johnny'sbananas
Level 1 (8 points)
iPod

Q: iPod classic 4th gen

I recently purchased a used iPod Classic 4th gen.  After receiving it, I played the music that was already on it for about 10 min then it froze and i got a sad faced iPod icon.  After research I concluded that it was a bad hard drive.  I replaced the hard drive and the battery, After a weeks worth of playing music the same thing has happened, Sad faced icon. (sad faced iPod user)  Please help.  Why does this keep happening?

iPod classic

Posted on Apr 1, 2016 10:39 AM

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johnny'sbananas

Q: iPod classic 4th gen

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Apr 1, 2016 7:55 PM in response to johnny'sbananas
    Level 8 (39,278 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 1, 2016 7:55 PM in response to johnny'sbananas

    I replaced the hard drive in my 4th gen "classic" iPod with a compact flash card on an adapter.  After working fine for a while, I started to get the error screen sometimes, although doing a Reset made it go away.  Then, doing a Reset no longer worked.  I opened it up, and found that the drive (adapter with compact flash card in my case) had come loose internally, despite the padding that I added.  So obviously, I got the error screen.  You may want to open it up again and make sure the hard drive is firmly connected to the ribbon connector.  Visually inspect the ribbon connection point.  Also check the connection point between ribbon connector and logic board, which may be under a black film (peel it back); make sure it is properly attached.  You may want to remove the ribbon connector from the logic board, as shown here

     

    https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPod+4th+Generation+or+Photo+Hard+Drive+Cable+Repla cement/392

     

    Inspect it for corrosion and reconnect it.  Then try it again.  I usually leave the case partially open while testing it, before snapping it shut.

     

    Also, check the replacement battery to make sure it is not too thick compared to the original.  If it's too think, it may be putting extra physical pressure on the hard drive, after snapping the case closed.