Representative photo. You receive the part named above.
iPod Classic 7G — Replacement Hard Drive 160GB (Late 2009)
Used (Apple Original) · Model A1238
$75.95
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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 Toshiba MK1634GAL storage drive for the thin 160GB iPod Classic Late 2009. Use this listing for repeat clicking, a red X, restore failure, or stuck-on-Apple-logo storage behavior after the ZIF cable and battery load 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 | A1238 |
| EMC | EMC 2173 |
| Condition | Used — factory original Apple part. Normal cosmetic wear expected. |
| Apple identifier | A1238 / EMC 2173 / Late 2009 |
| Factory drive | Toshiba MK1634GAL
|
| Capacity | 160GB |
| Interface | PATA / Parallel ATA through ZIF-40 |
| Drive profile | 5mm single-platter, 4200 RPM, 8 MB cache |
| Cache | 8 MB |
| Form Factor | 1.8" PATA/ZIF-40 |
Compatible Variants
| Order Number | Capacity | Color | Case | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MC297LL/A | 160GB | Black | thin | Yes | — |
| MC293LL/A | 160GB | Silver | thin | Yes | — |
| MB147LL/A | 80GB | Black | thin | No— runs only on the Late 2009 board | MK1634GAL is the Late-2009 thin ZIF drive: it runs only on the Late 2009 logic board, not on the 2007 or 2008 boards. Unit sold under the iPod Classic 6th Generation pages. |
| MB565LL/A | 120GB | Black | thin | No— runs only on the Late 2009 board | MK1634GAL is the Late-2009 thin ZIF drive: it runs only on the Late 2009 logic board, not on the 2007 or 2008 boards. Unit sold under the iPod Classic 6th Generation pages. |
| MB150LL/A | 160GB | Black | thick | No— thick-case 2007 160GB part set | The 2007 thick 160GB rear case, battery, hard drive, HDD cable, bumpers and headphone jack are not compatible with thin models; sold under the iPod Classic 6th Generation pages |
| MB145LL/A | 160GB | Silver | thick | No— thick-case 2007 160GB part set | The 2007 thick 160GB rear case, battery, hard drive, HDD cable, bumpers and headphone jack are not compatible with thin models; sold under the iPod Classic 6th Generation pages |
Not compatible with
- iPod Classic Late 2008 120GB - same A1238 family, different drive
- iPod Classic Late 2007 thick 160GB - different thick-case drive form factor
- iPod 5th / 5.5 Generation Video and earlier ZIF or 50-pin drives
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 with iTunes or the Finder before you use it (a restore erases everything on it, songs included); until then it can sit in Disk Mode or say No music, and a blank new drive is likely to show a folder icon.
This is a very difficult no-solder drive replacement.
Before You Start
The thin Classic shell has metal clips. Work slowly and avoid bending the front or rear panel.
Use a thin putty knife and plastic tools. Keep the blade shallow so the case and clips are not gouged.
The headphone/hold ribbon and battery ribbon connect the case halves. Do not pull the halves apart after the clips release.
Straighten and align damaged clips before reassembly so the thin rear case can close evenly.
Seat the ZIF cable, confirm the drive is detected, and attempt restore before pressing the case fully closed.
Questions
Common Questions
How do I tell if I have a 7th Generation iPod Classic?
Look for the Late 2009 160GB thin-case Classic with A1238 / EMC 2173 and order number MC293LL/A or MC297LL/A. If yours is 120GB or a thick 160GB unit, use a different drive. Every metal-front Classic says A1238, so the model number alone cannot tell you which one you have. This page is for the late-2009 thin 160GB (MC293LL/A silver, MC297LL/A black). Apple's figures for it are 140 g and 10.5 mm deep — supporting checks, not proof: a replaced case, drive or battery changes the weight, so on a modified or refurbished unit check Settings > About (it shows the model) before ordering.
Can the hard drive be replaced with flash storage?
Yes. A flash-storage adapter with an SD card removes the mechanical failure point. We fit it by mail (flash mod service): we fit the card, restore Apple's software and test the iPod before it ships.
Why does my iPod Classic not appear in iTunes or Finder?
The Late 2009 Classic needs iTunes 9.0 or later. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later it appears in the Finder (iTunes on older Macs); on a Windows PC use iTunes for Windows. If no computer sees it, the hard drive is the most common culprit (hold the iPod to your ear for unusual clicking), then the sync cable.
What if the iPod shuts off when the drive spins up?
A weak battery can cause shutdowns under drive load. Test the battery and charger before replacing the drive, especially when the iPod starts normally until storage spins up.
Restore & sync
My iPod does not appear, iTunes locks up when it connects, two phantom drives show, or the capacity reads wrong after a restore — and can I use it with Windows?
Owners describe it as: iTunes locks up the moment the iPod connects; "Use iTunes to Restore" but iTunes calls it corrupted; two phantom iPod drives appear; the restore succeeds but the capacity looks wrong afterward; wanting Windows use without iTunes; the recovery software file will not download.
"Use iTunes to Restore" is the iPod's own software declaring itself broken: it means the iPod could not start from its own hard drive, and there is no on-device way around it. Recognition checks, in order: the cable (no corroded or bent contacts), a different USB port on the computer itself, and enough charge for the iPod to turn on — a flat battery is never recognized. Then reset (Menu + Center) with it connected, and Disk Mode if iTunes still cannot see it. Froze on the "connected — eject before disconnecting" screen? Slide Hold off and on, then hold Menu + Center until the Apple logo appears; if it freezes on every connection, check the cable, port and storage before syncing again.
Phantom double drives and half-recognized states usually clear with a full restore from Disk Mode, which puts the iPod back to its original state and installs the current software. Any restore, format or initialize erases everything on the iPod, so copy off anything that exists only on it first. Capacity that reads wrong after a restore: on a flash build, send it to us for a free diagnostic; on the stock drive, have the drive tested.
Windows works: use iTunes for Windows and restore on the computer you intend to sync with (a restore erases everything on the iPod, songs included). On Windows 10 or 11 get iTunes from the Microsoft Store (or apple.com/itunes); on Windows 7 or 8 install iTunes 12.10.11. Third-party library managers load music day to day for many owners, but they sit on Apple's device format and do not replace the restore when the software breaks.
Where do I download the iPod software? The supported way is a restore: the restore tool fetches and installs this model's software during the restore. We do not point you at separate firmware files or promise a particular version from a download we have not tested; if a restore cannot fetch the software, update the tool and try another port or computer.
I fitted a new drive — where does the software come from? And my dropped iPod boot-loops into a restore that never finishes.
Owners describe it as: wanting to load the firmware without letting iTunes fetch it; a dropped unit that got laggy, then boot-looped into a "restore" that will not finish; a restore offered when the media on the iPod must be kept.
After a drive swap the software comes from the restore: enter Disk Mode (reset, then hold Center + Play/Pause), connect, and let iTunes — on Windows, iTunes for Windows — download and install it. A blank new drive shows a folder icon (or similar) until that restore. We do not supply or point you at separately downloaded firmware images.
The "restore will delete everything" dilemma: yes, every time. Any restore, format or initialize erases everything on the iPod, so copy off anything that exists only on it first. If the iPod still mounts in Disk Mode, that is the way to copy it off.
A restore that never finishes after a drop is a reason to investigate, not to restore again: a drop can unseat the drive ribbon or damage the drive. Run the built-in diagnostics (reset, then Previous + Center as the logo appears); if it still fails, send it to us for a free diagnostic.
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.