using USB cables for different devices

I’ve just received my new digital camera, and I would like to know if I can use my iRiver USB cable to connect it to my PC. Are these things universal? The cylindrical things on the device-end of the cables are different sizes.

I fried a crappy keyboard when I was little by using an incompatible power cable, so I’m always paranoid about these things.

My guess is it’s ok.

The iRiver cable has a nonstandard connector on one end.

My guess is it won’t work. If they are different sizes, they probably won’t even mate.

But would it hurt to try? I don’t want to damage anything. Can you damage a device with an incompatible USB cable?

Yes.

There is power on the USB cable. An incorrectly wired cable can cause damage.

okay, nuts to that idea then. Thanks.