Friday, 12 February 2016

Changing the battery for a 3rd Generation iPod

First thing first you'll need the following materials.

One flat-head screwdriver,
A small knife with a thin blade,
A small cross-head screw driver
A soft but thick cloth, preferably something that won't matter if it gets damaged (this is to sit the iPod on when carrying out maintenance.
And a new iPod battery (3.7v, Li-ion, 1300mAh)

This is where I purchased my battery from - Sold here on eBay.


(Fig.1) Ideal tools you'll need.

Battery with tools

Ok first get your tools together (fig.1) Using the thin edge of the blade of the knife (please be super careful) against the thin line between the white casing and the shiny backing (Fig. 2)

(Fig. 2)

Use a bit of force and some wiggling to ease the blade in-between the casings (Fig.2). Then gradually prise them apart. More wiggling may be necessary (Fig.3)

(Fig. 3) (opening the case
Here you need to run the blade up and down the opening, the goal here is to release the clips on the right hand of the iPod. You may want to use your flat-head screwdriver to help with the prising of the case.

Using the flat-head screwdriver carefully prise apart the bottom and top of the case. This may take some time and patience. 

The rear casing will then open up. (Fig. 4)

(Fig. 4) Lifting the case

NOTE:
Be super careful taking the case apart as there are some connectors still attached at the other end of the side you have opened. These connectors are for the headphone jack and hold switch. (Fig. 5)

(Fig. 5) Opening the case

Once the case is open unplug the hard drive, by carefully lifting the unit away from the Logiboard. (Fig. 6), and set it aside.

(Fig. 6) Releasing the Hard Drive

To prevent the headphone jack and hold switch cable from tearing, unplug from the Logiboard
(Fig. 7). Using your fingers carefully pull on the connector to separate from the Logiboard.


(Fig. 7) Unplugging the cable of the headphone jack and hold switch

The Logiboard, housing the battery (on the right)
and the hard drive connector (on the left)

Now where the battery sits, in the far right hand corner near the edge of the case you will see a small screw and a connector, just like the headphone jack and hold switch connector. You will need your cross-head screwdriver and take out the screw, set this aside. (Fig. 8). 


(Fig. 8) Screw and battery connector
Next lift out the battery. Now that you have taken out the screw, the wire connecting the battery to the connector will slide out easily. Then disconnect the connector to the Logiboard by gently pulling it out. (Fig. 8.1)

(Fig. 8.1) Lift out the battery

Then replace the battery. Doing the opposite in Fig. 8 and 8.1). Place the battery into the Logiboard, where the original sat. tuck the wire behind the corner of the Logiboard, Then insert connector. Next place in the screw.

Now plug the hard drive back into the Logiboard. (Fig. 9 and Fig. 9.1)

NOTE:
Be careful not to push or force the hard drive onto the Logiboard. By placing the hard drive over the Logiboard, lining up both connectors, you should be able to plug both in together easily. There may be a slight click when both connectors have connected. You will know when they have successfully connected as the hard drive will not move around freely. 

(Fig. 9.1) Connector on Logiboard
(Fig. 9) Connector on hard drive

Next with the back cover, plug back in the headphone jack and hold switch cable..

Place the back cover over the the back of the front cover and applying equal pressure, push down firmly. This should snap in place. Pinch down all sides so the cases are flush together. (Fig. 10)

(Fig. 10) Push down to snap both cases in place

That's it. All done.


Additional:

Make sure to plug in your iPod and charge the battery before use. Your new battery may have some charge in it so power on the iPod to make sure it powers on ok. You will notice this by the Apple logo appearing on screen..

Any question please leave in the comments section.

Additional Additional

Just to warn you that you are following this tutorial at your own risk. I am NOT liable for any damages incurred when carrying out this maintenance by following my tutorial. 



Thank you for reading. CH






Friday, 16 January 2015

PPU: Update

Welcome to 2015. In this update I started work on the soundtrack for the PPU visual novel project, beginning with producing a rough composition of a main theme and various themes to certain sequences in the game (i.e. dramatic and place themes). 
I have also been continuing work on the 3D environments using SketchUp (see screenshot below of the main external environment).
The plan for the next several months is to complete the main exterior environment and begin work on re-writing the storyline with accompanying storyboards. 


Wednesday, 19 November 2014

PPU: Visual Novel

With the beta version completed of my first visual novel game, code named PPU, i am now in the process in developing the environments using a 3D design programme. The first item in development, trees and foliage. 

Monday, 1 September 2014

It Came From Planet Dagon

Chris Hill. Digital Designer/SketchUp Artist.
Now on YouTube.

