Adaptor: FireWire 800 to USB-C?

Question

Level 1

16 points

Adaptor: FireWire 800 to USB-C?

My early 2011 MacBook Pro died a couple weeks ago. I anticipate getting one of the brand-new MacBook Pros when they're available. For restoring files I have a bootable SuperDuper clone on an external hard drive. However, the ports on that G-Drive backup are FireWire 800, and the ports on the new MacBook Pros are USB 3.

Is there (or will there be) such a thing as an adapter between these; or would intermediate stages of file transfer traversing technologies be required? Or am I out of luck? (The hard drive, however, on the "dead" Mac may be salvageable and usable.)

MacBook Pro Core Duo 15", Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Oct 28, 2016 4:12 PM

Reply

Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,317 points

Oct 28, 2016 4:26 PM in response to RicochetMan

I have never come across a Firewire to USB connector so I suspect that the simplest approach is to get an enclosure with a USB port and use a USB-C to USB adapter to connect to the new MBP.

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 28, 2016 4:28 PM in response to RicochetMan

If you are intent on using a FireWire enclosure you already have, convert the new computer's USB-C to thunderBolt-1 or -2, then use a ThunderBolt to Firewire-800 adapter.

Reply

Answer 3

RicochetMan Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 2, 2016 12:12 PM in response to RicochetMan

Thanks both for your help. What will work appears to be this:

My backup, as it turns out, has another port (which I did not recognize) in addition to its two Firewire 800 ports, i.e. a USB Mini-B (5-pin) port. A mini-B to USB 2.0 cable adaptor does exist. As does an Apple USB to USB-C adaptor cable. Presumably, daisy chaining these two cables should work. We shall see once the MBP arrives and I head down to see a Genius.

Reply