Windows SP2 problem with FireWire devices causes problems for interdependent Mac-PC environments

The FireWire Depot lets us know about a problem affecting Windows FireWire performance that can have ramifications for users who transfer data between Macs and PCs using FAT32 or NTFS formatted IEEE 1394b devices.

"The current release of SP2 for Microsoft Windows XP has introduced a problem with 1394b devices. The drivers installed by SP2 limit the performance of a 1394b host controller (PCI card) and its connected devices to only 100Mbs (S100) speeds.

"While this is a Windows specific problem, it can have an indirect impact on Mac users who move a 1394b drive enclosure with a drive formatted as FAT32 (or NTFS) between their Mac and Windows systems. Mac users will get full performance when connected to the 1394b port on the Mac computer, but will notice a serious decrease in performance when the drive is connected to their WinXP/SP2 machine.

"Both Initio and Oxford have released firmware patches to over come this problem. If you are using an Initio 2430 based 1394b enclosure or an Oxford 912 or 922 based 1394b enclosure and you are moving your drive back and forth between your Mac and your WinXP/SP2 machine, you should contact the vendor you purchased the 1394b enclosure from and get the firmware patch and apply it.

"If you are not moving drives between Macs and Windows machine, you do not need the patch as it will have no impact on your Mac based devices."

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