Firewire vs. USB and Windows Pop Up when Connecting iPod

[dykebiker]

Hi, o.k. please, go easy, it is kinda hard to tell where the heck to post your questions - so don't go crazy if I hit the wrong place...(thanks Here are my questions:

1. I have Windows XP Pro and when I connect the ipod to update it, very quickly, i.e., not even long enough to read the entire paragraph it says "The USB device connected is not recognized..." and then it goes away and everything works fine - what is that?

2. I have a brand new computer that's top-end. It has USB ports (2) and a Firewire (IEEE1394) slot (and boy is that a *small* little slot). When I had my old computer, my friend bought me an "Ipod Dock Connector to USB 2.0 + FireWire" - So here is my question - on this piece of equipment, one end goes into the iPod and then there are (2) prongs, now (1) fits into the USB Port, but the other prong (which is smaller than the USB prong) doesn't fit into the "FireWire" - it's too big (again that Firewire slot is *really* small). But I figure it *must* be *the* Firewire, because the box says "USB 2.0 + Firewire" - so why doesn't that supposed "Firewire" prong, fit into what my brand new computer says is the "Firewire" slot?

3. My manual says that little slot is a IEEE1394, so should I be buying some sort of connector and using the Firewire port instead of the USB port? (The USB seems to work very fast, but as I understand it, the Firewire is even faster - but I've got nothing that *tiny* that fits into that little slot - do I need to buy some sort of connector?

Thank you *SO* much for helping me out.

K~

[Tiketti]

Originally posted by dykebiker
1. I have Windows XP Pro and when I connect the ipod to update it, very quickly, i.e., not even long enough to read the entire paragraph it says "The USB device connected is not recognized..." and then it goes away and everything works fine - what is that?

Nothing to worry about. I'd say it's just XP "thinking aloud" too hastily

If you can connect even with the message flashing, there shouldn't be anything wrong.

2./3. it's too big (again that Firewire slot is *really* small). But I figure it *must* be *the* Firewire, because the box says "USB 2.0 + Firewire" - so why doesn't that supposed "Firewire" prong, fit into what my brand new computer says is the "Firewire" slot?
...do I need to buy some sort of connector?

The FireWire cable you have has six pins, and your computer port is for fours pins. Didn't you get one of these adapters with your iPod?


The difference between four and six pin connectors is that the four pin version doesn't supply power to your iPod - hence, no battery recharging.

If you get that adapter from somewhere, you can use the USB ports to connect your iPod to the computer (transfer data), and use the FireWire part to plug the iPod into a power outlet.

[Shadow]

FYI: IEEE 1394 is the same thing as Firewire. I believe the term "Firewire" actually came from Apple. Just like Sony calls it "iLink".

[Zephlee]

The small "firewire port" (also known in the PC world as IEEE) on your computer is a FOUR pin IEEE port. The firewire cord you mention for your Ipod is a SIX pin IEEE end. They have adapters out there, (in fact one should have come with your ipod) that changes the 6 pin to a 4 pin. Otherwise, like you said, the USB2 end is fast. From what I have read the USB2 is just as fast as a 4 pin firewire. Hope this helps. If you hear where to buy an adapter by its self, please let me know since I have lost my adapter and had to buy a USB2-to-ipod cable.
~zephlee