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Model A1040 / 10, 15, 20, 30, or 40 GB hard drive / four touch-sensitive LED backlit buttons above touch wheel

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iPod 3rd generation new assembly...

Hello, guys and happy holidays.

I used to have my iPod 3rd gen., which I loved, when I accidentally dropped it a long time ago that caused some issues, so I sent it to be repaired to some fly-by-night online company that shortly after closed down and kept my iPod to themselves…. :(

Hence my question to you:

Can you assemble for me a “shiny brand new” iPod 3rd Gen. with a 40Gb hard drive and if it’s possible, how much would it cost me?

Two more questions:

1.Would you use the original parts with the same AD/DA converters or it would be some cheap Chinese substitutes? I believe 3rd gen. converters are still superior to 5th gen.,

2. Could a larger than 40Gb drive be installed and/or even SSD/CF/SD, etc.?

Thank you,

Alex

Answer this question I have this problem too

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I think he made that point because you said you wanted original parts. Most parts you will see are not original.

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Short answer: No, mainly because many of the iPod's parts are OEM Apple parts and they haven't made new parts for the 3rd gen iPod in many years.

Your best bet would be to find a suitable iPod on ebay and restore it to "shiny brand new" condition. Disassemble it yourself; you basically want to gut it. Take the rear metal case and front plastic to a shop and have them polish them up. Send the rear case out for laser engraving and have them re-etch the Apple logo and such into the back. Clean the internals and reassemble. Yes, a larger drives can be installed and there are adapters to allow flash storage. Install a new battery, close it all up, and you're done.

Cost depends on how much work you can do. If you can do all the polishing and engraving yourself it will be cheaper. Assuming you're able to disassemble, buy parts, and reassemble, the only thing you'll have to send out for is polishing and engraving. Rough ballpark figure for a restoration including new battery and flash memory upgrade? Maybe...$200?

Update (12/21/2018)

@ Steve Godun

I'm not much of a tweaker, but perhaps, I'm missing something: on this page with spare parts (iPod 3rd Generation)

one can buy virtually all necessary components to assemble a fully-functional iPod, including "shiny" front and back panels (as their descriptions state) as well as other "stuffing".

Why would I even need to buy a used unit, have back covers taken somewhere to have them polished, engraved, etc.?

I could understand buying original unit and upgrade it with what might be old/outdated (i.e. drive, battery, etc.) and external appearance, but your unequivocal "no" kinda threw me off..

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You said you wanted original parts. "Virtually all necessary components" as you describe are not original parts; they're aftermarket parts, aka "cheap Chinese substitutes". The link you gave is for iPod 3G repair guides; I'm assuming you meant this page:

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/iPod/iPod-3...

If you're okay with "cheap Chinese substitutes" then yes, you can build a "new" iPod 3G with entirely aftermarket parts EXCEPT perhaps the motherboard itself which you'd need to salvage from an original unit.

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@ Steve Godun

My link, if you click on any of the listed components for repairs, also shows these very components offered for sale, leading to the very same page as yours — I only started my search journey one level away… :)

From your description I surmise that motherboard and logic board are two different items — hence motherboards are not offered for sale on these pages. Also, are AD/DA converters located on the motherboard itself?

And lastly, if I decide to assemble a unit, does iFixit offer such services?

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No, motherboard = logic board. The AD-DA converter is part of the motherboard/logic board.

Regardless of the destination of your link, the fact remains: The parts aren't original, they're aftermarket. You specified original parts.

iFixit is not a repair service or a "device construction" service, so no, they do not offer such services.

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Alex K. will be eternally grateful.
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