There are currently 35 responses to “Apple iPod Classic add an iFlash ??”

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1. 1 On July 15th, 2008, rossaf said:

   How did you deal with the metal clips in the Classic’s case? I bought one for my girlfriend and had the back case powdercoated and laser-engraved, but had to mangle the case in the process. I even called iFixit and they said they hadn’t figured it out yet but would post the instructions when they had. I ended up just forming the case back to how it was, putting it in a belkin clear case, and epoxying it shut…

2. 2 On July 20th, 2008, Tarkan said:

   Sadly or should that be gladly I have not had the pleasure of trying to open one of these yet!!

   I did however open up a 3rd Gen Nano for someone and I had virtualy destroy the rear cover to get it open. At least I got it working for them – except the ugly rear cover!!

3. 3 On August 2nd, 2008, Greg Upton said:

   In regards to removing the backing…I ended up snapping off one of the internal brackets in my efforts to remove the original 80 GB back of the Classic. It still worked fine, and couldn’t be seen from the outside.

   I did however, discover that a 30GB back from the iPod Video was nearly the exact same size as the classic backing (when compared side by side.) The clips appear slightly deeper set into the backing. I suspect this because the clips appear to not anchor as deeply into the frame, and it is removed far more easily. It is still a chore, but I have removed it twice without damaging the backing.

4. 4 On August 11th, 2008, Rob said:

   My technique was from ifixit. I bent the case outwards which subsequently released the clips. I foolishly used small flat screwdrivers which resulted in damaging the aluminum front (as you can see on the photo top right). But it works ok, just make sure the clips are back into position before refitting. I agree, the back does look identical to the 5g ipod video one.

5. 5 On December 5th, 2008, Douglas Coleman said:

   Is there any chance you might come up with a dual slot iFlash so we can use two 32GB CF cards on our 60 GB videos?
   Doug

6. 6 On December 7th, 2008, Tarkan said:

   Very unlikely, the Apple firmware is not master/slave drive aware. Also just in-terms of size cannot see how you could fit two CF cards and the relevant circuitry within the iPod case…..

7. 7 On January 6th, 2009, Macon said:

   any word yet on those high capacity CF cards? :\

8. 8 On January 16th, 2009, Stephen said:

   Hi. I installed the iflash and transcend on my 5th 30g. When I plug it into my computer (I tried 2 different computers), the ipod takes a very, very long time to get recognized. It just seems to hang with the circle/slash. if I unplug the ipod, itunes will suddenly ask me to do a restore of the ipod. Have you seen these symptoms before?

   Thanks.

9. 9 On March 4th, 2009, GOB said:

   Opening this thing is definitely a nightmare. I got it done without mangling it though. I found that a metal sparkplug gapping tool works really well.

   http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-Spark-Gapper-Feeler-Gauge/dp/B0002JML3S

   It’s the only way to get enough pressure on the case. I had to use some sturdy gloves too. The thinnest blades on the feeler gauge will bend into the crack of the case. It will give you enough leverage to pry it. There was some scratching damage from the tool at the starting point but the rest came out fairly well, using some guitar picks as helpers. I got throught the clips with the sparkplug tool. Then I just took them all out. I broke the tab off the face on the top side. Then I took out the entire piece on the bottom of the back. Its still really tight with out the clips. I haven’t tried to open it again but I hope it will be a little easier.

10. 10 On March 20th, 2009, bernardo posada said:

    if you need fotos and instruccions on how to open go to ifix, then do as if you were to buy a hard drive and at the rigth side it will came the instructions. Follow as exactly, i opened mine without notice and break the jack, i have resolded the tracks, but it take me 3 hours with a normal solding gun. so try to follow the instructions exactly. and ……..

11. 11 On April 28th, 2009, Pike said:

    Does the iFlash really work in an iPod Classic 160 GB? The hard drive in this model (Samsung Spinpoint HS161JQ) uses the CE-ATA interface. Different connector, different signaling. Or did I miss something obvious?

12. 12 On May 4th, 2009, Tarkan said:

    Yes it should do – the iPod 120Gb uses the same connection – you will of course have to buy a standard iPod ribbon so it fits in to the iFlash

13. 13 On May 7th, 2009, Racson said:

    i would like to know any list of tested cf card which match with ipod classic…

    coz i have already bought two 32GB cf card and test…both not work with classic…i dont want to waste money anymore..>.<

    any cf card is sure can work great with ipod classic and iflash~

14. 14 On May 12th, 2009, Robbie said:

    I have tested a Kingston Elite Pro 133x 32Gb that I purchased off eBay and can confirm that it works in my 80gb iPod Classic!

