Digi 003r with G-Tech external hard drive

[Bikarezza]

Hi guys

I've heard this may be a common problem but thought I'd run it by you.

I run an Intel iMac i5 3.6ghz, 8GB ram with latest version of snow leopard. I just bought a G-Tech 1TB (7200rpm, oxford chipset etc.) external hard drive to record audio to but when I daisy chain it to the iMac's lousy 1 fw800 port the digi 003r interface can't link with the iMac/pro tools LE. That's using the recommended sequence of:

iMAC -----(FW800)---> G-Tech ----(FW400)------->Digi 003r

It boots momentarily and then the green host light on the digi rack turns off and it resets itself ....then nothing! Just refuses to play.

Oddly, it works doing it the unrecommended way of:

iMAC ------(FW400)----> Digi 003r ----(FW400)----> G-Tech

If I just leave the Digi rack on to avoid damaging the hard drive can I keep it like this and exactly how much will it affect performance/track count??

Any insight would be great. Seems a shame to have quite good specs on iMac and not use them to potential.

Thanks guys

[albee1952]

The only potential problem with your hookup is IF(big IF) the 003 gets turned off while data is being written. As long as you are careful to leave the 003 turned ON all the time(as long as the computer is ON) you should be fine. Its never been a performance issue, only a potential data problem(power OFF the 003 while the drive is writing and you could corrupt a session). If the drive had dual FW400 ports, I would recommend trying a cable with FW800 on one end, and FW400 on the other so you could feed the drive via FW400 I say, if it works, roll with it(but leave the 003 powered up).

[Bikarezza]

Thank You Albee

Sadly it only has twin FW800 ports which I think is the problem with having it first in the chain. I read somewhere I'm sure that having decrease (ie 800 to 400) out of G Tech drives even the Gen4 ones (which it is) causes a supply issue. ANNOYING!

But have taken on board what you've said, and will ensure the oo3 remains on (unless of course the mac is off)

Cheers

[geneg]

You might try another FW400-FW800 cable, the one that ships with the drive appears to be incompatible with some computer/drive combinations.

[dvn]

Hey Guys,
I'm having the same exact problems with my G Drives.
Any solutions to this yet?

Everything was working fine and then one day the drives wouldn't work in the middle of the two. My old LaCie Drives will still daisy chain in "the middle" no problem so I'm assuming it's a G Drive issue.

Please advise!
dv-

[tombliss]

I've had trouble mixing LcCie 400/800 and G-Tech 800 G drives too.

Sometimes one or the other wouldn't mount on the desktop at start-up (I'm on MBox2, so this is just a drive issue for me). In the end I took the LaCies out of the chain, assuming they were faulty as they're older.

NoW I just have 800 cables to three G-T 1TBs - but I've had to restart a couple of times just to get them to show up on the desktop.

Strangely, changing the leds did seem to make a difference in the past (I assumed worn contacts), but at the time I thought I was chasing another problem, so I've not kept track of the configurations.

If there are issues going from 400/800 or 800/400 - and/or problems with some GT leads that would explain a LOT.

Not much help, I'm afraid, but also watching this thread with interest.

[Park Seward]

That drive is bus-powered. Have you tried the external power supply?

I don't know if the output from the drive can support the rack if the drive is bus-powered. All my drives are the "standard" drives with power supply.

Some 800 to 400 cables do NOT pass power. If your FW400 connector only has four pins, you won't get power to a bus-powered disk drive.

For example, this one WON'T work:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TP320LL/A

[tombliss]

The G-Tech 1TB G Drive has its own power supply.

[Park Seward]

Originally Posted by tombliss

The G-Tech 1TB G Drive has its own power supply.

Correct. But the OP said, " I read somewhere I'm sure that having decrease (ie 800 to 400) out of G Tech drives even the Gen4 ones (which it is) causes a supply issue. ANNOYING! "

So I'm not sure what drive he is using.

[tombliss]

Sorry - yes well spotted. I don't know about the Gen 4s