marcynewman

Q: Fire wire and Macbook Pros

I recently tried to use a Firewire to share files with a friend (my computer is from 2007 and hers is new). I discovered that she has no place where I can put the firewire, or at least the one that fits into mine.

 

My question is this: I am about to buy a new Macbook Pro as well, but I need to shift files on this old computer to the new one. How do I do that without a Firewire?

 

Also, if I want to buy a new firewire (if there is one) for this new computer which one do I use?

 

Thank you.

macbookpro, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Dec 20, 2011 1:54 PM

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Q: Fire wire and Macbook Pros

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Dec 20, 2011 1:58 PM in response to marcynewman
    Level 10 (270,190 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 20, 2011 1:58 PM in response to marcynewman

    Older models may only have FW400 ports although all the Intel MBPs except the first model also had FW800 ports. Most likely you need a FW400 6-pin to FW800 9-pin cable. The new computers have a Thunderbolt and a FW800 port. Don't confuse them as they are different.

  • by marcynewman,

    marcynewman marcynewman Dec 20, 2011 2:01 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Dec 20, 2011 2:01 PM in response to Kappy

    That sounds a bit confusing to me. I have a Macbook Pro from 2007. I have Intel in my computer. Is there a clearer way you can explain this to a borderline luddite user?

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Dec 20, 2011 2:14 PM in response to marcynewman
    Level 10 (270,190 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 20, 2011 2:14 PM in response to marcynewman

    Not sure what's so confusing. There are two flavors of Firewire. FW 400 that uses a 6-pin connector and FW 800 that uses a 9-pin connector. If your computer only has the former then you can get a conversion cable so you can connect it to a newer computer that only has the Firewire with the 9-pin connector.

     

    An example of such a cable is here.

  • by a brody,Helpful

    a brody a brody Dec 22, 2011 4:59 AM in response to marcynewman
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 22, 2011 4:59 AM in response to marcynewman

    Here the Firewire 6 pin connector on the left, and the 9 pin on the right (be sure to click on the image to get a full picture, this forum cuts off parts of

    posts to keep its formatting):

    /___sbsstatic___/migration-images/170/17068072-1.jpg

    Here is a cable that can connect between the two types of ports: 

    /___sbsstatic___/migration-images/170/17068072-2.jpg

  • by a brody,Helpful

    a brody a brody Dec 22, 2011 5:05 AM in response to marcynewman
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 22, 2011 5:05 AM in response to marcynewman

    The only Macs with the MacBook name without any sort of Firewire are the MacBook Airs, and the Macbook without the (Pro) label of a certain age, as mentioned by this tip.  If your friend has a Mac older than 2001, they might not have Firewire either.

  • by marcynewman,

    marcynewman marcynewman Dec 23, 2011 4:00 AM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Dec 23, 2011 4:00 AM in response to a brody

    Thank you so much. This is what I was trying to figure out and the photo made all the difference!