Installing iPod Classic Hard Drive

Installing iPod Classic Hard Drive

Upgrade your storage with a new hard drive.

Tools used in this guide : 1.5" Thin Putty Knife , Metal Spudger , Spudger , iPod Opening Tools

Parts relevant to this guide : iPod Classic 80 GB Hard Drive , iPod Classic 160 GB (Thick) Hard Drive

Step 1 — Battery

Apple designed their new iPods to be very difficult to take apart without destroying major components. Because of the metal faceplate, the metal backing, and the 13 (yes, 13) metal clips holding the case together, this is one of the toughest iPods to disassemble. Proceed with caution and the warning that you may significantly damage your iPod beyond its present condition. Also, you may want a few extra pairs of iPod opening tools during installation, as they are easy to ruin when opening the iPod. Have fun!

Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position.

Step 2

Opening this iPod is challenging. Don't get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened. One thing to notice is the angle of the plastic iPod opening tool's tip while inserting it into the iPod. Ideally, the angle should be as vertical as possible while still clearing the edge of the rear panel.

Insert a plastic iPod opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod.

Step 3

Insert another plastic iPod opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod, leaving at least 1.5 inches of space between the two tools.

Step 4

At an angle, carefully insert a putty knife about 1/8 inch into the seam between the two opening tools.

There are thin metal rails running along the inside of the rear panel, so take great care when inserting the putty knife.

Once the putty knife has cleared the lip of the rear panel, pivot the putty knife so that it is vertical, and carefully (but firmly) wiggle it straight down into the gap between the iPod opening tools.

Step 5

Push with your fingers on the rear panel behind the putty knife to minimize bending. Slowly flex the putty knife, as shown in the picture, to ensure that most of the metal tabs on this side of the iPod are disengaged.

The theory behind this method is, rather than attempting to not bend the rear panel at all, to bend it in a favorable manner that allows you to easily restore it later. Therefore, any bend in the sides of the rear panel should be drawing the lip of the rear panel away from the iPod, rather than pushing out on the curved surface. This method also disengages as many of the side clips as possible.

Step 6

Remove the putty knife from the iPod and reinsert it closer to the corner of the iPod, using the same wiggle method as before.

If at all possible, do not bend the corner of the rear panel.

Step 7

Near the headphone jack, insert an iPod opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod.

You may find it easier to carefully flex the putty knife downward in order to create more of a gap for the iPod opening tool, but be sure not to bend the corner of the rear panel!

Step 8

Near the center of the display, carefully insert a metal spudger into the gap created by the iPod opening tool.

It is easy to create a noticeable bump in the rear panel here that is difficult to repair. When prying the tab free, try to have the metal spudger pivot on the edge of the rear panel rather than bending the rear panel outward.

Using the metal spudger, disengage the single clip on the top of the iPod.

Step 9

Near the other top corner, insert an iPod opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod

Step 10

On the other side, insert an iPod opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the iPod.

You may find it easier to angle the iPod opening tool stuck in the top corner in order to create a sufficient gap.

Step 11

Remove the iPod opening tool from the top corner and insert it into the seam between the front and back of the iPod, leaving at least 1.5 inches of space between the two tools (as done on the other side).

Step 12

At an angle, carefully insert a putty knife about 1/8 inch into the seam between the two opening tools.

Again, there are thin metal rails running along the inside of the rear panel, so take great care when inserting the putty knife.

Once the putty knife has cleared the lip of the rear panel, angle the putty knife so that it is vertical, and carefully (but firmly) wiggle it straight down into the iPod via the gap between the iPod opening tools.

Push with your fingers on the rear panel behind the putty knife to minimize bending. Ever so slightly flex the putty knife to ensure that most of the metal tabs on this side of the iPod are disengaged.

Step 13

The metal clips near the corners are notorious for tenaciously gripping the front panel. It is necessary to disengage these clips in order to open the iPod.

Carefully insert a metal spudger into the area near the stubborn metal clip.

