Laptop draining iPod power
Any help would be appreciated.
[385 byte] By [Xjagger] at [2007-11-9 13:10:36] 
My new laptop seems to drain the iPod's battery very quickly when connected by Firewire even while the laptop is on AC power. I can't find options in for my firewire or my battery that would prevent or cause this. Does anyone have a workaround? Also it is the 6 pin firewire and not the 4 pin so it should be able to charge over it no?
Any help would be appreciated.
# 1 Re: Laptop draining iPod power
Sorry - neither 4 nor 6-pin firewire ports on Windows laptops will charge the 'pod. Sad, but true.The easiest workaround is to get a powered firewire hub or repeater that you plug into the wall, giving you a few extra firewire port. Then your iPod will be powered. They run around $40.
There are also some powered PCMCIA firewire cards, as well as weird powered firewire cables with a cord coming off that goes into a power outlet, but these are seemingly few and far between, and not really the best option.
Pick up a powered firewire hub or repeater and your problem should be solved.
That 6-pin thang is a doozie, eh?
Narvitron at 2007-11-15 14:15:25 >
# 2 Re: Laptop draining iPod power
Yes but my computer has the same type of firewire port and it charges just fine on that. I was figuring the laptop just uses the iPod as an extra battery. I think I will look into getting a PCIMCIA firewire card then seeing as I have a spot for it. Thanks for your help.
Xjagger at 2007-11-15 14:16:26 >
# 3 Re: Laptop draining iPod power
Unfortunately, laptops don't seem to be able to charge the iPod with their firewire ports (built in OR PCMCIA - 4-pin OR 6-pin). Desktops do it just fine though.Make sure if you get a PCMCIA card, it has a power adapter to plug into the wall. Otherwise, you'll have the same problem you had before.
Good luck.
Narvitron at 2007-11-15 14:17:36 >
# 4 Re: Laptop draining iPod power
You could also buy the Apple USB2.0/Firewire dock connector. This supplies power and allows data transfer and costs $19.95. Of course you need a USB port onyour PC.By the way, I found that my laptop seems to drain power on the iPod using just the USB connector. I think you just need to provide power any time you synch it.
rlisanti at 2007-11-15 14:18:30 >
# 5 Re: Laptop draining iPod power
Originally posted by rlisanti You could also buy the Apple USB2.0/Firewire dock connector. This supplies power and allows data transfer and costs $19.95. Of course you need a USB port onyour PC.
By the way, I found that my laptop seems to drain power on the iPod using just the USB connector. I think you just need to provide power any time you synch it.
Yes I was thinking about getting the dock connector, one question though, with my current setup, how would I be able to provide power while syncing? I was under the impression that without a dock I could either use the firewire port for synching or for charging in the wall outlet.
Xjagger at 2007-11-15 14:19:32 >
# 6 Re: Laptop draining iPod power
The USB2.0/Firewire dock cable consists of connector that plugs into the dock, one end that plugs into your USB port and a third that plugs into your power supply. You connect all three ends at the same time so that you can sync at the same time as providing power.If you imagine 2 cables that are joined at the dock connector: one provides power and the other is for data (USB).
rlisanti at 2007-11-15 14:20:32 >
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