Firewire power question

[BespinReactorShaft]

If I install a PCMCIA Firewire card into my Dell notebook without connecting it to an AC power adapter, will it supply enough power through the port to charge external devices e.g. iPod?

Is it true that this isn't an issue with Apple notebooks?

 

[RonS]

With dell's 4-wire FW port, no. It won't supply power.

 

[BespinReactorShaft]

I was referring to a separate 3rd party PCMCIA card with 6-pin FW ports. These cards seem to come with a DC power port. I was wondering if certain (non-Apple) notebooks already have sufficient bus power towards the ports to make charging possible.

 

[mdahc]

I don't think it would work either way, even with the notebook's AC adapter and the PCMCIA card's AC adapter connected to outlets. Most of the PCMCIA adapters will only power certain external HDD's, Zip drives and optical drives, and that's it. A consultant who came by my workplace a couple of weeks ago was using a Dell Latitude D600, and its built in USB root hub wouldn't even power a USB keyboard, a USB optical mouse, and a flash drive at once. Unless you have a newer notebook with a 90W AC adapter or a 9 or 12 cell Lion battery, I don't think you'll have much success.

 

[corkyg]

I have an Adaptec PCMCIA combo - Firewire and USB 2. The Firewire is 6 pin, but for an external HDD, a separate power source is required. Laptops really don't have much power to spare.