An iPod apart
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Accelleron




Posts: 1926

PostPosted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 17:21    Post subject: An iPod apart
Hi all.

I've picked up a broken 3rd-gen 10GB iPod today. A friend came across the thing and gave it to me, not knowing what else to do with it.

The good news is that the case isn't cracked, and that's about the only good news. The Hard Drive's case is bent, though AFAIK (haven't opened it yet), there's no physical damage to the disc.

The inside's a mess - the case is open, the audio cable is torn off the mobo, the IDE (if you can call it that) cable is missing, and the case is a bit bent. The LCD is, of course, cracked. The chips seem intact and none of the connections beside what I just mentioned look severed, even the protective tape is intact...

The touchpad does not look damaged (the asshole that did this didn't get that far), and the s/n label is intact, though I wouldn't assume too much support from Apple on this end).

I will post pics as soon as I can get my camera in order (friggin Winblows screwed up it's own USB drivers).

In short, do you guys think it's worth the effort, and how much effort are we looking at... plus whatever advice you can give me is great.

Thanks, and I will post pics.


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[sYn]
[Moderator] Elitist



Posts: 8374

PostPosted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 18:26    Post subject:
Depends on the damage, fixing the internal components (looks like the only broken parts are connections) shouldnt be too hard with a soldering iron and some brain power. The LCD will be a pain and if the case is damaged your a little fucked. Try looking for spare parts on e-bay (old broken Ipods going for cheap could contain everything you need to get this one going)..

Just look at the damage and consider the time/effort for gain ratio Smile!
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Accelleron




Posts: 1926

PostPosted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 18:53    Post subject:
the mobo is intact, thanks largely to the overly cautious engineers at apple.

the case itself is a bit bent (0.5mm) in some places, but nothing too serious.

The LCD is a mess, and afaik does not work.

another busted ipod would be best, but the little bastards go for $50-100, and that's far outside my budget for these things.

All that I really need is the audio system (headphone jack + cable), which I could solder myself if I can get the pinout, the IDE cable (simply because soldering 40 individual wires would make my brain go numb), and a replacement LCD (probably the most expensive part).

Anyone know where/if I can get the ide and the LCD cheap (ebay has them, but $88? come on... I think that for a screen that costs some $0.12 to make, $80 is a lot. Hell, I'm not looking to spend more than $20 on the whole project.


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Steve-O 2004




Posts: 2851

PostPosted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 18:58    Post subject:
I think a LCD screen costs alot MORE than $0.12 to make Razz


George W Bush -

'...more and more of our imports are coming from overseas.'
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Accelleron




Posts: 1926

PostPosted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 19:05    Post subject:
if it cost $88 to make, I don't think the ipod would cost what it does...


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razor1394
VIP Member



Posts: 3571
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 19:16    Post subject:
Accelleron wrote:
if it cost $88 to make, I don't think the ipod would cost what it does...


Trust me. Everything Apple sells is overprized except the new mac mini.
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Accelleron




Posts: 1926

PostPosted: Tue, 8th Feb 2005 19:48    Post subject:
that's the point... I'm guessing that it shouldn't be too expensive... $10-15 I would consider reasonable, even though I'd bet $50 that the thing doesn't cost $2 out of the factory.


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