MP3 Players

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Free Geek regularly receives donations of MP3 players from a number of manufacturers. Some need to have data bearing elements removed before they can be recycled or sold for parts, others are still viable and can be refurbished.

iPods

First Generation

First generation iPods can be distinguished by their physically rotating selection wheel with 4 buttons in circle around wheel and a firewire connection at the top.

Hard Drive Removal

1. Separate metal casing from plastic by inserting a thin prying tool around the sides and bottom until the back can be lifted off. The first thing you will see with the back off is a large silver pack; this is the battery with the hard drive is adhered to it underneath.
2. Grip the sides of the battery and hard drive and pull slowly but firmly so the adhesive pads holding them in place begin to let go. Try to separate it at the top end first; pay attention the the red and black power wires connected to the corner of the battery pack and stop pulling before they become completely taut.
3. Pull the battery pack and hard drive towards the top of the iPod to release the orange hard drive connector at the bottom. The battery and hard drive should now be free of the iPod's body aside from the battery pack's connecting wires.
4. Carefully peel the hard drive away from the battery pack (avoid using sharp prying tools as this may damage the battery pack and cause it to leak.
5. Once separated, deposit the hard drive into the collection tray then place the battery pack back into the body of the iPod and loosely replace the casing.

Second Generation

Second generation iPods can be identified by their stationary touch wheel with the 4 buttons in circle around the wheel, and a firewire connection at the top.

Hard Drive Removal

1. Separate metal casing from plastic by inserting a thin prying tool around the sides and bottom until the back can be lifted off. The first thing you will see with the back off is a large silver pack; this is the battery.
2. The battery should easily lift away from the body of the iPod; it is not necessary to detach the red and black power wires connected to the corner of it.
3. Beneath the battery is the hard drive with blue rubber vibration dampeners around them. Pull the orange hard drive connector out of the bottom, then lift the hard drive out.
4. Peel the vibration dampener off the hard drive and deposit the hard drive into the collection tray. Loosely replace the vibration dampener, battery pack, casing.

Third Generation

Third generation iPods can be identified by the 4 separate circular buttons below the screen, non-moving selection wheel, and a dock connector on bottom.

Hard Drive Removal

1. Separate metal casing from plastic by inserting a thin prying tool between the plastic and metal casing on the right side of the iPod. Once this side has been separated you should be able to open the iPod like a book. There is a ribbon cable connecting the body of the iPod to the plugs and hold switch mounted to the back casing; it should not be necessary to disconnect this if you are opening from the correct side.
2. The hard drive will be the first thing you find inside. Lift the blue rubber and white plastic vibration dampener off the hard drive and slide the copper-colored connector out of the hard drive.
3. Place the hard drive into the collection tray and place the vibration dampener back inside the body of the ipod, then loosely replace the casing.

Fourth Generation

Fourth generation iPods can be identified by their rounded face, clicking buttons integrated into the the wheel, and a dock connector on the bottom.

Fifth Generation

Fifth generation iPods can be identified by their flat face, curved back, and clicking buttons integrated into the touch wheel.