HOW TO – iPod nano hacking

HOW TO – iPod nano hacking

Nano
The new iPod nano is out and while it’s not as hackable (yet) as its older cousins, you can do a few things like change the text strings, mod the font and even change the graphics (sorta). Here’s HOW TO mod a pod, a work in progress for the iPod nano….Dsc06006

Like everything else in the household here, the new iPod nano was quickly hacked and modded to see what was possible. The value of a gadget for us here is more than just features, style and function–it needs to be malleable to bends, tweaks and personalization. While the iPod nano isn’t as hackable as older iPods (run linux, record high quality, etc…) there are some things you can do. Here are just a few to get started.

Changing “strings” or text

Let’s say you don’t like what the text says on the iPod; maybe you’d like to rewrite the legal section for kicks, or put your name and address in your iPod. You can use a tool called “iPodWizard” for Windows PCs to change the strings on any iPod, including the nano. If you have a Mac, skip to the Changing graphic part of this article, it has the app you’ll need to use.

Download and install iPodWizard from iPodWizard.net. The source code for iPodWizard is available too.

There are tons of forum posts, articles, HOW TOs and more on iPodWizard, so after you read this, the best source for iPod hacking/modding with iPodWizard is usually over there.

Also, while you’re downloading, grab “iHack” we’ll use this tool to make the special text.

Lately, we’ll need some Firmware to mod; the best way to get it is actually from Apple. Download and install the iPod updater from here for your Windows PC.

Start iPodWizard and click “Open Updater” it should be in the following directory – C:Program FilesiPodiPod Updater 2005-09-06

I usually make a copy of this file as a back up, that way I can always restore my iPod to a “clean” firmware if needed.
Once opened you’re going to choose a Firmware from the list, the iPod nano is IDR_FIRMWARE- 14.5.0. Click Load.

Here is a complete list:

  • IDR_FIRMWARE-1.1.5 –iPod 1st or 2nd generation
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-10.3.1 –HP iPod 4th generation
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-11.4.2 –iPod color / U2 / Potter?
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-14.5.0 –iPod nano
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-128.1.1 –iPod Shuffle?
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-2.2.3 –iPod 3rd generation
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-3.2.6 –iPod mini
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-4.3.1 –iPod 4th generation
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-5.4.2 –iPod Photo
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-6.2.6 –HP iPod mini
  • IDR_FIRMWARE-7.2.6 –Not sure, some black and white one it seems?

(please post in the comments if these are not correct).

Image3-9
Now some bad news: other iPod firmwares load in graphics to mod, but the latest iPod nano does not. But we can still edit the text on a PC as well as the fonts. You can edit the graphics, sorta, on a Mac–I’ll go over that later.

Once loaded, click the “strings” tab. This is all the text on the iPod, it’s fun to see all the things the iPod can display, poke around.

Image4-7

I’m going to change the word “iPod” at the top menu to MAKE. Type in iPod and click “Find Next.” It’s really far down the list; the ones that are iPod with a period (.) are not the same.

Image5-6

Now, open iHack. In this application you type what you want the iPod to say, it’s important that the new text “fits” with the old, for example, I chose MAKE since it’s the same number of characters as iPod.

Image7-9

Once typed in, click “send to active window” and click the i in iPod in the window. In a second or so it will replace the word iPod with Make. I also replaced a few other instances of iPod just to make sure I got most of them. Just be careful, there are ones that shouldn’t be changed, and you could mess up the iPod a bit. In the worst case, formatting the iPod in Windows or Mac OS will kill any mistakes and then you restore from a clean firmware you saved.

Image8-8

Next up, click “write.” This will save the changes to the Firmware file.

Image9-6

Once saved, open up the iPod updater, plug in your iPod and restore. This will erase all your data, so make sure you have back up and all that.

Image10-6

Image11-5

Image12-4

Once restored and the iPod reboots, you should see your text changes on the iPod nano.

Dsc06010
The make pod.

Changing fonts
Some folks can’t read the iPod fonts particularly well, and others just like to change the look. Just like the text strings you can change the fonts; it’s a little trickier and I don’t think the results are usually that great, but here’s how.

Start iPodWizard and load in your firmware, 14.5.0 for the nano and click the Fonts tab. Here is a huge list of all the fonts on the iPod, most of them are for other languages, but the sample one I’m going to change is the main system font for the iPod “Podium Sans.” It is index number 29 in the pull down list.

Image13-2
You can make your own fonts by clicking “Make font.” This will grab one from your system, but you can also tweak parts of the fonts on a pixel level. This is pretty cool since there are tons of fonts out there, but most of them don’t really look that great on the tiny screen, so experiment!
Image1B

Image2B

Now that you’ve modded the font, click “write” and we’ll restore the iPod again.

Dsc06011

Thin font iPod nano.

Dsc06017
Mod vs unmod…

And this just about ends what you can do on a PC now with the nano; you can of course use IpodWizard to mod graphics on other iPods, just not the iPod nano at this time. I suspect that will change. To mod graphics for now, you need to use a Mac; here’s how I did it.

Changing graphics

For some reason the way the nano stores graphics is a little different than the other iPod; the modding software on the PC can’t see it, but on a Mac I was able to take the firmware off the iPod, view it and change it. For some reason it looks really odd, but that’s fun too, I suppose.

