You can charge iPod using the Apple iPod Power Adapter or you can charge iPod by connecting it to your computer using the FireWire cable. Windows computers and Macintosh computers (with Mac OS X 10.3.4 and later) can also use the high-power USB 2.0 cable with the iPod mini.

When charging iPod using the iPod Power Adapter you can play music just as if the charger was not connected.

When using a cable connected to your computer, though, iPod's buttons no longer work, and iPod's display does not show the standard menu. Instead, only a FireWire icon or the message "Do not disconnect" appears on the display. Despite this, you can still play songs from iPod through your computer. Follow these steps:

1. Connect iPod to your computer using the included FireWire cable.
2. Open iTunes, if necessary.
3. Select iPod in the Source list.
4. Click the iPod Options button in the bottom right corner of the iTunes window.
5. Click to enable the "Manually manage songs and playlists" option.
6. Click OK.

You should now be able to select any song from iPod and play it through the computer.