Connect FireWire 800 device to FireWire 400 port?

Hello all,
does anyone know whether it is possible to connect a firewire 800 device (e.g. external Hard Disk) to a firewire 400 port on a e.g. MacBook?
I know only that it works for sure via special fw cable the other way round – FireWire 400 device to FW 800 port.
Cheers,
Gillion

Hi Gillion!
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
My understanding is that with the appropriate cable you can connect a FireWire 800 to a FireWire 400 device and vice-versa.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=4B8 F4B38&nplm=TP320LL/A
The machines will throttle the transfer speed down to an acceptable range for the slower (FW 400) device to communicate effectively.

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Just get a FW800 to FW400 cable or adapter. They are fairly common. They give you a 9-pin to 6-pin change.
Here is an example of a cable...
http://www.pcmicrostore.com/PartDetail.aspx?q=p:10502638;c:100078
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It has to have a FW400 or FW800 port, then you just need a FW400 to FW400 cable or FW800 to FW400 cable. If it has USB, then that's what you have to use.

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15" PowerBook G4 (1.67GHz) Mac OS X (10.4.7)

FireWirer 400 Ports not working, Fix and/or Add PCI FireWire card

Here are some details about my G5:
Hardware Overview:
Machine Name: Power Mac G5
Machine Model:PowerMac7,3
CPU Type: PowerPC G5 (3.0)
Number Of CPUs:2
CPU Speed: 2.3 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 1.15 GHz
Boot ROM Version:5.2.4f1
Serial Number:XXXXXXXXXXXX
FireWire Bus:
Maximum Speed:Up to 800 Mb/sec
I have two FireWire 400 ports that aren't working. I normally use the FireWire 800 port, which works fine.
I've tried:
- Resetting the NVRAM
- Resetting the PRAM
- Resetting the SMU
I haven't been able to run Apple Hardware Test, it is not on my install disc and I must have lost the separate Apple Hardware Test CD... annoying!
1) First Question - Can I do any more to fix the FireWire ports?
I also have a FireWire PCI card, which looks like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150103 though I can't be for certain that is that one (PCI card purchased by my business partner 4 years ago and was originally in a PC). It's got 3-ports (2x 800 and 1x 400).
2) Second Question - am I ok to install this FireWire PCI card into the G5?
(how do I identify for sure what make of PCI card it is?)
If so, which slot and how should I go about doing it?
Thank you

Hi sohopigeon, and a warm welcome to the forums!
What to do if your computer won't recognize a FireWire or USB device...
If the issue persists, try these steps:
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Disconnect all devices and all other cables, except the keyboard and mouse cable(s).
3. Disconnect the computer from the power outlet and wait for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Plug the computer back in and turn it on.
5. Reconnect the device(s) (one at a time if there is more than one) and test. Test with each port if you have more than one.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1317
The 7,3 2.3 was PCI-X, I notice this PCI card is NOT for use in PCI-X G5s...
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/PCIFW4P/
While this one works in PCI or PCI-X...
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ADS%20Technologies%20Inc./API315/
Not sure about yours, but it does say...
PCI 2.2 compliant and works in 32-/64-bit PCI slot
Works in 3.3v or 5V PCI slot
The one that doesn't work in yours above is also PCI 2.2 compliant.

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No they're not - they're available from many sources; i.e. I bought a FW 400 > 800 cable when I bought my iMac last August (at an authorized local reseller). Just google Firewire 400 > 800 and you'll get plenty of results. You can also opt for an adapter if you prefer. Both are also available at the Apple store online.

Firewire 400 port: connector not staying seated

Hi!
I am using a firewire audio device, and when I use the firewire 400 port on my MBP, I constantly have to reseat the firewire cable, as the connector keeps sliding out at the slightest movement of the cable. I then have to relaunch the audio app, which is not fun to do several times every 15 minutes or so. OK, it isn't fun to have ot do even once...
I was using a USB audio device, and those ports are solid. Is the firewire 400 port this way for all 400 ports? Is it just my MacBook Pro? Are there cables that seem to "grab" the port better than others?
thx!

