Replacement storage path for iPod Photo (4th Generation). Use it for failed hard-drive behavior, restore trouble, or storage upgrades after the battery is stable and the drive cable or adapter seating has been checked.
Product Overview
This hard drive listing covers Replacement Hard Drive (60GB) and its own connector path on the iPod Photo (4th 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.
Replacement Hard Drive (60GB) is the storage replacement option for iPod Photo (4th Generation). Storage symptoms such as clicking, grinding, sad iPod, folder icon, red X, Disk Mode trouble, or won't restore can point to the drive, but check battery stability and the 50-pin cable seating first.
Storage failure symptoms such as a sad iPod, folder icon, restore loop, grinding, or the audible click of death should still be checked against the drive cable and connector seating before replacing the drive.
- Toshiba MK8007GAH 80GB is a compatible upgrade drive for this model
- Use a ZIF adapter to connect the iPod hard drive directly to a computer for external reformatting and diagnosis
- The larger drive requires a thicker rear panel to physically fit
- Compatible Toshiba drives end in 004 or 006 (e.g., MK4004GAH, MK2006GAL, MK3006GAL, MK4006GAL)
- A Toshiba MK8007GAH (80GB) is a compatible upgrade option for this model, as it uses the correct ATA-6 pin interface.
- A USB-to-ZIF adapter allows external testing of the hard drive
- The issue is not only the thickness of the drive assembly but also the length: with the adapter attached, a ZIF drive becomes too long for the iPod Photo's internal cavity.
- USB will not complete the restore process.
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 20GB thin-case iPods.
View this option → 30GB / White / Thin Replacement Hard Drive (30GB)Use this linked storage option only for 30GB thin-case iPods and the order numbers shown here.
View this option → 40GB / White / Thick Replacement Hard Drive (40GB)Use this linked storage option only for 40GB thick-case iPods and the order numbers shown here.
View this option →Replacement 60GB hard drive for iPod Photo. Toshiba MK6006GAH 1.8-inch IDE/ATA (Toshiba PATA) 4200 RPM. 8mm height — fits thick 60GB models.
You're viewing this optionWhat Is Included
Quick Diagnosis: Is It The Replacement Hard Drive (60GB)?
Start here before ordering. Work through the checks in order; a symptom alone does not prove this drive is bad until nearby parts, cables, fitment, or install issues are separated.
Before you order this drive
- Try a force restart first. Toggle Hold on and off, then hold Menu + Select/Center for 6 to 10 seconds.
- Check battery and power stability. Confirm battery stability — low battery can prevent restore.
- Reseat and inspect the connector path. Try a different USB port and cable.
- Try Disk Mode or restore isolation. Try Disk Mode before restore.
- 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 drive.
- Thick 60GB iPod Photo / Color Display storage route using Toshiba MK6006GAH-style 50-pin IDE/PATA drive.
Specifications & Fitment
Also known as iPod with color display (Apple's official name after June 2005).
Part Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Number | A1099 |
| EMC | EMC 2022 |
| Condition | Used — factory original Apple part. Normal cosmetic wear expected. |
| Drive Model | MK6006GAH |
| Capacity | 60GB |
| Form Factor | 1.8" IDE/ATA (50-pin Toshiba MCD-D50 form factor) |
| RPM | 4200 |
| Manufacturer | Toshiba |
| Interface | 50-pin Toshiba MCD-D50 |
| Drive Height | 8mm |
| Platters | 2 |
Compatible Variants
| Order Number | Capacity | Color | Case | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M9585LL/A | 40GB | White | thick | Yes— requires restore / capacity upgrade | Compatible thick-case capacity upgrade; stock drive was 40GB and restore is required after install |
| M9586LL/A | 60GB | White | thick | Yes— stock 60GB match | Stock 60GB thick-case match |
| M9830LL/A | 60GB | White | thick | Yes— stock 60GB match | Stock 60GB thick-case match |
| PS493AA | 60GB | White (HP) | thick | Yes— stock 60GB match | Stock 60GB thick-case match |
| MA127LL/A | 20GB | Black/Red (U2) | thin | No— wrong case depth | 60GB drive is an 8mm thick-case drive; 20GB/30GB thin models require the 5mm drive path Use Replacement Hard Drive (20GB) instead. |
| MA079LL/A | 20GB | White | thin | No— wrong case depth | 60GB drive is an 8mm thick-case drive; 20GB/30GB thin models require the 5mm drive path Use Replacement Hard Drive (20GB) instead. |
| MA215LL/A | 20GB | White (Harry Potter Collector's Edition) | thin | No— wrong case depth | 60GB drive is an 8mm thick-case drive; 20GB/30GB thin models require the 5mm drive path Use Replacement Hard Drive (20GB) instead. |
| M9829LL/A | 30GB | White | thin | No— wrong case depth | 60GB drive is an 8mm thick-case drive; 20GB/30GB thin models require the 5mm drive path Use Replacement Hard Drive (30GB) instead. |
| PS492AA | 30GB | White (HP) | thin | No— wrong case depth | 60GB drive is an 8mm thick-case drive; 20GB/30GB thin models require the 5mm drive path Use Replacement Hard Drive (30GB) instead. |
is not compatible with
- 20/30GB thin models — 8mm drive height is not compatible with thin case
Failure Signs
Use these checks to decide whether this drive is the right part, whether a nearby part should be checked first, or whether the symptom needs more diagnosis.
