Antec 660AMG Front Firewire Port - Whassup?

[RobHW]

Can anyone explain why the Antec 660AMG computer case front firewire port is split into five individual pin female connectors on the inside of the case? What component are the five individual connectors supposed to plug into (I mean, if it's a motherboard then can you name one?). Why five individual connectors instead of just a single connector? And is there an adapter that would combine them back into a single plug - assuming that would be more practical. Thanks for helping out a very confused enthusiast. (By the way, I've e-mailed Antec technical support with no response after the first day. Maybe you guys are faster!).

 

[fredtam]

There are a couple different pin setups used on different motherboards. Having the individual pins makes sure it will be compatible with all boards. It hooks up to the firewire pin out on the board. Most boards come with an additional piece with firewire ports that goes in one of the unused PCI slot holes . Thes cables have a single connector because they are designed for that board. There are no adappters that I know of but plug them in and you can't tell the difference.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: fredtam
There are a couple different pin setups used on different motherboards. Having the individual pins makes sure it will be compatible with all boards. It hooks up to the firewire pin out on the board. Most boards come with an additional piece with firewire ports that goes in one of the unused PCI slot holes . Thes cables have a single connector because they are designed for that board. There are no adappters that I know of but plug them in and you can't tell the difference.

*ding-ding-ding* Teh Winnar!!!! This is the right answer, RobHW. Consult your motherboard's manual for the exact identification of each pin. I'm sure it says it on the motherboard itself, but it can be hard to read the microscopic print w/the board in the case. Good luck.

 

[RobHW]

Excellent! That is so helpful. Let me ask you this. There are six wires coming from the case to support firewire. They are TPA-, TPA+, TPB-, TPB+, VP and VG. Will a motherboard typically require all of these connectors? Do you know of a particular make and model motherboard that would make use of the firewire wires coming from the case? Again, thanks for the help.

 

[fredtam]

Yes. Usually the motherboard will have more pins thany ou have connectors. I don't know what kind of board you are looking for. All of the Canterwood boards I looked at before I bought my IC7-G had them. Just look at the MB specs if it list "internal" 1394 it has them.

 

[wasssup]

:Q @ topic

 

[StormRider]

I wish all the motherboard manufacturers had gotten together and decided on a standard internal plug for Firewire and USB1/2 ports -- that would have made life simplier...