There might be a couple ways to mod the graphics and perhaps some work arounds, but this is the way I got it going…

On a Mac I need two applications to mod the graphics, the first is Alterpod (download it here) and second is iPod icons.

The first thing we’re going to is extract the Firmware from the iPod To do this plug in the iPod and run Alterpod.

In the first panel, click choose in the destination field and select a place on your system to store the iPod firmware.

Screenshot 01-11

Screenshot 02-9

Screenshot 03-6

In about 1 minute you’ll have a new file called “ipod_firmware_backup”. Quit AlterPod and start up iPod icons.
Screenshot 04-5

Choose “Import Firmware” in the file menu and select file, point it towards the firmware we saved with AlterPod.
Screenshot 06-5


Screenshot 07-3

Once the firmware is loaded, you’ll see all the graphics, but for some reason they’re all weird, I’m not sure why. But you can edit them as well as as saving them back.
Screenshot 08-5

Before we do that, you can also mod the text on the iPod nano here as well, just click text.

Screenshot 10-4

To mod a graphic, select the icon and choose export icon from the edit menu. If you want to save it as a specfic type of format, like BMP go to the preferences and change the file format.

Screenshot 12-3

Screenshot 11-3

Once exported, use your favorite image editing software to edit the graphic; just keep it the same size and expect it to look weird. I make a MAKE logo, a red one, and it came out green, but I think this is how it will be until the firmware readers update for the nano.

Select the icon you want to replace and choose import icon.

Here’s MAKE. Now choose export firmware in the File menu and save it to your local system.

Screenshot 14-1

Choose “create new firmware file” and give it a name.

Go back to AlterPod and in the first panel choose the firmware file and click restore.

Screenshot 18

Screenshot 19

Screenshot 20

Once restored, eject the iPod; it will reset and here’s the modded MAKE pod!

Dsc06021-1

You can also use AlterPod to mod graphics, text and fonts–but for now, I just wanted to do it quick and easy style.

Screenshot 21

Screenshot 22

As the hacks get better, we’ll update the articles–for now it these are just a couple of the things you can do with a nano! Happy modding.

190 thoughts on “HOW TO – iPod nano hacking

  1. John_K says:

    The graphics are screwed up because the Nano uses 16-bit colour graphics and the pixel format the program expects it to be in is different than what it is in. It seems that they’re in 1555 ABGR format and it’s being treated as 5551 RGBA (or something, I can’t really tell without access to it)

  2. Otto42 says:

    The graphics look “weird” because the program is expecting them to be byte reversed and they’re not. It’s a little endian vs. big endian thing. Most likely, the iPod stores them as 565 RGB, but the program is expecting the byte swap (or vice versa) and so it sees 3553 GRBG instead. Other files on the iPod (the ArtworkDB and the PhotoDB) act in the same way. It’s a simple fix to the iPodWizard, if the code was available.

    Also, the IDR_FIRMWARE-7.2.6 is for the U2 Special Edition iPod’s, I think.

  3. Otto42 says:

    Sorry, I meant 3553 GBRG. Typo. :P

  4. atammour says:

    Does anyone know how to mod the iPod 20 Gb (color) to display lyrics like the iPod nano

  5. PeteCashmore says:

    You can always rely on Make for great hacking how-tos. Good job!

    I just posted a humor article on the Nano – Is the iPod Nano *Too* Thin?

    Let me know what you think.

  6. arnchopprero says:

    Was there ever a hack to make the iPod Mini (and hopefully the Nano) so that it would be able to accept photos using Apple’s Camera Connector or Belkin’s Digital Camera Link?

  7. Belenense says:

    Hey Guys I followed your blog above (i think) and now cannot get my computer to recognize my nano. When I connect it to the computer it recognizes the device as an Apple (Randy)device. Apple iPod updater does not recognize as an ipod to reflash. What are my options??

  8. n3ldan says:

    iWrote iHack and iGot no credit! Come on guys, atleast say by n3ldan, and link to http://n3ldan.info !

  9. n3ldan says:

    iWrote iHack and iGot no credit! Come on guys, atleast say by n3ldan, and link to http://n3ldan.info !

  10. n3ldan says:

    the code is available, look at ipodwizard.net

    unfortunatly its full of noobs who dont know shit, so you have to sort through them to find respectable people.

    but the code is available, and a fix would be apreciated

  11. n3ldan says:

    code is available for ipod wizard, so if you guys know c or whatever language it was written in, please cahnge, it woudl be appreciated.

  12. n3ldan says:

    oh, neewest ocmments go to the top. no wonder i didnt think mien were getting psoted…

    new version of ihack is out, so that you wont have to restore youtr ipod, you can jus tupdate it. very useful…

  13. xof7 says:

    Man… I completely screwed up my nano… I was changing some of the “IPod” values and one of them was the device id. Now Itunes nor the Update application will recognize it as an ipod, only attached storage.

    Can any one help me?

    Thanks

  14. xof7 says:

    Man… I completely screwed up my ipod with this…

    When i was changing the “Ipod” values w/ iwizard, one of them was the device id. Now ITunes and the updater app won’t recognize my nano as a ipod, only attached storage…

    Can any one help me?

