My Problem

Initially, my iPod video's front panel is broken by sitting on it without mentioned. I would like to purchase a iPod classic, but it's bit expensive, and the battery life and the hard drive in my iPod video are still working perfect. So just want to find a way to replace just the front panel.

My Fix

As soon as I received my parts and tools, I totally follow the step in iFixit, and it just take me about 15 minutes to replace the front panel. Much easier than I expected. And the most important thing is, replacing is much cheaper than buy a new one, even it's pre-owned one. Thanks to iFixit!!!

My Advice

Just be careful while open the old panel. It will take about 1-2 minutes to free the first and the second retainer clips. Later, it will be just fine.

Also, to put the parts back together, especially dealing with the protection rubber around the hard drive, just be patience.

All in all, much easier than you expected!!!

My Problem

I am a shameless U2 fan. One thing I never splurged on was one of the U2 Edition Ipods. (When those came out I was pretty disgusted at U2 for joining with a popular consumer entertainment device, but I digress...). So, hypocrisy in check, I started to shop for a used device online. While shopping, I also came across the iFixit website. This gave me the grand idea that rather than buy something that someone else refurbished, I decided I would feed another minor obsession: tinkering. I purchased a broken U2 5th Gen, with a description that led me to believe it would need a new battery. When I received the unit, the battery was so shot that it would not even keep a charge long/large enough to ramp up the HDD. (I know this is listed under the front panel repair, but the battery problem was the first to tackle to make sure it worked before I attempted to do anything about the cosmetics.) The front panel was very rough shape with many gouges and chips in the display and black front cover.

My Fix

Someone clearly tried to repair this already! The end of the battery flex circuit was basically trashed from someone trying to shove it into the connector on the logic board. I already had a new battery, so I was planning to replace it anyway, but the fact that it had been already pulled apart by someone made my heart sink a little (was it an ESD safe environment? What else is wrong? etc...). So with the aid of iFixit, I plunged right in. The first problem I encountered was that I pulled the connector off the board pretty much right away, even after reading the stern warning from iFixit team. I know part of this had to do with the fact that I was the second person to attempt this. This was when I most firmly questioned what the !@#$ I was thinking by intentionally buying a broken ipod. However, with patience, determination, and a steady hand (and no caffiene that day), I was able to get the connector back on to the logic board, correctly over the pins. Once that was done, the new battery flex circuit fit in perfectly. Once I verified the new battery was functional, I decided to go ahead with the front panel replacement. This was very easy compared to what I had just gone thru on the battery.

My Advice

1. For this 5th gen Classic, all is NOT lost if the connector pulls of the board, but it takes a very steady hand to get it back on the pins correctly. (Once it was back on the pins, it is still a very loose connection. The flex cable on the battery must be inserted and the brown locking gate put in place before the connection is firm.) That being said, avoid pulling this connector out at all costs.

2. My problem as described above, is that once I was able to finally fix the battery connection, I was way too paranoid to undo it to separate the front and back of the ipod. So, it took me way longer to replace the front panel than it should have because I refused to unhook the battery. Again, not impossible, but avoid if you can.

So, as my title suggests: Thanks to iFixit I now have a very good, fully operational U2 5th edition ipod with new battery and front panel!

And, since this went so well, I have started spending too much money on broken ipods that need fixing... Thanks a LOT iFixit...

My Problem

The battery was old and with little charging capacity and the front panel was scratched!

My Fix

It took about 30 min to open, dismount, change the parts and put it all together again! Everything went pretty well, except for just one problem: The new front panel had holes that wouldn´t align with the holes of the metal frame, so I had to enlarge the holes with an swissblade knife! Also, the front panel replacement should be sold in a kit that includes an #00 philips screwdriver (or a plastic tool to use it as a screwdriver) to facilitate the process, since not everyone has this kind of tool ready at hand.

My Advice

Just go for it! It´s easy and fun!

My Problem

My front panel was shattered.

My Fix

With the Ifixit guide and tool kit, repairing my iPod was a breeze. It took less than 10 minutes, and it looks brand new again.

My Advice

Wish I had found you guys sooner.

My Problem

the display was totally broken

My Fix

it took 30 min for me to fix the display, guides were very easy

My Advice

patience and don't be afraid to use strenght!

My Problem

Front panel was broken for a while and just got tiered of looking at it. I didn't have the money to purchase a new iPod or send it to go get it fixed. So my friend told me about the ifixit site and ordered what I needed. It saved me a lot of money.

My Fix

It was fairly simple. Tough part was trying to pry it open. After opening it, it was all pretty easy.

My Advice

Nothing to add, just following the guide you guys provided was enough help.

My Problem

Batter life failing

My Fix

Perfect

My Advice

Your web site and instructions are perfect. The repair went withour problems and I'm delighted!

My Problem

As I moved my guitar amp from the car to the house I guess I crushed the display on my 5th G ipod that was in my pocket. Everything played OK but just a big black blob with blue and red lines on the display.

My Fix

I went on line bought a new display with opening tools from brand X. I opened the ipod and everything went backwords. Instead of the back coming off the front came off with the the screws still in the metal frame. When I finally worked my way to the back panel and removed what should have been the first connection the whole plug fell out of the board. I put everything back together with new brand X display and the ipod was dead.

My Advice

I went on line and found ifixit has parts as well as directions. I ordered the correct screw driver, new open tools and another display. Using the excelent directions and ifixit parts I am celebrating the rebirth of my ipod. With out your instructions I would never have known which way these tiny parts went back together. Thanks, DG

My Problem

Dropped it flat on it's face. First time in 6 years.

My Fix

Followed online instructions. Looks great, not as hard as I thought.

My Advice

Don't drop anything made by Apple unless you want to learn how to fix it via ifixit.