How to Install Rockbox on your iPod

***digitalhigh*** · 01-31-2007, 05:43 PM

So, if you're like me, then you detest any hardware manufacturer who tries to control how you use their product.

Recently, I acquired a 20gb G4 Ipod (Black & White, clickwheel).

I connected it to my computer, opened up the drive, and was annoyed to see that Apple took the liberty of hiding all of the music files, and naming them obscure, unusable names.

So I did some research into correcting this. In my studies, I came across ROCKBOX, a fantastic homebrew application that's designed to replace the default iPod software. Did a little more homework, a little downloading, and within fifteen minutes, I had modified my iPod to play any media file I threw at it, WITHOUT having to use the dreaded iTunes.

Hence...this tutorial. I'll now share with you all I've learned...

1. First, you need to get the proper build of Rockbox for your flavor of Ipod. Mind you, this software will not work with the Shuffle, as it doesn't have a GUI.

To find your build, go here:

Rockbox - Daily builds

Select the LATEST build for your particular device, and download it.

2. Once you've downloaded the SOFTWARE, you'll need to install the proper firmware. For this, you'll need iPodPatcher.exe (Save it somewhere simple to find via the command line, like "C:\"):

http://download.rockbox.org/bootload...podpatcher.exe

You'll also need the proper BOOTLOADER. To find this, go here:

Index of /bootloader/ipod

Find your specific model of iPod. For mine, the filename was "bootloader-ipod4g.ipod" Prettymuch, if you've got the iPod Color, then the filename would be "bootloader-ipodcolor.ipod".

JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE FILE YOU DOWNLOAD STARTS WITH "bootloader" and ends in ".ipod"

Save this file in the same directory where you saved ipodpatcher.exe.

3. Okay. Now you're ready to install the bootloader.

Open a command prompt (Start> Run> type cmd.exe)

Now, you need to navigate to where ipodpatcher.exe is saved. Hopefully, you put it right in the "C:\" drive.

Scan for your ipod by typing:

Code:

ipodpatcher --scan

It will return something like "ipod found on disk device 3". Remember that it is device 3.

The next command you need to give ipodpatcher tells it to backup the original firmware.

This is important in case you screw up and need to fix things. DO NOT ask for help and say you didn't do a backup, because I will tell you you're fuxed.

Type this at the command prompt:

Code:

ipodpatcher N -r bootpartition.bin

Where N is the device number you found during the scan.

The computer will think for a minute, and then tell you it's done making the backup.

Now you can install the new bootloader. Be sure to replace "N" with the number of your device, and "bootloaderfile.ipod" with the name of the file you downloaded for your device. Here's the command:

Code:

ipodpatcher N -a bootloaderfile.ipod

SO...if your ipod was on device 3 and the bootloader you downloaded was called "bootloader-ipodcolor.ipod", then the proper syntax would be as follows:

Code:

ipodpatcher 3 -a bootloader-ipodcolor.ipod

The computer will think for a bit, and give you a message saying everything has been done successfully.

4. Lastly, it's time to install the rockbox build you downloaded in step 1. Don't worry, this is MUCH easier.

Open the .zip file.

Extract it to the ROOT directory of your ipod. This means that if your iPod is shown as drive "G:\", you want winzip to extract everything to "G:\".

5. You've now installed Rockbox. There's one IMPORTANT step left.

Disconnect your ipod from the computer. REBOOT it by holding MENU+SELECT for a few seconds until it restarts. You should now see the rockbox screen...

Notes:

This is designed for people using WINDOWS. I have no Mac, and therefore no knowledge or use for Mac instructions.

I will be revising this tutorial as I have time. This means that there will be more thorough instructions, pictures, and the like.

+rep points are appreciated.

Thank you...

***UnknowingAcorn*** · 01-31-2007, 10:06 PM

Id like to thank you because right now with version 1.3 of the Ipod Nano 4 Gig the Ipod Linux installer wont detect it so i was stumpted and then i came along this and was like YAY! but this isnt the first time ive done it so its a little easier.

PrivateJesus · 01-31-2007, 10:08 PM

yea, Rockbox is pretty nice, but I don't wanna **** up another iPod, so I don't wanna install it.

***digitalhigh*** · 02-01-2007, 09:29 AM

How'd you fux it up? I did this with little prior knowledge (of iPods) and had absolutely no problems. With the ipodpatcher, I think it's such a low-level app that as long as you've got a backup of the firmware, you can't really brick the thing.

