Won't Charge While Computer is Asleep

Question

Level 1

17 points

Won't Charge While Computer is Asleep

After a full night plugged into my computer, the battery was almost dead. Now it won't charge unless the computer is awake. It also won't charge connected to the adapter. I'm using the cable that came with the iPhone and it used to charge while asleep. I shut the iPhone down and restarted. Anyone have any idea what's going on?

Phredd

MacBook Pro 15, iPhone 8GB, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 4, 2007 7:24 AM

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Answer 1

Bontemps

Level 2

310 points

Jul 4, 2007 7:25 AM in response to Phredd

Nope, can't recharge plugged into usb of a sleeping computer. Especially the laptops. I recommend night time charging using the wall receptacle with the usb charger adapter.

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Answer 2

Jul 4, 2007 7:27 AM in response to Phredd

hahaha... There's no juice in your USB when your computer is asleep. I learned that a while ago when my Moto V3i was dead when I woke up. Plug it into the wall while you're asleep amigo!

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Answer 3

Nathan C

Level 5

6,266 points

Jul 4, 2007 7:27 AM in response to Phredd

Phredd,

If the battery is near completely discharged, it may need to be connected to power for a few minutes before there is any indication it is charging.

Many computers when they go into sleep mode, turn off power to the USB port to conserve power. This is discussed in this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305742

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

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Answer 4

Jul 4, 2007 7:28 AM in response to Phredd

I know this isn't a ton of help, but my girlfriend's iPod shuffle used to do the same thing.

Her computer is running Windows XP, and I seem to recall reading something in a forum or help document about needed to disable sleep modes on the computer for so the iPod would charge. I would assume the iPhone is similar, but I haven't run in to the same issue myself.

Hopefully that can get you on the right track...

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Answer 5

Fredrrr

Level 2

156 points

Jul 4, 2007 7:38 AM in response to Madhatter17

Macbooks can't sleep and keep charging through the usb. Desktops Imac, etc seem to..

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Answer 6

Phredd Author

Level 1

17 points

Jul 4, 2007 7:53 AM in response to Phredd

Thanks everyone. You are all very helpful. I was pretty sure that it had charged before while my MacBook Pro was asleep, but the tech note says that with iTunes 7.3, the Mac may not sleep. So, maybe it was awake all night -- poor Mac.

The strange thing is that I've always charged my Treo while my Mac was asleep -- just tried it again. I also tried a few adapters, and while the Treo will charge with all adapters, the iPhone is very choosy. It won't charge with iGo, for example. So, even while there is power, there must be something else the iPhone senses before it will accept a charge.

Phredd

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Answer 7

Jul 4, 2007 10:18 AM in response to Phredd

just for all your info....it says on the apple site that i tunes 3 specifically designed to not sleep when the iphone is connected....not sure if this is true cuz i havent checked

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Answer 8

Jul 4, 2007 10:45 AM in response to cocktail5555

On my first day of iPhone ownership, I left the phone docked to my G4 desktop. The next morning, it clearly had not charged and the computer was asleep. However, I can't remember if it was asleep when I docked the phone, or if I had left iTunes running. I'll check it again.

Oddly, I'm using a powered USB hub, and was surprised to see that even the hub stops supplying power when the computer goes to sleep.

iMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.10)
iPhone 8GB

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