Hotswap eSATA Drive?

Antman said:

Another option for you is HotSwap!
This app may, or may not, get you past this challenge.

Wow, thnaks for this great tool. Unfortunately, it wasn't a solution, but it makes 'manual' hotswaping of my ext. drive much more comfortable

Here are the screens of my device manager:
- with recognized ext. HDD
- with out recognized ext. HDD

UPDATE

Antman said:

You may need a chipset driver update.

Sad to say, but no positive changes

as i stated above....

seb6000 said:

1st thing u need to check is the RAID mode settings (sata config) in the BIOS of your computer

Is it set to: IDE, AHCI, or RAID

SATA Modes (AHCI; Hot Swap)
The SATA controller has three modes of operation:

* IDE mode - no AHCI, no RAID
* SATA mode (sometimes called AHCI mode) - AHCI enabled, no RAID
* RAID mode - AHCI enabled, RAID enabled

AHCI mode also allows for Hot Swapping drives......

seb6000

My board is an Asus P5W DH Deluxe motherboard

ok I did a new install of win7 on a fresh disk and prior to doing that I went into the BIOS and set the Mode to: (RAID)

then I did the win7 install and after it finished I did a couple of computer restarts,
then on last restart I reset the BIOS from RAID mode to AHCI mode,
then I tried to start computer... but,

and I got the blue screen errors as stated above,

whest said:

Error message when you start a Windows 7 or Windows Vista-based computer after you change the SATA mode of the boot drive: "STOP 0x0000007B INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE"

I set the mode back to RAID & the computer started fine

so I planned another install of win7 and this time prior to I went into my BIOS (prior to the install of O/S) and set the MODE to AHCI, installed the O/S, then did a couple of computer restarts, then tried the HOT SWAPPING in both of my..

SYBA SY-MR-35SOF mobile racks

and everything worked out fine. So in one of intel URL links that I gave in my post above, I read that you should initially set the mode to RAID, then you can downgrade that setting later and not get the blue screen ERROR.. well in my case that was not true, I had to initially set the MODE to AHCI from the start.

hope this info helps others


seb6000

One final clarification. I am running an internal WD 640GB hard drive with a cable which turns an external molex into a SATA power and another cable which turns eSATA into normal SATA. I am doing this with a special bracket that came with the motherboard.

I have the "safely remove hardware" icon and when I use it, it says the device CAN be safely removed. (AHCI mode on separate controller (JMicron))

I believe this means the cache has been flushed and even though the drive is still spinning, I can unhook the power and data cables safely.

I have been doing this with no bad effects but cannot seem to find "for sure" if it's the best thing to be doing. The drive has been functioning flawlessly for weeks.

Does this sound right to you?

Since its the only option, and it is hot swappable, other than powering down the PC it should be safe, but like you i would be a little worried, however, turning off the power would have the same effect as yanking the power plug once its safe to remove.

One other thing - i think you can purchase a switch for the power cable to turn it off and on - should be availabe from an online shop (computer modding) - or a electrical shop.

bugzz said:

Hello,
What controller do you mean? The eSATA or ... ?
There's nothing on HP Driver Portal for my Laptop
The external drive is the i've already searched for drivers on Targa website, but without any results. I've found a manual and read that this drive is HotSwap compatible.

Dave76 said:

What is your BIOS SATA Mode setting? AHCI or RAID?

Now that is a good question. I tried to find any Info about this in BIOS but i didn't. I've already flashed my BIOS version, but no changes...

So. If I start up Win 7 and my Ext. HDD is already on, I get a PopUp in Win7, that the ...driver for SAMSUNG HD753LJ Device was successfully installed
...ready for work

Also I find out how to "recognize" my ext. HDD if Win7 is already started. I just go to device manager and let it "re-scan" for changed hardware..and then i can see my drive.
And there's another thing. If my ext. hdd is on and was recognized I can plug or UNplug the eSATA cable in my Laptopn - hotswap (hotplug) works, but if I turn my drive off and then turn it on again - hotswaping doesn't work till I recognized it with device manager

"What controller do you mean? The eSATA or ... ?"
Your "IDE ATA/ATAPI-Controller" listed under that is "Intel ICH9M/M-E Family 4 Port SATA AHCI Controller - 2929" right click this and click properties, check the driver version. Check HP for the latest driver-chipset version and driver-storage version, if you already have the latest 'driver-chipset' then go to the Intel website and find the latest version from them, check the 'Release notes' for fixes that might pertain to your issues. Updated or driver from Intel might help, I had 'issues' with the OEM driver and am using the one from Intel.

""AHCI or RAID?" Now that is a good question..."
Your "Intel ICH9M/M-E Family 4 Port SATA AHCI Controller - 2929" is telling you it's a SATA driver. If it said 'SATA RAID' then it's a RAID driver. I'm not familiar with HP BIOS but maybe someone in the forum might be able to give you an answer. Mine is in 'Advanced tab, listed as 'SATA Mode' choices are IDE or RAID.

