iPod battery help

[TheGoodTexan]

I just got my 40gig iPod back in November 04.

Now the battery will not hold a charge. It will not even turn on unless it's plugged into the wall with the A/C charger.

I left it plugged into the wall with the A/C charger for over 8 hours last night, but it didn't have a charge this morning when I unplugged it. Just has a picture of battery....with a line drawn through it.

If I plug it into the wall, it works fine.

How much is a new battery? Is it something I can install myself?

[Mik]

Lost my message!

short answer: no you cannot change out the battery you send it to Apple with about $90.

Origninally Apple expected you to just buy a new one, no replacement batteries!!

I'm giving Apple's mp3 competitors a lot of consideration.

Warranty claim?

Mik

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by Mik

Warranty claim?

Ahhh!!!!

Yep - I even got the extended warranty with it.

My father bought it for me at Best Buy, and paid an extra $50 for an extended warranty.

...now ....to dig out that receipt....

[tiktok]

Did you try a Reset on the iPod?

The original warranty is one year, so if it's a warranty issue then you'd still be covered under that. The extended warranty doesn't cover anything not in the original warranty, it just "extends" the duration.

You can set up iPod repair here:

http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod/


As I recall, the life of the iPod has a lot to do with how often you run it down to zero. The more you do that, the shorter the battery life. Also, later versions of the iPod software tweaked the performance so battery life improved.

http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/power/

http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipods.html

[snoglobe]

Ipod replacement batteries (third party) are available on e-bay from a number of sellers.

I switched the battery on a first generation Ipod and it worked fine, unfortunately, my hard drive on it gave up the ghost.

Also, when you send your Ipod to apple, you don't get your Ipod back, you get someone elses refurbished Ipod. So everything on your hard drive will be lost.

[Mik]

Originally Posted by snoglobe

Also, when you send your Ipod to apple, you don't get your Ipod back, you get someone elses refurbished Ipod. So everything on your hard drive will be lost.

You're kidding?

The competition just keeps looking better and better.

Mik

[Mik]

Originally Posted by Mik

You're kidding?

The competition just keeps looking better and better.

Mik

You're not kidding: direct from the Big Apple:

"NOTE: iPod equipment that is sent in for battery service or service requiring other repairs will be replaced with functionally equivalent new, used, or refurbished iPod equipment. You will not receive the same iPod that was sent in for service."

Think Apple will throw in a re-bias with a battery service? :P

Ipod is now off my list of Mp3 players candidates.

Mik

[tiktok]

Originally Posted by snoglobe

Ipod replacement batteries (third party) are available on e-bay from a number of sellers.

I switched the battery on a first generation Ipod and it worked fine, unfortunately, my hard drive on it gave up the ghost.

Also, when you send your Ipod to apple, you don't get your Ipod back, you get someone elses refurbished Ipod. So everything on your hard drive will be lost.

Since his unit still spins up when attached to external power he can back up the files before he sends it off.

[Hucklebilly]

I've had my iPod for a couple of years, and no problems with the battery yet. When it does go, I'm going to get one of the $30 third party batteries and install it myself. There's tons of info on the internet about how to do this, with step by step instructions, pictures, videos etc...

[tiktok]

[quote="MikYou're not kidding: direct from the Big Apple:

"NOTE: iPod equipment that is sent in for battery service or service requiring other repairs will be replaced with functionally equivalent new, used, or refurbished iPod equipment. You will not receive the same iPod that was sent in for service."

Think Apple will throw in a re-bias with a battery service? :P

Ipod is now off my list of Mp3 players candidates.

Mik[/quote]

Refurb units on warranty repairs for simple items isn't uncommon--you'll want to doublecheck the service terms on whatever you go with if that's a concern.

[Mik]

[quote=tiktok]

Originally Posted by "MikYou're not kidding: direct from the Big Apple:

"NOTE: iPod equipment that is sent in for battery service or service requiring other repairs will be replaced with functionally equivalent new, used, or refurbished iPod equipment. You will not receive the same iPod that was sent in for service."

Think Apple will throw in a re-bias with a battery service? :P

Ipod is now off my list of Mp3 players candidates.

Mik[/quote

Refurb units on warranty repairs for simple items isn't uncommon--you'll want to doublecheck the service terms on whatever you go with if that's a concern.

Yeah but...to replace a BATTERY???

User serviceable battery changes are features of many competitors of Ipod, and have longer battery life (3-5 years as I recall). And the competition's batteries are 20 to 30 bucks.

Mik

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by tiktok

Refurb units on warranty repairs for simple items isn't uncommon--you'll want to doublecheck the service terms on whatever you go with if that's a concern.

Yep - Check with the Ipod competators...you'll find the same thing.

[Billy Claire]

You absolutely CAN replace the battery yourself!

I've replaced mine once now and swapped hard drives twice.

Get the battery from OWC or some other ipod battery place- they'll give you a tool to use but a heavy guitar pick works just as well. After you pry off the cover CAREFULLY unplug the little tiny plug that plugs in the battery (I know- I wrecked one of mine and had to resolder tiny tiny wires...) it's simple- unpeel it back and swap. Not a big deal.

