I know, your asking yourself right after you read the title “sounds sweet, how do I do it? is it costly? do i need alot of experience?”

Despite all of those questions you asked yourself, this is something easier than it seems. To be perfectly honest, I have 3 iPods, and only use 0.5 of them. Being my preference to get the optimal “hardcore interface” threw the infamous iPL (iPod Linux) on my 3rd Generation (15 GB) iPod.

Why:

• If you are running out of space on your harddrive.
• To backup files, or transfer between remote locations.
  ex. Save documents to open them on another computer.
• If you want to store data and easily transport it.
• Any other ideas go as well!

What you need:

• An iPod of any size. (The larger the better, depending on the media you store)
• A computer (most likely you already own one if you are: a. viewing this website b. own an ipod)
• iPod Linux Firmware (There are many versions of this, and it does void your warranty. This is used for the annihilation of your iPod to play MP3s as its soul purpose.) *OPTIONAL*

The Laydown:

1. We’re going to format your iPod and remove the Apple Firmware. (I did say this is easier than it sounds… anyone can do this, if you haven’t already)
2. Reinstall the Apple Firmware. (Normal mode)
3. Delete all existences of the Apple Firmware (Black and White, Disk Mode) OR Install iPod Linux (DO NOT DO BOTH!)

Future Knowledge, Advice, Tips (Pre Thoughts):

• To reboot your iPod push CENTER BUTTON (SELECT) + MENU till the iPod screen goes blank.
• To boot your iPod into Disk Mode you will have to reboot your ipod, THEN push REWIND + FASTFORWARD at the same time, till the iPod shows the Disk Mode screen.
• Installing iPod Linux can be a hassle, and trust me I have done it every way possible. Some are easy and some cause hormonal raging. *NOTE: THIS WILL VOID YOUR IPOD* *DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!* (I did it because I am an enthusiast)
• The end result is an iPod that DOES NOT have a purpose of playing music, but for data storage.

How:

1. Plug your iPod into your computer. Format your ipod. Do this by opening My Computer (Start > My Computer). You will see a “Removable Device” with a drive letter like G: or H: (common). Right click your iPod and select “Format…” The only thing you need to do is check the box “Quick Format” and then press Start. Wait till it says its finished and press Ok.
2. Reinstall the apple firmware by opening iTunes: 7.0 users will use apples built-in Upgrade tool. *USE THE MOST RECENT VERSION OF YOUR IPODS FIRMWARE!* For users iTunes 6 or below: you will upgrade your ipod by opening iPod Updater in your start menu. Let it finish, as normal let your ipod upgrade. Itunes will prompt you for a name for your ipod. Personally I use “DataStorage#1″ (#1 because I use several ipods 2/3 for data storage)
3. Now we are going to eather delete the Apple Firmware from our iPod completely OR install iPod Linux.
   • To delete the Apple Firmware:
     • Open My Computer (Start > My Computer).
     • Find your iPod and open it (Now titled what you named it in iTunes) Ex. “DataStorage#1″
     • Select ALL of the files, including HIDDEN files. Hit your [Delete] button on your keyboard, and say YES!
     • Your iPod is clean, and ready to rock and roll! (Well… minus the rock.. because we dont want to listen to music on it anymore (while using it as a datastorage device instead of portable media player.).)
   • To install iPod Linux:
     • There are way too many ways to install or reinstall or make your iPod happy with iPod Linux. The basic is easy, and all of the information you need can be found on iPL’s forum, or their main Wiki website.
     • To make your life simple, ill provide these locations to you in a simple, easy form.
     • iPod Linux Main Wikipedia Website: http://ipodlinux.org/Main_Page
     • iPod Linux Support Forums: http://www.ipodlinux.org/forums/
4. To enjoy your iPod as your data storage device, you will need to use your cable at times when connecting it to a computer. If using iPod linux, you will need to boot into disk mode. Or actually, if using it without iPod Linux too, boot it into disk mode anyways.

!READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTE!
iTunes will state your iPod is in disk mode, and prompt you to reformat it (upgrade). Ignore this message!
Note: From now on, you will NOT use iTunes to put files on your iPod. Instead, make a directory while browsing your iPod through My Computer and put your files you wish to save in your designated directory!

Happy iPodding… jaaava

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 7th, 2006 at 4:41 am and is filed under Technology.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.