Smartdisk crossfire - USB2 and firewire

My emac does not support usb2, firewire has always been fine!
I now want to upgrade my ipod and the new ones don't support firewire.
However, my external hard drive has a usb2 port, the drive is connected to the emac through firewire - therefore can I piggyback on the crossfire's usb2 port and connect the ipod? I know you can piggyback on firewire but unsure on usb2???
Many thanks

Sorry, Stuart. It won't work that way. There is no connection between the USB and FW ports. It would be nice; transferring content to an iPod is painfully slow over USB1.

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SCSI to USB2 or Firewire converter?

I got my wife a mini and would like to connect her large format Epson scanner to it, but it has a SCSI connector. I see a lot of converters out on the market but am not sure which I should get. They run from very cheap to very expensive and some say they are not OSX compatible. Has anyone used one that works? Preferrably something not too pricey. Firewire or USB2, though Firewire is probably the better one to use.
She's running the lastes Tiger by the way.
Thanks!

Yeah,
The large format scanners are expensive, so I don't blame you for wanting to make it work, and it sounds like the drivers may not present a problem.
The SCSI to PCMCIA adapters are common, so that you could make it work on a PowerBook with a PC Card slot, and SCSI to PCI cards abound, so you could make it work on a Desktop Mac.
But wait, there's more!
Here's a handy little Ratoc adapter for SCSI to Firewire. It states that it is OSX and Tiger compatable. At about $89 retail, it's a little pricey, though.
http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/subpages/firerex1.html
Once upon a time I had an Agfa SnapScan SCSI scanner that was great. So, please let us all hear if you try the Ratoc adapter and how things turn out.
Peace to you,
C. Livingstone

Testing speed of usb and firewire cables?

I have a bunch of usb and firewire cables that I would like to test somehow to determine if they are usb 1 or 2 and firewire 1 or 2. Some cables are labeled as high speed usb, some are not and some have no labels at all.
1. Is there a way to do this in Tiger?
2. For transfering data to an external drive, is Firewire 400 or usb 2 faster?
Thanks!

Hello kat.hayes,
Let's take your three questions in the same order:
Question #1: Technically, No, USB cables have the same termination ends. However, not all cables are made to the same standards and quality (shielding has a lot to do with how well they work/last). Quality cables are at a minimum double shielded but that does not stop mfg's from making claims about "high-speed". If there is a problem with the cable, you will know it in that the device connected will not work. Period.
The 2nd part of your question #1 regarding "bottleneck" is that if the USB2 port receives the slower USB protocol from a connected device, it will negotiate to the lower speed. Not a "bottleneck" exactly, as the external device you have connected will determine the speed. Not the USB cable.
I don't know why you are trying to figure out the speed of the USB cables.
It really comes down to what you want to do with your computer and what type of external device you need to connect. If you have a choice of which type of device to use, choose FW(See below #2 for a brief explaination).
Question #2: The issues and technical debate about which protocol is better(faster) really are meaningless as the final speed determinate is controlled by the chip/interperter that the manufacturer of your external device choose to use. If the device uses inferior chipset design, then no amount of "maximum rated transfer speed" for either FW or the USB-2 is going to make a bit of difference.
FW is usually faster. It comes down to the protocol used by the two designs. The one major diffence that benefits Firewire users is that it is isosynchronus. That means that if you have for example 3 devices, that all 3 would get 400mbps bandwidth to use, while USB2 is shared between devices. This is the ugly side of using USB2. If you a want an in depth technical explaination let me know.
Regarding your question #3:
Your Power Mac G5 has one FireWire 400 port on the front (rectangular shape with one pointed end), one FireWire 400 port on the back, a FireWire 800 port on the back(square,blocky shape), and four USB 2.0 ports—one on the front and three on the back. There are also two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard. See this link:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/PowerMacG5Late2005_TechBrief.pdf
If thats not clear, here is a card showing two FW800 ports (square) and one FW 400 port (rectangular w/pointed one end).
http://www.1394store.com/eshop/product.asp?dept%5Fid=42&pf%5Fid=1225
Technically, FW400 is refered to as 1394a and FW800 as 1394b.
So, plug any USB2 into the computer only. USB1 devices can be plugged into either the computer or the keyboard.
And FW400 & FW 800 into the correct, differently shaped recepticals.
If you let us know what you intend to do with your external devices and I'm sure there will be a number of excellent suggestions, hopefully based on personal experience, on which protocol would best fit your situation.
Hope this helps.
Respectfully,
Bill Gallagher

20" Cinema display with USB and firewire ports not working

I have a new 20" display and was wondering why my USB and fire wire ports at the back are not working. I have an external drive that is powered hooked up to the fire wire port and a no powered piano keyboard to a usb port.
Any help please

Verify that the display’s USB and FireWire cables are firmly plugged in to the
computer. Do they show in your profiler?
Try different ports in the computer.
Verify that your computer ports are working with other known problem free device.

