Charging a RAZR via computer
 

My (Verizon) RAZR V3c manual states:

You can charge your battery by connecting a cable from your phone's mini-USB port to a high-power USB port on a computer... Both your phone and your computer must be turned on, and your computer must have the correct software drivers installed. Cables and software divers are available in MotorolaOriginal data kits, sold separately.

Can someone help me decipher this? If I am reading this, I need to obtain some drivers for this to occur. Just plugging in the RAZR will not charge it?

I'm used to my BlackBerry, which will charge automatically as soon as I plug it into a USB port.

Thanks in advance.

I got drivers here. The problem is that without drivers, Windows won't keep a device powered up. It doesn't recognize it and shuts it down. Your computer recognizes the blackberry due to the software you installed prior to plugging it in.

I don't think you need drivers if you have Windows XP. It recognized my RAZR as a Motorola USB modem. But the phone needs to be turned on.

And I presume the charge cycle was normal?

I charge my RAZR with my Apple PowerBook; as redburgundy said, keep the phone on. Also, keep in mind if the phone goes completely dead, your computer ma not charge it (I know my PowerBook doesn't).

I use a simple, cheap and small Zip-Linq retractable cable to charge my Motorola E815 (and my ladyfriend's old StarTac by changing the plug out) from my laptop. It's strictly a power thing. No data. I just plug her in and it charges my phone on, or off, or in-use. No software to load or anything. Just like plugging into it's normal wall or car adapter. My Windows XP doesn't "recognize" any devise as being attached like some data devise being attached would. Nor does XP emit the usual connection sound like when a data devise is attached. It simply supplies power via the USB, as far as I can tell.

Don't know if there is something different on the RAZR that requires software of some sort for charging.

Here's their Motorola page:

http://www.ziplinq.com/retractable-c...-motorola.html

...but I notice they haven't updated their Compatibility Charts in some time, because my phone isn't on it, yet the kit included the proper plug. Mine was packaged just the retractable cord and a selection of plugs to change-out for different Motorola phone models. Nothing else. I got it at Fry's for 14 bucks if I recall.

But again...the RAZR could be something totally different for all I know.

Not sure what you mean....the phone says Charge Complete when the phone is fully charged by the computer.
Now, my phone is the GSM version....the CDMA version might be different, I suppose.

Tumi Charger
 

My father in law gave me a tumi charger that works great for my Razor. It also charges my PDA and other phones that I have. Granted it isn't cheap but it has a lot of adapters that come with the kit.

http://www.tumi.com/wallets_accessor...?modelid=64488

I have a SLVR and charge it via the USB all the time. Doesn't need the drivers, just needs the power via the cable.

I attached a mini USB cable to the RAZR and plugged it into my Thinkpad. The notebook identified it as a Motorola V3c, but wanted drivers. I bypassed driver loading, but no charging would occur.

Next I followed kanebear's link, and installed the drivers from the osnn site. This did work, although the charge behavior is slightly different then when using the Moto wall transformer brick.

When the Moto brick is plugged in the battery meter on the phone flashes, and shows a segment or two. With the direct connect to my notebook, the meter flashes but no segment shows. I must say though, I did not keep it plugged in to the USB cable for long, and it is conceivable the current flow from the USB port (the notebook was running on internal battery, btw) is materially less then the transformer brick.

Regardless, this appears to be a viable solution, and I'll test it further when I hit the road in a few days.

As an FYI regarding Verizon RAZR's, many bulletin boards and rating sites are trashing Verizon for blocking many features on the phone that are available from Cingular and other providers. The charging protocols that others have seen with GSM phones may have been messed with by Verizon.

An example of Verizon's dumbing down the phone is the ability to download my address book via Bluetooth to my BMW has been materially limited. Similar phones from Cingular work better with the car (although overall, I am satisfied with the car's use of Bluetooth), and offer more available features.


Appreciate all the help.....

Do you mean "the" or "a" device?

My Treo charges just fine from the laptop with the USB travel charger. I have no Palm or Treo software on the laptop (the sync is via Goodlink via GPRS).

The Verizon RAZR is more finicky about chargers and the like than the GSM RAZR (perhaps to reduce aftermarket competition).

A computer USB port is designed to only deliver 2.5 watts (some will deliver more, but this is beyond the specification). Some newer Motorola chargers will deliver more than this, so it may charge faster than via the computer.

If you're frequently topping off the battery (e.g. charging from 2/3 full), this will have less of an impact on charge times because the charging process slows as the battery starts to get full.

The Moto charger for the V3c puts out 4.25 watts (5v * 850mA).

Thanks to the OP and all respondents to this thread. I accidentally bumped onto it and it really helped me.

For the record, I have a (GMS) RAZR V3 and a PowerBook G4. I simply plugged the phone in (using USB) and it started charging - no drivers, no software, nothing like this!

Thanks again, FT :)

That's interesting. The Moto charger that came with my V3 (GSM) is 5v @ 550mA. Model DCH3-05US-0300