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Beware of cheap micro-usb cables

I bought some and although they charge the Desire no problem, my laptop doesn't recognise my phone as a device any more - but on the htc cable it's fine...

Yes, you need to ensure they are Sync cables and not just charging ones.
There are HP ones on ebay for next to nothing that are sync micro usb cables.

Eh?
I thought Micro USB is just simple... well Micro USB.... why wouldnt it work?

NutsyUK said:
Eh?
I thought Micro USB is just simple... well Micro USB.... why wouldnt it work?
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Because some cables, especially those supplied with docking stations for charging purposes, are usable only for charging. Presumably, not all the pins are connected. You need to look for one described as being for syncing.

Why wouldnt they have the all the pins connected... that would be breaking connector standerds.
If all the pins wernt connected then it wouldnt be a USB cable.

NutsyUK said:
Why wouldnt they have the all the pins connected... that would be breaking connector standerds.
If all the pins wernt connected then it wouldnt be a USB cable.
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Hence them being cheap...

what about SD mass storage??

the same you need sync cables

norm2002 said:
Because some cables, especially those supplied with docking stations for charging purposes, are usable only for charging. Presumably, not all the pins are connected. You need to look for one described as being for syncing.
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It should be the other way round. If a cable is described as a USB cable, then it should be capable of full USB functionality. If it's a charge only cable, then it must be advertised as a charge only cable.
If you buy a cable described as a USB cable that turns out to be a charge only cable, then it is being misold. The sellers would be liable under the Trades Descriptions Act (UK).
That's my view, and I'm fairly certain that that would be upheld in the UK. I guess most other countries will have an equivalent law of some kind.

meson1 said:
It should be the other way round. If a cable is described as a USB cable, then it should be capable of full USB functionality. If it's a charge only cable, then it must be advertised as a charge only cable.
If you buy a cable described as a USB cable that turns out to be a charge only cable, then it is being misold. The sellers would be liable under the Trades Descriptions Act (UK).
That's my view, and I'm fairly certain that that would be upheld in the UK. I guess most other countries will have an equivalent law of some kind.
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Well, you could always contact the Office of Fair Trading and see what they have to say on it.

meson1 said:
It should be the other way round. If a cable is described as a USB cable, then it should be capable of full USB functionality. If it's a charge only cable, then it must be advertised as a charge only cable.
If you buy a cable described as a USB cable that turns out to be a charge only cable, then it is being misold. The sellers would be liable under the Trades Descriptions Act (UK).
That's my view, and I'm fairly certain that that would be upheld in the UK. I guess most other countries will have an equivalent law of some kind.
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I agree. But the only time when I got a charge only cable was when I bought a desktop stand for my HD2 that came with a USB cable and a mains adapter for it. I thought I would have a spare cable but I found it would charge only. Could'nt complain as it was only supplied for charging purposes.

Ah, yes. Cables sold with docking stands and/or chargers. That would be a different matter.
Sorry. Ignore me, then. Got the wrong end of the stick.

NutsyUK said:
Why wouldnt they have the all the pins connected... that would be breaking connector standerds.
If all the pins wernt connected then it wouldnt be a USB cable.
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True but there are heaps of devices which only draw power from USB
See http://bit.ly/cLFqFW
Code:
Some non-standard USB devices use the 5 V power supply without participating in a proper USB network which negotiates power draws with the host interface. These are usually referred to as USB decorations.
...blah, blah, blah

Beware the mini to micro convertors as well. I've just bought two on ebay and they only charge not sync.
Sending them back but still annoying.
Edit: I was sending them back but just re-read the eBay description.
"Mini USB to Micro USB Charger Adapter"
Should learn to read!

scotch whisky said:
Beware the mini to micro convertors as well. I've just bought two on ebay and they only charge not sync.
Sending them back but still annoying.
Edit: I was sending them back but just re-read the eBay description.
"Mini USB to Micro USB Charger Adapter"
Should learn to read!
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Click to collapse
well I bought two adapters also - at €1 each - are cheap enouth and plan to use them with my "normal" car charger - no need to sync anything there
for everything also there is the original sync cable supplied with the device

[Q] charge through USB

Can the transformer charge through a usb cable connected to a computer? Every time I try it won't do it (I'm plugging it into a usb 2.0). I can only charge by using the AC adapter. Anyone see this?

