Solved USB 3.0 to esata

[Tomtom111]

Hi,

I've got a hard drive with USB 3.0, but only been able to use it at USB 2.0 speeds. So I've been looking for an adapter so I can get as much speed as possible. I've found this, and I was wondering if it was esata to USB 3, and not USB 3 to esata as I need. So basically, can I use it and will it actually give any advantage over plugging it into a USB 2 port.

Thanks.

Newer Technology® : Storage : eSATA to USB 3.0 Adapter

Also, if it isn't compatible could you recommend one that would work. Thanks again.

 

[Dwarf]

NOTE: This adapter is intended for an eSATA equipped external drive to connect to a USB 3.0 port on a computer. It does not work in reverse and will not allow a USB 3.0 equipped external drive to connect to an eSATA port on a computer.

The only adapters I have been able to find with a quick search are similar to that you found. Unfortunately, they only work in the direction as stated above.

 

[Tomtom111]

oh, i didn't see that. I'll just have to stick to usb 2 speeds then. Thanks.

 

[Dwarf]

Alternatively, you can always install a USB 3.0 card in your computer.

For example: Belkin SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCIe Add-In Card F4U023

Alternatively, for laptops with cardbus slot: http://www.amazon.co.uk/PCI-Express-adapter-Cardbus-connector-compatible/dp/B003VH0UWW

 

[Tomtom111]

Not really an option on a laptop unfortunately.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

If the external Hdd is out of warranty and you find non-destructive ways to open it, you can migrate the HDD inside to a esata-equipped external hdd case you can find for cheap.
they are almost all f-ugly though.

 

[Tomtom111]

No, it's still well within warranty. I've just had a thought- The other end of the cable is Type B USB 3, so is there type B to esata?

 

[Dwarf]

What is the full model number of your laptop? Does it have a cardbus slot?

 

[bobafetthotmail]

nah, just found a bunch of threads around other tech forums from 2011 that all end without a solution.

If it can make you feel better e-Sata seems to be doomed as USB 3.0 offers better features.

 

[Tomtom111]

No it doesn't have a cardbus slot. I can't remember where to get the model number but here's the product info page: Product Specifications HP Pavilion dv6-2020sa Entertainment Notebook PC - HP technical support (United Kingdom - English)

To be honest, it doesn't make be feel brilliant because I'm still stuck with an esata port, that can't be used to it's full advantage.

 

[Dwarf]

According to the specs, your laptop does have a cardbus slot, although it is referred to as an ExpressCard/54 (/34 compatible). Something like this should be suitable: LaCie - LaCie USB 3.0 ExpressCard/34

 

[DeaconFrost]

Your laptop doesn't say anything about USB 3.0, so you would have known right away that you'd be limited to USB 2.0 speeds. However, I used several eSATA drives as well, and they do offer much better speeds than when connected by USB 2.0.

 

[Tomtom111]

Your laptop doesn't say anything about USB 2.0, so you would have known right away that you'd be limited to USB 2.0 speeds. However, I used several eSATA drives as well, and they do offer much better speeds than when connected by USB 2.0.

It does say in my laptop's product info, one of them is also the esata.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

most laptops have tons of unused components that just need a bit of soldering and a couple connectors to come to life (and someone that knows where to solder and what, much harder to find), so don't feel bad over not using e-sata ports.

Your laptop has a "One ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)". Which is awesome. There are tons of USB 3.0 adapters for expresscard slots.
Of course they won't deliver full USB 3.0 speeds due to technical limitations, but it's usually close enough to leave USB 2.0 in the dust.

This Is a branded slim-factor 2xUSB 3.0 card for expresscard 54 slot. With a connector for additional power that you may need to connect to a USB 2 if the USB 3 device is really hungry. Much better than what Dwarf found.

If you really want to throw the less money possible at it, this is the same, but not branded. I had one in my hands and it worked fine after I installed drivers.
The guy that bought it came to me because the driver disk shipped with it is worthless (their drivers don't work), and you have to go and download the drivers yourself, from this site (the chip's manufacturer).

 

[Tomtom111]

I'll probably go for the cheaper one, I'm kinda a cheap skate

One question: What's the advantage of having a powered one? From what I've seen at the 54mm ones, whereas the 34mm ones aren't powered.

Additional:

What do you think about this one? It is also unbranded so it's fairly cheap but not as cheap as the one you pointed out.

Express Card Expresscard 54 slot to USB 3.0 x 2 Port: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

[bobafetthotmail]

Seems legit. But it's the toss of a coin with these things, you know.
It does not indicate the chip name, the other I linked and the one I had in hand had "BC618T" (chip name) printed after the "5Gbps", but the rest seems the same. Unless it is a knockoff of a knockoff, :sarc: it's likely another production run of the same.

The Usual Warning: the fact that I had one and worked does not make me responsible if the one you buy is trash (in fact, people said even Star Tech one was trash so you may still be happy). I'd buy a couple just to be sure, if both work you can sell the second one to friends with a profit.

The power connector (the usb cable with the plug you see in the pic) allows you to add the power from another USB 2.0 port (500 mA) on top of the power provided by the expresscard 54 slot (unknown but likely not more than 1 A) by placing said cable in a USB 2.0 of your laptop, and the other end of the cable in the connector for it that is between the two USB 3.0 ports in the expresscard.

Since a USB 3.0 port is supposed to provide up to 900 mA, such additional power cable is usually unnecessary if you have only one USB 3 device plugged, but may be required to operate two USB 3.0 devices, thus using the card to its full potential. (just remember that it's still an expresscard, so if you transfer stuff from both devices at the same time, the speed will drop to the floor)

If you look at cards with f-ugly form factor (click on technical specification tab in that page), they say "Due to the power limitations of the ExpressCard interface this adapter cannot supply 900mA of current to both ports. Some devices like External 2.5” Hard Drives may require an additional power adapter. "
So they aren't just f-ugly and can be beheaded with frightening ease, but they can use only one of the two ports at the full potential.

 

[Tomtom111]

Ok, I might go for the cheap one you recommend, then I can ask you if anything goes wrong. Also, the 34mm cards don't have the power input option, so can they support two usb 3 device? Thanks for your help.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

looks like we edited posts at the same time, I think my post above yours contains the answer for that now.

Also note that my "support" for that card is limited. I can help finding drivers if for some reason it's not working with the linked ones above but not much more.

 

[DeaconFrost]

It does say in my laptop's product info, one of them is also the esata.

That was a typo on my part. I meant to say there's no mention of USB 3.0, so you would know right away that you'd only be getting 2.0 speeds.

 

[whs]

USB3 has nice specs but eSata is faster. At least that is my experience on a system that has both USB3 and eSata using the same HDD in corresponding external enclosures. There seems to be a lot of overhead with USB3.