Original Apple TV - Ever Refurbs or Way to Fix?

[powerbook911]

I do have a new Apple TV that is fine.

However, I have an original too! A few weeks ago, it went out. No matter where I plug it in, it won't power up.

I'd like to get another one. Does Apple's website ever have refurbished models of the first generation, anymore?

If not, anyway I could fix mine?

 

[pjarvi]

I haven't seen any on Apple's refurb store, however there seem to be plenty from sites like eBay. They're still going for a pretty penny though. $100 for the 40GB and $200 for the 160GB. If you only need the circuit board, you can check eBay for a parts only auction to try and save some money.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

You should confirm that the board is dead or just the hard drive. I've had several of these players from the beginning and only had a few issues with hard drives conking out (never the board). Replacing the drive got things back to "like new".

If only your hard drive is dead, there are sources on ebay that will sell you replacements already loaded with the TV software- just replace the dead drive and it will return to being "like new". Replacing it yourself is not too difficult.

I also can't say enough about atvcloner: http://dynaflashtech.net/, which I just recently used to make my own replacement hard drive partitions. This let me use an original 40GB drive to make the backups (partitions) and then restore to a 320GB drive. Works great (and nice to have the extra space).

 

[awr]

I do have a new Apple TV that is fine.

However, I have an original too! A few weeks ago, it went out. No matter where I plug it in, it won't power up.

I'd like to get another one. Does Apple's website ever have refurbished models of the first generation, anymore?

If not, anyway I could fix mine?

just an fyi - I have a gen1 as well with the same problem - just will not power up. (major power surge a few years ago)

I believe my issue is the power supply but have had no luck finding a replacement part.

make sure you figure out what part failed, then try looking around for parts.

and please let me know if you find any powers supplies!

 

[mchalebk]

Plenty of sellers on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-TV-160G...HAUA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1300287211&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MA711LL...NMQ6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1300287211&sr=8-4

While I'm not happy about some of the omissions from the new design, I think I would move to the ATV2 if mine died. I would have to get an optical-to-analog converter (for Zone 2 on my receiver), but I think I can live with the limitations the new one has. I would like the AirPlay capabilities, since I just got an iPod Touch.

 

[carlgo]

I fixed mine. Replaced four capacitors and modified the fan system. I don't think the HD is the problem most of the time. It is a quality drive and the rest of the parts are also very good.

The problem is that someone at Apple decided that a super-heated, but quiet, unit was better than a noisier but cooler and longer lasting one.

While things are apart it wouldn't be a bad idea to put in a bigger HD if you need the capacity. Easy to do.

I really like the TC and since the unit is vastly cooler now I believe it will last a long time and so the investment in time and materials is worth it.

The instructions are on the internet, but you may have to invest in some tools and such, so sending it off to someone who does the repair may be a good option for most people.