I just picked up a WD 120 gig HD and an external case with 1394 and USB 2.0. For some reason using the USB 2 it will populate in my Windows XP Pro but when I try the 1394 Firewire it won't? I tried an MS hotfix and already have SP1a. I first tried using the MB's (Asus P4C800-E Deluxe) onboard port then tried using the port on my Audigy ZS Platinum Pro breakout box thinking it could be the MB since I have read of problems with it....but still no go. So this tells me it has to be a software (Windows) problem most likely. I have tried what I can but now need some more info/help on the subject. Some more info on the subject... 1) Bios checked to see if it was enabled 2) Windows Sytem Hardware Prop checked and no conflicts 3) Possible jumper setting on the MB needs to be placed? It's not that big of a deal but it does "erck" me and I want to know if Firewire transfers will be faster than the USB 2.0 (Yes I know 1394 IS faster but WILL it be for what I use it for)
1. It could be something as trivial as the firewire cable being dead 2. Any luck if you bootup with the drive already connected vs hot pluggin? Is your fireware physically attatched to the board or is it a PCI card deal? Quite the opposite, Firewire kicks in at 400Mbs (50MB/s) and USB2.0, at 480Mbs (60MB/s). Of course this is a moot point since your other drives will never operate at a sustained 50 or 60Mbytes/s. In general drives follow the two-thirds rule (although with SATA, RAID and 8MB cache it might be approaching three-quarters) where the acutal speed is 2/3 (or 3/4) of the theoretical speed. Stupid question: is there an additional connector for the Firewire or is it just that one cable? Lastly, it might be a power issue. I know USB had this 'problem': you can plug a device into the USB port but it wouldnt register because the passive power in the port wasnt enough to kickstart the device.
I can't help much with the problem because I've actually had the opposite experience with my drive enclosure. It doesn't show up on some PCs when I use the USB 2 connection. I can say that using firewire should be faster, at least for sustained transfers. USB 2 has a tendency to give erratic speeds because despite the theoretical speed, it's still similar to the original USB specs, which were intended for devices like mice that don't require sustained data transfer. Plus USB devices are "dumb". They just do whatever they're told. Firewire, on the other hand, was designed for data transfer (A/V in particular) and also has the advantage that the connections involve more of a peer to peer network instead of a peripheral relationship, so the drive carrier has some control over data flow, and doesn't require the PC to do as much. _X_X_X_X_X_[small]In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move. Backup A DVD With DVD Rebuilder & CCE Basic: http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/dvd_rebuilder_tutorial.cfm[/small]
[bold]1. It could be something as trivial as the firewire cable being dead[/bold] I don't think the firewire cable is dead, as when it is plugged in the icon for safely remove device pops on the system start tray but the device does not populate in "My Computer". But it does for the USB, which leads me to believe it is a Software (XP) problem. I.E. Driver, or Windows update/hotfix etc. Because if it was the enclosure that was messed up it would not send even the info for the "Safely Remove Device"...??? Maybe??? [bold]2. Any luck if you bootup with the drive already connected vs hot pluggin?[/bold] I tried that and the same thing happens...Nothing lol! [bold]3. Is your fireware physically attatched to the board or is it a PCI card deal?[/bold] I have 2 Firewire ports, one on my MB and one on the Audigy (I will explain in better detail in next question) [bold]4. Is there an additional connector for the Firewire or is it just that one cable?[/bold] ^In referance to the Audigy^ The Audigy card I have has an external box that connects to the actual card in a PCI slot on my PC. The box has dial controls for Master Volume, Mic level as well as inputs for the mic(s), headset, optical in/out and a Firewire port. I think that answer/clears up what you meant? [bold]5. Lastly, it might be a power issue. I know USB had this 'problem': you can plug a device into the USB port but it wouldnt register because the passive power in the port wasnt enough to kickstart the device.[/bold] The external case has an external power adapter that is in use. I am not using the power from a Keyboard port or the power from the USB by itself as it would not power the 3.5" WD (If it was a notebook drive 2.5" then I would have). Additionally I have read there are some problems with the MB on this subject but most people fixed it with a MS Hotfix. I tried one (with no changes) but have not been able to find the other 1 or 2 out there to test. But at the same time it must NOT be the MB since the same thing happens when I try to use the Audigy's Firewire port...and that is an item in a PCI slot!?!?!? Which also leads me to believe it is a Windows "thing". _X_X_X_X_X_[small]Please Search before posting http://forums.afterdawn.com/search . Here is my PS2 Tutorial http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/15105[/small]
- In reference to #4 i meant that, yeah, i know theres that IDE-cable-lookin'-thing that connects to the soundcard ... is there perhaps another connector you've overlooked? - Does the HDD work on another computer?
