iPod Mini Hacking

[Die Frau]

Since there seemed to be a fair bit of interest in this, I figured I would write this up as a how-to/progress report.

I picked up my iPod Mini from Ben yesterday. It is in better than good shape, esp. considering the age. It is a 4GB model, and after checking it out, everything seems to be in tip top shape. $40.00 is Pretty much the going rate for these - some crazy people try to sell them for north of $250 claiming they are 'vintage'...

http://a2.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/dsc_05231f4280.jpg

http://a1.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/dsc_05272c4b6e.jpg

http://a5.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/dsc_052932c9cf.jpg

So, the idea is to re-fresh it and increase storage capacity. 4GB is great when you are 12y.o. and just have the entire catalog of Backstreet Boys to worry about fitting in your device. For the rest of us who would like to fit more than 400 songs we need to fix this.

Now, I could go out and buy a fancy new iPod. But that is not as fun. Also, the way I use it, I literally load it up, put it in the glove box and will probably only touch it 1-2 times per month. I will handle all control through the U.I. on the Alpine deck. Also, it is fun... did I say that?

So this might be a little slow moving, I think Tracy is getting me some of the supplies for Christmas, but I will keep you guys in the loop and up to date.

Here are the players...

A new case? $15.00 from ifxit.com This is silver, would mach the car so I can be über nerdy... I am also thinking about polishing the case I have and then maybe sending it down to Mean Dean to powdercoat in maybe a black-chrome...

http://www.ifixit.com/iPod-Parts/iPod-Mini-Casing-Silver/IF196-020

http://a1.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/picture14de70.png

Maybe a new battery? $15.00 from ifixit.com. I am not sure I really need this, as it is always plugged into a 'charger' in the car... but we will see.

http://www.ifixit.com/iPod-Parts/iPod-Mini-Replacement-Battery/IF196-016

http://a5.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/picture2faece.png

And finally, the 32GB Compact Flash from Newegg.com. You can buy better cards, with higher read/write speeds and better brands, but you really don't need to. The cheap ones transfer and play just fine. This on is $60.00 right now. When the 64GB come out and are more affordable, the Mini will go under the knife again.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211244

http://a5.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/picture3ec0e6.png

This is the process I will be using more or less:

http://geektechnique.org/projectlab/753/how-to-turn-your-ipod-mini-into-a-flash-based-ipod

The mini you start with does not even need to be in great shape to do this, in most cases you just need the dock connector, click wheel, and logic board to work. It can be damaged, broken screen, bad battery and still be just fine for this application.

[paulzeee]

good stuff. i wish i didnt throw my iPod mini out the window on my way to troll

[mattdesmond]

Looks like an awesome project!

[JK9K]

Kick-ass!

I'm going to have to try this, since I never felt the need to get a different Ipod other than mine being full. I only use it with my Alpine head unit anyway, I certainly don't need anything flashier than the mini anyway.

[palmer]

Hmm, I have a mini that's so old, you can't sync it with anything.

I wonder if all the memory upgrades would fix that.

[hamradio]

Hmmm, going to try this with a 4 or 8 gig cf card and my bling bling polished mini.

[JK9K]

Its worth a shot!

[Fearnside]

Sweet project.

[SirRangeALot]

Nice! :thumbup:

[Stumanbmx]

Awesome.

If I wasn't already using my old 1st gen nano for glovebox duty I would totally do this. In fact I might, I do need more storage.

[momo]

ah this makes me want to pick up a broken ipod mini. :biggrin:

[audivwdave]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/biggkoz/Funny%20Stuff/pwn-38877.jpg

[BMWRacer48]

get one of these cases:

http://www.yotank.com/images/zune2-2.jpg

www.yotank.com (http://www.yotank.com) , you can run ur ipod or other mp3 player over with a car and itll still work! hahaha

[yerigga]

ok so i ended up picking up a mini from a kid at school fro 20 bucks, i am going to return my nano after i get back from flordia and use that cash to buy parts for this nano and put the rest in the bank, however how do i determin if its a 1st gen mini or 2nd? both model numbers are the same for 1st and 2nd gen.a1051? and both 1st and 2nd offer my color, its the same as the pics above? any help here? i am going to get a new shell for it, screen, battery and hardrive, but the screens are diffrent for 1st and 2nd gen...

[yerigga]

i got mine all taken apart, and just ordered my new battery, the 16gb card is ot of stock and i dont want to spend 60 bucks on a 32gb one, how do i know what cards will work with this and what ones wont?

[Die Frau]

Any Compact Flash or CF card should work... They do require a little work as far as formatting, but they do work.

[Casper]

I'm in the process of this. Just a 16g though.

[yerigga]

what do you mean by formatting?
i mixed up some paint for my case today before i left work, gloss black with a red flake, i will post pictures next week or whenever it gets done

[Die Frau]

http://a3.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/hackintosha5041.png

The guts are done. I got a new battery in, which is a even higher mAh rating than the factory one, which was having trouble holding a charge.

These are the guides I used to dissect the device:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Device/iPod_Mini

http://a2.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/picture2a779a.jp2

Using Disc Utility, I double checked the factory drive settings, to be sure that the new card was set up the same way. I did that with a CF card reader. Then swapped the new one into the Mini and plugged it into iTunes. Hit 'Restore' and...

http://a1.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/picture32e149.jp2

Now it is on to load it up.

And to refresh, here is my iTunes thread:
http://a1.s3.p.quickshareit.com/files/picture32e149.jp2

I will be sending the old case to Dean to have him powdercoat it, for an even more custom look.