FW800-to-FW400 conversion?

Question

Level 1

1 points

FW800-to-FW400 conversion?

Purchasing new drive, need to be sure of compatibility...

-the hard drive in question is fw 800, but that I can use it with my fw400-only-G4 (as well as my laptop with fw400-only spec) by using a *conversion cable*. Is this really true?

-some users also suggest I can just *use the 800 port on the drive and plug it into any old 400 spec port, such as my old mac. Is this also true?*

I defer to your expertise, thank you for your input!!

PowerMac G4 Dual 450, Mac OS X (10.2.x), ITS OLD!!

Posted on Apr 16, 2009 1:36 PM

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Answer 1

direwolf8

Level 4

1,286 points

Apr 16, 2009 1:41 PM in response to I Hate PCs

If the Firewire 800 port adheres to the standard, it should be completely compatible with Firewire 400. So you should be able to plug your FW800 drive into your FW400-only Mac and expect it to work. You need a "bilingual" ieee1394a to ieee1394b cable.

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Answer 2

Niel

Community+ 2026

Level 10

743,369 points

Apr 16, 2009 1:41 PM in response to I Hate PCs

the hard drive in question is fw 800, but that I can use it with my fw400-only-G4 (as well as my laptop with fw400-only spec) by using a conversion cable. Is this really true?

Yes.

some users also suggest I can just use the 800 port on the drive and plug it into any old 400 spec port, such as my old mac. Is this also true?

No; you need an adaptor, as the ports are physically different.

(42660)

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Answer 3

kmac1036

Level 4

2,370 points

Apr 16, 2009 1:46 PM in response to I Hate PCs

you can get an adapter or 9 pin (fw800) to 6 pin (fw400) cable, which is what I have & recommend.

http://eshop.macsales.com/search/800to+400cable

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Answer 4

I Hate PCs Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 16, 2009 2:50 PM in response to kmac1036

Folks these replies are great, thank you very much.
The specs on the drive I am looking at note an included 'fw800 9 pin-16 pin cable'. However, no mention of 400 conversion, and so I thought it was just different cable 'head' types on the end of an 800 cable. Your answer lets
me know this is the 'converter' the tech was referring to. Thanks again for your help.

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Answer 5

I Hate PCs Author

Level 1

1 points

Apr 17, 2009 10:40 AM in response to I Hate PCs

Thanks again folks!

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