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05-09-2008
| #21 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:E38064C8-F6DB-4D3F-8170-01D1341FB775@xxxxxx Quote: > As Anna says, you will not have a bootable external drive but you will > have a fast external drive. The throughput will be six times usb or > firewire, so go for it. > > "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:ec1ltydsIHA.1872@xxxxxx Quote: >> >> Quote: >>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>> news:O%23OmyA1rIHA.3420@xxxxxx >>>>> >>>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>> news:O7GdnX4gPtmzW4PVnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@xxxxxx >>>>> I need to get a new external HDD for my laptop and I'm thinking of >>>>> getting an eSATA drive. My question is this: Can any HDD be turned >>>>> into an eSATA drive by housing it an enclosure which has an eSATA port >>>>> or is there something special about SATA drives? I'm not sure whether >>>>> I should buy an already enclosed SATA or buy the HDD and the enclosure >>>>> separately (cheaper option). Thanks for your help. >>>>> --- >>>>> >>>>> Thanks very much Jeff, Anna, Robert, Collin & Bill for your replies. >>>>> >>>>> Just for clarification - I have a Dell XPS M1530. It has an internal >>>>> 200 GB 7200 RPM SATA drive but it does not not have an eSATA. I have >>>>> an ExpressCard/54 slot. It will fit a 34 mm ExpressCard but it doesn't >>>>> feel secure. There are a few 54mm eSATA II ExpressCards including a >>>>> Belkin model. For speed and size I am after a 3.5" drive and using it >>>>> in my computer would not be an option. >>>>> >>>>> I need to write/record music in real time via a firewire audio >>>>> interface and prefer to get it away from my system drive. At present I >>>>> have this USB drive: >>>>> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digi...sbs_ce_title_4 >>>>> but unfortunately it is really SLOW and is only useful for backing up. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks for the heads-up on the ANTEC cooled enclosure. If anyone has a >>>>> suggestion for a 3.5" SATA drive to go with it I am all ears. >> Quote: >>> "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>> news:eojBS43rIHA.3604@xxxxxx >>>> pbl: >>>> First of all, I think you are wise to consider an external enclosure to >>>> house a SATA HDD that provides SATA-to-SATA connectivity to your laptop >>>> via the ExpressCard slot. And since your ExpressCard slot is the 54mm >>>> variety it will, as you know, accommodate the 34mm variety of >>>> ExpressCards as well. >>>> >>>> Virtually all SATA external enclosures on the market today are equipped >>>> with an eSATA port. And most of these external enclosures also are >>>> equipped with a USB interface as well. >>>> >>>> The beauty of having SATA-to-SATA connectivity is really twofold... >>>> 1. Data transfer will be considerably speedier than the USB interface. >>>> Significantly so since for all practical purposes the system treats the >>>> SATA HDD (even while it's "external" to the system) as an internal HDD. >>>> 2. The external SATA HDD is potentially bootable, assuming that (for >>>> example) you cloned the contents of your internal (boot) HDD to the >>>> external SATA HDD through a disk-cloning program, e.g., Acronis True >>>> Image, Symantec's Ghost, or our favorite, Casper 4. >>>> >>>> From your description of your objective as to how you'll be using the >>>> external SATA HDD I realize you're not particularly interested in that >>>> drive being potentially bootable, but it is an important element for >>>> you to consider possibly for the future. >>>> >>>> At least in theory, an ExpressCard with an eSATA port should serve as a >>>> bootable device. So far our experience with a few of them has been >>>> erratic. In one case (an Addonics card) we could consistently boot with >>>> a connected SATA HDD. In two other cards we could not do so (at least >>>> on a consistent basis). I have to add that I've only worked with the >>>> 34mm variety of ExpressCards in this area and *not* any 54mm card. I >>>> would be *most* interested in your experience with your Dell so if you >>>> do go that route I would be really appreciative of learning of your >>>> experience, particularly the "bootability" aspect. Have you heard >>>> anything particular about the Belkin card you mention? >>>> >>>> BTW, for others who might be interested, our experience with the older >>>> CardBus (PCMCIA) cards equipped with a SATA or eSATA port led us to >>>> conclude that these devices did *not* provide boot capability although >>>> they were quite useful in terms of fast data transfer. >>>> >>>> Incidentally, unless you're dead-set on using an external SATA HDD as a >>>> storage device and not a bootable device, you may want to consider a >>>> SATA external enclosure that accommodates a 2 1/2" SATA HDD rather than >>>> a 3 1/2" drive. The advantage here is that should the need ever arise >>>> where for one reason or another you wanted to replace your laptop's >>>> internal HDD, you could use the SATA HDD installed in the external >>>> enclosure. Again, we're assuming it would be a bootable device. There >>>> might be, however, a slight decrease in data transfer speed re the >>>> external SATA HDD as compared with a 3 1/2" HDD, so if your primary or >>>> exclusive interest is using the external HDD as a storage device, then >>>> the 3 1/2" drive would be more appropriate for your needs. >>>> >>>> I really don't have any special recommendations for a SATA external >>>> enclosure. We've worked with a few of them (having both SATA or eSATA >>>> ports) and they've all pretty well done the job. Heretofore our >>>> recommendation was generally to purchase the enclosure and the HDD >>>> separately but we note in the past year or so prices of the "one-piece" >>>> commercial units have fallen so dramatically that you might want to >>>> consider purchasing one of those units. I would add that we prefer an >>>> enclosure that has the ON-OFF switch and accompanying LED on the front >>>> >> of the unit facing the user. We find that much more convenient, but >>>> this is just a personal preference. Anyway, take a look at the newegg >>>> offerings. >>>> Anna >> >> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >> news:%23Gv9fhbsIHA.5724@xxxxxx Quote: >>> Thank you very much Anna for your detailed response. I will most likley >>> go for a 3.5" drive for the additional speed. But I'm unfortunately >>> having a battle with Dell at the moment about the M1530 display and >>> because they are being terribly uncooperative they are processing a >>> refund. This is a huge diappouintment becuase I love this new laptop >>> except for the crappy grainy WSVGA display. I expect I will be >>> repurchasing a similar if not the same laptop when the problem gets >>> sorted but in the meantime I will be going back to my old WinXP laptop >>> with a PCMCIA port. I know you can purchase PCMCIA to eSATA adapter but >>> would this work as I recall your first bit of advice to be about laptop >>> compatibility with SATA drives?? >>> >>> Regarding the Belkin card, I don't know anything special about it. It is >>> a 54 mm card and I haven't found too many ot them. Yes the 34 mm cards >>> will fit but not snuggly and although you can get a plastic extender for >>> the 34 mm variety but I have not had much success with them. >>> >>> Thanks again for your help. >>> >>> pbl. >> >> pbl: >> Sorry to hear about your not-so-good experience with the Dell XPS M1530. >> I haven't worked with that machine but I noticed it has garnered >> favorable reviews by & large. Ironically (at least from your experience) >> one of features of that laptop the reviewers particularly liked was the >> screen display. One never knows, does one? >> >> BTW, as you probably know Dell has come out with a larger (17" screen) >> version - the XPS M1730. Haven't seen or used one myself but a friend >> tells me that one of his friends (having a primary interest in gaming) >> has one and virtually swoons over it. But it's expensive - in the $4,000 >> range I believe. >> >> As long as you're going back (at least in the meantime) to a >> CardBus-equipped laptop or notebook you can use a CardBus (PCMCIA) card >> with either a SATA or eSATA port. Most of them actually come with two >> ports - generally eSATA, but as a