6.0 Software Installation
??Windows XP
When you plug the card into to your system, Windows XP will detect the addition of new
hardware and install files that it need. After few moments, the hardware can be used. You can
check your 1394 card from “Start My Computer (Click Mouse right button) Properties
Hardware Device Manager”.
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The Windows 98/SE installation CD includes the VIA 1394 OHCI driver, so you do not need
an installation CD or diskette. After the installation has finished and the computer has
rebooted, you may connect 1394/FireWire devices to it.
The first time you hot-plug a 1394 device into one of the host card ports, you will be asked to
insert your Windows 98/SE installation CD. However, you won’t need to insert the CD to add
additional 1394 devices; they should automatically appear in the Device Manager after they
are connected.
7.0 How to use the Card
This chapter covers a few points on how to use the card once it is installed in your computer
system.
Connecting Devices
There are two ways to connect 1394/FireWire devices to the host card. Devices can connect in
serial in a “daisy chain” or through a repeater connected to one of the card ports.
Daisy Chain Connections
When you connect devices in a daisy chain configuration you can connect up to 63 devices in
a row. This scheme is simple and convenient, but has one drawback.
Since 1394/FireWire devices are “hot-pluggable,” you can connect and disconnect devices
while the computer is turned on. When you disconnect a device, the other devices that come
after it are temporarily disconnected until you reconnect them to the chain.
The 1394/FireWire card supplies power to devices through the cable connection. This power
has some limitations. See the Power Considerations section later in this chapter for more
information.
1394 Cabling
The 1394 standard has a maximum connection cable length of 4.5 meters (15 feet). This
means this is the maximum distance between devices.
If you need to connect two devices more than 4.5 meters apart, you can use a repeater to
extend the cable length between the devices.
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