Connecting to older Macs without USB 2.0

Please use this thread to post successful methods of connecting 5G iPods to older Macs that do not have built-in USB 2.0.

The problem: The 5G iPods have dropped support for Firewire. You can connect them using USB 1.1, but this is painfully slow (USB 1.1 is 40 times slower than USB 2.0).

One solution: I own a PowerMac G4 that does not have built-in USB 2.0. I had previously installed an ADS Tech USB 2.0 card that claims to be compatible with OS X, but when I tried to use it to connect up my iPod, iTunes would lock up and I would have to force a reboot of my computer to kill it. Not a pretty sight. Apparently, Apple's USB drivers are not compatible with the majority of USB 2.0 cards out there. From other topics in this forum I read that the Belkin F5B220 USB 2.0 card will work. Luckily, Fry's let me return my old USB 2.0 card and I instead purchased the Belkin card, and it works great.

Why am I creating a new topic? To help other people who have the same problem, please post other ways to solve this problem. Please, let's not complain about the problem in this topic, just solutions, please.

Other people have said that the Belkin 3 port USB Hub (F5B219) also works, but I have not tried it myself. Can anyone verify?

I have also read that any USB 2.0 card with the NEC chip on it should work. When I was at Fry's, I saw a few other PCI cards that use the NEC chip (in particular, one from IOGear), but I have not tried any of them. Has anyone been able to connect an iPod using one of these boards?

Finally, are there any solutions for owners of older Macs without PCI card slots? For Powerbooks and iBooks that have PC card (PCMCIA) slots, which USB 2.0 interface cards work with the iPod?

Even worse, if you own a 12 inch Powerbook or an iMac that doesn't have built-in USB 2.0, is there any solution that will allow you to connect a 5G iPod, other than using (very slow) USB 1.1?

Posted on Nov 3, 2005 9:35 AM

91 replies

Feb 25, 2006 9:51 PM in response to William Leler

I got my new 60 GB iPod video yesterday. When I connected it to my dual 1Ghz MDD with an ioGear USB 2.0 card, it froze the Mac. After reading this forum, I bought a $30 CompUSA USB 2.0 card and it worked perfect. This is the card I purchased:

http://www.compusa.com/products/productinfo.asp?productcode=288605

I was originally going to buy the Belkin card that seems to work, but CompUSA didn't have any in stock and neither did Frys. Since the CompUSA card has an NEC chip on it (ioGear did not), I figured it would work. I'm happy that it does. I've copied lots of music and videos to the new iPod without any problems!

Feb 26, 2006 1:00 PM in response to jason kessel

When I checked the product, I saw no reference to a Mac platform. But you do have a Macintosh. Are you sure about the product number? Or maybe this is CompUSA card will work on a Mac, even though their own literature doesn't say so...?

Thanks for your input, Jason. I'm hoping to narrow down this search before I too buy the video IPod.

Feb 26, 2006 11:01 PM in response to Alinde Omalley

See the blue circle on the front of the package? In that circle, it says "PC and Mac Compatible". The item number on the site also matched the number on the package I bought. The chips says NEC on it. Works prefectly with my iPod! I hope this helps.

Feb 27, 2006 1:56 PM in response to jason kessel

Thanks, Jason. (I live in Mexico, and can't see the package, need to order.) Sounds just right. Alinde

Dantes

Level 1

0 points

Feb 27, 2006 2:35 PM in response to Untmdsprt

dCables makes a 4 pin to 6 pin FW adapter. Might be worth trying once the cables were available.

http://www.dcables.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=79

Mar 1, 2006 10:53 AM in response to William Leler

Well, I seems that alot of people are having issues.

I just recieved a 5thgen and am having connectablity issues.
I have purchased a IOGEAR 2.0 USB PCI card and it seems to work fine. However I have noticed that on several occasions if you transfer large amounts of music through this card it'll just stop. F#%*$R
So more testing will be needed.

I think this issue goes far beyond the ipod, I also noted that when I made the move to 10.4.5, my mounting issues began with the ipod and external drives. I think it is an OS issue that Mac users never had to deal with. But now that we are intel and in the windows business, it has become common ground.
I have noticed this, when the ipod or external drive freeze up everthing, I just power them down or disconnect the and all returns to normal.
Try it and you'll see.

