install Rockbox on "factory settings" ipod photo?

[PickupBetty]

I would like to install Rockbox on my ipod photo (20GB), that the Apple Store restored to factory settings.  However, the mountpoint cannot be established.  I am assuming that it's because it's in factory settings and the computer does not recognize the ipod as a formatted hard drive (it wants to reformat it).

I don't want to load iTunes on my new computer hard drive, because I really dislike iTunes.

Does anyone know a way to work around this?

[cool_walking_]

You can restore it manually:
http://rockbox.org/wiki/IpodConversionToFAT32

I thought factory settings included being in a working condition, and with a FAT32 partition, because of this:
http://www.apple.com/support/windowsvirus/

[PickupBetty]

Thanks, cool_walker.  I realize now that I should have noted that I use a PC.  But looking at the link you sent, I remember that when I first got my ipod, I had to use iTunes to name it and set it up.  I guess they do this to force you to download iTunes.

I did find this mention

http://2000mph.wordpress.com/2007/09/05/how-to-setup-and-use-ipod-without-itunes/

However, the winamp plugin doesn't render your ipod compatible with iTunes, so that would probably force me to use winamp rather than Rockbox.  Just looking at their slick website, I get the feeling that winamp is a paradoxically commercial freeware.  I like that Rockbox is open-source.

Probably the easiest/most satisfying solution would be for me to find a friend with iTunes, set up the ipod on their computer, then install Rockbox on my own.

[bluebrother]

I would like to install Rockbox on my ipod photo (20GB), that the Apple Store restored to factory settings.  However, the mountpoint cannot be established.

Can you explain what you mean be "cannot be established"? Does autodetection detect the correct Ipod model at all?

[PickupBetty]

No, the installer does not detect my ipod at all.  I've tried manually configuring it (should be E: drive and ipod pod photo), but no luck.  Autodetect also cannot find it.

My ipod is fresh from factory-setting restore.  I haven't changed anything except the time/date.

When I connect it to my computer, I get the "Do not disconnect" screen on the ipod.  I can "Safely remove device..."  using the little green-arrow icon on the launch bar at the bottom of my screen.  When I click "My Computer" then "E:/", I get something like "Cannot read this drive.  Do you want to reformat it?"

Sorry I'm so vague.  I'm not at my home computer.  Thanks!

[bluebrother]

No, the installer does not detect my ipod at all.  I've tried manually configuring it (should be E: drive and ipod pod photo), but no luck.  Autodetect also cannot find it.

Well, then it won't install the bootloader. Please post the output of the About / System Info dialog.

When I click "My Computer" then "E:/", I get something like "Cannot read this drive.  Do you want to reformat it?"

This sounds like the filesystem is broken. Another option would be the filesystem being HFS+ -- did Apple Store tell you anything about this factory resetting thing? I could imagine they assume you using it on a Mac, thus using HFS+.

[PickupBetty]

I assume you mean the About/etc from the Help tab on my browser, not from the ipod my computer wants to format (I'm not incredibly computer savvy). 

Also, looking back I see how poorly I expressed myself.  When I said I'd named my ipod, etc, I meant years ago, not after this factory settings restore.  I've only changed the date and time.

[GodEater]

No, bluebrother meant the About/System Info menu item in Rockbox Utility.

[PickupBetty]

Oh, thanks, Godeater.

Here it is:

-----
OS
Windows version 5.1, build 2600 (Service Pack 3)
 
Username
Admin
 
Permissions
Admin
 
Attached USB devices
VID: 0a81 PID: 0205, PS2 to USB Converter
VID: 0f62 PID: 1001, USB & PS/2 Mouse
 
Filesystem
C:\, 174199 MiB available
D:\, 0 MiB available

-------

And also, I seem to remember the Apple Store guy asking if I had a Mac or PC.  But it was about 6 weeks ago, so my memory is a bit hazy.  (I had battery trouble, had to wait a long time for one, then installed it.  Hope that didn't have anything to do with all this)

[bluebrother]

This doesn't show neither an Ipod at all nor an assigned drive letter. Does the Ipod show up in Explorer at all?

[linuxstb]

When I connect it to my computer, I get the "Do not disconnect" screen on the ipod.  I can "Safely remove device..."  using the little green-arrow icon on the launch bar at the bottom of my screen.  When I click "My Computer" then "E:/", I get something like "Cannot read this drive.  Do you want to reformat it?"

Have you tried saying "yes" to this question?

If I was you, I would install itunes, and try to get your ipod functioning normally (and accessible from your computer) before trying to install Rockbox.  You can always uninstall itunes afterwards if you don't want to use it.

[PickupBetty]

Yes, bluebrother, it shows up as "Removable disk" on My computer in Windows.  However, I cannot read it at all (if I double-click on E:/, I get the "wanna format it?" prompt).

I think linuxstb is correct, the missing link is setting up in iTunes.  I'm positive that Rockbox is written for ipods that are already named, etc.

I appreciate everyone's input and suggestions.  I'll try naming it and assigning a format on someone else's iTunes, then load Rockbox on.  If that doesn't work, I'll go back to the drawing board.

Thanks again for all your help!

[bluebrother]

Yes, bluebrother, it shows up as "Removable disk" on My computer in Windows.

Well, it doesn't show up in the list of "Attached USB devices". Using the VID and PID values one can definitely tell if the Ipod is connected and recognized by the computer (it doesn't tell if it got a drive letter, only if its connected). Or did you open that dialog without the Ipod connected?

I think linuxstb is correct, the missing link is setting up in iTunes.  I'm positive that Rockbox is written for ipods that are already named, etc.

I don't think so. While that of course is possible (and most likely the easiest way of restoring) I don't think using an Ipod with Itunes initially is needed at all -- when replacing the hard disk in my Ipod I didn't connect it to Itunes.

I'll try naming it and assigning a format on someone else's iTunes, then load Rockbox on.  If that doesn't work, I'll go back to the drawing board.

Good luck!

[PickupBetty]

heh heh heh.  "easiest" hits the nail on the head!  I'll take the path of least resistance and report either way.

Thanks!

[update] The Apple Store guy had indeed restored my ipod to Mac, not Windows.  Don't know if that was the problem, because I immediately registered it after restoring to Windows.  Rockbox is on again (yay!), although I had to install manually.

Love 3.3!  Thanks to all the developers!