computer doesn't have firewire connection

[mmchenry68]

I have a HP 523n pc. I was wanting to use the camera shooting software. My problem is my pc doesn't have a firewire connection. I talked with an HP representative who suggested I buy an adapter to hook the firewire into the usb port. Has anyone else tried this? If so how is it working for you?

[mmchenry68]

On the the manual it shows hooking your computer in via usb which I have done to download photos. Can you use the camera shooting software with just the usb connection? The manual only talks about the firewire connection.

[crabby]

I have never done this, but it is only going to be as fast as your USB port, which is slooow. If it works at all. I would recomend just putting in a firewire card for around $50 and be done with it. Which ver. of windows are you using.

[Wichita Wayne]

A firewire board costs less than $50 at http://computergeeks.com and will provide at least three firewire connections. If you have a screw driver you can even install the board yourself. It should come with instructions and a driver CD, but it might work fine with the drivers that come packaged with windows. If you hook it through the USB you are just adding another layer that can sometimes cause instability and lock up problems. I have done this to all of our desktop computers one of which is an older HP and they work like champs. Another problem is speed. If you hook up the firewire through the USB you will probably slow it down a lot. USB 2.0 is still not as fast as firewire and when you operate tethered to a computer you want the firewire speed. If you do not have USB 2.0 then using an adapter would really be slow. Lastly, I would wager you that the firewire adapter that hooks to the USB is probably not a cheap as a dedicated firewire board.

[mmchenry68]

thanks for the info.

I think I will try to install the firewire. I just hated to crack into a new computer. I was hoping there was a way around it. I have a brother in law who is a computer guy. I may see if he can help me install it.

[Swampy]

Don't really need the brother in law. It's an easy thing to do, especially if you're on Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Just power the machine down, open the side cover, remove a back clip with a single screw, pop the card into the slot and use that screw to screw it down, put the cover back on and you should be all set to go. Windows will prompt you for drivers if it doesn't have them already, which is done simply by putting the CD or floppy disk that the card came with in and pointing over to it.

It really is a 2 minute job and THAT easy. I'm just trying to save your brother in law. :D I know I'm always getting calls and stuff asking me to do little things like this, when they're fully capable of doing it themselves. I mean, they can rebuild a carburator on a car, but they can't remove one screw and plug something in? Anyway, not that I think he doesn't want to do it for you. Just letting you know that it's really easy to do.

For a desktop, get a PCI firewire card. That's easy. Shouldn't be more than 20 bucks for the card, and I'm sure they're much cheaper out there too.

[mmchenry68]

You're right I probably shouldn't bother my brother-in-law. He's a pretty busy guy. It does sound simple and I should be able to handle it fine on my own.

I found a FireWire PCI Controller Card 3+1port EEE1394 on ebay for $9.95 U.S from a power seller offering a lifetime warranty. It was $16.09 w/ shipping and insurance. Very inexpensive.

Can't wait to get it.

Thanks again for all the info.

[Igor]

You didn't mention your PC operation system, but be advised: Firewire won't work with "plain" Windows 98.

[crabby]

Wow I didn't know they got that cheap. Last time I looked they were about $50 and I could only find firewire/usb2 combo boards.
By the way, Does everybody have a brother-in-law that's a PC expert. Mine's a M.C.S.E. and I love to give him guff. Oh and he's also an auto mechanic.

[mmchenry68]

The operating system on my PC is windows XP. According to the info listed on ebay the firewire card is supposed to be compatible with windows XP.

Hopefully it will arrive soon and I can try it out.

[Igor]

Yes, XP will find and install it automatically.

[mmchenry68]

Got the firewire card & installed it in less than 5 minutes. Super easy. Works great. I think the camera shooting software is going to be really neat for studio work.

Need a longer firewire cord though. The one that came w/ camera doesn't reach very far since it plugs into the back of the PC.

[sandman]

Well done Mary, see this forum does'nt only teach you about camera's, it turns you into a computer geek as well.

Brian

[frankgh]

I bought my S2 grey market. Is there anyway to buy the shooting software?

[sandman]

Only the EX software from fuji .
On your avatar which one are you? and please don't say the one in the middle.

Brian

[frankgh]

I guess you have to go right to Fuji for that EX software. Sorry, I guess I'm helping drive this tread even further off topic!

I'm the guy on the right. Dan is on the right, we've been in the service together about 18 years, a lot of that here in Okinawa.

[sandman]

Frank, if you're on the right and Dan's on the right , who's on the left ............. and why do you call the fish Dan ?:D .

Brian.

ps don't worry abouut going away from the subject , most do i've just gone from ''keyboard'' to'' bulldozer'' in 3 easy steps

[frankgh]

me right, dan left, dead fish middle...

[sandman]

Glad thats cleared that up . you're on the right ,Dans on your right , right in the middle is the fish also on your right , to the fish's right is Dan, is that right ?..:D .


Is the fish on your right a Marlin..

[frankgh]

Baby Pacific Blue Marlin. 177 lb but fought for 2 hours on 50 lb test.

ok now I'm really in trouble, new member and WAY off topic!

[Swampy]

Looks like everything is alright now.

Good job on the marlin. I need to get out to Mexico again soooooon.