I want to do this too. But that would have to wait. At present I have a firewire card that will not work on the 600SC coz it only has two tabs and the longer one is the first hence the card won't physically fit. I would say that if you want to add Firewire, it would have to have that 12Volt connector coz I am assuming that if we run it at 3.3v and the firewire needs to power your device it ain't gonna cut it with 3.3 volts. Please follow my thread in the Upgrade Hardware forum located at http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=pes_upgrade&message.id=3199 coz if I do get it to work (eventually) I will post there. If you are in a hurry and do get it working, please post to that thread so that it is easier for the rest of us.
Thanks
@PaulEHoffman wrote:
OK, so I'm the zillionth person to get surprised by the 3.3v PCI connectors. It looks like some people on the forum have found sound cards that work; has anyone found a USB2 or FireWire adapater that fits into the slots?
Well...you can put either of them in.... What device do you have, that you are wanting to plug into your computer.... if its usb 2.0, then you should get usb 2.0 controller.... if its firewire, then you should get a firewire controller..... however, there are cards that combine the two, where you have so many of usb connections and firewire connections onto one card. You can go to http://www.newegg.com or http://www.directron.com for them.
*if I could find one that fits in the 3.3v PCI slots*. For those of you who haven't actaully tried to install PCI cards in their 600SC, the PCI slots do not accept 5v PCI cards, which is what 99% of the cards out in the world are. Some newer cards work with both 3.3v and 5v, as people on other threads have shown. My question is whether there are any Firewire or USB2 cards that work with 3.3v PCI.
I thought the strange 3.3v PCI slot would be a big bother. It has not been so bad, you just have to know what to look for in PCI cards. I recently purchased a usb 2.0 card (since the 600sc comes with 1.1, go figure a 2.4mhz machine with 1.1 usb) and a firewire card. The 5 port usb card was $15 and the 3 port firewire was $7. I also got a d-link nic card from officemax for free after rebate. All three work in the 600sc.
You need to see a picture of the card before you buy it. If the card has 2 notches in the PCI edge connector, it will likely work (universal PCI works with 3.3 or 5v). I also bought a modem from officemax (Best Data) the picture on the front of the box shows a universal PCI card. But what was in the box was not. The card was free after rebate so I kept it anyway. So the picture does not always work. Unfortunately I have found that the specifications of the cards say nothing about the PCI card type. So a visual inspection is the best you can usually hope for.
We all know we can get them.... but we really need to know what brand of usb2 and firewire you got so we can go get them. Did you get them at compusa, or do you have a url to where you got them?
I took that officemax modem and cut out a slit on the PCB and stuck it into the 600SC. It WORKS!!!! I assume that the company uses the same circuits coz they used to sell modems with 2 notches from what I have read in the Dimension forums. So, if any of you are brave enough, take a 3 tabbed PCI card that works in your 600SC, take out the metal bar, match up the cards and mark where to cut it and go at it with your dremel or in my case a drill with a very very small bit and cut out a notch. I would not recommend that for old cards coz the old cards were only designed for 5 volts. :)
Joenobody, I had a question though. There are 5 PCI slots. One would get the sound card, one the modem, one the video card, that leaves you with one USB and one firewire which means you are pretty full as far as PCI slots are concerned right? I was planning on buying a USB 2.0/Firewire combo to save a slot coz I have another network card running in the 600SC.
@joenobody wrote:
I thought the strange 3.3v PCI slot would be a big bother. It has not been so bad, you just have to know what to look for in PCI cards. I recently purchased a usb 2.0 card (since the 600sc comes with 1.1, go figure a 2.4mhz machine with 1.1 usb) and a firewire card. The 5 port usb card was $15 and the 3 port firewire was $7. I also got a d-link nic card from officemax for free after rebate. All three work in the 600sc.
You need to see a picture of the card before you buy it. If the card has 2 notches in the PCI edge connector, it will likely work (universal PCI works with 3.3 or 5v). I also bought a modem from officemax (Best Data) the picture on the front of the box shows a universal PCI card. But what was in the box was not. The card was free after rebate so I kept it anyway. So the picture does not always work. Unfortunately I have found that the specifications of the cards say nothing about the PCI card type. So a visual inspection is the best you can usually hope for.
