Esata HD problem

Ejohnu · 09 Jan 2010

Hello everyone,

I'm having a specific issue and could not resolve it searching this or any other forum. I have a toshiba external HDD that i absolutely need to set up using the esata connection. I have set it up using USB successfully. I am using an HP pavilion laptop.

When I try to plug in the HDD using the esata, then power up, the system hangs up during boot. I can access the bios though i don't know how to find what I need in there. The only way I can get the laptop to boot is by turning off the HDD. Windows loads great when the drive is turned off or unplugged. When I power up the drive while the system is on the computer recognizes that there is something plugged in butnot what it is. I get a notice that says something about a port multiplier. The drive does show up in the device manager. When I scan for hardware changes it hangs up.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you need a Sandra report or anything let me know

thanks

Ejohnu · 11 Jan 2010

Have I left out any information? Why hasn't anyone responded?

Please help!

**Pauly** · 11 Jan 2010

Hello ejohnu, welcome to SF

There are a number of reasons it may not work, could be hardware or software problem
Is esata plugged into MB correctly, what is the current drive setup sata/ide/raid, boot with it plugged in enter bios and see if the ext drive shows up in there
Also some programs (eg Acronis) can sometimes have issues with ext usb/esata connections and can cause crashes or blue screens

Need more facts
Please fill in your system specs to help us help you

Post back and someone will help you

whest · 11 Jan 2010

With esata it needs to be connected and turned on before you start a pc since you have a laptop you might need to disconnect the battery as well as disconnect the power - power up your external hard drive assuming it has its own power - plug in the battery, then power up the pc. I havent had much experience with laptops and hope this might work - if this sounds plausible try it.

pankoo · 10 Feb 2010

I HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM!!!!!!

there is nothing like usb!!!

i thought that eSATA would be easy like usb. Plug n' play!
eSATA sucks!

i have an APACER AC601 external HDD and Acer Aspire 5739g laptop.

i made contact with APACER service and they told me to set up my BIOS in AHCI and try my external HDD to another PC (thanks for nothing...).

please help.

FZ21Z · 10 Feb 2010

pankoo said:

please help.

Have you tried any of the suggestions above? And it helps if you fill in THIS.

raf051888 · 10 Feb 2010

What exactly is the error about a port multiplier?

pankoo · 10 Feb 2010

ok. i tried everything and as i suspected my system got ****ed up...
windows went into recovery mode...

i don't want to start experiments. i want the solution. it seems there is a serious problem with eSATA HDDs. not even the manufacturer has the solution.

if there isn't a solution, just tell me and i will get rid of the eSATA/eSATA cable.

sorry about the attitude but this thing with the eSATA really gets on my nerves. i am very disappointed...

if you need more details just ask me.

topcat1 · 10 Feb 2010

whest said:

With esata it needs to be connected and turned on before you start a pc ...

Not in my experience. Plug it in, turn it on and it picks right up.

zap · 10 Feb 2010

What is the model number of the toshiba external HDD?