Slower FireWire throughput after connecting hybrid devices via USB 2.0

Sometimes devices -- particularly drives -- that offers both FireWire and USB 2.0 connectivity achieves a certain level of throughput when connected exclusively via FireWire, then achieves a lower throughput level when connected via USB 2.0 and then reconnected via FireWire. In other words, the device is ostensibly crippled by its transient connection via the USB 2.0 port.

In some cases, this problem can be avoided by powering off the device before switching its connection method.

In other cases, once manifested, the problem can be eliminated by re-applying the most recent firmware updater available from the device manufacturer's Web site. Generically, the Oxford 922 FireWire firmware updater is applicable to a number of drives.

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