15. 15 On May 31st, 2009, lockwood said:

    Would it work with a 32GB SDHC card in a SD-to-CF adapter, instead of a CF card?

16. 16 On June 18th, 2009, Kev said:

    Hi,

    My Cf Adapter came today and did not take any time at tall to get it fitted and running. To my surprise iTunes restored the iPod even though the 8gb Cf card would not work in a 4th Gen 20gb GreyScale. Have not got sound so think headphone cable is not connected properly [me rushing the job!] Great Work

    Kev

17. 17 On July 24th, 2009, andy said:

    HI Tarkan – you mention above getting the correct ‘ribbon’ for a 160Gb Classic – I have your adaptor and the (Samsung Spinpoint HS161JQ) uses the CE-ATA interface and doesn’t fit ?

    where can i get a connector ribbon to get your adaptor to work in a 160Gb Classic ?

18. 18 On July 28th, 2009, Tarkan said:

    Normally pick them up from ebay. They cost around £3-£4, make sure you get the original apple version which has white screen printing on it.

19. 19 On August 3rd, 2009, Sean said:

    Yes Tarkan,

    Thank you for your site and time,

    I just want to reiterate from an earlier post,

    Yes it should do – the iPod 120Gb uses the same connection – you will of course have to buy a standard iPod ribbon so it fits in to the iFlash

    With this in mind I have the 160 GB 6th Generation IPOD that was a paint to open as well I would like to purchase your CF adapter and I will also need the standard IPOD Ribbon Does anyone Know or have a direct link to this one piece I need to have my lovely Ipod work with your adapter. Any information on this would be great and well appreciated.

    Regards,

    Sean Miller
    Las Vegas, NV

20. 20 On August 3rd, 2009, Tarkan said:

    Sean,

    You can pick up the original 5g ribbons from ebay. I have sent you an email with the details of a trusted reseller who also stocks the original Apple 5g ribbons.

21. 21 On August 25th, 2009, Sean said:

    I am currently tryin a 1 gig CF card inside my IPOD. All I get is the apple symbol when I power up and I am not getting that annoying ticking sound that the broken drive used to make. I was wondering should I format my CF card to FAT32 before I plug it into my Ipod? Or is the card unrecognizable or too small in my case? It is just an old school regular SANDISK Cheapie 1 Giger. Thank you.

22. 22 On August 25th, 2009, Tarkan said:

    1Gb is enough to run on the 5g, I would think your problem is that the ribbon cable is has not been inserted fully in to the iFlash zif connector.

    If that is ok – then to check that you can access the CF card via the iPod, before connecting to the computer place the iPod into disk mode (select + play, when the black apple logo appears on the screen).

23. 23 On August 27th, 2009, Sean said:

    Tarkan, I have a real issue here. Issue one being I don’t have a iFlash device I am using a cheapo bought on ebay.I am debating if it the adapter that I purchased to try this experiment. Have many people had this same problem with other cheap Taiwan type pieces? I also have the 6g Ipod that is the 160 gig originally. Can leave some links to show you how I am connecting the devices and waht card I am using. The card is simply not being recognized here. So they way others are making it sound its just a plug and play thing.

    Things I have tried; Changing the ribbon to a different one,re-seating the ribbon on the board and the cf adapter. I still get the RED X on the beginning when I start up the ipod. I will be willing to purchase your Adapter at any rate if this is the issue. I need to find out the problem asap. Also, Do I need to format the card at any point before shoving into an adapter? Thank you so much for your time. One last question. I am from the US what two options do I need to choose to get this shipped as soon as possible?

    http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/lassean1/DSCN3504-1.jpg

    http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/lassean1/DSCN3581.jpg

    http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q85/lassean1/DSCN3576.jpg

24. 24 On August 27th, 2009, Tarkan said:

    Oh ok that might be your problem – them cheapo adaptors have not been designed for iPod use, they are poorly made and on top of that the ZIF connector is designed for a different thickness ribbon.

    I would suggest purchasing the iFlash and giving that a try – I do have a refund policy if it does not work for you.

25. 25 On August 27th, 2009, Sean said:

    I see that you take paypal only and have a 7 day return policy. I would love it if you could tell me what to add to my cart besides the adapter as far as shipping. I will order today when I get back home. Please give me an idea. I would love to have tracking info and your estimated time on shipping to the states. I am on vacation and have this card here on me so I would love to try this experiment as soon as possible. Thank you! I really do appreciate your time concerning this matter.

