Replacement 20GB 50-pin Toshiba PATA hard drive for iPod 2nd Generation A1019 / iPod (Touch Wheel). Use it when clicking, grinding, folder icon, sad iPod, restore-loop, or not-recognized behavior remains after the FireWire restore path, battery load, and storage cable are checked; match MK2003GAH, 8mm, 0.78 in.
Product Overview
This hard drive listing covers Replacement Hard Drive (20GB) and its own connector path on the iPod 2nd Generation.
Use Part Details for the confirmed part-number reference. Use the Compatible Variants table below to confirm capacity, color, case, or order-number fitment.
Choose this part when your iPod shows folder icon, sad iPod icon, iTunes error, or hard-drive failure; the checks below help confirm the right part before you order.
Storage failure symptoms such as a sad iPod, folder icon, restore loop, or the audible click of death should still be checked against the drive cable and connector seating before replacing the drive.
- USB will not work for any of these functions on this model.
Choose Your Option
This part comes in multiple variants. Confirm your iPod's capacity, case depth, and order number before ordering.
Use this linked storage option only for 10GB iPods and the order numbers shown here.
View this option →The 2G 20GB uses a 8mm dual platter drive. Match drive height to the rear panel so the case closes correctly.
You're viewing this optionWhat Is Included
Quick Diagnosis: Is It The Replacement Hard Drive (20GB)?
Start here before ordering. Work through the checks in order; a symptom alone does not prove this hard drive is bad until nearby parts, cables, fitment, or install issues are separated.
Before you order this hard drive
- Try a force restart first. Toggle Hold on and off, then hold Menu + Play/Pause for 6 to 10 seconds.
- Check for liquid or connector damage. Inspect for liquid, corrosion, residue, torn flex material, or connector damage.
- Check battery and power stability. Use clicking sounds, disk mode, restore behavior, connector seating, and power stability to isolate the storage device.
- Listen for repeated spin-up. Listen for repeat clicking or repeated spin-up attempts before replacing storage parts.
- Use this listing only after the checks still point here. If the symptom still points here after those checks, compare Compatible Variants before ordering this hard drive.
Specifications & Fitment
Part Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Number | A1019 |
| EMC | EMC 1942 |
| Condition | Used — factory original Apple part. Normal cosmetic wear expected. |
| Drive Model | MK2003GAH |
| Capacity | 20GB |
| Form Factor | 1.8" IDE/ATA (50-pin Toshiba form factor) |
| Manufacturer | Toshiba |
| Interface | 50-pin Toshiba |
| Drive Height | 8mm |
| Platters | 2 |
| Height | 8mm dual platter |
| Restore path | FireWire only |
Compatible Variants
| Order Number | Capacity | Color | Case | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M8738LL/A | 20GB | White | Thick / 0.78 in | Yes | — |
| M8741LL/A | 20GB | White | Thick / 0.78 in | Yes | — |
| M8737LL/A | 10GB | White | Thin / 0.72 in | No— wrong case depth | Thick part is not compatible with thin case — risk of LCD damage. Use Replacement Hard Drive (10GB) instead. |
| M8740LL/A | 10GB | White | Thin / 0.72 in | No— wrong case depth | Thick part is not compatible with thin case — risk of LCD damage. Use Replacement Hard Drive (10GB) instead. |
is not compatible with
- iPod 2nd Generation 10GB thin drive/backplate path
- iPod 1st Generation and 3rd Generation or later storage paths
- IDE-to-SD, CompactFlash, or other flash-adapter products (not supported on 2G)
- later Toshiba drives known to be firmware-rejected by 2G
Failure Signs
Use these checks to decide whether this hard drive is the right part, whether a nearby part should be checked first, or whether the symptom needs more diagnosis.
What you may see: A symptom starts after opening the iPod or disturbing an internal flex cable.
Check first: Inspect for liquid, corrosion, residue, torn flex material, or connector damage.
- Use clicking sounds, disk mode, restore behavior, connector seating, and power stability to isolate the storage device.
Most likely cause: Connector seating, ribbon damage, or ground-path issues can involve this part, a nearby connector, or a board path.
