How to replace the hard drive - HDD – Apple iPod Classic
Apple iPod Classic:
DISASSEMBLING PROCEDURE
Apple
designed their iPods to be very difficult to take apart without destroying
major components. Because of the metal face plate, the metal backing, and the
13 metal clips holding the case together, this is one of the toughest
Pods to disassemble. Proceed with caution and the warning that you may
significantly damage your iPod beyond its present condition. Also, you may want
a few extra pairs of plastic
opening tools during installation, as they are easy to ruin when opening the iPod. Have fun! Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position.
opening tools during installation, as they are easy to ruin when opening the iPod. Have fun! Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position.
Opening
this iPod is challenging. Don't get discouraged if it takes you a few tries
before the iPod is opened. One thing to notice is the angle of the plastic
opening tool's tip while inserting it into the iPod. Ideally, the angle should
be as vertical as possible while still clearing the edge of the rear panel.
Insert a plastic opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the
iPod.
Insert
another plastic opening tool into the seam between the front and back of the
iPod, leaving at least 1.5 inches of space between the two tools.
At
an angle, carefully insert a putty knife about 1/8 inch into the seam between
the two opening tools. There are thin metal rails running along the inside of
the rear panel, so take great care when inserting the putty knife.
Once
the putty knife has cleared the lip of the rear panel, pivot the putty knife so
that it is vertical, and carefully (but firmly) wiggle it straight down into
the gap between the opening tools.
Push
with your fingers on the rear panel behind the putty knife to minimize bending.
Slowly flex the putty knife, as shown in the picture, to ensure that most of
the metal tabs on this side of the iPod are disengaged. The theory behind this
method is, rather than attempting to not bend the rear panel at all, to bend it
in a favorable manner that allows you to easily restore it later. Therefore,
any bend in the sides of the rear panel should be drawing the lip of the rear
panel away from the iPod, rather than pushing out on the curved surface. This
method also disengages as many of the side clips as possible.
Remove
the putty knife from the iPod and reinsert it closer to the corner of the iPod,
using the same wiggle method as before.
If
at all possible, do not bend the corner of the rear panel.
Between
the lock slider and headphone jack, insert a plastic opening tool into the seam
between the front and back of the iPod. You may find it easier to carefully
flex the putty knife downward in order to create more of a gap for the opening
tool, but be sure not to bend the corner of the rear panel!
Near
the center of the display, carefully insert a metal spudger into the gap
created by the plastic opening tool. It is easy to create a noticeable bump in
the rear panel here that is difficult to repair. When prying the tab free, try
to have the metal spudger pivot on the edge of the rear panel rather than
bending the rear panel outward.
Using
the metal spudger, disengage the single clip on the top of the iPod.
Near
the other top corner, insert an opening tool into the seam between he front and
back of the iPod
On
the other side, insert an opening tool into the seam between the front and back
of the iPod. You may find it easier to angle the opening tool stuck in the top
corner in order to create a sufficient gap.
Remove
the plastic opening tool from the top corner and insert it into the seam between
the front and back of the iPod, leaving at least 1.5 inches of space between
the two tools (as done on the other side).At an angle, carefully insert a putty
knife about 1/8 inch into the seam between the two opening tools. Again, there
are thin metal rails running along the inside of the rear panel, so take great
care when inserting the putty knife. Once the putty knife has cleared the lip
of the rear panel, angle the putty knife so that it is vertical, and carefully
(but firmly) wiggle it straight down into the iPod via the gap between the
plastic opening tools. Push with your fingers on the rear panel behind the
putty knife to minimize bending. Ever so slightly flex the putty knife to
ensure that most of the metal tabs on this side of the iPod are disengaged.
The
metal clips near the corners are notorious for tenaciously gripping the front
panel. It is necessary to disengage these clips in order to open the iPod.
Carefully insert a metal spudger into the area near the stubborn metal clip.
Gently
wiggle the metal spudger down so that it is all the way in the rear panel.
Gently
begin to disengage the clip from the front panel. It is easy to create a
noticeable bump in the rear panel here that is difficult to repair. When prying
the tab free, try to have the metal spudger pivot on the edge of the rear panel
rather than bending the rear panel outward
Continue
to push up on the front panel with the metal spudger until the metal clip
releases.
There
are two ribbon cables connecting the rear panel to the rest of the iPod. In the
following step, be careful not to damage these ribbon cables. Grasp the front
panel assembly with one hand and the rear panel with the other. Take a deep
breath! Gently (GENTLY) disengage the remaining clips on the rear panel by
pulling the tops of the front and rear panels away from each other (think of
the bottom of the iPod as a hinge), taking great care not to damage the ribbon
cables holding the two halves together.
Use
a spudger to slide up the connector holding the orange battery ribbon in place.
You only need to lift the locking bar up about 2 mm to free the cable. Slide
the orange battery ribbon out of its connector.
Place
the rear panel next to the iPod, being careful not to strain the orange
headphone jack cable.
Lift
the hard drive up with one hand so you can access the headphone jack ribbon
beneath.
Use a spudger to flip up the plastic tab holding the headphone jack ribbon in place. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.
Slide the orange headphone jack ribbon out of its connector.
The rear panel is now free from the iPod.
Use a spudger to flip up the plastic tab holding the headphone jack ribbon in place. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.
Slide the orange headphone jack ribbon out of its connector.
The rear panel is now free from the iPod.
Now
to repair the damage caused by liberating the internal parts of the iPod
Classic! It is highly likely that at least one of the metal clips in the lower
case has been bent upward. These clips must all be pointing downward in order
to reinstall the rear panel. Take the broad, flat side of the metal spudger and
push the clip down, taking care not to tear the thin metal rail from the rear
panel. Be careful not to damage any of the headphone jack parts while shaping
these clips!
On
a clean, hard surface, lay the rear panel on its side. Carefully but firmly
push down on it, rolling the entire lip side back into its proper spot. It may
be necessary to do this multiple times in order to achieve optimal straightness
on the sides. It is better to have the edges of the case pushed in slightly too
far rather than not far enough, because the reseating of the front panel will
bend the rear panel into its correct alignment. Now that the rear panel is back
to a beautiful condition, you can move on to repairing the iPod.
Rotate
the hard drive out of the framework and place it so that the connector is
facing up. Use a spudger to flip up the plastic tab holding the orange hard
drive ribbon in place. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon
cable.
Slide
the orange hard drive ribbon cable directly out of its connector. If you are
replacing the hard drive in your iPod and it did not come with the rubber
mounting brackets and foam padding, transfer these items from your old
drive to the replacement drive.
