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User profile for user: acprinting
acprinting Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

Firewire 800 Plug is Too Big for Socket in Back of my iMac

I have an external hard drive which I wish to use for my Time Machine backups and wish to connect it to my iMac using the FireWire 800 Socket.

I have purchased a lead which has a Firewire 9pin 800 plug on it, which is too big for the socket on my iMac. The plug on the other end fits okay into my Western Digital 2TB External Drive.

But can anybody tell me what sort of plug I need (or adaptor) to fit my iMac?

Thank you


iMac 21.5", macOS 10.13

Posted on May 24, 2020 5:30 AM

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User profile for user: samtenor
samtenor
User level: Level 4
1,798 points

Posted on May 24, 2020 7:22 AM

The cable you bought, per picture: is Firewire 400 <--> Firewire 800. This cable is usually used in older hardwares.


It might be helpful to know your iMac Model.

For 2012 - 2015: Thunderbolt 2 capable - that means you have to get this adapter (also see picture below).

For 2017 to present: Thunderbolt 3 - that you have to add one more adapter (in order to achieve: thunderbolt 3 -> thunderbolt 2 -> Firewire 800)


There are few third party hardware makers for making thunderbolt 3 --> hub (that might include firewire port). I have never tried those, therefore, I can not comment on those.


Edit: I did have used Thunderbolt 2 -> Firewire 800 adapter, then added "Firewire 800 - Friewire 400" cable for my external optical drive for 2012 iMac and 2014 Mac Mini. Right after, I have merged with USB 3 external devices (TimeMachine and optical drive) as they (USB 3.0 / 3.1) seems to be more future proof (I hope).

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User profile for user: samtenor
samtenor
User level: Level 4
1,798 points

May 24, 2020 7:22 AM in response to acprinting

The cable you bought, per picture: is Firewire 400 <--> Firewire 800. This cable is usually used in older hardwares.


It might be helpful to know your iMac Model.

For 2012 - 2015: Thunderbolt 2 capable - that means you have to get this adapter (also see picture below).

For 2017 to present: Thunderbolt 3 - that you have to add one more adapter (in order to achieve: thunderbolt 3 -> thunderbolt 2 -> Firewire 800)


There are few third party hardware makers for making thunderbolt 3 --> hub (that might include firewire port). I have never tried those, therefore, I can not comment on those.


Edit: I did have used Thunderbolt 2 -> Firewire 800 adapter, then added "Firewire 800 - Friewire 400" cable for my external optical drive for 2012 iMac and 2014 Mac Mini. Right after, I have merged with USB 3 external devices (TimeMachine and optical drive) as they (USB 3.0 / 3.1) seems to be more future proof (I hope).

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User profile for user: acprinting
acprinting Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

May 25, 2020 1:55 PM in response to samtenor

Thank you for your helpful answer and for taking the trouble to supply the photograph, which confirms that the sockets I have on the back of my iMac are not in fact FireWire (as my manual stated) but are in fact Thunderbolts! So I shall now try and purchase an adaptor as you suggested and my problem should be solved. Thank you once again

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Firewire 800 Plug is Too Big for Socket in Back of my iMac

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