Charging by not using a computer

Question

I've never had a shuffle and I've never used itunes, so some of my questions may be a bit dim - but here goes....
Shuffle will charge from the computer which I've downloaded itunes onto. (No problems there!)
I wanted to use a usb to ac (wall plug?) adapter whilst I was on holiday to charge my shuffle, but when I plug it into that it flashes amber for a few seconds and then nothing (no lights at all). The adapter works with other mp3 players
No problems, I thought, my partners laptop may be on holiday with us (don't ask!), so I'll plug it into that to charge. With that it just flashes amber all the time. The laptop does see it, we can play music using real player. Putting itunes onto that laptop is not an option (locked out).
Do I need to buy the apple accessories at a cost of £20 to allow me to charge it on holiday (a little out of proportion of the £55 cost of the shuffle) or is there another way.
Please help

Answer 1

Using OEM USB chargers with the 1G Shuffle would frequently result in incorrect light displays, and it has more to do with internal pin connection in the charger base than it does with the Shuffle. You'll probably discover that it is actually charging anyway, but you'll have to use the built-in battery indicators to monitor it.
As for the other PC, it's probably charging there also, even when the status light is blinking amber. Testing with the 1G confirmed that it was actually charging all of the time, even when trying to connect or updating. You will probably be able to get a 'proper' steady amber by ejecting it, using whatever the Windoze " ... safely get rid of .... " command is on that system.
If this is the case, you'll discover two things: (a) It is actually charging, and (b) Unlike the n