    Thanks

    Jeff
    Webtime7@gmail.com

  15. grooveholmes says:

    Hi– can anyone confirm the correct firmware for the new U2 “color” iPods? Someone posted that it is IDR_FIRMWARE-7.2.6 but someone has also posted IDR_FIRMWARE-11.4.2. Which is correct?? Thanks in advance!

  16. Stryker05 says:

    Does anyone here have the same problem im having ?

    i totally screwed my ipod nano ! i changed the ipod string and one of them was the device id or something like that .. just like the guy below me .. and now i cant update my ipod and itunes wont recognize my nano !?!?!?!? someone please help me !!!!

    i have only had my nano for like 2 days !!! help !!!

    my email is mafiaman12@gmail.com

    if anyone knows of anything or has any ideas as to what i can do to restore the ipod and get it back to to normal .. please let me know ..

    thanks !!!!

  17. n3ldan says:

    If you read the fourms @ ipodwizard.net then maybe you would realize hwo much you screwed up your ipod.

  18. andvari says:

    I had the same kinda problem when I changed my Strings, I wrote over the DeviceId and windows no longer recognized it as an ipod. Others had told me to reformat the nano to Fat32 and do a reboot on it. I tried that to no avail. However I did mange to fix my Nano and here is how I did it. I borrowed my friends Powerbook G4 and tried the same method and it actually worked. So if you are having problems jump on a Mac and reformat your nano to a FAT32 then reboot the nano (toggle the hold button then hit the center button and menu at same time and hold for a few seconds) and you should get a black and white error screen. At this point it will all be in black and white but don’t fret. The computer will now recognize your iPod as an iPod so you can go ahead and reformat it using the updater and Volia! Good as new!

  19. Person_1 says:

    Hey, I know this post is kinda dead now, but i feel this is the best place to put it. I tried this firmware hack on my iPod mini but the IDR_FIRMWARE-3.2.6 didn’t work! So i then tried with a couple of others and found that it worked with the IDR_FIRMWARE-7.2.6

    Anyone else found this? Anyone know why mine’s using the ‘wrong’ firmware?

  20. Person_1 says:

    Hey, I know this post is kinda dead now, but i feel this is the best place to put it. I tried this firmware hack on my iPod mini but the IDR_FIRMWARE-3.2.6 didn’t work! So i then tried with a couple of others and found that it worked with the IDR_FIRMWARE-7.2.6

    Anyone else found this? Anyone know why mine’s using the ‘wrong’ firmware?

  21. HElpp says:

    HELP PLEEASE my ipod nano is scewed… i changed the wrong ipod string and now it wont read or anything…. plz helpp is there anyway to fix it?

  22. timmy029 says:

    help i just did what the rest of the people did,is there anyway to reformat it back to original settings or to restore backup firmware. Help im getting desperate now

    timmy.eng@gmail.com

  23. timmy029 says:

    help i just did what the rest of the people did,is there anyway to reformat it back to original settings or to restore backup firmware. Help im getting desperate now

    timmy.eng@gmail.com

  24. timmy029 says:

    i have now fixed the problem after a day of worrying. Im now going to write a simple guide on how to fix this issue for any other people who had the same idea as me but failed.(this is for window)

    i am writing this guide because nobody else will help and been one of the people who messed up i feel someone should help so here it is

    You need partition magic, winhex (registered version)

    you first load up partition magic and go to the free part of your ipod (about 70mb) yout then right click it and select modify then click view sectors. Save all of this sector all 160,00 and odd sectors. You then use winhex to open this sector,search for the part of the string you edited,in my case it was “Tim ” once this has been found you need to replace this with the correct hex code. The code for the word ipod is “69 50 6f 64” replace all the things you need to until they are all replaced,save this. Then go back onto partition magic select the free space right click,modify,view sectors. Click options and then tick the box saying enable write. come of the options menu back onto the sector view and click restore. Navigate to the sector you saved should be about 70mb. restore this file. Once this has been done get your ipod click the lock switch at the top then unclick it then hold down menu and the centre button until the apple logo appears. You will probably get an error message. Dont worry this is good. Then wait till it loads up and says do not disconnect on the screen now load up the firmware updater and rstore the original firmware. Then your ipod should be as good as new apart from the songs,photos etc that were lost. This been a small price to pay for getting your ipod working again. I hope this was of use to people as i had no guide to help me just instinct.

  25. timmy029 says:

    i have now fixed the problem after a day of worrying. Im now going to write a simple guide on how to fix this issue for any other people who had the same idea as me but failed.(this is for window)

    i am writing this guide because nobody else will help and been one of the people who messed up i feel someone should help so here it is

    You need partition magic, winhex (registered version)

    you first load up partition magic and go to the free part of your ipod (about 70mb) yout then right click it and select modify then click view sectors. Save all of this sector all 160,00 and odd sectors. You then use winhex to open this sector,search for the part of the string you edited,in my case it was “Tim ” once this has been found you need to replace this with the correct hex code. The code for the word ipod is “69 50 6f 64” replace all the things you need to until they are all replaced,save this. Then go back onto partition magic select the free space right click,modify,view sectors. Click options and then tick the box saying enable write. come of the options menu back onto the sector view and click restore. Navigate to the sector you saved should be about 70mb. restore this file. Once this has been done get your ipod click the lock switch at the top then unclick it then hold down menu and the centre button until the apple logo appears. You will probably get an error message. Dont worry this is good. Then wait till it loads up and says do not disconnect on the screen now load up the firmware updater and rstore the original firmware. Then your ipod should be as good as new apart from the songs,photos etc that were lost. This been a small price to pay for getting your ipod working again. I hope this was of use to people as i had no guide to help me just instinct.

