This problem sounds more likely to be hardware-related and less likley
to
be software-related.
This may be the key:
I have tried the system profiler and after a restart with no device
connected it shows a FW400 port present, yet if i restart it with a
device plugged in the profiler simply reads No Information Found.
Possibly, something goes very wrong and shuts down FireWire when a
device
is connected. This could cause the computer to react as if it has no
FireWire port at all.
The first thing I would suggest, if you have not already done this, is
to
shut down your computer, unplug all devices (not just FireWire) and
then
unplug the AC power too. Leave the AC power disconnected for at least
5
minutes. Then connect AC power, and a mimimum set of devices (say,
monitor, keyboard, and mouse), then boot and then try adding your
FireWire
devices one by one.
Also, if your computer (or any of the FireWire devices) is plugged
into an
ungrounded AC outlet, try moving the computer and all devices to a
grounded
outlet, all on the same circuit (say, through a common power strip).
If you are a developer and have installed FireWire SDK 19, I would
suggest
running FireStarter and then connecting your devices one-by-one.
FireStarter gives a very low-level view of what is connected, and may
provide a valuable "second opinion" compared to Apple System Profiler.
If
FireStarter does not see your devices, you almost surely have a
hardware
problem.
Also, if you have a PCI FireWire card handy, you could install it in
the
G4. If devices work when connected to the card, you can almost
completely
rule out any software problems on that system.
Perhaps one of these suggestions will help.
Eric
I am posting to this list as it looks to be the best place to find
people who may be able to solve a worrying problem my mac has
developed.
It is a G4 1.25ghz dual processor with 1gig ram, running os 10.3.5
with
all the latest software updates installed.
yesterday the machine worked perfectly. this morning I cannot access
any of my firewire devices. I usually have a Motu 896 audio
interface,
Iomega 120hdd, and Formac Studio DV connected. None are showing up.
The
hdd has been tried on a G5 and showed up straight away so i doubt its
the devices at fault.
I have tried the system profiler and after a restart with no device
connected it shows a FW400 port present, yet if i restart it with a
device plugged in the profiler simply reads No Information Found.
I have tried different cables - no difference. I have reset the
nvram,
repaired permissions, i have even tried to re-install the 10.3.5
combo
update as one person suggested.
I am completely at a loss with this problem and would really
appreciate
any advice that could be offered.
thanks
adam taylor
