1st gen 1gb nano doesn't boot

[GoldenDoom]

hey all, I've got a pretty big problem with an 1gb 1st gen iPod Nano.

I've downloaded Rockbox and installed it (with Rockbox Util) and installed the font- and gamepack and some additional skins.

Everything worked fine, like playlists, themes, settings, etc, until i shut it down by holding play. After that it didn't reboot

I've tried connecting to the computer, charging it, and lots and lots of resetting. Sometimes it reboots after resetting. It barely ever reboots by pressing the center (select) button. I've tried all other buttons as well, and they all failed to boot it.


I think there is a problem with the boot loader. Is there anyone who can tell me if it indeed can be the problem, or what else the problem might be?

I've been thinking of installing IpodLoader 2 (ipodlinux website mentions it and tells its compatible with rockbox), does anyone know where  i can get it? I've googled a bit but didn't find it

Thanks in advance,

~Golden

[soap]

...After that it didn't reboot

I've tried connecting to the computer, charging it, and lots and lots of resetting.

How are you attempting to reset?
There is only one reset button combo - "Menu" + "Select"

Sometimes it reboots after resetting.

Is the battery fully charged?  iPods act silly on weak batteries.  If you can not turn it on at all at this time you should charge it for hours.

I think there is a problem with the boot loader.

It is an issue with Apple's software.  You often don't see this "failure to boot" bug because Apple firmware so rarely shuts off an iPod, Apple firmware normally goes into suspended animation.

I've been thinking of installing IpodLoader 2 (ipodlinux website mentions it and tells its compatible with rockbox), does anyone know where  i can get it? I've googled a bit but didn't find it

This is not a problem with the Rockbox bootloader (happens before the Rockbox code loads) and therefore not only will the IpodLinux bootloader fail to fix the issue, it is a product we can not support.
We can not even support your Rockbox if you are using the IpodLinux bootloader because the bootloader does more than just "load" Rockbox, it also initializes hardware.

[GoldenDoom]

Thanks for the quick response

I tried to reset with select+menu, but just a lot of retrying the same combo.

The battery is over 90% charged, it's been on 2 or 3 times today, last time 1 hour 30 minutes ago, and then it was still at the 'completely full' batery icon in the default theme. Also, i always charge it overnight and it barely has been on today and yesterday because of this problem.

Maybe i should give some more details on the failure to boot:
The screen remains completely off, it doest change at all. If i put the iPod close to my ear i can hear the hardware (not sure if its processor or harddisk or whatever) spin around so it isn't completely broken.

When the iPod does boot, i never use the hold button to let the original operating system run. That's why i think it's not their software. With shutting down i meant holding play in the rockbox main menu untill it says 'shutting down' and the screen turns off. After that it barely can be rebooted again.

Also, (i know im being stubborn and i've doubted to ask this or not) are you sure the other bootloader doesn't work with rockbox?

The main purpose of this bootloader is to allow you to choose between different operating systems for your iPod. By default, you can choose between Apple's, iPodLinux, and, if installed, Rockbox.

[soap]

Thanks for the quick response

I tried to reset with select+menu, but just a lot of retrying the same combo.

Press and hold said combo, with no finger movement, for 30 seconds or longer.
I forgot to mention, flip the hold switch to the on position (red) and back again to the off position (white) before attempting a reset.  This sometimes helps, and is Apple's official reset instructions.

When the iPod does boot, i never use the hold button to let the original operating system run. That's why i think it's not their software.

Nope - That Apple logo you see upon powering on?  Apple written software launches before the Rockbox bootloader.

[GoldenDoom]

Thanks for the quick response

I tried to reset with select+menu, but just a lot of retrying the same combo.

Press and hold said combo, with no finger movement, for 30 seconds or longer.
I forgot to mention, flip the hold switch to the on position (red) and back again to the off position (white) before attempting a reset.  This sometimes helps, and is Apple's official reset instructions.

Yes, i've read the official instructions on Apple's website yesterday when the problems first occured (also when i installed rockbox).

When the iPod does boot, i never use the hold button to let the original operating system run. That's why i think it's not their software.

Nope - That Apple logo you see upon powering on?  Apple written software launches before the Rockbox bootloader.

Nope, i dont. The screen remains completely off. No change at all.
if i DO get the apple logo, the reset worked and everything works fine untill i shut it down again.

[soap]

My point was when you see that logo - which you will every boot - it is as a result of Apple's code, not Rockbox's.

On to the first point:
If the reset combo does not work it is due to one of only two things.
1 - Low battery.
2 - Hardware failure.
Two things only.

I suspect you (no offense) are not holding the buttons without finger movement, or not holding them long enough, they are small buttons on the Nano.

[GoldenDoom]

My point was when you see that logo - which you will every boot - it is as a result of Apple's code, not Rockbox's.

On to the first point:
If the reset combo does not work it is due to one of only two things.
1 - Low battery.
2 - Hardware failure.
Two things only.

I suspect you (no offense) are not holding the buttons without finger movement, or not holding them long enough, they are small buttons on the Nano.

Then it will be most likelely something with my Hardware (menu button). It worked bad already on the original firmware, but with hard pressing it usually worked. i think it just didn't see holding it as 1 long press, but that it had several interrupts if you get what i mean.

If the problem remains i will post again, thank you for your time.

~Golden

Oh, and 1 more thing: keep up the good work ^^
I really enjoy features like more games, themes, more settings for backlight etc. and watching movies on my nano
Great job!