Did I mention that it's also dual-boot? You can run either rockbox or the default ipod software...

Very cool...

PrivateJesus · 02-01-2007, 03:00 PM

well, I threw my old iPod

. And the only thing that I really liked in Rockbox was gapless playback, which was put in in the last firmware update from apple, but now I can't update my iPod through firewire

, ****ers.

***digitalhigh*** · 02-01-2007, 04:21 PM

I must be missing something. How is it that you can't update it through firewire anymore?

PrivateJesus · 02-01-2007, 04:26 PM

idk, it must be in the new firmware update apple put out, but when I try to update my iPod, it says "This iPod can no longer update through FireWire, blah blah blah, please use the USB cord that came with it." Something like that.

***digitalhigh*** · 02-01-2007, 04:52 PM

Hmmm...

Have you seen the program called YamiPod?

I just found it like an hour ago. Whoops iTunes azz.

I actually just removed rockbox, because with YamiPod, I can keep my music more organized...

dnspee · 02-15-2007, 01:34 AM

I know you said that you wouldn't help if i didn't back up my firmware, but i got confused and opened the ipodpatcher.exe and it found my ipod, it asked if i wanted to install rockbox and i dumbly typed y and it installed it. I rebooted and i got and error. Now it doesnt recognize it when i plug it into my computer and i cannot boot in into disk mode with select+play for some reason. Please help me, i dont really dont want to be out the window 300 dollars!

Thanks.

***UnknowingAcorn*** · 02-15-2007, 07:38 AM

well if you dont get a operating system either rockbox or the apple os then your ipod is screwed the last resort was using boot into disk mode.

sorry for the bad news but you could always try sending it back to them and saying that you droped it down wooden stairs

id do that sumtimes

Edit: Also before when i said my ipod has version 1.3 i ment that the official ipod linux installer from ipodlinux.org would no longer be able to detect my ipod because well it couldnt detect it anymore

but i fixed it with another installer

CaLL mE nEoN · 02-15-2007, 08:54 AM

Wow, nice tut dude..!

BESERK KILLER X · 03-02-2007, 11:18 PM

nice but can you do this with a 30 gb

Domen8or1 · 04-21-2007, 03:56 PM

ya is i did thhis and my ipod got fubar and apple wont take it bake now wat?

sammers92 · 05-03-2007, 07:07 PM

ok well how do use the backup u made to take rock box off

Eternal · 05-27-2007, 02:18 PM

thanks a lot dude this program rocks, awesome tutorial and nice find

was gettin sick of using itunes and apple software all the time and linux didnt work for nanos. Now i can show off that i got an epik background and can play vids on my nano

pimp snowman · 05-31-2007, 04:42 PM

how do you put music on with this i just installed it i mean do u still load songs onto it with itunes or put them in a folder

aznjackass343 · 05-31-2007, 08:48 PM

...You update through iTunes with the original firmware, then change to the Rockbox firmware. Now your music is updated in Apple firmware and Rockbox firmware.

And actually you could just use the Rockbox installer...it does all the work for you.
heres the link: Rockbox Installation Guide

If you go to a link on that page, there is another installer that installs both Rockbox and iPodLinux.

As of now, the Rockbox Installer Project in iPodWizard is discontinued...I would have gone there for an installer but it is no more.

pnball · 08-12-2007, 04:20 PM

i did it 2 my 30GB ipod video and well i liked all the games and stuff but i had a problem playing music i couldnt heer it but i just uninstalled it cuz i would rather have the original ipod theme on there.and i dont see how any1 screws up on this cuz i just did the tutorial that u posted but it was wierd cuz all i ever had to do wuz clik on the thing i dowloaded and it found the ipod and i type u and it installed it and wen i ended up not liking it i just pressed i or wutever it is and uninstalled it then went to enable disk use on my ipod then deleted the rockbox firmware file. but u explaind the steps very well so thankyou

**The Reepr** · 08-21-2007, 08:44 PM

there is absolutely no reason to have to type in anything into the command prompt exept for i and hit enter with the new version of the patcher fyi update your tut it helps the noobs

Ultimate iPod Video 5

and go to that site for the 5g/5.5g bg hack and games.

download the ultimate pack on the bottom, it has all the games, firmware, and a few themes. look on ipodwizard.org for tuts.

*I didn't mean to flame just letting you know