what you do, you can't get your iPod to turn on.

Hold switch on

Before delving into the guts of your iPod, check to make sure the hold switch isn't activated. If the hold switch is on, the iPod will ignore any input on the click wheel and refuse to do anything. If your iPod's problem isn't so easily solved, read on.

Drained/bad battery

If your iPod won't turn on, especially if it has not been used recently, you may simply have a drained battery. Plug your iPod into your computer or AC adapter and see if anything happens. Ideally your iPod will recognize it has been connected to a power source and charge its battery. If it will no longer charge, the battery must be replaced. We sell replacement batteries for both thin and thick iPod Classics.

Bad display

It is possible that it appears nothing is happening because the display is bad. If you hold the iPod up to your ear you should be able to hear the hard drive spinning. If the iPod sounds like it is working properly but nothing is visible, it is possible the display is bad and must be replaced.

Bad logic board

If your iPod does nothing when plugged into a computer, the problem most likely lies in the logic board. We stock logic boards, and we offer the instructions for installing them.

Bad click wheel connection

If the click wheel is not seated correctly, it is possible that the iPod will not boot. Be sure that the bar on the click wheel is completely flipped down to ensure a positive connection.

No audio or distorted audio

Your iPod turns on and appears to work, but when you plug in headphones or speakers, the audio doesn't play properly.

Bad headphones/speakers

It's unlikely your headphones or speakers are bad, but it's worthwhile to eliminate these as the source of your problem at the beginning. Try your iPod with another set of headphones or speakers just to make sure that the problem is with the iPod.

Bad audio jack

The most likely cause of audio output problems on iPods is a bad audio-out jack. We sell the thin and thick headphone jacks, and we offer free guides for replacement.

Restore icon on startup

Your iPod displays the text "Use iTunes to restore" on startup

Corrupted software

It isn't often that Apple gives specific directions about how to fix your problem! Restoring the iPod will erase everything on it, so make sure everything on the iPod is stored elsewhere prior to restoring. To restore, connect your iPod to a computer with iTunes installed. Upon connecting, a message may pop up, informing you that your hard drive is corrupted and/or in recovery mode. If one of these messages pops up, click the "Restore Now" button and follow the directions. If no pop up message appears, click "Restore" on the iPod summary page (click on your iPod icon on the left menu to find this page). Follow the directions to restore. If your iPod displays the text "Please wait. Very Low Battery," leave it plugged in. This charges the iPod enough to be able to restore. If the iPod hangs on this screen for long periods of time, you may need a new battery.

Bad hard drive cable

It is also possible that the sad iPod icon is caused by a bad hard drive cable. In this instance, re-connecting or replacing the hard drive cable (thin or thick) first is a good idea.

Bad click wheel connection

If the click wheel is not seated correctly, it is possible that the iPod will go to this screen. Be sure that the bar on the click wheel is completely flipped down to ensure a positive connection.

Bad hard drive

If checking the connections does not work, you may have a bad hard drive. If no information is being sent to the iPod from the hard drive, it makes the iPod quite unhappy! Note: iPod Classics have unique connectors, and only specific hard drives will work in them. Browse our hard drives (thin or thick) and check out our iPod ID page for compatible drives.

Bad logic board

If attempting to restore the iPod and diagnosing the hard drive and connections does not fix the problem, the issue is probably the logic board.

Sad iPod icon on startup

The iPod displays an image of a sad iPod when turned on

Corrupted software

Sometimes, a reset and restore will fix a sad iPod. Connect your iPod to your computer and use iTunes to restore the iPod. Restoring the iPod will erase everything on it, so make sure everything on the iPod is stored elsewhere prior to restoring. Sometimes it may be necessary to restore the iPod several times before it works properly. If you are unable to restore your iPod using iTunes, you can hard reset your iPod. iPod Classics can be hard reset by booting while holding the menu and play/pause buttons. This should result in a quick dark screen followed by the standard Apple boot graphic.

Bad hard drive

It is also possible that the sad iPod icon is caused by a bad or poorly connected hard drive. If no information is being sent to the iPod from the hard drive, it makes the iPod quite unhappy! Note: Video iPods have unique connectors, and only specific hard drives will work in them. Browse our hard drives (thin or thick) and check out our iPod ID page for compatible drives.

Bad battery connection

Another potential issue is the battery's connection to the logic board (a bad battery should not cause this error, however). To test this, carefully detach the battery and re-connect it to the logic board.

Bad logic board

If restoring the iPod and diagnosing the hard drive and battery connection does not fix the problem, the sad iPod is likely caused by a problem with the logic board. There's not much to troubleshoot here. Basically, the only option is to replace the logic board.

Folder icon appears on startup

The iPod displays an image of a folder when turned on.

Bad hard drive or cable

One of the best methods to diagnose a failing hard drive is to listen to the drive. If you put your iPod up to your ear, you should hear a smooth-sounding whirr of the hard drive spinning. Any loud clicking or grinding sounds may mean that your iPod's drive is failing. If you don't hear anything, the drive is not getting power or is very damaged and can't spin up.

One possible way of predicting whether the hard drive or cable is the culprit is to watch what happens when the iPod is attempting to boot. If the iPod goes from the Apple logo to the folder icon almost immediately, the cable is most likely at fault. In this instance, re-connecting or replacing the hard drive cable (thin or thick) first is a good idea. If the iPod hangs on the Apple screen for a few seconds before displaying the folder icon, the hard drive is probably the problem and must be replaced.

