Trying to install Rockbox on iPod Classic 7th Gen (MC293LL, 160GB Thin, Late 2009) - Bootloader install keeps failing at 60%
I'm trying to install Rockbox on an Apple iPod Classic model MC293LL, serial 8K241L6T9ZS.
System
Windows 10 PC
iTunes downloaded directly from Apple (not Microsoft Store)
Original Apple 30-pin cable
Connected to a rear motherboard USB port
Rockbox Utility v1.5.1
Tried both Stable Release 4.0 and Daily Build (20260531)
What I've done
Restored the iPod multiple times through iTunes.
Verified the iPod works normally after restore.
Installed Rockbox firmware files successfully.
Rockbox Utility detects:
Apple iPod Classic (6th gen)
Mountpoint: D:\ (ISAAC'S IPOD)
Tried installing only the bootloader.
DFU Mode
I can reliably enter DFU mode:
Hold MENU + SELECT until reset.
When Apple logo appears, continue holding until screen goes black.
Screen stays completely black.
Device Manager shows a DFU device.
Driver troubleshooting
Originally I installed the Zadig/libusb driver because of YouTube tutorials.
I've tried:
libusb-win32 driver
WinUSB driver through Zadig
Uninstalling Zadig-installed drivers
Letting Windows reinstall drivers
Reinstalling Apple drivers
At different points Device Manager has shown:
USB DFU Device under libusb-win32 devices
USB DFU Device under Universal Serial Bus devices
Apple Mobile Device USB Driver
Current status
When attempting bootloader installation:
Rockbox Utility progresses to:
Downloading bootloader
Ejecting iPod
Waiting for HDD spin-down
Waiting for DFU mode
DFU mode detected
Releasing SELECT + MENU
Transferring DFU image
Then it always fails at 60% with:
No valid DFU USB driver found.
Install iTunes (or the Apple Device Driver) and try again.
Things that seem strange
Rockbox Utility successfully detects DFU mode.
Device Manager sees the DFU device.
Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is installed.
Yet Rockbox still says no valid DFU USB driver found.
Failure always occurs at exactly 60%.
Questions
Has anyone seen a bootloader install fail at exactly 60% on a 7th gen Classic?
Should the DFU device be using:
Apple Mobile Device USB Driver
WinUSB
libusb-win32
something else?
Is there a known issue with Rockbox Utility v1.5.1 on Windows 10?
Could this be related to the Late 2009 MC293LL hardware revision?
Any help would be appreciated. I've been at this for a couple of days and feel like I'm very close since DFU mode is being detected correctly.