    SEAN

26. 26 On August 29th, 2009, Pike said:

    I still can’t understand how the iFlash could possibly work in an iPod Classic 160 GB. The interface of this particular iPod model is CE-ATA which uses a flex cable with 18 lines. The iFlash takes an ATA flex cable with 40 lines, right? If this should work, you’d need some kind of 40/18 adaptor cable, which I very much doubt exist since the two interfaces are serial and parallell, respectively, therefore being electrically incompatible. Some clarification would be great. And thanks Tarkan, for all your time and effort putting the iFlash on the market!

27. 27 On August 29th, 2009, Tarkan said:

    Hi,

    Yes you are right the interface is totally different, CE-ATA is based on a psuedo serial / parallel interface.

    The reason why it works is because the iPod motherboard and firmware is the same across the whole Classic range – and currently only the Samsung 160Gb drive is available with CE-ATA interface, while all the other drives Apple use are the Toshiba IDE types.

    The firmware is able to detect which type of drive is being used by the type of ribbon used – hence why if you replace the CE-ATA ribbon with the original IDE ribbon (from a 5g / 5.5g) the iFlash works.

    Hope that helps.

28. 28 On September 1st, 2009, Pike said:

    Wow, that was a surprising and extremely valuable piece of information! Now it all makes sense. And I suppose the right ribbon cable (for the 160 GB Classic, in this case) would be this exact one? http://www.ifixit.com/iPod-Parts/iPod-Video-or-Classic-80-120-GB-Hard-Drive-Cable/IF195-008

29. 29 On December 25th, 2009, Mark said:

    I’m just wondering how Rod did managed to put Lexar Premium Series 80x,

    I have the same configuration: ipod 6th + Lexar Premium Series 80x + Zif to CF v9

    and Does NOT working at all,

    I have tried different CF card – Kingston Elite Pro 16GB 133x

    and Does NOT working at all,

    I have checed on my old ipod 5.5G and all of them working perfect,

    but I think ipod 6th have some software issue (Apple protected business by blocking ipods 6th from mod software/hardware)

    and only apple stuff hardware/software can work now with ipod 6th,

    is anybody at the moment can do something with ipod 6th?

30. 30 On December 28th, 2009, Tarkan said:

    Hi Mark,

    The iFlash and them cards do work in the 6g, but I have had a couple of 6g’s which did not work with the above cards – I think they are either different motherboard revisions or a faulty motherboard.

    Sounds like you may have a bad 6g board.

31. 31 On December 29th, 2009, Mark said:

    Hi Tarkan,

    I have bought same card as on your website to make it work,

    but does NOT work,

    anyway I think must be some apple software protection which we dont understand now,

    I have formated CF card via: PC – fat32, Apple HFS+ Journaled

    using diffrent version of iTunes and platform…

    in my Apple I have got input/output error 1434 – some US forum said that is password protected issue..

    also in Disk Mode – 6th is visible but not possible to format and capacity information is 0(zero) GB

    I’ve done full zero level format… and does not work

    but all works perfect on classic 5th!! no any errors, loops, both on PC and Apple

    when I put my half-faulty HS081HA back to 6th 80gb ipod….it works!! it means board and ribbon is good

    Now, I’ll order SSD to know if any new SSD drive will work…or give 1434 error (apple protection)

    forums said that 6th’s harddrive has got custom made
    firmware to allow work with 6th

    Thanks

    Mark

32. 32 On January 8th, 2010, Mark said:

    Hi Tarkan,

    I just do more testing with Ipod classic 6th,

    as I said before iFlash works perfect with my iPod 5th with any CF which I have got,

    I have tested A-Data ACF16GZ-R 16GB and that one has failed as well with iPod classic 6th

    my iPod classic 6th – MB147 version (Rob puts 8gb lexar but his version is MB147LL and works!)

    what is difference between MB147 and MB147LL from CF compatibility point of view?

    MB147 recognised CF card (cant see red cross, asking for restore) but from disk mode shows 0GB and when try to format form DOS gives IOCTL error, form apple gives: input/output error 1434,

    but HS081HA 80gb work perfect! when I put it back

    Do you have any experience with Classic MB147 80GB,

    is it possible to make work MB147 with CF, which CF card do you recommend by your experience?

    Thank you

    Mark

33. 33 On January 14th, 2010, Galen said:

    Hi Tarkan,

    Impressed with the work you’ve done and are continuing to do, any more news on compatibility with 6G ipod classics? I have a broken one where it seems probable the hard drive has failed.

    Regards,

    Galen

34. 34 On January 27th, 2010, Tarkan said:

    Hi,

    The iFlash works fine in the 6g – many people are using them in there 80gb and 160gb Classics.

35. 35 On February 28th, 2010, Galen said:

    Thanks Tarkan,

    One other query, will the Kingston 32GB 133x CompactFlash card work with the iFlash?

    Thanks in advance,

    G

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