Firewire Problem

[JtB]

My son has an Audio Interface that uses the 6 pin Firewire port on my computer. Over the past few months it has become intermittent and it now no longer works. Before deciding what to do do next I'd like to work out if the problem is with my son's Audio Interface or if its with the Firewire port on my computer. Unfortunately I don't have any other Firewire devices to try and I cant find anyone whose computer supports a 6 pin Firewire port. Any ideas anyone?

 

[rusky]

Have you another cable to try?

What computer is it?

 

[Norm]

If the problem is intermittent, I'd open the computer's case and check the seating of the card / cables (as appropriate). A loose fit can be affected by the heat inside a case.

 

[JtB]

I have a Dell XPS 420 and the Firewire port is directly off the motherboard (the problem started off intermittent, but its not worked at all now for several months). Unfortunately I don't have another cable. The only thing I can think of is popping along to a PC World and seeing if they can try the Audio Interface on one of their PCs. I'm not sure though this would work as I get the impression that 6 pin Firewire is old technology now.

 

[Riding in Circles]

Get a cheap firewire device to try first, PC whorehouse will charge through the nose to tell you even if it is fine.

 

[JtB]

I had to pop into Maplins for something else today so I picked up a 6 to 4 pin Firewire cable for a tenner. I know there are lots of laptops around with 4 pin Firewire ports, so I should now be able to test it.