Will plugging in a firewire 800 cord make a firewire 400 external hard drive go fast?

ghsusaxa75 · ghsusaxa75 #1 (**permalink**)

05-01-2011, 07:38 PM

I have a external hard drive that has a firewire 400 port. I have been using that since, but recently, I realized that I had a firewire 800 port that could connect to my macbook pro (2007). I was wondering if I were to use the firewire 800 cord instead of my firewire 400 cord, would there be a faster data speed transfer? The firewire 800 cord has an adapter which can connect to firewire 400 pieces. Will this mess up my data? Are there any issues with doing this?

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

05-01-2011, 07:40 PM

No, the hard drive will continue to operate at FW 400 speeds.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #3 (**permalink**)

05-01-2011, 07:44 PM

Works the same with everything. PC133 in a PC100 system bus speed, works at 100MHz, USB1 in a USB2 port, works at USB1, and as chscag states, everything will function at the slowest rate, 400MHz, not the fastest. Look for the slowest common denominator.

scottmcp432 · scottmcp432 #4 (**permalink**)

05-01-2011, 08:13 PM

I believe that what he is referring to is a drive like the iOmega I use as a backup for my MBP. This drive comes with ports and cables for USB 2.0, FW400 and FW800. If that is the case then using the FW800 port and cable to connect to his Mac WOULD result in faster R/W speeds. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, the OP failed to provide specific info as to the make and model of drive he is referring to.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #5 (**permalink**)

05-01-2011, 11:25 PM

Think he would have told us if he had a FW800 drive, but says quite clearly the external drive has a FW400 port. If the external does have the FW800, why not just use it?

scottmcp432 · scottmcp432 #6 (**permalink**)

05-02-2011, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghsusaxa75

I have a external hard drive that has a firewire 400 port. I have been using that since, but recently, I realized that I had a firewire 800 port that could connect to my macbook pro (2007). I was wondering if I were to use the firewire 800 cord instead of my firewire 400 cord, would there be a faster data speed transfer? The firewire 800 cord has an adapter which can connect to firewire 400 pieces. Will this mess up my data? Are there any issues with doing this?

Correct me if I am wrong, but he states that "I realized that I had a firewire 800 PORT that could connect TO my macbook pro". He does not say that he has a firewire 400 to 800 adapter cable. I have never seen and cannot find online ANY external hard drives that are firewire 400 speed only but come with a firewire 800 port. Every drive I find with both ports is firewire 800 speed when connecting via the firewire 800 port. Again, if I am wrong please correct me and sorry if I seem a bit rude. That is not my intent. Dad always said I would argue with a mile marker and old habits die hard I suppose.

ghsusaxa75 · ghsusaxa75 #7 (**permalink**)

05-02-2011, 10:12 AM

Sorry for the confusion guys. The external hard drive has only a USB and Firewire 400 port. I found a firewire 800 cord in my closet and I was wondering if I could use it to speed up my drive. Judging from the replies though, I guess I can't do it.

chscag · chscag #8 (**permalink**)

05-02-2011, 04:52 PM

You're right. As I stated in my first reply, you can't do it. Thanks for posting back.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #9 (**permalink**)

05-02-2011, 06:10 PM

And one vote for your Dad Scott!

ghsusaxa75 · ghsusaxa75 #10 (**permalink**)

05-02-2011, 10:40 PM

I should be thanking all of you guys! This is why I like the this community, everybody is just so friendly.

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,017 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	05-01-2011, 07:40 PM No, the hard drive will continue to operate at FW 400 speeds. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,095 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	05-01-2011, 11:25 PM Think he would have told us if he had a FW800 drive, but says quite clearly the external drive has a FW400 port. If the external does have the FW800, why not just use it? *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,017 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	05-02-2011, 04:52 PM You're right. As I stated in my first reply, you can't do it. Thanks for posting back. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,095 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	05-02-2011, 06:10 PM And one vote for your Dad Scott! *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I plug in my external hard drive and I get a Kernal Error	Deppetw	Other Hardware and Peripherals	10	04-28-2012 06:58 PM
Firewire External Hard Drive	tomrichards14	Other Hardware and Peripherals	3	12-17-2009 02:18 PM
Can't boot from external Hard Drive	kpdesigns	Other Hardware and Peripherals	8	10-06-2009 12:35 PM
Make Movies from my External Hard Drive Show in Front Row	halo200	OS X - Apps and Games	0	09-14-2008 09:03 PM

Will plugging in a firewire 800 cord make a firewire 400 external hard drive go fast?

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

ghsusaxa75 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 20, 2008 Posts: 149	05-01-2011, 07:38 PM I have a external hard drive that has a firewire 400 port. I have been using that since, but recently, I realized that I had a firewire 800 port that could connect to my macbook pro (2007). I was wondering if I were to use the firewire 800 cord instead of my firewire 400 cord, would there be a faster data speed transfer? The firewire 800 cord has an adapter which can connect to firewire 400 pieces. Will this mess up my data? Are there any issues with doing this?
	QUOTE Thanks

scottmcp432 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 15, 2010 Location: Midland Texas Posts: 89 Mac Specs: mid '09 13" MBP 2.53 C2D, 8Gb RAM, 250 Gb HD, SL and Win7	05-01-2011, 08:13 PM I believe that what he is referring to is a drive like the iOmega I use as a backup for my MBP. This drive comes with ports and cables for USB 2.0, FW400 and FW800. If that is the case then using the FW800 port and cable to connect to his Mac WOULD result in faster R/W speeds. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, the OP failed to provide specific info as to the make and model of drive he is referring to.
	QUOTE Thanks

ghsusaxa75 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 20, 2008 Posts: 149	05-02-2011, 10:12 AM Sorry for the confusion guys. The external hard drive has only a USB and Firewire 400 port. I found a firewire 800 cord in my closet and I was wondering if I could use it to speed up my drive. Judging from the replies though, I guess I can't do it.
	QUOTE Thanks

ghsusaxa75 #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 20, 2008 Posts: 149	05-02-2011, 10:40 PM I should be thanking all of you guys! This is why I like the this community, everybody is just so friendly.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)