I wouldn't worry to much about the apple firware, if you can get any sort of recognition, even on a mac, you should be able to wipe the disc clean and get some use out of it. Hope this goes well for you, if so post some info, so other axim users can dismantle broken iPods. Just make sure it can physically fit in, if it is broken it may not work, but i'm willing to test it out...best case scenario: mega-cheap microdrive, ok scenario: buy ipod parts and fix them, worst case scenario: throw it out or sell on ebay...

could you pm me your results?