Can I get my old 3rd gen IPOD to charge while connected to my PC?

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Can I get my old 3rd gen IPOD to charge while connected to my PC?

i've got a 40gb 3rd gen (dock connector) ipod. when i connect it to my pc, it doesn't charge, and never has. my battery is so shot that it only gives me several mins to add new songs or rearrange playlists. i've also got a 2nd gen ipod mini that charges when connected to the same usb port. so is there any thing i can do to get an old ipod to charge while connected to my pc? i've tried updating software, and i have the latest version, which is currently 2.3 for this model.

3rd Gen IPOD 40GB (dock connector), Windows XP

Posted on Mar 8, 2008 12:05 AM

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Answer 1

Jeff Bryan

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61,807 points

Mar 8, 2008 2:00 AM in response to repsol

i've got a 40gb 3rd gen (dock connector) ipod. when i connect it to my pc, it doesn't charge, and never has.

That's because the iPod 3rd gen can't charge via USB connections.

Charging this unit requires a built in 6 pin FireWire port or the FireWire iPod Power Adapter (which came supplied with that model iPod).

Later model iPods (such as your nano) can charge via USB.

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Answer 2

repsol Author

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Mar 8, 2008 12:43 PM in response to Jeff Bryan

thanks for the response. so i tried connecting my ipod to a powerbook via usb, but it didn't charge while connected either. would it charge while connected to that same powerbook, if i used a firewire cable instead?

or r there any other remedies to connect it to my pc and have it charge while giving me an unlimited amount of time to manually update songs and playlists? for example: is there any way of using a firewire adapter/some type of network card that has a firewire port, along with a firewire cable to plug in to a usb port to have it charge and update my ipod at the same time?

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Answer 3

Jeff Bryan

Level 9

61,807 points

Mar 8, 2008 1:47 PM in response to repsol

so i tried connecting my ipod to a powerbook via usb, but it didn't charge while connected either.

It won't charge via USB no matter what computer you connect it to.

along with a firewire cable to plug in to a usb port to have it charge and update my ipod at the same time?

You can't use a firewire to usb or vice versa. They are 2 completely different protocols.

You could use a cable like this one: http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1526&sku=35502

The usb goes to the computer and the firewire to a charger (which you should have because the 3rd gen iPod was supplied with one as a standard in-the-box accessory).

This will supply juice to the iPod whilst transferring songs from the computer.

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Answer 4

repsol Author

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Mar 8, 2008 3:45 PM in response to Jeff Bryan

Jeff, you're my hero! that's exactly the type of thing i've been looking for. i'm thinking i can try my firewire cable on a mac also. in the past i tried a firewire notebook adapter card w/ the 6 pin cable, and that never worked. it would let me connect to itunes, but just never charged concurrently. maybe if i bought an optional power supply to plug into the card, it might have worked.

this split cable should definitely do the trick, and yes, i still have the 6 pin cable, along w/ the adapter. this is the first time i've used a forum/discussion board, and it's cool getting advice from u all the way from london. jeff, u're the man, and u made my day. i've been dealing w/ this problem for about 4 years, and it was really annoying only having a few minutes to update songs & playlists. thanks, -vic....

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Answer 5

Jeff Bryan

Level 9

61,807 points

Mar 9, 2008 1:53 AM in response to repsol

Glad to be of assistance. 🙂

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