Ipod Mini Second Generation

[Muppetoski]

I'm trying to find a click wheel for my 4G mini which the ebay seller said is a second generation. Although my ipod does show to have 4G the back of the ipod doesnt have an icon that says 4G. Is this possible? Are there some 2nd generation ipod minis that dont have this marked on it? The reason I ask, is that I don't want to order the wrong click wheel.

[kuziwk]

No, all 2nd gen ipod mini have to have the amount of space laser etched on the back (4gb,6gb). Anither way to tell is if the clickwheel is the same colour of the case. And just for the record the 1st gen ipod mini wont work with the 2nd gen clickwheel. I found that out the hard way and ended up spending another $50 for a 1st gen clickwheel which i hope will work and im expected still in the mail to add on to my $150 allready spent. What happend is i bought a ipod mini with a broken harddrive for $50 and broke something else taking it apart. Now confident with how to take it apart, i than bought another broken 1st gen one for $100 with a broken clickwheel ribbon. I took my 2nd gen clickwheel which wouldnt work in the mini and took the ribbon off and used it with my 1st gen white wheel. Shockingly something weird happend and 2 buttons work. The play button and the back button and there on the wrong buttons. So i thought it was an incampatbility between the 2 so i bought another 1st gen clickwheel and im expecting it soon in the mail. Is this a problem with the clickwheel or just some other component?

[kuziwk]

Sorry to bore you. To answere your qeustion fully some ebay sellers (parden my french) really know f*ck all about ipods unless they own an ipod buissness, (depending on the seller). I bought my mini that was supposed to be 2nd generation and ended up being 1st generation. If the mini doesnt have the amount of gb etched on the back(4 or 6) Its not a 2nd generation, unless he switched cases(ask him if it has ever been took apart or if he switched the cases). But remeber belive nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see, in other words look at the image of the mini and check the back for the laser etching.

[Popeye the Sailor Dude]

What have you been doing to your iPod to deserve a new clickwheel? If its been through that much, you might just want to consider a new iPod

[Muppetoski]

The reason I need to replace it, is when I put a new battery in , the play button stopped working. When I re-opened it, the select button stopped working. Than a co-worker openned it without using the directions I gave him ( I wasnt looking) and didnt disconect the bottom ribbon first. Although the case doesnt have the 4G printed on it, it still has the check-mark on the bottom right that is not on the 1st generation.

[Popeye the Sailor Dude]

Well still, i don't think that is a problem with the actual hardware...did you make sure you plugged everything back together? And you may have an in between iPod. Check on the about screen for what version it is. It will say something like 1.5. Depending on the first digit, either 1 or 2, it will tell you what click wheel to get. Also, getting a new click wheel still is iffy. Like I said before, you may want to consider a new iPod

[Muppetoski]

Unfortunately since my co-worker opened it, he says some of the ribbon's connections arent connected. He tried to splice them with tape to no avail. And now the only button that works is the hold button, which turns the screen on once it is switched on and off. So sadly I wouldnt be able to select a screen that would clarify anything. I'd hate to buy a new ipod because the nano's are plastic and hold less memory for the price I'd pay. This mini costed me $133 including shipping, it needed a newer battery but it had 4G

[Popeye the Sailor Dude]

Unfortunately since my co-worker opened it, he says some of the ribbon's connections arent connected. He tried to splice them with tape to no avail. And now the only button that works is the hold button, which turns the screen on once it is switched on and off. So sadly I wouldnt be able to select a screen that would clarify anything. I'd hate to buy a new ipod because the nano's are plastic and hold less memory for the price I'd pay. This mini costed me $133 including shipping, it needed a newer battery but it had 4G
wow.......you can try for a new click wheel, but since the ribbons aren't connected, there may be some other troubles

[Muppetoski]

Actually the new click wheel comes with the ribbon. It is the part that connects to the bottom of the mini. I figure the bidding on ebay for the one Im looking at will end around $50, but I'm still trying to make sure I have a second generation mini. Once again, although the memory amount is not etched on the back, the "checkmark" icon IS on the bottom. :rolleyes:

