B.R.'s iPod, part two

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.

Other observations from today

1. I feel better today. A lot better. Thanks.
   
2. Man, I have a LOT of Splashdown on my iPod. I didn't realize they had that many albums. I always think "well, there's Blueshift, Stars and Garters... and I should ask lightfixer what else I scammed off him a few years ago." Just now I was sorting my stack in iTunes and noticed so many live albums recorded either in Cambridge Mass or Rochester NY that I realized "oh, here are the duplicates and... man, they continue to sound good no matter what." I guess my only question is: what is the relationship to Countess and Splashdown, if any?
   
3. I hate having to thin my iPod stack. I have a 30 GB machine and I have to save money until I'm a corporate tool again. I have to spend time going "hmm... do I even want to hear this crap album during summer road trips? Nah? Then I'll make room for the Fratellis. Wait, what? The effing Fratellis?" Arguments like these go on for a while and then I sync.
   
4. Oh yeah, I still need to tell a bunch of Australia tales. I one in particular I need to tell soon because it will help me get some closure. I'm going to lock that one, so please subscribe if you want to hear a tale of woe and coffee.
   
5. I'd better post this before I lose track.

-yes I love the ordered list tag so deal, Ps/d