Storage symptoms
Use repeated clicking, folder or sad iPod screens, disk mode failure, and restore failure as the storage pattern.
Cable seating
Reseat the 50-pin storage cable and inspect the connector before replacing the drive.
Power route-away
Check battery, charger, dock, and runtime stability first when power symptoms are stronger than storage symptoms.
What you may see: iTunes restore fails with error.
- Restore starts but never completes.
- iPod not recognized by computer during restore.
- iPod restarts repeatedly at Apple logo.
- Boot loop during startup.
- Frozen on Apple logo.
Check first: Confirm battery stability — low battery can prevent restore.
- Try a different USB port and cable.
- Try Disk Mode before restore.
- Check drive cable seating.
- Try hard reset (Menu + Select 8-10 seconds).
- This symptom can be drive, cable, battery, or logic board — isolate before ordering.
- Use clicking sounds, disk mode, restore behavior, connector seating, and power stability to isolate the storage device.
Most likely cause: Choose this storage drive only when the same hardware symptom repeats outside the temporary device state.
- 40/60GB thick models — requires 8mm height drive.
- 20/30GB thin models — different drive height.
- Replace the storage drive when the symptom follows that part across normal use and restore/setup states.
- Continue software, storage, power, or input diagnosis when the symptom appears only during setup or restore.
Look elsewhere when: Check storage, battery power, input state, and connector seating first when the symptom is tied to restore or setup.
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, red X, clicking drive, restore loop, or disk-mode trouble.
- Sad iPod icon on screen.
- Folder icon with exclamation mark.
- Red X icon.
- iPod stuck on Apple logo then shows folder.
Check first: Confirm the capacity and case thickness before ordering battery, hard drive, cable, or rear case parts.
- Listen for clicking, grinding, or repeated startup 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.
Most likely cause: The iPod Photo has thin 20GB/30GB and thick 40GB or 60GB case variants. Battery, hard drive, and rear-case fitment can differ by thickness.
- The storage drive can be involved, but the drive cable, adapter formatting, power stability, or logic-board storage path may also be responsible.
- Check storage / restore route, 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, adapter setup, battery power stability, and board connector when the symptom changes after reseating or swapping storage.
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.
Most likely cause: Connector seating, ribbon damage, or ground-path issues can involve this part, a nearby connector, or a board path.
Look elsewhere when: Check the Hard Drive IDE Ribbon Cable when storage-cable symptoms after drive replacement, reseating, or adapter work are the main problem.
- Check the Replacement Battery when power, charging, runtime, or swollen-battery behavior is the main problem.
What you may see: Storage symptom changes after opening the iPod.
- Drive is detected only intermittently.
- Sad iPod, folder, or restore behavior changes after reseating the cable.
Check first: Reseat the 50-pin hard-drive cable at the board and drive ends.
- Inspect the cable for creases, torn traces, bent contacts, or debris.
- Check whether Disk Mode or restore behavior changes after reseating.
What you may see: Computer does not detect the iPod.
- iTunes does not recognize the iPod.
- iPod not showing in Disk Utility or Finder.
Check first: Try a different USB port and known-good cable.
- Check battery — dead battery prevents USB recognition.
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.
- Storage symptom began immediately after battery, drive, cable, or flash-adapter service.
- iPod worked before opening but now shows folder, sad iPod, or restore failure.
