iPod Linux

This is a tutorial on how to install iPod Linux on any iPod, except the shuffle. This tutorial was made for Windows. If you are on a different OS, then download the correct installer here. The basic steps are the same.

I know there\’s been a lot of iPod Linux eggs, but none had good pictures and instructions. Neither did they have an installer for ALL iPod versions. I do.

I realize iPods suck. Unfortunately, I bought one.

Then I heard about iPod Linux. This is the way to set undo the barriers of the crappy Apple Firmware. This will get Tux on your iPod. Not a complete Linux system, but a new firmware, based on Linux. This will allow you to play video, Doom, Half-Life, Gameboy Roms, Nes Roms, MAME roms, and so much more.

Note: Please do not bitch at me if your iPod gets #%!@ed. To fix it, download the HP Format Tool here. Plug in your iPod, set it to the following settings (ignore the top bar).




After that is said and done, unplug your iPod. If it starts normally good. If it doesn\’t, it doesn\’t matter.Plug in your iPod again, and start the lates version of the iPod Updater. Restore. If it doesn\’t work, DO NOT UNPLUG, Format it again, and then restore again. This works everytime.

This is a basic tutorial. You may need to change the iBoy.cfg file if your root is \"mnt\" (find this out by starting Linux and then going into the file browser, and if you see hp in the list, your root is hp, if you see mnt, then your root title is mnt), because I made it ready for roots that are \"hp\". Just open it with notepad, and then change the directory to either


romdir=/hp/iboy/roms/
savedir=/hp/iboy/save/
romfile=pokemon.gb
oss_enabled=1

or

romdir=/mnt/iboy/roms/
savedir=/mnt/iboy/save/
romfile=pokemon.gb
oss_enabled=1


Note #2: This will work on all iPods, but the Shuffle, obviously. Anyways, who would even waste $100 on such a worthless piece of crap.

Downloads

Everything you need/want can be downloaded here.

For other things, visit the iPod Linux site, here.
For more, visit the iPod Linux forums, here.

Search before asking any stupid questions, members like me there get very pissed.


Starting the Installation


Be sure to close all applications that are using the iPod. iTunes and the like.

Plug in your iPod.


Open the latest iPod Updater.


Restore your iPod.


Wait...


OK, now it\’s done. You can close the Updater.


Open the contents of the .ZIP file I gave you (assuming you already unzipped it. If you didn\’t go ahead and do it now, it\’s not like there\’s a time limit). Go into the folder titled \"iPL Installer 2.2\".


Open Installer.exe, and click next.


Ignore the text. Since I am using my Nano, the screenshot says it\’s a Nano. if it doesn\’t state the iPod you are using correctly, then start over. Click next.


Now make sure Apple is the default boot. The back-up doesn\’t really matter, but if you want to be safe, check the box. It takes a long time for it to create the back-up, but once again, it\’s your choice.


Now it\’s installing Linux onto your iPod.


Hooray! You can click finish now.


Now unplug your iPod. It will restart itself. Hold the \"REWIND\" button down until you see glorious blue text.

You are now into the podzilla interface. Go into settings, turn the \"Backlight\" on, and change the wheel sensitivity if it is hard to scroll accurately.




Games


Note: Your computer will not recognize your iPod in Linux. For your computer to recognize it, you must reboot (hold center and menu down) and don\’t touch anything. Then you will be in the normal Apple Firmware.



Now go into the folder I gave you. Take the three folders I circled, and paste them into the iPod root directory through Windows Explorer.


Go into the \"iBoy\" folder.


Copy the \"iBoy.cpg\" file.


Paste it into the root of your iPod.


Now you\’re good to go!



Unplug your iPod, boot into Linux, and select the File Browser.

Go to \"HP\" or \"MNT\", and from then on you can see various folders, including iBoy, iDoom, and Videos.

To use iBoy, open the folder, and open the file that just says \"iBoy\". I\’ve already included some games, and game saves. For Pokemon Gold (yeah, isn\’t Pokemon #%!@ing leet?), everytime the game loads a new map, press select or start to fix the messed-up tiles.



For iDoom, just open the iDoom folder, and then go to the game of your choice, and open the \"iDoom\" file.



Videos

Note: You see the file named \"FixIt.avi? Don\’t delete that. To get the audio to sync perfectly with the video, open that file before playing any file.


Ok, the only catch with video, is that the files are HUGE. Files on your computer are compressed files, and your computer can handle compressed files, because it\’s powerful enough. However, do you think that a small iPod could process compressed files? No. Therefore, you have to de-compress the files, and therefore they are huge.

So, anyways, the easiest tool to do this with is MoPid, which I included in the bundle. Go into the MoPid folder.


Open MoPid.exe.


Read if you wish, but press the circled button.


Continue.


OK.


Now select a file. I do not recommend choosing any files higher than 300MB (length doesn\’t matter). The file will be gigantic.


OK.


I recommend you make a \"Converted Videos\" folder, to store all of your videos. Choose your name, and then add an .avi extension. You must do this!


Choose the iPod you have.


SP is South Park, FG is Family Guy. Since those would be appropriate size and length to put on an iPod, and I bet a lot of you will put them on, I added the recommended frame rates. Since South Park already has crappy animation, 5-7 fps is perfectly fine. I managed to get one episode at about 375MB like this. Family Guy is a little bit more well animated, so 7-9 is suitable. So choose your framerate, and click OK.


Make sure everything is as it should be, and click OK.


Now make sure everything is alright, and click \"YES\".


Now something like this should be going on, if you chose a low fps, it will say \"skipping frame\", don\’t worry about it.


After this, it\’s done.


Now you can copy the file into the folder titled \"Videos\" inside your iPod.


Remember to play the \"FixIt\" file before every video if you want the audio to sync with the video. To make another \"FixIt\" file, create a new notepad document, don\’t type anything, and then title it \"FixIt.avi\". Make sure you enabled it to save as all files.


The End

Damn, that took a looooooong time. You better rate 5*, you sons of a bitches ;D! So remember if it gets #%!@ed, and the HP Format Tool doesn\’t help, go to the iPL forums, and search, search, search, and if you find nothing, then post a topic.

So anyways, I hope you enjoyed my egg. Have fun with your newly acquired iPod Linux! If you have any problems, do not post them here! Just send me a message. I\’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.


Tux bids you adu!