Installing iPod 3rd Generation Hard Drive Cable

Step 1 Case

• Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position. The orange bar should be visible, indicating hold is active.
Step 2




• Insert an opening pick as far as possible into the seam between the plastic front and the metal rear panel, on the right edge of the iPod.
• You may need to rock the pick back and forth to slide it in farther.
• Use the opening pick to pry up against the plastic front panel and release five retaining tabs (seen in the third photo).
• Slide the pick along the edge of the iPod and continue prying to release the rest of the retaining tabs.
• After all five tabs along the right side are free, the case should open easily.
Step 3
• The iPod case is now open, but don't separate the two halves just yet. There is still an orange ribbon cable connecting the headphone jack to the logic board.
• Open the case like a book with the dock connector at the top, and lay the rear panel next to the front half of the iPod.
Step 4
• Use a plastic tool or your fingernails to carefully disconnect the orange headphone jack cable. Be sure to pull straight up on the connector, not the cable itself.
• The headphone jack connector is unusually tall. When prying, be careful to not separate the lower, plastic part of the connector from the ribbon cable. Pry between the connector and the socket, not between the two halves of the connector.
Step 5 Hard Drive Cable
• Lift up the hard drive with one hand and carefully disconnect the hard drive ribbon from the logic board.
• Lift the hard drive out of the iPod.
Step 6
• Peel back the metallic tape connecting the hard drive ribbon to the blue mounting bracket.
Step 7
• Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the orange ribbon cable from the hard drive.
• If the cable doesn't come free easily, it may be helpful to gently wiggle the cable from side to side.
Step 8
• Lift the hard drive mounting bracket and cable off the hard drive.
Step 9
• Peel up the metallic tape holding the hard drive ribbon to the blue mounting bracket.
Step 10
• Peel up the black tape securing the hard drive ribbon to the mounting bracket.
• The hard drive ribbon is now free from the iPod.

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iRobot

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