- Drive behavior changes when the cable or adapter is reseated.
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.
What you may see: Repeated clicking sound during spin-up.
- Grinding noise from the drive area.
- Click of death — repetitive clicking that does not stop.
Check first: Reseat the 50-pin hard-drive cable at both ends.
- Confirm battery is stable enough to power the drive.
- Try Disk Mode to isolate storage from firmware.
Most likely cause: Choose this storage drive only when the symptom follows that part or its connection path.
- Replace the storage drive when inspection points to that assembly.
- Keep troubleshooting adjacent paths when the evidence is mixed.
What you may see: A similar iPod Photo drive appears to fit but uses the wrong case depth.
- A 20GB or 30GB thin-case drive is being compared with a 40GB or 60GB thick-case build.
- A capacity change is planned and will require restore after installation.
Check first: Match the iPod Photo capacity and thin or thick rear case before ordering.
- Use thin-drive pages for 20GB and 30GB thin cases.
- Use thick-drive pages for 40GB and 60GB thick cases unless the page explicitly describes an upgrade path.
Most likely cause: This storage drive may help only when it matches the model and variant being repaired.
- Use the storage drive variant matched to the exact iPod.
- Recheck fitment before diagnosing a newly installed part as defective.
Look elsewhere when: Check fitment before replacing nearby parts or ordering another copy of the same wrong variant.
Symptom remains after basic checks
What you may see: The iPod still points back to Replacement Hard Drive (60GB) 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 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 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 (60GB) 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: Confirm the capacity and case thickness before ordering battery, hard drive, cable, or rear case parts
- 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
Restore, sync, setup, or frozen-state symptoms
What you may see: People describe restore loops, sync trouble, frozen screens, language/setup screens, or diagnostic states that make a part look suspect
Check first: Separate a one-time software or restore state from a repeatable hardware symptom
- Check whether the symptom changes in disk mode, diagnostic mode, or after a supported reset
- If the state appeared after part replacement, inspect the related ribbon and connector before buying again
Fitment or model-variant mismatch
What you may see: People ask whether a similar-looking part from another capacity, case thickness, or generation will work
Check first: Confirm the capacity and case thickness before ordering battery, hard drive, cable, or rear case parts
- Match the exact model, generation, capacity, and case style shown for the product
- Do not use a symptom to override fitment: a wrong-variant part can create new symptoms after installation
Repair considerations
Repair specialists who work on this model consistently flag these checks before replacing the drive — they help confirm the 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
- Inspect connector latch, socket, or clamp condition
- Reseat or inspect ribbon cable and connector seating
- Check drive noise, SMART/data signs, or storage recognition
Do Not Buy This Drive Yet If...
| Situation | Start here instead |
|---|---|
| Variant or capacity does not match this listing | Match your capacity or case depth to the correct listing: Replacement Hard Drive (20GB), Replacement Hard Drive (30GB). |
| You see a folder icon, clicking noise, or restore failure | Start with the matching drive capacity, storage cable seating, and restore behavior before buying storage. |
| Charging, swelling, runtime, or power is the primary problem | Confirm power, charging, and pack-condition clues before replacing this part. |
| The problem is the Hold switch or headphone jack, not this part | Verify the Hold slider, lock indicator, and shared headphone/Hold cable before replacing this part. |
| 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 | thick. |
- Most USB-to-ZIF cables come with multiple adapters for different connector types
- Test the original hard drive externally with a USB-to-ZIF connector to isolate the problem
- Compatible Toshiba drive models include any ending in 004 or 006, such as: - MK4004GAH - MK2006GAL - MK2006GALC - MK3006GAL - MK4006GAL The 4th Gen hard drive connector is believed to be a DDKLtd MCD-D50SA-3.
- A plastic opening tool alone may not suffice; supplement with a small jeweler's screwdriver or thin putty knife.
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
Install Overview
Before You Start
Lock the Hold switch so the orange bar is visible 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 drive.
Repair Guide
Show all 5 installation steps
Before you open the iPod, confirm that the hold switch is in the locked setting. The orange bar should be showing, indicating hold is active.
Move an opening pick as far as possible into the gap between the plastic front and the metal back panel, on the right edge of the iPod. You may have to rock the pick back and forth to move it in farther. With the opening pick, lever up against the plastic front panel and release 5 retaining tabs. Slide the pick along the iPod edge and keep levering gently until the remaining retaining tabs release. In this step, after all five tabs along the right edge are free, the case should easily open.
