Identifying iPod models

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Identifying iPod models

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Q: Will I lose everything I have on my iPod when the battery is changed? Also, I received an 80g iPod for Christmas; is this a 4th or 5th generation? How do you tell?

- Venita

A: No, changing the battery does not result in any of the data on the iPod being lost. The full-size iPod models use an internal hard disk, similar to the one found in your computer, which is a permanent storage device. In the same way that your computer retains data when it’s unplugged, so does the iPod itself.

Likewise, although the iPod nano does not have a hard drive, it uses persistent flash memory, which also does not require a power source to maintain its content.

Changing the battery will result in some of the memory-based settings being reset (such as backlight timer and shuffle mode), but these are merely configuration options that can be easily reset.

To answer your second question, an 80GB iPod would be a fifth-generation iPod, as the fourth-generation units were not made in that capacity (60GB was the largest fourth-generation iPod model). Further, the fourth-generation iPods did not support video playback capabilities.

There have actually been two different releases of the fifth-generation iPod: The original 5G iPods were released in October, 2005, and came in 30GB and 60GB capacities. In September, 2006, Apple introduced an “enhanced” fifth-generation iPod (sometimes also referred to as the “5.5G” iPod), in 30GB and 80GB capacities. At the same time, a firmware update was released for the older 5G iPods, providing many of the 5.5G features to the older models. The only difference between the older 5G and newer 5.5G iPods is the brighter screen on the newer models, slightly improved battery life, and a “Search” feature that can be found under the “Music” menu on the iPod.

Original 5G and Enhanced 5.5G iPods can also be identified by the packaging. The orignal 5G iPod shows a picture of Bono from U2 on one side, and the song “Feel Good, Inc” by Gorillaz is shown on the “Now Playing” screen on the reverse side. The enhanced 5.5G iPod shows a picture of Johnny Depp from Pirates of the Caribbean on one side, and the song “Dani California” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the “Now Playing” screen.

You can find a comprehensive list of the various iPod models and differences between them in our Frequently Asked Questions section, under the heading What are the differences between all the iPod models?

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Comments

1

hello, i just would like to know how do i download my music from the itunes library onto my ipod nano.

Posted by kenya on May 25, 2007 at 4:36 AM (PST)

2

Everytime I try to plug in artwork into my 80GB Video Ipod, the Itunes is telling me that the artwork is not modifiable. Any suggestions on what to do?

Posted by Sir Crunch on May 11, 2008 at 5:12 PM (PST)

3

i bought an ipod from my friend, and when i plug it in, it doesnt let me uncheck or delete any of the previous files because its’ not hooked up to its’ original library, how do i make my laptop the original library.?

Posted by emilee on July 28, 2009 at 6:04 PM (PST)

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