Gigabyte, ASUS and MSI deliver driver software to allow iPad charging from the PC

You one of those unlucky folks who found out about the iPad's dislike of low-powered USB ports on standard PCs after you'd already pulled the trigger? Well, you can stop crying yourself to sleep nights and finally do something about it: Gigabyte, MSI, and ASUS have all come out with software that hops up their respective, fairly interchangeable motherboards and delivers extra juice to an iPad-plugged USB port. Of course, they built these softwares for their own hardware, but there's a video after the break of a reckless user putting the ASUS software to work on a myriad of non-ASUS (mostly Sony) machines. Your mileage may vary, but if you wanna play it safe we'd say look into who built your motherboard before installing: we're not scientists, but we hear extra electricity "does stuff."

[Thanks, Jeff F.]

[teamlouish Posted May 31st 2010 12:56PM]

I don't get it. Both my friend and I have confirmed, on multiple machines, that when it's plugged into a computer and it says "not charging", it is still charging it. Try it your self. Plug it into your comouter and remember what battery percent your ipad is as, then come back in an hour, your battery percent will be higher.

[deej Posted May 31st 2010 8:55PM]

@teamlouish Usually, but not always. Until this software, my iPad would drain the battery when plugged into USB if it was powered on (like when it is syncing). Considering it takes roughly 15 hours (not exaggerating -- I timed it, and its repeatable) to sync with my computer, that's kind of a problem.

With this software it does charge, even when powered on.

[IshimaruKenta Posted May 31st 2010 1:00PM]

Funny, my P55 Gigabyte MicroATX motherboard charges my iPad just fine, even from the front panel USB ports.

[vandido12 Posted May 31st 2010 1:07PM]

My iPad charges fine through my pc, although when I plug it in it displays that it's not charging, the next morning it's back at 100% (from 80% which is my average usage) apparently the PC does charge it albeit, slowly.

I'm not saying it takes all night to charge 20%, I'm just saying I leave it overnight and the results are 100%.

[Dale P Posted May 31st 2010 1:23PM]

@vandido12 It charges if the screen is off and you're doing nothing with it. It's when it's active that it doesn't receive enough charge to offset usage.

[Indie Posted May 31st 2010 1:12PM]

Why is it up to the computer manufactures to release these drivers? Why doesn't Apple get off their lazy asses and make them?

[PBB Posted May 31st 2010 1:25PM]

@Indie
Because the issue is at the hardware, not software level. Each manufacturer creates their motherboards differently and thus must create their own patch. The only thing Apple could do at this point is change the iPad hardware itself and issue a recall, which isn't an option. This issue has probably been fixed in later iPad revisions, but those who pre-ordered and got launch day models will probably have this issue. Which is why you never buy first gen or launch models of anything.

[Dale P Posted May 31st 2010 1:25PM]

Works a treat on my Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P - the iPad is active and charging. W00T!

[wismann Posted May 31st 2010 1:47PM]

Could someone point me to a good resource about USB power management in theory and in practical use? I heard a lot of things and I don't know what to believe. Plus, I'm not getting why this is a software issue.

[Bahumbug Posted May 31st 2010 3:00PM]

@wismann Its not a software issue. Its a specification issue that can, depending on motherboard, be circumvented by software. The current limiter on the USB host adapter on these mobos can obviously be set to different values.

[deej Posted May 31st 2010 8:57PM]

@Bahumbug It isn't just motherboards affected by this software patch. My iPad charges properly now even when connected through the USB hub in my Dell monitor.

[obobo Posted May 31st 2010 2:58PM]

screw apple

[ivealwaysgotmail Posted May 31st 2010 2:59PM]

Confirmed working (aicharger) On an XPS 630 desktop, Used to say "not charging" now charges just fine ;-) Without a restart even.

[Shucker Posted May 31st 2010 6:11PM]

@ivealwaysgotmail I haven't been able to find the manufacturer of the XPS 630 mobo... who is it? Thanks!

[weinerschnitzelboy Posted May 31st 2010 4:11PM]

This person really loves Sony.

[crawlgsx Posted May 31st 2010 4:24PM]

Thank you Asus! Works great!

[CrypticWritings Posted May 31st 2010 5:39PM]

Will this work with Gateway desktop computers? I heard that they are fron ACER but not sure :/

[CrypticWritings Posted May 31st 2010 8:46PM]

@CrypticWritings Hey! It worked! :)

[higherdestiny Posted May 31st 2010 6:47PM]

It's not that PC's have low powered USB ports. It's that Apple require more power than the USB2.0 spec states.

It's like plugging a 20A coffee urn into a standard 10A wall socket, then complaining that your house is defective. It's not. Your product is pulling too much power for a standard power environment.

[macserv Posted May 31st 2010 9:37PM]

It's not "a myriad of", it's just "myriad". Use it exactly as you would use the word "many".

[eternal Posted Jun 1st 2010 9:24PM]

@macserv

no. "a myriad of" is the use of the word myriad as a NOUN, not an adjective. look it up grammar nazi.

the use of myriad as a noun is older than the adjective.

[Discount Software Posted Jun 1st 2010 4:03AM]

That's wonderful, I'm using an ASUS laptop, means I can charge my iPod with it.

[eternal Posted Jun 1st 2010 9:26PM]

so, wouldnt this mean i could use it for more practical things like powering that external hd that doesnt work normally since the usb port isnt putting out enough juice?