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Northern Light Photos

Trosmo, Norway







Tuesday, 6 August 2013

Zero Sample: Series Relaese

With all three covers designed for the Zero Sample book series are finished and sent off to my client James G. Clayton yesterday, today they have been put up on the Amazon Kindle Marketplace. Hooray! So please go and check them out and purchase your copy of the Zero Sample series. For more information click on the corresponding links below.

> For more information on the Zero Sample series, click here.

> For James G. Clayton's blog, go here.


> And for other titles by James G. Clayton's, click here.

...

Sunday, 4 August 2013

ZS Project: Completed

Well, the project is completed and here are the final three book cover designs. To celebrate, here's some cake. :)


Design© Chris Hill 2013



Design© Chris Hill 2013



Design© Chris Hill 2013

Friday, 19 July 2013

ZS Project: New 'Subject 42' design

It's been quite a week, I have managed to land myself some work experience in the design studio at the museum, where I work as a sales assistant. I am volunteering one day a week up in the design studio - last week was an induction, getting my CV and portfolio sorted out. This week I am assisting on a project in the Royal Observatory, which so far is pretty exciting and I am looking forward to next week. Most of the work that I have been doing is Illustrator based, good for me as since uni I haven't used it much and a little rusty.

After producing some concept designs for 'ZS: Fragments' I have gone back to the drawing board to spruce up the Subject 42 cover. The plan is to make all covers in the ZS series have a continuity element - using same fonts and placement in the title, use of background colour and some sort of design within the 'Squidhead' to somehow capture an element of the story. Below is a new example of this.
Design© Chris Hill 2013
Design© Chris Hill 2013


Saturday, 22 June 2013

ZS Project: Fragments

I have been working on some new concept designs for book two of Zero Sample, entitled 'Fragments' I have decided to continuing to use the same figure as in 'Subject 42' in keeping with the continuity of the series. I used a cracked effect to symbolise the 'Squidhead' figure to look fragmented.



Design© Chris Hill 2013

        Design© Chris Hill 2013

Design © Chris Hill 2013





Tuesday, 11 June 2013

ZS Project: Subject 42

So I have just come back from a weeks holiday to Scotland, which was a nice and relaxing break. I got to try on a kilt and eat some haggis, which I have never tried and really enjoyed (eating the haggis that is!)

In other news the High Strangeness book with the cover that I designed is now on the Amazon Kindle marketplace, my first piece of commercial work produced! I have now been commissioned to produce a new design for a new book series entitled 'Zero Sample'. The first instalment set to be released in late 2013 and involves the human race being mind controlled by paranormal entities, though the full synopsis is still Top Secret (sorry!). The image that I have been designing (in concept mode) is a metaphorical representation of the menace that is being portrayed in the story, this being the 'Squidhead' figure.


© Chris Hill 2013
© Chris Hill 2013

Thursday, 30 May 2013

Cover Design - High Strangeness

© Chris Hill 2013
I have recently been working some artwork for a book cover for the recent;y released novel for, James G. Clayton, entitled 'High Strangeness'.

His novel is available now to download on the kindle store here.

Saturday, 2 March 2013

How To... Turn Off In-App Purchases

Every now and then I will show you a different HOW TO feature. From adjusting settings on an iPad mini, connecting a DSLR camera to a telescope, how to find North using the stars, plus many more. Most of the features here will be stuff that I have told people how to do from questions they have asked me. I will be posting these questions here.

Today subject is - How To Turn Off In-App Purchases on your Apple device.

Recently in the news there was an article on a 5 year old boy, who racked up a £1700 bill by buying items within an app. Now from this story I gather that some people are unaware that these blunders can be avoided by TURNING OFF the in-app purchases. It's easy and could save you a lot of unwanted expenditure.

To do this go to your SETTINGS, then go to the GENERAL tab, scroll down to RESTRICTIONS and hit that button (if you already have a passcode to enable or disable restrictions, you may be propted to input your unique passcode). Then scroll down to IN-APP PURCHASES and slide the lock/unlock icon to off. Done.


Go to SETTINGS
Go to RESTRICTIONS
Turn off IN-APP PURCHASES











** Or even simpler, don't let your 5 year-old mess with your iPad or give them your account password!!

Friday, 25 January 2013

Gadget Review... iPad Mini

A few months back I gave you my review of the Kindle Fire and mentioned at the end of my post that I will be buying the iPad Mini. Well, I did, and here is my review.

As I said in my Kindle Fire The Scorched Review post I blogged about a while back as basically stated that I wasn't entirely impressed by it. So I managed to get 98% of my money back and instead I went and did what I really should have done at the start, I bought an iPad mini. In black of course.
It is basically what you you expect from an Apple product. Sleek design, beautiful UI and very easy to use. Not to mention the App Store with over 3 million apps, the iTunes store with a ton of movies, TV Shows, music and lots more. It has everything you want in a tablet with the familiarization of an Apple product.

