There are two versions of the iPod Dock Connector to FireWire and USB 2.0 Cable (sometimes referred to as a Y-cable or V-cable because of it's shape). The older model (order number M9126G/A) is 1.8 meters long and worked only with the iPod (with Dock Connector) model.
The new version (order number M9688G/A) is 1.15 meters long and works with iPod mini and all iPod models with a dock connector. The new cable also has this writing on the cable jacket:
"Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China•".
Besides the length and writing on the new cable, the two cables look the same and connect to the power adapter, iPod, and computer in the same way.
The iPod Dock Connector to FireWire and USB 2.0 Cable has three separate sections and connectors. See Figure 1. At one end of the cable is the dock connector. You connect it to iPod or to the iPod Dock. At the ends of the other two sections are a FireWire connector and a USB 2.0 connector. You connect them to the Apple iPod Power Adapter and your computer.
Figure 1 The iPod Dock Connector to FireWire and USB 2.0 Cable
Connecting to your computer with USB 2.0 (Windows-compatible computers only)
After connecting the dock connector to iPod or the iPod Dock, insert the USB 2.0 connector into one of the computer's USB 2.0 ports. Because USB does not supply iPod with power, you should also connect the FireWire portion of the cable to an Apple iPod Power Adapter. Connecting all three sections of the cable will allow you to manage the iPod music library from your computer and charge the battery at the same time. See Figure 2.
Figure 2 iPod connected to power adapter and computer
Connecting to your computer with FireWire
If your computer has a FireWire port, you can simply connect the FireWire portion of the cable to the computer and the Dock Connector portion to iPod (or the iPod Dock). You don't need to connect the USB 2.0 portion of the cable. This updates iPod with the music library on your computer and charges the battery at the same time.
Note: The FireWire port of some Windows-compatible computers may not supply power. In this case, you can:
- Purchase and install a FireWire card that supplies power.
- Connect iPod to a powered FireWire hub, then connect the FireWire hub to the computer's FireWire port.
- Fully charge iPod using the Apple iPod Power Adapter before trying to update the music library.
- Connect iPod to your computer's USB 2.0 port, if it has one, as described above in "Connecting to your computer with USB 2.0".
Important: Never connect both the FireWire and the USB 2.0 connector to your computer at the same time. Doing so can cause unexpected behavior.
Related documents
61676: "iPod for Windows: Does Not Charge When Connected to Your Computer."