practical matter it really doesn't >> matter whether they're SATA or eSATA ports. eSATA is considered a more >> secure type of data-cable connection and usually the SATA data cable >> equipped with an eSATA connector is more heavily shielded than the usual >> SATA connector data cable. So all things considered, I suppose the eSATA >> port equipped CardBus would be the one to go with, especially since >> there's really no significant price differential involved based on the >> last time I checked. Take a look at... >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...port&x=19&y=32 >> and you can also do a Google search on "CardBus with SATA port". >> >> Understand - as I previously mentioned - that you will not be able to >> boot from a SATA HDD (containing a potentially bootable OS) connected to >> the CardBus device, regardless of whether it has a SATA or eSATA port. At >> least we were never able to achieve that capability with a number of >> different makes & models of CardBus SATA cards that we used. As you've >> indicated I guess that's not an important consideration for you but it is >> a capability we're particularly interested in so that a comprehensive >> backup system would be available to a laptop/notebook in a relatively >> simple & straightforward way. We're hopeful the ExpressCard devices will >> work out to achieve that capability. >> >> I haven't really worked to any appreciable degree with 54mm ExpressCards, >> although the few times we used a 34mm ExpressCard inserted in the 54mm >> ExpressCard module we didn't experience any problems. I believe there are >> adapters now available that allow a CardBus-PCMCIA card to be used in an >> ExpressCard module but I've had no experience with them. But that is not >> what you were referring to as an "extender", were you? What would be the >> function of the plastic extender you mentioned for 34mm ExpressCards. >> They provide a more secure fit inside the 54mm module? >> >> And have you actually used the Belkin ExpressCard? For what purpose? >> Anna >> possibility that I hadn't thought of with an ExpressCard. When I get my new Laptop I will certainly experiment with this. If it works it may be possible to set up a dual boot scenario - Vista and WinXP or even trebble boot with Linux. That would be a lot of fun. But I would need a large eSATA drive. Can you go to 1TB with eSATA? Is there a physical limit that ExpressCard or PCMCIA (my only current option) can recognise? |
My System Specs |
|
05-09-2008
| #22 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question Yes. Forget about anything but SATA. The day of IDE drives is over. I can guarantee that you will not be able to boot Windows with the current eSATA ExpressCards so before you buy a new laptop make sure it has an integrated eSATA port if possible. They should become more common so take your time. "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:uOY4R2isIHA.4392@xxxxxx Quote: > > "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:E38064C8-F6DB-4D3F-8170-01D1341FB775@xxxxxx Quote: >> As Anna says, you will not have a bootable external drive but you will >> have a fast external drive. The throughput will be six times usb or >> firewire, so go for it. >> >> "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message >> news:ec1ltydsIHA.1872@xxxxxx Quote: >>> >>> >>>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>> news:O%23OmyA1rIHA.3420@xxxxxx >>>>>> >>>>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>>> news:O7GdnX4gPtmzW4PVnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@xxxxxx >>>>>> I need to get a new external HDD for my laptop and I'm thinking of >>>>>> getting an eSATA drive. My question is this: Can any HDD be turned >>>>>> into an eSATA drive by housing it an enclosure which has an eSATA >>>>>> port or is there something special about SATA drives? I'm not sure >>>>>> whether I should buy an already enclosed SATA or buy the HDD and the >>>>>> enclosure separately (cheaper option). Thanks for your help. >>>>>> --- >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks very much Jeff, Anna, Robert, Collin & Bill for your replies. >>>>>> >>>>>> Just for clarification - I have a Dell XPS M1530. It has an internal >>>>>> 200 GB 7200 RPM SATA drive but it does not not have an eSATA. I have >>>>>> an ExpressCard/54 slot. It will fit a 34 mm ExpressCard but it >>>>>> doesn't feel secure. There are a few 54mm eSATA II ExpressCards >>>>>> including a Belkin model. For speed and size I am after a 3.5" drive >>>>>> and using it in my computer would not be an option. >>>>>> >>>>>> I need to write/record music in real time via a firewire audio >>>>>> interface and prefer to get it away from my system drive. At present >>>>>> I have this USB drive: >>>>>> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digi...sbs_ce_title_4 >>>>>> but unfortunately it is really SLOW and is only useful for backing >>>>>> up. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks for the heads-up on the ANTEC cooled enclosure. If anyone has >>>>>> a suggestion for a 3.5" SATA drive to go with it I am all ears. >>> >>> >>>> "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>> news:eojBS43rIHA.3604@xxxxxx >>>>> pbl: >>>>> First of all, I think you are wise to consider an external enclosure >>>>> to house a SATA HDD that provides SATA-to-SATA connectivity to your >>>>> laptop via the ExpressCard slot. And since your ExpressCard slot is >>>>> the 54mm variety it will, as you know, accommodate the 34mm variety of >>>>> ExpressCards as well. >>>>> >>>>> Virtually all SATA external enclosures on the market today are >>>>> equipped with an eSATA port. And most of these external enclosures >>>>> also are equipped with a USB interface as well. >>>>> >>>>> The beauty of having SATA-to-SATA connectivity is really twofold... >>>>> 1. Data transfer will be considerably speedier than the USB interface. >>>>> Significantly so since for all practical purposes the system treats >>>>> the SATA HDD (even while it's "external" to the system) as an internal >>>>> HDD. >>>>> 2. The external SATA HDD is potentially bootable, assuming that (for >>>>> example) you cloned the contents of your internal (boot) HDD to the >>>>> external SATA HDD through a disk-cloning program, e.g., Acronis True >>>>> Image, Symantec's Ghost, or our favorite, Casper 4. >>>>> >>>>> From your description of your objective as to how you'll be using the >>>>> external SATA HDD I realize you're not particularly interested in that >>>>> drive being potentially bootable, but it is an important element for >>>>> you to consider possibly for the future. >>>>> >>>>> At least in theory, an ExpressCard with an eSATA port should serve as >>>>> a bootable device. So far our experience with a few of them has been >>>>> erratic. In one case (an Addonics card) we could consistently boot >>>>> with a connected SATA HDD. In two other cards we could not do so (at >>>>> least on a consistent basis). I have to add that I've only worked with >>>>> the 34mm variety of ExpressCards in this area and *not* any 54mm card. >>>>> I would be *most* interested in your experience with your Dell so if >>>>> you do go that route I would be really appreciative of learning of >>>>> your experience, particularly the "bootability" aspect. Have you heard >>>>> anything particular about the Belkin card you mention? >>>>> >>>>> BTW, for others who might be interested, our experience with the older >>>>> CardBus (PCMCIA) cards equipped with a SATA or eSATA port led us to >>>>> conclude that these devices did *not* provide boot capability although >>>>> they were quite useful in terms of fast data transfer. >>>>> >>>>> Incidentally, unless you're dead-set on using an external SATA HDD as >>>>> a storage device and not a bootable device, you may want to consider a >>>>> SATA external enclosure that accommodates a 2 1/2" SATA HDD rather >>>>> than a 3 1/2" drive. The advantage here is that should the need ever >>>>> arise where for one reason or another you wanted to replace your >>>>> laptop's internal HDD, you could use the SATA HDD installed in the >>>>> external enclosure. Again, we're assuming it would be a bootable >>>>> device. There might be, however, a slight decrease in data transfer >>>>> speed re the external SATA HDD as compared with a 3 1/2" HDD, so if >>>>> your primary or exclusive interest