[nica]

I have this 3G 15GB ipod that I want to render useless. It needs to appear dead, but I need to resuscitate it later.

The reason for doing this is to scare the crap out of my friend. He is computer savvy so the fake death needs to be credible.

The only idea I have so far is to do disk utility > format HD > write with zeros to render it dead. This will kill the iPod and not even the iPod updater can fix it. But there is a solution as explained in this macosxhints.com note .

This is all in good fun to see if my friend can figure out how to fix the ipod. Any suggestions that don’t involve permanent death for the iPod?

[azdude]

Originally posted by nica:
I have this 3G 15GB ipod that I want to render useless. It needs to appear dead, but I need to resuscitate it later.

The reason for doing this is to scare the crap out of my friend. He is computer savvy so the fake death needs to be credible.

The only idea I have so far is to do disk utility > format HD > write with zeros to render it dead. This will kill the iPod and not even the iPod updater can fix it. But there is a solution as explained in this macosxhints.com note .

This is all in good fun to see if my friend can figure out how to fix the ipod. Any suggestions that don’t involve permanent death for the iPod?

Don't want to anger anyone, but given recent (launch) events, I can't help but suspect that your "friend" may be the Best Buy customer service center (4G "Upgrade" Time?).

Even if you're serious, don't. I'd tear you in two if you did anything risky to mine, and I'm a savvy guy, too. Really wanna get kicks out of making him mad? Drain his battery to 0.

[Link]

I have a dozen answers but you're not getting them.

[nica]

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion (he purchased it from the Apple store and has no warranty on it). I will keep researching to see if I can find a method if I find anything I'll post it.

As for getting him mad that's the fun part!