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kentuckyfried · Apr 29, 2005, 02:21 PM

The search feature isn't working on my end, and I just wanted a quick answer:

Can you use a USB 2.0 cable to charge an iPod?

I know that connecting an iPod to a firewire cable always works...I'm not sure about the USB 2.0 cable b/c I hardly ever use it, except for connecting to my work PC occasionally.

It doesn't seem to be a self-powering cable, but then again, maybe my PC is POS and only has USB 1.0 ports on the front.

Thank you in advance.

subego · Apr 29, 2005, 03:17 PM

This didn't used to work, but I believe it does now.

Trying it certainly won't break your iPod.

SSharon · Apr 29, 2005, 04:13 PM

As the new ipods only come with USB 2 cables and no AC adapters of course the cable can charge the ipod. It would be hard to sell a product that can't be charged out of the box right. Anyway I use a usb2 pci card and that works fine with my ipod mini.

kentuckyfried · Apr 29, 2005, 04:13 PM

This didn't use to work b/c the interface wasn't USB 2.0? Please clarify.

I know it doesn't work on my computer, somebody else on a different web board was looking for help....

Originally Posted by subego

This didn't used to work, but I believe it does now.

Trying it certainly won't break your iPod.

kentuckyfried · Apr 29, 2005, 04:15 PM

is it the iPods or the iPod minis that now only come with the cables?

That doesn't sound right...the adapter has to be included, how's anybody supposed to charge anything on travel without it?

KnutJob · Apr 29, 2005, 06:44 PM

I had to touch a button on my 15GB to use the USB, and I think I had the same problem with the 60GB photo on firewire from the charger. They might have updated it now though; I think the issue is that a device has to "request" power on Firewire or it doesn't get a charge.

subego · Apr 29, 2005, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by kentuckyfried

This didn't use to work b/c the interface wasn't USB 2.0? Please clarify.

I know it doesn't work on my computer, somebody else on a different web board was looking for help....

Actually, I have no idea why it didn't used to work.

It woks now on my iPod Photo and my Shuffle, though this may be because of their newness. Not sure what model you have.

ccsccs7 · May 1, 2005, 03:48 PM

You were expected to use the Firewire cable for charging. Dumb, but�

I got a cable to charge my cell phone through USB. It's not enough power for it (USB 1.1).

misc · May 2, 2005, 10:35 PM

The (regular) iPod as of right now comes with a USB cable, a Firewire cable, and a Firewire charging brick.

The 3G iPod's can only charge via the Firewire cable. Don't know about the newer ones though...

Eriamjh · May 4, 2005, 07:35 AM

The new 4G iPods can charge over USB2. In fact, they can synchronize over USB1.1 if that's what your computer has.

The 3G iPods did not charge over USB. In fact, the USB cable that you bought from Apple had two "tails", one with a FW connector for charging, the other with a USB connector for syncing and file transfer.