iPod connection to iBook G4

2009-06-19T23:35:32+01:00

My wife treated herself to her first iPod a couple of days ago, but when we got it home it didn't connect to her iBook. I called in to Solutions where she bought it, and it connected without problem to one of their display machines. They suggested bringing the iBook in, which I did tonight. And - yes, you guessed it! - the iPod (Shuffle) connected first time! Problem solved... BUT....... back home the connection worked at first, then was lost. I've tried connecting through a powered hub, but there still seems to be a problem. We are hoping to get some new hardware soon, but meanwhile are there any tips from the wise ones? Or do we just have to accept that the iBook is getting old?

Re: iPod connection to iBook G4

2009-06-20T17:16:41+01:00

I assume that as you mention connection through the hub you've also tried direct to the iBook. Have you tried connecting to the socket the hub uses? I also assume that stuff connected to the hub works OK thus proving that the socket it is connected to is fine, hence my suggestion to try that socket. When it's connected but not working, can system profiler see it on the USB bus? (You probably know but just in case, system profiler is available from the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac then More Info)

Re: iPod connection to iBook G4

2009-06-20T22:18:04+01:00

You didn't say which shuffle it was - 1st (white), 2nd (Silver or metallic colour with round controls) or 3rd (latest with one buttoon and voice commands). The only reason I ask is that I may have had a similar problem when I first bought an iPhone - my iMac at the time only had a USB 1.1 socket, whereas the specs for the iPhone (and, indeed, the latest shuffles) specify USB 2.0 ports to work properly. The computer may 'see' the shuffle when you first plug it in, but lose the connection when it tries to sync/download something. USB 2.0 is a lot faster than USB 1.1, and my iPhone could not do the initial set up because of it. The good news (maybe) is that if you can get the initial download done on another computer, you MAY find that subsequent syncs can be done, albeit slowly. This is what I did with my phone - I had a Powerbook with the right USB port which set things up, then it worked very slowly after that with the iMac. But don't hold your breath! (I eventually bought a new computer).

Re: iPod connection to iBook G4

2009-06-20T22:21:11+01:00

You may find this useful:

Re: iPod connection to iBook G4

2009-06-20T22:24:54+01:00

Is the iBook a G4 model? If so it will have USB 2.0, so you can cheerfully ignore the above. But if it is a G3 model, they all have USB 1.1

Re: iPod connection to iBook G4

2009-06-22T09:59:18+01:00

Thanks, Mick and Tony. It seems to be working happily now - though I'm still puzzled about the teething troubles!