iPod only charges via Firewire, USB no workey

Question

Level 2

164 points

iPod only charges via Firewire, USB no workey

Hi all,
I have a 30gb that no longer charges or syncs via USB. I am only able to charge it via firewire. what would cause this?

PowerMac G5 DP 2ghz 4GB PowerMac G4 MDD DP 1.25ghz 2GB iMac G4 1.25ghz 2GB, Mac OS X (10.4.11),  iBook G4 1.33ghz 1.25GB RAM

Posted on Oct 25, 2009 9:26 PM

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Answer 1

RMS Author

Level 2

164 points

Oct 27, 2009 7:22 AM in response to PT

No. It's not the cable because I have other iPods that charge and sync fine with it. I was thinking it was the pin connection at the bottom of the iPod, but how is it able to charge via firewire but not USB. Is there bad pins on the connector. If so, does anyone know which ones?

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Answer 2

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Oct 27, 2009 12:48 PM in response to RMS

Fifth generation iPod have charging pins for both Firewire and USB power inputs in addition to USB Data pins. The Firewire power inputs are left over from when iPods used to sync off FW. When Apple went to USB syncing only, they initially left FW charging available for all the people who still had lots of FW power adapters, chargers, docks, etc. However over time new models have dropped FW charging as well. I believe only the Classic line retains this feature and then I am not even sure if that includes the latest 160GB models or not.
Have you inspected the pins on the dock connector of the iPod to see if any are bend or missing?
Also have you tried a simple reset on the iPod?
Patrick

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Answer 3

Dec 1, 2009 2:08 PM in response to PT

I have the exact same problem. Charges through FireWire, but doesn't sync or charge through USB. Just happened one day out of the blue.

Any ideas on a fix? Or is there any method of transferring songs through FireWire?

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Answer 4

Dec 3, 2009 6:56 AM in response to PT

Yes, of course I've tried the things you've already mentioned. It's obviously not a simple problem. I'm guessing one of the USB ground/power pins has been damaged on the dock connector even though it's not visible.

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Answer 5

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Dec 3, 2009 10:52 AM in response to paulmyers00

So you had another iPod cable you tried?
It is a bit odd that BOTH charging and data transfer is not possible unless you have TWO damaged pins on the iPod or something internal has gone screwy. USB is four wires, two for power and two for data. You can transfer data without the power lines and charge without the data lines (on a 5th gen iPod) so if one pin randomly broke, I would think one or the other wouldn't work, but not both.
Patrick

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Answer 6

Dec 3, 2009 12:41 PM in response to PT

Yes, I've tried 3 different cables. The computer never recognizes the ipod, and the ipod never starts charging through USB.

Are you sure that it will still transfer data using only the 2 data pins? I would think the USB power and/or USB ground pins would need to be working as well.

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Answer 7

Feb 5, 2010 6:15 PM in response to RMS

I have a theory that there are different capicitors in the iPod for dealing with the different voltages and amperages. The different power sources go through different pins on the dock connector. I think that the one that handles the USB charging burnt out on yours. The same happened to me. My iPod 80 gig only charges on FireWire and only syncs over USB. I found a cable that plugs into both at the same time. It has been really useful. I'm lucky that my car has the old FireWire type charging.

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Answer 8

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Oct 27, 2009 7:09 AM in response to RMS

Well the obvious choice would be a bad USB sync cable.
Patrick

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Answer 9

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Dec 2, 2009 12:08 PM in response to paulmyers00

Well did you try the things I already mentioned in this thread?
And no, you can not transfer anything via Firewire off a 5th generation iPod.
Patrick

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Answer 10

Dec 3, 2009 1:43 PM in response to paulmyers00

Just to put any other questions to rest...all 3 cables have no trouble recognizing, charging, and transferring data to 2 other ipods.

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Answer 11

DrPod

Level 1

60 points

Feb 6, 2010 4:47 PM in response to Mazdabastard

Could it mean that the mother bard needs replacing then, so 'd have a new dock connector? I can do this, my email is support@dr-pod.com

Mark
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