*Warms up fingers*
Alright, since I've been getting lots of requests from NG users asking for a way to do this, I've decided to write a tutorial. This is a guide I'm writing for iPod nanos and iPod nanos only.
First of all, I am not responsible for anything gone astray on your iPod. If it fucks up, it's your fault. This tutorial has been done on 4 GB and 2 GB nanos, all which work pretty well. If anything is to go wrong, format the iPod using windows. Not the updater, but windows. Make sure it's FAT32 and check the "Quick Format" box.
Before we go on, I suggest you read through the following sites and browse their forums:
Do at least 20 minutes of reading to get acquainted with what you're about to do. When I first tried doing it, it sounded like I was going to completely destroy my iPod. But after following these basic instructions I was finally able to play videos and games on my 2 GB nano. Also, read through the tutorial before attempting to do it in your nano.
First things first, download this modified Linux installer for the nano:
http://www.robotsuia.org/ipl241205.zip
Download this utility:
http://www.download...220.html?tag=lst-0-2
Download the Apple iPod updater from the Apple website. You should already have it though, since it was installed alongside iTunes. You'll find it in C:/Program Files/iPod/iPod Updater 200X-XX-XX. The X is a number regarding the date of the installer. If it is anything before November 2005, I strongly suggest you update it with a newer version.
Unzip the files. Keep the iPod Linux installer folders on your desktop, and unzip the utility and cut the .exe to C:/documents and settings/Your name and paste it there. rename the .exe "aes". Trust me, just do it.
Connect your iPod. Do not disconnect it unless I tell you so in another step.
Press ctrl+alt+del to bring up the task manager. Go to processes, and end the process called "ipodservice.exe". If iTunes is running, I suggest you end it as well.
Screenshot.
Open the Apple Updater (posted above), and restore your iPod to factory settings. That means that all data will be erased, so backup your important files. Your iPod will be restored to the way it was when you first took it out of it's box.
Once it's been restored, wait for it to boot up, and select your language. Now press and hold the MENU and center buttons for exactly 5-10 seconds, and your iPod should restart. As soon as you see the Apple logo, hold down center and play/pause. Your iPod should now go into disk mode, in black and white pallets. Do not be alarmed, it will return to color soon. If any Apple software opens up, close it and kill it using Task Manager.
Open the iPod Linux installer. Remove the "Check for online updates" checkmark, and leave the original Apple firmware as the default boot. When it asks you to backup, you may do so. Although I haven't found a way to actually use the backed-up file. Install iPod Linux.
After doing so, close the installer. DO NOT DISCONNECT YOUR iPod. Instead, go down to the "notification area" of your taskbar. Right-click the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon, and select "Remove Hardware". You'll see your iPod nano on the list. Highlight it and click stop. Your iPod should reboot, so as soon as you see it doing so go back into disk mode (center+play/pause).
Open a command prompt window.
Screenshot.
Now, you'll have to "find" your iPod. Type in:
aes 1 /info
Some information will be displayed, most likely your hard-drive. What you're trying to do is replace the "1" with the number of your iPod. It will most likely by "2", so type in:
aes 2 /info
The totaly capacity of your iPod should be displayed as either 2 or 4 GB (the only 2 sizes the nano comes in). If "2" is your iPod number, then remember it. Now type in:
aes 2 /show
The following should be displayed:
aes X /info
EBIOS characteristics (C/H/S): 497/255/63
Total capacity: XGB
The "X" is a number that should be displayed, depending on your iPod's number and capacity.
Screenshot
As you can see my ipod is disk number 2, the 2GB ipod should show a similar message but displaying 1GB in capacity, the following commands are based on the fact that my ipod is disk number two please replace this number with the number of your ipod. Type this:
aes 2 /delete:2
aes 2 /pri:1866:fat32
If you have a 4 GB nano, then use /pri:3851:fat32 instead of /pri:1866:fat32
aes 2 /activate:1
Now repeat the "safely remove hardware" part and boot into disk mode. Yes, disk mode will be there even though you just formatted your nano.
Now go into My Computer. Your iPod drive should appear, but Windows will be unable to open it. It will ask you to reformat it, so click "Yes" and make sure the reformat is under FAT32 and that the "Quick format" box is ticked. Reformat it, restart the iPod and go into Disk Mode once more.
Now run the Apple Updater. It should recognize it with no major problems. Restore the iPod, wait for it to restart, and choose a language. After that's done, restart it again and go into disk mode. Re-install Linux exactly as you have done above, use the "safely remove hardware" method and go into disk mode once more.
Now open the "COPY THESE FILES INTO YOUR IPOD AFTER INSTALLING" folder. You should see 2 files: podzilla and start. Copy those and paste them into the root of your iPod folder. Restart your iPod, and as soon as you see the Apple logo, hold down the rewind button until you see blue text with a black background. Podzilla should boot, but the backlight has been turned off. Go to settings and enable the backlight to whichever time you want. Go to "Appearance" and select a good theme. I recommend Gameboy or Amiga 1.x
I'll write the tutorial for videos and games shortly, since I've ran out of characters. You can thank me all you want after this.
