IPOD (ALL MODELS) iFlash Adapter Issues [SOLVED]

[Bilgus]

Rockbox has problems when using the iFlash adapters

Questions:
Is this a known issue? - Yes.
Will I have this issue - If you are using anything other than the original harddrive- YES.
Is there a fix? - NO, Not at the moment.
Is there a workaround? - Several

• Join the project and fix the shortcoming
• Transfer Files in disk mode
• Use the Apple firmware
• Complain to the maker of iFlash
• Give a Dev an iFlash iPod

EDIT:
This appears to be fixed in the latest dev versions thanks to Speachy

EDIT2: (2021-03-10)
If you are using a modded iPod (CF, iFlash, SSD, whatever) it is very important that you state that in any bug report.  Similarly, please try the latest nightly or dev build before posting.  The last stable release has _many_ known issues that have long since been fixed.

EDIT3:  (2021-04-23)
We now think this finally resolved in the latest dev versions.  As an added bonus, battery life should be improved as well.

EDIT4:  (2024-09-22)
Please see Chapter 2.1 of the Rockbox manual for the most up-to-date information on using SSD mods:  https://www.rockbox.org/manual.shtml

[Bilgus]

http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php/topic,52505.0.html

[Bilgus]

GREAT ADVICE!!

Speaking from personal experience here: I also tried one of those iFlash mSATA adapters out in an iPod Video, with a 128GB SSD. While installation isn't so bad, I've had nothing but pain and suffering trying to get Rockbox working on this combination. Some of the issues I've experienced include:

• Restoring the device in iTunes wasn't an issue, but the device never showed up afterwards as a proper FAT32 volume on my Linux desktop. If I tried formatting the partition as FAT32, the iPod's firmware would complain and ask me to restore it again, even if I backup its folders beforehand.
• Related to the first point above, I could install Rockbox on the iPod, but then on startup, the bootloader would scream about not being able to find a FAT32 volume.
• Removing the mSATA drive from the adapter and putting it into an enclosure to examine in GParted revealed that the drive had an "Unknown" filesystem on its primary partition. Evoking "fdisk -l" in the terminal showed me that the drive (let's call it /dev/sdi for convenience's sake) had two partitions: "/dev/sdi1" and "/dev/sdi2". /dev/sdi1 was approximately 100MB big, which is correct, and is an unknown filesystem, which is also correct; this is the iPod firmware partition. /dev/sdi2, on the other hand, was also an unknown filesystem, and was the rest of the volume's capacity. This isn't correct; the larger partition should be either FAT32 or HFS+, depending on if it was restored in Windows or a Mac.
  

I finally gave up on getting the iFlash to work after a while and decided to pick up a 128GB SSD I found on Amazon for pretty cheap: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TPLKQLS/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_10?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I went with this SSD for two reasons: one, it's the correct size and connector for the iPod Video (and the Classic, in turn!), and two, since it's a proper PATA device, it'll function just as a hard drive should. And sure enough, it hasn't given me one lick of trouble at all since it's been in my iPod Video. I do get improved battery life and the peace of mind that my iPod has no moving parts in it anymore, and I also get expanded capacity for music, and Rockbox happily functions with it in place. If anything, an SSD like this is a far more viable option for those wanting to make their iPods solid state, since you're ensured better compatibility and it's good for those on a budget.

http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php/topic,52591.msg243244.html#msg243244

[Frankenpod]

Perhaps should be clarified that the issues seem to be different with mSata SSD adaptors vs SDcard adaptors?

As I understand it, the advice to 'use original firmware for file transfer' applies to the latter.  I'm not sure it's either necessary or even helpful for the former case.  Both have 'issues', but I'm not sure they are the same in each case.

I could be wrong, only have the latter.

[Magphil]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and new to rockbox.
I have a ipod classic 6gen 160GB. I replaced the broken hard disk with a quad iflash card and 4 256GB samsung evo micro sd, as I was unaware of the 128GB limitation.
I installed rockbox to get 1TB space as my itune lib is over 800GB.
I did transfer the entire itunes library and so far so good, I did not hit any corruption so far.

So my question is : have you made any progress on iflash support since the last post on this thread over a year ago ? or ... am I just lucky so far and might hit a time bomb ?

I did have some concern when I transfered a few albums only using copy/file explorer on windows 10 (transfer would be very slow and stop for over 20 seconds before resuming) .
To transfer the entire lib, I used Goodsync software (backup sofware using directory comparaison) and did not experience any pause during copy. Took 20 hours.

Cheers

[Frankenpod]

I think the file-writing errors appear only randomly and occasionally and can be subtle (but for others can completely screw-up playback).  And they appear to vary depending on the type and brand of card used.
Some people say they never have any problems, others find playback is hopeless and is only fixed by syncing with the original-firmware.

 Have you tried building the database on the ipod?  That seems to frequently reveal the problem.

  Also have you tried using some sort of 'fingerprinting' software to do a precise comparison between files on the ipod and the original?  You might find there are differences even if you don't notice them in playing.

[Magphil]

I think the file-writing errors appear only randomly and occasionally and can be subtle (but for others can completely screw-up playback).  And they appear to vary depending on the type and brand of card used.
Some people say they never have any problems, others find playback is hopeless and is only fixed by syncing with the original-firmware.

 Have you tried building the database on the ipod?  That seems to frequently reveal the problem.

