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iPods sure look stylish without a battery door, but the omitted hatch makes the whole thing useless if your battery craps out. All batteries degrade over time, this should be no surprise if you have a lot of electronics. You can usually expect your ipod to last roughly 3 years before it dies.  
 
Today's batteries work best when kept plugged in as much as possible, rather than being allowed to drain down til they shut off on their own. So to get the most out of your battery keep it charged.  
 
Once the iPod's battery won't hold a charge you can pay Apple or a repair shop to replace it but who likes wasting money when they can do it easily by them self. Not too mention for probably half or even less money they a repair shop. Also a better performing battery to boot.  
 
Most iPod's open in a similar way: the front upper half with the screen lifts away from the metal backing. Many sources of replacement batteries provide instructions for ipod battery replacement.  
 
I purchased a replacement battery for my iPod Touch through Juice your iPod (www.ipodjuice.com) for less then $30.  
 
First turn off your iPod and the lock the hold switch. You'll need to wedge something between the two halves to release the internal latches. A tiny flathead screw driver would be likely to gouge the plastic front or the metal backing. Some battery kits include plastic tools that are safer: guitar picks can also do just as good (what I used).  
 
Carefully, but with the necessary force, work a plastic wedge into the seam along the side. Aim the tip toward the devices back: the metal backing cradles the front, so that's the only direction for the tool to travel. Once the tool is inside, gently work it around the iPod's edges. The case might try to snap shut where you opened it, so I like to leave extra guitar picks in place.  
 
Seperate the metal backing from the front carefully - a thin ribbon cable connects them. Use a small screw driver to lift the plastic latch holding the battery cable to the iPod. Once you've freed the battery, remove and replace it. Seal everything back up: the pieces will snap freely back into place. Then recharge the new battery completely and away you go.  
 
 
 
Edited by Tootsie Roll, 2009-09-17 12:48:59