Results: Ran the Test CD. It found no problems. The Read Me file specifically says, however, that it doesn't test devices connected to the Firewire or USB ports. Does not say if it tests the ports themselves, but none of the tests seemed to do that.
Tried resetting the PMU. Not sure if I succeeded or not. I held in the button (using a small torx screwdriver) that is between the modem port and the S-video port for as long as a minute. The computer never restarted, but it did shut down when I removed pressure from the button. I did this several times. I couldn't see any difference in anything onscreen after doing this, nor did it have any effect on devices that I connected to the firewire port. They still weren't recognized. I also tried booting from the Restore CD and trying firewire devices while that CD's OS (9.1) was active, thinking that something in my normal system might be conflicting ... but no change. I happen to have a Firewire PC card, leftover from a former G3 Powerbook. But I haven't had any luck with it either. The iPod screen display comes on when I connect it via this card, but it still doesn't mount. The portable HD (with no AC power supply) doesn't even spin up when connected through this card. Would one have to go through any particular sequence to get an iPod to mount using a firewire PC card? And while I was at it, I zapped the PRAM just for good measure. Didn't do anything helpful. I sure wish there were a quick and easy way to test the firewire port itself, as that _seems_ the most likely culprit. Is there an equivalent to shift-booting in X? That is, to booting up without any extra frills (extensions) other than the basic system stuff? Could I have a munged firewire driver? Where is the firewire driver in X anyway? Lots of questions, not many answers... thanks for all help. Dan >Dan, >Run the Test CD that came with your PowerBook. This boots into Open Firmware >and runs a series of tests. >Next Reset the Power Manager. One your PowerBook that's done by (from >Apple's site-) > >Resetting the Power Manager > >1. If the computer is on, turn it off. >2. Restart the computer by holding down the reset button to the left of the >Serial port for 10 to 20 seconds. >3. If the computer does not restart, repeat step 2 three or >four times. > >I assume this computer is out of warranty. If so and if the FW is dead, you >may need to purchase a FW PC card and that may work. Are you the original >owner of the computer? If so, has this just been occurring or has it >happened before? > >Schoun On 5/21/03 9:03 AM, Dan Crutcher at dcrutcher at loumag.com >wrote: > >> Ward, Jerry: >> >> The System Profiler (or the "More info" button in X) says: "Firewire >> Information -- No firewire devices found." It says that whether anything is >> connected to the firewire port or not. >> >>> Dan, >>> >>> Check to see that Apple System Profiler sees your firewire ports. If it >>> does, you more than likely have a software issue. >>> >>> Ward >>> >>>> The firewire port on my Powerbook G4 (500 Mhz) has quit recognizing devices >>>> connected to it. >>>> >>>> At first I thought the port might be dead, but I find that when I plug a >>>> portable firewire drive into it I can feel the hard drive spinning up -- so >>>> I >>>> know it's getting power -- but the drive never mounts. >>>> >>>> Much the same with an iPod. It charges properly when connected to that >>>> firewire port, but it never mounts and iTunes cannot find it. (I have tried >>>> holding the play-menu/previous-foreward buttons to reset it, but it still >>>> doesn't get recognized. And I have connected the iPod to another computer's >>>> firewire port and that computer does mount it.) >>>> >>>> Can a firewire port partially work? Does it make sense that it could >>>> provide >>>> power to the device but not provide whatever it takes to recognize the >>>> device? >>>> >>>> Dan >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >>>> | be May 27. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >>>> | This list's page is >>> <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup>. >>> >>> >>> >>> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >>> | be May 27. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >>> | This list's page is >>> <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup>. >>> >> >> >> >> >> | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >> | be May 27. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >> | This list's page is ><http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup>. > > > >| The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will >| be May 27. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. >| This list's page is ><http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup>. > | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will | be May 27. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. | This list's page is <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup>.