Only of the screen is off or the power is off, and even then it's very very very very slow.
So for all intents and purposes, no.

Why not charge it through power adapter?
For mobility, I ordered this:
charger cable extension (to make the USB charging cable longer)
USB 3.0 A male - A Female Extension Cable (10 feet)
Not really a asus accessory but for myself I ordered this mini surge protector with dual USB ports... being in south, we get a lot of lightening storms so this is a must (for bed-side and you don't want to buy huge surge protector). Plug into wall next to a PC or something:
Belkin mini surge protector dual USB charger
Hope that helps!

dotpro said:
Why not charge it through power adapter?
For mobility, I ordered this:
charger cable extension (to make the USB charging cable longer)
USB 3.0 A male - A Female Extension Cable (10 feet)
Not really a asus accessory but for myself I ordered this mini surge protector with dual USB ports... being in south, we get a lot of lightening storms so this is a must (for bed-side and you don't want to buy huge surge protector). Plug into wall next to a PC or something:
Belkin mini surge protector dual USB charger
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let us know if that extender cable works for data and/or charging. Thanks!

it charges in 1 of 2 ways
USB [email protected]=10watts
Wall [email protected]=18watts
so, as you can see, the wall is the much more effective choice.

dotpro said:
Why not charge it through power adapter?
For mobility, I ordered this:
charger cable extension (to make the USB charging cable longer)
USB 3.0 A male - A Female Extension Cable (10 feet)
Not really a asus accessory but for myself I ordered this mini surge protector with dual USB ports... being in south, we get a lot of lightening storms so this is a must (for bed-side and you don't want to buy huge surge protector). Plug into wall next to a PC or something:
Belkin mini surge protector dual USB charger
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have one of those Belkin units, they're very nice. But I can't find the specs showing the output on the USB ports. Is 15V @ 1.2amps a standard and this supports it? A bit ignorant about such things...

wynand32 said:
I have one of those Belkin units, they're very nice. But I can't find the specs showing the output on the USB ports. Is 15V @ 1.2amps a standard and this supports it? A bit ignorant about such things...
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Powered USB Output
5V/500mA each port

Charging through USB 3.0 from expansion card?
Has anyone try charging TF (& Dock) through USB 3.0 available from expansion card?

I have and it doesn't work but several people have tried and it does. Seems to be hit and miss as to whether it works or not. Even same usb 3 cables have different results.

steftymo said:
Seems to be hit and miss as to whether it works or not. Even same usb 3 cables have different results.
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There could be many things at fault here. First would be the usb 3 port and whether its on the mobo or card, and then i would put fault on the drivers (or not having installed them)

Why don't people want to use the charger that came with the unit? I can't imaging not using a unit with a least the same output (V & A) as the factory unit. Also, does anyone know if the pinouts track with what is coming out of a USB 2.0. It would not be too good to put power into the wrong pins.

patriotaus said:
There could be many things at fault here. First would be the usb 3 port and whether its on the mobo or card, and then i would put fault on the drivers (or not having installed them)
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No I mean to say that some people, including me, are trying to extend the charging cable by inserting a usb 3 extension cable between the mains charger and the tf.
It works for some, not for others

[Q] Transformer not charging with extension

As the cable is too short, I attached an extension cable.
However, now it does not charge. If i connect the short cable that came with the Transformer, it charges fine. Any suggestion?

The TF101 "short cable" as you call it, is a USB3 cable, what has +5 pins inside. One of these pins control the 15V charging (the tablet takes 15V from the charger instead of the usual 5V USB), if it can not send the signal through, it won't charge. You need a USB3 extension cable what's pretty expensive though.

Get this one or a similar one. As you can see, 2 reviewers vouch that this cable works.
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-6-Fe...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316952334&sr=1-1

ondoy1943 said:
Get this one or a similar one. As you can see, 2 reviewers vouch that this cable works.
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-6-Fe...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316952334&sr=1-1
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Click to collapse
I can vouch for it, too.

Got on of this USB 3 cable while at HK and work without any problem.

