[conspire] questions re firewire pci card and firewire enclosure for 30GB hard drive

[Darlene Wallach]

Daniel Gimpelevich wrote:
> On Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:21:09 -0800, Darlene Wallach wrote:
> 
> 
>>I also called Central Computers in Santa Clara asking how
>>much a firewire card costs. I was told they had one in
>>stock for $14.95. Since the prices are very different,
>>I want to make sure I'm buying the right part for what I
>>need.
> 
> 
> Most 400Mbps firewire cards have a chipset either made from or based on
> Texas Instruments's designs. The major exception are cards with a VIA
> chipset, which slightly differs in design, occasionally leading to weird
> behavior. Therefore, you can just get whatever 400Mbps card you come
> across, and the results won't noticeably differ. However, if you get a
> card that does both firewire and USB, your chances of Linux problems
> skyrocket.
> 
> 
>>I also will need to purchase a firewire enclosure for my
>>30GB hard drive. I'm assuming I need to buy a 3.5" firewire
>>enclosure. Daniel mentioned something about Oxford w/911
>>chip - I do not know what that means.
> 
> 
> The cheapest enclosure to include firewire at MicroCenter is the ULT31310
> from Ultra Products. Do NOT get that one, as it uses a chipset from
> Prolific Semiconductor instead of Oxford Semiconductor, which is what you
> want.
> 
> 
>>Are there recommendations for brand(s) for the
>>firewire pci card?
> 
> 
> As always with Linux, look at chips, not brands.
> 
> 
>>Are there recommendations for the brand(s) for the
>>firewire hard drive enclosure?
> 
> 
> Having said the above, the brand BYTECC has really come through in the
> past, but their prices have since shot up dramatically. At Central
> Computer, there will likely be someone who will know at least one of their
> wares to use the Oxford 911 chip (probably a fellow customer), but it may
> not be the cheapest Oxford 911-based enclosure they stock there. At
> MicroCenter, you will likely be able to request that a salesperson open
> one of the boxes of each model they have just to read the markings on the
> chip. Both places will likely have higher prices than outlets like
> WeirdStuff, if they have something like that. I know you dislike Fry's,
> but after seeing what's available everywhere, and deciding on something
> specific, there's usually no harm in making the actual purchase at Fry's.
> 
> 

Daniel,

Thank you very much for your explanations! I need to file
"As always with Linux, look at chips, not brands." in my
memory! I will put your email in my notes.

I most likely will take Paul's offer of one of Marc Merlin's
donated enclosures.

Darlene