Can't install bootloader unto an iPod Mini 1G with new CF card

[dchavez]

Hi all,

First post...

I have an iPod Mini (1G), and the 4GB microdrive failed.  I then installed a new FAT32-formatted 8GB CF (Sandisk Ultra II).  Under linux, I connected the iPod via firewire and mounted the iPod's filesystem under /ipod, and I verified that both the device (/dev/sdc1) and the mountpoint (/ipod) are all read-write-execute (777), just to be sure.  As root, I run 'RockboxUtility':
- I am able to "autodetect" the iPod mini (1st gen), and have set the mount point to /ipod. 
- I am able to install Rockbox, Fonts, and Themes, but
- I am not able to install the bootloader, which fails with
    "Error reading partition table - possibly not an Ipod"

Does the new CF card need to be partitioned differently?  It currently has one partition of type "W95 FAT32 (LBA)" formatted as FAT32.  After installing Rockbox, I can see the /ipod/.rockbox directory.  As a possible solution... is there a way to install the bootloader directly into the CF card when it's outside the iPod device?

Thanks!
Dave

[gevaerts]

You need to partition it correctly and restore the original firmware for it to work. See http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/IpodManualRestore for details

[dchavez]

You need to partition it correctly and restore the original firmware for it to work. See http://www.rockbox.org/wiki/IpodManualRestore for details

Perfect - Everything worked beautifully!  Thanks for the pointer.

Dave

PS - After copying the MBR, I re-created the 2nd partition to take advantage of the 8GB successfully.  :-)

[gevaerts]

PS - After copying the MBR, I re-created the 2nd partition to take advantage of the 8GB successfully.  :-)

Yes, I forgot to mention that. It's quite useful