Bad Batteries in Ipod? here is the scoop.

[Cono Este]

So i got an ipod for my 30th, almost two yrs ago. I never got more than 4 hours out of the battery. Never used it much even though my wifes total investment, with accessories was over 500 bucks. Last two xmas's i keep getting more itunes cards and other stuff so i decide to sort this out.

Over the last year i have been confused by this well known scandle. Seems somebody sued them over the first 3 generations of ipods. I even got paperwork to join the class action in the mail. Like my enron stock i didnt bother to spend the countless hours filling oout the paperwork for the 50 bucks. BUt now i am finally pissed off enough to figure it out. I spend 3 hours on hold and speaking with various people at apple, getting a different story from everyone. One person tells me its past the 1 yr warranty, which confused me last yr with the class action. Seems they were not just swapping them out freely, thus the lawsuit. Another person tells me they will replace the battery for 60 bucks, then he also tells me that it was more than just the battery, but that the hardware was also to blame. Time for a new 400 dollar ipod? No freakin way. So after verbally sticking it to them for 3 hours i finally get somebody to admit that if you go throught the motions they will usually just give you a new ipod if you pay for the battery replacement. Seems they cannot even open them upp to just swap out the battery.

So in summary, if you have one of these lemons, just go to the apple store, ask for the techie, tell him/her your battery sucks, and always has. Ask for a battery replacemnt ($60), they will check your serial number, if it falls into one of the first generations they should just order you a new one. Still a shame that it costs 60 bucks, but the truth is, they will give you a brand new one. Do not take "No" for an answer, even the techie in the store tried to derail me at the last moment with some bullshit. You should get 8 to 14 hours out of the newer batteries.

So there it is.

[Mcwop]

I filled out the class action paperwork, only took about 10 minutes. I would not hold my breath on that one, becuase the settlement is now on hold.

Here is more info for battery replacement.

Replacing teh iPod battery yourself linky

Replacement batteries (about $30 including tool to open iPod).

Edit - My BIG question is do they replace my old iPod with a new video iPod for $60? That would be sweet.

Edit edit - found answer to my BIG question. You get a refurbished iPod.

[Cono Este]

I was told that I would get a new one. Same model as my orginal. It is on order. The techie told me that they could not open it up and just replace the battery.

[Cono Este]

its should be new because they told me it was slightly smaller than the original but that the orginal dock would still work.

[Arty50]

I was told that I would get a new one. Same model as my orginal. It is on order. The techie told me that they could not open it up and just replace the battery.

Not true. There are several companies that sell replacement batteries.

[Cono Este]

whatever, I just posted this in case anyone else has the same problem. If you read my first post you will see that this pertains to first generation ipods. As well as bad batteries there was a hardware and software problem. The software problem can be fixed with an update. A battery replacement will not solve the hardware issue. And yes, apple is NOT swapping out batteries. I am sure, with a mallet, you could if you wanted to, but apple is not. If you send in your 1st generation ipod for a battery replacemnt, they will send you a new one. I spent half a day and was eventually told this in person, at the apple store by the onsite tech guy. He ordered me a new one and I am to turn in the old when it arrives.

If you want to break open your ipod with a mallet and change it yourself, go ahead. Otherwise, if you have a first generations ipod, and it is fully functionally, you might give it a shot for a new one.

cono

[Cono Este]

Just to update everyone. The apple store called me today and I went down and exchange my old ipod for another one. I paid them for the price of a battery change, 60 bucks, and they gave me anothe rone. Not sure if its new, it looks new, but it could be a refurbished one. Once again I think this deal only applies to 1st generation ipods which had bad batteries and hardware. I think the lawsuit entitled you to a 50 dollar credit, but i hear that is under appeal or something. They said this battery should give me 8 hours depending on usage.

[Core Shot]

FYI, hard disk ipods never get good battery life for skiing.

All the jarring causes disk read errors, so it reads and re-reads over and over to fill the buffer.
When stationary, the disk reads ahead to fill the buffer and then stops reading, so less juice used.

solid state is the best for high impact sports.

[dirtybryan]

FYI, hard disk ipods never get good battery life for skiing.

All the jarring causes disk read errors, so it reads and re-reads over and over to fill the buffer.
When stationary, the disk reads ahead to fill the buffer and then stops reading, so less juice used.

solid state is the best for high impact sports.

For that reason and that disk drives are more prone to breaking due to moving parts and shock.

[Telenater]

And most Ipods use floating disk hard drives.
The disk rides on a small cushion of air when it's at operating speeds. Lower air densities (higher elevations) will reduce the effectiveness of the air cushion and lead to more read errors and a greater chance of hardware failure (hence the 10k elevation limit in the specs of at least the early versions).