What is wrong with my 30" Cinema Display? The USB and FireWire ports still work, but the screen is pitch black. When you plug it into the computer, it detects that it's a Cinema Display.

When you plug it into the computer, it detects that it's a Cinema HD but the screen is pitch black.
For some reason, the USB and FireWire ports still work.

If you shine a really bright light directly into the screen can you then see a faint image on the screen? If so, that would indicate the backlight has died (hardware failure) and the unit needs repairing.

Apple's Technical Service Provider complaint and Firewire Target Disk solution

As being my first post, my greetings to the community!
First of all, I would like to clarify that despite I start with a post that includes some negative comments for the Apple's Technical Support Service Provider, which I visited for my problem, I wouldn't like to give the impression that I want to generally spread a negative attitude against them, but only to describe my specific issue. Anyway, only that I haven't visited them so far, after over a 3-year period of using my computer, is a self-explained positive aspect. I've also read that complaints should refer directly to customer's support service, though it is the users with whom I want to share the knowledge resulting from my last experience.
My story/problem has been as following: My computer has failed to boot, I tried some of the tips and advices online and due to the facts that I didn't have the installation disk with me and that I was under stress to recover some of my files, I was urgently needing, I decided to visit an Apple's Technical Support Service Provider. I was hoping for a quick solution, since from the beginning it wouldn't seem to be a hardware failure. I had read about the Target Disk Mode utility and I was at least looking forward to a backup, in case my hard drive was still functioning.
For starters, the provider I finally visited (Sofia, Bulgaria), was not mentioned on the Apple's web page locator. However, I first visited a Reseller, who directed me to the technical service office (other building). Also for starters, I would like to mention that the personnel was totally polite in every case. Now, for the main issue. The technician there connected my laptop via Ethernet cable to another computer, ran a test, which showed that the hardware was working and replied that he cannot know the problem, so I have to leave my computer there for 2-3 days, in order to examine it thoroughly. Luckily, I would leave the country in 2 days and I was needing the files the same day or maximum the following one, so I couldn't follow this option. "Luckily", though, while for the moment I saved 40 euros, the price for examining my problem, regardless spare parts that might would be needed and a value for a backup that I would have might asked. I explained him that I don't have the installation disk with me, just in case he could do the repair disk there, and that I read somewhere that the computer could be connected to another computer via Firewire cable and the hard disk to be seen as an external hard disk, giving me the chance to recover the files I was urgently desiring. The answer to the above was that I can only leave the computer there and I would be informed in 2-3 days. I respect the priority I had to share with other customers, but, on the other hand, to backup 2-3 files and save my life, I don't consider it (specially now that I know) a big of a deal. More important, he wouldn't give me any advice to follow myself. Conservative policy to secure responsibility issues from their part or to secure the payment for a potential check in their house?
First, I didn't try to search for the solution, provided that I didn't have any clue from the technician and that there was no chance to find someone with another mac, but also while I couldn't risk to loose time to search for a backing up solution rather to start immediately with remaking my project (I was using 3ds Max, therefore I could work on a Windows pc). So, following is the next level of my problem and the final solution.
When I got free time, I searched more and while, as I mentioned, I couldn't find another mac, I ended up to the option of being able to mount my mac's hdd to a Windows pc, after using a 3rd-party application (MacDrive in my case) and Firewire cable to link the 2 computers (Target Disk Mode). The result was that the hard disk of my mac was recognised at the Control Panel's Devices, but wouldn't be browsed. It turned to be hard to find information related to my problem, since I guess not many people have faced the exact one. The credits for the solution go here http://www.studio1productions.com/Articles/Firewire-1.htm (thank you so much), were there's an article related to how to solve Windows 7 Firewire issues. The problem was that the Firewire drivers had to switched back to the older version (legacy), which is strange, but it worked perfectly. I'm currently happily backing up my disk.
I hope this post will save time and pain for people having the same issues and I'm sorry for the thorough details I've used in order to describe accurately my concerns.
Cheers!

thanks neil, the laptop originally came with a 10 gig ibm deathstar ata drive which i replaced a couple of years ago with a 40 gig ata. i thought that maybe some necessary drivers weren't installed onto the drive since it isn't an apple branded drive but i couldn't find anything online or on apple's site to confirm that.
the titanium's ATA is controlled via cable select right?

