E-SATA on Vista

[Fuman]

Hey,
Need some help with this.
I tried googling, and there doesn't seem to be any solutions
My MB doesn't see the HDD when it is plugged into the e-sata connector, is it suppose to (since if its USB, MB doesn't see it).
My MB: Asus M2N-E (no SLI).

My copy of XP doesn't support HDD bigger than 130GB, so I'm on vista

[SilentJay]

Your XP doesn't support beyond 130? That doesn't sound right... Are you staying with XP no service packs?

[Fuman]

Your XP doesn't support beyond 130? That doesn't sound right... Are you staying with XP no service packs?
XP install CD, can't see more than 130GB.
After I install it, and update its fine.
But my HDD is 320. I'll loose my two partitions.

My friend told me, my enclosure may not support HDD over 320 on e-sata.
The box doesn't say, gonna wait until Thermaltake replies.

retarded advertising.

[SilentJay]

XP install CD, can't see more than 130GB.
After I install it, and update its fine.
But my HDD is 320. I'll loose my two partitions.

My friend told me, my enclosure may not support HDD over 320 on e-sata.
The box doesn't say, gonna wait until Thermaltake replies.

retarded advertising.


If you can get your hands on a copy of XP SP2, it should pick up everything. Once installed, if your copy was "not so legal", install Microsoft Genuine Advantage amongst your other updates, and it'll give you a chance to put in your legally owned serial number.

Odd thing about enclosures is that your friend may be right, but its usually the controller interface that determines the recognition. Do you have access to a smaller capacity SATA drive you can toss in the enclosure? You know, just to make sure the thing is working in general?

[mleblond]

Yes you need service pack 2 in order to see large disks.

Does your e-sata enclosure have a power source? as long as the disk has power and e-sata is plugged in then the missing part might be mobo drivers. Check to make sure you have no question marks in your device driver screen.

[Fuman]

Yes you need service pack 2 in order to see large disks.

Does your e-sata enclosure have a power source? as long as the disk has power and e-sata is plugged in then the missing part might be mobo drivers. Check to make sure you have no question marks in your device driver screen.

my mobo drivers are all fine.
i've the latest drivers as well.
I've an external power source.
currently using this POS:
http://thermaltakeusa.com/product/Storage/35_solutions/n0012us/n0012us.asp

[ds2chan]

maybe XP doesn't work well with eSata.. did you try plugging it in through your USB connection??

[SilentJay]

Faster connection vis the eSata - but that said, I have my eSata connection working fine with XP SP2. I'd still say try putting in that smaller drive in the enclosure.

[mleblond]

Try this in vista first:

Click on the Start Button and right click on Computer and select Manage.
Expand the Storage section and select Disk Management.
Then you should see all drives that are active. Right click to format and whatever.Try this after if drive still not detected:

shutdown pc
power on external enclosure and plug into e-sata bracket
power on pc
go into BIOS and see if the drive is detected. Technically should be able to see it since the bracket goes into your sata mobo port.

[Fuman]

Try this in vista first:

Click on the Start Button and right click on Computer and select Manage.
Expand the Storage section and select Disk Management.
Then you should see all drives that are active. Right click to format and whatever.Try this after if drive still not detected:

shutdown pc
power on external enclosure and plug into e-sata bracket
power on pc
go into BIOS and see if the drive is detected. Technically should be able to see it since the bracket goes into your sata mobo port.
tried all that already.
doesn't work on either one.
Disk Management = empty
BIOS doesn't see it.
could it be my mobo bios verison?

[ds2chan]

I know it's a faster connection on esata. I was just trying to say to try it via usb just to see if it works. if it does then there is something wrong with the sata connection. might as well try since the connection is there and esata connection isn't working properly.

[SilentJay]

I know it's a faster connection on esata. I was just trying to say to try it via usb just to see if it works. if it does then there is something wrong with the sata connection. might as well try since the connection is there and esata connection isn't working properly.

'Tis true. Could always see if there was a BIOS flash update, or even head over to a buddy's place that has esata connection as well, and test it out over there?

[Fuman]

'Tis true. Could always see if there was a BIOS flash update, or even head over to a buddy's place that has esata connection as well, and test it out over there?
I was thinking to bring it back to Canada Computers.
It does work on USB.
But it doesn't always work. I have to restart the enclosure numerous times before it gets detected properly.

[mleblond]

I personally prefer vantec products for the enclosures but it should be simple plug and play... See if you can call tech support from thermaltake or like u said take it back and get a different one.

[Fuman]

I personally prefer vantec products for the enclosures but it should be simple plug and play... See if you can call tech support from thermaltake or like u said take it back and get a different one.
yeah I used to use vantec, until my enclosure died on me.
Wanted to try another brand.
Probably go back to vantec, if there is something indeed wrong with this thermaltake enclosure

[SilentJay]

If you bought it from CanadaComputers you better bring it back in soon :P They're absolute misers when it comes to returns/exchanges.

[mleblond]

If you bought it from CanadaComputers you better bring it back in soon :P They're absolute misers when it comes to returns/exchanges.

Like anyone else really...so little margins on computer products...and lots of competition.

[Fuman]

CC replaced my enclosure and the e-sata cable.
It now works fine =)