We all know that there is nothing lasts forever in the world, and iPod is also no exception. Like all electronic devices, your iPod will eventually take a trip to the big Apple Store in the sky. But that doesn't mean you can't still use it. There are many components that can die in an iPod: the hard drive, the flash memory, the screen, the backlight, or the actual digital signal processor (the chip that converts bits and bytes to notes). You can also ruin your headphone jack, making it impossible to listen to music by that route. Failures to any of these components can result in a dead iPod but, in some cases, even without going for a fix-up, you can still use the iPod in some way.

1. Use the iPod, but with limits

If you've got an iPod with a hard drive and the drive has cashed in its chips, then you won't be able to do much with it. It's probably best to go to an iPod repair service and have the hard drive replaced (or go the DIY route). However, in some cases, you can still use it-at least partially. I recently broke an iPod classic, dropping it on the floor (the first time I'd ever dropped it). Something happened to the hard drive, and when I try to load music, it now stops after about 20 GB of files. So I can still use it, at least for now, to play music; just with less capacity than the full 160 GB. If you drop yours, maybe you'll be lucky and get access to some of the hard disk.

2. Use it during the day, or under lights

One element that can fail is the iPod's backlight. If this happens, you'll still be able to see the screen if you hold it at the correct angle (though not in the dark-get into shuffling your songs!). If the screen itself is dead, you can get it fixed, and probably should if the iPod is recent enough. If not, you may still be able to use it to store files (see below).

3. Use an iPod as a source for iTunes

If your battery is dead-by far the most common failure on an iPod, and one that can happen after a few years-you may still be able to use it. (And you can replace the batteries easily on many iPods, either on your own or by sending them to iPod repair shops.) Since all such an iPod is missing is juice, you can connect it to a computer and use it as a source, say to play music from your home collection when you're at work. Just connect it and launch iTunes, then check Manually Manage Music And Videos. Click the disclosure triangle next to the iPod, then click Music to browse your library, or choose one of the playlists it contains, and play the music the iPod holds through iTunes.

4. Use it as a source for your car

Just as in the above tip, you can connect your iPod to any source that provides power and use it for playback. If your car has a powered iPod connector (using the dock connector), just plug it in and turn up the music. The dock connector both provides power and handles music output. A cigarette-lighter adapter can also provide power if you're still using a cassette adapter or FM transmitter to play your music.

5. Connect the iPod to your stereo

Even with a dead battery, you can use your iPod as a source for a stereo, at home or in the office. You can connect it to any type of powered dock-either a standalone dock/speaker, or an Apple dock connected to a charger-then to a stereo, and your iPod can be your music source. In all three of these tips where you use the iPod as a source, you'll still be able to sync to it, because when you connect it to your computer, the iPod gets the power it needs.

6. Use your iPod to store files

Most iPods-except the shuffle, touch, and the iPhone-let you mount them as if they were hard drives. On the Summary window in iTunes, when the iPod is connected, check Enable Disk Use. This lets you use the iPod-even if, for example, the screen is broken and you can't navigate at all using the device's interface-to carry files from one location to another. Just like a USB thumb drive, your iPod can serve as a portable file receptacle. If you do this, you'll probably want to remove all its music first; the best way is just to restore the iPod and wipe it completely.

It is so useful for all ipod users, right? It is so surprise for us that we can still use the dead iPod in some way, so what have you done with dead iPods? Take action now and be more professional.

More useful information about ipod for you, you can read more guides here:
How to share music between ipods
How to transfer music from ipod to ipod
How to transfer music from ipod to computer

Do you think it's very difficult for ipod users to share music between iPods? Well not anymore, you just need a third-party software to share music between iPods. Best iPod Transfer is your beat choice. It can not only share music between iPods, but also transfer music, videos, photos, etc. from iPod to computer.

Features of iPod Transfer:

Transfer and Backup iPad/iPhone/iPod files to computer hard disk
Cucusoft iPad/iPhone/iPod to Computer Transfer is the top-rated iPod Transfer to transfer iPod photo, videos, songs, Voice Memo, Camera Roll etc. to computer hard disk easily.

Transfer iPod to iPod Easily
This iPod Transfer can also transfer files from iPod to iPod easily and safefly.

Backup media files to iTunes with ease
This iPod Transfer can also help you backup media files like music, movies, playlist, etc from iPad/iPhone/iPod to computer.

Manage iPad/iPhone/iPod on any computer
This Cucusoft iPod Transfer allows you to manage your iPod device on any computer and transfer files from iPad/iPhone/iPod to any folder on computer.

Guide: How to Share Music Between iPods?

Step 1: Download and run Best iPod Transfer, and connect the iPod that have songs in it.

Step 2: Click "Music" and choose the music you want to transfer. Then click "Export" botton.

Step 3: The following window will pop up after clicking Epxort button. Then you choose "Export to iTunes" to transfer music to iTunes.

Then you may connect your blank iPod to computer and sync your iPod with iTunes, then you can enjoy your shared music with your own iPod!
 
Another essential tool for ipod users is the best iPod to Mac Transfer:

iMacsoft iPod to Mac Transfer is specially designed for Mac user to transfer iPod files, It can fast transfer, rip, copy and manage your music, video, photo, podcast and TV program from iPod to Mac, iPod to iTunes, iPod to iPod and Mac to iPod transfer is also available.

Some useful guides you can see here:
How to Restore iPod without iTunes