eSata Drive No Longer Visible under W7
Hello,
I am trying to backup my Acer Aspire x3400 desktop to an eSata drive using Acronis. The PC has an onboard eSata port. I purchased an enclosure with an eSata port and put a SATA drive in it.
When I first connected the drive everything worked fine. Sometimes I would turn the enclosure off before booting the PC (because the enclosure had to be near the keyboard due to the power source and it was noisy). At some point the eSata drive disappeared. I have tried everything I can think of. Turn it on and off, unplug it, rescan disks in disk manager, looked in device manager.
Somewhere I read about how a power setting could cause it to spin down. I turned Link State Power Management to off on PCI express (not sure if that matters).
How do I get me eSata drive back?
BTW, the drive will never be turned off or unplugged once it is working.
Thanks!
I am trying to backup my Acer Aspire x3400 desktop to an eSata drive using Acronis. The PC has an onboard eSata port. I purchased an enclosure with an eSata port and put a SATA drive in it.
When I first connected the drive everything worked fine. Sometimes I would turn the enclosure off before booting the PC (because the enclosure had to be near the keyboard due to the power source and it was noisy). At some point the eSata drive disappeared. I have tried everything I can think of. Turn it on and off, unplug it, rescan disks in disk manager, looked in device manager.
Somewhere I read about how a power setting could cause it to spin down. I turned Link State Power Management to off on PCI express (not sure if that matters).
How do I get me eSata drive back?
BTW, the drive will never be turned off or unplugged once it is working.
Thanks!
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Disconnect the device...boot the computer in safe mode with networking and then try connecting the device.
If the device gets detected then problem might be caused by security software or av software...uninstall and check.
Ded9
If the device gets detected then problem might be caused by security software or av software...uninstall and check.
Ded9
ASKER
Hi Ded9,
Thanks for not giving up. I tried your idea but the drive did not show up. Where would I find the eSata port under Device Manager? I do not see it under Disk Drives, System Devices, or USB Controllers.
What about the option to Add Legacy Hardware?
Chip
Thanks for not giving up. I tried your idea but the drive did not show up. Where would I find the eSata port under Device Manager? I do not see it under Disk Drives, System Devices, or USB Controllers.
What about the option to Add Legacy Hardware?
Chip
Backup your data and then try updating bios ...connect the device
Ded9
Ded9
ASKER
Hi,
There are two newer versions of the BIOS than what I have installed. I looked everywhere on the web but could not find an explanation what what changed between versions. I am chatting with Acer now to try and get the answer.
The challenge is that I use the eSATA drive for backup. Since I cannot access the drive, there is no easy way to backup my system. I have about 350 GB of data, which makes DVDs impractical.
I am also running around the office trying to find another PC with an eSATA port. I have one or two other options, but so far no luck.
There are two newer versions of the BIOS than what I have installed. I looked everywhere on the web but could not find an explanation what what changed between versions. I am chatting with Acer now to try and get the answer.
The challenge is that I use the eSATA drive for backup. Since I cannot access the drive, there is no easy way to backup my system. I have about 350 GB of data, which makes DVDs impractical.
I am also running around the office trying to find another PC with an eSATA port. I have one or two other options, but so far no luck.
ASKER
Well, surprise. Here is what Acer Tech Support said:
Joseph: I see that the information is not updated in the website.
Joseph: It is just a regular BIOS update.
Joseph: There is a eSATA port in the computer.
Chip: Is there any way to know what specific fixes were put in the updates or new features?
Joseph: no
Joseph: The information is not updated for the model.
Joseph: I see that the information is not updated in the website.
Joseph: It is just a regular BIOS update.
Joseph: There is a eSATA port in the computer.
Chip: Is there any way to know what specific fixes were put in the updates or new features?
Joseph: no
Joseph: The information is not updated for the model.
Boot from linux live dvd and then try connecting the estata port ...check whether it gets detected.
http://www.ubuntu.com/download
Post results.
Ded9
http://www.ubuntu.com/download
Post results.
Ded9
ASKER
Callandor,
I tried connecting the NexStar to another nearly identical x3400 PC. The PC was running Windows 7, I plugged in the NexStar and turned it on. The external case lit up and the drive was spinning, but the PC did nothing. I tried all the tricks above in Device Manager and in Disk Manager, Nothing.
Does this mean that the case is bad/fried?
I did some research about NexStar and there are a fair number of complaints - some similar to mine.
Unfortunately, I do not have another enclosure, or another drive to try in the same port. I am not brave enough to open up the enclosure and connect it directly to the motherboard.
Based on above, how confident are you that the enclosure is bad? Can you recommend a different option? Below are the ones sold by Frys:
Option 1) $26
HORNETTEK 3.5" SATA TO USB 2.0 & eSATA HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE - VIPER SSC
Mfr: PREMIERTEK.NET Model: VIPER-SSC
FRYS.com #5924294 UPC: 813538010256
Option 2) $30
HORNETTEK HOOVER 3.5" SATA TO eSATA & USB2.0 HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE - HD-308-SSC
Mfr: PREMIERTEK.NET Model: HD-308-SSC-RED
FRYS.com #5975684 UPC: 813538010157
Option 3) $30
SABRENT 3.5" PATA/SATA TO eSATA & USB 2.0 HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE - EC-UEIS7
Mfr: SABRENT Model: EC-UEIS7
FRYS.com #5892833 UPC: 857161001977
I am open to buying it online, so feel free to suggest another enclosure.
Does it matter if the enclosure does not list Windows 7 as supported?
Thanks so much!
I tried connecting the NexStar to another nearly identical x3400 PC. The PC was running Windows 7, I plugged in the NexStar and turned it on. The external case lit up and the drive was spinning, but the PC did nothing. I tried all the tricks above in Device Manager and in Disk Manager, Nothing.