I have loaded my iPad with the Kindle app, Spotify  and a few TV and video apps (TVCatchup, ITV Player...) and a nice collection of games all made for the iPad. I have also added Dropbox, as I take a lot of photos with my iPhone and my DSLR, so this app is really easy to transfer my photos to and from my iPad, iPhone and my PC.

The Product
I purchased the 32GB WiFi version, though a 16GB and a 64BG are available with either WiFi and Cellular versions to choose from. However with the budget I had allocated I went for the 32GB version, which is plenty for my usage.
It has a 7.9 inch LCD backlit screen, that's a whole 0.7 inches more than the Kindle Fire. It may not have Retina (yet) but it is just as good when watching movies or playing on one the HD games that the App store has to offer. The size of the screen means that using the keyboard (activated when using word processing apps for example) is very easy to use, the keys are a nice size to tap away. Though if writing is what you want then I will be covering some accessories later on in the review.
The iPad mini weighs 308g, which is 58% lighter than the iPad, and is as thin as a standard pencil so it fits nicely into a small bag when traveling.

Connectivity
The iPad Mini comes with a redesigned connection port, known as Lightning. It has an all-digital eight-signal design that claims  to be more durable than the standard 30-pin connector the older Apple products have. It is also reversible, so there is no wrong way to stick it in!
The iPad mini also comes with dual-band WiFi that is made to impress with an improved, faster connection - I have noticed a difference in connection time and loading speed when comparing too my other Apple devices, such as the iPhone 4 and the iPod Touch.

Features
The iPad mini comes with a number for nice features, including a nice appearance from the iPhone 4S, Siri. Siri, when activated allows you to say a command (for example "tell me the time?" or "What is the weather like?" and Siri will answer. A full list of Siri commands can be found here. There are also some alternative commands that you may wish to say that the has been added to the program that is really just a gimmick, but some of the stuff that Siri says is pretty entertaining.
The iPad comes packed and ready to rock with power with the A5 Chip, making everything you do seem more fluid and naturallike switching apps, playing games (as well as operating apps in HD too), watching movies (also in HD),  editing photos and videos.
Since playing with the iPad mini, I have seen a significant upgrade to the battery life comparing it to other Apple devices such as the iPod Touch and iPhone 4. The mini does last a long time without a charge - for example usage I browsed the internet, watched YouTube videos, downloaded films and apps from the iTunes store, played music through Spotify and played games for an estimated 5 hours a day. Withing 3 days i needed a charge.

Accessories
After buying the iPad mini I went out to search for some decent accessories. I discovered that Ebay was the best source for that - mainly for the price difference compared to the Apple store and other online retailers. So far I have bought two handy accessories for my iPad mini, they are;
A case - The case that I chose suited me best as it had a rotating 360 degree swivel, which is attached to a mount that your iPad is placed into. This allows you to turn the device for either landscape or portrait viewing, the device can also be slotted into grooves in the inside of the case so you can stand your device up if watching a movie on a table or in bed comfortably. It also comes with an elastic strap to keep the cover from opening. Definable recommend
Verdict - Affordable, great design, ideal for watching films.

The next accessory I purchased was SD card and USB adapter. Very good idea if you are a keen photographer like myself, when on the move you are able to plug the adapter in to the Lightning port and slot in a regular SD card and view all of your photos. 
SD Feature - When you insert the SD card your Photos app instantly opens, and once uploaded will display your images and some selected video formats taken with your digital camera. I will be exploring this feature further but it looks like it doesn't support large video files for watching movies. Will let you know if I find out any more.
USB Feature - The USB port is a little trickier as it doesn't support any USB pen drive, though it does state on the stor page (see link below) that it does support USB keyboards. I am later to try this out. 
** One hint though is that there is a tiny switch on the side of the device that switches from SD reader to USB reader.

Conclusion

After a good several months with the iPad mini I would say that I am extremely happy with my purchase. I can tether my a iPhone to my iPad and use my iPhone's 3G signal to browse the internet if I am in a place without Wi-Fi. I love being able to watch my favorite movies on a decent size screen and is ideal for traveling. I love it and would give it a big 10/10.



Space, The Final Frontier.

So at the beginning of the year I finally (over almost a year of deliberation) purchased my very own Telescope. A Skywatcher Explorer 130p (see image left) with a SynScan mount. I must say it is a pretty sweet bit of kit. Boasting an impressive 130mm (aprox.5 inches) mirror and a 650mm focal length (f/5), and attached is a GoTo mount that allows me to track objects in the sky.

