USB 2 combo Card on Powermac 7500

Question

Hi,
I have a PowerMac 7500 running 10.4.11 with XPostFacto. Basic setup is as follows:
-Sonnet 1Ghz G4
-1GB RAM
-ATI Radeon 9200
-Generic USB (1.1)
-Generic Ethernet card (10/100)
The setup works very well. However, I have been looking to replace the USB card with either a USB2/FireWire combo card (preferably) or just a USB2 card for that machine. (I want to connect an iPod at USB 2 speeds, and an external FW drive). However I don't really need the FW if combo cards are not recommended.
The question is:
- Is the 7500 able to handle USB2 reliably under OSX? (I know OS 9 only supports USB1, and I don't use it anyway). I have been looking on the internet but haven't found a clear answer to that. Many people report using USB2 combo cards and having system lockups, or having to stick to 1.1 speeds when connected to PCI Legacy Macs.
- If it is indeed possible to have the 7500 use USB 2 reliably, which card can I find on the market today? I have been looking but apparently they are really hard to find for 1rst gen PCI Macs.
The X Post Facto forum is pretty vacant these days, so I figure maybe someone here can give me a hand.
Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

Hi Silversorcerer,
Thanks for your thorough reply. I've heard about the Tempo Trio card, but, like you say, it's no longer available for Mac. All other USB 2 and combo cards that Sonnet sells are supported from the B&W G3 onwards.
I can tell you for a fact the Sonnet Tango 2 (Firewire/USB2) is not supported. I bought one. The USB works for mice and keyboards, but any other device which requires USB 2 locks the computer within seconds of use, even when connected to an external power source. Firewire works. Sonnet states on it's page that the Tango 2 requires a Powermac G4 or G5. I thought that this was just a decision from Sonnet to stop customer care for previous macs but I was wrong. Even though the card holds exactly the same name and part number, apparently the one I have is a new revision which is physically different.
I've been reading up the posts at X Post Facto, and there are other cards that may work for USB 2 ( SIIG, and ADS DLX-180) but those posts are a few years old and I am not sure if they are the same or they have also been revised. The manufacturers state the cards require at least a B&W. I've also read people buying PC only cards and having no problems when installed on PCI legacy macs, but those posts are from 2006.
Bearing that in mind I wanted to know if anyone has tried any USB2 card available today that worked with the 7500.
I have a Samsung Flat Panel 19" which I have been using with the Radeon 9200 for more than 2 years. I don't know about Cinema displays though.
X Post Facto has always worked flawlessly for me. I have the original 1 GB drive that the computer came with and have OS 9.2.2 installed on it (using OWC's 9.2.2 patch). I also have a Quantum SCSI II 8GB Drive with 10.4.11.
For me, the installation process was quite easy: under OS 9 I downloaded XPF 4, inserted Tiger CD1, and chose to boot from it with XPFs' control panel. I got to the installation window and proceeded with no problems. I had to use the built in ethernet port to connect to the Internet and download the software updates from Apple and the drivers for the ethernet 10/100 card.
I also installed PCI Extreme which allows Quartz Extreme to be enabled with the Radeon 9200. It makes a huge difference in video performance. Core Image on a 7500 as far as I know is not available. People have flashed PC NVIDIA cards and have gotten Core Image on pre-AGP Macs but not on Old World Macs.
I also installed Sonnet Cache to enable Level 2 and Level 3 cache on the processor upgrade.
It's amazing how expandable my 7500 has proven to be. I don't know how easy it is to get XPF running with your configuration, but I would definitely give it a try. 10.4.11 works perfectly on the 7500, including classic.
I'll be glad to answer any question you may have with my config and my experience with XPF.