is using the external HDD as a >>>>> storage device, then the 3 1/2" drive would be more appropriate for >>>>> your needs. >>>>> >>>>> I really don't have any special recommendations for a SATA external >>>>> enclosure. We've worked with a few of them (having both SATA or eSATA >>>>> ports) and they've all pretty well done the job. Heretofore our >>>>> recommendation was generally to purchase the enclosure and the HDD >>>>> separately but we note in the past year or so prices of the >>>>> "one-piece" commercial units have fallen so dramatically that you >>>>> might want to consider purchasing one of those units. I would add that >>>>> we prefer an enclosure that has the ON-OFF switch and accompanying LED >>>>> on the front >> of the unit facing the user. We find that much more >>>>> convenient, but this is just a personal preference. Anyway, take a >>>>> look at the newegg offerings. >>>>> Anna >>> >>> >>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>> news:%23Gv9fhbsIHA.5724@xxxxxx >>>> Thank you very much Anna for your detailed response. I will most likley >>>> go for a 3.5" drive for the additional speed. But I'm unfortunately >>>> having a battle with Dell at the moment about the M1530 display and >>>> because they are being terribly uncooperative they are processing a >>>> refund. This is a huge diappouintment becuase I love this new laptop >>>> except for the crappy grainy WSVGA display. I expect I will be >>>> repurchasing a similar if not the same laptop when the problem gets >>>> sorted but in the meantime I will be going back to my old WinXP laptop >>>> with a PCMCIA port. I know you can purchase PCMCIA to eSATA adapter but >>>> would this work as I recall your first bit of advice to be about laptop >>>> compatibility with SATA drives?? >>>> >>>> Regarding the Belkin card, I don't know anything special about it. It >>>> is a 54 mm card and I haven't found too many ot them. Yes the 34 mm >>>> cards will fit but not snuggly and although you can get a plastic >>>> extender for the 34 mm variety but I have not had much success with >>>> them. >>>> >>>> Thanks again for your help. >>>> >>>> pbl. >>> >>> >>> pbl: >>> Sorry to hear about your not-so-good experience with the Dell XPS M1530. >>> I haven't worked with that machine but I noticed it has garnered >>> favorable reviews by & large. Ironically (at least from your experience) >>> one of features of that laptop the reviewers particularly liked was the >>> screen display. One never knows, does one? >>> >>> BTW, as you probably know Dell has come out with a larger (17" screen) >>> version - the XPS M1730. Haven't seen or used one myself but a friend >>> tells me that one of his friends (having a primary interest in gaming) >>> has one and virtually swoons over it. But it's expensive - in the $4,000 >>> range I believe. >>> >>> As long as you're going back (at least in the meantime) to a >>> CardBus-equipped laptop or notebook you can use a CardBus (PCMCIA) card >>> with either a SATA or eSATA port. Most of them actually come with two >>> ports - generally eSATA, but as a practical matter it really doesn't >>> matter whether they're SATA or eSATA ports. eSATA is considered a more >>> secure type of data-cable connection and usually the SATA data cable >>> equipped with an eSATA connector is more heavily shielded than the usual >>> SATA connector data cable. So all things considered, I suppose the eSATA >>> port equipped CardBus would be the one to go with, especially since >>> there's really no significant price differential involved based on the >>> last time I checked. Take a look at... >>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...port&x=19&y=32 >>> and you can also do a Google search on "CardBus with SATA port". >>> >>> Understand - as I previously mentioned - that you will not be able to >>> boot from a SATA HDD (containing a potentially bootable OS) connected to >>> the CardBus device, regardless of whether it has a SATA or eSATA port. >>> At least we were never able to achieve that capability with a number of >>> different makes & models of CardBus SATA cards that we used. As you've >>> indicated I guess that's not an important consideration for you but it >>> is a capability we're particularly interested in so that a comprehensive >>> backup system would be available to a laptop/notebook in a relatively >>> simple & straightforward way. We're hopeful the ExpressCard devices will >>> work out to achieve that capability. >>> >>> I haven't really worked to any appreciable degree with 54mm >>> ExpressCards, although the few times we used a 34mm ExpressCard inserted >>> in the 54mm ExpressCard module we didn't experience any problems. I >>> believe there are adapters now available that allow a CardBus-PCMCIA >>> card to be used in an ExpressCard module but I've had no experience with >>> them. But that is not what you were referring to as an "extender", were >>> you? What would be the function of the plastic extender you mentioned >>> for 34mm ExpressCards. They provide a more secure fit inside the 54mm >>> module? >>> >>> And have you actually used the Belkin ExpressCard? For what purpose? >>> Anna >>> > possibility that I hadn't thought of with an ExpressCard. When I get my > new Laptop I will certainly experiment with this. If it works it may be > possible to set up a dual boot scenario - Vista and WinXP or even trebble > boot with Linux. That would be a lot of fun. But I would need a large > eSATA drive. Can you go to 1TB with eSATA? Is there a physical limit that > ExpressCard or PCMCIA (my only current option) can recognise? |
| My System Specs |
|
05-09-2008
| #23 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:uapCiyisIHA.4952@xxxxxx Quote: > Hi Anna, > So, just to be clear, if I purchase a CardBus with an eSATA port for my > WinXP PCMCIA equipped laptop and an eSATA drive it should work? The plan > would be to eventually use the drive in a new ExpressCard equipped Vista > laptop, probably the M1530 again when they sort out the screen problem. Quote: > The extender that I spoke of is otherwise termed a 34/54 mm spacer > adaptor. It is a piece of plastic that snaps onto the side of a 34mm > ExpressCard to enable it to fit into a 54 mm module more securely. Google > doesn't provide much help locating one of these but one came with the > Targus ExpressCard docking station I bought with my M1530. I have a local > picture of how it works if you're interested. pbl: Yes, the eSATA CardBus will work just fine in terms of data transfer with your SATA HDD contained in a SATA external enclosure. As I previously mentioned you won't be able to boot to that SATA external HDD should it contain a potential bootable XP OS but it's ideal for general data transfer - considerably superior to a USB external HDD for that purpose. And, as you say, you would use the SATA EHD connected through an ExpressCard module on your Dell M1530 after it's repaired. Hopefully, the boot capability will be present under those circumstances. Please keep us informed of your experience in that area should you ever use a disk-cloning program to clone the contents of your laptop's internal HDD to the SATA external HDD through the ExpressCard device. I'd really be interested in that aspect. Thanks for the info on the "extender". I was unfamiliar with that item. The few times I had occasion to use a 34mm ExpressCard in a notebook that was equipped with the 54mm ExpressCard slot, the card fit in reasonably securely and I can't recall using any sort of extender or adapter. At least I wasn't aware of one. I'm beginning to wonder whether an extender/adapter was already affixed to the card and I just didn't notice it. I'll look into this further. Anna |
| My System Specs |
|
05-09-2008