Attaching VGA video adapter and Firewire device

I'm using the VGA video adapter to attach my brand new Mac mini to a VGA screen. As the space between video port and Firewire port is too narrow with the VGA video adapter attached I can't connect any Firewire cable!
Anyone who knows how to connect VGA video adapter and Firewire device at the same time?

The DVI-VGA adapter I got with my last mini was barely wider than the video port on the back of the mini and since a firewire connector is also barely wider than the FW port itself, there was no problem connecting to both at the same time, with a small but distinct space between. Indeed, it's about the same space as between the adapter and a cable plugged into the nearest of the USB ports on the other side.
If you're having problems, you might find that connecting the firewire cable first might help, but otherwise either the adapter or the connector on your firewire cable is non-standard. If you still can't connect both, take the mini, along with your firewire cable and the DVI-VGA adapter to an Apple store and ask them to try.

Does Target Disk Mode work between FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 ports?

Can I mount one as an external volume for the other Mac and vice versa? The one with FireWire 400 port runs on OS X 10.5, and FireWire 800 one has OS X 10.6 installed. If it works, I am thinking of buying an 800-400 adapter.

Can I mount one as an external volume for the other Mac and vice versa?
Yes.
(47103)

M-Audio 1814 and FireWire 800

I am working on a MBP and Logic 8, using the Vienna Symphonic Library on external hard drives, one 250 GB LaCie, the second a 500 GB Maxtor. When I use the external hard drives with FireWire 800 first the Audio Interface starts clicking, using Logic 8 the system crashes seriously. If I use the FireWire Hub on the back of my Cinema Display, the 1814 is not recognized.
For the use of the VI-Library I need fast hard drives, the CPU seems not to be the problem. Why I cannot use FireWire 400 (Audio Interface) and Firewire 800 hard drives?

Thank you Chris, I just wonder why Bee Jay can use the HD FW800 with the M-Audio Firewire interface without problems.
I use the ext HD for backup too, but sometimes I need to find something in my backups and I have to turn off the audio interface and copy the files on my internal HD ... then turn off the drive again and turn on the M-Audio ... it's very annoying.
In some forum I read that the problem can be the firewire chipset, but my iMac has the Lucent and the MacBook Pro has the TI (reccomended by M-Audio) ... same problem on both machines.
I did some test:
1) If I use the FW800 external HD and the FW400 with iMovie and my Video Camcorder I have no problem at all. I tried to use the HD at maximum (during a time machine backup I was copying other files and saving the HDV files in the same external HD) and everything works perfectly without loosing a single frame.
2) If I connect the HDV camcorder to the M-Audio interface I cannot even start the capture ... I have to turn off the external FW800 HD.
It looks that the problem is definitely in the M-Audio Firewire driver but unfortunatley the M-Audio e-mail support is only for US customers ... and I'm Italian.
Is there any US customer that has this problem and can insist with the M-Audio support?
Maybe they can solve it in the next release ...
Thank you in advance.

Hollywood Dazzle and Firewire Hub killed FCP

I made the mistake of running DV devices through a FW hub into the same port on my PowerPC G5 and now FCP 5 won't open at all.
I've unplugged everything and reinstalled FCP to no avail.
How can I fix my problem?
System Profiler says my FW ports are still active and DVD studio pro and other associated applications still work.
please help!

The Dazzle has anecdotal evidence of being very problematic and don't use a firewire hub in conjunction with any firewire devices and Final Cut Pro.
Do a forum search for the Guinness Solution, you may find the answers within the results. Also do a search for Dazzle and firewire hub and you'll find anecdotal evidence.

Thunderbolt and Firewire Logo Startup Screen?

A few secs ago I had a Thunderbolt and Firewire logo startup screen that had them bouncing around. Any idea of what this was?

It sounds like you started the computer in target disk mode. This is a special mode that allows mounting the computer as an external FireWire or Thunderbolt hard disk to another Mac. It is accessed by holding the "T" key at boot, and exited by shutting the computer down with the power button.

High pitch whine and FireWire bus power

Delighted with my MBP!
Just noticed the high pitch whine today when I set it up in a quieter room and plugged it into an IOGear bus-powered FireWire hub shared with my other Mac.
It was around 8000 hz and loud enough that I could not stand to stay in the room with it.
When I unplugged it from the hub and connected the cable directly to the FW port, the whine was greatly attenuated (I could hear it only by putting my ear next to the vents at the top of the keyboard).
Could the problem be related to powering the FireWire bus? (It reminds me of the sound of a switching power supply or DC-DC converter) Has anyone else had any success in finding ways to attenuate this high pitch tone?
MacBookPro Mac OS X (10.4.5) 7200 rpm

