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connect firewire device to USB port

My Epson scanner would hook up to my iMac via FireWire, but my new iMac has no fire wire ports. How do I hook up the scanner to my new iMac?

Posted on Oct 31, 2022 10:16 AM

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9 replies

Oct 31, 2022 4:05 PM in response to Brian Nation

The V700 has a USB 2.0 port. Use that instead of the Firewire port. You will need a USB-C to USB-A adapter like this one:

USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple


You will also need an ordinary USB cable to connect the adapter to your scanner.


Of course if you absolutely want Firewire, you can go the complicated & expensive route and use all three of these adapters to connect via Firewire:


Oct 31, 2022 10:49 AM in response to Brian Nation

Not easily.

Firewire and USB are fundamentally incompatible.


You may be able to get it to work using a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple and a Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter - Apple


If the scanner uses firewire 400, you will need an additional firewire 400 to firewire 800 adapter.


New iMac->USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 > Thunderbolt 2 to FireWire (800) >Scanner


There comes a time when updating hardware is necessary though.





Oct 31, 2022 11:10 AM in response to Brian Nation

There should be some adapters available, or even cables from FireWire to USB

But be cautious because there's two Firewire versions: 400 and 800

If you won't be able to find for USB-C (assume You won't) -- an extra dongle would be necessary (to have classy USB to connect)


So, if will look like: Mac's USB-C (or Thunderbolt) -- Dongle for USB -- adapter Firewire to USB -- Scanner

connect firewire device to USB port

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