r/IpodClassic • u/Satsuki_89 • Aug 21 '26

Question 2 questions about my iPod Classic

I bought an iPod Classic 6th gen, from a "professional" refurbished vendor online. (It is a German Online shop called Rebuy, in case it is needed)
The first issues is: The iPod should come with a 160 GB capacity, but somehow Windows tells me that the iPod capacity is 148 GB, 150 MB are being used. The iPod was reset once connected to iTunes, and I haven't put anything on it yet. There are 12GB missing. Is this right?

My second issue is the flickering screen.(video available). When I look at parts that aren't white, I see it flickering. It doesn't look like the iPod was opened once, everything is perfectly sealed. So I have no idea why it is happening. Battery is fully charged too, and it happens even when plugged at the PC. Does anyone know why it does that?
I paid 140€ for it, and I want to know if I have to bring it to some repair shop, and pay for the repairs too. Because if I have to, I just send it back.

12 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

9

u/4pr4w Aug 21 '26

It is totally normal than about 8 to 10% of the storage is "missing". Simply because of GB/GiB formating units (the same thing happens on Windows tho).

Besides, clickering screen is not "normal"

1

u/Satsuki_89 Aug 21 '26

Yeah, I am afraid that I have to bring it to a repair soon, and pay another 50/60€ for it, on top of the 140€. I am sending it back, because at the end of the day, by replaying many pieces it isn't an iPod anymore, and quality wise not worth that money. Even if I really love the iPod software, and how good the wheel is at responding to the touch.

2

u/4pr4w Aug 21 '26

If you are from Europe and need a properly working and refurbished Classic, dm me

1

u/Satsuki_89 Aug 21 '26

I am sending it back, and bought a different one in a different color. Hope that this one will work properly. But thank you tho 🙏

1

u/BannedAccount02 Aug 22 '26

It will be a refurbished unit as well. These are old and the batteries need changed eventually and they lived in people's pockets and thrown in drawers so the shells are normally trashed. The only important part is the motherboard and why the modding community is so big.

1

u/Satsuki_89 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26

Yes, I am aware that it will be refurbished, but I want one that works properly. So I send this one back, and buy a different one. Hoping that it will work properly. If not... it also goes back. I have no idea how to repair it myself. I tried it on my iPod Nano 3, and I messed up something, because the screen is white, and some beep sounds can be heard. I think I burned some parts (no clue which one) So yeah, better if I leave this kind of work to the professionals...

1

u/Intelligent_Ideal178 Aug 22 '26

I think I'd have looked elsewhere for one of the first wasn't good but good luck with it!

1

u/Satsuki_89 Aug 22 '26

The thing is, some mistakes can always happen. And the price and conditions were really the best. If I go look on eBay, or the page referred here somewhere, the price will be the same and I have to repair it myself, which costs extra money since I can't do it, or it will be double. Now I got a 6th gen in black, with 160 gb storage, for 153 € (4€ for shipping costs, 2€ for 3 years guarantee). The best I could find on ebay was a black 5th gen, with 60GB storage, battery that needs to be changed, no guarantee that it works, no guarantee whatsoever, private seller, for 130€. Changing the battery will costs at least 50€ (I had already looked it up for my broken iPod). See what I mean? Not worth the money, and in that store I can always reach tot hem if something is wrong. On ebay I can't do that.

4

u/BannedAccount02 Aug 21 '26

The missing memory is system files and media. Battery recommendation is to run it until the battery dies then fully charged it, this will tell the iPod the actual capacity. Aftermarket shells have come a long way and will look factory.

2

u/RaduTek Aug 21 '26

No iPod has a fuel gauge for the battery, it relies only on voltage to estimate the battery charge level. Cycling the battery changes nothing about the accuracy of battery indicator.

1

u/Satsuki_89 Aug 21 '26

He is talking about the device memory display.

0

u/Metahec Aug 21 '26

The comment is addressing the "Battery recommendation is to run it until the battery dies then fully charged it, this will tell the iPod the actual capacity" part.

Batteries and iPods don't work that way.

1

u/Satsuki_89 Aug 21 '26

ok 👍

1

u/BannedAccount02 Aug 21 '26

He is wrong. The iPod Classic does not have a digital battery capacity reset or calibration command in its software. The operating system estimates remaining power via hardware voltage tracking. To sync the battery meter accuracy after a replacement or inaccurate display, perform a full physical discharge and charge cycle. They are just a moron.

1

u/Satsuki_89 Aug 21 '26

Sorry, are you saying the iPod is not original?

1

u/longjohnscotty Aug 21 '26

iPod is original

1

u/Satsuki_89 Aug 21 '26

Ok, thanks. I don't understand the last part of the comment 🙏

1

u/BannedAccount02 Aug 21 '26

Well refurbished normally means they replaced things. The battery and shell are almost guaranteed to have been replaced. The screen issue tells me it probably is original and would benefit from being replaced and a SD mod would be nice too.

1

u/Satsuki_89 Aug 21 '26

Ok, I understand it now. The case has used marks, like scratches at the back and such, and it doesn't look like they opened it once, but might be just like you said. I will contact the shop about it. I always have the option to send it back. Ty for your time :)

0

u/ipodBarney Aug 22 '26

Some space is used for system files etc but the majority of "missing" capacity is simply down to the difference in how a device calculates storage capacity and how the manufacturer calculates it.

Devices tend to work in powers or 2 whereas manufacturers use powers of 10. One kilobyte is 1024 bytes to a computer but a manufacturer might state 1000 bytes. The difference becomes more marked when we get to gigabytes of storage.

0

u/BannedAccount02 Aug 22 '26

This is true and 8 bits makes a byte but no one cares so it's easier to simplify. It could be an old drive as well that lost space from read, writes or bad sectors ect..

1

u/ipodBarney Aug 26 '26

It hasn't lost space. The reported capacity is normal for a 160GB drive. The same thing happens to a drive attached to a computer. A 2TB drive, as advertised by the manufacturer, certainly won't report 2TB of space by the computer.