The last part of the above post tends to make me think your BIOS is in 'IDE' mode, or the external HD would be recognized when turned off then back on, going to Device manager to 're-scan' is an IDE trait. I can plug and un-plug the eSATA external HD and it is recognized each time without scanning for new hardware, I use 'HotSwap' program to "safely remove hardware".

I would contact HP or their user forum and find out how to find the SATA mode setting in BIOS.

seb6000 said:

1st thing u need to check is the RAID mode settings (sata config) in the BIOS of your computer

Is it set to: IDE, AHCI, or RAID

SATA Modes (AHCI; Hot Swap)
The SATA controller has three modes of operation:

* IDE mode - no AHCI, no RAID
* SATA mode (sometimes called AHCI mode) - AHCI enabled, no RAID
* RAID mode - AHCI enabled, RAID enabled

AHCI mode also allows for Hot Swapping drives.
.....
seb6000

Great post, Bugzz this is good info.......

whest said:

I choose this method because I didnt have AHCI enabled when I installed W7 - if you have AHCI enabled prior to installing W7 the driver will be loaded automatically.
.......
You simply change a registry entry so the MSAHCI driver will install. Reboot, go into bios -.........

Haven't tried this way (but will if needed again), but sounds pretty much like what I did.
Downloaded Matrix Storage Manager and driver from Intel, went to my storage controller driver in Device manager, in the drivers tab click 'update driver' choose 'Browse my computer for driver software' find the driver files, install, when it asks to re-boot, then re-boot and go to BIOS and change from IDE (or ?) to AHCI or RAID. The AHCI driver must be loaded to switch to AHCI and the RAID driver must be loaded to switch to RAID. Continue the booting process, should be in AHCI or RAID. Then I loaded the Matrix Storage Manager (if your switching to RAID). I switched mine from IDE to RAID.
When I did this it worked, no blue screen. If you get a blue screen just re-boot and switch SATA mode back to what it was initially, and it should start up fine.

bugzz said:

Hello.
I've already tried to change MSAHCI value on win 7 registry...everything i get was an BSOD (thankfully I've made a restore point)
The other problem is that I AM NOT able to change controller mode in BIOS. The reason is - there's no switcher or button or something else to do that. There’s no any information about controller mode in BIOS. I've already flashed my BIOD to 'newest' version, but no changes.

Actually I have two suggestions:
1 - I think I have RAID enabled, because i have in my Laptop. HD Tune Pro info - ... Furthermore, I had a label on my laptop...something with RAID, but unfortunately, I've removed them.....so I think, i have RAID enabled.
2 - If i hadn't ACHI/RAID enabled, my laptop couldn't be able to hotswap my ext. drive in Win Vista

So... everything I need is a tool which helps me to find out, what mode is enabled...AHCI or RAID

Any ideas?

The hot swap may be a function of your MOBO and controller.

I would try to find the information on how to find the 'SATA mode' in your BIOS. Maybe HP has it set one way and it can't be changed.

If you load the AHCI or RAID drivers and re-boot while SATA mode is set to IDE you will get a blue screen.

bugzz said:

Hello.
I've already tried to change MSAHCI value on win 7 registry...everything i get was an BSOD (thankfully I've made a restore point)
The other problem is that I AM NOT able to change controller mode in BIOS. The reason is - there's no switcher or button or something else to do that. There’s no any information about controller mode in BIOS. I've already flashed my BIOD to 'newest' version, but no changes.

Actually I have two suggestions:
1 - I think I have RAID enabled, because i have 2x320GB FUJUTSI ATA internal HDD in my Laptop. HD Tune Pro info - and . Furthermore, I had a label on my... laptop...something with RAID, but unfortunately, I've removed them.....so I think, i have RAID enabled.
2 - If i hadn't ACHI/RAID enabled, my laptop couldn't be able to hotswap my ext. drive in Win Vista

So... everything I need is a tool which helps me to find out, what mode is enabled...AHCI or RAID

Any ideas?

EDIT:
If you removed "something with RAID" you have likely disabled RAID. Just re-read that, you said you removed a label.
From what you have mentioned previously, your SATA mode is not working correctly, Try re-loading the drivers, it will help narrow down the problem.
They should be available on the HP Drivers site.


Let us know how it's going,
Dave

nate42nd said:

One final clarification. I am running an internal WD 640GB hard drive with a cable which turns an external molex into a SATA power and another cable which turns eSATA into normal SATA. I am doing this with a special bracket that came with the motherboard.

I have the "safely remove hardware" icon and when I use it, it says the device CAN be safely removed. (AHCI mode on separate controller (JMicron))

I believe this means the cache has been flushed and even though the drive is still spinning, I can unhook the power and data cables safely.

I have been doing this with no bad effects but cannot seem to find "for sure" if it's the best thing to be doing. The drive has been functioning flawlessly for weeks.

Does this sound right to you?

I have used the 'HotSwap' program since April, when it says I can 'safely remove hardware' I turn the switch off and un-plug the eSATA cable. Have had no issues doing this.
From my research, you are correct, it clears the cache and checks for any programs or files being accessed.
My drive still spins untill the power is turned off.

Sounds right.