I hope Apple opens it's eyes soon, as they can't servive on iPOD alone.

I'll keep you posted on the CARD and the issues.
Enjoy, I DO... 😉

PowerMac Dual 1.25 G4 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Mar 1, 2006 11:12 AM in response to amrGraphics

I also noted something else while testing on the USB 1.1, it never lets you eject. It says "the device is in use and can not be ejected, try quiting the app and ejecting." yet, I have no apps open.

APPLE PLEASE HELP US

rwill80

Level 1

0 points

Mar 1, 2006 11:40 AM in response to William Leler

Apple.... you MUST bring back FireWire support for your iPods. This is a joke not having it supported. I love my G4 iMac and don't have any intention of upgrading it for a while, as it serves my needs perfectly as is. I have well over 6000 songs and about 2000 photos and do not want to wait almost an entire day uploading all that onto an iPod. I don't care if the device has to be "bigger" to accomodate FireWire support - I just care about having a superior music listening device. What's the deal??

17" iMac G4 1Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.5) USB 1.1 & FW 400 only

Mar 1, 2006 1:00 PM in response to William Leler

Okay, that IOGEAR USB 2.0 was crapppppp.
Lots of bugs and jams......

So I went to Compusmart and got the following PCI card.
http://startech.com/ststore/itemdetail.cfm?ProductID=PCI425USB&mt=p40

So I have transfered over 500 songs in a few minutes, while printing a documnet and typing this posting "reply".

So for 20 USD or 35CND I would have to say this 4 port USB 2.0 Card works.
If I have any probles I'll keep you all posted.
Hope this helps. ENJOY

Mar 2, 2006 12:00 PM in response to William Leler

Just wanted to add my $0.02...

I had trouble with the IOGear 2-port USB card also (GIC220U). iTunes would stall after about 15 songs and wouldn't do anything. I had to restart a few times, even called Apple (haven't had to do that in 10 years!) The guy at Apple Support didn't even ask me about hardware. I wonder if they're even aware of the problem. Of course, to them it's not their problem.

Picked up a CompUSA 5-port USB 2.0 PCI card last night (SKU 288605) and transferred over 30GB of music, video, and podcasts in no time. Hasn't caused me any problems yet.

-k.
<<br>
G4 Dual 1Ghz MDD Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Apr 8, 2006 1:02 PM in response to William Leler

I don't know if this post is contributing any more to this thread, but I installed a D-Link DU-520 5-port USB 2.0 PCI card on my G4 1.25Ghz machine a few days ago in order to upload songs to my 60Gig iPod Video quicker than the inbulit USB 1.1.

The card certainly started uploading songs much quicker, but after less than ten songs or so, iTunes locked up and neither a Force Quit nor a 'soft' reboot would work, so I had to power off the Mac from the power button. This happened several times, so I gave up and sent the card back.

So another card to avoid if you want to use an iPod G5, I guess.

Does anyone know if the Macally 4-port UH-241 card works OK?

Apr 8, 2006 1:12 PM in response to jason kessel

Jason.
Just bought the comp usa usb 2.0 card. haven't installed it yet. Was wondering why my card doesn't have the NEC chip. It has a Ali chip. Should this be a concern?

Apr 10, 2006 10:07 AM in response to Ben Rigsby

Interesting.
I just purchased our first iPod and we have an old G4 dual 450 with USB 1.0. I called IOGear tech support, and they told me that none of their PCI cards support the iPod. Someone should set them straight.

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Apr 10, 2006 10:39 AM in response to Jerry Kaiser

I called IOGear tech support, and they told me that none of their PCI cards support the iPod. Someone should set them straight.
They might work okay, but IOGear does not specifically test them or build them to work with the iPod so they are not gonna say they are iPod compatible.

Apr 11, 2006 7:17 AM in response to William Leler

Thanks so much for this information. Bought our first iPod from Circuit City without any knowledge of what I'd need.

One question for the those of us who are technically un-savvy: I have a dual 450 G4 (bought it used). I plan to purchase the Belkin card recommended in this thread. Where can I find instructions on how to install the card in my machine? I assume it's pretty easy to do.

Thanks.

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Connecting to older Macs without USB 2.0