External ESATA problems...

[Greg Rosler]

After reading all the posts about ESATA I decided to give it a shot.

I've tried with two different configurations and haven't been able to get it to work with either one.

I've tried modifying the ESATA cable by trimming the end but no dice.

I'm beginning to wonder if the ESATA port on my HR20-700 is turned off (not connected inside the unit or not configured).

First Config:
Seagate FreeAgent Pro ST307504FPA1E2-RK 750GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148248
PPA 5 ft. eSATA to eSATA Cable Model 831 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16812150023

Second Config:
Thermaltake N0012US http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817153061
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3750640AS http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148134


Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Greg

[Earl Bonovich]

What is with the modifing the eSATA cable?

If it is an eSATA cable... it should plug right in...

Are you rebooting after you connected the eSATA drive?

[Greg Rosler]

I've read about alot of people having issues with ESATA cables. Alot of the freeagent drives have bad ESATA connectors so people had to mod the cable.

I've rebooted the HR20-700 using both configs (multiple reboots) and it never connected to the ESATA drive.


Greg

[Earl Bonovich]

Do you have a computer, that you can test the eSATA drive with to eliminate that as the problem?

[Greg Rosler]

Yes, I'm trying to get it working with my computer now.




Greg

[thumperr]

I used this cable, plugged into the Free agent pro and HR20 with no issues.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ENYXZ6/104-2302328-5135968

[Greg Rosler]

Not having any luck getting the unit to work on my computer using ESATA.

However, it works fine using the USB port.

Trying to get help from Asus (it's a P5W DH Deluxe) motherboard.

Can't seem to find any info on how to configure my motherboard to use the ESATA port.


Greg

[jeffshoaf]

Not having any luck getting the unit to work on my computer using ESATA.

However, it works fine using the USB port.

Trying to get help from Asus (it's a P5W DH Deluxe) motherboard.

Can't seem to find any info on how to configure my motherboard to use the ESATA port.


Greg

What operating system are you using? eSATA should be pretty much plug-n-play...

[Greg Rosler]

I'm using Vista 32 bit.

The ESATA is not being detected during the initial bios boot prior to loading windows.



Greg

[DrJohnC]

Just a thought ... purchased a cavalry 750gig esata. Opening the Disk Management console in XP showed the partition on the disk as "RAW" -- no OS formatted on the drive (although it was supposed to be NTSF)

Came with a cable. Plugged into the HR-20 and it worked.

Disconnected from HR-20 and used XP Disk Management Console to see what was on the drive: this time three partitions! (of unknown OS -- of course), the largest being in the nhood of 630 gigs, plus two smaller partitions. Thus the HR20 did partition/format the drive appropriately.

[kikkenit2]

I bought that same Seagate drive and a cable from monoprice. Thats the cable that has to be trimmed. Did the yellow light on top ever turn on using esata? I had to actually plug the hd in with the HR20 on to turn on the hd. After that I disconnected esata from dvr. Then disconnect power to dvr for 10 seconds. Plug power back in then reconnect esata to dvr right away. DVR booted up and favorites list was gone. Tripled my storage space and works so slick I went and bought another. Second dvr detected esata drive first try. Wish I could turn off that yellow light though.

[cartrivision]

What is with the modifing the eSATA cable?

If it is an eSATA cable... it should plug right in...

Where have you been? Obviously not reading any of the eSATA threads which almost always have some discussion about having to modify eSATA cables to get them to work properly.

[CCarncross]

Those users are not using the correct eSATA cables, they have the older type I cables. ALways buy eSATA II cables for any new eSATA stuff today

[HolmesCo]

Where have you been? Obviously not reading any of the eSATA threads which almost always have some discussion about having to modify eSATA cables to get them to work properly.

I have the freeagent and a cable from new egg. Plugged right in with no problem.

For my computer I just bought a cavalry, better customer reviews and comes with the cable. Being delivered friday. My ASUS has eSata enabled, nothing in bios to even turn it on or off. At least I HOPE its enabled.:)

[thumperr]

I bought that same Seagate drive and a cable from monoprice. Thats the cable that has to be trimmed. Did the yellow light on top ever turn on using esata? I had to actually plug the hd in with the HR20 on to turn on the hd. After that I disconnected esata from dvr. Then disconnect power to dvr for 10 seconds. Plug power back in then reconnect esata to dvr right away. DVR booted up and favorites list was gone. Tripled my storage space and works so slick I went and bought another. Second dvr detected esata drive first try. Wish I could turn off that yellow light though.


The software that came with the FAP has an utility to turn the light off with. just install the software on a PC, connect the FAP, diasable the light, then use it with the HR20.

[kikkenit2]

The software that came with the FAP has an utility to turn the light off with. just install the software on a PC, connect the FAP, diasable the light, then use it with the HR20.Thanks for the info. I already recorded a few shows on both drives. Did this erase the files already on the hd? I didn't see a CD in the box. Maybe I can download that off their website. And my motherboard came with some regular sata ports and cables. I only have pata hard drives in there now. Would I need to get a sata to esata cable? I'm never using these drives except for the dvr. Can I just take the light bulb out of the case? Right now they are bright night lights that an old guy doesn't need.