  26. HElpp says:

    Where do i find the free part of my ipod in partition magic? when i open partition magic it comes up with my c drive and thats it

  27. borninda818 says:

    I did the same thing and my ipod nnano is screwed up. bye now im not shittin myself anymore kuz its been 2 weeks and i cant fix it. the “format as a fat32” method didnt work for me even though i tried on a pc, g4, and g5. and this partition thing isnt working either because partition magic only shows C drive…not ipod. am i permenantly screwed or is there some help for me out there. furtheremore i cant go 2 the ipod store because i dont want my dad to find out…plus the ipod is already all scrazched up. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE 20 gig.

    Please email me at borninda818@gmail.com IM DESPERATE

  28. borninda818 says:

    I did the same thing and my ipod nnano is screwed up. bye now im not shittin myself anymore kuz its been 2 weeks and i cant fix it. the “format as a fat32” method didnt work for me even though i tried on a pc, g4, and g5. and this partition thing isnt working either because partition magic only shows C drive…not ipod. am i permenantly screwed or is there some help for me out there. furtheremore i cant go 2 the ipod store because i dont want my dad to find out…plus the ipod is already all scrazched up. I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE 20 gig.

    Please email me at borninda818@gmail.com IM DESPERATE

  29. borninda818 says:

    OK…i found anouther way to do it…THIS ACTUALLY WORKED FOR ME AFTER ALL ELSE FAILED. im about to cry for joy. what a beautiful day this is. anyway…you have to press select menu to reboot it and when u see the apple sign you immediantely pres select play (> ||). THAT IT. you have just put your ipod into disk mode. Your computer will recognise it now. You cant thank me latter…after you have jumped for joy like i did. The only downside is that the new ipod video came out and im killing myself for not waiting anouther month to get that.

  30. ltdan1504 says:

    HOLY CRUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This screwed up my ipod BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if anybody, ANYBODY has any replacement firmware I need ANYTHING to restore my pod to normal! PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT: ltdan1504@gmail.com please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  31. Ten98 says:

    Lovely hacks you have come up with there. I puty the poor ppl who have manually edited a firmware, ruined it and flashed it to their ipods though, that’s some funny stuff! You guys know all you need to do is download the original firmware from apple and flash it again right? Oh well…

    What I REALLY want to see is some way of displaying album art full screen. I love the fact I can have colour album covers on my Nano, but why on earth can’t I full screen them? The little 1cm square is a bit small to get any amount of decent detail in… Am I just being dumb and not finding the button, or did apple simply not include this basic feature by default?

  32. timmy029 says:

    you keep pressing the centre button until it goes full screen probably 2 or 3 clicks i think

  33. imAdumbASS says:

    I am one of the idiots who messed up his ipod nano by trying to change the “ipod” string to something else. The hard drive is showing under my computer, but just like the other cases, itunes and updater aren’t recognizing it. I tried winhex and partition magic, but that got me nowhere because I need more detailed instructions from Timmy. I tried reformatting it to FAT32 on a mac, but that wasn’t an option listed. My only hope is to use a mac and alterpod to replace the good firmware after borrowing a friends ipod nano. I don’t know if that will work, I might even mess up her ipod by accident. I need clear cut directions as to how to fix my ipod. PLEASE!!!!!!!!! (I have win XP)

  34. borninda818 says:

    Listen…before anyone else posts here whining that they cant fix their ipod, first try my simple, short, and easy method…

    Take you ipod nano, with a decent amount of charge, and (1) reset it by pressin center button and menu and holding it down until you get a pic of the apple and (2) while you still see the apple, press the center and play buttons for like 6 or 10 seconds. You have just put the ipod on disk mode and there should be some sort of picture confurming this and it should now say disk mode or something like that on top of the ipod.

    Now your computer and itunes will recognize it…this worked beautifully for me but you might of screwed it up more than i had. If anyone tries this and fails please post it. and if you try and get it right…post that too just so everyone knows it worked…kuz that fat32 and partition magic shit didn’t

  35. tr20 says:

    This guide is for the folks whose ipods are not being recognized by itunes and ipod-updater, and windows wouldn’t let them format the ipod’s drive after they tried a hack. I was trying the ipod linux hack and itunes, ipod-updater as well as ipodlinux-installer wouldn’t recognize my ipod nano after an unsuccessful attempt. Partition magic didnt help. Here’s what worked for me. There’s a small utility called diskprobe.exe (can be downloaded from microsoft.com for free) I used that to change the 1st sector of the nano’s harddrive to zeros. Then formatted the nano’s hdd (windows explorer let me format it). disconnected and reconnected the nano and viola! ipod-updater found it and let me perform a “restore”. I’m using windows 2000 and as far as I know diskprobe runs on win xp too but I havent tried it.

