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External SATA 2.5 drive not recognized through the eSata port

Hi,
My laptop: Lenovo T410, processor Intel Core i7 2.67 GHz, Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, 4GB RAM, 256 GB SSD drive, has eSATA port built in.
Problem: When connecting my external 500GB 2.5" SATA drive through the eSATA port - it is not being recognized. The external enclosure has both USB 2.0 and eSATA ports. When connecting via USB 2.0 everything works fine. How to get this eSATA connection working?
Thanks.
J.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Gary Case

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g8kbv

Also check for a tiny mode switch on the drive case. I've seen one that had to be switched from USB to e-SATA. I got caught by that the other week, but the other way round to your problem. The switch was a tiny fingernail operated type, with no markings. I had to read the manual!!!!! :-)

DaveB.

David Johnson, CD

unplug the usb cable from the e-sata enclosure.

janime

ASKER

Hi garycase - no, the external drive is not independently powered. I will try to get a 5V adapter and try that out. Is there any specific power/Watts requirement for that adapter? Thanks.

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Gary Case

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Gary Case

... one other thought: SOME of the external USB/eSATA cases for 2.5" drives can supply power to the drive through the USB port. If your case has a USB/eSATA switch, try switching it to eSATA but also connect the USB cable ==> that MAY provide power for the drive. If there's no switch, it most likely does not support this.

nobus

does it also not recognise the eSata disk, if you connect it BEFORE powering on the laptop?
then it may not be a hot swap sata controller

Gary Case

This has nothing to do with hot swap -- the drive isn't being powered :-)

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g8kbv

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xema

A very simplistic question, but it happend to me
Does the eSata cable plugs complitely into the HD?
I'm asking this because I had problems with an eSATA drive and a cable, the plastic on the connector was too thick and a stable connection wasn't posible, I had to trim the plastic to make it thiner and then the HD was up and running.

Also if you state the make and model of the HD may help

janime

ASKER

Sorry guys, for not getting back to you right away. I was waiting to get that adapter (bought on ebay). After researching the net and getting similar inputs from my friends I guess it really needs an external powering. I also agree that there is no much use of having that port if you don't work directly with this drive or don't transfer transfer the files to often.
Thanks.
J.

g8kbv

Glad to have been some help.
DaveB