Upgrade 80gb iPod to 160gb?

Question

Upgrade 80gb iPod to 160gb?

Simple:

I have a 5g video iPod (model MA450LL) at 80GB, using v1.2.1

All I want to do is drop a 160GB HDD into it, and have it behave as it
did before-+but with more storage+.

Can I just drop another drive in and have the firmware format it? If
so, which drives have proved to work best? If not, then how should I
prep the drive?

TIA!

iPod 5g Video, Windows XP, v1.2.1 80gb

Posted on Nov 27, 2007 12:38 PM

Reply

Answer 1

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Nov 27, 2007 2:24 PM in response to B☼gus Excepti☼n

I know it is possible to upgrade the drives in them but I am not actually sure how. For example this place...
http://www.pdasmart.com/ipodpartscenter5g.htm
is selling upgrade drives, although their prices are completely silly since you can buy a new Classic for that, but on the other hand, if one really really loves their 5h generation iPod, it is an option.
Let us know how you make out if you decide to try it.
Patrick

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 27, 2007 8:59 PM in response to PT

Patrick,

Thanks for the info. I asked on the site about 160Gb, but they do have an upgrade to 100GB. That isn't much better than 80GB, and it costs as much as a whole new 80GB iPod to do it.

If anyone has replaced their hard drive (any size), I'd liek to hear how they managed the unformatted drive becoming useful. If no biggie, then I'll just look for a drive in the same form factor.

Anyone replaced their hard drive?

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 30, 2007 9:43 PM in response to B☼gus Excepti☼n

i havent done it my self but i've heard of people taking normal external hard drives and managing to make it work. though that was with older ipods.

Reply

Answer 4

Dec 1, 2007 8:31 PM in response to music man426

MM426,

Thanks for writing. I see no danger here in trying. I lack the little tool you use to pry the thing open, but I think that is all. It should be the same process as replacing a drive of like size when an OEM one fails. I don't know that procedure, but I certainly will look it up once I find a 160GB that will fit.

If I had unlimited resources, I could get 2 1.8" controllers (the 5Gs use 1.8s, and not 2.5s, right?) and image/restore. Come to think of it, I guess I could do that with one controller!

The good thing is, I can always put the old one back. I seriously need a lot more space than an 80GB drive. I have 80GB in music alone, and of course that won't fit because I really never have the full drive with the other stuff needed on the drive.

My only task is to now find a 160GB drive in 1.8" that will fit. Anyone seen one of these anywhere?! 🙂

Thanks!

Reply