The 32Gb Compact Flash Ipod
The Concept
Ever since I developed my iFlash – iPod compact flash adaptor, CF card capacities have not been in the same league as the equivalent hard drives. That has now changed with the introduction by A-Data of their new 32 gb Compact Flash Card.
Not only have they managed to get this card into the shops, but they have also priced it so we mere mortals can afford to buy one. At $64 (£35) (Newegg) this is one affordable card.
It was time for me to find out what it would be like to have a 32gb solid state video iPod!
The good, the bad, and the Ugly….
To create this very special Apple Ipod, you need to gather this motley crew of items.
- A-Data 32Gb Speedy CF Card (you can of course use smaller capacity)
- Apple Video Ipod (5g or 5.5g)
- Opening tool
- iFlash – Compact Flash Adapter
For this task I managed to pick-up a faulty 30gb 5.5g Video Ipod off Ebay – suffering from the very common click of death hard drive failure.
The Fitting
Installing the Compact Flash card in to the iPod is a pretty simple operation and normally takes less than 5 minutes to complete.
The hardest part of the fitting is opening the iPod. Place the iPod face up in the palm of your right hand, using the back of your thumb pull the front panel back towards your hand. This will hopefully create a small gap between the front and back panel – enough for you to push the thin end of the opening tool in to.
Pushing the opening tool deep in to the seam, run the tool up and down the side to release the retaining clips. Then keeping the tool buried deep in to the seam, move up and around towards the headphone socket and then down the right side. This should release most of the retaining clips. Using both hands manipulate the front and back till they separate – you may need to use the opening tool to release any stubborn clips.
On separation you need to carefully release the battery connection. This can be done by very gently pulling at the FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) to get it out of the connector. The safer option is to use a small screwdriver or toothpick to lift and release the lock which allows the FPC to slide out with ease. Place the front and back side by side, so not straining the headphone FPC connection.
You can now lift the hard drive away and down to expose the ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector. Using your fingernail or screwdriver lift the black bar on the hard drive to release the FPC, and then carefully remove the hard drive.
Take care not to strain the FPC or ZIF Connector on the iPod motherboard.
The black locking bar on the iFlash ZIF connector needs to be raised before fitting the adaptor in to the iPod. I normally get the hard drive ribbon in to the iFlash connector before pressing the adaptor down in to the iPod. Make sure that the FPC is fully inserted in to the ZIF connector – you can use a small screwdriver or toothpick to gently push in each end of the FPC in to the connector.
Lock the ZIF Connector by pressing down the black bar.
The CF card can now be installed on to the adaptor and the iPod can be put back together, make sure you re-install the battery connection.
I suggest restoring and checking the iPod works correctly before closing up the case.
On initial power-up you will be greeted by the connect to computer warning screen.
On the nextpage I cover the iTunes restore process.
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