Rockbox Technical Forums

Rockbox General => Rockbox General Discussion => Topic started by: Goweropolis on February 13, 2009, 10:49:21 AM

Title: Charge Mini via USB in Rockbox
Post by: Goweropolis on February 13, 2009, 10:49:21 AM

I am trying to charge my Ipod Mini 1st Gen via the USB cable connected to a computer without rebooting into the Apple firmware.

I hold the menu button while connecting the USB cable to the computer and the Mini doesn't reboot, and the Rockbox screen shows me that the USB cable is connected.  I leave it connected for a couple of hours or more, but it doesn't seem to be charging the battery.

Do I need to change a setting?  Do I have to reboot into the Apple firmware to recharge the battery?

I was hoping I could leave the Rockbox firmware running while charging, because I would like to use the Mini with a cigarette lighter adapter & FM transmitter in my car, and not worry about the battery running out.

edit:  I am running Rockbox version 3.1

Title: Re: Charge Mini via USB in Rockbox
Post by: dreamlayers on February 13, 2009, 02:40:08 PM

Many iPods seem to require some hardware initialization before they can charge via USB.  See http://www.rockbox.org/tracker/task/8802 .  I might be able to figure out what needs to be done but I am not able to test it because my 5G iPod's USB charging functionality is broken.

FireWire charging does not require hardware initialization.  3G and earlier iPods only charge via FireWire, and so any chargers which are compatible with those are FireWire chargers.

Title: Re: Charge Mini via USB in Rockbox
Post by: Goweropolis on February 13, 2009, 03:08:18 PM

I agree with your comment on Mar 26, 2008 on that bug thread.  I am having a similar experience.  When using a USB cable, it will charge when I let it boot into the Apple firmware, but it won't charge when I hold the menu button and boot into Rockbox.

I didn't see any word of a fix in the bug thread that hasn't already been added to the current Rockbox version.