2.5 yr. Old Dell Laptop + Ipod Mini + USB 2.0 = Does Not Work

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Overkiller

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2003
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Hello,

I have a friend who owns a 2.5 year old laptop. She just got an ipod Mini. NOw the mini requires a firewire or a "high-power" usb 2.0 port.

She only has USB 1.1.

Is there any way to get around this and use USB 1.1 for the mini (it doesn't work when she tries. Windows gives her an issue and can't use the device.

If she does have to buy a "high power" (versus a low power) usb 2.0 add in card which is a good brand and what's the cheapest she can get (keep in mind the laptop is 2.5 year old so I do not know if the interfaces have changed.

Thanks!
 
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beany323

Senior member
Jan 11, 2005
492
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this is probably a better place to answer that question:

apple forum


I have a similar situation, hence why i am looking to upgrade my pc to something newer...

and get the adaptec (?) firewire, apple recommended.

good luck and any problems post here and i can try to help.

:)
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
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If you are going to buy a card, then a firewire card might be the best idea.

 
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Overkiller

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2003
2,461
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the apple forum scares me!!!!

I would rather stay here :D

Also, I would rather have USB2.0 just due to the wider variety of general devices that do/will use it versus firewire. She will not be needing it but I can see her needing usb 2.0.

Thanks guys. keep it coming!
 
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exorr

Senior member
Jul 22, 2001
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You can get a cheap extension card. I wasn't aware the Mini required 2.0. I have the 40GB model and don't have USB 2.0 but it runs fine on 1.1 (just says it would run faster with 2.0). Interesting, this is the first device I've heard of that requires 2.0 and doesn't work on 1.1 at least to some degree...
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
You could try a powered USB hub to see if that will work.

Most USB 2 devices will just run slower on 1.1, but here I think the problem is power.

You can only get 500milliamps from a standard USB port, I believe.
 
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Overkiller

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2003
2,461
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That is why I was wondering why she was having problems. A 2.0 device on a 1.1 connection would simply run at a slower speed. After reading the manual that came with the device it was very apparent that not only was 2.0 needed but a "high power" usb 2.0 card....

I was wondering how I would know to differentiate between the two.

We looked at a few in the store and they all were $50 retail; which is why I was wondering if any can be foudn for cheaper (perhaps used).

Or...if there was some sort of software hack to force it to run on the 1.1 spec...after all the ipod isn't charging via the usb port..is it? (and if so that's an unneeded feature!)

Thanks!
 
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tyanni

Senior member
Sep 11, 2001
608
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76
If you look around there are also Firewire and USB2 combo cards, so you wouldn't limit yourself to one of the ports.

Tim
 
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Overkiller

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2003
2,461
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The problem with combo cards is that they are expensive.

My last question is whether or not said card [ which on the apple site is shows as arecommended buy..but it does not specify for the ipod mini] can provide the proper power that the mini needs... I would hate to buy it for her and then have to return it.

 
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beany323

Senior member
Jan 11, 2005
492
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ok, i warned ya!!! :)

there are numerous threads at that apple site... most which answer this particular dilema...

i have a 1.1 also... and 2 ipods (40gbs) and one comp...

i got the adaptec firewire and had to create a second account on the computer so my sons could have seperate itunes...

also if its a new ipod...as long as it shows as a device, let it sit there for a "few" hours. (my sons was having this problem also) but once it gets synch'd (?) it works allot faster...

good luck
 
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Overkiller

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2003
2,461
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Drivers were installed. it appears to be a ipod mini + laptop problem in general. After posting in the apple forums and getting help I ended up purchasing this and will be picking it up later for her:
http://www.compusa.com/product...e=314357&pfp=srch1

Apparently its the gold standard as far as connectivity is concerned. Also, shouldn't it auto-synch when it gets hooked up for the first time? Or are you saying to connect it and let it see the device..and then just leave it as is(i.e. connected) for a few hours [this wont have to be done at a later date right?]

Thanks!

 
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beany323

Senior member
Jan 11, 2005
492
0
0
It took awhile before it actually worked... i have like a 1.2 ghz comp so its kinda old...also download the newest driver for it from apple. dont use the disk one.

i would connect it and go play halo2 or watch a movie and come back and it was connected.

as to working..my 2nd son's ipod connects on almost instantly, while my other son (who has 5k of songs ) is taking awhile....

good luck...
 
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Overkiller

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2003
2,461
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I have no idea but all I know is that a) it doesn't b) last I checked that particular card was not $20 from newegg otherwise I would have gotten it from there :)

either way its bought and with me. THey had them in - stock here.

After all...it's not for me; i just did the research!

But I will say that I fell in love with the 23 inch apple monitor however :(
 
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