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    eSATA external box not working with eSATA ExpressCard

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Ignacio49, May 18, 2007.

  1. Ignacio49

    Ignacio49 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello,

    I bought a SIIG eSATA II ExpressCard to use with a 3.5" 500GB Samsung HD501LJ SATA HDD in external eSATA enclosure. Notebook is Dell Inspiron 6400 / E1505

    I bought two BYTECC SATA II external enclosures, with eSATA and USB external interfaces, model ME-747SA. They work fine when using the USB, but unfortunatelly it seems that these boxes are not compatible with the SIIG ExpressCard.

    I have tried a WD SATA HDD in the BYTECC box but same story, it doesn't work with the ExpressCard.

    HOWEVER, a 2.5 WD sata HDD in a non BYTECC eSATA box works fine with the ExpressCard, therefore the problem seems to be with the BYTECC boxes.

    Any suggestion what to do to make them work?
    Thanks
     
    Ignacio49, May 18, 2007
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  2. chemistry

    chemistry Notebook Consultant

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    Have you tried setting the jumper on the Samsung drive to SATA/150 or SATA I mode. Some people with eSATA issues with various brands of external enclosures have reported that forcing the drive into SATA I mode resolved their issues. Most 2.5" notebook drives are SATA I, which may explain why the WD 2.5" drive worked with the SIIG expresscard.
     
    chemistry, May 18, 2007
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  3. Ignacio49

    Ignacio49 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Not with the Samsung, but I did it with the WD drive, and it didn't work
     
    Ignacio49, May 18, 2007
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  4. Ignacio49

    Ignacio49 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Update: tried Samsung with SATA/150 and didn't work.
     
    Ignacio49, May 18, 2007
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  5. chemistry

    chemistry Notebook Consultant

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    chemistry, May 19, 2007
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  6. Ignacio49

    Ignacio49 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks chemistry. I already visited bytecc's website looking for updates but, as you said, found nothing for my enclosures.

    Concerning the chipset they are running...I have no idea. How/where can I see that?

    And the thread....lots of info....thanks.
     
    Ignacio49, May 19, 2007
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  7. Ignacio49

    Ignacio49 Notebook Enthusiast

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    UPDATE:

    Bytecc answered the email I sent them last friday. They told me to use a short cable than came with the enclosure, and now everything works fine.

    The mentioned cable is a male eSATA to female eSATA, and obviously does something more than just stay in the way..

    In any case, I am happy with the support provided to me by Bytecc.
     
    Ignacio49, May 21, 2007
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