Travel Technology - Charging Windows Mobile phones

I have had two Windows Mobile phones for work in the last two years (a Samsung Blackjack II and an HTC Ozone) and neither wants to charge from my computer's USB port. They also seem picky about what kind of 120VAC-to-USB charger they'll charge from. My Samsung flat out refused to charge from any of the AC-to-USB chargers I have. My HTC won't charge from the USB port on my Belkin 3 outlet and 2 USB port surge protector*, but it will charge from most of my AC-to-USB adapters.

Does this make any sense? Also, when I plug the HTC into the USB port on the Belkin, the LED on the Belkin flickers and my Blackberry, which is plugged into the other USB port, alternates between charging and not.

I hypothesize that the HTC needs 500mA to charge, which the Belkin and some of my AC-to-USB chargers can't deal with. I also think that, since I've never installed a driver on my computer, it doesn't know how to deal with the HTC's power needs. But my AC-to-USB adapters that it does work with all seem to give at least 100mA.

Am I right?

(edit: and I note that Belkin's website says the USB ports give 500mA)

*This thing: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-BZ103050vTVL-Surge-Protector-Charger/dp/B0017HF3XO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1256869455&sr=8-1

Not using WM anymore, but never had an issue charging from any PC. Could the issue be with your computer?

I think you have to have activesync (or whatever the new thing is) installed for it to charge on a PC.

I think you have to have activesync (or whatever the new thing is) installed for it to charge on a PC.

Ah, I think you're right. I have avoided installing it because it's just more M$ bloatware.

You don't need ActiveSync (aka Mobile Device Center) to charge a WinMo phone. Sounds more like either your laptop is not providing power over the USB port or the device needs more power than a standard USB port provides.

If you're using a laptop, has the machine been plugged in when you were trying to do this? I know my laptop for work disables or scales down the power for some of the USB ports when it is running off of battery vs. AC.

I also know that I am able to charge my Blackberry on any PC with a USB port, not just one that the desktop software is installed on.

Zach

Go to Settings->System->Power and make sure that the checkbox that says "do not charge the battery when connected to a PC" is NOT checked

You don't need ActiveSync (aka Mobile Device Center) to charge a WinMo phone.You do for some phones.
Go to Settings->System->Power and make sure that the checkbox that says "do not charge the battery when connected to a PC" is NOT checkedThere's no such checkbox on the power management menu on my phone.

Check the physical USB port on the fone. When I had a Blackberry that would only charge using one charger, it was a dodgy port.

I am certain you need active sync to charge som WM phones. My Blackjack and Moto Q9H would not charge until I installed active sync. Not the case with the Treo 750 though.

I am certain you need active sync to charge som WM phones. My Blackjack and Moto Q9H would not charge until I installed active sync. Not the case with the Treo 750 though.

Even with Activesync, my BlackJack II does not charge from the USB port. I've tried different laptops, different cables, and even different phones, and never got one to charge. According to many posts at myblackjack2.com and att.com, Samsung's proprietary port just will not allow charging through a USB cable.