FAQ
Which iPods does the Sphinxmoth fit?
1st and 2nd generation iPods: the 2001-2002 FireWire models built on the PP5002. It replaces the original spinning hard drive in the stock drive bay.
Why don't the cheap CF adapters work?
They cannot, and it is not really their fault. The chip that connects FireWire to the drive in these iPods leaves out a checksum that the drive is supposed to get at the end of every transfer. The original Toshiba hard drive ignored the omission, so Apple never had to fix it. Flash cards follow the rule and refuse the transfer. That is why a passive adapter will boot and play music, then fail the moment you sync or restore over FireWire. No passive adapter can fix it, because the missing checksum was never sent in the first place. The Sphinxmoth is an active board: a small programmable chip sits in the data path, watches each transfer go past, and supplies the checksum the iPod leaves out. Texas Instruments documented the flaw back in 2001; the full write-up, schematics and source are on GitHub.
Do CF-to-SD adapters work?
Yes, in our testing, though we do not guarantee any particular adapter. Two requirements are firm: it must be CF Type I (3.3 mm thick; the common 5 mm Type II ones do not fit) and it must support UDMA. Non-UDMA adapters will not work.
What cards can I use, and how big?
Any CF Type I card that supports UDMA (thicker Type II cards do not fit; non-UDMA cards will not work), up to 128 GB. That limit comes from the iPod, not the board: 1st and 2nd generation iPods cannot address more than 128 GB, so a bigger card just wastes the space above that. Separately, these early iPods have very little memory, and libraries much past about 9,000 songs can get flaky (slow to load, occasional freezes) regardless of card size. If your library is bigger than that, plan on syncing a subset.
When do preorders ship?
Preordered boards are charged at checkout and ship as soon as the production batch arrives. The estimate on the product page is an estimate. You can cancel any time before your order ships for a full refund.
Is installation hard?
You will be opening a 25-year-old iPod, disconnecting the original drive, and fitting the board in its place. It is very doable with patience and the right opening tools, but it is at your own risk. An installation guide is in the works.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Pick your country in the cart; the country list at checkout matches what you picked. International orders may be subject to your country's import duties and taxes, which are your responsibility. If your country is not in the list, get in touch.
What does shipping cost?
Flat rate per order, no matter how many boards: $5.00 in the US, $15.00 to Canada, $22.00 everywhere else. Orders ship USPS with tracking.
Is there a warranty?
Boards are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for 90 days from delivery. Details in the terms of sale.
Can I return it?
Yes, within 30 days of delivery, as long as it has not been installed: email us for the return address, send it back at your own expense, and we refund the product price. If a board is defective, the 90-day warranty covers it instead, and we reimburse the return postage. Preorders can be cancelled any time before they ship. Buyers in the UK and EU have a statutory 14-day cooling-off right on top of this; see the terms of sale for how it works.
How do I contact you?
Email orders@wunkuslabs.com, or just reply to any order email. A real person reads it.
Is this affiliated with Apple?
No. iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc. We are an independent hobbyist hardware shop, and Apple has nothing to do with us.