I have just bought an M-Audio Firewire Audiophile audio interface which uses the normal Firewire 200 port on my Powerbook G4 and a Lacie external hard drive which connects throught the Firewire 400 port. When I access both, the Audiophile eventually disconnects and I have to reboot. As I have placed all my sound files on my external hard drive (this is why I bought the thing) I am constantly having to access it and I cannot actually continue like this. Has anyone else encountered this problem and could anyone suggest some solutions? Could I convert my Audiophile Firewire cable to USB (does such an adaptor exist?)

Many thanks in advance,

Russ

P.S. I am using Logic Express 6 if this makes any difference...

I had a similar problem with the M-Audio Firewire 410 and a lacie big. They were on seperate busses (apparently running them on the same buss is where the acknowledged problems lie) but even still the 410 would just stop working.
I took the Lacie back and traded it for a Raptor internal drive and now everything works fine.
The problem isn't the Lacie, it is the M-Audio drivers, but....I have friends who use the 410 through the Firewire 800 bus, using a cable which converts to 400, and a Lacie on the other Firewire buss and it works fine.
so....if you can do that try it (Firewire 800 to 400, I don't know if the Powerbook has that port)
or replace the M-audio interface, or hassle M-audio for drivers that work.

When I reported the problem to them they responded quickly but told me it was because I hadn't uninstalled the old 410 drivers properly. (i went through a convoluted uninstall according to their instructions but the problem persisted)

or...you could get the Lacie USB drive or a Big which uses almost all the different usb and firewire protocols.


Good Luck.

Cheers dude, although I have just realised that I got me terms wrong. I have the Audiophile plugged in to the Firewire 400 port and the Lacie Big in to the Firewire 800. Anyway, the problem remains the same. I shall hassle M-Audio for new drivers as this shouldn't happen. Thanks for the advice.

Can you try the Lacie on the 400 buss, and put the M-audio on the 800 buss with a cable that converts to 400?
My buddy does that and it works.

You were right about M-Audio getting back quickly... they told me that I ahould try and connect the Audiophile to both the LaCie drive AND my Mac. I haven't tried it yet but I'll keep you posted...

All right, I have the same problem with a Powerbook G4, LaCie 200gb firewire 800 comp. and a firewire 410. Woooo That sound a little wired but I'm gonna try... Only the extra cable missing.... I'll be back on it.... Tank's

I had the idea to connect the firewire 410 to the lacie (using firewire 400) and the lacie to the powerbook (using a 800 cable). It's working perfectly for me. I don't know yet about the latency but it seemed unchanged. I just learned something about my laptop today. Hope it can help.