    ***WARNING – Be VERY, VERY, VERY careful when using diskprobe, if you accidentally change the contents of your computers hard drive your computer may not boot or worse you may lose data ***

    If someone wants detailed instructions and snapshots let me know I’d be more than happy to help fellow ipod-owners.

  36. borninda818 says:

    i screwed my ipod nano again…this time worse.

    i tried putting linux on it and now it doesnt recognise it and whenever i plugg it in the little circly thing on the top left of the screen keeps turning. ok…so i read the thing below and i want 2 try it but i cant find the program anywhere. If you read this can u send me Diskprobe or a link 2 diskprobe or post the link here.

    my email is borninda818@gmail.com

  37. LaughingAtYOU says:

    YOU DON’T HAVE TO RESTORE YOUR iPod!
    Intead having to lose your music every time you want to change a little something, try this (windows):

    make sure you can see hidden fles and folders.
    open up your iPod nano from ‘My Computer’.
    open the hidden folder ‘iPod_Control’.
    open the hidden folder ‘Device’. (I suggest making a clean backup copy)
    open the file ‘SysInfo’ in notepad.
    find the line “PolicyFlags: 0x00000000buildID: 0x05008000 (5.0)”
    change both 5’s to 2’s. Ex. “PolicyFlags: 0x00000000buildID: 0x02008000 (2.0)”
    save the file and now you can use the UPDATE function instead of the RESTORE function to apply firmware changes.

    P.S. I have a White 4GB nano and your ‘SysInfo’ file may look different than mine. If you have a backup of the file and the above doesn’t work, play around with some of the numbers to see what you need to change. This works with other iPods too.

  38. LaughingAtYOU says:

    YOU DON’T HAVE TO RESTORE YOUR iPod!
    Intead having to lose your music every time you want to change a little something, try this (windows):

    make sure you can see hidden fles and folders.
    open up your iPod nano from ‘My Computer’.
    open the hidden folder ‘iPod_Control’.
    open the hidden folder ‘Device’. (I suggest making a clean backup copy)
    open the file ‘SysInfo’ in notepad.
    find the line “PolicyFlags: 0x00000000buildID: 0x05008000 (5.0)”
    change both 5’s to 2’s. Ex. “PolicyFlags: 0x00000000buildID: 0x02008000 (2.0)”
    save the file and now you can use the UPDATE function instead of the RESTORE function to apply firmware changes.

    P.S. I have a White 4GB nano and your ‘SysInfo’ file may look different than mine. If you have a backup of the file and the above doesn’t work, play around with some of the numbers to see what you need to change. This works with other iPods too.

  39. LaughingAtYOU says:

    YOU DON’T HAVE TO RESTORE YOUR iPod!
    Intead having to lose your music every time you want to change a little something, try this (windows):

    make sure you can see hidden fles and folders.
    open up your iPod nano from ‘My Computer’.
    open the hidden folder ‘iPod_Control’.
    open the hidden folder ‘Device’.(I suggest making a clean backup copy)
    open the file ‘SysInfo’ in notepad.
    find the line “PolicyFlags: 0x00000000buildID: 0x05008000 (5.0)”
    change both 5’s to 2’s.(PolicyFlags: 0x00000000buildID: 0x02008000 (2.0))
    save the file and now you can use the UPDATE function to make changes.

    P.S. I have a White 4GB nano and the ‘SysInfo’ file may look different than mine. If you have a backup of the file and the above doesn’t work, play around with some of the numbers to see what you need to change. This works with other iPods too.

  40. LaughingAtYOU says:

    YOU DON’T HAVE TO RESTORE YOUR iPod!
    Intead having to lose your music every time you want to change a little something, try this (windows):

    make sure you can see hidden fles and folders.
    open up your iPod nano from ‘My Computer’.
    open the hidden folder ‘iPod_Control’.
    open the hidden folder ‘Device’.(I suggest making a clean backup copy)
    open the file ‘SysInfo’ in notepad.
    find the line “PolicyFlags: 0x00000000buildID: 0x05008000 (5.0)”
    change both 5’s to 2’s.(PolicyFlags: 0x00000000buildID: 0x02008000 (2.0))
    save the file and now you can use the UPDATE function to make changes.

    P.S. I have a White 4GB nano and the ‘SysInfo’ file may look different than mine. If you have a backup of the file and the above doesn’t work, play around with some of the numbers to see what you need to change. This works with other iPods too.