Note: Video iPods have unique connectors, and only specific hard drives will work in them. Browse our hard drives and check out our iPod ID page for compatible drives.

iPod doesn't boot past Apple logo

The iPod either boots to an Apple logo and freezes or continuously reboots.

Bad logic board

This is likely the cause, and the logic board must be replaced.

Nokia 6500 Classic disassembly

Nokia 6500 Classic disassembly

Tools required: Torx 5 screwdriver & small flat head screwdriver or some kind of metal lever

First remove the battery cover, battery and memory card.

Run your fingernail around the edge of the join of the top cover to unclip it then remove this part.

Now remove the camera surround. It'll be stuck down with double sided tape so just peel it away. Also remove the clear camera window, indicated by the arrow. Your phone should now look like below

Push the front cover up the remove it. It'll just slide off.

Your phone will now look like below.

Use a metal lever like a flat head screwdriver to pop the LCD frame out. Use the lever on both sides of the phone.

Pull the LCD frame towards you. You'll now be able to access five screws which hold a metal plate in place. Unscrew these and lift away the metal plate to access the connector from the LCD. The LCD will still be attached to the phone at the bottom by a ribbon which attaches like a plug and socket. Just lift this up to unplug it.

You'll now have the LCD frame (and LCD) removed.

The LCD will easily pop out of the frame and allow you to replace it. Reverse the whole procedure for reassembly.

Nokia 6220 Classic disassembly

Nokia 6220 Classic disassembly

Tools required: Plastic shim such as a credit card or guitar plectrum

First remove the battery cover, battery, sim and memory card.

You now need to remove the front cover. It's held on with clips around edge. Run something like a credit card all the way around the join of the front cover and it'll unclip.

You should now have the cover removed, like below.

Next release the keypad. It's held on by four clips: one on each side and two at the bottom of the phone.

Lift the keypad up (it'll still be attached at the bottom) and you'll reveal a ribbon connector coming from the LCD (circled). This attaches like a plug and socket. Simply lift it up to unplug it. Now slide your credit card under the LCD to release it (it's stuck down with a tacky glue at the bottom).

You should now have the LCD screen removed. Reverse the whole procedure for reassembly.

Nokia 6124 Classic disassembly

Nokia 6124 Classic disassembly
Tools required: Torx 6 screwdriver, plastic tool such as a credit card or guitar plectrum

First remove the battery cover, battery, sim and memory card.

Run your plastic tool around the edge of the join of the camera surround to unclip it.

With the camera surround removed your phone will now look like below.

Slide your plastic tool underneath the keypad to unclip it.

Now lift away the keypad. It'll come away without much force.

Run your plastic tool around the join of the front cover to unclip it.

Your phone will now look like below. Remove the six screws you can see.

Lift the main body of the phone away from its chassis. The metal LCD frame should be loose. Pull this towards you.

A ribbon, circled, connects the LCD to the circuit board. This attaches like a plug and socket. Simply lift it up to unplug.

You can now remove the LCD and replace with new. Reverse the whole procedure for reassembly.

Nokia 6120 Classic disassembly

Nokia 6120 Classic disassembly
Tools required: Torx 6 screwdriver, plastic tool such as a credit card or guitar plectrum

First remove the battery cover, battery and memory card.

Run your plastic tool around the edge of the join of the front cover to release it.

You should now have the front cover removed. Remove the six screws you can see.

Lift the main body of the phone away from the rest of the housing.

Lift the LCD frame away slightly. It will still be attached by a ribbon at the bottom so don't try and remove it completely, just lift it up enough that you can access the circled ribbon connector. This attaches like a plug and socket. Just lever this up to unplug it.

You should now have the LCD screen removed. Reverse the whole procedure for reassembly.

Nokia 3500 Classic disassembly

Nokia 3500 Classic disassembly
Tools required: Torx 6 screwdriver

First remove the battery cover, battery and sim card. Next remove the two screws you see

Run your fingernail all the way around the join of the front cover to unclip it.

Your phone will now look like below. Now remove the four screws you can see.

Remove the main board from the housing.

The LCD is held in place by a metal frame which is held to the PCB with clips around its edge. Unclip the frame but be aware that the LCD is still connected by a ribbon in the top right corner. The LCD is held in the frame by one clip on each side. Release these clips.

You should now have the metal frame removed and the LCD will still be attached to the circuit board of the phone.

Turn the circuit board over. A small metal box surrounds the ribbon you need to unplug to release the LCD screen. This box can unclipped with a fingernail.

Your phone should now look like below. The ribbon you need to detach attaches like a plug and socket. Simply lift it up to unplug it.

You should now have the LCD screen removed and you can replace it with your new LCD. Reverse the whole procedure for reassembly.

Nokia 3110 Classic disassembly

Nokia 3110 Classic disassembly
Tools required: Torx 6 screwdriver

Remove the battery, back cover and your memory card.

Now remove the front cover by running your fingernail around the join.

Your phone should now be in two parts, like below. Remove the six screws you can see.

Now lift the circuit board from the chassis of the phone.

Turn the circuit board over. You now need to remove the small metal box, indicated by the screwdriver, which covers the connector from the LCD screen. Pry it away with your fingernail.

You should now have this metal part removed allowing access to the ribbon connector.

Turn the circuit board over again and lift the metal frame, which holds the LCD screen, away from the phone, allowing you to unplug the connector. It attaches like a plug and socket. Simply lift it upwards to unplug it.

You should now have the metal frame and LCD screen removed.

Now lever apart the edges of the metal frame to release the LCD. You can now replace the LCD screen with new. Reverse the whole procedure for reassembly.