Install iPod Linux on a 4G or Nano using Windows and the Johnny West Installer

Like many iPod owners you may have become interested in installing the iPod Linux operating system, perhaps just to see if it works, to view photographs and videos on a non-video iPod, to play iDoom or any of the many iPod Linux programs available. The technique described here offers an alternate install from the "official" iPod Linux installs available on iPodlinux.org and may be a good alternative for iPod Nano or 4G owners.

Steps

Get Ready

  1. Determine your exact iPod model and generation. If your iPod is a second generation nano or later. this will not work - check the project status page for which ipods can be used.
  2. Determine which version of iPod Linux is compatible with your iPod. iPod Linux distributions and installers are available for almost any iPod, but some are unsupported and will therefore be far more difficult to install.
  3. Backup any data on your iPod you cannot stand to lose including, of course, your music.
  4. Make sure you have the same music and files on your iPod as on your computer; if a reformat is necessary, you won't lose anything.
  5. Plug your iPod into the Microsoft Windows machine.
  6. Open iTunes if your iPod is set up to work with iTunes, and set the iPod into disk mode:

    1. Click the Edit Menu and then Preferences.
    2. Click the tab or icon labeled iPod at the top of the screen.
    3. Tick the Enable Disk Use checkbox if it is not already enabled. <P>
      • Note: Your iPod will function normally, even when this is ticked.
  7. Download the correct installer from iPodlinux.org.<P>
    • Alternatively, hop over to the iPod Linux forums and download the installer created by Johnny West from the link provided below.
  8. Follow the instructions and installation guides on iPodlinux.org, another Creative Content licensed site devoted to all things iPod Linux, which is a good thing.

Installing with Johnny West's Installer

  1. Decompress the file (if needed) with a zip program.
  2. Extract the installer to a folder in My Documents called Linux Folder or iPod Linux Folder.
  3. Navigate to this folder.
  4. Click on the folder named iPod Linux.
  5. In the folder named IPL INSTALLER find the file named ipodlinux-installer.exe.
  6. Make sure your iPod is still connected to your machine.
  7. Run ipodlinux-installer.exe.
  8. Uncheck the box labeled Check for online updates
  9. The installer will ask you whether you want to make a backup, select this option.
  10. Click forward through the installation steps.
  11. Make sure to select the "Apple OS" for starting up (booting) the iPod.
  12. Continue with the final steps to install Linux. It is critical that while it is installing you do not go to any other programs on the computer. If there are programs already open, leave them alone during the installation process. Let the installer do its work until the installation is complete.
  13. Navigate to the folder Put These Files In Ipod Root After Installing, located in the same folder as the IPL INSTALLER folder.
  14. Find two files in this folder: podzilla and start.
  15. Copy these two files to the clipboard. Use any of these methods:<p>
    • Select the correct files (above).
    • Right-click and select copy from the drop-down menu.
    • Click the file and then choose copy.
    • Press Ctrl+C.
  16. Navigate to My Computer.
  17. Find your iPod as an external drive. The name of this drive will be either iPod or whatever name you previously gave your iPod.
  18. Double-click this drive to browse your iPod in disk mode.
  19. Paste the two files into the iPod, without navigating into any other folders. Use any of these methods to paste:<P>
    • Right-click in the folder (disk) and select Paste from the drop-down menu.
    • Click File and then Paste.
    • Press Ctrl+V.
  20. Close the iPod drive and the iPod Linux folders.
  21. Go back into iTunes and eject the iPod by clicking the little icon to the right of your iPod. <P>
    • If you don't know how to do this, right-click on your iPod in the Source menu, and select Eject.
  22. After the iPod has been ejected, close iTunes and unplug your iPod.
  23. The iPod will reset automatically. If it doesn't, see below.
  24. Put the hold switch on as soon as you see the Apple Logo on the screen.
  25. Verify that after the Apple logo a picture of a penguin listening to an iPod briefly appears.
  26. Verify that a bunch of text whizzes fast up the screen. This text is the Linux boot sequence.
  27. Turn off the hold switch as soon as the text starts coming.
  28. Wait until the text has finished and your iPod should boot into podzilla, the iPod Linux user interface.<P>
    • If your installation does not work or your iPod is frozen reset your iPod.
  29. Congratulations! You have successfully installed Linux onto your iPod! To see what things you can now do with your iPod check the related wikiHows!

Tips

  • If the installation screws up, you can reformat your iPod.
  • The install may fail for many reasons. If it does not work the first time you will be need to either restore your backup or reformat your iPod before trying again.
  • If the installer will not read your iPod download and install the latest iPod updater from the Apple Web site, run it and then reset your iPod and try again.
  • If, for any reason, you do not have a decompression program that handles .zip files, WinAce or Aladdin Stuffit for Windows are good choices.
  • To restore the backup you made:<P>
  1. Use the Run command from the start menu.
  2. Execute ipodlinux-installer.exe /r
  • If the links to the West installer do not work for you, download the package from an Internet search. Search for IPL installer

Warnings

  • iPod Linux has not been actively developed since 2007, so compatibility and bug issues are most likely to be never fixed.
  • This installer is unsupported by the iPodLinux community and development team so there is no point asking them for help as they may not have even used this package. Instead try the Linux troubleshooting page.
  • This technique does not work on 5th generation iPods! Do not follow this guide if you have an iPod that natively supports video playback.
  • This Could damage your ipod and you may never be able to use it again. Make the right choice while trying this.
  • Installing iPod Linux will void your warranty, however, reformatting the iPod may make your warranty good again.

Things You'll Need

  • A Microsoft Windows or a Windows-compatible system, such as WINE or ReactOS.
  • An iPod 4G or iPod Nano.
  • Johnny West's Linux package.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

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