Charging from MiniUSB port?

[Silent-Hunter]

It seems to be very flaky. Sometimes the red light doesn't come on, and sometimes when it comes on, it's not charging.

Is it OK to plug the regular charger in while MiniUSB is connected to a computer?

 

[WizardStan]

Yes, that is ok. The charge chip is smart enough to ignore USB when plugged in via AC.

The reason the LED doesn't come on or it doesn't charge is probably because the PC it's being plugged into is killing the power. The Pandora isn't exactly "compliant" when it comes to charging off the USB port, so some computers might give it the proverbial middle finger.

 

[Silent-Hunter]

Oh, so it might be my laptop then. How is it not compliant? And why?

 

[Linux-SWAT]

Be sure to update to the latest firmware.

Some old ones had a so-so usb charging.

 

[WizardStan]

Oh, so it might be my laptop then. How is it not compliant? And why?

It doesn't ask for 500ma, it just takes it. The spec says it's supposed to start at 100ma and then tell the host when it needs more.The reason it doesn't is because that's a pain in the butt to do

Most computers (typically desktops) are fine with it, they won't restrict the current. Others will restrict it to 100ma in different ways, even though the Pandora is trying to slurp down 500ma it just doesn't get it. Still others will just be "no, you're too greedy, no power for you until you learn to behave!"

That last one is technically what they're supposed to do under spec, if something tries to use more power than it has asked for the host is supposed to assume there's a fault and kill the power but they usually don't.

 

[Silent-Hunter]

Would it be possible through a firmware change to make it compliant? It would be best if it worked with everything.

Be sure to update to the latest firmware.

Some old ones had a so-so usb charging.

I have 1.60 SuperZaxxon.

 

[WizardStan]

Would it be possible through a firmware change to make it compliant?

Yes it would. Feel free to submit a patch

 

[Silent-Hunter]

Would it be possible through a firmware change to make it compliant?

Yes it would. Feel free to submit a patch

I'll have to learn something other than the small amount of COBOL I know first.