IPOD Mini Question

[drumnstuff]

After much deliberation on what DAP to buy and load with Rockbox I've decided to purchase a 2g IPOD mini and try to upgrade it with a 32GB CF per instructions on the internet.  I really have no experience at this sort of thing, but it doesn't really look to be that hard.  This way, if successful, I'll have a flash-based DAP that can load rockbox.  However, I do have one question for those who have done this type of upgrade before:  After installing the CF etc. do I load apple's IPOD firmware before trying to load rockbox?  If so, can I do it by just downloading ITunes 8 and plugging the player in and it will automatically install?  I would like to be able to run the automatic installer for Rockbox on the Mini, can I?  Also I was just wondering if were possible to download any prior versions of Itunes or if 8 is the only one available?  And is it backwards compatible with all previous IPOD models?  Thanks to anyone for giving any of these questions an answer.

[Chronon]

Yes, if you connect via Disk Mode iTunes should recognize it as an iPod and offer to Restore it for you.  Then, you should be able to install Rockbox normally.  I have been considering doing this also. 

[spike66]

I did it succesfully with the information I found here http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/MiniCF. An important tip on the geektechnique link was the "connect the iPod to an external powersupply" thing, when indicated.

Also, now installing Rockbox should be even easier because - I reckon, maybe someone could confirm?... or see FS#9369 - you wouldn't need to make your own bootloader, since for Realease 3.0 they were updated and now the mini's bootloader supports de CF cards.

Edit: I checked installing the bootloader with rbutilqt 1.0.6 but that bootloader seems not to support CF cards yet... the bootloader in FS#9369 works though

[bluebrother]

you wouldn't need to make your own bootloader, since for Realease 3.0 they were updated and now the mini's bootloader supports de CF cards.

The bootloaders are released separately and haven't been updated for 3.0. Updating the bootloaders is something that has been considered though (and hopefully will take place in the not-so-far future)

[Chronon]

Actually, here's the Flyspray task for the new bootloaders:
http://www.rockbox.org/tracker/task/9369

I had made an assumption that all the bootloaders had already been released since this was listed on the ReleaseTodo page.  Anyway, you can follow the progress there.