[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.
> 
> 

Thank you - I will make sure I purchase a card that only has
firewire. Daniel, are you suggesting I do NOT purchase a
firewire card with a VIA chipset so the card will not have
weird behavior? or are you saying a VIA chipset is okay and
occasionally leads to weird behavior.

I found the following online at Micro Center:

http://microcenter.com/byos/byos_single_product_results.phtml?product_id=246126
Price: $9.99
PCI to Firewire 1394a 2+1 ports controller card (VIA)
Mfr.: Syba
Mfr. Part No.: SD-VIA-3F
SKU: 788505
UPC: 893049000304
SYBA Firewire 1394a 3-ports (2x Ext + 1x Int) Firewire 32-bit PCI card 
with VIA VT6307 chipset. Up to 400Mbps and support
PC Win 98SE/ME/2000/XP, Linux 2.4 or Mac OS

Product Specifications:
FireWire Technology: IEEE-1394, IEEE-1394a
FireWire Data Transfer Rate: Up-to 400Mbps
Number of External FireWire Ports: (2) External FireWire 6-pin Ports
Number of Internal FireWire Ports: (1) FireWire 6-pin Port
Supported Windows Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 98se, ME,
2000, XP
Supported Macintosh Operating Systems: Mac OS
Other Supported Operating Systems: Linux 2.4
Interface: Type 32-bit PCI Interface
Slots Required: Requires (1) PCI Slot

http://microcenter.com/byos/byos_single_product_results.phtml?product_id=246336
Price: $19.99
PCI to Firewire 1394a 3+1 Port controller card (VIA)
Mfr.: Syba
Mfr. Part No.: SY-VIA-4FC
SKU: 88539
UPC: 893049000311
SYBA 4-ports (3x Ext + 1x Int) Firewire 1394a PCI card. VIA chipset, 
plug-n-play, hot-swap and wake up. Support WIN 98SE/ME/2000/XP.

Product Specifications:
FireWire Data Transfer Rate: 100Mbps, 200Mbps, 400Mbps
Number of External FireWire Ports: (3) FireWire IEEE-1394 6-pin Ports
Number of Internal FireWire Ports: (1) FireWire 6-pin Port
Supported Windows Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 98se, ME, 2000, XP
Supported Macintosh Operating Systems: Mac OS
Other Supported Operating Systems: Linux 2.4
Interface Type: 32-bit PCI Interface


>>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.
> 
> 

I will check or have the salesperson check the firewire
enclosure I purchase to guarantee it has an Oxford 911 chip.

Thank you,

Darlene