[krazykrisi]

Actually the new click wheel comes with the ribbon. It is the part that connects to the bottom of the mini. I figure the bidding on ebay for the one Im looking at will end around $50, but I'm still trying to make sure I have a second generation mini. Once again, although the memory amount is not etched on the back, the "checkmark" icon IS on the bottom. :rolleyes:
If it doesn't have 4gb on the back then it's a 1st generation. Also you can check by looking at the clickwheel itself. If the color of menu, >>,<< and play/pause are the same color as your ipod then it's a 2nd generation. If they are silver, then it's a first. Unless your iPod is silver then it's impossible to tell that way.

[Popeye the Sailor Dude]

If it doesn't have 4gb on the back then it's a 1st generation. Also you can check by looking at the clickwheel itself. If the color of menu, >>,<< and play/pause are the same color as your ipod then it's a 2nd generation. If they are silver, then it's a first. Unless your iPod is silver then it's impossible to tell that way.
like i said before, can't you check on the about screen?

[krazykrisi]

like i said before, can't you check on the about screen?
No! If you could then I would have suggested it. What a concept.

[Popeye the Sailor Dude]

my bad. i realized that number was the software version, not the hardware

[krazykrisi]

my bad. i realized that number was the software version, not the hardware
ggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Muppetoski]

Thanx! Although the memory amount is not etched on the back. All the markings on the buttons are blue like my ipod. But when I plug the serial number into this website: http://digg.com/apple/Cryptic_Apple_Serial_Numbers:_SOLVED
It says it is a First model. The seller still insists it is a second gen, knowing I'm bidding on a click wheel on ebay that ends in just hours.

[abc123def]

Not really sure if this is relevant. Earlier on Kuzwick mentioned that they had taken the ribbon off the clickwheel. I have a similar problem with my 1st gen clickwheel except I broke the connector to the clickwheel when changing the battery. I now require a new clickwheel with the molex connector (ribbon??) but on e-bay there aren't that many. There seem to be loads of connectors so I was wondering if someone could give me some tips on taking the clickwheel apart and taking the connector (ribbon) off or a link showing you how to do it so I can get a replacement off of e-bay and get my mini ipod working.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Love the site BTW.

[essexii]

Breaking the Molex ribbon must be a common error when working on these things, because I too did the same thing. I replaced the ribbon with the wrong ribbon though (2nd gen) that's what I get for not doing the appropriate research. Anyhow it was fairly easy, tedious yes, but no more difficault than working on a computer or car. Plumbing is way tougher. This link has a few videos replacing various mini parts http://www.ipodhowtovideo.com/mini/. Its good and does point out the various pitfalls associated with a repair. Really the keys to repairing ipods is to be patient, have the right tools, be delicate, know your generation (gb etching on back is the easiest way) and search the web, there are a lot of resources out there. The best prices I found were on EBay, but they vary wildly for any part. I think the connector is the way to go, I'll let you know when I get the right one. Anyone need a mini gen2 ribbon (does not have molex printed on it).

[plfung]

Here are a couple of viable solutions.

It is possible that the molex connector has broken off the ribbon cable at one or two of the solder joints. In fact it is quite likely the case, if it was working before you took it apart, because the ribbon cable is "oh so handy and convenient" to use to lift the connector off. If you are handy with a soldering iron you can resolder the joints and be on your way. In my experience, it is usually the two joints furthest from the clickwheel and towards the inside. Be very careful that you do not slop solder across the pins. That is where I would start.

An alternative solution is a great way to get it working and that is, get a remote that plugs into the dock connector. Usually these can be found cheaper than a new clickwheel and you do not have to worry about first gen or second gen. It is totally independent of the click wheel and usually will operate all the necessary funtions.

eBay is a great place to get parts but you have to be a careful shopper.

Good luck to all of you.

Just my two cents.