Features
Replacing your iPod's hard disk
Apple claims that the iPod is a sealed unit that can only be repaired by one of its qualified engineers. However, as you may remember from our guide to replacing an iPod battery, a small flat-headed screwdriver is all you need to pop open the case and reveal the internal workings.
Choosing a replacement hard disk is a tricky business. Apple uses modified Toshiba drives in its iPods and so using a generic replacement will not work in a FireWire iPod. The simple answer is to buy a replacement taken from an old iPod, with prices starting at around £90 for a 20GB model. Try www.wholesalepda.com,
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However, if you have got a third- or fourth-generation iPod (the ones with the docking cradle) and a Mac running Mac OS X 10.3.4 with USB 2 ports, you can use any replacement hard disk and connect to your Mac using USB 2. It still will not work over FireWire but that's a small loss. Try www.dabs.com or www.span.com for suitable replacements.
The final choice is deciding which hard disk to go for. You're not limited to buying one of indentical capacity. Upgrading your hard disk to a larger model is a good idea, while the case is apart. Check our compatibility table to make sure you buy a disk that will fit inside your iPod.
Assuming you feel happy with a screwdriver in hand and do not mind voiding your warranty, follow our simple steps. Our example has been performed on a third-generation, touchwheel iPod, but similar upgrades can be performed on any model. If you do not want to do it yourself, www.ukipodrepairs.co.uk will do it for you.
