This article comprises the Read Me for the following update:

Update Name: FireWire 2.5

Release Date: 2000-08-25

Localized OS: North American English

It can be downloaded from the Apple Software Updates Web site at:

http://www.apple.com/swupdates/

Click the following link to download the localized update:

http://asu.info.apple.com/swupdates.nsf/artnum/n11838

What Is FireWire?

FireWire is an Apple trademark for the IEEE 1394 High Performance Serial Bus standard, a cross-platform standard for connecting and using digital peripheral devices. FireWire can be used with many multimedia devices and for other high-performance applications. FireWire's benefits include fast real-time transfer, plug-and-play, hot swapping, a higher-speed growth path, and easy-to-use cables and connectors.

FireWire products currently available from third parties include digital video cameras and digital video decks, printers, scanners, still image cameras, mass storage devices, and PCI cards that can connect these devices to a computer. These products can be used to capture digital still images and to perform non-linear editing of digital video, including the creation of new digital media content.

In addition to digital video applications, consumer and professional FireWire products available soon may include synthesizers, digital TVs, entertainment systems, set-top boxes, and other devices.

About FireWire 2.5

• FireWire 2.5 is a component of the Mac OS. The FireWire 2.5 software includes three system extensions:
• FireWire Support: This extension adds services to the Mac OS to support the use of FireWire hardware and software.
• FireWire Enabler: This extension adds hardware-specific support for certain FireWire interfaces.

FireWire CardBus Enabler: This extension adds hardware-specific support for the Newer FireWire 2 Go CardBus interface, for use with PowerBook computers.

FireWire 2.5 fixes two issues that may be experienced by customers who are presently using FireWire 2.4 or an earlier version:

• FireWire 2.5 supports more devices on a single FireWire bus. FireWire 2.4 and earlier versions often could not handle more than about ten FireWire devices.
• FireWire 2.5 fixes an issue that could cause FireWire devices to work incorrectly when the computer is shut down.



System Requirements

To use FireWire 2.5, you need a Macintosh computer with the following:

• Built-in FireWire ports, or at least one FireWire PCI card or CardBus card installed
• Mac OS 9.0, 9.0.2, 9.0.3, or 9.0.4 installed

If you want to use FireWire digital video devices with your computer, you need the latest version of QuickTime, which contains the necessary drivers. You can get the latest version of QuickTime at the QuickTime Web site: http://www.apple.com/quicktime

Installing FireWire 2.5

Depending on which version of the Mac OS being used, the FireWire 2.5 extensions may already be installed.

To check if the FireWire extensions are present, look in the Extensions folder, in the System Folder on the computer's hard disk. To check which version of the FireWire software are installed, use the Get Info command in the File menu (in the Finder).

After installing FireWire 2.5, the FireWire CardBus Enabler extension can deleted or disabled if the Newer FireWire 2 Go CardBus card is not being used.

Important: Do not replace a newer version of the FireWire software with an older version. Read all the documentation that came with any third-party products for the latest details.

The latest version of FireWire software can be found on the FireWire Web site: http://www.apple.com/firewire

Known Issues and Limitations

Follow the guidelines listed below for connecting FireWire devices to the computer. If these instructions are not followed, the computer and other FireWire devices may not work correctly. For more information about using and troubleshooting FireWire devices, see the onscreen Help (available in the computer's Help menu).

• Do not connect more than 63 devices at one time, including computers.
• Do not connect devices so that any two devices have more than 16 cables directly between them.
• Do not connect FireWire cables in a way that forms a ring of devices. Do not plug both ends of one cable into the same device.
• Unused FireWire connections should be left empty. There are no terminators for FireWire connections.
• Connect devices that require power from FireWire directly to the computer.
• Do not unplug a FireWire device or eject a CardBus card while it is being used. For example, do not unplug a FireWire disk while copying files onto it.



Using Multiple FireWire Devices at the Same Time

Power Macintosh computers can transfer perfect digital video (DV) on FireWire when no other devices are using the FireWire bus. If you have issues transferring digital video, make certain that no other FireWire devices are being used at the same time.

Turning on a DV camera that is already connected may cause a FireWire hard disk to stop working. If this happens, turn off the camera and verify that the hard disk has recovered. Then unplug the FireWire cable from the camera, turn the camera on, and reconnect the FireWire cable to the camera. Check with the hard disk vendor for a possible firmware update to prevent this issue.

Using FireWire With a PowerBook

• If a PowerBook computer with a FireWire CardBus card inserted will not start up, eject the card and start the computer again.
• Do not allow a PowerBook computer to sleep while it is receiving digital video. The video input may not continue when the computer wakes up.
• If a FireWire CardBus card cannot be removed from the desktop, shut down the PowerBook and then press the card eject button to remove the card.
• If a PowerBook (FireWire) stops responding and no FireWire devices are connected, you may be unable to use FireWire after restarting. If this happens, fully shut down the PowerBook and then restart.
• If a PowerBook (FireWire) will not operate in Target Disk Mode, fully shut down the PowerBook and then restart.



For More Information

• Customer information about FireWire can be found on Apple's Web site at: http://www.apple.com/firewire
• Developer information can be found on Apple's Web site at: http://developer.apple.com/hardware/FireWire/
• Information about the IEEE 1394 Trade Association, and many FireWire products, can be found at:
  • http://www.1394ta.org
  • http://www.1394showcase.com
  • http://www.askfor1394.com

Copyright © 2000 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.