July 22, 2005 12:21 AM PDT

iPod Special Report: Shuffle USB connectivity issues

by CNET staff

For some users, iPod Shuffles are only recognized (accept power from and allow synchronization through) by certain USB ports, or are otherwise flaky with regard to connectivity. The problem is apparent on a broad range of Mac models.

Solutions

Re-inserting Some readers have reported that simply re-inserting, or gently nudging the iPod Shuffle results in its recognition on initially problematic USB ports.

One reader writes:

"Still about iPod shuffle connectivity, I tried successfully and very gently tapping with my forefinger on the iPod and it works. Also try to adjust the iPod shuffle, also very gently, to the port moving it sideways until it connects."

Check if enough power is delivered MacFixIt reader Steve Burg notes that users can check if their USB ports are delivering enough power using Apple's System Profiler (located in Applications/Utilities).

Steve writes:

"Many devices require a certain amount of current to operate correctly and some USB ports, most notably the keyboard ports, would never have enough current. The same problem occurs when too many devices are plugged into the same port. External hubs that provide their own power usually fixes this problem. A quick way to check is to go to System Profiler and check the USB ports. This will show the current available for each port. It should be at least 500MA."

Using an external hub Some users have taken to using externally powered USB hubs, which seem to deliver greater consistency in iPod Shuffle connectivity.

MacFixIt reader guy writes:

"I tried connecting a Belkin powered USB Hub to the leftmost USB port of the Mac mini (which was previously the problematic Mac mini port with the iPod Shuffle) and plugged the Shuffle into the hub instead. In this case the Shuffle started working normally and reliably.

"I posted to Apple's iPod Shuffle->Connecting to Mac discussion board and there seem to be a number of reports of peculiarities with USB connectivity and the Shuffle mounting up there."

Switching Ports For some users, the iPod Shuffle is only recognized by his Mac mini when the device is plugged into a certain USB port.

MacFixIt reader Claude Cauwe writes:

"I confirm the problem with iPod shuffle, on a PBG4 Titanium 667 DVi, 10.3.9, 768 MB RAM, iPod updaters all applied. When inserting in the right port (looking from the normal work position, screen and keyboard in front of me), the Shuffle is recognized. In the leftmost port, it is not."

Problems when connected to G5's front port, possible solution Several readers have reported issues mounting their iPod Shuffle when it is connected to the front USB port on a Power Mac G5.

MacFixIt reader Sean writes: "I own a G5 single processor 1.8ghz PowerMac (900mhz bus) running 10.3.7 - when I plug in the shuffle into the front USB port, it appears that it gets power but never mounts, but USB 1.1 devices do work.

"The shuffle does mount on the back USB ports with no problem. [...]

"(An Apple technician) said he had to escalate this issue to engineering, but haven't heard back from them about a cause or solution. This is more of a PowerMac (system cannot mount 2.0 devices) than a shuffle issue [...]."

Some users have been able to solve this issue by simply restarting the G5 while an iPod Shuffle is connected (rather than connecting the iPod Shuffle after the system has booted).