iFixit - Answers With Device "iPod 4th Generation or Photo"

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Battery not charging or moving. Keep getting contact apple

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:14:45 -0700

I pod 20 GB Serial JQ450CNTPS9. Model a1059- EMC 1995. Rated 5-30 VDC. 1.oA max.. Keep getting contact apple...plugged into my computer battery not charging only showing about 1/5 of black. Nothing moving..Is it the battery....

. These are pics. Hope it works??

⟐ Commented April 07, 2026 at 1:14 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: after the iPod classic 4th update it stayed with the charging image on

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:53:08 -0700

the device connected to the imac had received the update with itunes then it said to unplug the device from the imac and put it on the charger but it has been plugged in for a long time and waited in the dock but nothing has changed...

how can i fix it

⟐ Commented March 18, 2026 at 11:53 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: It is not recovering, please HELP

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:29:01 -0700

I replaced the hard drive with The compact flash drive returned error 1413, then 1439. It then recovered, but when reconnecting to the computer, it returned the error. Now, when connecting, it returns a check mark.But the computer and iTunes It doesn't see it, I use a good adapter and a 64GB flash drive formatted fat32 , Also tried other types of formatting

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: My iPod photo shows file icon when boot

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:31:42 -0700

i tried flashmodding my ipod and it shows a file icon. when i put in its hd, it also shows a file icon. it doesn't show up in disk utility or itunes. would be awesome if someone can help me out

⟐ Answered September 22, 2025 at 11:31 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Stuck on Apple logo, Won’t go into Disk Mode

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 06:14:55 -0700

Hi!

I’m trying to get my brother’s black and white classic up and running. I’ve had this same problem for a while, so I replaced the battery. But it still will stay stuck on the Apple logo. When it was charged, it wouldn’t go to disk mode, two times it let me go into diagnostic mode. To get it “off,” I have to let the battery drain. Now it won’t even go into diagnostic mode anymore. Does anyone have any idea what I need to change/replace?

Here are photos of the logic board with the battery and HDD unplugged:

⟐ Answered July 29, 2025 at 6:14 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: iPod only shows power adapter being plugged in to wall outlet?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 04:22:17 -0700

My iPod will not do any thing, when charge/sync cord is hooked up it will only show a power adapter being plugged into a wall outlet. I cannot get the click wheel to do anything, and when plugged into my PC it does not recognize that I have it hooked up. I have tried changing cords but still no luck. any sugesstions

I have done all of the suggestions and still my 20GB Classic will not go and I have the "power adapter plugging into the wall" sign showing..help this iPod was for grand daughter for xmas..her first.

⟐ Commented July 04, 2025 at 4:22 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Shows a sad face icon and wont turn on.

Tue, 06 May 2025 07:21:43 -0700

I was listening to my iPod classic in the car and picked a song and it crashed. Ironically it was Sweet Dreams. But anyways now it shows a sad face icon. I tried resetting it dozens of times and it makes this annoying weird sound and keeps on resetting and resetting even when I don't press a button. I'm selling it on eBay. I hope to fix it by tommorow but I'm not sure exactly how to fix it. HELP PLEASE!!!

⟐ Commented May 06, 2025 at 7:21 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Strange battery icon on screen

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 02:42:28 -0700

I plugged the device into my Mac os 10.5.8. iTunes does not recognize the device. There's a strange battery icon on the display. Towards the back of the battery is a black shape with a white zig-zag line through it. the front end of the battery icon is clear. I have looked through the manual but have seen nothing like the problem I have. One more thing. Occasionally, the Apple logo flashes, then the screen displays the strange battery icon.

I have the same problem with the mini. Now I plugged the mini into my PC. It was recognized and appears to be charging. Maybe I should do the same with the other iPod. I'd still like to hear from anyone who can help. If things work out I send a message

Thanks,

Robert

⟐ Commented April 26, 2025 at 2:42 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Close iPod after sdxc switch and won't turn on.

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:20:56 -0700

Closed ipod after evrthing complete even installing song and listening but upon closing device it shut off and won't turn back on. Battery was charged as well.

⟐ Commented January 13, 2025 at 9:20 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Can I get a iPod 4th gen in 2021

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 02:18:49 -0700

i want a ipod 4th gen. the year is 2021

⟐ Commented December 28, 2024 at 2:18 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Replacement ribbon cable for headphone jack assembly

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 13:48:11 -0700

I have a broken ribbon cable/connector for my 60Gb iPod 4th gen photo iPod. Part number says 632-0322-A so purchased replacement, but replacement has different connector to logic/motherboard!!!! Both have same part number on cable!!

