Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-SLI Firewire Help

[kopp0041]

On the motherboard there is two Firewire connetors, one for 1384 and one for 1384b. The 1384b is used for the rear connector included in with the motherboard. I'm trying to connect the Front 1394 port that came with the case but I've ecounted a problem. The cable that came with the cae has pin 9 or 10 blacked out. The MB has pin number 7 blacked out. The cable is marked saying Intel Spec. 1394 Cable. Does anyone have a solution for connecting the front Firewire port to the MB? Any help will be greatly appriciated.

 

[fixxxer0]

i emailed gigabyte about the same thing..... they gave me a vague answer saying just to connect whats there in any order and it will be fine.

i havent tried it yet my board will be here monday

oh also i think they are only 1394b because they are coming off the same controller

 

[kopp0041]

I don't know how you can connect a cable that has different pins blocked. Seems like a stupid answer., "Just do it." Who are they Nike?? I still haven't heard anything from them, I'll let you know what I hear.

 

[November Wolf]

Ive got the same problem. Did you guys figure it out yet.

 

[November Wolf]

Just figured it out. If you have a Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS card you can connect the cable on it. Dont know of any other way.

 

[Damien]

I've got the same problem, first with the GA-K8NFP then with the GA-K8NXP-SLI I replaced the NFP with when the PS/2 problem reared its head. I'm going to talk to some friends about it, see if they can suggest something, might even be able to get one to make up a converter cable...

Damien

 

[sfanous]

Also got the same problem. Case connector and mobo pinouts don't match!!!!!!!!

 

[kopp0041]

I have my PC up and running. It works GREAT, but I still haven't solved the Firewire problem and I have never heard back from Gigabyte. I asked the tech guy at Comp USA, and he didn't have any suggestions. I've searched the internet for a solution and haven't found anything. I do not have an Audigy Card so no go there.

If someone comes up with a solution, I'll jump at that chance.

 

[SLK75]

I've got exactly the same problem...I have an Antec P160 case that comes with a front firewire port and it states the IEEE cable connection used adheres to Intel standard....My K8NXP-9 Gigabyte motherboard firewire socket has a different pin layout...

I think I'll try rewire the case connector pins to match the mb...

 

[kopp0041]

Please keep everyone posted on any R&D you do on this situation.

 

[SLK75]

I haven't tested my front firewire port (don't have a firewire device yet) but I check Antec's website for the P160 firewire pinout description and they had something like this:

P160 Firewire pin layout
====================

Pin # / desc. / Colour
--------------------------
1 / TPA+ / Blue
2 / TPA- / Orange
3 / Ground / Black
4 / Ground / Black
5 / TPB+ / Green
6 / TPB- / Red
7 / Power / White
8 / block / ---
9 / block / ---
10 / empty / ----

k8nxp-9 pin layout
===============

1 = TPA+ 2 = TPA-
3 = Ground 4 = Ground
5 = TPB+ 6 = TPB-
7 = Empty 8 = Power
9 = Power 10 = Ground

So this what I did...As you can see from comparing the two pin layouts, my P160 matches the MB up to pin number 6 so I shifted every wire starting from number 7 (power) on my P160 by one so now pin 7 on my p160 is empty and pin # 8 is now power which match the motherboard layout...

Disclaimer: As I said I don't know if this will work (because I don't have firewire device) so don't take the risk if you are not sure of what you are doing because you could damage your equipment if wired incorrectly...your choice...your responsibility...

 

[gargula]

The following article talks about a similar issue with USB connectors -- but it helps with Firewire as well: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/directron/installusb.html

It has to do with bloody Gigabyte not following the de facto standard (Intel) for pins assignment. I knew that I should have bought Asus...

 

[gargula]

This page http://www.frontx.com/head_con.html *may* be helpful if you want to re-assign the pins in your case's connector to match your motherboard's pin order.

 

[SLK75]

Well with USB actually Gigabyte did follow the Intel standard with this MB (surprise surprise)...but my bloody Antec P160 front USB cable was incorrectly wired and manual was all wrong...I had to go to their website and get the correct colour assignment for each wire till I was able to rewire the USB to get to work properly...

Firewire though was a different case as Gigabyte still hasn't followed Intel standard in this area yet...why ??? Beats me...

 

[gargula]

My ANTEC Overture case came with an addendum to its manual which showed the correct wiring of the 1394 connector - the description in the manual itself was wrong. After swaping only two wires (7 and 9) plus removing the plastic piece from position 10 I was able to connect it to the motherboard and it's all working fine now.

 

[integramodder]

Anyone have networking problems with their GA-K8NXP-SLI?

 

[kopp0041]

I had to use the gigabyte network, the nvidia one was being very flaky. I think I got the firewire setup, but haven't tested it.

 

[calaverasgrandes]

I had this problem with my N400 Pro, I ended up breaking the connector with the case using some needlenose pliers, ten used even smaller needlenose to crimp them onto the mobo connectors.