For snoglobe-

I hope you didn't trash your 1st gen ipod... watch ebay and bid on any 15GB 3rd gen drive. It will fit and you can format it for first gen use. I did this and it worked beautifully- transformed my 5GB 1st gen ipod into a 15 GB ipod. For about $60 for the drive on ebay. Sweet.

ipod's are the standard and they work beautifully. There are zillions of them out there and the batteries on any of those electronic devices (Palms, all mp3 players, PDA's) are not going to last much longer than a year to a year and a half- that's the way they work. But my 1st gen ipod is humming along and is awesome.

Billy

[Billy Claire]

Originally Posted by Mik

You're not kidding: direct from the Big Apple:

"NOTE: iPod equipment that is sent in for battery service or service requiring other repairs will be replaced with functionally equivalent new, used, or refurbished iPod equipment. You will not receive the same iPod that was sent in for service."

Think Apple will throw in a re-bias with a battery service? :P

Ipod is now off my list of Mp3 players candidates.

Mik

Mik- I hate to clue you, but this is the policy for just about all electronic gear work these days, from PDA's, cell phones, to mp3 players. That's the way it is now...

[kingalingus]

Originally Posted by Mik

Ipod is now off my list of Mp3 players candidates.

So they send you back an empty iPod - so what? Your computer is the parent of your iPod and is where (through iTunes) you manage your music files, play lists, content...All you'll need to do is connect it to your computer and sync it up - it will be as good as new. In fact, while you wait for your replacement, you can import some more CDs, work on your play lists and most importantly, practice playing your Telecasters. Not a reason to consider an alternative devise in my mind.

[Mik]

Billy if not for your charity, I'd be clueless!

But this ipod is just corporate planned obselesence jive!

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BATTERY

It wasn't designed for user service, I ain't huntin down ebay or DIY websites to change out a !@#$$ battery.

The Ipod was designed to suck 400 bucks outta ya and a year or 2 later burn another few of yer c notes.

I'm supposed to crawl back to my 'puter to reorganize my mp3 music for my replaced ipod all on account of a failed battery?? Jive jive jive. Yer all pomme-washed.

Bleah!! I'm back in my bunker and my LP"s,
Mik

[tiktok]

Originally Posted by Mik

But this ipod is just corporate planned obselesence jive!

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BATTERY

It wasn't designed for user service, I ain't huntin down ebay or DIY websites to change out a !@#$$ battery.

The Ipod was designed to suck 400 bucks outta ya and a year or 2 later burn another few of yer c notes.

I'm supposed to crawl back to my 'puter to reorganize my mp3 music for my replaced ipod all on account of a failed battery??

Yes it's all about the power supply, a not insignificant cost and design issue in any portable device. In order to keep the design sleek and tidy, they went with an enclosed battery. Like all batteries (and power supplies), it will eventually die. For most people, following the recommended charging cycle, it'll probably take 18-24 months. I think you will go through about $100 worth of batteries in that time with any mp3 player. If you're lucky, the battery door won't break before then. Apple's equipment has always been more along the lines of BMW cost versus the GM-esque nature of Windows equipment. Sleek design does cost more.

As far as "reorganizing" your music--if you're using an iPod all the music is in iTunes. You plug in an iPod, hit "sync" and come back in half an hour or whatever. They made it easy that way. Now, if you've got files downloaded from Kazaa spread all over hell's half acre, well, your computer experience is probably full of little frustrations, but it's not Apple's fault.

All that said, I think you're right--you shouldn't buy an iPod. It will cause you nothing but misery.

[Billy Claire]

Originally Posted by Mik

It wasn't designed for user service, I ain't huntin down ebay or DIY websites to change out a !@#$$ battery.

Mik

I hate to tell you about flashlights, then.

[reverbbb]

The iPod is really all about aftermarket accessories. This is a normal business model for products with a "smart" secondary sales program. However, it is ironic that the design or literature does not provide any visible indicators of a battery replacement. This in of itself could be their clever "let's don't tell them about battery replacement and maybe they will buy another one" marketing scheme.

I understand where they are coming from as far as their marketing and after sales products. Money is money any way a corperation can get it. But let's get real. In the case of the decorative/protective sleeves, a piece of plastic that cost $0.08 to make, costs $29.95!!!!! I DON'T THINK SO.

[raisindot]

You know what? Seems like some smart solder-kings are going to make a bunch of $$$ replacing iPod batteries for people, if they're not doing it already.

I'd certainly considering paying around $90 to someone local who would replace the battery and return my own iPod to me. Save on shipping, save on time without the iPod, guarantee that you'd get your own unit back.

Wish I had the skills to get into this racket...actually, a better racket would be to hold courses teaching OTHERS to do it...

Jeff

[tiktok]

Originally Posted by raisindot

I'd certainly considering paying around $90 to someone local who would replace the battery and return my own iPod to me. Save on shipping, save on time without the iPod, guarantee that you'd get your own unit back.

Wish I had the skills to get into this racket...actually, a better racket would be to hold courses teaching OTHERS to do it...

You should get into the racket where you charge $25 to change the strings and polish a guitar, now that's a racket.