Install RockBox on an IPod (easy Steps)

This instructable i am going to show you how to install RockBox, an open-source operating system for iPod!

First things first:

Installing RockBox will void your warranty. Also I am not responsible for any damage and/or data loss done installing RockBox on your iPod.

Proceed at your own risk.

Ok now thats over with heres what you need.

-an iPod
it can be a nano 1st gen, ipod 1g,2g,3g,4g or 5g but not classic.

(if you dont have a clue which iPod you own have a look at this. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353)

-The .rockbox build. get the appropriate one for your iPod here: http://www.rockbox.org/download/

- ipodpatcher: this handy little program will patch the bootloader on your iPod so that it can load rockbox properly. get it here : http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/ipod/ipodpatcher/win32/ipodpatcher.exe

EXTRA: To enhance RockBox you can get extra fonts get them here

http://download.rockbox.org/daily/fonts/rockbox-fonts.zip

To run the game plugin "Doom" you'll need a base WAD

get it here : http://download.rockbox.org/useful/rockdoom.zip

That's it. Your all set.

Make sure to view the pictures and screenshots in high res

Find the zip folder where you downloaded the zip for your .rockbox build.

If you haven't got one yet get the right one for your iPod here: http://www.rockbox.org/download/

(Make sure you get the right one. Don't get the 30gb video and 60/80gb videos builds mixed up)

Extract the '.rockbox' folder from the zip to the root directory of you iPod's drive. (the root directory is the main directory of your disk. e.g E:)

If your iPod isn't showing up in my computer, it is because you haven't enabled disk use

You can do that by following these steps: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1478

Now we can move on to the next step.

This part looks scary but isn't.

All you need to do is connect your iPod and open ipodpatcher

(available here: http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/ipod/ipodpatcher/win32/ipodpatcher.exe )

Once again I am not responsible for any damage, and/or data loss.

Proceed at your own risk.

It will show a black window with white text. If you have plugged in a supported iPod it will display some info about the iPod and ask you to enter i to install and u to uninstall.

type i and press enter

If all goes well this process should take about 10-20 seconds.

Now for the fun part.

Now all you have to do is disconnect your iPod.

To reboot Press and hold menu+select (center button) for 6 seconds. Your iPod will show the Apple logo and then will show a RockBox screen. If you get back to the original iPod operating system reboot again without hold on.

Note: to boot into the Apple firmware (the original operating system) as soon as you see the Apple logo on the iPod's screen flick the hold switch on.

Also note: if you are using an iPod 1g,2g or 3g you will need to press and hold Play/pause+menu to reboot.

If you get an error and cant get to either operating system (apple or rockbox) and/or are shown a folder with an exclamation mark, you will need to boot into disk mode and restore your iPod.
Instructions on that here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1363

These are some settings i have enabled to make the iPod last longer on a charge and to reduce the number of hard drive spin-ups required using RockBox.

settings>general settings> playback settings>Anti-skip buffer> set it to 10 mins or max

settings>general settings> database>load to ram>yes

settings>general settings> system>disk>Directory cahe>yes

These help the iPod to optimize it's ram and to buffer more efficiently.

(these settings aren't necessary too complete the installation)

Adding a base Doom Wad, icons, fonts.

To add the font package:

Go to the zip file that you downloaded before. http://download.rockbox.org/daily/fonts/rockbox-fonts.zip

Enter the zip file and go into the .rockbox folder and then extract the fonts folder to the .rockbox directory on your iPod that you installed before. Overwrite them.

To play the doom game you need to install the base wad. Get it here. Remember! http://download.rockbox.org/useful/rockdoom.zip

Extract the doom folder in the zip file to the .rockbox directory of your iPod (this is getting very repetitive isn't it)

To play doom go to the main rockbox screen and click plugins>games>doom>start game

for more info on using RockBox have a look at the manual.

http://www.rockbox.org/manual.shtml

I hope this tutorial has helped you in some way!

Happy RockBoxing! Enjoy the open-source jukebox firmware.

I would like to thank the RockBox team for making such an awesome piece of software!

If for some reason you are unsatisfied with RockBox, I will show you how to uninstall it from your iPod.

First, plug in your iPod to computer.

Load up ipodpatcher.exe

Enter U

ipodpatcher will take about 10-20 seconds and after it is done the bootloader of your iPod will be back the same way it was before the installation. (you cannot load rockbox anymore)

Navigate to the root directory of your iPod (the place where you put the .rockbox folder. usually E:\)

Delete .rockbox

Your done! your iPod no longer has RockBox.