From: Ipodlinux.org
Credit To: eeeeman Orginal Link: http://ipodlinux.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4636
The best ways to Fix your nano
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE DONE TO YOUR IPOD. ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR IPOD THAT CANNOT BE FIXED THROUGH THIS POST, TRY IMPROVISING OR JUST PM ME. PLEASE DONT JUST ADD ME TO YOUR MSN. I LOST TRACK OF MY CONTACTS AFTER THE FIRST FIFTY.
Okay, since for the past few weeks people have been saying theyve had problems installing ipl on there nano. Well, i have created a very simple solution to all nano problems. Ive faced them all with my [poor] 2gig nano. I've experimented and i have several processes for installing and fixing your [so called "
dead"] nano.
Before reading this, make sure you know the key commands for an ipod like rebooting and diagnostic mode. if you dont, then use these
reboot ipod: MENU + SELECT simaltaneously
disk mode: hold down SELECT+PLAY
boot other OS: hold REWIND while booting
Diagnostic mode : SELECT and REWIND while booting.
Force boot apple firmware : hold down SELECT while rebooting
*
note : to go into disk mode or boot another firmware, you msut hold the keys before the apple screen comes up.*
{([..::Fixing your nano after a unsuccessful IPL install::..])}
Scenario 1:Ipod is stuck at apple logo
Fix:
1) reboot the nano and put it into disk mode. Then connect the ipod
2) use the Hp utility or goto my computer and format the ipod as FAT32. Then use the ipodupdater and restore it.
PROBLEM FIXED!
Scenario 2:uClinix boots but gives an error
a)something like : Podzilla, No such file or directory.
Fix:
1)okay, theres nothing wrong or unfixable. uClinix just wants a GUI/UI to work with. Connect the ipod.
2)drag the podzilla files (podzilla and start) to the root of the ipod.
3) eject the ipod and reboot it. uClinix should recognize it so now you will be able to use IPL
b)anything related to the kernel or another missing file, just try reinstalling linux by:
1)reboot ipod and follow scenario 1.
PROBLEM FIXED!
Scenario 3:the ipod can't be formatted by anything and ipod updater cant "lock" the ipod
explanation: This Is generally caused from corrupted firmware. This ends up happening when you dont backup the ipod firmware while installing.
A)getting the ipod to start up:
A1) If the ipod tries to boot Linux and you cant get it to boot apple firmware, you can reboot it, and hold SELECT + PLAY and it will go into apple disk mode.
B) restoring the ipod:
B1)Now, connect the ipod (in disk mode) and open the control panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management. Now goto Disk Managemnet and goto your ipod. Select the sections of the disk and delete ALL the partitions on the ipod. Now there should be 1.9 (or 3.8 ) Gigabytes of unnallocated space on the ipod.
B2)Run the ipod updater and if it wont restore it, then read the next step. If it does then your ipod's fixed!
B3)Go back to computer management and format the ipod as a FAT32 drive. Now run the ipod updater.
PROBLEM FIXED!
Scenario 4: The iPod get's to the uClinux prompts, but stops even though i put on the podzilla files
A1)this is the most common problem ive seen yet. My simplest solution is to install floydzilla. To do this, you must reboot the ipod and put it in disk mode. *note when you reboot the ipod through ipl, its slower at rebooting and you might feel like youre sitting there for a minute holding down select and menu*
A2) Now, download the floydzilla installer here :
http://www.dansfloyd.com/floydzilla.html . Then run it and install it on your ipod. When finished, reboot the ipod in ipl.
A3) Now, it might sit a command prompt for more than 5 seconds here because its basically installing a new shell. It will eventually start to move quicker and then, Vwhalla, floydzilla should boot.
*note Floydzilla has a few bugs still and hasn't played videos properly for me and some other people therfore you may want to now consider once floydzilla is installed putting on podzillla which tends to work better*
Section B, podzilla
B1) Now, for the strangest reasons we'll never know, ipl sometimes does not like to boot podzilla. Therefore people install Floydzilla. You just have. Now if you would like to after install podzilla, follow these instructions.
B2) Now reboot your ipod in disk mode. Prepare the podzilla and start files while you're at it. Now drag the podzilla and start files onto the root of the ipod.
B3) It should now boot podzilla if you restart it. If it gives you an error, then just go back to floydzilla. Please dont bother me or people on the forum about that crap and go around asking for help.
{([..:Installing IPL::..])}
The best ways to install ipl on your nano
*note this install tutorial is only meant for the nano but probably will work on other pods*
Okay, so you want to install IPL on your nano. Good choice. before you do the following steps, restore your ipod and do a complete wipe. (as in get rid of all file on it) Just remember to restore the ipod and dont leave it blank.
1)when you connect your ipod after its been restored, open itunes. A window with some stuff for your ipod will come up. hit cancel. Goto prefs and enable the ipod for disk use, and put it on manual song managing.
2)download the windows based nano installer here:
http://ipodlinux.org/Nano_Installer run it (w/ the ipod connected) set apple firmware for default booting, take a backup, and install IPL.
3) Before you disconect the ipod, drag the podzilla and start files to the root (home directory) of the ipod. now eject the ipod.
4) Make sure it boots up in apple firmware first before you try linux. If apple firmware works fine, then reboot the ipod and boot the other OS .(IPL)
5)It should boot IPL with no prolems. 1 thing, the clickwheel is going to be ultra sensitive when you first run it so your going to want to play with some of the settings.
*note : if it stops somewhere at the command prompt and won't boot Podzilla, then take a look at scenario 4 (its up there sumwhere)*
6)if IPL works, then goto POWER>TURN OFF IPOD > YES. This will put you in apple firmware. now connect your ipod and run itunes. Set it to auto update and let it write the songs to the ipod. These songs should also be available in IPL through the music tab in the main podzilla menu.
{([..:
ome advice::..])}
A : I dont think that you should play music through IPL bucause it freezes and has decoder problems.
B : Video also will heavily use up the small bit of ram that your nano has and isnt very good for the proccessor in it. The audio is also out of sync in some cases so dont play 3 hour videos on it.
C: IPL is cool, but is buggy. If it freezes, reboot it and use apple firmware on it for a while.
D: If theres any typos, dont post them. PM me or msn me.
PS If you have any type of problem with IPL on a nano, 4g, mini, etc. plz just give me a pm. dont add me to msn plz, thx.
Always remember teh golden saying: KISS. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID.
~enjoy
HOW TO INSTALL IPL ON YOUR NANO AND FIXES FOR DEAD NANOS
took me about an hour to get through tho lol 
Linear Mode
