Does Rockbox delete apple os?

[egarren]

I am really confused.  If I install Rockbox on my macpod will I still be able to use my ipod as, well, an ipod?  In the instructions it said that while creating the windows partition on my ipod, I have to "This can be done in 'Disk Utility'. ... and at last click the 'Erase' button. " and I read somewhere that when you erase your ipod in disk utility, "your iPod becomes just a portable hard drive" and disk utility says it will "disable some of the ipod functionality"  Any explanations?  Thanks.

[Febs]

I am really confused as well.  What do you mean by this:

In the instructions it said that while creating the windows partition on my ipod, I have to "This can be done in 'Disk Utility'. ... and at last click the 'Erase' button. "

??

Anyway, the direct answer to your question is "Yes."  Rockbox has a dual-boot feature.  Once Rockbox is installed, you can boot into Rockbox or, by holding the Menu button while he iPod is booting, you can boot into the original firmware.

[egarren]

Sorry, I guess what I really meant to say was does erasing your ipod in disk utility do anything bad to it?  I think that is what the instructions here said: http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/IpodInstallationFromMacOSX#d_Format_the_main_partition_with  

[saratoga]

Sorry, I guess what I really meant to say was does erasing your ipod in disk utility do anything bad to it?  I think that is what the instructions here said: http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/IpodInstallationFromMacOSX#d_Format_the_main_partition_with  

Those are instructions for reformating an HFS+ Ipod into FAT32, not just installing Rockbox.  Basically that page explains how to convert a Mac formatted Ipod into a Windows (and Mac) formated one.  

Formatting a disk does in fact erase all contents.  Installing Rockbox does not.

[egarren]

so if i have a macpod, i can't install rockbox without erasing it which will erase the ipod software.  that really sucks becuasae i really want rockbox.

[saratoga]

so if i have a macpod, i can't install rockbox without erasing it which will erase the ipod software.  

Correct.

[linuxstb]

No, the first thing you need to do if you have a Macpod is to convert it to FAT32.  

You then have a functioning ipod running the Apple firmware which you can still use with a Mac, but is formatted as FAT32 instead of HFS+.

Once you get to that stage, you can install Rockbox, and Rockbox includes a bootloader which lets you choose which firmware to run - Apple OS or Rockbox.

[soap]

so if i have a macpod, i can't install rockbox without erasing it which will erase the ipod software.  that really sucks becuasae i really want rockbox.

You seemed to be concerned over the erasing of the ipod software, so...

Just to be clear, you would:
1 - format the player, erasing the ipod software,
2 - then you would use Apple's restore tool to put the ipod software right back on,
3- then you would install Rockbox, which can dual boot with Apple.

The only downside is the loss of music from your ipod (due to the formatting), which you can re add as soon as you complete step 2.

[gravedigg154]

No it doesn't delete the Apple OS or the APple firmware from your iPod. All you have to do is hold menu and select untill it resets then take your finger off reset and then let go of menu when it says loading original firmware. You can evenplay songs and videos and add music through iTunes and play them this way.