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    Converting eSATAp to SATA - possible problems?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Starlight5, Oct 14, 2014.

  1. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    My notebook has eSATAp (eSATA + USB combo) port, through-hole mounted. I want to desolder it and attach a esatap-to-microsata cable instead, and solder it. What are the possible problems I may encounter? Is there a chance BIOS or OS will freak out? Performing this mod myself is rather tempting, however repair shops offer to do it for 30$...
     
  2. StormJumper

    StormJumper Notebook Virtuoso

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    First what make/model are we talking about? Your asking us to shoot in the dark here and without know what laptop your asking about how do you expect others reading to know where to start?
     
  3. baii

    baii Sone

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    Starlight5 likes this.
  4. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    StormJumper,

    The notebook in question is 5930G. I am pretty much sure noone have done it with this exact model, hence didn't mention it.

    baii,

    Yes, pretty the same.
     
  5. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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  6. baii

    baii Sone

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    Those cable is hard to route and still need a adapter for sata to msata. I mean, do msata cable even exist? Never heard of such thing.
     
  7. Qing Dao

    Qing Dao Notebook Deity

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    The make and model of the laptop has nothing to do with anything.

    Neither the BIOS nor OS will freak out. To them, nothing is different.
     
    Starlight5 likes this.
  8. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    HTWingNut, baii,

    I have a compact microsata-to-mSATA adapter to put inside ODD bay (together with slimlinesata-to-sata adapter and M9T HDD), and route cable there. Since I have to remove eSATA-USB combo port, it seems wiser to take power from there together with SATA signals - it won't be used otherwise anyway. I'd rather use an mpcie-to-sata card than mod my notebook's motherboard, of course. However, it costs over 30$ shipped (produced by SYBA) and has up-directed connectors (I was unable to convince them to build a bunch of same cards with angled connectors), and modding such card looks much harder than my motherboard. There is also Startech adapter with angled connectors, but it seems to be worse quality and is ridiculously priced.

    Qing Dao, thanks.
     
  9. baii

    baii Sone

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    Right, I saw those thing as well, there was a alienware owner used that mpcie to sata adapter to add some HDD.

    If I have mad DIY skill, I would get one those mpcie adapter where they split out the usb and converted sata signals cables and do some Solder job.
     
  10. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    baii, why mess with usb at all?
     
  11. baii

    baii Sone

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    For power? and the adapter comes like that ~
     
  12. Starlight5

    Starlight5 Yes, I'm a cat. What else is there to say, really?

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    baii, it's safe to steal power from ODD bay, at least for single mSATA SSD.