Thursday, July 22, 2010
USB Cradle - iPod Shuffle Dock problem
A simple need: an easy way to plug in a memory key for a computer with rear-only USB ports, or where the base unit is in an inconvenient position.
I thought I had found the answer in the iPod Shuffle Dock model M9757 - effectively just a USB extension lead with the female socket on a firm base. BUT beware: there is something not-quite-standard about the USB socket on the end of it. Insert a Memory Key and it isn't seen by the PC. Insert a USB extension lead, and then insert the memory key at the end of the extension lead (which rather defeats the point of the dock) and the PC sees the memory key. Tried on two different PCs, and with two specimens of the dock. I am sure it works well as a dock for an iPod Shuffle, but don't recommend it as a generic USB dock.
Eventually, I tracked down a Belkin product that is similar. Can't find it listed on a Belkin site, but others describe it as "USB extension with stand" or "USB extension with cradle".
I thought I had found the answer in the iPod Shuffle Dock model M9757 - effectively just a USB extension lead with the female socket on a firm base. BUT beware: there is something not-quite-standard about the USB socket on the end of it. Insert a Memory Key and it isn't seen by the PC. Insert a USB extension lead, and then insert the memory key at the end of the extension lead (which rather defeats the point of the dock) and the PC sees the memory key. Tried on two different PCs, and with two specimens of the dock. I am sure it works well as a dock for an iPod Shuffle, but don't recommend it as a generic USB dock.
Eventually, I tracked down a Belkin product that is similar. Can't find it listed on a Belkin site, but others describe it as "USB extension with stand" or "USB extension with cradle".
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Dell Dimension: light code green-yellow-green-green
Dell's Dimension series (4600 certainly, and I think several other models) have a crude fault-finding system that involves four illuminated letters (ABCD) on the motherboard. Each light glows green or yellow, and they change as the boot-up sequence progresses.
Mine showed green-yellow-green-green (ie A green, B yellow, C green, D green). This isn't listed as one of the codes for which an explanation is offered. In my case, (fans operating but HDD did not boot, and CPU did not warm up) it turned out to be a failed power supply. Hope this helps someone else.
Postscript December 2010: same PC, same code. Tested power supply which was OK. So replaced CMOS battery, removed memory, restarted (occasional beeps that were too far apart to be considered a pattern that could be looked up), replaced memory, restarted, and all OK. POST reported having closed down "due to a thermal event". Make of this what you can!
Mine showed green-yellow-green-green (ie A green, B yellow, C green, D green). This isn't listed as one of the codes for which an explanation is offered. In my case, (fans operating but HDD did not boot, and CPU did not warm up) it turned out to be a failed power supply. Hope this helps someone else.
Postscript December 2010: same PC, same code. Tested power supply which was OK. So replaced CMOS battery, removed memory, restarted (occasional beeps that were too far apart to be considered a pattern that could be looked up), replaced memory, restarted, and all OK. POST reported having closed down "due to a thermal event". Make of this what you can!
