B.R.'s iPod, part two

[pseydtonne]

Diagnostician's notebook entry

• Object: Apple iPod, fourth Generation (c. 2004, black & white), 20 GB HDD
  
• External hardware condition: Used but good. Moderate scratching from lack of protection; screen is highly legible; resolution excellent.
  
• Internal hardware condition: Mixed. Battery condition is fair to good but requires further investigation; backlight condition uncertain;
  
• Firmware condition: old and possibly corrupted. Database files resolve content but several files themselves cannot be played to completion. Errors do not seem to match
  
• Potential Utility Remaining: Under diagnosis. Firmware will need to be upgraded -- version 3.1.1 is available for this machine but present version unknown. Complete reformat recommended after data has been backed up. Data files may be in bad state throughout, since simple directory backups are taking several minutes per file instead of several files per minute. So far only a machine running OS X (iBook G3 500 MHz running OS X.3.9) has been able to read data files whereas database reads acceptably. Linux machine could read database but not copy files. Windows machine not yet tested.
  
• Subjective Appraisal: I can see why B.R., a resident of the Red Hook section of Brooklyn but otherwise an unknown entity, threw out this iPod. While it is clearly not dead, it will require a lot of attention and effort to copy the data and return the machine to a working state. If I did not have the time, I would not even work on the project. I would be more interested if I had to open it up but it's not that bad off.

Some of you may not have been dismayed by the above. Let me know if you do not already have a portable MP3 player but would be interested in this refurb once it's ready. Price will be negotiable in person.

Addendum: I think I just bricked it. Time for an autopsy!

Correction: I figured out how to reset it and it's not bricked. It is formatted for a Mac, however. This explains why the Linux box could not copy the files... I think. More fighting later, as I need lunch.

Comments

[kestrell.livejournal.com]

I would be interested in trying out an iPod, again (yeah, I did acquire an iPod at one point but gave up on using it because the iTunes transfer interface was so inaccessible, but I hear that has improved). Anyway, if you refurbish one that you think is too archaic for most users but may work for a blind user, I would like another crack at the iPod thing, especially as I am getting more into digital audiobooks.

Haha

[starburstlvr.livejournal.com]

"Price will be negotiable in person."

I am such a perv because all I can think when reading that are naughty things.

Sad admission

[pseydtonne.livejournal.com]

Normally I'd think of the perverted meaning in any such occasion. In this case my original thought was "whatever could be the value in about six hours of resurrection labor. I'd even trade for another SATA drive or something but cash would be better right now."

Now that you mention it, the perverted answer seems more noble. Then again, I haven't paid for sex yet so why start now?

Re: Sad admission

[starburstlvr.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't necessarily be paying for it. People in relationships do such things or give such gifts to their significant others. But that's my "politician" response. :)

[pseydtonne.livejournal.com]

Ah yes... the altruistic version of a desirable situation!

I suppose the most delicate yet indelicate follow-up would be "say, what are you doing after this political debate?"

[starburstlvr.livejournal.com]

Hahaha. Well played, sir. Well played.