User Name
Password
AppleNova Forums » Purchasing Advice »

mini USB 2.0 to Firewire 400 cable?


Register Members List Calendar Search FAQ Posting Guidelines
mini USB 2.0 to Firewire 400 cable?
Thread Tools
Sketch
Formerly “iceman009”
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Some place
 
2007-04-11, 03:25

Anyone know where I can purchase such a cable? I couldn't find it in any on-line store (the ones I checked so far in Europe), so I am not sure if such a cable exists. Please let me know if you could find one, preferably in Europe. Thanks

MacBook with Super Glue...seriously though
  quote
Jerman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Siloam Springs, AR
 
2007-04-11, 03:35

No such cable exists. They are so different, I do not think such an interface is possible. Out of curiosity, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?
  quote
Sketch
Formerly “iceman009”
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Some place
 
2007-04-11, 03:51

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerman
Out of curiosity, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?
Well I got this Trekstor Datastation Pocket HDD as a gift. Problem is that it has a USB 2.0 Y-connection cable, which I have to plug both in it to work properly (mentioned in the manual, in order to ensure enough electricity is receiving to the HDD). I have a MBP, where the USB ports are faaaar apart from each other so I can't plug both. So, I was actually wondering having a mini USB 2.0 to firewire 400 cable might overcome this problem. Was my thought right?

MacBook with Super Glue...seriously though
  quote
digitalprimate
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
 
2007-04-11, 04:16

How about using:
A USB-hub where there are numerous ports (closely together) so you can plug in both USB-plugs.
Or getting an extension cable with a female usb on one side and a male usb plug on the other.
Or, just plug in the one cable, since it actually gives enough power to the pocket drive for most applications (except if you would want to capture video directly from a camcorder to that drive).
  quote
Sketch
Formerly “iceman009”
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Some place
 
2007-04-11, 04:39

First two options, well no thanks. I am actually doing the last one, and was wondering if such a (mini USB 2.0 to Firewire 400) cable existed it would be easier. Since the answer is no, I will continue using it with one cable. Thanks for the replies.

MacBook with Super Glue...seriously though
  quote
chucker
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: near Bremen, Germany
Send a message via ICQ to chucker Send a message via AIM to chucker Send a message via MSN to chucker Send a message via Yahoo to chucker Send a message via Skype™ to chucker 
2007-04-11, 06:15

Quote:
Originally Posted by iceman009 View Post
Problem is that it has a USB 2.0 Y-connection cable, which I have to plug both in it to work properly
Yeouch! That technique (using an additional USB port for one and the same device in order to supply sufficient power), while sadly rather common with low-cost drives these days, is non-standard and bound to cause havoc. As in, kernel panics.

My advice: if possible, return the gift and replace it with a proper enclosure, preferably with combo USB / FireWire ports. You could save yourself a lot of trouble.
  quote
Sketch
Formerly “iceman009”
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Some place
 
2007-04-11, 06:28

Quote:
Originally Posted by chucker View Post
replace it with a proper enclosure, preferably with combo USB / FireWire ports. You could save yourself a lot of trouble.
Since I can't return the gift (don't have the reciept, and can't ask for it), would it be possible (more like wise) to just take the HDD out and replace it with a proper enclosure? if you check the gallery, there is one USB 2.0 mini port. Can't I just then get a USB mini 2.0 to regular USB 2.0 cable and plug it in or this enclosure specifically made to power up with 2-Y connectors?

MacBook with Super Glue...seriously though
  quote
torifile
Less than Stellar Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Durham, NC
Send a message via AIM to torifile  
2007-04-11, 07:17

Quote:
Originally Posted by iceman009 View Post
Since I can't return the gift (don't have the reciept, and can't ask for it), would it be possible (more like wise) to just take the HDD out and replace it with a proper enclosure? if you check the gallery, there is one USB 2.0 mini port. Can't I just then get a USB mini 2.0 to regular USB 2.0 cable and plug it in or this enclosure specifically made to power up with 2-Y connectors?
Swapping out the drive into a better enclosure shouldn't be a problem. I'd bet it's just a standard 2.5" drive in the enclosure. Get an enclosure made for 2.5" drives from newegg or something and swap it out.

I have no idea what you're talking about with your "mini USB to regular USB" question.

If it's not red and showing substantial musculature, you're wearing it wrong.
  quote
Sketch
Formerly “iceman009”
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Some place
 
2007-04-11, 08:04

If I buy another enclosure with USB 2.0, what is the difference to the one that I already have? Because all the enclosures I have checked either have USB 2.0 and external power port or just USB 2.0 and 2-Y connector.