  41. greenday123 says:

    hey tr20, can i have detailed instructions and pics, ive had my nano for 2 weeks nd i dont wanna screw it up, im very hesistant also from all the stories of people who screwed their nano. if u could IM me at “lpblinkfan183” no quotes, or email at “ferrarienzo5951@hotmail.com” again no quotes that would be great thx

  42. greenday123 says:

    hey tr20, nvrmnd bout b4, i modded the firmware nd it turned out gr8,my ipod looks beautiful now, it didnt crash once, thx n e way tho

  43. greenday123 says:

    7.2.6 would be the second generation mini, 6.2.6 would be the first gen mini. also, is there a way to replace the sad ipod or folder icon on the ipod 4th, there is for 1 nd 2nd gen but y not 4th

  44. greenday123 says:

    7.2.6 would be the second generation mini, 6.2.6 would be the first gen mini. also, is there a way to replace the sad ipod or folder icon on the ipod 4th, there is for 1 nd 2nd gen but y not 4th

  45. greenday123 says:

    7.2.6 would be the second generation mini, 6.2.6 would be the first gen mini. also, is there a way to replace the sad ipod or folder icon on the ipod 4th, there is for 1 nd 2nd gen but y not 4th

  46. greenday123 says:

    7.2.6 would be the second generation mini, 6.2.6 would be the first gen mini. also, is there a way to replace the sad ipod or folder icon on the ipod 4th, there is for 1 nd 2nd gen but y not 4th

  47. greenday123 says:

    7.2.6 would be the second generation mini, 6.2.6 would be the first gen mini. also, is there a way to replace the sad ipod or folder icon on the ipod 4th, there is for 1 nd 2nd gen but y not 4th

  48. greenday123 says:

    7.2.6 would be the second generation mini, 6.2.6 would be the first gen mini. also, is there a way to replace the sad ipod or folder icon on the ipod 4th, there is for 1 nd 2nd gen but y not 4th

  49. greenday123 says:

    to do the 20 gb color, is the same way as the nano, just use firmware 11.4.2 nd it should work

  50. greenday123 says:

    hey grooveholmes for the us color it is either 11.4.2 or 5.4.2 i cant confirm which one is it cuz i dont have a u2 just try both of them,if u change the wrong firmware it wont mess up ur ipod, it will just change the ipod for whatever firmware u messed with

  51. greenday123 says:

    they lying about the graphics, u can change the graphics on the nano i did it nd mine is fine i changed the apple logo in the legal section nd i changed the do not disconnect logo nd they look fine and there not discolored like they are on the mac. if u wanna no how to do it email me at ferrarienzo5951@hotmail.com

  52. greenday123 says:

    changing the graphics on the nano(correctly) only works on windows, sry mac users

  53. Gecko says:

    It is also possible to change scroll bars and some textures with iwizard v 1.1, I found the easiest way was to view the textures first so once you have opened ur ipod firmware find a tab next to strings called “Pictures” once u have opened it u will see a small picture of the apple logo which is found on your ipod in legal. If you look above the image you will see an option called “index” numbered from 0-235. Scroll through all of them until you find your desired image to edit eg. for the bar or texture at the top your ipod where it has the name eg. Ipod, or your cutom one, the number for its texture is 72 under index. I found the easiest way to edit them was to simply take a screenshot, then crop the texture then edit with paint or photoshop. Once you have done so its a simple as saving it as a bitmap (be shore to save original aswell) and in iwizard select the image then on the right you will see “load object”, hit that and you will see the texture or image change, then just click “write” up the top and run the ipod restore

    for any additional information e-mail me at jjsnax@hotmail.com

  54. Gecko says:

    NEED HELP PLEASE
    i installed the ipod linux and like the others it has turned all bad i cant access it because it is only recognized as a removable drive , when i restarted after the linux install it became black and white and suggested i go to apple for help, I manged to get it into disk mode and have downloaded diskprobe.exe but cannot figure out how to use it . Also if i format the removable drive aka. my ipod which isnt recognized will i then be able to copy and then paste the exact files which were previously on there when it was working

    Please help me my email is jjsnax@hotmail.com or just add me to msn

  55. Gecko says:

    CRY FOR HELP

    If anyone knows how to use diskprobe please help me!! :(
    my ipod is not even a week old and i have already stuffed it. I have managed to get it into disk mode with the, linux but cannot start it. in my computer it appears as a removable drive, and i cannot update the firmare with ipod or identify it with itunes. PLEASE ANYONE ! email me at jjsnax@hotmail.com or add me to msn

  56. Gecko says:

    A WAY TO RESTORE IPOD
    MY IPOD HAD BEEN SERVERLY RAPED AFTER LINUX ROOTED IT I DIDNT INSTALL IT RIGHT, ANYWAY IF YOU HAVE THE BLACK AND WHITE LINUX SCREEN AND CANNOT START YOUR IPOD SIMPLY REINSTALL THE ITUNES CD AND THE CD WILL FORMAT IT FOR YOU !!!! PROBLEM SOLVED ^o^ for any additional information conatact me at jjsnax@hotmail.com

  57. junglenet says:

    hey dudes..im noob in this shit but
    i want to know what i need to backup
    and how i can put backgrounds in my nano..

  58. junglenet says:

    hey dudes..im noob in this shit but
    i want to know what i need to backup
    and how i can put backgrounds in my nano..

  59. junglenet says:

    Help!

    what files i need to backup to hack my ipod?
    and if i fail how can i format the ipod so everything goes back to normal

    please send me a email or addme to msn. nacho_ao13@hotmail.com

  60. junglenet says:

    Help!

    what files i need to backup to hack my ipod?
    and if i fail how can i format the ipod so everything goes back to normal

    please send me a email or addme to msn. nacho_ao13@hotmail.com

  61. junglenet says:

    Help!

    what files i need to backup to hack my ipod?
    and if i fail how can i format the ipod so everything goes back to normal

    please send me a email or addme to msn. nacho_ao13@hotmail.com

  62. Zacattck34 says:

    hey! guys i think I really screwed up my ipod nano….see i was trying to hack it like this guy was saying in the article but i accitdently click update in stead of restore and now my ipod is like wackin’ out!(its like its trying to boot up but it shuts off really fast like its fried or something) I really need help! cuz i don’t want my dad finding out i was trying to hack it or he’ll be all over my ass! e mail me at Zac124C@aol.com if you could help it would be great thanks!

