Tonight I sat at the kitchen table with two mini screwdrivers, my iPod, a replacement battery, and a set of instructions the size of a postage stamp. They should’ve included a magnifying glass in the kit as well.
You see, I was trying to beat the system, which just so happens to be a little pastime of mine.
A few months ago when my iPod would barely make it through a nice long run without going dead, I knew it was time for a new battery. I’ve only had the thing for a couple years, but in iPod time, that’s like a millennium. I mean, for the same price I paid back then, now they play videos, hold photos, and display album art on color screens. My iPod mini is like a dinosaur with it’s old school black and gray screen. Somewhat embarrassing, but hey, I was willing to live with it.
Much to my dismay, I discovered that to have Apple replace the battery would cost me a whopping $60. Absolutely atrocious in light of the fact that the entire thing would probably not even sell on eBay for a dollar.
So instead, I turned back to eBay, not to sell it, but to find a replacement battery without Apple’s help, thank you very much. I found a generic brand battery (2 for 1 at that) for a steal at $12.95. The auction description promised that it would be easy enough to replace the battery myself with the tools included.
I figure I’m fairly mechanically inclined, so clearly I’d be up for this little task.
Back at the kitchen table, I’m squinting at the tiny directions and the accompanying drawings. Using the flat screwdriver, nap off the top and bottom panels, it says. A little prying and they come off, albeit leaving some scratches behind. Whatever, the thing is already pretty travel worn, but exactly where that funky green stain on the click-wheel came from, I have no idea.
Remove a couple screws and pull out the metal clip, so far so good. Unhook the connector. Hmmm, that came out a little rough. I manage to replace the battery and reassemble the iPod. I plug it in, and the screen lights up! Hurrah!
Oh no, but wait. The click-wheel isn’t working.
Turns out that little piece of the connector was not supposed detach. I try scotch tape, but to no avail. I now have an iPod with a working battery, but with no ability to play music. Now it’s sitting sadly in the trash.
Tail between my legs, I’m back on the Apple website, where, for the cost of gagging down three breakfasts consisting of butter, grape jelly, and peanut butter with a little toast on the side, that new iPod will be on it’s way to my mailbox. That’s really what they wanted me to do all along. Dangus. Chalk one up for the system.
At least it’ll be pretty.
Comment
oh well….guess i don’t want that battery after all!!! good job trying to beat the system….and congrats on the fancier and prettier one soon to arrive :)