[Eug Wanker]

Is my iBook's Firewire port dead?

If I plug a hub into it, the hub gets power, so I know the Firewire port is providing power. However, I can't see anything off that port. I unplugged the hub and tried other devices: I can't seem to see my miniDV cam. I plugged two hard drives (one 3.5" and one bus powered) and two optical drives into it and none of the drives are seen by my iBook. The 3.5" drive contains an OS backup, and I cannot boot off it either by holding Option at bootup. I tried the zapping the pram voodoo with no luck.

I haven't tried my iPod mini on it yet since all my cables for the iPod are USB 2 (which works fine). One of the Firewire drives also has USB 2, and the drive works fine through that.

So. In summary, no luck with:

1) MiniDV cam
2) 3.5" external hard drive - but it works fine via USB 2
3) 2.5" external hard drive
4) External DVD burner 1
5) External DVD burner 2

Hardware: iBook G4 1.33 with Radeon 9550.
OS: X 10.4.5

Anything else I can try? I'd try booting off another drive... but I can't since the computer doesn't see my Firewire drives.

[I Bent My Wookiee]

Guess firewire is on is dead after all

Anywho, if you are under warranty don't sweat over it and just get it looked at.

[Tomchu]

Do not despair! My girlfriend's sister's 14" iBook G4 had the same problem, and then my 12" developed the same problem. It turned out that it was one of dirt/crap build-up on the contacts of the Firewire port and cable.

Turn off the iBook, get a toothpick, put some felt on it, soak the felt in rubbing alcohol, then push it around inside your Firewire port to clean all of the metal contacts. Do the same to all of your Firewire cables.

I've noticed that frequent changing of Firewire devices leads to that crap build-up. I'm guessing you do a lot of swapping?

[Eug Wanker]

Well, I tried 4 different Firewire cables. And no, this iBook's Firewire port isn't used much, because most of the time I use my iMac. Unfortunately, that one is in for repair right now.

Once I confirm that the drives work on another machine, I'm bringing the computer in.

I am getting frustrated with my Macs. My G3 iBook suffered from the logic board issue. My iMac G5 is in for repairs cuz it was randomly powering off, and my G4 iBook now probably has a dead Firewire port.

[I Bent My Wookiee]

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

I am getting frustrated with my Macs. My G3 iBook suffered from the logic board issue. My iMac G5 is in for repairs cuz it was randomly powering off, and my G4 iBook now probably has a dead Firewire port.

Oh oh time for you to go back to PC!

[Eug Wanker]

Well the good news is my iMac is now back and seems to be working fine.

Just in time for me to take my iBook in for service.

[bradoesch]

I can't remember for sure, but does the Hardware Test CD check out the FireWire ports? That might be worth a shot.

[Eug Wanker]

Originally Posted by bradoesch

I can't remember for sure, but does the Hardware Test CD check out the FireWire ports? That might be worth a shot.

I don't know if it checks it or not. It does check the logic board, but I don't know if that includes the Firewire port. Anyways, I did the test and it passed.

However , I just tried hooking the iBook to my iMac via Firewire target mode. The iMac doesn't see the iBook at all. I also tried removing the battery in the iBook for 10 minutes. No change. Given that, and the fact that the iBook doesn't see any external Firewire boot drives if I start the machine up holding down the Option key, it seems clear this is a hardware issue, not an OS or software issue.

I'll bringing in the iBook next week.

[Tomchu]

Did you even bother trying to clean the port inside like I suggested?

[Eug Wanker]

Originally Posted by Tomchu

Did you even bother trying to clean the port inside like I suggested?

Yes, and it didn't do anything. Thanks for the suggestion though.

I wasn't expecting it to work anyways, since I don't use this Firewire port much. Most of my Firewire devices are hooked up to my iMac.

[Tomchu]

Oh, that sucks.

[Eug Wanker]

The logic board is getting replaced.

That makes it two for two now. Both iBooks I've owned have needed replacement logic boards.