How to Jailbreak an iPod 1G v2.2 using VirtualBox under Ubuntu 8.04

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Introduction

This page will guide you through jailbreaking an iPod 1G v2.2 using your favorite Linux distro and the open-source VirtualBox virtualization solution. I've written this because after I searched the interwebs everyone kept saying that you can't do it. Even the QuickPwn authors have a disclaimer claiming that the use of the tool in virtualized environments is not supported. Yeah, I know, but I can still try, right?

BIG FAT WARNING 

If you choose to follow these instructions please know that I am in no way responsible for potentially undesirable outcomes.

Also, a possible side effect that you might encounter during restore and/or jailbraking is a kernel panic. Just reboot and pray that your filesystems are okay.

Prerequisites (software versions) 

Here's what you'll need:

Prerequisites (environment setup) 


  • usbfs. Make sure you've enabled usbfs. To verify this, you need to check for a line in /etc/fstab looking similar to this:

    none /proc/bus/usb usbfs devgid=125,devmode=666,nodev,nosuid,noexec 0 0

    Make sure devmode is indeed 666 and that the command:

    getent group | grep vboxusers

    returns the number from devgid in the line above. If it doesn't you also need to modify devgid to reflect the vboxusers group

  • USB filter. Launch VirtualBox. Connect your iPod. Make sure the Windows box is in "Powered off" state. Go to its Settings -> USB page. Make sure you have both "Enable USB Controller" and "Enable USB 2.0 (EHCI) Controller" checked. Then either click "Add filter from device" or press Alt + Insert. Now clear all fields except "Name" and "Vendor ID" then click OK. The reason for this is that the iPod will go through 3 different "Product IDs" during the restore/jailbreak routine and we need this filter to be a catch-all.

iTunes Restore (optional) 

If your iPod runs a version earlier than 2.2 you can follow these instructions to bring it up to date. It's straightforward enough so those who have already done a restore/update needn't bother reading this.

  1. Make sure you followed instructions from the above section about usbfs and the USB filter in VirtualBox

  2. Connect your iPod to the PC and wait for iTunes to auto-start or launch it yourself if you've disabled auto-start

  3. On the iPod's Summary View just click Update and wait for iTunes to do its thing

Pwning 

Ok, now that we've set everything up let's get to work. Pwning:
  1. First, your iPod needs to be running the 2.2 firmware version. See above for instructions

  2. Launch QuickPwn 2.2 from your Windows box

  3. Point it to your 2.2 ipsw file. If you don't have one, download it first. FIXME: See Needed Software Versions

  4. Select the features you want installed (Cydia, Installer, Boot Logos)

  5. Then follow the instructions QuickPwn gives you

  6. Wait 5 minutes, and if there's no activity in QuickPwn, that means it hung somewhere. No worries, this is expected

  7. Now try to make VirtualBox disconnect the iPod from the Windows box. You do this by right-clicking the small connector-like icon on the Windows box's status bar. A menu will pop up with a list of components, of which only the iPod is checked. Uncheck it and see what happens

  8. A VirtualBox error should pop-up saying it can't disconnect the iPod. No worries, this is expected

  9. Now, focus your attention back on QuickPwn to see that it stopped hanging and it is now happily churning away at pwning your piece of Apple hardware

  10. After a few minutes you should have a jailbroken v2.2 iPod Touch 1G. Congratulations!

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Reader Feedback 

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  • Reply
    bruk habtu bruk habtu Aug 13, 2009 @ 6:54 pm
    worked great. how did you figure this out?
  • Reply
    micka75014 micka75014 Jun 2, 2009 @ 6:08 pm
    this not work for me in ubuntu 9.0.4 jaunty VirtualBox 2.2.4 Xp image i have error 1611 when restore and in DFU mode
  • Reply
    Rusty Rusty Apr 25, 2009 @ 4:24 am
    Wow, absolutely brilliant. I tried jailbreaking on 3 separate Windows systems, then tried this guide on my Ubuntu box, and wow. Thanks so much! Brilliant guide! Would have never thought to try disconnecting!
  • Reply
    JEAN JEAN Feb 24, 2009 @ 9:36 am
    Its the best answer in the whole internet for this problem! very thanks!!!!!!
  • Reply
    Emu Emu Feb 5, 2009 @ 1:22 pm
    Thanks, You saved my day! I'd have never come up with trying to disconnect it to make it work.

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