Solved Ext HDD not showing up via eSATA, but USB2.0 ok...

[Miranova23]

Hello, I'm sorry it seems I'm only here about my problems anymore, but school has been driving me crazy.

I have this external hard drive: Acomdata 1TB 7200 RPM, stamped "Apr '09," Model pdhd1000use-72. It connects via either USB 2.0 or eSATA. Given its age and class, I'm guessing SATAI (1.5gbps). Whenever I try to connect it via eSATA, Windows does not recognize it at all. I've searched for new hardware in Device Manager, but nothing. I've restarted the computer with the drive still on and plugged in, but nothing. Plugged in via USB 2.0, though, it works perfectly fine just as it should.


where Tortuga & Interceptor partitions belong to the external hard drive in question

I have checked in my BIOS, and the SATA speed/generation has 3 settings: Auto, 3gbps, or 6gbps. It is set on Auto. However, I have just recently done some redecorating inside my rig and replace all of my SATA cables with UV green SATAIII (6gbps) cables. Still, this only possibly accounts for why the drive will not show up when plugged into my HAF X's front eSATA jack. I have also tried plugging it directly into the mobo's eSATA port, but still nothing.

This Windows is a recent new install. I had gone a bit slack with my desktop backups, but it did work up til this installation. Is there something I missed or switched by accident? Any other hardware suggestions? Could the external's eSATA port have died?

This is getting really aggravating, especially with the size and volume of files I back up with it. Even eSATA at 1.5gbps is lightning compared to waiting for USB 2.0... :drool:

 

[Cr00zng]

The eSATA connector on the external HDD could be bad, either the port in itself or the internal circuit board "died" for the eSATA.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the eSATA port on the motherboard had been unintentionally disabled in the BIOS.

I'd try to connect the external HDD via the eSATA port to another PC to check the external enclosure.

 

[Maguscreed]

Just checking a small detail how does the unit get it's power when plugged via esata?
I only ask because I've seen units that work only through a usb cable but require being plugged in to function properly via eSATA

 

[Miranova23]

The eSATA connector on the external HDD could be bad, either the port in itself or the internal circuit board "died" for the eSATA.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the eSATA port on the motherboard had been unintentionally disabled in the BIOS.

I'd try to connect the external HDD via the eSATA port to another PC to check the external enclosure.

This is why I shouldn't be trying to do these things so late at night anymore, lol. It didn't even occur to me to try the drive on my fiance's computer right behind me. I suppose I should go try that, too.

As far as my BIOS goes, I went to check the SATA info again. I started the computer with the hdd already plugged in to the mobo's eSATA and switched on. It was indeed listed under the eSATA slot, so it is ready and able. So, I saved changes and restarted.

Both times it took an awful long time to POST, and even after took a very long time to boot up. It was lagging at the "Starting Windows" animation where the window just kept glowing. But finally, it let me log in. I did, and alleluiah! I didn't get an AutoPlay window, but Windows Explorer had them listed & available. Goodsync was able to sync 1 directory, but then I don't know what happened... Now it has disappeared from everything again. I can still feel it spinning, and the light is still blue (see below). So it would seem I am back to square one.

Just checking a small detail how does the unit get it's power when plugged via esata?
I only ask because I've seen units that work only through a usb cable but require being plugged in to function properly via eSATA

Oh, yes I've seen annoying ones like that, too. This drive has its own dedicated power cord, switch, and light strip indicating whether it is on/off, and also whether it is connected (blue) or not (red). It turns sort of purplish when it is writing to the disk. That's another strange thing-- it's been staying blue when the computer is on, even though it's not acknowledging it. So thanks for asking anyway. =)

 

[Maguscreed]

oh and the first time you use a drive on eSATA you may also be forced to add it in the drive management.

 

[Miranova23]

Would-be-promising: I scanned for hardware changes in device manager, and came up with an Unknown Device! But Windows "couldn't find a driver." Sigh. It shouldn't need anything much extra, even says so here: Windows 7 Compatibility for AcomData pureDrive External Hard Drive: AcomData. Drivers, Updates, Downloads

Any other ideas?

I saw a random thing on another website saying to reformat the disk while plugged in via eSATA; would that help at all?

 

[Cr00zng]

Do you have the correct driver in Windows for the eSATA port? On my PC the eSATA port is handled by the JMicron controller.

If the drive is working just fine when connected to the USB port, I doubt that reformatting would make any difference...

 

[Miranova23]

I've reinstalled the drivers for my mobo several times already, from the original disc. And I did get it to work for a little bit, when GoodSync was able to do at least 1 job successfully, but it had disappeared by the second. Then Windows couldn't find the driver for this "Unknown Device."

oh and the first time you use a drive on eSATA you may also be forced to add it in the drive management.

What do you mean, add it in the drive management? I'll see what it does.

 

[Miranova23]

Since I was having problems with this, my onboard video card HDMI, and a couple programs were having trouble staying activated, I just gave up and started the OS over again from scratch. Viola, everything works now! Sheesh. Random glitches?
I tested the HDD both on my fiance's ports, which were fine, then again from my BIOS in both my case's front eSATA (connected to mobo SATA #3) and rear eSATA port on mobo. Everything, fine. Whatever, it all works!