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

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: iPod stuck on lock, what component should I replace?

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 12:50:22 -0700

My Ipod always has the small padlock in the top left hand corner. It doesn't matter where the hold switch is, off or on. The buttons are unresponsive and padlock is still there. Soft reset (menu + select) does not work. I was basically wondering if replacing the logic board will fix this because I want to be sure before I spend $50.

⟐ Commented December 01, 2016 at 12:50 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: Battery will not charge, what is the problem?

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 07:54:39 -0700

Just replaced battery ( thinking this was the problem ) but no success, so, replaced hard drive as well in my iPod classic 20GB. Now it won't start up or charge at all, plugged it in to my PC and it was recognized said to restore which i did, was then asked to plug in to charger to finish restore but nothing happens when i do this. Anyone got any ideas what the problem is ?

⟐ Answered September 20, 2022 at 7:54 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Why doesn't it work when unplugged?

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:24:17 -0700

It works when plugged into pc. It shows a full charge but doesn't turn on when unplugged. What is wrong? How can I fix it?

⟐ Answered December 09, 2015 at 10:24 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Why does a sad face with online spport come on

Sun, 14 Dec 2014 04:50:17 -0700

Why does a sad face with online support come on when i try to power on

⟐ Commented December 14, 2014 at 4:50 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: im having trouble restoring my iPod classic.

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 19:05:16 -0700

my ipod is a 4th generation (photo) model. i am trying to restore the ipod, but it told me to hook it up to a regular power outlet after it "restored" it on the computer. now ive checked on apples site, ive looked around online, but no one seems to know how long it has to stay on the ac charger or if thats what your really supposed to do. so i was just woundering if this site could tell me or help me find out, thanks for your time!

⟐ Answer accepted August 06, 2019 at 19:05 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: iPod is frozen on hold.

Sun, 04 Dec 2016 13:49:01 -0700

My iPod Photo is stuck on hold. I cannot reboot. I also tried installing a hold switch from another iPod Photo & that didn't work, so it isn't a bad switch. Any ideas? New hard drive? New logic board? Something else?

⟐ Answer accepted December 04, 2016 at 13:49 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: What happes when you unplug an iPod during sync?

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 02:25:20 -0700

It was unplugged while syncing a podcast and now it will not power up and it is not recognized by windows or itunes

⟐ Commented March 14, 2017 at 2:25 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: After replacing the battery, iPod won't turn on.

Fri, 20 May 2016 11:52:50 -0700

I bought an iPod that won't turn on. When plugged into a firewire charger, the Apple icon comes on briefly then switches to the battery warning icon.

Battery Warning Icon

It cycles this icon on and off about every ten seconds or so. I replaced the battery but it's behavior hasn't changed. Any ideas as to what's going on?

⟐ Answered May 20, 2016 at 11:52 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Installing a larger hard drive

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:08:39 -0700

Is it possible to install a larger hard drive like a 160GB drive?

⟐ Answer accepted June 20, 2010 at 23:08 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: Replacing Hard drive iPod Classic 60 Gb

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 05:47:59 -0700

iPod Classic 60Gb Model A1099

If I replace the hard drive in my 60Gb iPod Classic with a 240GB Toshiba MK2431GAH hard drive, do I follow the same directions as the standard hard drive replacement?

⟐ Answer accepted February 24, 2017 at 5:47 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: U2 iPod repair upgrade

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 09:28:12 -0700

I have a 20GB U2 iPod that seems to have a bad hard drive. Can I repair it myself and upgrade to a 30GB drive at the same time?

⟐ Answer edited December 14, 2018 at 9:28 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Why does my iPod show a folder with a warning sign?

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 06:20:00 -0700

My iPod shows a folder with a warning sign and below it the words www.apple.com/support/iPod. What could the problem be and how can it be fixed?

⟐ Answered March 21, 2016 at 6:20 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: need help Identifying my iPod

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 08:46:22 -0700

I have a 30gb 4th gen iPod model number A1099. Id like to know if its a photo or regualr iPod.

⟐ Answer accepted October 24, 2015 at 8:46 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: hard drive upgrade to newer type

Sun, 25 Aug 2013 08:05:51 -0700

i wanted to know if it was possible to use a new type of hard drive with the ipod and still have it work. i saw this toshiba one but am not sure if it needs to be the hard drive specifically made for that ipod in order to work.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=...

⟐ Commented August 25, 2013 at 8:05 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Icon keeps appearing? Possibly dead battery?

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 05:25:48 -0700

I bought this ipod on ebay for 25 dollars as a back up to my first generation ipod. The seller informed me of this problem. So I got it today, and basically no matter what I do, it is showing an icon with an adapter and a power outlet. I tried plugging it into the mac and the PC. No change. Is this a dead battery? I assuming it isn't the hard drive? If so does this website sell the battery so that I can replace it?

⟐ Answered March 02, 2013 at 5:25 MST

iPod 4th Generation or Photo: Ejects itself from iTunes library.

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:31:41 -0700

I have a 20gb iPod classic 4th generation and Ive been replacing parts on it as needed. I just put in a new logic board (bought from here) and now when I connect it to my iTunes it will eject itself for now reason but then it won't turn off. It just stays on the "do not disconnect" icon and I have to wait for the battery to die before I can do anything with it.

Any ideas why? Should I just try restoring it and see if that helps.

⟐ Answer accepted February 20, 2010 at 9:31 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: Will a ZIF-to-pins adapter fit in an iPod?

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:33:01 -0700

Rather than buy a new iPod Classic, I'd like to resuscitate my old iPod Photo, which has a dead hard drive, with a higher-capacity ZIF drive. I've found an adapter that should do the trick, whose description even mentions the iPod (in broken English), but looking at the iFixit guide for HDD replacement, I can see that things are pretty tight in there. Here is a close-up of the adapter board:

(Click to enlarge. Remember that it uses a slim ribbon cable, pictured at the link above, as well.)

It's possible that if it works at all, it would only work to put a 5mm-thick ZIF drive into one of the thicker, higher-capacity iPod models that were made for 8mm-thick drives, which could leave some room for the adapter. Or it could also work for the thinner models (like I have), or it could be there's no way it would fit in either case. Can anyone who is very familiar with these HDD replacements say with certainty whether this would fit, for either the thinner or the thicker iPod models?

⟐ Commented March 08, 2021 at 18:33 MST