  63. Zacattck34 says:

    hey! guys i think I really screwed up my ipod nano….see i was trying to hack it like this guy was saying in the article but i accitdently click update in stead of restore and now my ipod is like wackin’ out!(its like its trying to boot up but it shuts off really fast like its fried or something…it shows an apple ipod logo like when you restart it) I really need help! cuz i don’t want my dad finding out i was trying to hack it or he’ll be all over my ass! e mail me at Zac124C@aol.com if you could help it would be great thanks!

  64. Zacattck34 says:

    hey! guys i think I really screwed up my ipod nano….see i was trying to hack it like this guy was saying in the article but i accitdently click update in stead of restore and now my ipod is like wackin’ out!(its like its trying to boot up but it shuts off really fast like its fried or something…it shows an apple ipod logo like when you restart it) I really need help! cuz i don’t want my dad finding out i was trying to hack it or he’ll be all over my ass! e mail me at Zac124C@aol.com if you could help it would be great thanks!

  65. Zacattck34 says:

    hey! guys i think I really screwed up my ipod nano….see i was trying to hack it like this guy was saying in the article but i accitdently click update in stead of restore and now my ipod is like wackin’ out!(its like its trying to boot up but it shuts off really fast like its fried or something…it shows an apple ipod logo like when you restart it) I really need help! cuz i don’t want my dad finding out i was trying to hack it or he’ll be all over my ass! e mail me at Zac124C@aol.com if you could help it would be great thanks!

  66. newuser007 says:

    Just hook it up to your computer, download a fresh version of the iPod updater, not your modded one, and choose restore.

  67. techman_1234 says:

    OMG, if ure ipod nano is screwed up…that sucks
    lemme tell you a way that i’m pretty sure will help you be able to restore your ipod to it’s former glory, just as if it came right out of the box. All you have to do is download a freeware called HP USB Disk Format Tool. It’s very simple. Download it by searching for it on google, it should come up, install it and double click on it. Your ipod has to be in disk mode for this to work, make sure it is formatted to FAT or FAT32. it SHOULD show up, im not makin any promises. reformat it using the program, and then restore it using ipod updater which you can get at http://www.apple.com or with your ipod. after that u can redownload all of ure songs and voila it works. No need to thank me. Well maybe just a litte.

  68. techman_1234 says:

    OMG, if ure ipod nano is screwed up…that sucks
    lemme tell you a way that i’m pretty sure will help you be able to restore your ipod to it’s former glory, just as if it came right out of the box. All you have to do is download a freeware called HP USB Disk Format Tool. It’s very simple. Download it by searching for it on google, it should come up, install it and double click on it. Your ipod has to be in disk mode for this to work, make sure it is formatted to FAT or FAT32. it SHOULD show up, im not makin any promises. reformat it using the program, and then restore it using ipod updater which you can get at http://www.apple.com or with your ipod. after that u can redownload all of ure songs and voila it works. No need to thank me. Well maybe just a litte.

  69. vmax says:

    I want to thank yo for providing the HP USB Storage Disk Format Tool help to fix iPod Nanos that no longer work, for whatever reason.

    One thing that annoys but does not surprise me is that there is absolutely no reference to this on Apple’s webpage nor do they have a email address to make inquires to. Perhaps that is the reason for their continued low market share. Kind of like “Big Blue” in the early days. Well, recently four or five Japanese companies have come up with their own versions of tiny hand-held HDD devices which all have the stuff that the iPods do PLUS they have other features like GPS Navigation, VICS, built-in CCD cameras and Cell phone with Blue tooth for the mic and earpieces.

    My family has never owned an Apple or Mac nor will it ever in the future.

    The Nano was a present given to my daughter for her birthday!!! So we are still Apple-FREE!!!

    Thanks again.

  70. vmax says:

    I want to thank yo for providing the HP USB Storage Disk Format Tool help to fix iPod Nanos that no longer work, for whatever reason.

    One thing that annoys but does not surprise me is that there is absolutely no reference to this on Apple’s webpage nor do they have a email address to make inquires to. Perhaps that is the reason for their continued low market share. Kind of like “Big Blue” in the early days. Well, recently four or five Japanese companies have come up with their own versions of tiny hand-held HDD devices which all have the stuff that the iPods do PLUS they have other features like GPS Navigation, VICS, built-in CCD cameras and Cell phone with Blue tooth for the mic and earpieces.

    My family has never owned an Apple or Mac nor will it ever in the future.

    The Nano was a present given to my daughter for her birthday from another person!!! So we are still Apple-FREE!!!

    Thanks again.

  71. editionfws says:

    i am one of the few retards who messed up the ipod changing the string. I tried looking dor diskprobe, but wasnt successful finding it. i tried hitting the center and play buttons (holding it) when the apple was on the screen, didnt work. any suggestions?

