How to Change an iPod Dock to Fit a USB Port Adapter

Connect an Apple iPod to your older computer using serial connections.

The Apple iPod dock uses a USB data cable to connect to a computer and sync the mobile MP3 player with iTunes. If you are running an older computer with only serial connection ports, you must use a serial-to-USB port adapter in order to connect outside devices to the system. However, both the iPod dock and the USB port adapter are male USB connection ends. In order to connect the two connections together, you need to convert one of the cables to female so the male cable inserts into the female port.

Things You'll Need

• iPod dock
• USB port adapter
• Female-to-female USB adapter

Instructions

1. Connect the serial end of the serial-to-USB adapter into the serial port on your computer. Hand tighten the screws on the sides of the cable to secure the connection.

2. Insert the male USB end of the USB port adapter into one of the female sides of the USB adapter. This device is roughly two inches in length and allows two different devices to connect to it (one on each side). Once connected, the data signal from one cable travels through the female-to-female adapter and into the opposite USB cable.

3. Connect the USB cable running out of the iPod dock into the opposite end of the female-to-female USB cable. The computer is now all set to begin connecting to Apple iPods.

References

• Serial Gear: USB to Serial