Ipod Issues

[Firia]

I hope someone can help me out with this before I vanish. ^_^

So I just got an Ipod... sorta. A friend found one on the bus, gave it to me and said "if you can get it to work it's yours." Well it's mine anyway now. But the batteries appear to be dead (they were low when he found the Ipod), and there was no cords.

I don't know how to power up the batteries, or change him (it appears to be a sealed case), and if I need specific cords to make the thing work. And do I need to connect the bugger to a Mac to upload music? ^_^

I need the scoop.

[Sergeiovich]

iPods should work with PCs if you have the proper software and cords.

only places I know of to get the cords is either the apple website, maybe a big electronics retailer like best buy, or the venerable eBay.

hope that helps at least a bit.

[Coltess]

I think you can use iTunes to up/download to the iPod, otherwise check here for driver software.
According to the iPod's spec sheet you can recharge the battery using a FireWire cable if you have a FireWire port on your PC.
If FireWire is not an option you need an:

iPod Dock to "talk" to the iPod ($39, USB cable is sold separately and costs $19).
and maybe a

Power adapter $39 at the Apple Store
6-pin FireWire connector
AC input: 100V to 240V at 0.4 amp maximum
Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz
DC output: 12V at 1 amp maximum

If you don't have FireWire you can add it to your PC for less than $10 (check here for prices) that way you will only have to get either a dock or a cable.
I hope this helps. and good luck Firia. Hurry back...

[Boinky]

Better yet as I'm sure any costs are a big issue for you right now Firia, having worked at one of the large electronic chains in my past and knowing that they can be hit and miss pretty much based on what level of folks are actually employed there, but also that they usually have lots of the current gadgets as displays and the like around - I'd suggest seeing if you could find a way at one of these stores to just go in and use a firewire cable they might already have out for a display of some kind to recharge the ipod. Not really a permanent solution, but could get ya started at least.

[Jassel]

the battery in those are about $100 to replace, and they are some kind of special battery, I'm not for sure on the name of them...

Other then that, it usually uses either firewire or USB to connect to the PC, and you can download the software offline for it...

Not sure where you can get the parts for them though.. I just know at Best Buy we cover the battery dying in the service plan you can get with it for $40