up vote 1 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

As you probably know already, an iPad requires a certain power on USB port to be charged from. Thus, some motherboard manufacturers (such as ASUS, Gigabyte etc) had released a special driver that recognizes that an iPad is connected to the port and adjust the USB power accordingly.

On one of my computers (Gigabyte motherboard) it works fine. But other one is Dell Optiplex 780 and the regular googling by "<motherboard type> + iPad charging" doesn't seem to bring encouraging results.

Just for completeness: no, the iPad is not being charged without any special driver installed (out of the box) either.

Any suggestions will be welcomed.

link|improve this question
91% accept rate
How can you adjust the USB power? – pavium Jun 19 '11 at 12:26
@pavium: gigabyte.com/microsite/185/on-off-charge.htm - just an example. – BreakPhreak Jun 19 '11 at 12:32
This looks like marketing hype. The USB standard requires USB ports provide a fixed voltage of 5V. How could a driver change either the voltage or the current compliance? If the voltage is fixed (as it must be) the speed of charging is determined by the device being charged. – pavium Jun 19 '11 at 12:37
The comment above is correct. You MAY need to install iTunes to get the iPodSupport files to recognize it – Simon Sheehan Jun 19 '11 at 12:51
I am sorry, this has nothing to do with iTunes and also nothing about file recognition. On my home computer (with Gigabye motherboard), I have no iTunes installed and iPad charging started to work only after I've installed the driver, mentioned above. Not sure how power is measured, I think it's rather about a current: 2amper vs. 0.5amper, but I might be wrong. – BreakPhreak Jun 19 '11 at 12:56
show 2 more comments
feedback

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote accepted

Its a hardware issue,

"GIGABYTE's latest motherboards are equipped with ON/OFF Charge technology"

If it is not incorporated into the motherboard, then no driver can modify the USB chip and circuitry on a standard motherboard. Obviously your Dell does not have this motherboard feature.

Standard USB is 500 milliamps, no way to upgrade this to 2 amps with a driver, you need a special USB chip/circuit on the motherboard to do this.

link|improve this answer
I know it is a hardware issue. I was trying to understand IF my Dell Optiplex 780 motherboard supports such a functionality. I just can't get which motherboard is it. You say that it is obvious that my dell does not have it. Assumed it comes from your common knowledge. Just re-assuring/re-validating. – BreakPhreak Jun 20 '11 at 8:00
1  
If Dell supported this feature, they would advertise it like crazy, yes obvious to me, maybe not you. I doubt they ever will since Apple is a direct competitor. – Moab Jun 20 '11 at 15:23
Ah... completely understood now. Thanks. – BreakPhreak Jun 21 '11 at 11:18
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown
discard

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.