    ALSO… why did it do this? why didnt it work like it did for others? thanks!

  72. editionfws says:

    also, you can email me tony@editionfws.com thanks! (p.s. if i would have been smart and read all these problems, i wouldnt have done this! lol)

  73. jcbz says:

    hi, i’m new and a bit stuck, you see, i can’t seem to “open updater” because ther is nothing in that folder, should there be? also, when i click on the drop down bar for firmware, there doesn’t seem to be anything to choose, its just a blank box?! plz help
    thanx

  74. jcbz says:

    hi, i’m new and a bit stuck, you see, i can’t seem to “open updater” because ther is nothing in that folder, should there be? also, when i click on the drop down bar for firmware, there doesn’t seem to be anything to choose, its just a blank box?! plz help
    thanx

  75. jcbz says:

    hi, i’m new and a bit stuck, you see, i can’t seem to “open updater” because ther is nothing in that folder, should there be? also, when i click on the drop down bar for firmware, there doesn’t seem to be anything to choose, its just a blank box?! plz help
    thanx

  76. IhatemyISP says:

    For those of you with the new 1.2 firmware and iTunes 7, there is a way to change the font on your nano.

    Open iPodWizard (v1.2), and choose “iPod” from the Edit Mode dropdown. Click “Load iPod Firmware”, and click onto the font tab as shown above. For English, choose Index #45. Change the font to your liking, and click “Write”. Unplug your nano and enjoy.

    You can also change the graphics on your nano via iPodWizard.

    Cheers.

  77. D0minater says:

    the link for ipodwizard nd ihack dont work, can u fix that up?

  78. qwerty2786 says:

    i need help i cant find the firmware for my ipod nano 2nd gen on my computer and can someone give me a skin template for an ipod nano 2nd gen that i can design my self i can’t find it i found it but it is for ipod nano 1st gen

  79. qwerty2786 says:

    and also i can’t change the fonts because it is blank also i tried what IhatemyISP said on September 27, 2006 at 11:52 PM

  80. giorgos21 says:

    I want to install ipodlinux to my 1G but i can’t because the ipodlinuz installer says that is something wrong with the syntax of my sysfile.Wht can i do?

  81. ipodjunki says:

    thanks for the hacks, so far they have worked great for me, but i was wondering if there was a way i could transfer music from my nano to a computer (windows XP)

    thanks

  82. hacker98 says:

    can anyone tell me how to use hacks on my ipod video 30GB??? if so im me on hacker98.

    Thanks

  83. hacker98 says:

    can anyone tell me how to use hacks on my ipod video 30GB??? if so im me on Hacker3303

  84. r34dm4n says:

    you can have more than 4 letters on the main menu title, i used 7 not sure how many you can use without having issues but i have no issues with the 7 letters :D

  85. r34dm4n says:

    to ipodjunki:
    if you didnt lock the ipod then all you do is drag and drop songs from ipod to the computer..that easy :D

  86. ipodhelp says:

    help i have a 1 gen nano 2gb i killed it trying to install ipod linuax it has no firmware give to me or send a link of it an how install it in detaled instrutions

  87. ncarrillo52@yahoo.com says:

    yeh i d/l everything u told me to d/l then get to the “find next” part and my program is in a whole other language!!!
    HELP!!!!

  88. dave says:

    it dosent work for me i cant find the updator in ipod
    does it work for 2nd gen nanos?

  89. Julius Noble Ssekazinga says:

    Reseting Your ipod nano 4gb
    Five-minutes after opening the box, I received my first (and hopefully last) lockup. For reference, here is how you reset an iPod Nano:

    1. Toggle the “Hold” switch On, then Off again.
    2. Press and hold down the Menu and Center buttons for several seconds.
    3. The unit should reset to factory defaults.
    Cheers
    Hellouganda.com

  90. Arro says:

    I got to the part with open iPod updater but whenever I go into iPod a there is in it is bin and inside bin there are a load of random files. Whats wrong?

  91. Hank Phillips, Austin says:

    I listen to audio books… like those rectangular things you read once… anyway, my Nano will not synch. I am looking for a hack to zorch iTunes and let the thing drag-and-drop mp3 audiobook files. It may be less trouble than finding another device that a) obviates the sync trap that renders stuff useless and b) lets you back up and listen to a sentence over again because some blaring noise drowned it out. Every other maker has no clue what rewinding is, and I guess for songs you’ve heard a trillion times it is kind’ve a moot point. But for audiobooks, rewinding is important. Imagine a book you have to start reading at the beginning every time you pick it up and you’ll see the meaning. –JHP

  92. Brian says:

    i recently found a 4GB third Gen nano in the garbage fully packed!!
    i was wondering, on this piece of shit computer i cant download ipod wizard..
    how can i get around that?? (without fucking my ipod heavily!!)

    email me with suggestions:
    b_man_45@hotmail.com

  93. magnitiendum says:

    it is really amazing to use the ipod nano 8gb with all that kind of this like software or music to record. Definately it is a pretty interesting gadget

    http://www.magnitiendum.com.mx/ipods/ipod-nano-8gb.php

  94. Bashby says:

    This is really outdated and needs to be removed. None of the links work.

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