Can someone tell me what the deal is with only using a "Motorola authorized charger"? I also have a PDA and camera that use mini-usb, so i was stoked to find out my phone and bluetooth use my new single cable "infrastructure". I have a bunch of car and wall chargers with retractable usb to mini-usb cables that I got from http://www.boxwave.com that I'd like to use with the phone. The bluetooth seems to work only because it isn't smart enough to complain like the V3M when I plug it in. This leads to my questions: 1) When the phone says "unauthorized charger", is it still charging? 2) Is a mini-usb always a mini-usb? Meaning... is the power output of one mini-usb always the same as another.... in other words.... why does the V3M care what charger it's on? Thanks Nick
I know on my GSM model V3 it says in the manual that you can charge the phone with a mini-usb cable, but the phone must be turned on. You cannot charge via USB with it off. I don't know if there is something different with the CDMA models. I always thought it was a nice feature of the RAZR that in a pinch you could charge it with a computer. -Jay
Nick, I have not heard of that problem before. I have the V3m (CDMA) and I have a couple of different chargers (wall outlet), none for the car though and I have not had any problems. Like Jay says, the mini-usb is great because you can use it on any PC as long as the PC has 1.) Windows 2000 with SP4 OR 2.) Windows XP with SP2.
Plugged my new v3m in using my Garmin Nuvi mini-usb wall charger and got the same dialog box. WTF? The Garmin charger delivers a heck of a lot more amperage than the v3m needs so it's not a capacity issue. Does anyone have an answer for Nick (and me)? Are 3rd party wall/car chargers OK for the v3m?
Probably not then. I haven't had problems with third party chargers with my GSM V3's though. Maybe they changed something on the CDMA models. -Jay
Hi, In order to use your computer's USB cable, you will need to install drivers. Sign up on the Motorola Developer's website and download them. Alternatively, the Motorola Phone Tools also contain the drivers or you can get them from the OEM of the software directly. Drivers from Motorola's MotoDEV: http://developer.motorola.com/products/handsets/motorazrv3m/ "DriverTool" work-around from OEM BVRP (now Avanquest): http://www.bvrp.com/Customers/Motorola/DriverTool.zip Motorola Phone Tools from OEM Avanquest (was BVRP): http://www.shop.avanquest.com/usa/prod.php?pid=2487 (coupon available, just search for it) Avanquest, formerly BVRP, makes the software for Motorola which makes the phone for Verizon. All 4 sell the software. I recommend getting it for contact management. The drivers are all you need for charging, and they have the added benefit of allowing you to sync music with Media Player. Alternatively, you can disable the "authorization check" functionality through a SEEM edit. Directions can be found here: http://motov3m.com/tiki-index.php You will need likely need to do this to use other USB-based chargers which aren't just hooked up to your comptuer. Verizon has chosen to disable a number of features on the phone as well as functionality within MPT. Enabling any of them is done at your own risk - both to your phone and your contract (depending on what you modify). However, MPT and driver usage is supported and is packaged in various forms including Verizon's Music Essentials Kits. Verizon's official stance is that you should be using approved devices. The phone is fully USB compliant. Power isn't the issue unless you're plugging it into a non-powered hub. Your comptuer will tell you if your phone is drawing too much power. Hope this helps. Have fun. Chicken
K you do not need any version of windows to charge you v3m or even an operating system .... just a usb port (i do not however know about expansion ports but the ones on the back of your computer will do) I own a v3m from revol ( used to be north coast pcs) and do not get any unauthorized charger messages on it from connecting it to my computer. win 2k and xp are a lot nicer to use phone tools with.... though i have had some luck using moto4lin on my phone
Same issue. The car charger (Belkin product most likely) worked for nearly a year and then intermittently began flashing the "unauthorized charger" message. In the past, just disconnecting and reconnecting did the trick. About two weeks ago, it became a permanent problem. I am not sure what the relevance of charging on my computer is, since my (Motorola) home charger works fine. The phone does not continue charging, it just continues dying. I left in the car overnight. I could understand the "underpower" theory if the charger had never worked. Guess I just need to buy a Motorola brand car charger?
