New e740 - how to get it to charge in the USB Cradle?

[67stang]

When i have my e740 in the cradle, USB connected to the PC, i dont get the amber light indicating it is charging. How do I activate this (assuming it is supposed to charge in the cradle)?!

thanks

[handheldplanet]

You must connect the DC cord to the USB cradle and into the wall first - if you've already done this, then it should be charging. Anyway, it won't charge just by the power from the USB. Also, if the unit's brand new and you haven't even powered it on yet, you must also have the battery switch locked.

These are the only two things I can think of - good luck!

[67stang]

Thanks, I just walked over to a coworker and noticed the problem, i dont have the power cord connected to the cradle. Dang, that is lame... i left it at home, but i figured it would charge of the USB power. oh well... time to order a spare powercord and cradle ;)

[Jimmy Dodd]

Belkin (among others) makes a nice USB/charge cable (complete with auto accessory adapter) for the e740 that runs about $20 (US). That's a lot cheaper than buying a second charger and cradle combo. They are available at Best Buy (and other places, too, I would suppose).

[johncj]

Check out http://www.boxwave.com/products/minisync/ for the slickest usb charging/sync cable that I've seen.

[Jimmy Dodd]

Check out http://www.boxwave.com/products/minisync/ for the slickest usb charging/sync cable that I've seen.

Have you actually seen one? I wonder how sturdy the cable is. I had a retractable cable for a phone line that didn't survive the road very long due to its thin nature. I wonder if this is comparable.

[phydiux]

This minisync cable has a decent review here (http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=48e01b0747b8004a6882874d10dee0f8&threadid=66583) on another forum, but there's little discussion on this message board about the minisync cable. The only thing I found of any value here was this thread (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5582)

Anyway - I've heard good reviews about it - but I guess it doesn't matter because there's no reason to take my word for it - I haven't used one :p

[wscowell]

I've been combing this site for an hour looking for help with my problem, and finally I thought I'd found it, but no. You say the cradle will charge the PPC if the DC PSU is connected also. This is not so, at least mine won't do it. :-( The PSU works fine by itself though.

When I look at the connectors, I see that there's no connector to mate with the charger socket. So if the PPC is to charge in the cradle, it has to get its power from the cradle connection port - there is no other connector.

What do you think - is my cradle faulty? Am I the only one with this problem out of all the e740 users out there? It's a pity as I am otherwise pleased with the unit.

Will Cowell

[wscowell]

Reference my last post, I get bored easily, and decided to open up the charging cradle's case. The power socket has 3 tags which are supposed to be soldered to the printed circuit board. Surprise - mine was not soldered on all 3 tags. 2 soldered joints later and - hey presto! The beast comes to life... eat your heart out Lord Vader!

Will Cowell