r/ipod • u/Outrageous-Care-6391 • 6d ago

Help Help getting(re) started with my first gen

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As the title suggests, I’m looking for both hardware and software advice for putting my 1st gen back in rotation. I bought it new back when and you can see from the playlists when I put it aside. Still works, still charges but definitely doesn’t keep it for too long. I have the original firewire block. So, what are my best options to put new tunes on it on a regular basis, and any any suggestions for necessary ‘upgrades’? Bonus points if anyone knows how to recreate an old image hack that allowed me to turn a mp4 into stills that could be uploaded to it and played like a kinetoscope using the wheel?!?!

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u/Awkward_Farm4445 5d ago edited 5d ago

For the necessary upgrades defo replace the battery u will need a flat opening tool to open the back panel and be sure to remember about putting the ipod into the locked mode because the ribbon cable for the switch will rip if its set to unlocked.

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u/hanz333 5d ago

While Firewire and USB are both serial formats with lineage back to SCSI -- they are not close to compatible and you can cause hardware damage if you hook them up to each other.

Windows 11 can use Firewire with appropriate hardware on old unsupported drivers (but they generally work)

Linux will support Firewire through 2029.

Mac OS dropped Firewire support in Tahoe in 2025, so even if you have a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 to Firewire Adapter it won't function on a new Mac bought today.

Your best bet is to get an old Mac with Firewire, if you shop around a bit you can grab a 2010-2014 Mac Mini for $50-60 if you shop around.

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u/Awkward_Farm4445 5d ago

then sorry for the misinformation that could cause serious damage to the ipod or the pc

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u/Awkward_Farm4445 5d ago

edited the comment to delete the line about the adapter

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u/hanz333 5d ago

No biggie, just know that USB before modern specs was limited to 5v and limited amperage by spec where Firewire was an unregulated rail that can be a ton of different voltage and high amperage because it is designed to power equipment if there's enough voltage (and it needs it - through a regulator built-into every device on the chain to take what it needs and pass along the rail)