| #24 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:uYm4RYjsIHA.3804@xxxxxx Quote: > > "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:uapCiyisIHA.4952@xxxxxx Quote: >> Hi Anna, >> So, just to be clear, if I purchase a CardBus with an eSATA port for my >> WinXP PCMCIA equipped laptop and an eSATA drive it should work? The plan >> would be to eventually use the drive in a new ExpressCard equipped Vista >> laptop, probably the M1530 again when they sort out the screen problem. > (SNIP) > Quote: >> The extender that I spoke of is otherwise termed a 34/54 mm spacer >> adaptor. It is a piece of plastic that snaps onto the side of a 34mm >> ExpressCard to enable it to fit into a 54 mm module more securely. Google >> doesn't provide much help locating one of these but one came with the >> Targus ExpressCard docking station I bought with my M1530. I have a local >> picture of how it works if you're interested. > > pbl: > Yes, the eSATA CardBus will work just fine in terms of data transfer with > your SATA HDD contained in a SATA external enclosure. As I previously > mentioned you won't be able to boot to that SATA external HDD should it > contain a potential bootable XP OS but it's ideal for general data > transfer - considerably superior to a USB external HDD for that purpose. > > And, as you say, you would use the SATA EHD connected through an > ExpressCard module on your Dell M1530 after it's repaired. Hopefully, the > boot capability will be present under those circumstances. Please keep us > informed of your experience in that area should you ever use a > disk-cloning > program to clone the contents of your laptop's internal HDD to the SATA > external HDD through the ExpressCard device. I'd really be interested in > that aspect. > > Thanks for the info on the "extender". I was unfamiliar with that item. > The few times I had occasion to use a 34mm ExpressCard in a notebook that > was equipped with the 54mm ExpressCard slot, the card fit in reasonably > securely and I can't recall using any sort of extender or adapter. At > least I wasn't aware of one. I'm beginning to wonder whether an > extender/adapter was already affixed to the card and I just didn't notice > it. I'll look into this further. > Anna > research over the next few days to locate a suitable SATA drive and enclosure. I have a couple of recommendations already to work with. |
| My System Specs |
|
05-09-2008
| #25 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:BD780CDE-F4AC-4072-AB87-52A4130E13B3@xxxxxx Quote: > Yes. > > Forget about anything but SATA. The day of IDE drives is over. > > I can guarantee that you will not be able to boot Windows with the current > eSATA ExpressCards so before you buy a new laptop make sure it has an > integrated eSATA port if possible. They should become more common so take > your time. > > "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:uOY4R2isIHA.4392@xxxxxx Quote: >> >> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message >> news:E38064C8-F6DB-4D3F-8170-01D1341FB775@xxxxxx Quote: >>> As Anna says, you will not have a bootable external drive but you will >>> have a fast external drive. The throughput will be six times usb or >>> firewire, so go for it. >>> >>> "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>> news:ec1ltydsIHA.1872@xxxxxx >>>> >>>> >>>>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>>> news:O%23OmyA1rIHA.3420@xxxxxx >>>>>>> >>>>>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:O7GdnX4gPtmzW4PVnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@xxxxxx >>>>>>> I need to get a new external HDD for my laptop and I'm thinking of >>>>>>> getting an eSATA drive. My question is this: Can any HDD be turned >>>>>>> into an eSATA drive by housing it an enclosure which has an eSATA >>>>>>> port or is there something special about SATA drives? I'm not sure >>>>>>> whether I should buy an already enclosed SATA or buy the HDD and the >>>>>>> enclosure separately (cheaper option). Thanks for your help. >>>>>>> --- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks very much Jeff, Anna, Robert, Collin & Bill for your replies. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Just for clarification - I have a Dell XPS M1530. It has an internal >>>>>>> 200 GB 7200 RPM SATA drive but it does not not have an eSATA. I have >>>>>>> an ExpressCard/54 slot. It will fit a 34 mm ExpressCard but it >>>>>>> doesn't feel secure. There are a few 54mm eSATA II ExpressCards >>>>>>> including a Belkin model. For speed and size I am after a 3.5" drive >>>>>>> and using it in my computer would not be an option. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I need to write/record music in real time via a firewire audio >>>>>>> interface and prefer to get it away from my system drive. At present >>>>>>> I have this USB drive: >>>>>>> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digi...sbs_ce_title_4 >>>>>>> but unfortunately it is really SLOW and is only useful for backing >>>>>>> up. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks for the heads-up on the ANTEC cooled enclosure. If anyone has >>>>>>> a suggestion for a 3.5" SATA drive to go with it I am all ears. >>>> >>>> >>>>> "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>> news:eojBS43rIHA.3604@xxxxxx >>>>>> pbl: >>>>>> First of all, I think you are wise to consider an external enclosure >>>>>> to house a SATA HDD that provides SATA-to-SATA connectivity to your >>>>>> laptop via the ExpressCard slot. And since your ExpressCard slot is >>>>>> the 54mm variety it will, as you know, accommodate the 34mm variety >>>>>> of ExpressCards as well. >>>>>> >>>>>> Virtually all SATA external enclosures on the market today are >>>>>> equipped with an eSATA port. And most of these external enclosures >>>>>> also are equipped with a USB interface as well. >>>>>> >>>>>> The beauty of having SATA-to-SATA connectivity is really twofold... >>>>>> 1. Data transfer will be considerably speedier than the USB >>>>>> interface. Significantly so since for all practical purposes the >>>>>> system treats the SATA HDD (even while it's "external" to the system) >>>>>> as an internal HDD. >>>>>> 2. The external SATA HDD is potentially bootable, assuming that (for >>>>>> example) you cloned the contents of your internal (boot) HDD to the >>>>>> external SATA HDD through a disk-cloning program, e.g., Acronis True >>>>>> Image, Symantec's Ghost, or our favorite, Casper 4. >>>>>> >>>>>> From your description of your objective as to how you'll be using the >>>>>> external SATA HDD I realize you're not particularly interested in >>>>>> that drive being potentially bootable, but it is an important element >>>>>> for you to consider possibly for the future. >>>>>> >>>>>> At least in theory, an ExpressCard with an eSATA port should serve as >>>>>> a bootable device. So far our experience with a few of them has been >>>>>> erratic. In one case (an Addonics card) we could consistently boot >>>>>> with a connected SATA HDD. In two other cards we could not do so (at >>>>>> least on a consistent basis). I have to add that I've only worked >>>>>> with the 34mm variety of ExpressCards in this area and *not* any 54mm >>>>>> card. I would be *most* interested in your experience with your Dell >>>>>> so if you do go that route I would be really appreciative of learning >>>>>> of your experience, particularly the "bootability" aspect. Have you >>>>>> heard anything particular about the Belkin card you mention? >>>>>> >>>>>> BTW, for others who might be interested, our experience with the >>>>>> older CardBus (PCMCIA) cards equipped with a SATA or eSATA port led >>>>>> us to conclude that these devices did *not* provide boot capability >>>>>> although they were quite useful in terms of fast data transfer. >>>>>> >>>>>> Incidentally, unless you're dead-set on using an external SATA HDD as >>>>>> a storage device and not a bootable device, you may want to consider >>>>>> a SATA external enclosure that accommodates a 2 1/2" SATA HDD rather >>>>>> than a 3 1/2" drive. The advantage here is that should the need ever >>>>>> arise where for one reason or another you wanted to replace your >>>>>> laptop's internal HDD, you could use the SATA HDD installed in the >>>>>> external enclosure. Again, we're assuming it would be a bootable >>>>>> device. There might be, however, a slight decrease in data transfer >>>>>> speed re the external SATA HDD as compared with a 3 1/2" HDD, so if >>>>>> your primary or exclusive interest is using the external HDD as a >>>>>> storage device, then the 3 1/2" drive would be more appropriate for >>>>>> your needs. >>>>>> >>>>>> I really don't have any special recommendations for a SATA external >>>>>> enclosure. We've worked with a few of them (having both SATA or eSATA >>>>>> ports) and they've all pretty well done the job. Heretofore our >>>>>> recommendation was generally to purchase the enclosure and the HDD >>>>>> separately but we note in the past year or so prices of the >>>>>> "one-piece" commercial units have fallen so dramatically that you >>>>>> might want to consider purchasing one of those units. I would add >>>>>> that we prefer an enclosure that has the ON-OFF switch and >>>>>> accompanying LED on the front >> of the unit facing the user. We find >>>>>> that much more convenient, but this is just a personal preference. >>>>>> Anyway, take a look at the newegg offerings. >>>>>> Anna >>>> >>>> >>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>> news:%23Gv9fhbsIHA.5724@xxxxxx >>>>> Thank you very much Anna for your detailed response. I will most >>>>> likley go for a 3.5" drive for the additional speed. But I'm >>>>> unfortunately having a battle with Dell at the moment about the M1530 >>>>> display and because they are being terribly uncooperative they are >>>>> processing a refund. This is a huge diappouintment becuase I love this >>>>> new laptop except for the crappy grainy WSVGA display. I expect I will >>>>> be repurchasing a similar if not the same laptop when the problem gets >>>>> sorted but in the meantime I will be going back to my old WinXP laptop >>>>> with a PCMCIA port. I know you can purchase PCMCIA to eSATA adapter >>>>> but would this work as I recall your first bit of advice to be about >>>>> laptop compatibility with SATA drives?? >>>>> >>>>> Regarding the Belkin card, I don't know anything special about it. It >>>>> is a 54 mm card and I haven't found too many ot them. Yes the 34 mm >>>>> cards will fit but not snuggly and although you can get a plastic >>>>> extender for the 34 mm variety but I have not had much success with >>>>> them. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks again for your help. >>>>> >>>>> pbl. >>>> >>>> >>>> pbl: >>>> Sorry to hear about your not-so-good experience with the Dell XPS >>>> M1530. I haven't worked with that machine but I noticed it has garnered >>>> favorable reviews by & large. Ironically (at least from your >>>> experience) one of features of that laptop the reviewers particularly >>>> liked was the screen display. One never knows, does one? >>>> >>>> BTW, as you probably know Dell has come out with a larger (17" screen) >>>> version - the XPS M1730. Haven't seen or used one myself but a friend >>>> tells me that one of his friends (having a primary interest in gaming) >>>> has one and virtually swoons over it. But it's expensive - in the >>>> $4,000 range I believe. >>>> >>>> As long as you're going back (at least in the meantime) to a >>>> CardBus-equipped laptop or notebook you can use a CardBus (PCMCIA) card >>>> with either a SATA or eSATA port. Most of them actually come with two >>>> ports - generally eSATA, but as a practical matter it really doesn't >>>> matter whether they're SATA or eSATA ports. eSATA is considered a more >>>> secure type of data-cable connection and usually the SATA data cable >>>> equipped with an eSATA connector is more heavily shielded than the >>>> usual SATA connector data cable. So all things considered, I suppose >>>> the eSATA port equipped CardBus would be the one to go with, especially >>>> since there's really no significant price differential involved based >>>> on the last time I checked. Take a look at... >>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...port&x=19&y=32 >>>> and you can also do a Google search on "CardBus with SATA port". >>>> >>>> Understand - as I previously mentioned - that you will not be able to >>>> boot from a SATA HDD (containing a potentially bootable OS) connected >>>> to the CardBus device, regardless of whether it has a SATA or eSATA >>>> port. At least we were never able to achieve that capability with a >>>> number of different makes & models of CardBus SATA cards that we used. >>>> As you've indicated I guess that's not an important consideration for >>>> you but it is a capability we're particularly interested in so that a >>>> comprehensive backup system would be available to a laptop/notebook in >>>> a relatively simple & straightforward way. We're hopeful the >>>> ExpressCard devices will work out to achieve that capability. >>>> >>>> I haven't really worked to any appreciable degree with 54mm >>>> ExpressCards, although the few times we used a 34mm ExpressCard >>>> inserted in the 54mm ExpressCard module we didn't experience any >>>> problems. I believe there are adapters now available that allow a >>>> CardBus-PCMCIA card to be used in an ExpressCard module but I've had no >>>> experience with them. But that is not what you were referring to as an >>>> "extender", were you? What would be the function of the plastic >>>> extender you mentioned for 34mm ExpressCards. They provide a more >>>> secure fit inside the 54mm module? >>>> >>>> And have you actually used the Belkin ExpressCard? For what purpose? >>>> Anna >>>> >>> >> possibility that I hadn't thought of with an ExpressCard. When I get my >> new Laptop I will certainly experiment with this. If it works it may be >> possible to set up a dual boot scenario - Vista and WinXP or even trebble >> boot with Linux. That would be a lot of fun. But I would need a large >> eSATA drive. Can you go to 1TB with eSATA? Is there a physical limit that >> ExpressCard or PCMCIA (my only current option) can recognise? possibly only on high end machines. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it limited to connecting external drives compared with the multiuse characteristics of say USB or firewire. But I had another thought - I don't know about other laptops but for the Dell range the internal drive is located in a caddy that effectively slides in a slot on the side of the chassis making it very easy to replace (simply undo one screw). I could have a back up of my entire disk on a separate 2.5" drive or another OS to boot to or both. Thanks for your help. |
| My System Specs |
|
05-09-2008
| #26 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question Integrated eSATA ports are beginning to show up on laptops and the problem of course is scarce real estate. But the OP's question was specific to a bootable port and right now it would have to be an integrated eSATA port or nothing at all. "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:%23bFYpaksIHA.672@xxxxxx Quote: > > "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:BD780CDE-F4AC-4072-AB87-52A4130E13B3@xxxxxx Quote: >> Yes. >> >> Forget about anything but SATA. The day of IDE drives is over. >> >> I can guarantee that you will not be able to boot Windows with the >> current eSATA ExpressCards so before you buy a new laptop make sure it >> has an integrated eSATA port if possible. They should become more common >> so take your time. >> >> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >> news:uOY4R2isIHA.4392@xxxxxx Quote: >>> >>> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>> news:E38064C8-F6DB-4D3F-8170-01D1341FB775@xxxxxx >>>> As Anna says, you will not have a bootable external drive but you will >>>> have a fast external drive. The throughput will be six times usb or >>>> firewire, so go for it. >>>> >>>> "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>> news:ec1ltydsIHA.1872@xxxxxx >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>>>> news:O%23OmyA1rIHA.3420@xxxxxx >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>>>>> news:O7GdnX4gPtmzW4PVnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@xxxxxx >>>>>>>> I need to get a new external HDD for my laptop and I'm thinking of >>>>>>>> getting an eSATA drive. My question is this: Can any HDD be turned >>>>>>>> into an eSATA drive by housing it an enclosure which has an eSATA >>>>>>>> port or is there something special about SATA drives? I'm not sure >>>>>>>> whether I should buy an already enclosed SATA or buy the HDD and >>>>>>>> the enclosure separately (cheaper option). Thanks for your help. >>>>>>>> --- >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks very much Jeff, Anna, Robert, Collin & Bill for your >>>>>>>> replies. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Just for clarification - I have a Dell XPS M1530. It has an >>>>>>>> internal 200 GB 7200 RPM SATA drive but it does not not have an >>>>>>>> eSATA. I have an ExpressCard/54 slot. It will fit a 34 mm >>>>>>>> ExpressCard but it doesn't feel secure. There are a few 54mm eSATA >>>>>>>> II ExpressCards including a Belkin model. For speed and size I am >>>>>>>> after a 3.5" drive and using it in my computer would not be an >>>>>>>> option. