Windows 7: Am I missing something? (eSATA)

I finally decided to try using an eSATA drive, and I'm having an issue. It is a 1 TB drive in a NexStar drive carrier. It works perfectly fine when connected by USB, but when I try connecting it by eSATA, the drive is detected properly in Device Manager, but it won't get a drive letter. When I go into Disk Management, it shows as needing to be initialized. That step always fails. I swapped cables, and even tried leaving the drive connected and rebooting. I'm going to try it on a laptop next, but is there a step I'm missing, or a driver needed for eSATA operation? The system in question is in my Specs, and I have the ports set to AHCI, with the chipset drivers loaded.

Have you read through this thread? HDD initialization Possibly post #2 and #5
Fabe

Both of those steps suggest a drive that's new or unformatted. This drive is already formatted, and half full of data. It works perfectly fine when connected by USB.

OK, well then since I'm not familiar with the setup your using hopefully someone else can help you out.
Was just a thought.
Fabe

As an update, it worked just fine connected by eSATA to my laptop. At least I know now the problem is with the tower, and not the drive.

Is your eSATA port connected to the board? I totally spaced on this the other day, and was all embarrassed lol.

If it is connected, is there another port you can try?

I'm sure you have tried this, but turn the power on the external on then start windows. Some machines work that way and others you have to start windows and then turn the power on. also, I have read reviews that many people have trouble with the esata cords. The rubber on the shaft is too long and will not let the connector go deep enough in some machines.

I'm going to try another free port on the board today. I know it is connected to an SATA port internally, as Device Manager does detect the drive properly. I have also tried connecting it, powering the drive on and rebooting so it can be detected during the boot process.