See image, top pic is my broken cable with socket connector, bottom is replacement with incompatible plug style connector. Mystery? Can any one advise please?

Many thanks again Old turkey. Success! I have managed to repair my iPod but only by purchasing a dead 60Gb model on eBay and cannibalising it!

I exchanged the ribbon cable from the dead iPod for my broken one. Behold the replacement was the right connector but this ribbon cable assembly was part number 632-0346-A.

I am a retired electronics engineer and know something about config control. Cannot understand how 2 ribbon cable assemblies can differ in part number yet be the same form and fit?

By the way my logic board is part 820-1642-A.

For info, pic to follow showing the connector type I have and logic board mating pins.

Thanks for all the help!

⟐ Commented October 16, 2024 at 13:48 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Why is my iPod skipping tracks?

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:49:14 -0700

My iPod skips every single track on this one album until it gets to one that isn’t part of that album. I don’t understand why, I paid for it, and I put the songs on the iPod. That’s it. Can anyone help?

⟐ Answer accepted June 27, 2024 at 16:49 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: How do I fix my scroll wheel that is unresponsive?

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 22:37:04 -0700

My ipod's (B&W 20GB) scroll wheel randomly stopped working after being saved in a closet for like 6 years, like completly unresponsive, not even the middle button works. Advice really appreciated.

Edit: Something happened and it went in the music tab

⟐ Edited by author April 15, 2024 at 22:37 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: How to bypass battery

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 13:03:48 -0700

Hello All.
first timer here, new to the fourm. I have an ipod 4th gen that i'm trying to fix. I would like to bypass the battery to do some troubleshooting. anyone have any tips on how to do this? I was just thinking on pluging in 3.3v from a breadboard powersupply to the battery input.
Thanks in advance to any input and tips.

⟐ Answer edited January 30, 2024 at 13:03 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Enclosure for iPod classic hard drive

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 06:37:24 -0700

Power source for iPod Photo 4th Gen (60gbs) died. I tried replacing battery but no joy.

Is there an enclosure or adapter o can use to transfer songs off the drive and then format as either a portable hard drive or as additional storage on a Mac Pro?

James C.

⟐ Answered January 24, 2024 at 6:37 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: iPod Classic: lost headphone ribbon cable clamp

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 01:38:34 -0700

I was just replacing the battery in my iPod classic and I pulled on the case just a touch too hard. The ribbon cable that controls the Headphone Jack and Hold Switch came loose from the motherboard. No big deal.

But when I tried to flip open the lock on the cable bracket/connector, the lock flew off the unit and into nowheresville. I can't find it anywhere. There is no damage to the actual cable connector, except that it is now missing the lock to press the cable securely.

Is there a replacement (without getting a new motherboard) for this fiddly little clamp? Or a reliable way to fabricate a replacement without fear that I'll have to keep opening the case to play with the connection?

Thanks!

⟐ Answer edited September 20, 2023 at 1:38 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: iPod shows sad iPod

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 15:03:40 -0700

Hello,

Recently I dug up my old iPod when I was in my house. I charged it up, and no matter what button I pressed, it showed the Apple logo, and then a sad iPod. I tried everything to get it to work again, and now it won't even boot into Disk mode. iTunes also does not recognize it. I've reset it multiple times, and STILL I had the sad iPod. Please help me.

Also note that the Apple logo displayed is the old one.

⟐ Answered July 04, 2023 at 15:03 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: wont charge with new battery

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 18:42:16 -0700

bought a new battery and get a battery icon that shows as a battery with a black end !

⟐ Commented June 23, 2023 at 18:42 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Can you use the iPhone 4 USB charger instead of FireWire?

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 22:09:01 -0700

Hello everyone,

I picked up an iPod 4th gen from a garage sale and I don’t currently have a FireWire charger that was recommended to use with it. The person didn’t have one, but I do have an iPhone 4 original charger and a 30 pin USB connector cable that I recently got from Apple. I’ve looked around and some iPod 4th gens say to use a FireWire only. I thought that a regular 30 pin connector would work just fine, but I don’t want to ruin the iPod I just got by charging it incorrectly. Do I need to use the FireWire charger or can I just use the USB 30 pin connector?

⟐ Commented April 14, 2023 at 22:09 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Why won't my center clickwheel button work?

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 11:58:26 -0700

My ipod 4th gen was working fine until about a week ago until the center button became unresponsive, The play, skip, and menu buttons all work fine, I am unsure about what the problem is that is happening, does anyone have any solutions, or things to check to see are broken?

⟐ Answered October 31, 2022 at 11:58 MST