Hi!
Got a great cable... tried in my Mac Pro as well. If I grab the cable just before the connector going into the port, and wiggle up and down very lightly, it takes 2-4 wiggles and falls out of the MacBook Pro, but the Mac Pro is solid as a rock. I have 4 other firewire devices, and they are solid with this cable, as well as with 3 other cables I have tried (less expensive ones).
So, now I am wondering- before running to an Apple store to check- are the last generation MacBook and MacBook pro laptop firewire 400 ports different? And are they simply all going to give me this "wiggle wiggle fall out" behaviour"?

*** Front and Rear Firewire 400 Ports Share Same Bus? ***

I am wondering if the front and rear Firewire 400 ports are just linked together on the same bus, or do they connect to the CPU on separate channels.
- thanks for any wisdom.
Ted.

You are assuming that the FireWire controller is capable of something I've never seen confirmed, that there is 240MB/sec. And there isn't. I've created RAIDs on multiple FW PCI cards. I've used ATTO SCSI adapters.
And one thing I know about the old G4 was there is a maximum of 240MB/sec for ALL PCI slots that gets shared, not for each PCI slot, though there are adapters like FirmTek's Serial ATA SeriTek controllers which tend to "hog" all the bandwidth and limits the performance of or number of other controllers.
PCI-X was suppose to get past that by providing two buses, one @ 100MHz and the other @ 133MHz that keep them from 'stealing' the others.
PCI Express is an improvement (PCIe 2.0 is beginning to show up) but rarely do buses perform as well as they are suppose to on paper.
That can mean front side bus, memory bus, as well. The G5 memory bus never lived up to its expectations or white paper potential. The Mac Pro seems to have its own memory bandwidth limitations.
And I am not trying to cover up anything. Shed a little light, if not sunshine. More from testing and having talked to developers rather than an engineering background.

Firewire 400 port??

Why don't the new MacBook Pro's have a firewire 400 port??

Because Apple didn't put one in it. If you need FireWire 400, you can use an adapter or you can put in an Express 34 card that adds FireWire 400.

Can you connect Firewire 400 to Firewire 800?

Have had a Powerbook Titanium G4 and just got a new MacBook Pro. The TiBook has an 800FW port, the TiBook only a 400FW port. Can I connect the two directly? Is there a 400 to 800 adapter cable? I'd like to transfer files fast between the machines.
Currently I transfer files through an external hard drive that has both 400 and 800 ports. But it sure would be easier if I could get the TiBook to run in FW target disc mode with the MacPro. Any other suggestions for linking the machines?

Hi
There's a couple of ways to do it:
One solution is to get an Expresscard (e.g. Belkin Firewire 400 which gives you an extra two ports). I bought one of these and then went and misplaced it!
Rather than buy another Expresscard, I bought a Firewire 800/400 cable (cheapo/no name, I'm afraid) from a small computer shop - it was a quarter of the price of the Belkin and works fine. I also got a small adaptor plug so I that I can connect connect my camcorder.
Of course, I found the ExpressCard a couple of days ago...
You could connect the computers by an Ethernet cable, too.
Hope that helps.
OBG

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iPad 3 (Apple 30-pin connector)
PreSonus Firestudio (firewire 400 output)
How to connect them?
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Firewire 400 port wont work

my issue is... my fire wire 400wont read any firewire 400 device, but my 800 port works fine. however, e wheni route my f 400 devices through my 800 drive, or port, the 800 device is ultimately disengaged ( removed) by the system.
i can understand that a 400 port may be wear out but why would the dv cam or other device, routed through an 800, force the 800 device to shut down. in this case i am uising a power book 15 inch, 1.5 gig, with a lacie porsche 250 gig external 400 firewire ( wont read at all) and a lacie 800 firewire 200 gig drive.
seems to me that since the 800 reads fine, that a 400 device routed through it should be okay too.
any helpwould be greatly appreciated.
also the system profiler doesnt recognize a 400port, but does list an 800 port.
thanks eric

FireWire ports can be reset. Shut down the computer, disconnect all peripheral devices, remove the power cord and the battery. Wait twenty minutes, then restart the computer and check the port. If it still doesn't work, reset the Power Management Unit (PMU) according to the instructions for your specific model.
If neither of these steps help in your situation, then you will need to take the machine in for service.
Good luck!

