Asus C90s and Vantec Nexstar-3

Hello all.

I have an Asus C90s with Vista Home Premium installed. The laptop works great...just a little hot on the left side

My problem:

I have a Vantec Nexstar-3 (USB and eSata). My C90s doesn't seem to see the hard drive if I plug the Nexstar in using either the USB or eSata.

If I plug the Nexstar into my Win XP desktop (via USB), it sees the hard drive.

Any simple tips to fixing this?

thanks!

Brad

 

Still haven't gotten the eSATA to work, but if the USB doesn't work it might be the HDD.

 

Any 3rd computer where you can try it? If it works in the 3rd I would tend to say it is the computer that doesn't recognize the HDD that is at fault.

Also, I've had a bad experience with a Vantec enclosure where there was a short between the power line off the USB and the casing. One of my computer was dying the instant I plugged the enclosure, the other one didn't shutdown but didn't recognize the enclosure. I "solved" it by removing the casing (leaving only the PCB) and then the HDD was recognized.

 

Some MBs require that you activate the SATA ports through BIOS settings in order for them to work (they're off by default). I'm not sure if that could be the case with your C90, but worth a check through your BIOS for any settings that might apply.

Of course, that wouldn't explain the lack of USB recognition, unless nothing at all is recognized through your C90's USB ports (in which case, the Device Manager probably has them disabled).

 

Here's the scoop.

I've successfully gotten the HDD recognized via USB...so that's a plus.

Looks like the eSata cable doesn't make a very good connection in the C90s's eSata port. I'll have to investigate further.

Not sure why the USB didn't work at first, but now does...maybe a disconnect between my ears.

I'll check the BIOS to see if eSata's enabled.

Thanks!

I'll post back with my results.

Brad

 

just checked Bios...

version 0401, build date 6-4-07

Should I update?

Is this the correct menu and setting:

Advanced ->
onboard devices configuration ->
onboard E-Sata mode == IDE mode

It states on the side IDE mode is for Win XP and AHCI mode is for Vista.

Thanks again,

Brad

 

Well, I haven't mucked around with the bios yet.

At the Asus download site, they have an eSata driver download available. Before I try installing these drivers...

Is their supposed to be a listing in 'Device Manager' for the eSata port?

Might that be my problem?

Brad

 

I've read in another post that some guy had problems fitting his eSata cable into the port. He said he had to modify and cut away some pieces of his cable to make it work. I think you might have the same problem. The eSata port might be located too deep inside the laptops casing for your cable to work. Try to use a different cable with a slimmer plug than the one you're using now.

 

Yeah, I remember that problem as well where the guy needed to cut off some of the plastic to get the plug working.

The BIOS setting looks to be the correct one, but I've never owned a computer with eSATA so I cannot be sure. I'd give that eSATA driver on the ASUS website a try.

If it works on USB it's good though, at least there's nothing wrong with the HDD.

 

I'll give the cable a shot...don't mind doing a little carving.

 

You can always just buy a new eSata cable if you mess yours up and you've still got the USB cable to connect the HDD to your C90s.

 

Cutting some of the plastic away from the end of the eSata cable worked.

But...I'd have to say it wasn't worth the effort. I received better/faster transfer rates with the USB2 cable than the eSata.

Oh, well.

Thanks for the help, all.