iPod --> Inspiron 8600 connectivity issues

[Xafloc]

All, I have an iPod (newer 15G model). I am currently using the Firewire cable, with the 6-->4 adapter that ships from Apple.

Here is the problem:

When connecting the iPod to the 8600, if I do it directly to the Firewire port, it experiences random communication problems. Sometimes it sees it, sometimes it doesn't. When it does see it, it only lasts for about a minute before it can no longer connect to it.

However, if I connect my External WD 200G Firewire drive to it, using the same adapter, the laptop sees the Harddrive with no issues. Now get this, if I connect the iPod to the 2nd Firewire port on the HD itself, everything works fine. I've no idea what to make of this.

Any thoughts on correction? I've also a USB 2.0 adapter which works fine, but want to get this resolved as well.

Thanks,

Darren

[Yoob@NBF]

Check if the cabling is lose and if this problem occurs on other 4 pin firewire ports for laptops if none is accessible to you see apples troubleshooting guide regarding random connection failures

[Xafloc]

It's not a cabling issue, as the same cable/connector works for the WD Drive, as well as the iPOD going through the WD Drive.

I went and bought the USB cable, and all is well now. Guess I'll stick with that...

[SmGfan85]

All, I have an iPod (newer 15G model). I am currently using the Firewire cable, with the 6-->4 adapter that ships from Apple.

Here is the problem:

When connecting the iPod to the 8600, if I do it directly to the Firewire port, it experiences random communication problems. Sometimes it sees it, sometimes it doesn't. When it does see it, it only lasts for about a minute before it can no longer connect to it.

However, if I connect my External WD 200G Firewire drive to it, using the same adapter, the laptop sees the Harddrive with no issues. Now get this, if I connect the iPod to the 2nd Firewire port on the HD itself, everything works fine. I've no idea what to make of this.

Any thoughts on correction? I've also a USB 2.0 adapter which works fine, but want to get this resolved as well.

Thanks,

Darren
I had the same problem. All you have to do is download Itunes, and it automatically will see it. I don't know why it doesnt work. Have you tried to see if the Ipod manager is running? I think I had to go to msconfig on the run line, and then go to starup tab, and then make sure the ipod is checked. I think there is 2 of them, then just restart. Again, I just downloaded Itunes and it been fine so far.

[mjolnir]

Im not sure since i dont have my 8600 yet, but could it be because the firewire port is unpowered? I remeber that when I got my first gen Ipod it needed a powered firewire card to work correctly. I dont know if thats the case with the newer Ipods tho.

[fiction1337]

Im not sure since i dont have my 8600 yet, but could it be because the firewire port is unpowered? I remeber that when I got my first gen Ipod it needed a powered firewire card to work correctly. I dont know if thats the case with the newer Ipods tho.

I believe he said his external HDD worked fine on it..

[mjolnir]

With the external hard drives ive worked with before they had their own power adaptors to provide an independent power connection. I dont think firewire can send the kind of voltage that an exntenal hard drive needs to operate poperly. Since the extenal hard drives are usually regular hard drives in a enclosure they would need 12v to run poperly.

[GuruX]

To the iPod, the only thing that a powered port (which MUST be 6-pin btw) does, is allow the iPod to be charged via the Firewire port. Connecting to a 4-pin port via the adapter shouldn't cause any problems whatsoever in terms of communication.

(Not sure what exactly is going on with your particular setup though).

[Yoob@NBF]

Not to mention not all 6 Pin FIrewire Ports will power devices its attached to it. Like the Sager Notebooks or Certain Firewire PCMCIA cards