How to "reset" my firewire 400 port?

Hi;
Been recently having issues with my Motu audio interface (hooked up through firewire). It constantly turns on and off, and been trying to troubleshoot it. It seems this only happens when I hook it up to my iMac. It works fine with other macs. I suspect its my firewire port on the iMac. Is there a way to verify if that port is OK, or reset that port? I recently started having this issue, so not sure if it was an OS upgrade that caused it. Appreciate any help or info.
thanks;
John

First thing to do is reset the FW chip set on the mother board. Unfortunately, when you power down the computer there is always a bit of power still applied to the motherboard to keep things alive and this usually includes the ports to do stuff like detect when a device wants to wake up the computer. The downside of this is when a bus/port chipset goes into a weird state, locks up, etc., simply power cycling (shutdown & restart) the computer won't work.
So first thing to try is resetting the chipset and to do this you have to power down the computer and completely unplug the computer from the wall power (unplug the power cord to your Mac). Also unplug everything from the Mac's ports (USB, FW, Ethernet, etc.) to make sure no parasitic power is still there to keep the chipset alive. Now let it sit for a minute (give those big power caps in there time to discharge). Now plug the power cord back in, plug in ONLY the keyboard and mouse, start up the Mac. Now plug in accessories/hard-drives and see if your FW ports and the drive work any better.
Best of luck!
Patrick
What to do if your computer won't recognize a FireWire or USB device
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1317?viewlocale=en_US

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How can a video editor use an NTSC studio monitor on the new iMac without a Firewire 400 port?

Looking at the new iMacs (hungrily) and wondering how I will be able to continue using my Sony DSR-11 and NTSC monitor in the absence of any Firewire 400 port. I suppose there may be cables that will allow me to use the Firewire 800 port and am thinking they may be difficult to locate.

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.

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.

FireWire 400 port to 800 Port?

Trying to migrate data from iBook PowerBook whic has FireWire 400 port to iMac which has FireWire 800 port. My existing FireWire cable does not fit the iMac port. There must be a solution.

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
Here is an example of an adapter...
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/fw_adapter.html
With the adapter you just plug your normal FW400-to-FW400 cable into the back of it.
Cheers,
Patrick

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"?

Noise through Speakers when using Firewire 400 port.

Can anyone explain to me why my G4 Powerbook would make squealing noises when I have anything plugged into the Firewire 400 port? It is driving my crazy!!

I'm afraid I can't help, except to say I have the same problem with my FW 400 and 800 ports when I connect a Firewire hard drive. The noise sounds like it's coming from inside the computer itself and it happens even with the audio muted. I wonder if this problem might be related to the Firewire "noise" / "chirp" issue I've seen discussed?
15" PowerBook G4 (1.67GHz) Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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.

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.

HT1596 connect camcorder to FireWire 400 port

What do I need to connect an HD miniDV camcorder to FireWire 400 port?
thanks

Hi a,
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.

*** 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.

How to tell if Firewire 400 or 800? In any OS and this laptop: Toshiba Satellite A350D - BA3.

Hello.
I was wondering how someone can tell the difference between Firewire 400 and 800 in their computer and in this model of Toshiba laptop: Toshiba Satellite A350D - BA3?
If a person looked in device manager or something would it say? With Usb it says Enhanced when it is usb2 compared to usb1. I don't know what usb3 says, I don't have it.
With firewire there is large sizes and small. On my laptop it is a mini firewire and it looks like a 4-pin inside. On the toshiba.ca site, in the product specs, it only says firewire.
I am planning on buying a cord that has a large connection on one end and a small connection size at the other end. Eg: Some cables for firewire are a 4-4pin, 6-4pin, 6-6pin, 9-4pin,9-6pin,9-9pin. There are also firewire 400 to 800 adapters. I'd like to buy the right cord for an external enclosure I bought to connect to the small laptop firewire port. The enclosure is a Vantec NexStar 3, 3.5" enclosure, usb2, eSATA, Firewire a/b. It has two firewire b ports in back, but an included cord converts b-a (the a is still to big for the laptop firewire).
Does anyone know if any of the mini ports are as fast as the larger ports? Will a 9-pin firewire 800 cable converting to a mini connection go at the mini connections speed if it is only firewire 400, I don't think it can force full F800 speed?
Thanks.

Hello.
I was wondering how someone can tell the difference between Firewire 400 and 800 in their computer and in this model of Toshiba laptop: Toshiba Satellite A350D - BA3?
If a person looked in device manager or something would it say? With Usb it says Enhanced when it is usb2 compared to usb1. I don't know what usb3 says, I don't have it.
With firewire there is large sizes and small. On my laptop it is a mini firewire and it looks like a 4-pin inside. On the toshiba.ca site, in the product specs, it only says firewire.
I am planning on buying a cord that has a large connection on one end and a small connection size at the other end. Eg: Some cables for firewire are a 4-4pin, 6-4pin, 6-6pin, 9-4pin,9-6pin,9-9pin. There are also firewire 400 to 800 adapters. I'd like to buy the right cord for an external enclosure I bought to connect to the small laptop firewire port. The enclosure is a Vantec NexStar 3, 3.5" enclosure, usb2, eSATA, Firewire a/b. It has two firewire b ports in back, but an included cord converts b-a (the a is still to big for the laptop firewire).
Does anyone know if any of the mini ports are as fast as the larger ports? Will a 9-pin firewire 800 cable converting to a mini connection go at the mini connections speed if it is only firewire 400, I don't think it can force full F800 speed?
Thanks.

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!

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

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

How do I tell Firewire 400 vs 800 ports

The manual just says "if you have". The two firewire ports on the back look the same. I have the white 20" iMac, about a year old or so.
I'm looking to get an external hard drive for backups, and I assume Firewire 80 is the way to go.

J D McIninch wrote:
That said, it hardly matters. If you're only using one disk at a time, it is not likely to matter. The theoretical maximum transfer rate for a 7200 RPM disk is something like 55 MB/sec, but in practice you rarely see more than half that.
I'm not aware of any "theoretical maximum" transfer rate, but in any case,
55 MB/s is SLOOOOOW by today's standards. Many ordinary, garden-variety,
7200 rpm SATA drives routinely deliver anywhere from 80 to 120 MByte/sec
sustained R/W transfer rates -- and according Seagate technical forecasts,
the present technology (perpendicular recording / GMR heads) is nowhere
near its limit. Speed/density will continue to grow by leaps and bounds.
[Actual performance measurements for Real™ disk drives|http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/3-5-hard-drive-charts/maximum-read-tr ansfer-rate,666.html?p=1826%2C1782%2C1844%2C1772%2C1845%2C1780%2C1799%2C1777%2C1 803%2C1798%2C1788%2C1815%2C1812%2C1794%2C1805%2C1791%2C1809%2C1833%2C1807%2C1766 %2C1842]
Looby

How to "reset" my firewire 400 port?

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