- The 10GB model uses a 5mm height drive (MK1003GAL) and the 20GB uses an 8mm drive (MK2003GAH). Ensure the correct height for your model.
Look elsewhere when: Check the 50-pin Hard Drive Ribbon Cable when storage-cable symptoms appear after drive replacement, reseating, or storage work are the main problem.
- Check the Replacement Battery (All Capacities) when power, charging, runtime, or swollen-battery behavior is the main problem.
What you may see: People describe clicking, sad iPod or folder screens, restore loops, disk-mode trouble, or storage that will not behave after replacement.
- Sad iPod, folder icon, clicking drive, restore loop, or disk-mode trouble.
Check first: Listen for repeat clicking or repeated spin-up attempts before replacing storage parts.
- Check whether the iPod enters disk mode, restores cleanly, and is recognized by the computer.
- If a drive or storage device was just installed, recheck cable seating, and formatting before buying another part.
Most likely cause: The storage drive can be involved, but the drive cable, drive format, power stability, or logic-board storage path may also be responsible.
- Check storage / restore option, connector seating, and board-side damage before ordering.
- Choose this storage drive only when clicking, restore failure, or disk errors follow this part or its connection path.
- Choose this drive when the symptom remains isolated to this assembly, its ribbon, or its connector path after first checks.
- Replace the storage drive only when the storage or restore symptom is tied to this part's role in the startup path.
- Use cable, adapter, or board diagnosis first when restore behavior changes with seating, formatting, or another known-good storage device.
Look elsewhere when: Check the storage cable, storage setup, battery power stability, and board connector when the symptom changes after reseating or swapping storage.
What you may see: People describe a new problem appearing immediately after battery, storage, display, audio, or control work.
- A new symptom appeared after battery, storage, audio, display, or control work.
Check first: Reopen only as far as needed to inspect the areas touched during the repair.
- Compare the new symptom with what worked before the repair.
- Check cable seating, latch position, and part variant before replacing a second part.
Most likely cause: A post-repair symptom can involve the storage drive, but disturbed ribbons, latches, grounding, connector seating, or the wrong variant part are common checks before ordering again.
- Check post-repair regression, connector seating, and board-side damage before ordering.
- Choose this storage drive only when the part itself was torn, creased, or damaged during service.
- Correct seating, latch, or variant problems first.
- Replace the storage drive when the repair damaged that assembly or its flex path.
Look elsewhere when: Check the exact connector or assembly disturbed during the repair before treating the new part as failed.
Symptom remains after basic checks
What you may see: The iPod still points back to Replacement Hard Drive (20GB) after cable seating, battery stability, and nearby connector checks.
Check first: Retest with known-good cables or adjacent parts where practical before ordering.
Check next: A nearby cable, connector, battery, storage device, display path, audio path, or board path can mimic a bad hard drive.
Symptom changes when touched or reseated
What you may see: The symptom changes after moving the part, reseating a cable, or applying light pressure near the connector path.
Check first: Inspect the connector, latch, flex, solder joints, and nearby board area for damage or corrosion.
Check next: This can still be a connection issue rather than a failed hard drive alone.
Problem began after another repair
What you may see: The issue started immediately after opening the iPod, replacing another part, or disturbing an internal cable.
Check first: Reopen only as far as needed and inspect the exact area touched during the previous repair.
Check next: Post-repair symptoms often trace to seating, latch, screw, or cable issues before Replacement Hard Drive (20GB) itself is confirmed bad.
Sad iPod, clicking, restore, or storage trouble
What you may see: People describe clicking, sad iPod or folder screens, restore loops, disk-mode trouble, or storage that will not behave after replacement
Check first: Listen for repeat clicking or repeated spin-up attempts before replacing storage parts
- Check whether the iPod enters disk mode, restores cleanly, and is recognized by the computer
- If a drive or flash adapter was just installed, recheck cable seating, adapter orientation, and formatting before buying another part
Symptoms changed after repair or reassembly
What you may see: People describe a new problem appearing immediately after battery, storage, display, audio, or control work
Check first: Reopen only as far as needed to inspect the areas touched during the repair
- Compare the new symptom with what worked before the repair
- Check cable seating, latch position, and part variant before replacing a second part
Repair considerations
Repair specialists who work on this model consistently flag these checks before replacing the hard drive — they help confirm the hard drive is the right fix and not a nearby fault:
- Restore/format steps can erase data or indicate storage failure
- Treat ribbons, tabs, and connectors as fragile
- Use reset, Disk Mode, restore, or iTunes/Finder behavior as a software/storage check
- Check drive noise, SMART/data signs, or storage recognition
- Reseat or inspect ribbon cable and connector seating
- Inspect connector latch, socket, or clamp condition
Do Not Buy This Hard Drive Yet If...
