iPod 4G Monochrome — Replacement Hard Drive (20GB)
iPod 4G Monochrome — Replacement Hard Drive (20GB)
Used (Apple Original) · Model A1059
$30.95
Also for the iPod 4th Gen: 40GB $45.95 · See all
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We are not selling this part at the moment.
- Used (Apple Original). Tested: installed in a working iPod and checked before it ships.
- 1-year limited warranty · 30-day returns from delivery
- Free pry tool in the box
- Completed repairs aren't refundable. If a part we fitted fails within a year, we repair it again.
Questions about this part? Chat with us or email sales@imods.com.
Not sure what's wrong? Get your free repair quotePart details
About this part
Overview
Replacement thin 20GB hard drive for iPod 4G Monochrome. Use it for storage failures on this model, such as sad iPod, folder-with-exclamation, clicking or grinding drive noise, corrupted-drive messages, restore failure, or drive detection trouble after the drive cable and the power source have been checked.
Fitment snapshot
What Is Included
What this part might fix
Help pages, step by step, for problems this part might fix:
Fit and specs
Specifications & Fitment
Part Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Number | A1059 |
| EMC | EMC 1995 |
| Condition | Used — factory original Apple part. Normal cosmetic wear expected. |
| Storage family | 1.8-inch Toshiba/iPod 50-pin ATA/PATA hard drive |
| Drive height | 5mm thin drive |
| Drive models |
MK2006GAL / MK2004GAL fitment family |
| Cable identifier |
632-0259-A is the hard-drive ribbon/cable, not the drive |
| Interface | 1.8" 50-pin ATA/PATA |
| RPM | 4200 |
Compatible Variants
| Order Number | Capacity | Color | Case | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M9787LL/A | 20GB | Black/Red (U2) | thin | Yes | — |
| M9282LL/A | 20GB | White | thin | Yes | — |
| PE435A | 20GB | White (HP) | thin | Yes | — |
| M9268LL/A | 40GB | White | thick | No— wrong case depth | Thick 40GB case: use the Replacement Hard Drive (40GB) listing instead. |
| PE436A | 40GB | White (HP) | thick | No— wrong case depth | Thick 40GB case: use the Replacement Hard Drive (40GB) listing instead. |
Not compatible with
- 40GB thick A1059 builds
- iPod mini drives (microdrive) and the ZIF-connector drives of the 5th Gen onward
Compatible & Upgrade Drives
Larger 1.8-inch 50-pin drives that accept a standard restore (each is an 8 mm drive for the thick 40GB shell, not for this thin 20GB one; see below):
- MK4006GAH — 40 GB — 8mm drive — fits the thick (40GB) shell only; is not compatible with the 5mm thin 20GB shell.
- MK6006GAH — 60 GB — 8mm drive — fits the thick (40GB) shell only; is not compatible with the 5mm thin 20GB shell (reported by the repair community; we have not tested this fit).
- MK8007GAH — 80 GB — 8mm drive — fits the thick (40GB) shell only; is not compatible with the 5mm thin 20GB shell (reported by the repair community; we have not tested this fit).
ZIF drives are a different interface and no adapter stack is documented closing up inside this iPod: the thin 20GB shell has no depth to spare, and nobody has reported a ZIF-to-50-pin stack finished inside the thick 40GB shell either.
Going bigger than 20GB in a thin shell. Every drive above is an 8mm drive for the thick shell, so a thin 20GB iPod cannot simply take one: the rear panel is what sets the depth, and a larger spinning drive means the thick rear panel and the thick drive as well, and with them the thick headphone jack assembly and the thick drive bumpers, which are depth-specific too. The alternative that does not change the shell is a flash conversion, which has no thickness problem at all.
Install and repair
Install Overview
Rather not open it? Choose We Fix It above: mail your iPod in and we fit it. Turnaround is typically 3 to 5 business days. 1-year limited warranty.
After fitting, restore the iPod (a restore erases everything on it). On this model a restore that stops at a picture of a plug must finish on a wall charger (Apple's A1070 power adapter is the ideal choice; a generic charger may not give the right voltage). On the 4th Gen and iPod Photo the drive cable is the first suspect for drive symptoms: clean its contacts with 99% isopropyl alcohol and re-seat it first; if that fails, it is likely the hard drive, and our Hard Drive Repair Service is probably the best first option. On every other model, a drive failure is the ideal time for a flash upgrade.
Before You Start
Set the Hold switch so the orange bar is showing before you open the case.
Release the five retaining tabs along the right edge gently; once they are free, the case should open without prying the whole shell apart.
The rear case is still connected by the orange headphone-jack ribbon. Open the case like a book and pull connectors straight up, not by the cable.
The 632-0259-A hard-drive ribbon and its board-side retaining clip can imitate a bad drive if loose or damaged during service.
This is the 5mm thin-drive bay. Do not force an 8mm thick drive or a tall adapter stack into a thin 20GB shell.
Questions
Common Questions
Is MK2006GAL or MK2004GAL the right drive?
Both are 20GB 5 mm Toshiba 1.8-inch 50-pin drives of the same family, and either one fits and runs the thin 20GB iPod; the label on the drive you receive may read either number.
Should I replace the hard-drive cable first?
Inspect and reseat the 632-0259-A cable before buying another drive, especially if the symptom appeared after opening the iPod or if drive detection changes when the cable is moved. A damaged cable or board-side retaining clip can look like a bad HDD.
Can the hard drive be replaced with flash storage?
Yes: our flash mod service fits 128GB or 256GB flash storage by mail, on Apple's own software.
Will replacing the drive recover my music or data?
No. A replacement drive gives the iPod a new storage device. If the original drive still has data you need, plan data recovery before restore or replacement because a restore erases everything on the iPod, songs included.
Free diagnostic
Broken iPod? We can help.
Mail us your iPod and we will test it and send you a free repair quote. If you don't like our price, we will ship your iPod back at our expense.
How mail-in repair works
Order the free diagnostic
Choose your iPod. Add our shipping box and prepaid label if you need one.
Mail us your iPod
Pack it with your work order. No printer? Put a note in the box with your name, return address, email, order number and what is wrong.
Approve your quote
We test it and email your free repair quote. Most repairs are finished within 3 to 5 business days after you approve the quote.