68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.
Has anyone gotten a firewire card working on a Beige G3 running 8.6?
Posted by: reallyrandy on 2022-02-28 12:50:25 I've tried an Adaptec AFW-4300 and an IOGear GIC430F and neither work. I've tried Firewire enabler 2.33, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.8.3. The System Profiler sees the card and Card Type, Model and Vendor ID are displayed but Card Model and ROM# are not. The IOGear says it's compatible with OS 8.6 and a Blue and White G3 The Adaptec says it needs OS 9 I want to stay with 8.6 because it's the original OS, plus OS 9 is sluggish on this Mac. If you've gotten it to work, please tell me the card model and the driver you're using.
Posted by: Skate323k137 on 2022-02-28 12:58:14 I have a sonnet combo USB/firewire card, but the box says OS9 minimum. I suppose when I get around to firing up my 7500 I can try 8.6 and see but I'm doubtful.
Posted by: reallyrandy on 2022-02-28 14:07:36 The FireConnect 4300 says requirements are: \ Macintosh Mac OS 8.6 or later Power Macintosh 8600/9600 or later Available PCI slot CD-ROM drive Would the G3 266 be considered later than an 8600? I know it was released in November 97 with a PPC 750 and the 8600 was released earlier February 97 with a 604e. So you would think…
Posted by: LaPorta on 2022-02-28 14:16:44 One would assume any G3 would technically superceed the 8600...
Posted by: reallyrandy on 2022-03-01 07:39:41 I bought an Adaptec FireConnect 4300 on ebay, we'll see if that works when it arrives. If not, there are some LaCie FW 400s available.
Posted by: Skate323k137 on 2022-03-01 07:42:20 I bought an Adaptec FireConnect 4300 on ebay, we'll see if that works when it arrives. If not, there are some LaCie FW 400s available. Good luck! For the record here is the one I acquired https://www.ebay.com/itm/353446881123 Still need to test it though.
Posted by: reallyrandy on 2022-03-01 16:11:53 That one specifically says OS 9 and up only so that wouldn't work for me as I'm using OS 8.6.
Posted by: Skate323k137 on 2022-03-01 16:53:12 Yes, that's why I said "for the record." I hope you can find a suitable solution.
Posted by: chelseayr on 2022-03-01 17:01:55 just as a footnote I was curious and tried a quick web search which somehow not surprisingly led to a bunch of pdf's..but anyhow..just to rehash three plausible leads that I found in my 'lazy research'.. "siig 1394 pci adapter" @ pdf mentions ohci 1.1 & macos 8.6 or later and should be used with apple 2.3.3 driver minimum belkin F5U501-MAC @ pdf mentions ohci 1.0 & macos 8.6 with apple 2.4 driver required and that 2.5 is not compatible and on a sidenote to orangemicro, the 1394b pci pdf says it is still compatible with 8.6 but same pdf mentions at least 9.0 in the 'dv requirement' so mm maybe need someone else to cite actual 8.6 compatibility (of course the card likely only operates in 1394a mode, probably only a bon if you have too much 1394b cables/peripherals)
Posted by: NJRoadfan on 2022-03-04 09:05:40 My beige G3 MT came with a Firewire card that was a BTO option, so its possible to get one working on MacOS 8.0/8.1.
Posted by: reallyrandy on 2022-03-04 12:03:38 I have tried 3 different cards, IOGear GIC 430F, Adaptec FireConnect AFW-4300, and Adaptec 4300A. The Adaptecs show up and and register in the System Profiler. I'm starting to think it's because I'm using 2 drives with FW800 connectors and a 800>400 cable. maybe if I bought a native FW 400 drive it might work. I want USB and Firewire so I can transfer from my modern Mac to the G3.
Posted by: Franklinstein on 2022-03-06 10:15:20 I had some trouble getting FW to work on beige Macs. Make sure you have the proper extensions. If there are utilities for your specific FW device, try running them or possibly other utilities to check if they can see it. You may have to restart after plugging something in. Sometimes on Classic Mac OS hard drives won't show up unless you restart or run a mounting utility. Texas Instruments made most if not all of the early FireWire controllers that Apple used. If your card's using a TI chipset it should work.
Posted by: volvo242gt on 2022-03-07 01:55:39 ^This... Another thing, I see that your hard drive enclosure has a USB port. Have you tried using a USB cable with it? Looks like it's the same style USB connector that most digital cameras and memory card readers use. It'll be slow transferring larger files, if the USB card you're using is 1.1, but might be a simpler way to go, if you're still having trouble with Firewire even with a FW400 drive. Also, was the drive formatted on a machine that had access to OS 9 drivers? If those aren't installed, the drive won't be seen on a Mac that's not running OS X.
Posted by: reallyrandy on 2022-03-08 11:36:17 I finally got it working by using 2.8.3 Firewire drivers and a drive that has a power cable. I'm using the Adaptec AFW-4300A. The self-powered drives do not work on OS 8.6 but they do work on OS 9 (weird).
1