One suggestion is to get the Soundblaster Audigy 2 card. It has a 1394 (firewire) port on the back and will fit in the 66mHz slot in the 600SC. Look for the MP3+ version. It's the same hardware as the more expensive packages but without some of the extra games, etc.
If anyone has any updated info on a suitable firewire card for the 600SC please post. Brand, model, and vendor would be helpful. I can tell you that NOT all PCI cards with the notch in the front will work. I have 2 of the same generic TI chipset cards that have both notches and neither will work in the 600SC. When they are installed the system will not power up. Just in case you don't buy one for your server here is a link to a picture http://www.coolgear.com/images/TI-3P-PCI.jpg These are usually advertised as generic TI chipset cards with no drivers. They run around $15. I bought the first from computergeeks.com and the second from eBay. A lot of vendors sell them. They have 3 ext. ports and no internal. Both have a decal on the back that says "CTB0142-08624". Beware: THEY DON'T WORK IN THE 600SC!
Next order of business. Computergeeks.com does sell a 3.3v 32/64bit PCI firewire card that is 1394a and the new Firewire 800 compatible. If anyone is interested it is here: http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=FIREWIRE800 It's about $55 shipped. Cheaper than most vendors for this card ($70) but still too much for me. I have NOT tested it in the 600SC - I'm just reading the specs.
All I need is 1394a to hook up a MiniDV camcorder. So if anyone has a cheap solution let me know.
Thanks. Peace.
Message Edited by compaqfan on 04-17-2004 04:19 AM
I am just getting around to wanting to add a firewire card to my PE 600SC. I saw the links, but I am not certain which card to get. All I know is that it must be 3.3 & (preferrably) 64 bit. Any specific brand & model? Is it PCI-X like Dell customer support told me or is it just PCI but 3.3 like some of the posting state?
Update: I managed to find a card that worked. I borrowed a Creative Labs Audigy sound card w/ built in firewire port from a guy a work. Installed it and it works fine plus I now have a sound card. I gave him $30 for it. They're all over eBay for around $35 or Newegg.com for $57 (
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-158&depa=0)
The BEST deal going right now is a 64bit Firewire 800 (1394a & b) card from ComputerGeeks.com. They have it in stock for $38.90!!! If you don't need a sound card and want to be able to use the new high speed Firewire 800 also, this is the ticket. I may go this route also.
dvpatel
14 Posts
0
April 7th, 2003 16:00
I want to do this too. But that would have to wait. At present I have a firewire card that will not work on the 600SC coz it only has two tabs and the longer one is the first hence the card won't physically fit. I would say that if you want to add Firewire, it would have to have that 12Volt connector coz I am assuming that if we run it at 3.3v and the firewire needs to power your device it ain't gonna cut it with 3.3 volts. Please follow my thread in the Upgrade Hardware forum located at http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=pes_upgrade&message.id=3199 coz if I do get it to work (eventually) I will post there. If you are in a hurry and do get it working, please post to that thread so that it is easier for the rest of us.
Thanks
buffbison
513 Posts
0
April 7th, 2003 16:00
Well...you can put either of them in.... What device do you have, that you are wanting to plug into your computer.... if its usb 2.0, then you should get usb 2.0 controller.... if its firewire, then you should get a firewire controller..... however, there are cards that combine the two, where you have so many of usb connections and firewire connections onto one card. You can go to http://www.newegg.com or http://www.directron.com for them.
PaulEHoffman
4 Posts
0
April 7th, 2003 17:00
Well, golly gosh, I can...
*if I could find one that fits in the 3.3v PCI slots*. For those of you who haven't actaully tried to install PCI cards in their 600SC, the PCI slots do not accept 5v PCI cards, which is what 99% of the cards out in the world are. Some newer cards work with both 3.3v and 5v, as people on other threads have shown. My question is whether there are any Firewire or USB2 cards that work with 3.3v PCI.
joenobody
2 Posts
0
April 8th, 2003 21:00
I thought the strange 3.3v PCI slot would be a big bother. It has not been so bad, you just have to know what to look for in PCI cards. I recently purchased a usb 2.0 card (since the 600sc comes with 1.1, go figure a 2.4mhz machine with 1.1 usb) and a firewire card. The 5 port usb card was $15 and the 3 port firewire was $7. I also got a d-link nic card from officemax for free after rebate. All three work in the 600sc.