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I need to write/record music in real time via a firewire audio >>>>>>>> interface and prefer to get it away from my system drive. At >>>>>>>> present I have this USB drive: >>>>>>>> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digi...sbs_ce_title_4 >>>>>>>> but unfortunately it is really SLOW and is only useful for backing >>>>>>>> up. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks for the heads-up on the ANTEC cooled enclosure. If anyone >>>>>>>> has a suggestion for a 3.5" SATA drive to go with it I am all ears. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>>> news:eojBS43rIHA.3604@xxxxxx >>>>>>> pbl: >>>>>>> First of all, I think you are wise to consider an external enclosure >>>>>>> to house a SATA HDD that provides SATA-to-SATA connectivity to your >>>>>>> laptop via the ExpressCard slot. And since your ExpressCard slot is >>>>>>> the 54mm variety it will, as you know, accommodate the 34mm variety >>>>>>> of ExpressCards as well. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Virtually all SATA external enclosures on the market today are >>>>>>> equipped with an eSATA port. And most of these external enclosures >>>>>>> also are equipped with a USB interface as well. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The beauty of having SATA-to-SATA connectivity is really twofold... >>>>>>> 1. Data transfer will be considerably speedier than the USB >>>>>>> interface. Significantly so since for all practical purposes the >>>>>>> system treats the SATA HDD (even while it's "external" to the >>>>>>> system) as an internal HDD. >>>>>>> 2. The external SATA HDD is potentially bootable, assuming that (for >>>>>>> example) you cloned the contents of your internal (boot) HDD to the >>>>>>> external SATA HDD through a disk-cloning program, e.g., Acronis True >>>>>>> Image, Symantec's Ghost, or our favorite, Casper 4. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> From your description of your objective as to how you'll be using >>>>>>> the external SATA HDD I realize you're not particularly interested >>>>>>> in that drive being potentially bootable, but it is an important >>>>>>> element for you to consider possibly for the future. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> At least in theory, an ExpressCard with an eSATA port should serve >>>>>>> as a bootable device. So far our experience with a few of them has >>>>>>> been erratic. In one case (an Addonics card) we could consistently >>>>>>> boot with a connected SATA HDD. In two other cards we could not do >>>>>>> so (at least on a consistent basis). I have to add that I've only >>>>>>> worked with the 34mm variety of ExpressCards in this area and *not* >>>>>>> any 54mm card. I would be *most* interested in your experience with >>>>>>> your Dell so if you do go that route I would be really appreciative >>>>>>> of learning of your experience, particularly the "bootability" >>>>>>> aspect. Have you heard anything particular about the Belkin card you >>>>>>> mention? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> BTW, for others who might be interested, our experience with the >>>>>>> older CardBus (PCMCIA) cards equipped with a SATA or eSATA port led >>>>>>> us to conclude that these devices did *not* provide boot capability >>>>>>> although they were quite useful in terms of fast data transfer. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Incidentally, unless you're dead-set on using an external SATA HDD >>>>>>> as a storage device and not a bootable device, you may want to >>>>>>> consider a SATA external enclosure that accommodates a 2 1/2" SATA >>>>>>> HDD rather than a 3 1/2" drive. The advantage here is that should >>>>>>> the need ever arise where for one reason or another you wanted to >>>>>>> replace your laptop's internal HDD, you could use the SATA HDD >>>>>>> installed in the external enclosure. Again, we're assuming it would >>>>>>> be a bootable device. There might be, however, a slight decrease in >>>>>>> data transfer speed re the external SATA HDD as compared with a 3 >>>>>>> 1/2" HDD, so if your primary or exclusive interest is using the >>>>>>> external HDD as a storage device, then the 3 1/2" drive would be >>>>>>> more appropriate for your needs. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I really don't have any special recommendations for a SATA external >>>>>>> enclosure. We've worked with a few of them (having both SATA or >>>>>>> eSATA ports) and they've all pretty well done the job. Heretofore >>>>>>> our recommendation was generally to purchase the enclosure and the >>>>>>> HDD separately but we note in the past year or so prices of the >>>>>>> "one-piece" commercial units have fallen so dramatically that you >>>>>>> might want to consider purchasing one of those units. I would add >>>>>>> that we prefer an enclosure that has the ON-OFF switch and >>>>>>> accompanying LED on the front >> of the unit facing the user. We >>>>>>> find that much more convenient, but this is just a personal >>>>>>> preference. Anyway, take a look at the newegg offerings. >>>>>>> Anna >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message >>>>> news:%23Gv9fhbsIHA.5724@xxxxxx >>>>>> Thank you very much Anna for your detailed response. I will most >>>>>> likley go for a 3.5" drive for the additional speed. But I'm >>>>>> unfortunately having a battle with Dell at the moment about the M1530 >>>>>> display and because they are being terribly uncooperative they are >>>>>> processing a refund. This is a huge diappouintment becuase I love >>>>>> this new laptop except for the crappy grainy WSVGA display. I expect >>>>>> I will be repurchasing a similar if not the same laptop when the >>>>>> problem gets sorted but in the meantime I will be going back to my >>>>>> old WinXP laptop with a PCMCIA port. I know you can purchase PCMCIA >>>>>> to eSATA adapter but would this work as I recall your first bit of >>>>>> advice to be about laptop compatibility with SATA drives?? >>>>>> >>>>>> Regarding the Belkin card, I don't know anything special about it. It >>>>>> is a 54 mm card and I haven't found too many ot them. Yes the 34 mm >>>>>> cards will fit but not snuggly and although you can get a plastic >>>>>> extender for the 34 mm variety but I have not had much success with >>>>>> them. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks again for your help. >>>>>> >>>>>> pbl. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> pbl: >>>>> Sorry to hear about your not-so-good experience with the Dell XPS >>>>> M1530. I haven't worked with that machine but I noticed it has >>>>> garnered favorable reviews by & large. Ironically (at least from your >>>>> experience) one of features of that laptop the reviewers particularly >>>>> liked was the screen display. One never knows, does one? >>>>> >>>>> BTW, as you probably know Dell has come out with a larger (17" screen) >>>>> version - the XPS M1730. Haven't seen or used one myself but a friend >>>>> tells me that one of his friends (having a primary interest in gaming) >>>>> has one and virtually swoons over it. But it's expensive - in the >>>>> $4,000 range I believe. >>>>> >>>>> As long as you're going back (at least in the meantime) to a >>>>> CardBus-equipped laptop or notebook you can use a CardBus (PCMCIA) >>>>> card with either a SATA or eSATA port. Most of them actually come with >>>>> two ports - generally eSATA, but as a practical matter it really >>>>> doesn't matter whether they're SATA or eSATA ports. eSATA is >>>>> considered a more secure type of data-cable connection and usually the >>>>> SATA data cable equipped with an eSATA connector is more heavily >>>>> shielded than the usual SATA connector data cable. So all things >>>>> considered, I suppose the eSATA port equipped CardBus would be the one >>>>> to go with, especially since there's really no significant price >>>>> differential involved based on the last time I checked. Take a look >>>>> at... >>>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...port&x=19&y=32 >>>>> and you can also do a Google search on "CardBus with SATA port". >>>>> >>>>> Understand - as I previously mentioned - that you will not be able to >>>>> boot from a SATA HDD (containing a potentially bootable OS) connected >>>>> to the CardBus device, regardless of whether it has a SATA or eSATA >>>>> port. At least we were never able to achieve that capability with a >>>>> number of different makes & models of CardBus SATA cards that we used. >>>>> As you've indicated I guess that's not an important consideration for >>>>> you but it is a capability we're particularly interested in so that a >>>>> comprehensive backup system would be available to a laptop/notebook in >>>>> a relatively simple & straightforward way. We're hopeful the >>>>> ExpressCard devices will work out to achieve that capability. >>>>> >>>>> I haven't really worked to any appreciable degree with 54mm >>>>> ExpressCards, although the few times we used a 34mm ExpressCard >>>>> inserted in the 54mm ExpressCard module we didn't experience any >>>>> problems. I believe there are adapters now available that allow a >>>>> CardBus-PCMCIA card to be used in an ExpressCard module but I've had >>>>> no experience with them. But that is not what you were referring to as >>>>> an "extender", were you? What would be the function of the plastic >>>>> extender you mentioned for 34mm ExpressCards. They provide a more >>>>> secure fit inside the 54mm module? >>>>> >>>>> And have you actually used the Belkin ExpressCard? For what purpose? >>>>> Anna >>>>> >>>> >>> The bootability is not an issue right now. Although it is an interesting >>> possibility that I hadn't thought of with an ExpressCard. When I get my >>> new Laptop I will certainly experiment with this. If it works it may be >>> possible to set up a dual boot scenario - Vista and WinXP or even >>> trebble boot with Linux. That would be a lot of fun. But I would need a >>> large eSATA drive. Can you go to 1TB with eSATA? Is there a physical >>> limit that ExpressCard or PCMCIA (my only current option) can recognise? > and possibly only on high end machines. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't > it limited to connecting external drives compared with the multiuse > characteristics of say USB or firewire. But I had another thought - I > don't know about other laptops but for the Dell range the internal drive > is located in a caddy that effectively slides in a slot on the side of the > chassis making it very easy to replace (simply undo one screw). I could > have a back up of my entire disk on a separate 2.5" drive or another OS to > boot to or both. > > Thanks for your help. |
| My System Specs |
|
05-10-2008
| #27 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question Quote: Quote: >> Hi Colin Quote: >>>> The bootability is not an issue right now. Although it is an >>>> interesting possibility that I hadn't thought of with an ExpressCard. >>>> When I get my new Laptop I will certainly experiment with this. If it >>>> works it may be possible to set up a dual boot scenario - Vista and >>>> WinXP or even trebble boot with Linux. That would be a lot of fun. But >>>> I would need a large eSATA drive. Can you go to 1TB with eSATA? Is >>>> there a physical limit that ExpressCard or PCMCIA (my only current >>>> option) can recognise? Quote: Quote: >> and possibly only on high end machines. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't >> it limited to connecting external drives compared with the multiuse >> characteristics of say USB or firewire. But I had another thought - I >> don't know about other laptops but for the Dell range the internal drive >> is located in a caddy that effectively slides in a slot on the side of >> the chassis making it very easy to replace (simply undo one screw). I >> could have a back up of my entire disk on a separate 2.5" drive or >> another OS to boot to or both. >> >> Thanks for your help. "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message news  BD5254A-2C21-4E61-82F4-92F59A426849@xxxxxxQuote: > Integrated eSATA ports are beginning to show up on laptops and the problem > of course is scarce real estate. But the OP's question was specific to a > bootable port and right now it would have to be an integrated eSATA port > or nothing at all. Just one point of clarification... It is not the eSATA port that determines potential "bootability" but the direct SATA-to-SATA connection that's controlling in this situation. Should an external SATA HDD be connected to even a "normal" SATA (non-eSATA) port the drive will be bootable assuming, of course, that it contains a bootable copy of the XP OS. (Obviously we're assuming that the PC, i.e., the motherboard, supports SATA capability). A number of desktop cases come equipped with a "regular" (non- eSATA) SATA port and they work just fine to achieve this "bootability". It is true, however, that external non-eSATA ports are pretty much a thing of the past and virtually every new desktop case that comes equipped with an external port supporting SATA devices comes with an eSATA port. And, of course, any desktop motherboard that contains external SATA capability will similarly be equipped with an eSATA port. There are still a number of SATA adapters on the market (installed on the backplane of a PC's desktop case) that have a non-eSATA port or ports and they too work just fine to achieve this "bootability". Again, they're fast disappearing from the market to be replaced by devices containing the eSATA type of port. The basic advantage of the eSATA port over the "regular" SATA port is that it provides a more secure connection with the SATA data cable. And the SATA data cable that usually comes (or is used) with an eSATA-equipped device is generally a more heavily-shielded cable than the "regular" SATA data cable. As Colin points out, laptops/notebooks that are equipped with a eSATA port are a rare commodity. More's the pity since it's such a useful device - considerably superior to USB external devices used for data transfer. Hopefully that will change in the not-too-distant future but the industry, as a whole, has been woefully slow in embracing this superior technology. Particularly surprising because the additional cost involved is relatively trifling in the scheme of things. One of the reasons may be a "watch & wait" attitude because of the forthcoming SATA3 specifications/devices that are supposedly on the horizon. Anna |
| My System Specs |
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05-10-2008
| #28 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question Whatever, but I don't think you will ever see a laptop with an integrated SATA port because the technology has moved on now to eSATA ports. "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:u8kUc3qsIHA.1872@xxxxxx Quote: > Quote: Quote: >>> Hi Colin >>>>> The bootability is not an issue right now. Although it is an >>>>> interesting possibility that I hadn't thought of with an ExpressCard. >>>>> When I get my new Laptop I will certainly experiment with this. If it >>>>> works it may be possible to set up a dual boot scenario - Vista and >>>>> WinXP or even trebble boot with Linux. That would be a lot of fun. But >>>>> I would need a large eSATA drive. Can you go to 1TB with eSATA? Is >>>>> there a physical limit that ExpressCard or PCMCIA (my only current >>>>> option) can recognise? > - I reckon an integrated eSATA port as standard is a while away Quote: Quote: >>> and possibly only on high end machines. Correct me if I'm wrong but >>> isn't it limited to connecting external drives compared with the >>> multiuse characteristics of say USB or firewire. But I had another >>> thought - I don't know about other laptops but for the Dell range the >>> internal drive is located in a caddy that effectively slides in a slot >>> on the side of the chassis making it very easy to replace (simply undo >>> one screw). I could have a back up of my entire disk on a separate 2.5" >>> drive or another OS to boot to or both. >>> >>> Thanks for your help. > > "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news BD5254A-2C21-4E61-82F4-92F59A426849@xxxxxxQuote: >> Integrated eSATA ports are beginning to show up on laptops and the >> problem of course is scarce real estate. But the OP's question was >> specific to a bootable port and right now it would have to be an >> integrated eSATA port or nothing at all. > > Just one point of clarification... > > It is not the eSATA port that determines potential "bootability" but the > direct SATA-to-SATA connection that's controlling in this situation. > Should