Thank you guys. Will be purchasing one. I am guessing Belkin F7C008QAF Conserve Valet USB Charging Station - Energy Saving wont be working with this :/

That is correct, because the transformer looks for termination of one of the usb 3 pins, if you plug it into a usb 2.0 or lower extension/hub it just wont work. You must have a usb 3 extension/hub, or, there are many DIY chargers that are probably cheaper than a usb 3 extension cable and definately cheaper than a usb 3 hub.

Even a usb 3.0 hub or charging station will not charge it. Usb does not provide the voltage required. Only the outlet adapter will work
Sent from my mopho

Are you saying that my cigarette outlet will be the only thing that charges this?

It won't charge it all with anything unless turned off. Guess I need to make a hybrid cable
Posted on the fly with my XPLOD Evo4G

[Q] TF700T charged on a wall socket using this...

Hi everyone... I have an asus tf700t and I was wondering if I can charge it using the belkin mini surge protector with usb charger ( w**.belkin.com/us/p/P-BZ103050-TVL )? I just wanna make sure if it would be ok plugging the usb cord straight to the usb socket of this belkin usb socket. I carry a lot of gadgets with me whereever I go so I kinda feel that it would be bulky carryng a lot of chargers for my cellphone, laptop... etc. Would this be safe? I just experienced last week someone's charger got toasted using a public wall socket using the original charger. Thats why I thought of buying a surge protector as well. Thank you.

Depends on what you mean. Do you mean skip the Asus wall plug and use the usb ports on this protector? Then the answer is no. The usb ports on any device you use to charge the tablet needs to be usb 3.0 and supply the needed 15v of power. All of the usb plugs that are sold are made for 2-5v devices. If there is one that does supply the 15v then I have not seen it and many people using this forum would probably love to purchase it. You've stated one main reason to buy something like this, limiting the number of plugs to carry around, but it's also like $40 bucks to buy another plug from Asus.
That 2-5v is enough to charge cell phones, gps units, apple products, other tablets that don't use a proprietary power plug, etc. It may supply a small trickle of power similar to hooking up the device to a computer while the tablet is powered off. That would take hours to charge the device and not what you are looking for. I think one of the advantages Asus went for in using usb 3.0 and 15v is the speed of which the device can charge. It is pulling more power and able to delivery it to the battery faster. That is my guess but it is limiting our after market choices.
Now if you mean use that as added protection and have the Asus plug plugged into it, then yes it will work. If you are concerned about pulling too much power through it then don't have the device hooked up to it and use all of the other ports on the protector at the same time. That little device does seem neat. I lost an a/c adapter for my laptop when lightening struck really close to my hotel. Fried the power brick but luckily the laptop was not damaged. At work and at home I use a power strip/surge protector when plugging in the tablet to charge.

fsured said:
Depends on what you mean. Do you mean skip the Asus wall plug and use the usb ports on this protector? Then the answer is no. The usb ports on any device you use to charge the tablet needs to be usb 3.0 and supply the needed 15v of power. All of the usb plugs that are sold are made for 2-5v devices. If there is one that does supply the 15v then I have not seen it and many people using this forum would probably love to purchase it. You've stated one main reason to buy something like this, limiting the number of plugs to carry around, but it's also like $40 bucks to buy another plug from Asus.
That 2-5v is enough to charge cell phones, gps units, apple products, other tablets that don't use a proprietary power plug, etc. It may supply a small trickle of power similar to hooking up the device to a computer while the tablet is powered off. That would take hours to charge the device and not what you are looking for. I think one of the advantages Asus went for in using usb 3.0 and 15v is the speed of which the device can charge. It is pulling more power and able to delivery it to the battery faster. That is my guess but it is limiting our after market choices.
Now if you mean use that as added protection and have the Asus plug plugged into it, then yes it will work. If you are concerned about pulling too much power through it then don't have the device hooked up to it and use all of the other ports on the protector at the same time. That little device does seem neat. I lost an a/c adapter for my laptop when lightening struck really close to my hotel. Fried the power brick but luckily the laptop was not damaged. At work and at home I use a power strip/surge protector when plugging in the tablet to charge.
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Click to collapse
Ok tnx for the input. Just wanted to be sure if it would not harm the device if I use the usb wire without the charger adapter that came with asus but rather plug the usb cable directly to the belkin usb socket. Being stated that the tf700t is usb 3 and 15v is needed, will the belkin suffice to charge the device using its usb slot for charging without causing any harm? The spec says in belkin mini surge protector is 5V/500mA each usb port.