You need to see a picture of the card before you buy it. If the card has 2 notches in the PCI edge connector, it will likely work (universal PCI works with 3.3 or 5v). I also bought a modem from officemax (Best Data) the picture on the front of the box shows a universal PCI card. But what was in the box was not. The card was free after rebate so I kept it anyway. So the picture does not always work. Unfortunately I have found that the specifications of the cards say nothing about the PCI card type. So a visual inspection is the best you can usually hope for.
JustaBill
4 Posts
0
April 8th, 2003 22:00
We all know we can get them.... but we really need to know what brand of usb2 and firewire you got so we can go get them. Did you get them at compusa, or do you have a url to where you got them?
thanks
JustaBill
dvpatel
14 Posts
0
April 8th, 2003 22:00
I took that officemax modem and cut out a slit on the PCB and stuck it into the 600SC. It WORKS!!!! I assume that the company uses the same circuits coz they used to sell modems with 2 notches from what I have read in the Dimension forums. So, if any of you are brave enough, take a 3 tabbed PCI card that works in your 600SC, take out the metal bar, match up the cards and mark where to cut it and go at it with your dremel or in my case a drill with a very very small bit and cut out a notch. I would not recommend that for old cards coz the old cards were only designed for 5 volts. :)
Joenobody, I had a question though. There are 5 PCI slots. One would get the sound card, one the modem, one the video card, that leaves you with one USB and one firewire which means you are pretty full as far as PCI slots are concerned right? I was planning on buying a USB 2.0/Firewire combo to save a slot coz I have another network card running in the 600SC.
TnTMills
1 Message
0
April 9th, 2003 03:00
joenobody
2 Posts
0
April 9th, 2003 04:00
I ordered the cards I have from.
pcmicrostore.com
House Brand 5-PORT USB 2.0 PCI HOST CARD (UP215)
House Brand 3 PORT FIREWIRE PCI CARD W/LUCENT CHIPSET
(XTEND-3000)
I have seen USB and firewire cards with 2 notches at compusa.
I do not have a sound card and I use the embedded video so I still have 2 slots left.
JustaBill
4 Posts
0
April 9th, 2003 04:00
Thanks for the info... they are currently out of the firewire cards, so I'll keep my eyes on them.
JustaBill
PaulEHoffman
4 Posts
0
April 9th, 2003 15:00
Great! I just ordered the USB board. Has anyone found a source for Firewire; these folks now only have a board that won't fit.
PaulEHoffman
4 Posts
0
April 24th, 2003 17:00
compaqfan
13 Posts
0
April 17th, 2004 07:00
If anyone has any updated info on a suitable firewire card for the 600SC please post. Brand, model, and vendor would be helpful. I can tell you that NOT all PCI cards with the notch in the front will work. I have 2 of the same generic TI chipset cards that have both notches and neither will work in the 600SC. When they are installed the system will not power up. Just in case you don't buy one for your server here is a link to a picture http://www.coolgear.com/images/TI-3P-PCI.jpg These are usually advertised as generic TI chipset cards with no drivers. They run around $15. I bought the first from computergeeks.com and the second from eBay. A lot of vendors sell them. They have 3 ext. ports and no internal. Both have a decal on the back that says "CTB0142-08624". Beware: THEY DON'T WORK IN THE 600SC!
Next order of business. Computergeeks.com does sell a 3.3v 32/64bit PCI firewire card that is 1394a and the new Firewire 800 compatible. If anyone is interested it is here: http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=FIREWIRE800 It's about $55 shipped. Cheaper than most vendors for this card ($70) but still too much for me. I have NOT tested it in the 600SC - I'm just reading the specs.
All I need is 1394a to hook up a MiniDV camcorder. So if anyone has a cheap solution let me know.
Thanks. Peace.
Message Edited by compaqfan on 04-17-2004 04:19 AM
mcmann380
1 Message
0
November 21st, 2004 05:00
I am just getting around to wanting to add a firewire card to my PE 600SC. I saw the links, but I am not certain which card to get. All I know is that it must be 3.3 & (preferrably) 64 bit. Any specific brand & model? Is it PCI-X like Dell customer support told me or is it just PCI but 3.3 like some of the posting state?
Thanks,
MCM
compaqfan
13 Posts
0
November 21st, 2004 12:00