Jupiter with all four moons - taken with iPhone
So far I have observed three objects in the sky. During the Stargazing Live sessions on the BBC a few weeks back I managed to observe Jupiter and all four of its moons (see image right), plus I managed to see Betelgeuse (seen in the constellation of Orion), which was just a pin of bright orange/red light. It is astronomers hope that one day, in the not to distant future that Betelgeuse will meet a stunning demise as she'll go supernova, which in tern will give us one amazing sight to see. When she does then it'll be the second brightest light in the sky for about two weeks. When she will blow, no one knows, it could be tomorrow, next month or even a decade from now.

Next I observed the Moon, our closest astronomical neighbor. It was a breathtaking sight, seeing the moons' partially visible surface (about 25% ) with a multitude of scars from hundreds of meteor impacts. I managed to observe for a little under an hour before the clouds started to obscure my vision. Nevertheless it was a pretty impressive sight for this armature astronomer!

Before I head out again I will be purchasing a new and stronger Barlow lens, which will give me a magnification of 5x instead of my current magnification at 2x. I will also be buying a T-Mount which will allow me to attach my Digital SLR camera onto my telescope, this way I am hoping I will get some even more stunning images. So watch this space.

I'm Back

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas and New Year. I have abandoned my blogging duties for a while, as I had to tie up a few loose ends and get some stuff sorted. Now I am back with a whole galaxy of things to write about.

And just to keep you salivating, we got astronomy, gadgets, movie reviews, upcoming events, Klingons and Alan Wake.

So buckle up and let's get cracking...

Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Monday, 29 October 2012

Kindle Fire... The Scorched Review

Last week the new addition to the Kindle family was unveiled here in the UK, The Kindle Fire came to Amazon and participation stores and was the most eagerly anticipated Kindle device to hit the shelves. It's not just a Kindle e-reader but a tablet too. 'Powerful and Portable, 'Beautifully Simple' says Amazon. It looked like this Autumn's best and most affordable tablet, able to watch movies, play games, read books and surf the web viewable on a stunning HD LCD screen, with Dual- Core 1.20GHz processors, built in Dolby speakers and available in a whopping 32GB storage and a front facing HD camera.

Being a sucker for gadgets the spec list looked brilliant, I had heard about the Kindle Fire since it's release in the US some time ago, and the reviews seemed pretty good. With the ability to download movies from Amazon's Instant marketplace and the selection of a ton of apps available, the Kindle Fire looked to rival and out-do the iPad. So I pre-ordered my copy in Waterstones, then when the day came a week later I picked up my new Kindle Fire. I remember entering the store, I could barely hold in my excitement, I felt like a child making my way towards Santa to receive my gift. Money was exchanged, excitement now ready to burst out of me. I had a hard time trying not to skip out the shop and pelt through the shopping center to get home and check out my shiny new gadget. I wouldn't have imagined that I was hurling towards the dark bleak pit of disappointment avenue...

So how do I put this. Well to start off there is NO video marketplace, no place to purchase movies at all! Next to our Yankee brethren we have been royally shafted! With the US version you are presented with Amazon Instant, us folks in the UK we are given movie streaming through Lovefilm, a subsidiary company of Amazon, plus the opportunity to download Netflix as well through the Kindle's App store (I'll get to that later). So when you are without Wi-Fi the Kindle Fire become, well just a color Kindle with a few games and listen to some music, which I have to add you are able to purchase through Amazon. However when the Fire is connected to your PC or Mac, you are able to put videos on it's hard-drive once the device has been mounted. The Kindle is a little finicky though as it doesn't support .AVI, .WMV, .FLV and some MPEG4 video codecs, and obviously forget your iTunes videos too unless you have DRM removal software!

Next item we come to is the app store. When browsing the app store I noticed that it was pretty sparse and when I did come across an app that I wanted, for example Monopoly, it says that my device wasn't comparable. Like what kind of crap is this! So not only I got jipped with the films but the app store too.

I have to say though, what I was impressed with was the sound quality from the on-board speakers, boasting two Dolby Audio speakers mounted on the back. The HD LCD screen is nice too.

So that's it. The review done.

My advice: Get an iPad mini, I know I will be.

Friday, 12 October 2012

New Horizons

I have added some new content to my blog this week. After recently acquiring Photoshop for my PC, I an now able to continue with my graphic designs and processing my photos. I have now added two new pages, 'Photography' and 'Projects'.

The photography page will include what I fell is my best work, The next page, projects, will include a list of past and present projects, plus developments that I plan to produce in the future. Comprining of video production, game development and written work. All these things will be added over time, so keep an eye out!

Monday, 8 October 2012

It Came From Planet Dagon

The Shadow Out Of Time
I have been putting together a series of photographs with my Instagram app on my iPod Touch that are inspired by the stories of H. P. Lovecraft.

Please follow me through Instagram: @nerdfromplanetdagon