Answer Hi Nancy. This adapter has a 50/50 success rate correctly powering Bus Powered Firewire drives.
Your drives are probably perfectly fine. It's most likely the adapter causing the issue. If your bus powered external portal drive has a power source, try finding a power adapter to power it and then connect it via this adapter to see if your results change. I have more Firewire Drives than I do Thunderbolt drives so this adapter is something I keep in my back pocket at all times. Hope this helps. Answered by Ellsworth R from North Hollywood.
Sep 27, 2014.