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Apple Universal Dock wont Charge.....
deans6571
03-03-2009
Hi,

I've just been given a new sealed Apple Universal Dock, as a gift, to use with my iPhone 3G.

I assumed that if I plugged the dock into a powered USB socket on my pc - it would charge, but it seems that I am wrong...?!!?

I have several powered USB sockets on my pc and all provide power even when the pc is turned off. I plugged the dock into the USB lead that comes with the iPhone 3G, and then plugged this into the 1 of the powered USB sockets while the pc was off but it does not charge...?!

I then took away the dock so that the iPhone is only connected via the Apple cable - but it still wont charge...??

Surely, if the USB sockets are powered - they should charge the iPhone even when the pc is off..??!?

I know its not the dock with a problem as if I connect the dock to the same cable and then use the Apple charger and plug it into the mains - it works fine....?!

It just does not seem to charge when its plugged into the powered USB sockets? I have tried my iPhone, an ipod nano and also the iPod Touch (1st gen) but none charge while the pc is off..?

I know what everyone is gonna say, - turn the pc on!! But then, whats the point of having a dock if you can only use it when the pc is turned on....?? I wanted a dock so that I could just sit my iPhone 3G into it and charge it without being necessary to turn my pc on...?!

Have I totally missed the point here...?!!!!!!
sancheeez
03-03-2009
Have you actually checked that the USB ports you're trying are actually putting out power when the PC is shut down?

Like, how shut down does the PC have to be before it cuts power to them? Switched off at the wall would obviously do it, switched off at the back of the box?

Assuming they are (putting out power), then I have no idea as the Apple mains charger just converts to 5V the same as a powered USB port I believe? So you're right, it should work.
deans6571
03-03-2009
....I am 100% sure that all the USB sockets are indeed powered as I have other peripherals plugged into them which ALL work when the pc is powered off. I have a mouse, a wi-fi stick and a dvd burner which all have power to them. The wi-fi stick even has a green light which is constantly on (meaning that it is receiveing power!) even when the pc is off....!

By Off, I mean when you click on 'Shut Down' from the 'Start' menu.
soulboy77
03-03-2009
When you turn the PC off does the power light go out? If it does then the USB port will not be powered.
deans6571
03-03-2009
Originally Posted by soulboy77:
“When you turn the PC off does the power light go out? If it does then the USB port will not be powered.”

...sorry - I don't follow..?? What 'power light' are you refering to ...??

If you mean the power light on the pc, then yes - it does go off BUT my USB laser mouse still shows power ( if you click any of the buttons on it, the red 'laser' comes on) as does the wi-fi stick (which shows a constantly 'on' green light) which obviously shows that the USB connections are all indeed powered......

Could it be that the Universal Dock is not compatible with the iPhone 3G ( it will fit it and the remote will work but it doesn't support charging?)
kyussmondo
03-03-2009
I always charge my iPhone using the AC. While your computer may provide some power to USB when it is powered down it is probably not enough to charge the iPhone. The Universal Dock should be compatible with the iPhone 3G. Make sure you are using the Number 15 adaptor for the iPhone 3G...source: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1380 .

If your iPhone charges using AC and charges via USB when you PC is on then I think the answer is pretty obvious, the USB ports aren't providing sufficient power when the computer is off. Mice and Wi-Fi sticks don't need as much power as the iPhone needs to charge!
deans6571
03-03-2009
Quote:
“If your iPhone charges using AC and charges via USB when you PC is on then I think the answer is pretty obvious, the USB ports aren't providing sufficient power when the computer is off. Mice and Wi-Fi sticks don't need as much power as the iPhone needs to charge”

!

Yea - I guess that kinda makes sense really...!

I think that I have obviously assumed wrongly that the dock would work in any powered USB socket but as you rightly say - how would I expect one of these small sockets to charge something as powerul as an iPhone....?!!

Looks like I'll have to turn the pc on if I want to make the phone charge through the dock....!
kyussmondo
03-03-2009
I know the iPhone won't charge through some USB ports such as ones you get on keyboards and monitors because they have less power going to them. If I was you it would be easier charging using the mains then that would save you have to turn on your computer plus it will charge quicker. If that isn't an option though then I am afraid you have no other option to turn on your computer. I leave my computer on all day so this is never an issue for me
Matt-08
03-03-2009
Use the dock and the USB Power Adapter and plug that into the mains.

I got a dock today and that's what I've been doing.
MrKev
03-03-2009
I suspect it's something in the way the cable works.

My iPhone will only charge when my machine is on, even though I know my USB ports are powered constantly. My missus' Viewty charges fine when the computer is off.

I actually suspect there is something in there that prevents charging unless the iPhone is recognised by Windows. My phone doesn't start charging until my machine boots into Windows, even though throughout the boot sequence I KNOW there is power to the sockets.
deans6571
03-03-2009
....looks like that my only options is to use the mains or just turn the pc on then I guess..!!

After all the hassle of trying to get this dock to work properly (if I had known that the dock does not charge the phone unless the pc is turned on - I wouldn't have bothered getting one! Whats the point of having a dock if I can just use the Apple cable plugged into an Apple mains charger.??), I now discover the the bloody remote that comes with it now refuses to work as well....aaaaaargh...

....must be the blimmin battery....!!

This was brand new and sealed in the box..?! Now I have to go and try and find one of these flat 'watch' style batteries to get the dam thing to work....!

Why can't Apple provide products that just work straight out of the box instead of me spending all night trying to discover why the dam products don't work in the first place...?!?!?!
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