3g ipod CF conversion help.

[sadffffff]

As per the title, I've got a 3G ipod that I'm trying to install a CF card in. The ipod had a broken 10gig hard drive when i got it.

I bought this adaptor on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/1-8-for-toshiba-Hard-Drive-SSD-CF-to-ipod-IDE-Adaptor_W0QQitemZ230218575759QQihZ013QQcategoryZ41993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and i bought this 16gb CF card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211170

When I open itunes it detects an ipod that needs to be restored and updated. I do this and it tells me that I need to disconnect it and connect it to AC to complete the update. When I do that I get the initialization screen (apple logo and a progress bar). When the progress bar reaches the end the ipod resets and then does the same thing over and over.

Any ideas on how to proceed?

[yapper]

The ipod had a broken 10gig hard drive when i got it.

Are you sure that the only thing wrong with the iPod was the hard drive?

[scharkalvin]

Unless the iPod has the latest iPod firmware loaded it might not work with the CF flash.
Many people have had to put the HD back into the iPod mini, update to the latest firmware, THEN
replace the HD with the CF.  Seems Apple may have fixed a bug in the firmware boot loader.
Not sure if this only applies to the mini though.

[sadffffff]

yapper: no, i can't be sure that the hdd was the only problem. but it seems likely. because with the hdd the computer refused to even mount the drive (under disk management or otherwise) also itunes failed to restore the ipod with the hdd. With the flash drive the disk mounts fine. and itunes is even able to restore/partition it, but the apple software just fails to install on the ipod itself (loop issue)

scharkalvin: I guess this might be my next step then. the ipod came from someone who wouldn't have updated the firmware. sucks that i'll have to find a 1.8'' hdd now...

[Davide-NYC]

Since there are several threads about essentially the same subject I suggest we all post our findings at this brand new shiny wiki page!

This page will eventually cover all possible targets.

http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/CFModGuide

 

[petur]

note: current SVN should now be compatible with CF

[zulu]

I am having the same issue - exact same hardware (3g classic old ipod did have a 15gb hdd with bad sectors and the same 1.8in ide to cf card off ebay) with an 8gb transcend x133 cf card.

Manually attempting to partition and load firmware on it results in the same symptoms.

The cf card works ok (a bit slow but works fine) with a usb cf card reader in windows, and can be seen as a standard hdd in windows when the ipod is in disk mode.

Anyone out there that could please assist? Ipod works fine with the 15gb hdd, except for ordinary battery life from old battery and the bad sectors around 5-6gb into the hdd which freezes the ipod if used.

Has anyone out there got the old 3g ipods working with cf cards?

Thanks in advance

[sadffffff]

have you, or are you able to update to the latest software version on your ipod using the hdd?

I was under the impression that i would have to find a 1.8'' hdd to update the firmware on mine before the card would be usable. but if your firmware is updated and you cant use the CF card, there may be other issues.

[zulu]

since writing the message earlier I have discovered my ipod's hard drive doesn't seem to be spinning up and being detected by the ipod.

I had been using itunes and it said all was up to date there so I suspect it had the latest firmware. If I can get it going again will check the version.

[zulu]

Not sure if anyone is following this thread, tested the adapter and cf card in an ipod photo and after recovery it comes up with a folder and exclaimation and the web address for ipod support. Saw an alternate ebay auction for same adapter saying it doesn't support ipod photos.

Next step is to try using the good hdd in my 3g ipod and as I think the firmware is old to update and then see if my cf adapter works.

[zulu]

To conclude my contribution to this thread I now have a working 3G iPod using a CF card - not using rockbox tho. Turns out its not too difficult either. sadffffff let me know if you would like to know how its possible (or anyone else for that matter).

Edit: sorry for multiposting

[Chronon]

1) Please don't multi-post.  Modify your post if you want to add info and no one has replied yet.

2) These are Rockbox forums.  The operation of the OF with a CF card is off topic.