Can I charge my 3G iPod through USB?

[cskilbeck]

I have a 3G iPod (I think - it's 40Gb with the 4 buttons beneath the screen)

Should it charge when I plug it into USB? USB2?

Cheers,
Charlie.

[Doug Gilmour]

That is indeed a 3G iPod. Unfortunately you cannot directly charge the iPod through USB, but there is a little workaround.

If you use USB then I would assume you have the Apple iPod Dock Connector to FireWire and USB 2.0 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009KO0D/ref=pd_sbs_e_3/103-5880053-2341436?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846) Cable. This is just the extra cable that is need for the 3Gs to be able to sync with USB (3Gs only came with a FireWire cable)

Now here is the little workaround...With this cable you can take advantage of it since it has two leads: a FireWire lead and a USB lead. You could attach the FireWire lead to the AC Adaptor, which goes into the wall outlet. That would provide the charge to the iPod. Now since the USB lead is included into this cable you can attach that to the USB port on your computer, which would provide the transfer.

The FireWire does not attach to the PC, but instead the AC Adaptor.

Hope that helps,

-Dan

[cskilbeck]

OK, cool. thanks - does the 4g iPod charge through USB?

[Doug Gilmour]

Originally posted by cskilbeck
OK, cool. thanks - does the 4g iPod charge through USB?

It is meant to, but some do not. It really depends on the USB port. Some ports, especially USB 1.1 and some laptop ports do not supply power. Most USB 2.0 ports in desktop computers will indeed supply power with the USB cable supplied with the 4G..

-Dan

[cskilbeck]

OK, thanks