How to install Rockbox and iBoy

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In this instructional I am going to show you how to install RockBox, an open-source operating system for iPod!

First things first:

By Installing RockBox will void your warranty. Also I am not responsible for any damage and/or data loss done installing RockBox on your iPod.

So if you do this you must back up any files that are important to you off of your iPod.

I am not liable for any damage that may occur.Proceed at your own risk

Now to get you startesd there are several things that you may need to do this project:

-an iPod
it can be a nano 1st gen, ipod 1g,2g,3g,4g or 5g but not classic.

-The .rockbox build. get the appropriate one for your iPod here: http://www.rockbox.org/download/ .when this will do it all for you so you dont have to go through anything technical just download the installer.
- ipodpatcher: this handy little program will patch the bootloader on your iPod so that it can load rockbox properly. get it here : http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/ipod/ipodpatcher/win32/ipodpatcher.exe download this and it will patch the rockbox software with the iPod software which will enable you to have both on your iPod software and your rockbox software at the same time
EXTRA: To enhance RockBox you can get extra fonts get them here

http://download.rockbox.org/daily/fonts/rockbox-fonts.zip

To run the game plugin "Doom" you'll need a base WAD

get it here : http://download.rockbox.org/useful/rockdoom.zip

That's it. Your all set.

Step 1

first find the zip folder where you downloaded the zip for your .rockbox build.*(the most easiest thing to do is to download it onto the desktop into a new folder)

Make sure that you have the right build for you ipod.If you haven't got one yet get the right one for your iPod here: http://www.rockbox.org/download/

(Make sure you get the right one. Don't get the 30gb video and 60/80gb videos builds mixed up.It is very easy to get these mixed up)

Extract the '.rockbox' folder from the zip to whereever you have the file located.Then place it into the root directory of you iPod's drive. (the root directory is the main directory of your disk. e.g E:)

If your iPod isn't showing up in my computer, it is because you haven't enabled disk use

You can do that by following these steps: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1478

Now we can move on to the next step.

Step 2

Patching the bootloader.

This part may look a littel scar and very technical but don't worry if you followed my direction everything will work out and nothing will go wrong.

All you need to do is connect your iPod and open ipodpatcher

(available here: http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/ipod/ipodpatcher/win32/ipodpatcher.exe )

Once again I am not responsible for any damage, and/or data loss.

Proceed at your own risk.

once you plug it in it will show a black window with white text. If you have plugged in a supported iPod it will display some info about the iPod and ask you to enter i to install and u to uninstall.

type i and press enter

the entire process takes about 10-20 seconds depending on how fast or slow your computer is.

Step 3

Testing it out.

Now for the fun part.

Now all you have to do is disconnect your iPod.
Now reboot your iPod
To reboot Press and hold menu+select (center button) for 6 seconds. Your iPod will show the Apple logo and then will show a RockBox screen. If you get back to the original iPod operating system reboot again without hold on.
If it does not load rockbox at all make sure that you choose the right software for your iPod and that the patcher worked.
Note: to boot into the Apple firmware (the original operating system) as soon as you see the Apple logo on the iPod's screen flick the hold switch on.

Also note: if you are using an iPod 1g,2g or 3g you will need to press and hold Play/pause+menu to reboot.

If you get an error and cant get to either operating system (apple or rockbox) and/or are shown a folder with an exclamation mark, you will need to boot into disk mode and restore your iPod.
To completely reboot you ipod attach it to the usb cable and open itunes it will ask you if you want to format this ipod .Then just let itunes handle the rest.For extra help on resetting an ipod please go to this website:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1363

uninstall

Uninstallation

If for some reason you are unsatisfied with RockBox, I will show you how to uninstall it from your iPod.

First, plug in your iPod to computer.

Load up ipodpatcher.exe

Enter U

ipodpatcher will take about 10-20 seconds and after it is done the bootloader of your iPod will be back the same way it was before the installation. (you cannot load rockbox anymore)

Navigate to the root directory of your iPod (the place where you put the .rockbox folder. usually E:\)

Delete .rockbox

Your done! your iPod no longer has RockBox.

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