Does RockBox violate any warranties or EULAs?

[Sup3rkirby]

If this has been posted, my apologies. I searched for 'rockbox violate warrranty' and nothing came up.

I would like to honestly know if RockBox violates any TOS, EULAs or warranties for these players.  Obviously the TOS or EULA will varry for each player, but RockBox's affect should be the same reguardless.

I think the only thing about RockBox that makes me unsure is the bootloader really. It mods something(a file) on the player, correct? So does this violate any terms?

I also realize that RockBox is completely removable, and aside from that, all these players can be reset(with factory firmware), correct?  So then it would seem there would be no problem there.


I did read something about the Archos players, that said Archos claims it will void their warranties, and so this is probably a company to company decision.  In my case I use the sansa e200 series, and I didn't notice anything in the wiki on that one(reguarding warranties).  Information on any players and RockBox's affect on their warranties would be nice.  I am simply spreading the word, and this is a common topic of discussion for possible users.

[LambdaCalculus]

I know that iriver has refused service on devices that show evidence of Rockbox being installed on them, but the iriver devices supported by Rockbox are all discontinued, and (I believe) most users are inclined to service them by themselves.

Archos, from what I've read on these forums, won't service devices flashed with Rockbox. Again, these are such old devices that I don't know what their stance is today.

Apple is one that is a bit of a question mark. Some people managed to get their devices serviced, and some were turned away. On my end, I tested this by taking my iPod video to the Apple Store in New York and asked for a new battery. The minute the guy turned my iPod on, he handed it back and told me I have voided my warranty by installing Rockbox, which, as he put it, is "unauthorized software". So yes, I did waste $59 for a 3-year protection plan from Apple that's about as good as toilet paper now.

I don't know what SanDisk's stance on Rockbox installation is, but maybe someone else with Sansa experience can answer that.

[Mikerman]

Actually, I guess the answer is, just totally delete Rockbox from the player before bringing it in to Apple for service.  

[bascule]

http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=7755.0
http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=9441.0

[LambdaCalculus]

Looks like Sup3rkirby should've tried searching for "void warranty" instead of "violate warranty". I guess we can close up shop here then.

[dreamlayers]

Do companies typically keep it on file if you ask them to fix a player with Rockbox and later refuse to fix that player even if Rockbox is removed?   Like if you take an iPod to an Apple store and they tell you that you voided the warranty by installing Rockbox can you uninstall Rockbox (if the device is still functional enough) and then get them to service the device?

[crescentfresh]

In the one experience I had where I needed to take my ipod to the Apple Store I was concerned about this.  In my case, the hard drive wouldn't even spin anymore though.  They just went in back and got an identical refurbished model and handed it to me.  I do not think they did any research on my original unit after that, or I likely would have been contacted.