Audio/Video, Computers, Advice, iPod
Can Your Broken iPod Be Fixed?
It's the perennial question whenever your iPod, laptop, cell phone, or other device suddenly stops working -- should I replace this or can it be fixed?
Surprisingly, seemingly unfixable problems like a cracked LCD laptop screen can be fixed for not too much money either by you, or by sending it out to a repair person. Same goes for a cracked iPod screen. And, according to a recent article in the New York Times, you can even sometimes get a fishy hard drive on about 70 percent of broken iPods to work using a piece of paper as a shim. The piece highlights this quick fix, as well as a bunch of sites where you can get either get information on how to repair common gadgets, as well as services that will fix your gadgets for free.
We've covered some of this stuff before. Fixya.com, for example, offers up tutorials and gadget-fix solutions -- all uploaded by users who've tried these fixes out themselves -- for a multitude of devices. The Fixya solutions tend to be more extensive and easier to access than the average official consumer electronics tech-support site.
According to tech pundit Rob Enderle, 15 percent of iPods fail in their first year, which is why places like RapidRepair do such a great business. The site will do 24-hour turnaround repairs on everything from broken screens and hard drives to batteries. They'll also do mods to your iPod, such as this cool iVue iPod with a transparent body that reveals all the innards.
We spoke with RapidRepair.com founder Aaron Vronko and asked him for some quick tips on when your iPod is fixable and when it's time to throw it out. (btw, the throw-out tips are based on actual broken iPods that Vronko's company has received in the mail).
Your iPod is fixable when...
- You get that sad iPod icon on your screen. This means your hard drive is kaput and needs to be replaced. According to Vronko, this repair is worth doing because it usually only costs 50 percent of the original cost of the device.
- Your screen looks like some ink has spilled on it. This means you've got a broken LCD screen. The cost on these sorts of repairs are usually just 25 to 35 percent of the original cost of the unit, according to Vronko, usually around $90 or less. You can even do it yourself, if you want to do it ASAP (Vronko says his company also just sells the screen and directions for DIY types).
- You get a battery and and exclamation point on your screen. "If you're getting this several times a week and more quickly than usual, your battery is probably dead," says Vronko. This fix is a cinch and usually costs around $20 from a professional service.
Your iPod is probably beyond repair when...
- It's fallen in the water: Salt water is worse than fresh water, but the real danger comes when you turn it on and it's still wet. "This is probably when you'd do the most damage," says Vronko. "You're better off taking it apart as soon as possible and removing any corrosive liquid with concentrated rubbing alcohol." You can also try sticking your iPod in a bowl of uncooked rice, but this doesn't always work. RapidRepair will try and fix these sorts of issues -- if you send the soiled device to them in a sealed plastic bag -- but it's likely your iPod is a goner.
- If it's been chewed by a dog: Dog's teeth are strong, and unfortunately they usually puncture an iPod's hard drive, the screen, and the battery.
- It's been run over by a car: Vronko says someone actually sent him an iPod that had been run over by a car.
For some cool pics of broken iPods, check out the gallery below.
Gallery: iPod Repair Gallery
From NY Times and RapidRepair
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Greg said 8:27AM on 11-11-2007
I don't understand why these people have to have Iphones. Apple products are junk. My Ipod I received last Dec. 25th worked twice and then I rec'd an email telling me that all support had expired on Jan. 8th. I now have a Sansa by SanDisk & I LOVE it. I got it in September and have used it constantly with no problems whatsoever!
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Banchou said 12:59PM on 11-11-2007
To Greg: The only way your iPod can go kaput is that it's part of the unfortunate 15 percent or you weren't taking care of it properly. I admit the first iPod I got I broke it due to ignorance but my second iPod is now two years old and still working properly because I take great care of it.
That said, I like these tips though. My battery is still at least 8 or so hours of life after two years of heavy play so it's nice to know I can get the battery replaced for $20.
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sosohwiotha said 1:35PM on 11-12-2007
not trueee
i left my ipod out in the rain for hours
and it ended up frying and would not turn back on, i left it alone for a couple months and now it works, but i also hada reboot etc but no songs or videos were lost
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cathy said 1:38PM on 11-12-2007
i disagree about the ipod getting wet and it begin a goner my daughter ipod went though the washer i did not reliaze she left it in her pocket intill after the washer was done we let it sit for almost 3 weeks did not plug it in or turn it on after 3 weeks we plugged it in to see what would happen and it works fine still hold a charge great and plays great so you see there is hope if it gets wet
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Hank said 2:01PM on 11-12-2007
I have repaired many iPods and even created tutorial videos and ebooks on this. Just make sure to have a good tutorial before opening a unit! It can be done!
http://www.shopbluenow.com
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Jason said 3:57PM on 11-12-2007
Ipods are horrible, I have never had one but I know people that have had ipods for six months and have taken care of it but it would still crash. If you want a good mp3 player get the zune, they cost just as much as an ipod but they are basically like the touch cause they can also hold pics and videos.
