How can I add a Firewire jack to my pc?

[scenicworld]

Hi,
I have checked around the forum a bit and haven't found how one can add a IEEE 1394 port/jack to my computer. Is there a way to do this? Thanks

[thesuarus1]

You can purchase a pci card that will do the job for you... just do a Google search....easy.

[SLK001]

Yes, there are a mirad of cards that have firewire, firewire and USB, etc. Just go to here and select the one with the features that you want.

[tinker]

Before you buy any card, make sure what slots on your computer are free and type. PCI or PCI-E.

[Nelson37]

It will take more than the 10 to 30 seconds you must have spent looking.

You will probably need someone to do it for you.

Completely different if you have a laptop.

[scenicworld]

Thanks for your help. I assume I need to take the case off to see if I have any PCI slots available(No hardware specs that will tell me?). I have an Emachine and I have added a DVD burner to it but I didn't pay any attention to the slots while I was in there. Nelson, I will check the glossary some more before I ask what the difference is in a PCI and PCI-E. Thanks again all.

[tinker]

Your mother board manual should tell you what slots you have. Older boards usualy have both or at least one PCI.
PCI is about 6" long, PCI-E is about half of that.
Hope we are talking Desktop computer.
For Laptop, you can get PCMCIA card, easy.

[scenicworld]

Yes, I have a tower. Thanks Tinker. I will tear into it this weekend. I appreciate the time you all take to answer questions for the techy illiterate. Have a fabulous day!!!!!

[tinker]

These are slot types.
From top to bottom
PCI-E 4x
PCI-E 16x
PCI-E 1x
PCI-E 16x
PCI

pciexpress.jpg

Sorry, forgot about 16x, which is longer than PCI.

[scenicworld]

Okay, I looked and I have 2 PCI slots available in my pc. I searched and it looks like that both of them are a 32-bit/33Mhz type. I went to the link that SLK001 gave me and the Cards don't say anything about what type they fit. Only PCI interface, or PCI serial bus version 2.2 or something. Is there a way to know before I order whether it will fit my PCI slot? Thanks in advance

[AlanHK]

Okay, I looked and I have 2 PCI slots available in my pc. I searched and it looks like that both of them are a 32-bit/33Mhz type. I went to the link that SLK001 gave me and the Cards don't say anything about what type they fit. Only PCI interface, or PCI serial bus version 2.2 or something. Is there a way to know before I order whether it will fit my PCI slot? Thanks in advance

These are so cheap it's probably better to buy them locally, no postage charges and you can return it if it's not compatible.
Any halfway competent clerk at a computer gear shop can advise you the kind you want.
If you have a manual for your PC bring that along and they can be sure.

For a little more you might get several firewire sockets, &/or USB on the same card if you need them.

[MysticE]

Okay, I looked and I have 2 PCI slots available in my pc. I searched and it looks like that both of them are a 32-bit/33Mhz type. I went to the link that SLK001 gave me and the Cards don't say anything about what type they fit. Only PCI interface, or PCI serial bus version 2.2 or something. Is there a way to know before I order whether it will fit my PCI slot? Thanks in advance

These are so cheap it's probably better to buy them locally, no postage charges and you can return it if it's not compatible.
Any halfway competent clerk at a computer gear shop can advise you the kind you want.
If you have a manual for your PC bring that along and they can be sure.

For a little more you might get several firewire sockets, &/or USB on the same card if you need them.

Not really. 3Btech's price of $9.99 includes shipping and it's a brand name card. I've dealt with them and have had good results.

http://3btech.net/adaf3ie13fip.html

A similar no name card at BestBuy cost 4X more with tax.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6307392&st=firewire+pci&lp=1&type=produc...=1074787927900

This combo card is also a good deal if needed.

http://3btech.net/adduauusb20a.html

[AlanHK]

A similar no name card at BestBuy cost 4X more with tax.

Yes, I'm sure you can find more expensive ones if you look.

[MysticE]

A similar no name card at BestBuy cost 4X more with tax.

Yes, I'm sure you can find more expensive ones if you look.

That's the cheapest one available at BestBuy.

[AlanHK]

A similar no name card at BestBuy cost 4X more with tax.

Yes, I'm sure you can find more expensive ones if you look.

That's the cheapest one available at BestBuy.

I'm sure it is.

I don't know about shops where you live, or more to the point, where the original poster lives, but where I live, there are lots of small retailers who are cheaper than chain stores for most things, especially generic parts like this, and who don't have searchable websites. (Personally, in my neighbourhood, a young guy has a bungalow in his back yard that he sells PC parts out of and does repairs; he can source any part at pretty much the lowest price. I assume he is not unique.)

And in this particular case, we're talking about something retailing for less than $10. Even if your online price was cheaper, that's not the most important part of what you're purchasing, Since the original poster seemed in need of guidance, a good retailer could provide that at no extra charge.

[turk690]

Make sure the FireWire card has a Texas Instruments (TI) chipset. These seem to be the most fuss-free. My experience shows VIA and Promise chipsets often act up (camcorder not recognized sometimes, etc).

[cd090580]

Before buying a card, check if your motherboard (look as the specs/user guide) does not already have a firewire port.

Sometimes the port is available on the motherboard card but there is no connector plugged. If your card is one FW embedded, then you just need a firewire PCI bracket and plug it in your motherboard card.

[usually_quiet]

In the US, small stores selling PC parts have pretty much vanished. In a medium-sized city there will be a few small shops that do repairs or custom-build systems. If they sell parts, the selection will be limited, and they won't be less expensive than a big chain like Best Buy or Fry's. The small store I saw most recently seemed to cater mostly to gamers and case modders.

[scenicworld]

Thanks all!! I really appreciate your time and help!!!