Replace 4G iPod Hard Disk on your own

It’s possible to replace the hard drive because it’s broken without warranty, or because you want a larger one (note: in this case replacement would void iPod warranty).
You can buy online iPod HD, i.e. on ipodmods.com

Opening the shell

By using a cutter we will start operating in the middle of the long side of the iPod, an will start separating the two iPod half-shells.
When it is opened on one side, other sides will open with a gentle pressure.

Be carefull

When opening be very carefull: we don't want to break shell hooks, because we want to be able to close it again, after all :-)

The iPod is opened

Once the iPod is opened here is what we will see.
Now gently unplug the flat wires (upper side of the picture) than joints front and back half-shells.
Look carefully at these steps, becuse you have to repeat them in the reverse order when will close again the iPod.

The unplugged flat

Here there is the flat wire we have right unplugged, in order to work easily with the iPod.

Detach the Hard Drive

Here we have the hard drive, and we have to remove it.

Unplug and replace the Hard Drive

The hard drive can be unplugged easily, just like on a notebook.
Once the HD has been replaced close the iPod and wire it to the computer. Of course iPod software needs to be re-installed.

© and Credits

Source material: from an article published on blogmac.it on iPod display replacement - courtesy of Davide Stagni.

⌘ Andrea Cacciari (operator)
⌘ Davide Stagni (auhtor)
⌘ Adapted by Marco Balestra