Ipod Mini Disk Mode & Charging

[chennai]

Am I right about these things?

1) To use my ipod in disk mode, i.e. to transfer files to and from the ipod, I need to use the standard, apple firmware?

2) To charge the ipod, I need to have the ipod in apple disk mode?  It won't charge when Rockbox is in player mode?  It won't charge when simply plugged in and the rockbox plug screen is showing?

3) If I have the ipod in disk mode using the apple firmware, I must reboot to get back to rockbox?

I have been futzing around, trying not to use the apple firmware for charging and disk mode and am ready to surrender.  Before I do, I thought I would ask.  

Thanks.

[LambdaCalculus]

To answer your questions:

1) You do not need to use the Apple firmware per se; if you plug your iPod into a USB port while Rockbox is running, it will reboot and go into Disk Mode. Disk Mode is slower for transfers, however.

2) Do you want to charge through a wall socket or through your computer? If it's the former, I do this often at work: just plug it in using the Apple charger. Rockbox recognizes the charger, and I can listen to my tunes as it's charging. If it's the latter, I believe you need to hold MENU as you plug in your iPod to a USB port.

3) If the iPod is in Disk Mode (NOT the original firmware), it should just reboot back into Rockbox after you disconnect it.

[GodEater]

3) If the iPod is in Disk Mode (NOT the original firmware), it should just reboot back into Rockbox after you disconnect it.

If you put the iPod into disk mode yourself manually (i.e. not by plugging in the cable while Rockbox is running), then yes, you'll need to reboot after you've done transferring stuff.

If Rockbox has done the change into disk mode, then once the cable is removed it'll reboot back to Rockbox.

[chennai]

Thanks for your help.  

Unfortunately, the darn thing doesn't work that way for me.  (I am USB charging not using a wall charger.)  

Perhaps the problems are on the computer end - I have tried a Vista and Win 2K computer - both plugging in with menu held down and simply plugging it it.  The Win 2K machine, in an administrator account, tells me there is a USB device attached but doesn't see it as a storage volume.  (I have failed in my attempts to install a driver for this volume.)  The Vista machine doesn't see the rockbox ipod at all.  (I'll try the linux machines later today.)

Apparently unless I can figure out how to make the machines "see" the ipod while running rockbox, I can't charge or move files around on the ipod.  

In the apple firmware, I can transfer files and charge.  And then reboot.  So, I can still merrily use rockbox.  Aside from minor awkwardness, I suppose it just bugs me to still be tied to the apple firmware.

[LambdaCalculus]

It's going to be like that for a while. Some of the supported devices, namely the iPods, Sansas, and the H10, don't have a native USB mode under Rockbox yet.

The behavior you're getting with your iPod and Windows is expected. Holding MENU and attaching it to a PC will only make it charge, but not connect to transfer files.

If I may make a suggestion: purchase the wall charger for your iPod. It's the best way to charge.