The usual suspects

The iPod Nano ships with a set of ear bud headphones and a USB cable for transferring files and recharging the battery.

Thin to win

The iPod Nano is very thin and getting inside is going to require some physical encouragement.

Back off

The first thing you see when you remove the back cover is the battery. Notice that you should not poke at it.

The second thing you notice is the flash memory chip — 4GB from Hynix in this case.

Silver platter

The back plate is just a piece of molded metal, but it was a bear to remove. Apple definitely does not want you to open your iPod.

Hynix

This 4GB Flash memory in the iPod was made by Hynix. I have seen pictures of the 8GB version of the iPod Nano and it has memory made by Samsung. Go with the best bid I suppose.

The next step is to remove the six screws marked by the arrows and see what lies beneath.

Ribbons galore

One way Apple is able to keep the iPod Nano so thin is by using ribbon connections for the video, audio, and button connections.

Complications

While it is nice that the ribbons allow for thinness, it certainly makes cracking open a much more delicate operation.

Button ribbon

The connecting ribbon to the button interface is attached with one of these very tiny clamping gates — when we crack a device open we hate to see one of these.

Audio

The audio connecting ribbon does not have an clamping gate – fortunately for me, the housing for the plug comes out with the ribbon connected.

Apple alright

Taking our first look at the logic chips we can see two large chips with the Apple Computer logo. There is also one large chip with an unfamiliar logo.

Another gate

Now we can the video connection — another clamping gate.

A two inch LCD

It is hard to believe that there is an LCD in there that can show videos.

Click interface

The backside of the famous Apple button and wheel interface is much less exciting from the underside.

Synapitcs

Now, there is a famous name when it comes to touch interfaces — Synaptics.

USB connection

The USB connection transfers data and power. Oddly enough, there are no capacitors that I can see.

What is that?

This piece of metal was attached near the audio plug. Out best guess is that it acts a ground for the device.

Logic board

The chips don’t reveal their functions, but one chip must hold the software for the visual interface, one must control sound, and another must handle video production. Which is which is a little more difficult to figure out.

A closer look at chips 1

Getting a closer look.

A closer look at chips 2

Still closer.

A closer look at chips 3

Figure out which chips does what?

Serial number

Several identification numbers are etched on the back of the LCD housing.

Parts

Our intention was to put our iPod Nano back together in working condition. Unfortunately, we ran into a problem. The closest we have come to bringing it back to life so far is the white screen of death.

We are going to keep trying to get the iPod working again, but I am discouraged. Damn my unsteady fingers.