Recommendation for Laptop Configuration

[scenicrecords]

I have a Dell Studio 1555 Laptop with one Firewire 400 port and an ExpressCard 34mm slot. I have a m-Audio Firewire 410. I also have a Glyph 050Q with a Firewire 400, 2 Firewire 800, a USB, and a eSATA interface. I have tried the USB and eSATA, but have been experiencing errors when recording in Pro Tools. The recommendation is to use Firewire for the Glyph. So there are 2 options:

1. Buy a SIIG FireWire 2-Port ExpressCard that is Digidesign Qualified and connect my Firewire 410 to that card; and the Firewire 400 port on the Glyph to the onboard port on the laptop.
2. Buy a SIIG FireWire 800 2-Port ExpressCard/34 (that Digidesign has not qualified) but has the Firewire 800 bandwidth and connect that to the Firewire 800 port on the Glyph. Then, connect the Firewire 410 to the onboard port on the laptop.

I want to make sure I know what I need before I purchase the card that is either $80-$100.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[3JDamon]

Screw the FW800 interface. FW400 has all the bandwidth you need for the ext HD plus compliance with PT. If you really want to use FW800 or eSATA there's some special utilities that allow that, one's called Nuendo, another's called Sonar... I trust you get my drift.

[scenicrecords]

Originally Posted by 3JDamon

Screw the FW800 interface. FW400 has all the bandwidth you need for the ext HD plus compliance with PT. If you really want to use FW800 or eSATA there's some special utilities that allow that, one's called Nuendo, another's called Sonar... I trust you get my drift.

Ok, thanks. I'll get the SIIG FW 400 qualified card. Should that be connected to the Interface or the HD?

btw - I've invested a ton of time and $ on PT, and I just want this thing to work already. It's been a frustrating process.

[scenicrecords]

Does anyone else have any suggestions for this setup?

[philip888]

Originally Posted by scenicrecords

Ok, thanks. I'll get the SIIG FW 400 qualified card. Should that be connected to the Interface or the HD?

btw - I've invested a ton of time and $ on PT, and I just want this thing to work already. It's been a frustrating process.

I would connect the HD to the lappy on board port and connect your 410 through the SIIG FW 400 card.

This is how I connect my peripherals on my mobile set up.

[philip888]

Originally Posted by scenicrecords

Does anyone else have any suggestions for this setup?

Follow the Knowledge Base suggestions.
http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/self...p?DocId=349591

Get your new set up gonig and then lets see what the next thing to do is.

[scenicrecords]

Thanks phillip888. I ordered the SIIG Card yesterday (found it at Amazon for $63). I've already configured my OS according to those recommendations. As soon as I get the card, I'll run it through its paces and see if I find any issues.