daisy-chain 2 firewire external HDs

[cpliu]

I have daisy-chained the 2 external HDs to my PC through firewire. It works
fine except I have to turn on both to see the second one. If I just want to
use HD2, I can't. I have to turn on the first one. Of course, I can connect
the cable directly to HD2 to make it work, but wonder if it's possible to
have only the HD 2 working without turning on HD1 with the current
configuration?

My configuration:
firewire firewire
PC <==> HD1 <==> HD2


Thanks for the help,

cpliu

 

[Eric Gisin]

Not possible, as the "hub" in HD1 needs power.

Get a 3 port Firewire card, or an external hub.

 

[cpliu]

Not possible, as the "hub" in HD1 needs power.

Thanks for the information. Why couldn't they design it like SCSI devices?
I do remember sometimes all the HDs have to be on on the same chain in
order for them to work too.