| Situation | Start here instead |
|---|---|
| Variant or capacity does not match this listing | Use the Replacement Hard Drive (10GB) listing instead. |
| You see a folder icon, clicking noise, or restore failure | Confirm the 50-pin storage cable, drive fit, Disk Mode, and restore workflow before ordering. |
| Charging, swelling, runtime, or power is the primary problem | Start with battery health, charger behavior, and spin-up load before buying storage. |
| Recent service or connector disturbance is the main clue | Inspect and reseat the storage cable and board connector before replacing storage. |
| A symptom points to a different part | Start with battery for power/runtime symptoms; hard-drive cable for folder, clicking, or restore symptoms; LCD screen for display-only symptoms; FireWire port for FireWire sync or charge-port symptoms; touch wheel for touch-wheel or control symptoms; logic board for board-side damage or multi-system symptoms before buying this part. |
- Thin 2G builds: the 5 mm 20 GB (MK2004GAL) is community-confirmed; larger drives are unverified on the 2G.
- The following Toshiba drives are compatible with the iPod 2nd generation: 8mm thick drives (for thick 2G models): - Toshiba MK8007GAH -- 80 GB, pins, 8mm - Toshiba MK6006GAH -- 60 GB, pins, 8mm - Toshiba MK4006GAH -- 40 GB, pins, 8mm 5mm thin drives (for thin 2G models): - Toshiba MK4007GAL -- 40 GB, pins, 5mm - Toshiba MK3006GAL -- 30 GB, pins, 5mm - Toshiba MK2004GAL -- 20 GB, pins, 5mm - Toshiba MK2006GAL -- 20 GB, pins, 5mm - Toshiba MK1504GAL -- 15 GB, pins, 5mm - Toshiba MK1003GAL -- 10 GB, pins, 5mm - Tos...
- Thick 2G models accept 8mm drives; thin 2G models accept 5mm drives.
- FireWire is required for all updates and restores on the iPod 2nd generation -- USB will not work.
- Important: The iPod 2nd generation requires FireWire for all updates and restore operations.
- Largest confirmed working drive on the 2G is the stock 20 GB; larger thick drives have mixed, unverified community reports.
Compatible & Upgrade Drives
These additional 1.8-inch drives are documented as compatible replacements or higher-capacity upgrades for this iPod and accept a standard restore:
- MK2004GAL — 20 GB
- MK4004GAH — 40 GB — 8mm height; advanced 2G experiments require Apple-firmware/Apple-logo drive context and thick-case service knowledge, not a normal drop-in recommendation.
Install Overview
Before You Start
Turn Hold off, use the reset sequence for this generation, and confirm the model and variant before opening the iPod.
Treat case opening as the highest handling risk. Work around the seams gently and stop if the shell, clips, or internal stack resist.
Do not pull the halves apart or side-load board sockets. Reseat nearby ribbons and connectors before blaming a replacement hard drive.
Repair steps
Documented repair-procedure steps for replacing the hard drive on this model (from teardown guides; confirm against your unit before starting):
- Lift the battery up from the hard drive and lay it next the the iPod (it is still connected to the logic board).
- Lift up the end of the hard drive near the FireWire port to allow easy access to the battery connector.
- Loosen the connector by pulling the brown locking bar toward the hard drive cable using the tips of your fingers.
Repair Guide
Repair guide summary: iPod 2nd Generation Hard Drive Replacement.
Show all 9 installation steps
Confirm that the hold switch is locked before you open the iPod.
