How to Build your own External FireWire/IEEE 1394 Drive

For many, there comes a point when the available internal hard drive space simply can no longer accommodate the ever-increasing number of files. The most efficient and cost effective method for freeing up an overtaxed internal hard disk is to transfer those bulky files to an external FireWire (IEEE 1394) hard drive. Although many pre-assembled units are widely available, you can easily assemble an external FireWire drive that is tailored to your specific needs (and often save money in the process).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One available FireWire 400 or FireWire 800 port on your computer
• IDE/ATA 3.5" hard drive
• External FireWire/IEEE 1394 enclosure kit (including data/ribbon cable, power supply and appropriate screws)
• FireWire/IEEE 1394 cable
• Phillips screwdriver (preferably small)
• Grounding bracelet or strap

1. Select a 3.5" IDE/ATA internal hard drive, ideally with a rotational speed of at least 7,200 rpm and a cache size of at least 8 MB. The capacity of the hard drive is dependent upon the individual user's needs.

2. Select the appropriate FireWire enclosure kit by ensuring that it is designed specifically for a 3.5" IDE/ATA internal hard drive and can accommodate the storage capacity of the drive that you have selected. Determine the speed at which your computer's FireWire bus operates (typically at either 400 or 800 Mbps, or both) and choose an enclosure that is capable of transferring data at that same rate.

3. Unpack your internal hard drive and FireWire enclosure kit and be sure that no contents are missing. Peruse any manuals or instructional material that accompanied either of the units.

4. Disassemble the FireWire enclosure kit, which is generally held fast by a number of screws at specific points of the enclosure's chassis, to expose the bay that will house your internal hard drive.

5. Put on your grounding bracelet or strap and set the internal hard drive to either the "master" or "cable select" position using the jumpers located at the rear of the drive; (as manufacturer's settings vary, consult the manual that was included with the hard drive to determine the proper configuration).

6. Attach the power cable (generally characterized by a series of multicolored wires) and data (ribbon) cable of the FireWire enclosure to the respective ports on the rear of the internal hard drive. Secure the hard drive to the chassis of the enclosure using the screws or other mounting hardware provided.

7. Reattach the cover of the enclosure (if applicable) to its chassis, along with any additional hardware, such as feet, bumpers or stands, that was included; (consult the manual that accompanied the FireWire enclosure kit for specifics).

8. With the FireWire cable, connect the newly constructed external drive to you computer using the available FireWire ports of each device. Consult the respective manuals if you are unable to locate or identify these ports.

9. Connect the AC power cable that came with the unit, to an appropriate power source.

10. Know that once connected, it may be necessary to format or partition your new external FireWire drive. Although appropriate software may have been included with the internal hard drive and/or FireWire enclosure kit, formatting and partitioning can also easily be performed by your operating system. Consult your Windows, Macintosh or Linux guides for more information.

Tips & Warnings

• It is best to opt for the highest transfer rates possible when selecting the enclosure. However, system bottlenecks still apply. For instance, if your computer has only FireWire 400 ports available, an enclosure that can operate at 800 Mbps will still operate at a mere 400 Mbps due to the limitations of your system's bus speed.
• Be extremely careful when handling sensitive electronics, as any electrostatic energy discharged by the human body can potentially damage your hardware. It is advisable to wear a grounding bracelet or strap when handling such devices.
• FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 cables use different connectors. Make certain that the cable that you select is compatible with the appropriate protocal.