an external SATA HDD be connected to even a "normal" SATA > (non-eSATA) port the drive will be bootable assuming, of course, that it > contains a bootable copy of the XP OS. (Obviously we're assuming that the > PC, i.e., the motherboard, supports SATA capability). > > A number of desktop cases come equipped with a "regular" (non- eSATA) SATA > port and they work just fine to achieve this "bootability". It is true, > however, that external non-eSATA ports are pretty much a thing of the past > and virtually every new desktop case that comes equipped with an external > port supporting SATA devices comes with an eSATA port. And, of course, any > desktop motherboard that contains external SATA capability will similarly > be equipped with an eSATA port. > > There are still a number of SATA adapters on the market (installed on the > backplane of a PC's desktop case) that have a non-eSATA port or ports and > they too work just fine to achieve this "bootability". Again, they're fast > disappearing from the market to be replaced by devices containing the > eSATA type of port. > > The basic advantage of the eSATA port over the "regular" SATA port is that > it provides a more secure connection with the SATA data cable. And the > SATA data cable that usually comes (or is used) with an eSATA-equipped > device is generally a more heavily-shielded cable than the "regular" SATA > data cable. > > As Colin points out, laptops/notebooks that are equipped with a eSATA port > are a rare commodity. More's the pity since it's such a useful device - > considerably superior to USB external devices used for data transfer. > Hopefully that will change in the not-too-distant future but the industry, > as a whole, has been woefully slow in embracing this superior technology. > Particularly surprising because the additional cost involved is relatively > trifling in the scheme of things. One of the reasons may be a "watch & > wait" attitude because of the forthcoming SATA3 specifications/devices > that are supposedly on the horizon. > Anna > |
| My System Specs |
|
05-12-2008
| #29 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question Hello! "pbl" <pblnews@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:uOY4R2isIHA.4392@xxxxxx Quote: > The bootability is not an issue right now. Although it is an interesting possibility that I hadn't thought of with an ExpressCard. > When I get my new Laptop I will certainly experiment with this. If it works it may be possible to set up a dual boot scenario - > Vista and WinXP or even trebble boot with Linux. That would be a lot of fun. install second Windows NT OS on it (in dual boot scenario). But \bootmgr (or \ntldr) (which is located on active partition and not on external disk) must be able to see it ... http://www.multibooters.co.uk/bootmgr.html Regards, Roman |
| My System Specs |
|
05-28-2008
| #30 (permalink) |
| | Re: eSATA Drive Question I am having an eSATA detection problem with my computer. recently installed a new motherboard, and an add on eSATA host controller card ,(This uses the jMicron JMB363 chip)- this card is plugged into the pci express x 4 slot. Anyway, I downloaded and installed the drivers, I see no problems/conflicts with the host controller when I look at the hardware manager in windows XP, it says the device is working properly. Unfortunately, it never detects the external SATA when I plug it in. However, if I plug it into USB, the drive is detected no problem. When I plug this drive into my other computer it appears to work fine (The eSATA is on the motherboard and I am using Vista Home premium on this computer). It would be nice to use the speed of the SATA during backups. Any suggestions? My system config: Windows XP SP3, ASUS P5K-VM motherboard, Core 2 duo E4500, 2GB ram, Kingwin PCI express to 2 SATA II and 1 PATA host controller model U2PCI-2. I am using is a Thermaltake Silver River Duo A2396 hard drive enclosure with a 320GB Western digital SATA II. -- Jn 3.16 "Colin Barnhorst" wrote: Quote: > No annoyance. The thread went on and on and explored all the ins and outs > of booting and installing Windows with BIOS changes, etc. There just isn't > anything new I have to add. Most of the dialog was between you and another > fella and I mostly listened in. > > "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message > news:%23XcmSoxrIHA.2520@xxxxxx Quote: > > Quote: > >>>> "Jeff Gaines" <whitedragon@xxxxxx> wrote in message > >>>> news:xn0fptvogh4c6h002@xxxxxx > >>>>> Assuming you are responding to my point about eSATA connections on a > >>>>> laptop I would certainly be interested to know which laptops have > >>>>> them. My Lenovo R50e certainly doesn't! > >>>>> -- > >>>>> Jeff Gaines > >>>>> Damerham Hampshire UK > > Quote: > >>> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message > >>> news:8196115D-8137-4DB2-A2FD-E5D62D9B53BD@xxxxxx > >>>> For laptops without a eSATA port but with an ExpressCard/34 slot, there > >>>> are several adaptors like: > >>>> http://www.iogear.com/product/GPS702e3W6/ > >>>> or > >>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16839113007 > >>>> > >>>> For laptops with eSATA onboard see for example the ASUS C90S (click on > >>>> the specs link below the thumbnails): > >>>> http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/spec/spec_C90S.asp > >>>> Or if you prefer the specs on the ASUS site (I hate the slowness of the > >>>> ASUS site some days): > >>>> http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1...41&modelmenu=2 > >>>> > >>>> There are some others but all I know of are gaming laptops so far. I > >>>> have not tried booting off a hard drive connected to one of these > >>>> onboard ports like on the C90S because I don't have a laptop so > >>>> equipped but it should work. I know it is more of a problem booting > >>>> off of a hard drive connected to an eSATA ExpressCard adaptor, however. > > Quote: > >> "Anna" <myname@xxxxxx> wrote in message > >> news:%23svdV$vrIHA.672@xxxxxx > >>> Jeff & Colin: > >>> Notebooks equipped with an eSATA port are indeed a rare commodity. To >> > >>> the best of my knowledge ASUS is the only major player that has released > >>> a >> few models with an eSATA port. I'm not aware of Acer, Dell, > >>> Gateway, Compaq, Sony, etc. having *any* models with an eSATA port. If > >>> they're out >> there, they're few & far between, that's for sure. More's > >>> the pity, of course. > >>> > >>> Some time ago I had occasion to work with one of the ASUS notebooks that > >>> >> came equipped with an eSATA port (I can't recall the model #) and we > >>> were able to boot from that port with a SATA HDD that had been the > >>> recipient of the cloned contents of the notebook's internal HDD. That > >>> was no surprise, of course, since every eSATA port that we've worked > >>> with on various desktop PCs have proven to be "bootable". (For that > >>> matter it really makes *no* difference whether the port is a "normal" > >>> SATA one or an eSATA one). A bootable external SATA HDD connected to > >>> either type of port will >> boot. Obviously we're talking about > >>> motherboards that support SATA capability. > >>> > >>> We have never been able to boot from a CardBus (a/k/a PCMCIA) equipped > >>> >> with either a SATA or eSATA port. We've concluded that it's just not > >>> a bootable device. > >>> > >>> As I mentioned in my previous post, we're still experimenting with > >>> various ExpressCard devices to determine their potential "bootability". > >>> Every one we've come across is equipped with an eSATA port and they're > >>> supposed to provide boot capability. However, our experience has been > >>> mixed to date although we were able to boot from a SATA HDD connected to > >>> an Addonics eSATA ExpressCard. > >>> > >>> Colin, if you've had any direct experience with an eSATA ExpressCard I'd > >>> like to hear about it. > >>> Anna > > > > "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@xxxxxx> wrote in message > > news:E9E07530-63B6-4F16-9C18-7D27381CA8E7@xxxxxx Quote: > >> We had this conversation a month or more ago. Remember? I don't have > >> any > new reason to revisit it. > > > > Colin: > > No, I really don't recall our "conversation a month or more ago". But do I > > detect a note of annoyance in your response? If so, may I ask why? > > Anna > > |
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