The iPod case is now open, but do not separate the two halves yet. An orange ribbon cable still connects the headphone jack to the logic board. With the dock connector edge at the top, open the case like a book and set the rear panel beside the iPod front half.
With a plastic tool or your fingernails, carefully detach the orange headphone jack cable. Make sure to draw straight up on the connector, not the cable itself. This fragile ribbon cable can stay connected for a battery replacement. Prop and tape the rear case against a box so the headphone jack remains connected to the motherboard without straining its cable while you work.
Grasp the hard drive with one hand and carefully detach the orange ribbon cable from the hard drive with your other hand. In this step, if the cable doesn't come free easily, it may be useful to gently wiggle the cable from side to side.
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 adapter 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.
How do I choose the right hard drive capacity?
Match capacity 60GB and color White, White (HP), drive height, connector/interface, and order number before ordering. Thin and thick storage options can use different physical drives.
Can I use flash storage instead of this hard drive?
Usually yes on models with a supported flash-mod route, but adapter, formatting, and case-clearance checks still matter. Use the flash-mod page when you want solid-state storage instead of another mechanical drive.
When is this drive the right fix for sad iPod, clicking, or restore trouble?
Listen for repeated drive clicking and note whether the iPod reaches disk mode. Reseat the hard-drive ribbon and inspect the storage connector or retaining latch before buying another storage part. Try restore only after cable seating and power behavior are stable enough to complete the process. Compare with a known-good drive, cable, or flash adapter when available. Confirm the capacity and case thickness before ordering battery, hard drive, cable, or rear case parts. Listen for clicking, grinding, or repeated startup 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. Choose this part only when clicking, sad iPod, restore failure, or disk-mode symptoms remain tied to the storage path after cable seating and power checks. Check battery stability, connector seating, and the hard-drive cable before treating the storage device alone as confirmed. Check the storage cable, adapter setup, battery power stability, and board connector when the symptom changes after reseating or swapping storage.
When should I choose the 40GB page instead?
Use the 40GB page for a stock 40GB thick-case iPod Photo. Use this 60GB page for stock 60GB thick-case units or a deliberate 40GB-to-60GB capacity upgrade.
Why people land on this part
Use the checks above to separate this hard drive from nearby parts before ordering.
Some buyers search for "people describe short runtime, charging trouble, sudden shutoff, or an ipod that will not reliably power on", "power stability problems that can imitate storage failure", "restore or disk mode behavior changes with battery charge level", "short runtime, charging trouble, sudden shutoff, or a device that will not reliably power on", or "storage symptoms appear only when the battery is weak"; confirm the checks above point to this same part before ordering.
Also searched as: iPod photo 60GB hard drive replacement, iTunes Error, Corrupted Data, Flash Mod Problems, Hard Drive Failure, hard drive dead, showing a folder, restore process, gig drive, removed toshiba, finish restore, hook iTunes, solid state drive, drive was corrupted, drive already corrupted, error 10, error 45, error 1429, click sound, malfunctioning with error, iPod with color display hard drive, Reboot Loop, click noise, iPod Classic Photo, Sad iPod Icon, Folder Icon, Clicking Noise, Red X Icon, Stuck on Apple Logo, Won't Restore, clicking sound, grinding, not recognized, boot loop, frozen during restore, click of death, 50-pin IDE, 50-pin Toshiba.
Worth Knowing
- Uses PATA interface — 50-pin Toshiba MCD-D50 connector
- 8mm height — fits thick case only
- iPod Photo uses 50-pin IDE/ATA (Toshiba MCD-D50) interface — NOT ZIF.
- The iPod 4th Generation or Photo Hard Drive Replacement guide covers installation
- Clicking sounds are a strong indicator of mechanical hard drive failure
- Clicking sounds or HD whirring with a blank display typically indicates a hard drive problem
- Wait 30 minutes while the iPod is charging.
- The drive connector is believed to be DDKLtd MCD-D50SA-3
You May Also Want
A fresh battery is often replaced during the same repair while the iPod is open.
Related: Flash Storage Mod (iFlash IDE Adapter + SD Card)Flash storage eliminates mechanical drive failures — most popular upgrade.
Related: Hard Drive IDE Ribbon CableThe IDE cable should be inspected whenever replacing the hard drive.
