Jan 10, '11 07:30:00AM • Contributed by: 0111000001100100
Simply connect your MBP (powered off) to your new Mac via a FW800 cable (9 pin to 9 pin). Then plug in your FW400 peripheral to the MBP and it will mount on your new Mac no questions asked! In a pinch the MBP can be used as a pass-through for firewire (converting from 6 pin to 9 pin) and it doesn't even need to be plugged in, or have the battery in.
I tested this with a self-powered HD enclosure, a Gen 4 iPod, and a JVC DVCam/Mini DV tape deck (4 pin to 6 pin) and all worked flawlessly.
[crarko adds: I have used techniques similar to this ever since Apple moved to FireWire 800 only machines. With both the 400-800 converters and also using those Macs that have both types of port as an intermediary.]
