Windows 7: eSata Ext HDD Enclosure Issue...

...I installed a Seagate 2tb HDD in a Max 4 enclosure from Thermaltake. I'm using an existing eSata port. Win 7 Home 64bit recognized the HDD and everything seems to work just fine.....except the drive is recognized as an internal drive. I don't have a problem with that, but the drive has to be powered up when I boot or the drive isn't located. So if I boot and then later power up the drive, it doesn't show up. So, I have connected the drive to the main power switch for my computer and its on when the computer is powered up. Is there a problem with just cutting power (from another switch) versus switching the drive on and off?

hello and welcome to the forums can you not make a connection from a spare molex power source they are always live on power up?

Thanks for your reply and suggestion. I'm sorry I'm not familiar...but is a molex the internal power connector used to connect a HDD inside the PC? Since my HDD is in an external enclosure and has its own power connector, how would I make such a connection?

Sounds like your BIOS is set to IDE mode.

AHCI mode will allow plug n play, along with other benefits.

If you are in IDE mode and want to switch it to AHCI or RAID mode, the good news is that you don't have to re-install the OS anymore to do this, just follow this tutorial.

AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 after OS install

Be sure to make a restore point first.

How to Create a System Restore Point in Windows 7

I had the same issue with my eSATA external hard drive, after changing to AHCI I was able to add it anytime, use 'Safely Remove Hardware' when you want to remove it.

The issue with a eSATA cable is the OS doesn't know it's an external HDD, Windows 7 will allow you to remove it with 'Safely Remove Hardware'.
The good thing is you can run an OS on your external if you ever need to.

Thanks, I'll read thru the info and give it a try.

Let us know if you have any questions.