Introduction: How to Mod Your IPod (5/5.5 Gen)

I'll teach you how to put rockbox, custom firmware [like the new ipods], a bootloader and 20 games onto your ipod.

Step 1: Getting the Custom Firmware

First, we need to find out if you have a 5th gen or 5.5 gen.
NOTE: this does not work on any other ipod than the ipod video. [That means shuffle, touch, nano [all], classic, chromatic and mini!]
To find this out, go to music [the menu with playlists, artists, etc.] and scroll to the very bottom.

IF YOUR IPOD HAS "Search" CLICK HERE http://dl.fdefault.com/ebsy-5g-classic-neue29.zip
IF YOUR IPOD DOES NOT HAVE "Search" CLICK HERE http://dl.fdefault.com/ebsy-55g-classic-neue29.zip

After this file has downloaded, extract the files and then download this program: http://www.getipodwizard.com/download.php?action=download&file_id=1

When that finishes downloading, extract the contents of that .zip
After extraction, navigate to the folder you extracted them to and run ipodwizard.
When ipodwizard starts, change the edit mode to firmware file and then click open firmware. navigate to where you extracted the first zip and select the .bin file. after you did this, click write to ipod. click ok on the next box, wait for it to write the firmware. when it's done, eject your ipod. it will restart itself. leave it plugged in and wait for it to finish booting. when it reconnects with the computer, eject it again and then unplug it. enjoy your new firmware!

IMPORTANT: If your iPod is missing songs and videos after you write the new firmware, put a new song in itunes and sync your ipod.

Step 2: Getting the Games

First of all, open iTunes. It will tell you a new version of the firmware is available for your ipod. Don't update. Never update. You'll lose your custom firmware and the games after we put them on.

The following step will put these games on your ipod:
Pacman
Cubis
Mini Golf
Mahjong
Tetris
Bejeweled
Solitaire
Sudoku
Zuma
Texas Hold Em
Musika
Lost
Sims Pool
Sims Bowling
Ms Pacman
Vortex
SAT Preps (2)
iQuiz

But anyways, once you opened iTunes, go to your iPod and go to the games tab. uncheck the option to sync games. it will tell you it will erase games already there, click ok and then apply [underneath sync]

enable your ipod for disk use and then click apply again.

so the next step is to download the games.
click here:http://dl.fdefault.com/Games_RO.zip
when that has finished downloading, extract the files.
navigate to where you extracted them and open the folder. inside that folder there should be "Games_RO". If you see lots of folders with numbers and letters, you're too far in; go back a folder and then right click -> copy "games_ro"

open internet explorer and type this in the address bar: letter:\ipod_control
make sure to replace "letter" with the letter your ipod is mounted at. [go to my computer and see what the letter is after your ipod.]

when you're in ipod_control, right click -> paste. it will ask you if you want to overwrite. click yes to all.

when that finishes copying, eject your ipod and enjoy your new games.

Step 3: Getting Rockbox

This part will be pretty straightforward, since rockbox has its own installer.

download this: http://download.rockbox.org/rbutil/win32/rbutilqt-v1.0.9.zip

extract the zip and run the file. it will guide you through the rest. make sure to do a complete installation.

after that's done, go to the uninstallation tab and remove the bootloader. [nothing else!]

Step 4: IPL Bootloader

We'll be installing a bootloader. Don't worry, it's not too hard.

First download the files.
loader2:http://ipodlinux.org/w/images/b/b1/Ipodloader2-2.6.tar.gz
ipodpatcher:http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/ipod/ipodpatcher/win32/ipodpatcher.exe

please note, you'll need either 7zip or winrar for this part.
extract the contents of ipodloader2-2.6.tar.gz to c:\documents and settings\youruser
replace youruser with the account you're on now. after that, go to where you extract the files and put ipodpatcher inside the new folder

press the windows key and r until you get a popup box. now type cmd in the box and press enter.

when the black box pops up
type: cd ipodloader2-2.6
type: ipodpatcher -ab loader.bin

wait for it to do whatever and then exit the window.

eject your ipod and hold the menu+center button until it restarts.
this is like a "power off" for the apple firmware, so remember it, you'll need it again.

please note: the picture shows ipodlinux in the startup options. i won't be covering that because it takes a long time and is pretty much just a pain in the ass.

Step 5: You're Done!

that's it.
remember: have fun with your ipod and mod it the way you like!

also, i'm not responsible if you manage to screw up your ipod doing this, but throw me a message and i'll do my best to help.

Step 6: Credits

20 games - tk09 from ipodwizard.net
rockbox - fellas over at rockbox.org
iPL loader - it's a part of ipodlinux, and a tutorial can be found at their wiki http://ipodlinux.org/wiki/Main_Page
ipod custom firmware - the firmware is called ipod neue classic and credit goes to ebsy and ihackr from ipodwizard.net