Windows 7 - Can't get an eSATA controller to work with Win 7/64

546 Inspiron · 03-06-2010

None of the eSATA controller cards to hook up an external HD are for Win 7 and 64 bit. I guess it is all too new but now I can't use my new external drive with a sata connection on my Dell 546 desktop. Does anybody know who makes them? I've been through 2 cards and trying different drivers with no luck. My computer only has 4 sata ports and they are all taken.

**Crispy** · 03-06-2010

Go to the this dell site and follow the instructions and the driver should be here: Dell - Drivers and Downloads

546 Inspiron · 03-06-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Crispy

Go to the this dell site and follow the instructions and the driver should be here: Dell - Drivers and Downloads

The sata controller card isn't a Dell brand and they only support Dell products. Do you know who makes a card that supports Win 7 / 64 bit?

**Crispy** · 03-07-2010

What brand is the eSATA card?

546 Inspiron · 03-07-2010

It's a StarTech pexesata1. Nobody claims that Win 7 /64 will work with their cards but in the customer comments pages many say they are detected. It is in the device manager under Silicon Image but not in the Bios. I have downloaded their drivers, etc, and the Cavalry 1TB external drive is good because it works with USB and it is the second new one in 2 weeks. The first one had the "click of death".

**pbcopter** · 03-07-2010

I bought the following card and it works great with Windows 7 and eSATA. Also with SATA I & II drives.

Newegg.com - HighPoint Rocket 620 PCI-Express 2.0 x1 Low Profile Ready SATA 6.0Gb/s Controller Card - Controllers / RAID Cards

546 Inspiron · 03-08-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by pbcopter

I bought the following card and it works great with Windows 7 and eSATA. Also with SATA I & II drives.

Newegg.com - HighPoint Rocket 620 PCI-Express 2.0 x1 Low Profile Ready SATA 6.0Gb/s Controller Card - Controllers / RAID Cards

That is a sata card, I need it for and external hd with eSATA.

**pbcopter** · 03-08-2010

That card operates as eSATA the only thing it does not have is eSATA connectors externally.

I used it because I already have eSATA connectors and I am using it to connect two external drives that I can Hotswap.

They also make a card, 622 I believe, that has external connectors as well.

546 Inspiron · 03-08-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by pbcopter

That card operates as eSATA the only thing it does not have is eSATA connectors externally.

I used it because I already have eSATA connectors and I am using it to connect two external drives that I can Hotswap.

They also make a card, 622 I believe, that has external connectors as well.

I guess you thread your cable through the case. I have never heard of that brand but I will look into it. Startech suppurt has been good so far, I am waiting to hear from them tomorrow...............Thanks

**ccatlett1984** · 03-08-2010

Esata is just a different connector, most internal cards come with a daughter-board that has an esata connector on it and plugs into the card inside the case. It does take up two slots, but thats what most folk do.