Hi, Thanks for the suggestion. I'm really trying to cut down on the number of devices that I leave plugged into the mains, so would ideally like a solution that relies purely on power supplied by the internal bus.
I've had a bit of progress with my current set-up. I've switched to using a 2 headed USB lead that came with my Hard Drive. This does mean I effectively lose a USB socket, but it appears that the Hard Drive + the Webcam can now live happily together.
It just means that I have to swap the 4th USB port for whatever ad-hoc device I need to use at the time rather than leaving things connected to it.
Out of geeky curiosity, I'd still be interested to know whether the USB and Firewire buses share their power or each have a dedicated amount.
Cheers,
Ian

Can I swap between usb2 and usb3 on macbook pro retina

can I swap between usb2 and usb3 on macbook pro retina.
At the moment I have an external USB2 HDD and have ordered
a new USB3 HDD.
Does the macbook automatically recognise the difference.
Regards
oldboy135

Yes, the MBP will accommodate USB2 peripherals in the USB3 ports, but the transfer rate will be at USB2 speeds.
You may use both without concern.
Ciao.

10.5.6 and firewire (DV)

Hello, (i'm french, please excuse my "english")
I've got a JVC DV cam and a macbook. I know that my camera is compatible, that my firewire link is new, and when I plug the whole thing to my macbook, impossible to import from imovie (I can only see my isight).
So, I have a look on system information, (firewire), and I also can't see my JVC. I know that my *firewire port is not burned* (cause I can use a firewire DVD writer whthout any pb). I already used my JVC with that macbook (not with that version of imovie, but the pb seems not to come from imovie), and under leopard (but not this version, probably). *In fact, I'm sure it comes from the system update.*
What I've already tried :
- keep out the battery 5 minutes
- change the order of boot (JVC and macbook) (but I've always plugged my firewire disks and so on with my mac on, without any pb)
- repair the authorizations
It's silly, cause I already ask for it a year ago (with 10.5.2, I think), found the good answer, but I can't remeber where and what it was...
Bonjour,
J'ai une caméra DV JVC et un macbook. Je sais que ma caméra est compatible, que mon cable est neuf, et quand je branche le tout à mon macbook, impossible d'importer depuis iovie où je ne vois que mon isight disponible. Du coup, je vais sur info système et dans firewire, je ne vois pas ma caméra. Je sais que le port firewire n'est pas cramé puisque je peux brancher mon graveur DVD sans problème dessus. Ma caméra a déja fonctionné avec une version précédente d'imovie '(mais le pb semble être en amont) et sous léopard (mais probablement dans une version antérieure).
Ce que j'ai déjà fait :
-virer la batterie du portable 5 minutes et appuyer 5 secondes sur le bouton d'alim'
- changer l'odre de démarrage du camescope et de l'ordi (mais il me semblait que le firewire se branchait à chaud et jusque là, c'est ce que je faisais sans pb)
- réparer les autorisations
Ca m'énerve parce que j'ai déjà posé cette question et j'avais trouvé la réponse mais je ne sais plus où...
Si vous pouviez m'aider

Re: 10.5.6 and firewire (DV)
Posted: Mar 24, 2009 8:33 AM in response to: estragon07
Reply Email
Welcome to  Discussions, estragon07
Firewire works fine with my 10.5.6.
Do you set your camera to the "VCR" mode and have it plugged into electric power while trying ?
If your problem persists although you use the EXACT process that worked previously, try this:
• Download http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_6_ComboUpdate
but do not install it yet.
• Disconnect all Firewire devices and restart your Mac done
• Repair permissions done
• Apply the 10.5.6 Combo Updater done
• Immediately after the restart that finishes the update, repair permissions again done
• Connect your JVC and test to see if the problem is solved *done, no change, my JVC does neither appear in info system and of course neither in imovie or other softwares like skype, quicktime...*
• If so, reconnect your other Firewire devices (if any) and test again *done, and no problem, my other FW device, a HD for exemple, appears in info system and mounts*
• If the problem returns when you have more than one FW device connected
but works properly when it is the only FW device connected to your Mac,
you may need to keep the others disconnected while downloading from JVC. *I've only one FW device connected (directly) on my macbook at the same time.*
I*t still does not work*

USB and Firewire Card for Mac Pro 3.0

I am running out of USB and Firewire Ports. Any suggestions on expansion cards for Firewire and USB??
Thanks
John

The Sonnet PCI USB Express cards have this problem too - for the record. Sonnet know about the MacPro not waking with it installed, as do Apple. I am sure Apple willl come up with something, I may even find a workaround, but it has always seemed that expansion cards with all my Macs [ waaaay too many] have produced unpredicatable problems.

Smartdisk crossfire - USB2 and firewire

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