Does this mean that the case is bad/fried?
I did some research about NexStar and there are a fair number of complaints - some similar to mine.
Unfortunately, I do not have another enclosure, or another drive to try in the same port. I am not brave enough to open up the enclosure and connect it directly to the motherboard.
Based on above, how confident are you that the enclosure is bad? Can you recommend a different option? Below are the ones sold by Frys:
Option 1) $26
HORNETTEK 3.5" SATA TO USB 2.0 & eSATA HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE - VIPER SSC
Mfr: PREMIERTEK.NET Model: VIPER-SSC
FRYS.com #5924294 UPC: 813538010256
Option 2) $30
HORNETTEK HOOVER 3.5" SATA TO eSATA & USB2.0 HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE - HD-308-SSC
Mfr: PREMIERTEK.NET Model: HD-308-SSC-RED
FRYS.com #5975684 UPC: 813538010157
Option 3) $30
SABRENT 3.5" PATA/SATA TO eSATA & USB 2.0 HARD DRIVE ENCLOSURE - EC-UEIS7
Mfr: SABRENT Model: EC-UEIS7
FRYS.com #5892833 UPC: 857161001977
I am open to buying it online, so feel free to suggest another enclosure.
Does it matter if the enclosure does not list Windows 7 as supported?
Thanks so much!
ASKER
Addendum: I did some more research and discovered the Antec MX-1. It seems to get great reviews all around and I like its design. I know its a bit more money at $65, but do you think it is a good product?
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ASKER
Ded9,
I am downloading the Ubunto version that lets you boot from a CD and will try that soon.
Nobus, I am a little nervous doing this on my main PC. Also, this PC does not have an extra SATA cable. Would it be OK if I tried this on an extra PC that is less important? As long as the other PC detects the drive, doesn't that mean the drive itself is fine?
I am downloading the Ubunto version that lets you boot from a CD and will try that soon.
Nobus, I am a little nervous doing this on my main PC. Also, this PC does not have an extra SATA cable. Would it be OK if I tried this on an extra PC that is less important? As long as the other PC detects the drive, doesn't that mean the drive itself is fine?
ASKER
Nobus,
One other thing - I assume I should have the PC shut down, connect the drive to the board, then boot. Is this correct or do you want me to plug it into the board while the PC is running?
Thanks!
One other thing - I assume I should have the PC shut down, connect the drive to the board, then boot. Is this correct or do you want me to plug it into the board while the PC is running?
Thanks!
>> Would it be OK if I tried this on an extra PC << that is ok -if it has a sata cable
there is no danger involved
>> As long as the other PC detects the drive, doesn't that mean the drive itself is fine? << that's the idea of the operation...
ALWAYS turn off a pc - even remove from AC when changing parts !
and first touch the chassis, to unload ESD first
there is no danger involved
>> As long as the other PC detects the drive, doesn't that mean the drive itself is fine? << that's the idea of the operation...
ALWAYS turn off a pc - even remove from AC when changing parts !
and first touch the chassis, to unload ESD first
>Does this mean that the case is bad/fried?
Very likely, since it doesn't show up in another PC. It could also be a drive failure, but a direct connection to a motherboard will verify whether this is what is happening. A bad case is more likely than a bad drive.
>I did some more research and discovered the Antec MX-1. It seems to get great reviews all around and I like its design. I know its a bit more money at $65, but do you think it is a good product?
$65 seems a lot for just an enclosure. Something around $30 would be more reasonable, such as http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145167, unless there is something the Antec has that others don't. Antec is a great computer case manufacturer, but the MX-1 seems expensive.
Very likely, since it doesn't show up in another PC. It could also be a drive failure, but a direct connection to a motherboard will verify whether this is what is happening. A bad case is more likely than a bad drive.
>I did some more research and discovered the Antec MX-1. It seems to get great reviews all around and I like its design. I know its a bit more money at $65, but do you think it is a good product?
$65 seems a lot for just an enclosure. Something around $30 would be more reasonable, such as http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145167, unless there is something the Antec has that others don't. Antec is a great computer case manufacturer, but the MX-1 seems expensive.
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OK,
First off I have to say that EE needs to add another category to your expert level (AKA Genius, Savant, etc.). All of you should have a second designation as "Saint" because of your patience with me and hopefully, your forgiveness of my ineptitude.
ve3ofa - you hit the nail on the head! My case does have a USB port and I never thought to use it. I plugged it in and tada - my PC recognized my drive and I was able to see all of my previous backups.
So it seems that the eSATA port on my Nexstar went bad. I probably fried it one of the times I turned it off. Now I know I need a new case, and I may post a follow-up question on that.
What do I do about points? You all deserve 500 points each! I will divide them equally, but please know I am very grateful. When I buy a new case it will be on 24x7. This should hopefully prevent this problem from happening again.
First off I have to say that EE needs to add another category to your expert level (AKA Genius, Savant, etc.). All of you should have a second designation as "Saint" because of your patience with me and hopefully, your forgiveness of my ineptitude.
ve3ofa - you hit the nail on the head! My case does have a USB port and I never thought to use it. I plugged it in and tada - my PC recognized my drive and I was able to see all of my previous backups.
So it seems that the eSATA port on my Nexstar went bad. I probably fried it one of the times I turned it off. Now I know I need a new case, and I may post a follow-up question on that.
What do I do about points? You all deserve 500 points each! I will divide them equally, but please know I am very grateful. When I buy a new case it will be on 24x7. This should hopefully prevent this problem from happening again.
ASKER
Thanks for helping. I just tried your two ideas and unfortunately, no luck. Let me know if you have any other suggestions. I am going to try Callandor's ideas now.