Connecting firewire 400 to a macbook pro?

which cable would i be needing to connect my m-audio projectmix to my macbook pro 13.3" ?
i'm pretty sure the projectmix uses a firewire 400 cable but obviously this doesnt fit my macbook i think its the 6pin 400 cable that i currently have
also, just a little side question, what cable would i need for my vga monitor so i can use dual screens?
cheers,
nick

Nick,
Be careful plugging in a firewire m-audio device ( or any external FW and USB) if your computer is not turned off. It is best once to start up once the drivers have been loaded and the computer is being started after being completely shut down, once connected it's best to just leave it connected. Of course if you travel it is fine to disconnect but reconnect it while in the shut down state then start up. I have the M-audio Ozonic firewire keyboard and it has a on/off switch, it powers through the firewire cable and in my case it is a fw 400 cable. There are fw 400 to fw 800 cables and adapters available, on Ebay they are a few dollars be careful not to order it from Hong Kong, there are plenty available in the US, I suggest Ebay because every-time I try to get these cool 400 to 800 adapters they are sold out, but I actually love the 400 to 800 cables too. Obviously 400 is half the speed as 800 but there is a little brother to these connection called firewire iEEE 1394, it is like a micro sized connection similar to mini-usb. The speed of the iEEE 1394 varies per system and cable.
As far as connecting dual monitors. You can get the proper adapter from the Apple store or Apple store online. Look up the manual for your system on Apple.com in the support section and it will actually tell you exactly which adapter to use.
I am currently using two systems, With my PowerBook G4 I can connect a monitor to it, and when the system is started up (seeing it is always best to connect cables with no power source connected to any item, monitor or computer and once it is connected the power source may be connected again as well and the system started up, in order to prevent frying or surging) It should recognize your monitor, I have a "24 Acer and I had to only pick which monitor would be where as to it's position to on screen movement. It recognized the proportions and everything perfectly. So I at that point have the option of running dual(split) screens or I can just run the laptop with the lid closed and using only one screen, if I choose that, but I have tons more success with using dual monitors. I just got a Mac Pro and I am super excited because now I will be connecting two FULL sized monitors.... All for music and video work...
I hope that doesn't sound confusing, if you open up your monitor selections at the top menu bar between your Bluetooth setting and Audio volume adjustment setting, you can then choose the correct monitor settings if they have not already auto detected like mine did.. It is nice too.. but the Acer has DVI. I also have a Vizio monitor which I tested my G5 connected with a DVI adapter from the computer to VGA on the Vizio monitor and my Mac found it as soon as the start up was complete and perfectly, it matched the screen resolution and looks beautiful as well.
I love Apples because they are actually fun to work with, I don't mind trouble shooting if you have problems so hit me back if you have other questions or if I have completely scrambled your brains with all the jargin of Firewire and Dual this and that.. Who knows you may have figured this all out before now but either way.. blessings in your direction.
Keep on Keepin' on....
Kelcey

LaCie and my FireWire 400 port

While I can connect my PowerBook to my LaCie 500GB HDD thru FireWire 800, establishing connection thru FireWire 400 always results in failure. Why?

You seem to have the same issue as a recent poster. Why not combine or watch each others thread.
Here is the link:
Deborah Biancotti, "External HD: Connects via USB only -- why no FireWire?", 08:07am Oct 31, 2005 CDT

Rear firewire 400 port

I'm having an issue getting any HD to be recognized by my G5. The front FW 400 port works fine, but I can't get the rear FW400 ports to recognize the unit.
It was working fine one moment and then stopped working the next.
I've tried the shutdown and power plug pull technique, resetting the SMU and PRAM but none of them worked. Saw other postings with similar problems but cannot find resolution.
PLEASE HELP! Thank you!!
PowerPC G5
Dual 2.5 Ghz
OS X 10.4.11

Hi irock creative-
Greetings and welcome to the Apple Discussion boards
Sometimes this just happens and requires service by Apple.
What you could do that's cheaper and even better a it gives you a separate FW bus is to add a compatible FireWire PCI card to your machine.
Luck-
-DaddyPaycheck

Connect FireWire 800 device to FireWire 400 port?

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