Creative Zen Micro will not charge when plugged to a PC

[Ioman]

Just noticed that my Zen Micro will not charge the battery when plugged into my computers using the USB cable. It only charges when plugged into the A/C adapter.

This is a bummer, I hate carrying a bunch of cables with me while traveling. It would be nice if it could just plug into the PC and charge that way.

[llbbl]

what is power output it says for the device? Try looking on charger or in manual. I bet the USB isn't able to deliver enough voltage. Gah I will have to look up the power info for USB =/

[Ioman]

You are probably right. I looked in the manual and it says to use the AC charger. Thats the cool thing with flash players, they can charge directly from your computer.

[llbbl]

Yea since its a HD I bet it draws more power to spin the disk and power the magnet (assuming its an electromagnetic thing on the end of the spindle ... )

[neato]

What're you talking about? It does charge from USB.

[llbbl]

http://files.americas.creative.com/manualdn/Manuals/8462/0x46AF8FEE/ZenMicro-MANUAL.pdf

[llbbl]

on page 64 it says:

"USB bus powered when connected to a power outlet or a powered USB port on a computer"

So I guess it is supposed to ... maybe the USB port is not providing enough power.

[vaporised]

What is the password for the manual please? I have a new Zen micro and I can't get a look at the manual, it says there are certain restricted parts of the file :( Sorry if this is off-topic

Again, sorry. It was just that I was using Photoshop to open the file not Adobe Reader

[Ioman]

What is the password for the manual please? I have a new Zen micro and I can't get a look at the manual, it says there are certain restricted parts of the file :( Sorry if this is off-topic

Again, sorry. It was just that I was using Photoshop to open the file not Adobe Reader

So you can read it now? Glad to hear you figured it out.

[neato]

What're you talking about? It does charge from USB.

Thats what it is supposed to do, but it is not charging when plugged into two of my systems. It has to be plugged into the AC in order to charge for me.

Maybe I have a bad unit?


Thanks for editing my post, ioman. I notice it's a frequent problem for inexperienced VBulletin mods to edit the posts they're reading.

Common sense dictates that if it charges from the AC adaptor which uses the same socket as the PC connection, then the unit probably isn't at fault. Check the Power tab for your USB connection in Device Manager and look at the current drain. You might be able to figure out what's wrong with your USB adaptor(s) from that. The next thing is to check the cable. And you're not using it from a hub, are you?

[Ioman]

What're you talking about? It does charge from USB.

Thats what it is supposed to do, but it is not charging when plugged into two of my systems. It has to be plugged into the AC in order to charge for me.

Maybe I have a bad unit?

[Ioman]

Thanks for editing my post, ioman. I notice it's a frequent problem for inexperienced VBulletin mods to edit the posts they're reading.

Common sense dictates that if it charges from the AC adaptor which uses the same socket as the PC connection, then the unit probably isn't at fault. Check the Power tab for your USB connection in Device Manager and look at the current drain. You might be able to figure out what's wrong with your USB adaptor(s) from that. The next thing is to check the cable. And you're not using it from a hub, are you?

I meant to hit quote instead of edit - sorry for that.

Thanks for the advice. Honestly I do not have time to manually test the USB adapter on my systems (I have 5 desktops and 1 laptop). I have tried it on 3 systems and a laptop however and I have not been able to get a charge from any of them. If I have to manually configure each system in order to get enough juice running to the Zen Micro then it is a serious problem on their end.

I seriously think I have a bad unit. When Microsoft gave these to the 20 of us who were attending the conference in Redmond, there were several people that complained about problems with their Zen Micro, from battery issues to problems with it freezing up. I am going to have Dang test his Zen Micro and see if he has the same problem.

I have no problem charging with an AC adapter, I just would like to eliminate an extra cable I need to carry with me.

[neato]

Whatever it is I hope you get it fixed. Perhaps the disadvantages of being a Microsoft ***** Boy is that you got among the first shipped units. There have been battery issues with the Zen Micro, but no charging issues as such from what I can glean.
I like the Zen Micro a lot. I don't like the design (slab faced with a curved back. Not a good 'flow', looks like a stone sliced in two and not in a good way) and the user interface is logical and practically as good as the 3G iPod. The touch controls are way too sensitive and easy to brush against, but I think Creative really have a good thing going here. Until the iRiver H10 appears that is...

[dang]

Mine works fine w/out a hitch plugged into my usb port. Ioman, you could try yours at my house or I could bring mine down. I know mine charges through USB.

I like the zen micro as well. It is sensitive, but it works well. Just have to get used to it.