MasterYodaMD said:
Being stated that the tf700t is usb 3 and 15v is needed, will the belkin suffice to charge the device using its usb slot for charging without causing any harm? The spec says in belkin mini surge protector is 5V/500mA each usb port.
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Click to collapse
It should work and do no harm, but it will be very very slow - maybe 5% per hour...

fsured said:
Depends on what you mean. Do you mean skip the Asus wall plug and use the usb ports on this protector? Then the answer is no. The usb ports on any device you use to charge the tablet needs to be usb 3.0 and supply the needed 15v of power. All of the usb plugs that are sold are made for 2-5v devices. If there is one that does supply the 15v then I have not seen it and many people using this forum would probably love to purchase it. You've stated one main reason to buy something like this, limiting the number of plugs to carry around, but it's also like $40 bucks to buy another plug from Asus.
That 2-5v is enough to charge cell phones, gps units, apple products, other tablets that don't use a proprietary power plug, etc. It may supply a small trickle of power similar to hooking up the device to a computer while the tablet is powered off. That would take hours to charge the device and not what you are looking for. I think one of the advantages Asus went for in using usb 3.0 and 15v is the speed of which the device can charge. It is pulling more power and able to delivery it to the battery faster. That is my guess but it is limiting our after market choices.
Now if you mean use that as added protection and have the Asus plug plugged into it, then yes it will work. If you are concerned about pulling too much power through it then don't have the device hooked up to it and use all of the other ports on the protector at the same time. That little device does seem neat. I lost an a/c adapter for my laptop when lightening struck really close to my hotel. Fried the power brick but luckily the laptop was not damaged. At work and at home I use a power strip/surge protector when plugging in the tablet to charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One correction please. Its not usb 3.0. Its just usb 2.0. Check for the specs on asus site.

king231 said:
One correction please. Its not usb 3.0. Its just usb 2.0. Check for the specs on asus site.
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Click to collapse
It's a USB 3 plug, and the additional lines are somehow used by the Asus charger for detecting the tablet and switching the voltage.

_that said:
It's a USB 3 plug, and the additional lines are somehow used by the Asus charger for detecting the tablet and switching the voltage.
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Click to collapse
Oh! I was talking about the tablet. If the tablet had USB 2.0 why would the plug be of USB 3.0.

Stock charger with USB extension cable.

I'm using the stock charger but the cable is a bit short for me. I have two 3' USB extension cables but neither of them allow the tab to charge. The tab lights up as though I plugged the charger in but it doesn't ding nor does it actually charge. That are standard extensions and work with my Kindle & various HTC cell phones but not my TF300T. Anyone know why or could someone suggest a brand/type of USB extension cable that would work? I am also comfortable with buying a new one and rewiring or swapping wires on it if need be or buying wire and 2 ends and soldering it myself.
Since the tab is 15v and USB is 5v I'm guessing they swapped a wire somewhere in the plug to allow for more voltage.
Thoughts?

Kipper667 said:
I'm using the stock charger but the cable is a bit short for me. I have two 3' USB extension cables but neither of them allow the tab to charge. The tab lights up as though I plugged the charger in but it doesn't ding nor does it actually charge. That are standard extensions and work with my Kindle & various HTC cell phones but not my TF300T. Anyone know why or could someone suggest a brand/type of USB extension cable that would work? I am also comfortable with buying a new one and rewiring or swapping wires on it if need be or buying wire and 2 ends and soldering it myself.
Since the tab is 15v and USB is 5v I'm guessing they swapped a wire somewhere in the plug to allow for more voltage.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to use a USB 3.0 extension cable.

Seriously? That's it? Man, I feel like a dummy. It never would have occurred to me that 3.0 was necessary. Thank you for the help!

Kipper667 said:
Seriously? That's it? Man, I feel like a dummy. It never would have occurred to me that 3.0 was necessary. Thank you for the help!
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Click to collapse
Yep that is it.

I bought my USB 3.0 extension cable from www.caseen.com. They also carry the stock chargers, cables and a couple other items that I was unaware even existed (a 2 port USB hub that plugs into the USB on your TF300T dock WITH an Ethernet port so you can connect DIRECTLY instead of staying wireless!). Fairly decent pricing and fast shipping.