Ultralite to Macmini FW & DP5 with Lion and Downgrade Option

[JeffTronics]

I was forced into an upgrade for a new machine with 10.7 Lion

1. Can my 1st gen Ultralight (firewire only), connect to my Mac mini (Mid 2011), which has a mini firewire port? I've seen some post suggesting a special cable for the purpose but nothing definitive about it working.

2. Will my DP 5.x version still work on 10.7 Lion? I'm ready for the hard truth on this and seeing DP7 for Lion users is highly recommended.

If DP 5 won't run, I'm pondering whether it's possible to downgrade this machine to 10.5, where my DP 5.x is compatible. just not sure if this can be done, either

Thanks for your time.

JT

[mikehalloran]

If DP 5.13 was installed and authorized prior to your Lion upgrade, the answer is yes.

If a version prior to 5.13 was installed, the updater to 5.13 should work.

Neither the 5.0/1 installer nor the CD authorization process will work, however. 5.13 must be installed before the Lion upgrade.

This also applies to 6.03.

No guarantees about 3rd party plugins.

[NazRat]

As far as the FW port, the Mini has a FW800 9 pin port (1394B). What you would need is a 9 pin (FW800) to 6 pin (FW400) cable or adapter like these here:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/searc ... 394b+1394a

A mini firewire port is something altogether different - a version of FW400 that doesn't carry power - so don't ask for that.

[mikehalloran]

As far as the FW port, the Mini has a FW800 9 pin port (1394B). What you would need is a 9 pin (FW800) to 6 pin (FW400) cable or adapter like these here:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/searc ... 394b+1394a

A mini firewire port is something altogether different - a version of FW400 that doesn't carry power - so don't ask for that.

Correct. The Mini and newer iMacs like mine have a single FW800 port. I run a FW800 cable to my evternal drive, then a FW800 to FW400 adapter to my hub that has my 828mkII and external DVD burner. Works great.

[mikehalloran]

If DP 5.13 was installed and authorized prior to your Lion upgrade, the answer is yes.

If a version prior to 5.13 was installed, the updater to 5.13 should work.

Neither the 5.0/1 installer nor the CD authorization process will work, however. 5.13 must be installed before the Lion upgrade.

This also applies to 6.03.

No guarantees about 3rd party plugins.

I have no idea how to install DP 5.13 on a machine that cannot run OS 10.6 first (the latest iMacs can but I understand the new Mac Minis cannot - perhaps I am wrong on this). The Authorization process requires the CD in the drive - this does not work in 10.7.x.

In fact, CD Authorization does not work in OS 10.7 for any version of DP prior to 7.24. You can install an earlier version of 7 but, until you run the 7.24 updater, you cannot authorize your copy.

I tried all of the above on a test HD when 10.7 came out and can verify the above from first hand experience.

BTW, in order to install DP 5 or 6 in 10.6.x, you may have to install Rosetta first. Some of the installers were PPC only; later ones were Universal.

[JeffTronics]

Thank you all for your replies. Good news

I've decided to move forward with Lion, upgraded and installed DP7, and for the FireWire cable - finally found additional confirmation about the FW cable on MOTU's site, in addition to what you posted. And yes, I would use the AC power adapter for the unit, in this case.

My experience was I needed the 7.24 Updater, too proceed with Authorization for the install.

http://www.motu.com/techsupport/technot ... -interface" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you all very much.