MacBook with Super Glue...seriously though
  quote
turtle
Lord of the Rant.
Formerly turtle2472
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate South Carolina
 
2007-04-11, 09:50

Quote:
Originally Posted by iceman009 View Post
If I buy another enclosure with USB 2.0, what is the difference to the one that I already have? Because all the enclosures I have checked either have USB 2.0 and external power port or just USB 2.0 and 2-Y connector.
Without adding a power plug you're going to have a Y-USB cable. Some might give you a pass-through, but the HDD itself must draw more power than a single USB port can give. (500mA I think.)

Louis L'Amour, “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.”
Visit our archived Minecraft world! | Maybe someday I'll proof read, until then deal with it.
  quote
Sketch
Formerly “iceman009”
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Some place
 
2007-04-11, 10:05

Darn, I always thought that 2.5" HDDs can be used without additional power. Thanks for the reply though
  quote
kretara
Cynical Old Bastard
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: The Hot, Hazey, Humid South
Send a message via AIM to kretara Send a message via Yahoo to kretara  
2007-04-11, 10:07

I would suggest getting something like this.

it has firewire 400 and usb 2. May be a little more expensive that what you can find at newegg, but it does have a dual interface.
  quote
Sketch
Formerly “iceman009”
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Some place
 
2007-04-11, 10:24

Quote:
Originally Posted by kretara View Post
I would suggest getting something like this.

it has firewire 400 and usb 2. May be a little more expensive that what you can find at newegg, but it does have a dual interface.
The problem is not finding a dual interface case, but having to plug-in either external power supply or additional USB connection. Yeah I think I will go with a dual-interface case anyways as I prefer firewire connection than USB 2.0

MacBook with Super Glue...seriously though
  quote
turtle
Lord of the Rant.
Formerly turtle2472
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate South Carolina
 
2007-04-11, 10:28

You won't need another power source with FW either. It's your best option.
  quote
Ebby
Subdued and Medicated
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Over Yander
Send a message via AIM to Ebby  
2007-04-11, 14:06

I had a drive with a Y cable and hated it so I started using a normal cable. It worked. Just try it with a normal cable to see if your drive works too. If not, an error will be displayed or the drive won't mount.

But I never had a problem with power since the switch.

^^ One more quality post from the desk of Ebby. ^^
SSBA | SmockBogger | SporkNET
  quote
Sketch
Formerly “iceman009”
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Some place
 
2007-04-11, 15:28

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ebby View Post
I had a drive with a Y cable and hated it so I started using a normal cable. It worked. Just try it with a normal cable to see if your drive works too. If not, an error will be displayed or the drive won't mount.

But I never had a problem with power since the switch.
yeah at the moment I am using it with one cable, and it woks fine, just don't want to screw-up my computer as chucker mentioned
  quote
turbulentfurball
Right Honourable Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Québec
Send a message via ICQ to turbulentfurball Send a message via AIM to turbulentfurball Send a message via MSN to turbulentfurball  
2007-04-11, 16:26

Quote:
Originally Posted by chucker View Post
As in, kernel panics.
I can vouch for that.
  quote
Sketch
Formerly “iceman009”
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Some place
 
2007-04-11, 16:42

Quote:
Originally Posted by chucker
As in, kernal panics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by turbulentfurball View Post
I can vouch for that.
Well I don't use it often, so hopefully I won't get a kernal panic
  quote
turbulentfurball
Right Honourable Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Québec
Send a message via ICQ to turbulentfurball Send a message via AIM to turbulentfurball Send a message via MSN to turbulentfurball  
2007-04-11, 16:47

It would kernel panic if I woke my Mini with the drive attached on occasion. The times it didn't, finder would crash.
  quote
Posting Rules Navigation
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Post Reply

Forum Jump
Thread Tools
Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Apple TV USB 2.0 port SilentSpectre Speculation and Rumors 16 2007-01-31 18:26
Will putting Tiger on a firewire drive really speed up my mac mini? solinari6 Apple Products 3 2005-04-06 13:16
iTunes won't sync with USB ShiggyMiyamoto Genius Bar 2 2005-01-30 15:28
The Smallest Third-Party TV Tuner For Mac? EyeTV Wonder USB 2.0. SonOfSylvanus Third-Party Products 0 2005-01-11 16:51
Firewire PCI card for G5 (due to bizarre accident) defaultmike Genius Bar 8 2004-12-18 00:07


« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:55.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2024, AppleNova