New Universal Dock refuses to charge from USB power adapter (tried 2 docks)

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New Universal Dock refuses to charge from USB power adapter (tried 2 docks)

I recently purchased a Universal Dock (MB125G/A) with the intention of using it to charge my iPod Classic that is hooked up to my stereo. However, the ipod doesn't charge while seated in the dock and connected to a USB power adapter. If I plug the cable directly into the ipod directly, it charges - so I know the power adapter works. It's also not the ipod itself - I have tried my Nano and my iPhone as well - none of them charge. If I connect the dock to a computer rather than the USB power adapter, it charges - so the problem is only when using a USB power adapter.

I thought I just got a bad dock, so I exchanged it yesterday at my local store, but the new one has the same problem.

On the first page of the manual it says "Connect the Dock to a power outlet (using a USB Power adapter) and then place your iPod or iPhone in the Dock to charge the battery", so clearly it is supposed to work.

Does anyone use one of these docks to charge with a USB power adapter successfully?

PC, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Oct 16, 2007 8:25 AM

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Answer 1

jingai

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Oct 16, 2007 1:16 PM in response to nash0r

My 20GB B&W click-wheel iPod (3G, I think) is also not charging. Haven't tried charging using a computer, but it definitely does not work with the power adapter that came with the iPod..

-J

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Answer 2

Mitch 751

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Oct 16, 2007 7:24 PM in response to jingai

Hi Jingai,

iPod (dock connector) will not charge over USB 2.0. Charging this unit requires a built-in 6-pin FireWire port or the FireWire iPod Power Adapter.

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Answer 3

Mitch 751

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Oct 16, 2007 7:26 PM in response to nash0r

have you tried another iPod cable

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Answer 4

nash0r Author

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Oct 16, 2007 9:02 PM in response to nash0r

Mitch, thanks for the hint... I went to try another cable and realized that I was using a Firewire power adapter and not a USB power adapter. To be honest I had no idea that there were even two types of adapters. I had been using that Firewire adapter for years.

I switched it out for the USB power adapter that came with my iPhone, and now it charges through the Universal dock successfully. Sorry for the confusion...

There probably should be a line in the docs saying that you can't use a Firewire power adapter with this device - it would seem logical to most people that any power adapter would work, like me 🙂

Thanks for resolving this.

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Answer 5

Mitch 751

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Oct 16, 2007 9:13 PM in response to nash0r

glad to know

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Answer 6

jingai

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Oct 17, 2007 9:54 AM in response to Mitch 751

Except that you are wrong -- it does charge using USB2.0 cable plugged directly into the power adapter or to the computer. It also charges in the dock when connected to the computer. It just won't charge when in the dock and connected to the power adapter.

What's up here?

-j

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Answer 7

jingai

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Oct 17, 2007 9:57 AM in response to jingai

For what it's worth, the iPod in question came with a USB2.0 cable & power brick, not Firewire. Clearly it was meant to charge using USB2.0, but it just doesn't work thru the dock unless the dock is connected to the Mac mini next to it.

-j

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Answer 8

Mitch 751

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Oct 17, 2007 4:08 PM in response to jingai

if you iPod is a 3rd Gen. then it cant

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60971

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Answer 9

jingai

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Oct 26, 2007 4:01 PM in response to Mitch 751

It's an iPod (Click wheel). It does charge via USB2.0 when connected to the Mac mini, as I said before, but not through the dock when connected to the wall adapter. Plugging it directly into the wall adapter directly also charges it.

So what could be wrong...?

-j

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Answer 10

Erieg

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Oct 28, 2007 10:41 AM in response to nash0r

I am having a similar problem. I purchased both the new apple universal dock and the new A/V cables so I could hook my iPhone to my TV. The cables have a USB connector besides the composite connectors.
Whenever I plug the phone into the dock with the cables connected and plugged into power the phone will not charge but if I remove the dock and plug the phone directly into the cable it does charge.

Any ideas as to why?

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Answer 11

kaybo69

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Oct 30, 2007 3:57 AM in response to Erieg

Hi, I have the same problem.
I am now on my second dock as I sent the first one back - the chap in the apple shop tested it and agreed it didn't work.
It allows me to charge when connected to my laptop, but when I connect it to the power adapter that came with my Ipod Mini, it does not work.
I have both a Nano and a Mini and it does not charge through the dock when plugged into the wall, but will charge through the USB/Laptop.
Shall I take it back again or is it a cable type issue?
Thanks

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Answer 12

tgarcez

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Nov 4, 2007 1:45 PM in response to nash0r

Has a solution appeared? Is it necessary to buy a new charging cable (USB rather than firewire)? Has apple given any explanation as to why the firewire based power cable does not work with the dock (other than the obvious one)? Does the composite a/v cable work to charge and connect via the dock?

Is there any email or non-premium rate support contact for apple?

Any answers appreciated!

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Answer 13

kaybo69

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Nov 5, 2007 4:36 AM in response to tgarcez

Hi, I spoke to Apple on Friday and they advised that the USB power adaptor works, but not the Firewire adaptor.
No explantion but hopefully it will do the job.

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Answer 14

droo80

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4 points

Dec 23, 2007 9:54 AM in response to kaybo69

I had this same exact problem. The Firewire cable works when plugged directly into the iPod, but not when through the universal dock. Changing to a USB cable resolved this, But its not what you would expect.

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Answer 15

Dec 27, 2007 8:28 PM in response to nash0r

ditto here, i have a 4G iPod classic and didn't realize i had a firewire AC adapter. when i swapped it out for a USB AC adapter, the new universal dock worked fine and charges as it's supposed to...now, if someone could explain to me (i.e. apple) why the dumb remote doesn't do anything except play/pause and forward/reverse, i'd be very happy. the "menu" button on it is such a tease...

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