Delete iPod partition for Linux

watty

A friend is swapping small SSD on an Netbook for an 80G 1.8" HDD

The drive off eBay has an "apple" logo on it and is for an iPod Classic.

It seems to have some sort of non-deletable partition?

Recognised by BIOS, DBAN and Ubuntu, but can't create a primary partition at all and creating extended succeeds, but format fails.

Do these drives Only work in iPod Classic or is there a way to put a regular MBR and linux partition?

On here http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/modding-the-acer-aspire-one-hard-drive/ people with 80G ex iPod classic drive seem to have problems.

Is there any tool or magic parameters to fdisk etc?

Mathiasb

watty wrote: »

A friend is swapping small SSD on an Netbook for an 80G 1.8" HDD

The drive off eBay has an "apple" logo on it and is for an iPod Classic.

It seems to have some sort of non-deletable partition?

Recognised by BIOS, DBAN and Ubuntu, but can't create a primary partition at all and creating extended succeeds, but format fails.

Do these drives Only work in iPod Classic or is there a way to put a regular MBR and linux partition?

On here http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/modding-the-acer-aspire-one-hard-drive/ people with 80G ex iPod classic drive seem to have problems.

Is there any tool or magic parameters to fdisk etc?

What errors are you getting? Have you tried using fdisk, deleting all partitions, write, quit, reboot (or re-read partition tables), fdisk, create partition, write?

watty

He Tried fdisk
primary partition creation fails (read only?)
extended partition creation succeeds but formatting fails

Since using DBAN, attempts to boot Ubuntu or install Ubuntu from USB Flash give blank screen after initail boot screen where you can choose options.

DSL will boot, eventually.

I'm having a look now as he is at work
Leaving Ubuntu with blank screen to see if it boots eventually.

watty

This thread is depressing reading
http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=56027

Basically DBAN, gparted, dd (to erase start of disk copy zeros), fdisk etc don't work on a Toshiba HDD1784 / MK8010GAH which is got hidden special preformated iPod Classic protected partition.

Or anyone got a different idea?

bhickey

watty wrote: »

Or anyone got a different idea?

Would Ultimate Boot CD maybe have some low-enough level tools to do what you need?

watty

no. Ultimate Boot CD is quite ordinary.

It's a Netbook and it can easily be booted and disk examined via USB key. That's not the problem.

I think it's a lost cause http://forum.hddguru.com/search.php?keywords=MK8010GAH&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

If buying 1.8" drive for Netbook make sure it's an unlocked retail and not OEM for iPod Classic.

Apple put a HPA/DCO on these drives and then a special firmware. You can't remove the HPA/DCO with any free software.

http://forum.hddguru.com/toshiba-apple-ipod-protected-harddrives-t10669.html

Post subject: Re: Toshiba/Apple iPod Protected Harddrives
PostPosted: August 5th, 2010, 2:47

I know that this post is 1 year old but maybe someone find the solution ?
Or maybe someone knows how to unlock MK8010GAH with PC3000 my friend has this board but I didn't find nothing with unlocking this drive...

The PC3000 is HW & SW solution costing $4000 in Russian market and near $10,000 in USA market.

Also of course if you DO have an Archos 60x PMP or iPod Classic you can't put ordinary retail drive it it. It won't go.

I'm guessing (I didn't see eBay advert) that he didn't ask if the HDD was Ok for Aspire 1 as he "knew" it had correct interface and size etc. If it was advertised as iPod classic replacement and didn't ask about Netbook use, then he can't get money back.

Anyone want an iPod Classic 1.8" 80Gbyte drive? (DBAN did something to it, so it may not work in an iPod anymore either!)

human 19

Seeing as Apple obviously bought and "rebranded" these and there doesnt seem to be any info out there on reformatting them...have you tried asking Apple? I did a search in Apple support forums and the only thing I found was (about an ipod): The disks are locked up with custom protected firmware, and the main iPod firmware is encrypted on the locked disk. Any problem in an update then becomes irreparable. See for example a search on "so I bought one of the MK8010GAH drives" to add to my Schadenfreude, below this post was... Wow... Now Apple has edited my previous post. That's ridiculous that you monitor what we post on here but don't fix your products so that we can enjoy them. www.anythingbutipod.com

watty

Apparently you need the $4,000 to $10,000 magic HDD HW&SW **AND** and Apple password.

Lidl have an external drive with a 1.8" Samsung in it for about €80 next week (20th Sep 2010 or 24th Sep 2010). That's more likely to work.

I don't buy Apple (and I didn't buy this Apple logoed Toshiba either).

Spill drink into keyboard
Mac keyboard:
you can't open it. It's glued
No one local sells replacement. About $50 + postage

PC keyboard:
Easily opened and might work if dissassembled with screwdriver, cleaned and dried
Or buy new one €15 in supermarket

human 19

I'm watching to see when people cop on to themselves and Android phones pass out the i-phone due to their far superior configurability. The number of apps are closing fast!