iPod FW (Newest) + iPodLinux + Rockbox = Possible

Contributor Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada

Here's two videos of the newest iPod firmware's in action. Note that both of them are not the new generations but rather just using the newest updates. The nano's mine, taken using my [crappy] Sony Carl Zeiss camera [which has problems with focusing on bright lights], while the iPod video's a classmate's [which I introduced to iPL] through my V551's camera. Both are re-encoded into M4V format using the awsome 3GP_Converter program to reduce size and for playability on the video ; ) The sound quality's pretty bad though due to the audio recording and my voice sounds pretty crappy, but its audible [slightly better for the nano vid].

The first video is me recording my iPod nano (1st gen) being recognized in iTunes 7 with the newest firmware (1.2), then booting into both iPodLinux and Rockbox. Just restored to the newest firmware via iTunes 7, modified the SysInfo file, then ran Installer 2 with ZeroNet modifications and copied over the ZeroNet and Rockbox files.

The second (series of) video(s) is my classmate's iPod Video (1st gen) also showing the newest firmware (brightness control!) booting up Rockbox and playing Bubbles n Rockdoom. Note that rather than actually installing iPodLinux via the official Installer, he manually patched the firmware with make_fw.exe and ipodpatcher.exe, thus installing iPodLoader 2 and was able to boot Rockbox. The Linux partition's still wiped though, so at the moment, he can't boot iPL, but theoretically he should be able to via the same method I used.

Either way, here's the videos in M4V format:

iPL n Rockbox on Nano FW 1.2
http://www.millarnet.com/keripo/iPL-n-Rockbox-on-Nano-FW-1.2.M4V

(Broken up cause I haven't had time to P2K my V551 yet)
Rockbox on Video FW 1.1.2 - Part 1
http://www.millarnet.com/keripo/Rockbox-on-Video-FW-Newest-1.M4V
Rockbox on Video FW 1.1.2 - Part 2
http://www.millarnet.com/keripo/Rockbox-on-Video-FW-Newest-2.M4V
Rockbox on Video FW 1.1.2 - Part 3
http://www.millarnet.com/keripo/Rockbox-on-Video-FW-Newest-3.M4V
Rockbox on Video FW 1.1.2 - Part 4
http://www.millarnet.com/keripo/Rockbox-on-Video-FW-Newest-4.M4V
Rockbox on Video FW 1.1.2 - Part 5
http://www.millarnet.com/keripo/Rockbox-on-Video-FW-Newest-5.M4V

I'll probably post up a video of the iPod video booting iPodLinux when I see him on Monday, but either way, just proof that things are possible ; )

~Keripo

Ps. Note that at the moment I haven't yet had time to mod the Apple FW using iPodWizard. Even with the integrated iTunes updater, its possible, but just requires a few more steps (see the iPW forums)

Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Location: Texas

good job ^^

Joined: 13 Feb 2006

Nice, now we know that it is possible to get around the SysInfo file issues...

We should redirect the noobs to this post when they ask about it Smile

Joined: 22 Mar 2005

Now we know?

NOW?

jeez, was I invisible or something?!

Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Location: Karlsruhe :: Germany

I think installing iPL is possible using a manual installation with the new firmware, since that doesn't need the sysinfo file to know what generation you're dealing with. Haven't tried this, but in theory it shouldn't give any trouble.

Edit: Oopps, I just read your message again Keripo, that's exactly what you said. I'm sorry Embarassed

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:41 pm

Hey iPL community. I'm Keripo's classmate who volunteered the 5G for this video. I've already had linux installed for some time on my ipod. However, as Keripo already mentioned, the linux partition was inadvertently removed from the ipod's partition table when I went to update to the new firmware.

For those of you who have old 5G's and want to update to the new firmware, I would try following the steps here
. The update is very worth it, especially for the brightness control. By turning the brightness to about 50%, I got nearly 3.5 hours of video playback on a full battery Smile

50% may seem a little dim, but it is actually quite visible.

Anyways, my iPL partition is pretty much gone since the update. But, follow the instructions in the link above, and hopefully you'll be able to keep your existing linux installation intact.

Joined: 13 Feb 2006

conorkirk wrote:

Now we know?

NOW?

jeez, was I invisible or something?!

I meant that we knew it was theoretically possible, but nobody had done it. Now we know that it's actually possible and not just theoretically possible.

And no, you're not invisible. Very Happy

Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Location: Southampton, England

man, you sound gay... Smile

anyway, great job.

Joined: 13 Feb 2006

kick52 wrote:

man, you sound gay... Smile

anyway, great job.

First, who was that directed to? Second, huh?