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Izzy said 4:57PM on 11-12-2007
I am accident prone with my ipod. I dropped it in the toilet and trust me putting it in uncooked rice just makes it sticky and still broken.
I bought my ipd at the apple store and used a promo code in addition to buying it though an online site that gives you a percentage back in CASH on all your purchases. The site has over 1000 stores (including DELL, Apple, Macy's Best Buy, The GAp, Sephora) and you get back from 2 to 55%.
The site is http://www.shnorrer.com
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doug said 5:16PM on 11-12-2007
DON'T BUY NEW WHEN GLUE WILL DO ! I am glad to see people attempting to fix these gadgets instead of just throwing them onto over crowded dumps
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Kim said 5:57PM on 11-12-2007
Please don't say to just TOSS any electronic device. How long do you think it will take it to breakdown in a landfill? All outdated or broken electronics should be recycled; if you ahve trouble finding someplace to do so start pressuring your local waste management company and the governmental body that oversees them.
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Ethan said 6:40PM on 11-12-2007
I once washed my iPod. It went through all the cycles of my washing machine and then my dryer on accident. I got it to work though. I plugged it into its charger, then turned the power outlet on so it started the charger and held play. it actually worked! If that happens to yours, wait about a week before trying this though, so it dries out.
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sam said 6:55PM on 11-12-2007
A Dri-aid kit designed to keep hearing aids dry is a quick reasonable way to dry out many electronic devices. The jar of beads costs about 5 bucks. Pour them into a zip lock bag and place the electronic device in. Within a day it will likely have dried out enough to use. I have done this with i pods and cell phones. I keep the kit on hand for just such emergencies.
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Bianca said 7:05PM on 11-12-2007
My Ipod is probably worse than all of yours. Half of the screen is all fuzzy lines and the other half won't show pictures. Try looking for your favorite songs or memorable pictures. Also, my ipod skips songs.
I think my friend spilled gatorade on it or stepped on it....
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Steve in DC said 7:50PM on 11-12-2007
I have a great simple little Audiovox mp3 player.... 1 gig with FM tuner... charges through the computer USB port. Cost $30. I bought extras to rotate. They all work great! Tiny little unit. When you buy Apple, you pay for their expensive media buzz.
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staci said 8:06PM on 11-12-2007
i've had my ipod for 3yrs and haven't had a single problem with it. i play it alot, and on one charge, it lasted a plane ride from florida to ct, then a drive to maine from ct, and a ferry ride from maine to nova scotia and the drive into halifax...and it still played on the return trip back to ct. it finally died about 30mins before getting back to the house. i recharged it for my plane ride back home. i absolutely love my ipod...and right now it's sitting on it's docking station/alarm clock, waiting for us to leave the house again. sorry about those whose ipods have have problems...but sometimes these things just happen.
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Marie Klein said 8:08PM on 11-12-2007
I'm a total IPOD fanatic. I continually update and currently have 3 in my purse (including a Nano & the latest Ipod Classic 160G). I take good care of my toys AND have never had a problem with any of my PODS. (My original 2nd generation still works!) Whether it's audio books, movies, music videos or the 40,000+ songs, I'm always using and enjoying these wonderful gadgets. I do, however, use Shure headphones instead of the ones that come with the Ipod.
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Marie Klein said 8:11PM on 11-12-2007
My original 2nd Generation Pod still works great. At this time, I have THREE in my purse (including a Nano & the new Classic 160G). I take good care of my toys :) and have never had to have any of my PODS repaired or replaced. (I wish I could say that for my Palm.) Whether it's movies, audio books, videos, or the 40,000+ songs I carry with me, I always have a source of information/entertainment with me.
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Beth said 7:54AM on 11-13-2007
My son fell on his iPod and the LCD is broken...Our local Apple Store advised that it would cost at least $200.00 to fix, that is half of what I paid for it...Is there away to fix it yourself, or anything other suggestions? Thank you
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rktek24u said 8:27AM on 11-13-2007
my son lost his ipod and found it in the swimming pool after 3 days. he wrapped it with towel and put it in the dryer for an hour. lo and behold it still works! now he is an apple fanatic. i told him not to try this drill with his new iphone... lol!
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rktek24u said 8:29AM on 11-13-2007
my son lost his ipod and found it in the swimming pool after 3 days. he wrapped it with towel and put it in the dryer for an hour. lo and behold it still works! now he is an apple fanatic. i told him not to try this drill with his new iphone... lol!
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stephanie said 5:40PM on 11-13-2007
well, i have gone through 5 ipods...
they all broke withing a week of the warrenty expiring therforth apple refused to help fix it and i had to buy new ones...I HATE APPLE they are scam artist many of my friends have also went through this, and nothing simple, batter, hardrive and everything goes out in a split...
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