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USB Over Current Notice

First - I apologise - I couldn't figure out how to post a new message, so I hijacked a thread. Then saw option for posting new message, so I'm reposting as my own question!!


I've had my phone for several months now . . . tonight when i attach it to my computer to synch and recharge, i'm getting a message that says "USB OVER CURRENT NOTICE A USB device is currently drawing too much power. the hub it is attached to will be deactivated"

I'm plugging the phone directly into my mac, same port and cord as always. I've tried resetting my phone, and I've tried disconnecting everything else from usb . . . no luck. And, since the hub is "desativated, my phone isn't recognized in itunes, so i can't sync.

The ONLY thing different is that yesterday, for the first time, my battery was COMPLETELY used up. but it recharged and synced fine last night. it's tonight that i'm having a problem.
I've also tried restarting my computer . . .

any ideas??

macbook, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Feb 16, 2008 1:02 AM

Reply
16 replies

Mar 29, 2008 6:03 AM in response to KatieCr1

My iPhone is doing the same thing. I can't get it to charge anywhere (except 1 place, see the end). I've tried different USB ports on my computer, I've tried different USB cables, different docks, different wall outlets, different wall chargers, and even a different computer -- it won't charge with anything. My iPods will charge though... I called AppleCare (can't go to a genius... it takes too many hours...) and they think it's a wall charger issue (idiots)... I explained the above and they are gonna ship me a loaner while they try to fix mine... we'll see.

So as promised... there is one way I can get my phone to charge... by plugging it into my iPod/iPhone adapter in my car... very weird. Perhaps the car adapter provides more power to the phone, enough for it to think it has enough now to charge...

Feb 16, 2008 5:51 AM in response to jia10

It doesn't matter what else is connected. Normally, my printer and keyboard are the other devices connected. I've tried the phone on both usb ports - same message. Printer and keyboard work fine on both ports. I've tried with printer and keyboard NOT conencted . . .s ame message.
I can charge my ipod from either port just fine. just not my iphone. and, since the connection doesn't work - itunes doesn't "see" my phone either.

Feb 16, 2008 6:00 AM in response to KatieCr1

I think that there must be something amiss with your battery. If the USB port is "seeing" an open circuit, then it may well be trying to supply more power than it is intended for, hence the error message. You say that you charged your battery recently when it was completely drained? I take it that went smoothly, or did you have problems then? Did you use the USB port to do that or the wall charger?

Mar 29, 2008 8:36 AM in response to Timothy Martin1

Timothy Martin1 wrote:
My iPhone is doing the same thing. I can't get it to charge anywhere (except 1 place, see the end). I've tried different USB ports on my computer, I've tried different USB cables, different docks, different wall outlets, different wall chargers, and even a different computer -- it won't charge with anything. My iPods will charge though... I called AppleCare (can't go to a genius... it takes too many hours...) and they think it's a wall charger issue (idiots)... I explained the above and they are gonna ship me a loaner while they try to fix mine... we'll see.

So as promised... there is one way I can get my phone to charge... by plugging it into my iPod/iPhone adapter in my car... very weird. Perhaps the car adapter provides more power to the phone, enough for it to think it has enough now to charge...


The answer is simple: you have a problem with the USB power circuit in the iPhone, probably in the dock connector. The USB power pins in the dock connector take 5 volts DC. However, there are also FIREWIRE power pins in the dock connector that use 12 volts DC. Most car adapters, unless they use an USB cable, seem to provide the power over the FireWire power pins so they don't have to drop the voltage. The adapters that use USB cables have voltage dropping circuitry in the part that connects to the car's power.

Apr 21, 2008 6:12 AM in response to romad

I have the exact same issue. However I'm in Australia so I can't pop into get it replaced as they are not released here yet. There was a period there where i could not turn the phone off, it would just keep rebooting as it thought that there was an incompatible device plugged into it permanently. However, i just let the battery run dead for 2 weeks now and it seems to have fixed that problem.

In saying that tho, i still cant sync the bloody thing.

Very frustrating. Any suggestions?

Apr 21, 2008 6:38 AM in response to nsmiti

nsmiti wrote:
I have the exact same issue. However I'm in Australia so I can't pop into get it replaced as they are not released here yet. There was a period there where i could not turn the phone off, it would just keep rebooting as it thought that there was an incompatible device plugged into it permanently. However, i just let the battery run dead for 2 weeks now and it seems to have fixed that problem.

In saying that tho, i still cant sync the bloody thing.

Very frustrating. Any suggestions?


Sorry, we can't help you here. Since Apple has not released the iPhone in Australia, you must have an illegally hacked one. You'll need to contact the place that sold it to you for support.

Apr 23, 2008 8:18 PM in response to KatieCr1

I also get the same _USB over current notice_. Mine was caused when someone in my family spilled fruit juice onto the left side of my 15" MacBook Pro Core Duo. This is where the I/O board is. Specifically the area that got wet was the power plug, USB port, and left speaker grille. Bummer, dude!

Theory: *USB over current notices are caused by electrical shorts on the I/O board* -- and these can be caused by spilling junk onto/into your Mac.

*Cleaning the I/O board may fix the problem* -- unless there is component damage, which I doubt.

May 29, 2008 4:36 AM in response to cpostier

FWIW, I picked up a firewire cable for my iPhone and tried that; it still isn't recognized in iTunes, but at least I can charge the sucker again :/. Once I did that, the phone itself seemed to work fine; I can only assume I must have in some way damaged the IO port as romad suggested earlier. It's not perfect, but you can sort of limp along until the new model comes out.

Jun 14, 2008 10:44 AM in response to KatieCr1

Just returned from a trip and started getting the iPhone USB Over Current Notice. USB hubs shut off, cannot sync with any Mac in the house.
Turned out the problem was an "iPhone/iPod Rapid Battery Wall/Travel Charger" from Abacus 24-7.
Formerly ignorant, I now know that USB is a 5 volt standard.
Here's the label on the charger, "AC Adapter. Input: AC 100-240V 50/60Hz. Output: DC9.0V 500mA. Made in China"

Buyer Beware.

Should this have broken the iPhone? That's a question. It seems to have. Is there a fix?

Oddly enough, the iPhone now charges on the firewire dock of an older iPod. No Sync. Next step is to try it with the USB/Firewire cable.

USB Over Current Notice

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