firewire cables-difference???

If both iMacs have a firewire 400 port then use a firewire 400 cable.

lenn

Hi Jack,

it's not very confusing.

6-pin connector is used for FW 400 and can provide power to the connected device.
4-pin connector is same as 6-pin but without providing power to the connected device.

Whereas 6-pin are usually found on desktop computers, 4-pin is mostly used with Notebooks.

A 9-pin connector is used for FW 800.

If your old iMac has FW400 you can use a 6-pin to 6-pin cable in order to establish connection.

Some more infos here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire

Regards

Stefan

Hi Jack

Your looking for a 6 to 6 pin FireWire cable:
http://www.firefold.com/6-Foot-6pin-6pin-IEEE-1394-Firewire-Cable-P963.aspx

You also could use a (6 to 9 pin) 400 from the old iMac to 800 on the Intel iMac:
http://www.firefold.com/6-Foot-9pin-6pin-IEEE1394B-Firewire-Cable-P965.aspx

Just to add, check out Kappy's "Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs"
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435350

Dennis

Note the 4 pin is really for exporting DV digital video because a) it is small as are the cameras so you need a smaller port, and b) the cameras are powered by battery and would use too much power anyway, hence the "data only" 4 pin connector. Laptops that only have 4 pins are usually Windows laptops and a bad design, not a feature. Since you cannot use a bus powered drive with them.

Wouldn't a four pin be safer "generally speaking" as you eliminate any risk of blowing a firewire port?

Hi should of,

since I never had any problems with either 6-pin ports (on my desktop PCs and Macs) or 4-pin (on my Toshiba Notebook) I can't really say if it's safer.

But that may be also from only using self-powered devices with firewire and no bus-powered.

Stefan

I've seen it happen to hardrives a few times but mainly ro video cameras and other devices. But it hink my ? and answer is obvious. Of course the 4 pin is safer?

Problem the OP has a G5 and an Intel iMac, neither has a 4 pin port! The G5 has two 400 ports and the new iMac has a 400 & 800 port.

should of wrote:
Wouldn't a four pin be safer "generally speaking" as you eliminate any risk of blowing a firewire port?

I guess it reduces the odds from a million to one to a million and three to one.

The fact is , when using a bus powered FW device then the 4 pin will leave you holding something in your hand and 6 pin won't. It is data only and small for the reasons previously stated.

There are enough 4-6 and 6-9 adapters and cables to match up any combos out there, though if both devices are 6 pin FW then it is pretty simple, get a FW400 cable, 6 pins, each end.