iPod mini-dead batt. USB2 won't charge

[aussiemac86]

Something interesting happened, I let my 4GB mini (purchased late last year i.e. 8hrs batt. life) battery deplete completely, then went to plug into USB 2.0 which was plugged into front of PM (see sig.) nothing happened, no charging started, not recognised on computer at all.

I un-plugged from cable, reset (menu + select) and got the apple on screen of mini and then it quickly dissapeared to give the low battery indicator.

Plugged it back in with the low battery indicator showing, registered on desktop for a few seconds before iPod screen went blank and "device removal" notice came up on the Power Mac.

I plugged into AC adapter via FW and all was well, it started charging as normal.

The problem is that I gave my FW cable to my brother, who I gave a 6gb mini(which doesnt come with a FW cable or AC adapter) as he has a quicksilver PM (w/o USB2), so he needs a FW cable. This means i can't use my AC adapter without it, I was lucky he was visiting home at the time it happened, if it happens again i might not be so lucky.

Does anyone know if there is there a way around this with just the USB2 cable (which doesnt involve buying a new AC adapter)?

Also will this be a major issue for people with the new minis who have no AC adapters?

Cheers (sorry for the length of post)

 

[Chappers]

Does anyone know if there is there a way around this with just the USB2 cable (which doesnt involve buying a new AC adapter)?

Cheers (sorry for the length of post)

I have to charge mine from a USB 1 port.
This USB2 thing seems to be quite a common problem.

Firstly however do repair permissions on your Mac first and try all of the USB ports (although the 2 on your keyboard are very very unlikely to work).
Also try the port your keyboard is plugged into.
If you know someone with a powered USB hub - you could try that.
Or try another Mac.
Is your USB plug seated properly.
Do a search on the forums for this problem.

 

[26139]

Yeah....

I had the EXACT same problem...and I am still looking for a solution. It seems that USB2 will not charge my first gen mini when the battery is depleted, but it will charge it if there is some juice left. Really weird.

 

[Leeloo the 5th]

I, too, have exactly the same issue with my 1st gen iPod Mini, I always have to wait quite a while before it charges off the USB 2 after the battery was completely drained. Eventually it will start, but I don't have to be in a hurry as it can take a long time. Now I just try to remember plugging it in before the battery goes completely dead.
Has anyone with this problem already reported it? Any word/official statement from Apple?

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I'm currently (but not for long anymore ) using my Mini with a Windows XP pc and that I'm only charging through USB 2 (I only have the "mini" Firewire port on my pc and no adapter).

 

[26139]

Even more...

Now I am having problems recharging or even having the mini recognized through USB at all. While it may be just a glitch in Tiger, (as the USB ports work just fine for everything else, and the mini is immediately recognized and charge via firewire) it is quite the nuisance. I don't want to have to buy another firewire cord (the one that came with mine is hooked up to the dock, which is hooked up to speakers with all the cabling running behind a bookshelf, making it a hassle to unplug), it might seem the only reliable option.

 

[zyuzin4]

same thing happened with my sisters 3G 15GB iPod. She lost her FW cable and it wouldn't respond via USB so I just plugged it into my FW dock and all was good...this is a weird issue especially since now all iPods come with USB only hmmm

 

[26139]

But...

It works sometimes though...very weird.