Step 14

Gently wiggle the metal spudger down so that it is all the way in the rear panel.

Step 15

Gently begin to disengage the clip from the front panel.

It is easy to create a noticeable bump in the rear panel here that is difficult to repair. When prying the tab free, try to have the metal spudger pivot on the edge of the rear panel rather than bending the rear panel outward.

Step 16

Continue to push up on the front panel with the metal spudger until the metal clip releases.

Step 17

There are two ribbon cables connecting the rear panel to the rest of the iPod. In the following step, be careful not to damage these ribbon cables.

Grasp the front panel assembly with one hand and the rear panel with the other.

Take a deep breath!

Gently (GENTLY) disengage the remaining clips on the rear panel by pulling the tops of the front and rear panels away from each other (think of the bottom of the iPod as a hinge), taking great care not to damage the ribbon cables holding the two halves together.

Step 18

Use a spudger to slide up the connector holding the orange battery ribbon in place. You only need to lift the locking bar up about 2 mm to free the cable.

Slide the orange battery ribbon out of its connector.

Step 19

Place the rear panel next to the iPod, being careful not to strain the orange headphone jack cable.

Step 20

Lift the hard drive up with one hand so you can access the headphone jack ribbon beneath.

Use a spudger to flip up the plastic tab holding the headphone jack ribbon in place. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.

Slide the orange headphone jack ribbon out of its connector.

The rear panel is now free from the iPod.

Step 21

Now to repair the damage caused by liberating the internal parts of the iPod Classic! It is highly likely that at least one of the metal clips in the lower case has been bent upward. These clips must all be pointing downward in order to reinstall the rear panel.

Step 22

Take the broad, flat side of the metal spudger and push the clip down, taking care not to tear the thin metal rail from the rear panel.

Be careful not to damage any of the headphone jack parts while shaping these clips!

Step 23

On a clean, hard surface, lay the rear panel on its side. Carefully but firmly push down on it, rolling the entire lip side back into its proper spot.

It may be necessary to do this multiple times in order to achieve optimal straightness on the sides. It is better to have the edges of the case pushed in slightly too far rather than not far enough, because the reseating of the front panel will bend the rear panel into its correct alignment.

Now that the rear panel is back to a beautiful condition, you can move on to repairing the iPod!

Step 24

Rotate the hard drive out of the framework and place it so that the connector is facing up.

Use a spudger to flip up the plastic tab holding the orange hard drive ribbon in place. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.

Step 25

Slide the orange hard drive ribbon cable directly out of its connector.

If you are replacing the hard drive in your iPod and it did not come with the rubber mounting brackets and foam padding, transfer these items from your old drive to the replacement drive.

Installing iPod 5th Generation (Video) Hard Drive

Installing iPod 5th Generation (Video) Hard Drive

This guide shows how to remove the hard drive from an iPod Video.

Tools used in this guide : iPod Opening Tools

Parts relevant to this guide : iPod Video 30 GB Hard Drive , iPod Video 60 GB Hard Drive

Step 1 — Case

Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position. The slider should be all the way to the right if your iPod is facing you.

Step 2

Opening the iPod can be challenging. Do not get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened.

Free the first retainer clip on the bottom of the iPod using the large iPod opening tool. The tool's edge should point towards the metal back case to prevent scratching the plastic front.

Step 3

There are five retaining clips on each side of the iPod. The large iPod opening tool will be used to separate the plastic front from the metal back of the iPod.

Insert the large iPod opening tool into the left side of the iPod, with the edge of the tool pointing towards the metal back.

Gently enlarge the existing crevice by wiggling the large iPod opening tool and moving it to the left.

Continue doing so until the entire side of the iPod is loose.

You can then insert the small iPod opening tool near the Hold button. Be very careful while inserting the tool, as the display is very fragile.

Step 4

Gently glide the small iPod opening tool on the top of the display, making sure to free the retaining clips.

The other sides of the iPod should now easily come loose. If they do not, use iPod opening tools on the right side of the iPod in the same way as on the left side of the iPod.