Opening this iPod may take a few tries, which is normal for this case design. Slide a plastic opening tool into the seam where the white front panel meets the metal rear case. After the tool is seated, run it along the seam to release the five retaining tabs.
Slide the opening tool around the case edge until the five tabs release.
Work around the corner of the iPod and release the two tabs near the FireWire port.
Release the five tabs along the opposite side. Gently rocking the front panel back and forth can help free them.
Raise the back panel away from the device, making sure it doesn't catch on the headphone jack.
Peel up and back the metallic tape attached to the battery top.
Raise the battery away from the hard drive and set it next to the iPod; it remains connected to the logic board.
Carefully detach the orange ribbon cable from the hard drive. In this step, if the cable doesn't come free easily, it may be useful to gently wiggle the cable from side to side. Raise the hard drive out of the iPod.
After This Repair
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| Restore and sync | Confirm the iPod restores cleanly and mounts with the computer and cable you plan to use. |
| Check under load | Listen for repeated spin-up, adapter resets, or restore loops that can point back to cable seating, formatting, or battery stability. |
| Still not working? | Reseat the storage cable and verify formatting or storage setup before blaming the logic board. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Use these questions to narrow the part path before ordering. They keep each answer focused on a different diagnostic or fitment decision.
Which drive fits the 20GB 2G option?
Use the MK2003GAH 8mm 50-pin Toshiba IDE/PATA option for the stock 20GB A1019 iPod (Touch Wheel). The 10GB option uses a different drive height and rear-case depth.
What do Error 1416, Error 1429, or Error 1439 mean after a drive change?
Treat those as storage or restore-path symptoms. Check the 50-pin hard-drive cable, drive seating, FireWire cable, FireWire host, and iTunes/Finder restore path before blaming the new drive. Formatting or restoring can erase the data on the iPod.
Why is my 2G iPod not recognized by the computer?
A1019 iPods restore and sync over FireWire, not USB. Check the FireWire cable, FireWire port, host support, battery load, and the hard-drive cable before treating the drive as the only fault.
What should I check before replacing this hard drive?
Reseat the storage ribbon squarely and confirm the latch is closed before replacing the storage device again. Check case clearance, and capacity/format expectations when using a flash path. Choose this drive only when the storage path remains isolated after ribbon and fitment details. Check the cable and storage connector path first when the symptom started immediately after a storage swap.
Can power symptoms make storage diagnosis misleading?
Confirm the battery can hold the iPod on before judging a drive or storage device. Watch whether shutdown happens exactly when storage is accessed. Choose this drive only when power is stable but storage access still fails. Check battery and charger behavior first when the iPod cannot stay powered long enough to test storage.
Does this hard-drive page cover flash-storage setup?
No. This page is for original mechanical-drive service. Focus on the mechanical drive, 50-pin storage cable seating, FireWire restore behavior, and battery stability before ordering another storage part.
Why people land on this part
Use the checks above to separate this hard drive from nearby parts before ordering.
Some buyers search for "drive dead", "hard drive dead", "not recognized by computer", or "format drive"; confirm the checks above point to this same part before ordering.
Some buyers search for "hard drive failure" or "flash storage"; confirm the checks above point to this same part before ordering.
Also searched as: showing a folder, restore error, apple logo, 50-pin IDE 1.8 hard drive iPod, 1.8 inch ATA hard drive iPod, A1019 HDD, ATA-100 1.8 hard drive, iPod 2002 20GB hard drive replacement, iPod 2g hard drive, restore iPod, restore iTunes, iPod 2nd generation hard drive replacement, folder icon, sad iPod icon, iTunes error, hard-drive failure, hard drive dead, format drive, error 1416, error 1429.
Worth Knowing
- HDD cable(s): 632-0182-A (2G 50-pin hard-drive ribbon cable identifier)
You May Also Want
A weak battery can keep the 1.8-inch drive from spinning up reliably.
Related: 50-pin Hard Drive Ribbon CableInspect the 50-pin hard-drive ribbon cable during drive replacement.
Related: Hard Drive Rubber InsulatorsReplace missing or damaged rubber drive supports while the storage stack is open.
