iPod Shuffle Won't Charge

July 28, 2005 2:08 PM

My iPod Shuffle just doesn't charge off my PC.

I disabled the "Use iPod as an external drive" or whatever that option is so that the computer uses it like a Shuffle (which I assume means charge it).

Everything on the web talks about connecting it to a high power USB (i.e. not a USB port on a keyboard). But I'm connecting to the actual computer. Tried out every USB port as well. What's up?

One caveat, when I plug it into my work computer (which is a bit newer), it seems to charge.

The computer where the shuffle isn't charging is an AMD1600XP, 512DDR, 30Gig HD, running on a.. ah, so long ago, .. MSI motherboard. A good one at the time. Anyone have any fixes to this?

posted by eurasian to technology (13 answers total)

It has to be USB 2.0, your computer may have only the original version of USB- check your system specs. I've also heard of cases on older computers/older iPods where it can't update and charge at the same time. Hitting the eject button in iTunes but leaving the iPod plugged in would help that problem.

You can also purchase a wall charger from Apple for $29. It would save you some time and hassle with your computer.
posted by idiotfactory at 2:17 PM on July 28, 2005

I don't know about PCs, but on a Mac, it can't charge via the computer and USB 2.0, only via Firewire or the wall outlet.
posted by dobbs at 2:36 PM on July 28, 2005

I'm not sure I agree with idiotfactory, that the port has to be USB 2 to charge it, but he is right that you could just buy a wall charger from apple.

Or you can get a powered USB hub for around the same price which would charge your iPod, and also be useful as a hub...
posted by darkness at 2:40 PM on July 28, 2005

This hub/charger looks nice
posted by darkness at 2:42 PM on July 28, 2005

Dobbs-
psst... USB 2.0 does work for Macs, that's why iPods don't come with Firewire and wallchargers anymore. They aren't a necessity and not including them has enabled Apple to lower the prices of iPods. The shuffles are USB 2.0 only and do just fine on Macs. If yours isn't charging via USB, make sure it's 2.0. If it's still not cooperating, a call to Apple Care is in order.
posted by idiotfactory at 2:44 PM on July 28, 2005

Hrm, ok, I'm 99.999% sure that my motherboard supports USB 2.0, however.. how would I check if it IS running the ports at USB 2.0 spec? Would I have to flash the BIOS (oh, how long I've tried to avoid doing that mystical and magical of things!), to get the motherboard presenting it's ports properly?

Yes, a coworker mentioned the powered USB hub, which might be an option.
posted by eurasian at 2:47 PM on July 28, 2005

Checking for USB 2.0

The keyword is Enhanced.

p.s. I'm a girl.
posted by idiotfactory at 2:53 PM on July 28, 2005

Of course, a USB 2.0 PCI card costs less than $10 on eBay.
posted by Kwantsar at 3:08 PM on July 28, 2005

I think you need to have the "use iopd as external drive" option checked while it's plugged in with USB. I have a 30gig photo, and if I stop the USB mass storage device associated with my ipod, it stops charging even though it's still plugged in.
posted by jackmakrl at 3:20 PM on July 28, 2005

A friend at work's iPod mini wouldn't charge from the USB port until a little bit of juice was added from the charger -- enough for it to reboot into USB drive mode. Then it was happy to charge from the PC. Is your iPod perhaps completely drained?

(PCs really should have a power-only USB port for charging stuff.)
posted by krisjohn at 4:29 PM on July 28, 2005

dobbs: firewire? You sure you're talking about an iPod shuffle? I thought they were only USB.

My iPod Shuffle charges fine on my Powerbook which features USB 1 (not 2.0).

I'd also suggest what jackmakrl said and also that you doublecheck the manual (I don't have it on me right now, but I can look back in tomorrow and see if you're still having trouble).
posted by ODiV at 9:56 PM on July 28, 2005

From my experience jackmakri is correct. If I don't mount my shuffle as a drive, it doesn't get juice.
posted by mkhall at 5:31 AM on July 29, 2005

IdiotFactory - Thanks for that link! I work in an Apple store and can only have vague instructions for customers who don't know if they have a USB 2.0 port.

It's "enhanced"!
posted by themadjuggler at 7:10 AM on July 29, 2005