charging via pc

[beakerav]

I tried charging my Xperia Z using my home and work pc and got some strange results

first with phone on . . .

windows running = phone charges, led is orange

windows in suspend/hibernation = phone does not charge, led is off

windows shut-down = phone does not charge, led is off

then with phone off . . .
windows running = phone charges, led is orange

windows in suspend/hibernation = phone does not charge (graphic onscreen of battery but no charge symbol), led is red

windows shut-down = phone does not charge (graphic onscreen of battery but no charge symbol), led is red

but my old Nexus S charges on both pc's in all of the states tried above

this is bugging me

I'm wondering if the much higher capacity of the Xperia Z battery (compared to the Nexus S) is demanding more current than the usb port can deliver (unless windows is running) or is the usb port of my phone faulty

[Uliwooly]

that's strange I haven't been able to charge a phone if the computer it's idle or off, also as you might now charging a phone with a computer will take a lot longer than the wall charger or the dock.

[Ronaldfromholla]

I also noticed something wich could be related, i got a cheapass charging cable from dx.com wich i used to charge my phone at work with a pc, the cable only supports power, two wires + - for charging only, windows reports the device is not recognized but the phone battery is charged, but now with my xperia Z that cable does not work anymore !, first i thought the cable was broken but it still works with my old s2, so i think the xperia z uses other pins to charge then the s2, this is odd because i thought micro usb connecters where standarised! maybe a sony geek can shine i light on this dark issue ?

http://dx.com/p/usb-retractable-charging-cable-for-samsung-i9000-galaxy-s-s5600-s6700c-s5570-70cm-fu...

[Uliwooly]

indeed the idea of using micro SD was that, to have a standard. but I've noticed this issue with some cheap cables too, it might be a standard connector (micro usb) but the resistance on the cables could vary, thus creating this issues, if you have a voltmeter you should test them.

Don't forget to mark the Correct Answers & Helpful Answers

[Ronaldfromholla]

Resistance wont be an issue, the galaxy s2 charged around 450 milliamps on an pc usb and 700 on wall adapter, this is normal because pc usb doesnt support high currents, the xperia would have to do the same to not blow your pc-usb outlet, and a voltmeter would show just the right voltage if there is no current flowing through the cable(if you understand electric basics) so i would have to destroy my usb cable or make an adapter to measure the voltage while it is charging.

I based this on the root use programm "setcpu" where i could change the charging current, it warned me i could destroy my pc-usb port by raising the current, if i look further into it it is hard to find what max current pc-usb connectors may deliver, the 450 milliamp would be a safe setting i think, because it did work with 900 milliamps (i tried it at work, not my own pc, haha)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus

[Uliwooly]

I meant the cable not the phone, I think it is the cable, as they are cheap, also you could destroy not just the connector but the phone itself. just be careful

[Ronaldfromholla]

Sorry but I dont understand what you mean with "the cable not the phone", but would you agree with me if my samsung s2 charged at 900 milliamps through the cheap cable the xperia would at least have too charge also? keeping in mind it would not draw more milliamps to protect the pc-usb ports? if agree, do you agree it is plausible to say there is another pin in the micro-usb port used for charging, or the xperia refuses to charge when not detecting a host through its data connection wich is missing on this cable? note, windows does report a device is not recognized when attaching the cheap cable to the xperia like it does on my galaxy s2, difference is galaxy does charge, xperia does not.

Its not really an issue because i just use the cable that came with the phone to connect to the pc, difference is the cable is thicker thus harder to handle when having the phone in my hand, the cheap dx one was awesome because it is superthin leightweight and you almost not noticing there is a cable attached to the phone

[Uliwooly]

I agree, its plausible

[beakerav]

thanks guys for your useful discussion

I've tried to charge the phone (with windows shut-down but pc powered) using the sony usb cable as well as cables from samsung nexus s, my wifes samsung S3 and HTC wildfire, none successful with the XZ but working with the Nexus s, S3 and wildfire.

I think Ronald has hit the nail on the head, the XZ will only charge if windows is running as well.

Unless somebody has had their XZ charging up via usb when windows is off.  😕

It would be nice to hear from Sony themselves about the issue.

🙂

[elwyn5150]

I've noticed that all my micro-USB cables do charging except the one I got when I bought a Philips SH B6000 that is explicitly marked "for charging only".

Furthermore, I think it required a high level of current.

For example in my car, it will charge fine through a Belkin product that has a USB outlet and charges its own portable iPod/iPhone battery. However, if I plug the Belkin product into the adaptor that has 4 more car cigarette lighter sockets and 2 USB sockets, it won't charge even if nothing else is plugged into the adaptor. If I recall correctly, the output of the adaptor is 800 mA.