The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Can you add firewire to any laptop?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by mpritc1019, Nov 9, 2007.

  1. mpritc1019

    mpritc1019 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have the Compaq F730US and need to add firewire. Can it be added to any laptop? I don't see a port for it. Someone suggested firewire PCMCIA card is that what I should use?
    I want to upload video from my camcorder and edit it on the computer.
     
  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

    Reputations:
    5,504
    Messages:
    9,788
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    The PC Card would be the best way to go.
     
  3. scooberdoober

    scooberdoober Penguins FTW!

    Reputations:
    1,718
    Messages:
    2,221
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Yes, a PCMCIA card would be the way to go.
     
  4. mpritc1019

    mpritc1019 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    i did not see any slots for that card?
     
  5. jimbob83

    jimbob83 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    500
    Messages:
    503
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    On most computers they're covered with some hinged plastic flaps. According to the manual for your computer, they're on the left side between the floppy drive and fan vent.

    If you don't have the manual, go to www.hp.com -> Support and Troubleshooting -> enter your model number F730US -> Manuals
     
  6. scooberdoober

    scooberdoober Penguins FTW!

    Reputations:
    1,718
    Messages:
    2,221
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    "Houston, we have a problem."
     
  7. jimbob83

    jimbob83 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    500
    Messages:
    503
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hmm, on page 4-13 of the manual, it shows a 1394 connector on the right side corner near the front. If you have a 1394 connector, that is your firewire port.

    EDIT: sorry, that should be "near the back."
     
  8. RangerXML

    RangerXML Army of None [TRH]

    Reputations:
    211
    Messages:
    1,437
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Loads of ppl don't know that the iLink port is a mini firewire port.
     
  9. mpritc1019

    mpritc1019 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    i just looked at the compaq notebook manuel that came with the computer and it said that the computer has only 1 expansion port and on the chart it says no next to IEEE 1394 (4-pin port). does that mean that i cannot add a firewire card? if so i am going to take it back before the 2 weeks are up. Does anyone know if I can add firewire so i can upload camcorder video.
     
  10. mpritc1019

    mpritc1019 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    called HP and this laptop doesn't allow for firewire. it has no expansion slots. looks like it is going back to office depot. thanks for the help!
     
  11. scooberdoober

    scooberdoober Penguins FTW!

    Reputations:
    1,718
    Messages:
    2,221
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Thanks for reporting back and letting us know; many happy returns! :)
     
  12. Tanker

    Tanker Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    New here, great forum! So did you get a user manual with the F730US? I didn't and at HPs download page the four links under manual download don't really include a manual. So no Firewire?? Ut-Oh. I bought it online at OD, wonder what their return policy is.
     
  13. scooberdoober

    scooberdoober Penguins FTW!

    Reputations:
    1,718
    Messages:
    2,221
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Welcome to the forum! :)

    What store is "OD"?
     
  14. Tanker

    Tanker Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks!.....Office Depot (online)