Introduction: CheapPod

About: Appreciate what you've got, every day will bring something new.

I recently fried my mp3 player. One tiny little Linear Technologies chip had its part number blown off, so a $250 player is of no use because I cant replace a $0.50 part )o; that bums me out. So, what to do with a perfectly good 40G Tosh 1.8" HD?

Stick it in a HD broken Ipod off Ebay.

Step 1: Open the Case

this could not be more simple. Sharp knife in joint along the long side of the case. Ever so slightly wedge up the metal back section of the case. Press down on the plastic with the knife and encourage it to open in a levering motion.

Step 2: Ebay

There are three general types of dead Ipods

1)The broken screen of death. These players are now effectively large ipod shuffles and if that product was ever a bad idea, a 10-40G version is exponentialy worse. Avoid these at all cost.
2)The dead battery. Ipods have a history of crappola batteries, these are very common and easiest to fix. However everyone else knows this and they are relatively popular. Batteries are around $10
3)The ferked HD Ipod. If the seller notes that an exclamation mark with a folder symbol is displayed then you have a stuffed HD.

Step 3: Issues With Non 'ipod' HD in an Ipod

Ok, things are never this simple. Apple have nobbled the firmware in their HD so that if you swap it out with a generic HD it wont work smoothly. The work around I've discovered is thus.

You can charge your Ipod with generic HD via firewire but dont ever let itunes see this ipod hanging off your machine or it will scramble the contents like so many eggs.

You can sync with itunes via usb, but 3rd gen ipods wont charge via usb.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

While I had the thing apart I decided to customize the 'pod with a lick of paint
1)mask off the important parts with clear packing tape.
2)undercoat
3)paint
4)let dry and then remove masking tape

I then took an orbital sander to the metal case to give it a brushed look.

Next I'm building a car mount and dock on to the handbrake