Separate the front of the iPod from the back about an inch (or a couple of centimeters).

The iPod casing is now open, but don't completely separate the two halves just yet. Two ribbon cables are still connecting the back panel to the rest of the iPod.

Step 5

Use a small iPod opening tool to slide up the brown connector holding the orange battery ribbon cable in place. You only need to lift the brown connector up about 1-2mm to free the cable.

Make sure to slide the brown connector directly upwards. The connector is frail and will break if it is accidentally shifted to the side.

Remove the cable from the connector.

Step 6

You should now have one orange ribbon cable still attaching the front case to the back.

At this point you are able to remove and replace the blue rubber bumpers, or continue with separating the case.

Step 7

Lift up the hard drive to expose the headphone jack ribbon connector (indicated by the yellow box).

If the hard drive bumpers come loose, make sure to put them back with the notch as shown in the picture.

Step 8

With the small iPod opening tool, gently lift the brown tab of the headphone ribbon cable connector. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.

Using your fingers, pull out the headphone jack ribbon cable.

Step 9

The front and back of the iPod should now be completely separated.

Step 10 — Hard Drive

Use a small iPod opening tool to release the black hinge holding the hard drive ribbon cable. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees towards the logic board, releasing the ribbon cable.

Use your forefinger to hold the ribbon cable in place; disconnect the drive from the ribbon cable.

Make sure the hard drive rubber side bumpers are attached to the drive being installed. Use the hard drive rubber side bumper installation guide to accomplish this task.

If necessary, the blue foam padding on the hard drive might also need to be transferred to the replacement drive.

Installing iPod 4th Generation or Photo Hard Drive Cable

Installing iPod 4th Generation or Photo Hard Drive Cable

Connects the hard drive to the logic board.

Tools used in this guide : iPod Opening Tools

Parts relevant to this guide : iPod 4G Hard Drive Cable

Step 1 — Rear Panel

Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position. The orange bar should be visible, indicating hold is active.

Step 2

Opening the iPod can be challenging. Don't get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened.

Insert a large iPod opening tool into the seam between the plastic front and metal rear panel of the iPod, near the headphone jack. The tool's edge should point towards the metal rear panel to prevent any accidental scratching of the plastic front.

Run the tool along the top seam toward the upper left corner of the iPod. Press the tool into the corner, creating a small gap on the side of the case.

Step 3

Push the large iPod opening tool into the upper left corner of the iPod, creating a small gap along the side seam.

Step 4

There are five retaining tabs on each side of the iPod.

With the large iPod opening tool still inserted in the top seam, press a small iPod opening tool into the gap you just created.

Run the iPod opening tool down the side seam, releasing all five tabs.

It may be necessary to wiggle the tool while working your way down the seam to free all the

Step 5

Run the iPod opening tool around the lower left corner of the iPod and along the bottom seam to free the two retaining clips near the dock connector.

Step 6

Run the iPod opening tool around the lower right corner and slide it down the right side seam to free the five tabs holding the iPod together. You may be able to free the tabs by gently wiggling the front panel of the iPod.

Step 7

The iPod case is now open, but don't separate the two halves just yet. There is still an orange ribbon cable connecting the headphone jack to the logic board.

Open the case like a book with the dock connector edge at the top, and lay the rear panel next to the front half of the iPod.

Step 8

Use a plastic tool or your fingernails to carefully disconnect the orange headphone jack cable. Be sure to pull straight up on the connector, not the cable itself.

Step 9 — Hard Drive

Grasp the hard drive with one hand and carefully disconnect the orange ribbon cable from the hard drive using your other hand.

If the cable doesn't come free easily, it may be helpful to gently wiggle the cable from side to side.

Step 10 — Hard Drive Cable

Peel up the black adhesive strip covering the hard drive ribbon cable.

Step 11

Use the tip of your finger or a spudger to carefully flip up the black connector securing the hard drive cable to the logic board.

Step 12

Pull the orange hard drive cable directly out of its connector.