How does this work and is it dangerous?

I brought an iPad2, and when plugging it into the USB port it wont charge, it simply says Plugged In -Not Charging.

I Googled it and apparently this happens on most laptops/desktops unless they are equipped with USB3 ports.

Reading a little more about it I came across a suggestion to use a utility by Asus called Ai Charger, and lots of people are using it on laptops not made by Asus with no apparent issue.

So I installed it and sure enough, when I plug in the iPad2 now it does charge.

Is this dangerous for either the iPad or M15x? Obviously more charge is going through the USB post now and I wonder if this is anything to worry about or if I can confidently carry on.

Also, how does it work - can anyone explain how this utility can do what it does? I'm intrigued!

 

Very interesting. I for one, wish Dell/Alienware used powered USB ports when the laptop was off...like Lenovo.


Interested in seeing replies to others using this program...

 

If you use the eSata port (takes USB cables) it does charge when the laptop is off. No need for this utility for you to be able to do that, although those devices like the iPad will only get their extra juice when laptop is on, but it is handy for everything else, no doubt!

 

The IPAD2 takes more power to charge than most USB devices, so it will often not charge on a regular USB port. Best option (and fastest charge) is to use the small apple charger that came with it - since this has a USB connection, you can use it to charge other USB devices (Blackberries, etc).

I doubt that what you are doing is likely to be dangerous for either, though.

Joe

 

it really depends what this utility does exactly. if you're forcing more voltage through the port than it can handle you stand a chance of cooking the port and potentially whatever is connected to it. that said it would have to be substantially more than what it's designed to handle which iirc is 3 volts.

 

have you tried plugging it into the esata combo port?
personally i would just plug it into a wall usb charger.

 

The USB ports are 5v whereas I think the iPad needs 7v or 12v. So it really is better to plug it into the wall.

 

Old thread but... figured I'd clarify.

This utility has nothing to do with whether or not ports charge or don't charge. Nor does it change charging "voltage".

What it does do is boost the ports to a higher output amperage if supported. This is why you see ipads saying "not charging" when plugged into PCs, the ports by default are low power. This increases power output and allows those devices to charge faster.

It won't work on all systems only those with USB chipsets/interfaces that support higher output amperage.

 

I think the USB/eSata port would charge it regardless, I don't have an iPad personally but I think it would work without this utility.

 

well our mobo supports usb 3.0 (this apart from 1 esata that we have also)
just a matter of getting urself an expresscard54 to 2xusb3.0
cheap 20 usd at eBay

 

I actually use the esata to charge my beard trimmer since I lost the wall charger . One of my old external HDD power cables fits it perfect. I use it when the laptop is off.

 

Here is the last answer you need for the ipad and charging. As some have mentioned the Ipad uses more then the normal 5w a usb puts out. When plugged into any of the usb ports it will say not charging and show a charging icon. It is charging but at an extreamly slow rate but it is for sure charging. I know this cause I also have an Ipad and I get the same message.

 

It's not the voltage,it's the amperage which is lower than "normal" charging rate for the iDevices. By design, a USB Hub can support max. 500mAh. An iDevice "needs" 1 ampere. I own an iPad and it charges at the USB port, but slower. This is physics.

 

you are correct but the ipad also uses a 10W charger which is more then what a USB port outputs.

 

The output is 5,1V at 2,1A which results in ~10W.
In your last post initially I'd read 5V, not 5W. Did you edited this?
IMHO, if the USB port can deliver max. 500mAh at 5V, this results in max. 2,5 watts. So, the wallet charger for an iPad can charge it approx. 4 times faster.

 

Yes I did edit my post. I was a typo on my part. But to end all this to the OP your Ipad is infact charging just really really slow.