  Also have you tried using some sort of 'fingerprinting' software to do a precise comparison between files on the ipod and the original?  You might find there are differences even if you don't notice them in playing.

I did build the database on the ipod. It is very big ... some 110K entries.
I jusr read about the simulator, but cannot download it as the site seems to be down.  I did not try any sort of fingerprinting.
I will need to re-sync soon as I have extracted all the album arts on the pc using http://vcardenasblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/album-art-extracter-for-rockbox.html

[KeithSPG]

I just got a 4x iFlash adapter for an iPod Video (5thgen) with a single 256 Gb Samsung Evo card in it. I ran into the same problem. It seems as though the file transfer is too fast and the file is not actually written to the SD card completely, only the first portion when mounted as a disc in rockbox. It was a 2+ hour transfer and all I got was skipping. I took the advice and rebooted it in iPod disc mode and transferred files in 12+ hours! So far no skips. Is there a way we can throttle the transfer speed to ensure that it writes? I am sure it can transfer faster than iPod disc mode. I love the sound quality improvement over a BT connection to my phone in the car! Thanks for the hard work!

On another note, I also have an iPod mini 2nd gen that I am trying to get to 128Gb. The type 2 CF adapter works fine as a disc, but the iPod firmware would not write to it. I ordered a Type 1 iFlash adapter and will see if it is any better. It was strange to me that it worked fine as a disc, I coule read, format, write and enything to it, just iPod would not restore to it so I was unable to put rockbox on it. Will see how the next one works.

Keith

[adubs]

• Give a Dev an iFlash iPod

I'd be willing to do this. I have a 2nd gen mini with the SD-CF iflash adapter that doesnt make it very far without a panic. I'm certainly not smart enough to know what to do with it as far as approaching the problem and I would be hopeless to try and help solve it.

[TeslaMark]

Hi, i wish i had seen or been informed about this issue before i purchased the quad SD card flash and a 128GB Sandisk Ultra Pro card.  I can transfer files across and some play but certain tracks ALAC 1005kbps VBR completely crash the Rockbox software.  Its very frustrating.  I get a data abort at4000c908 and the player locks up requiring a reboot to get working again but it never plays the file further than the same point.  I tried the different versions of Rockbox including the development version, the stable version and the release candidate.  I wont lie, rockbox has been a real anticlimax so far.  It looks like an amazing piece of software and teases great functionality but so far its completely unusable with an iflash.  I noticed people selling these online on eBay as 500gb etc, how have they managed to make them work ?  or are they selling bricks?

[TeslaMark]

I think i have stumbled upon the fix for this on the Ipod 5.5G.  Or at least a workaround.

Here are the steps to follow.

starting with a working iPod

1) Open Aomei Partition  tool and clear all the partitions

2) Format as Fat 32 if it lets you (if it doesn't dont worry as iTunes will do it).

3) Restore with iTunes for Windows

4) iTunes will leave the partition in 2 parts, a small partition with the bootloader inside and the large partition of the remainder of the drive labeled Ipod.

5) Open Rockbox installer and only install the Bootloader

6) Reopen Aomei Partition Tool and Format iPod Partition as Fat 32

7) Go back to Rockbox installer and install the main program and all optional additions but exclude the Bootloader (as you already have it)

8 ) Once its done eject the Ipod and hold down the centre button and the Menu button until the apple logo appears, then immediately hold down the centre button and play/pause until the iPod boots up in target disk mode.

9) Create a Folder called Music and copy all music folders inside.

10) Eject the drive and it works without skips and without crashing with errors. 

Hope that helps.  Remember the key is to transfer files to the iPod in disk mode

[speachy]

Everyone still fighting with these iFlash adapter issues, please try a daily build from 2020-07-13 or newer, and let us know how it goes.

[Frankenpod]

Hi, i wish i had seen or been informed about this issue before i purchased the quad SD card flash and a 128GB Sandisk Ultra Pro card.  I can transfer files across and some play but certain tracks ALAC 1005kbps VBR completely crash the Rockbox software.  Its very frustrating.  I get a data abort at4000c908 and the player locks up requiring a reboot to get working again but it never plays the file further than the same point.  I tried the different versions of Rockbox including the development version, the stable version and the release candidate.  I wont lie, rockbox has been a real anticlimax so far.  It looks like an amazing piece of software and teases great functionality but so far its completely unusable with an iflash.  I noticed people selling these online on eBay as 500gb etc, how have they managed to make them work ?  or are they selling bricks?

Just sync your music using the original firmware rather than in rockbox mode.  That works fine for me and for most people with the problem you are having (it's mentioned all over this forum, in multiple threads).  The problem is with rockbox writing to the disk, so syncing in rockbox mode creates all those problems (building the database can have trouble also).  As long as rockbox doesn't have to write much to the disk it works fine.

[roastpotatoes]

Everyone still fighting with these iFlash adapter issues, please try a daily build from 2020-07-13 or newer, and let us know how it goes.

I tried with one the latest daily build for Ipod Mini 2g. File playback now seems to work. But when initialising the DB I get this error. It will then fail to boot once and then successfully boot.

[__builtin]

Everyone still fighting with these iFlash adapter issues, please try a daily build from 2020-07-13 or newer, and let us know how it goes.

I tried with one the latest daily build for Ipod Mini 2g. File playback now seems to work. But when initialising the DB I get this error. It will then fail to boot once and then successfully boot.

That smells like a DB bug to me.