eSATA port works like USB?!

That's something I had completely no clue about, and I doubt many of you knew that.

Plugging in USB device to eSATA port works perfectly on my Envy 14! I only needed to push a tiny bit harder than to an ordinary USB port. So, how does it work exactly? Are there any limitations?

 

It doubles as a USB port as many esata ports do.

 

I had no clue... I thought of myself as being a little bit into technology, but have never read about the fact that those two could be combined... That's not a rule, right? I have eSATA port on my desktop PC which is plugged straight into the SATA port of the motherboard. That one surely cannot support USB devices.

 

That port has usb connectors on one side and eSata on the other side. Not all eSata ports are like that.

Some external eSata hard drives can use usb side of that connector to power the drive, only one cable necessary. If you plan to buy external hdd, choose one of those if you can use it.

 

I only knew about this because I read about it in the Envy 14 threads while waiting for my Envy, hehe. I gotta tell ya it really helps to have a third USB port.

 

Yeah I was surprised when I saw it works, but I was much relieved.

I've realised however that if I have an external HDD plugged in through that port (or a phone or any device) and I try to reboot the computer gets stuck on the HP boot logo until I remove the device.

Does that happen with anyone else?

 

Honestly, I realize there aren't enough USB ports! lol. On my DV7-4283cl from Costco, there are 3 USB and and extra from the eSATA. So 4 total. Think about it. I have a USB mouse, USB to external speakers, USB to external HD, and USB to another external HD. What if I want to plug in a USB Tv Tuner? Yeap I need another USB port.... What if I want to have a USB fingerprint reader? (well this has a fingerpritn reader, bur I'm think about the Envy 17 3D I just ordered, no fingerprint reader) Yeap, I need another USB port.

Conclusion: I feel HP should let us have at least 6 USB ports.... make a couple in the back!


KJ

 

If you seriously want that many usb ports then get something like this Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Mobile Hub Hub - 4 ports or http://www.google.com/products/cata...X&ei=Krp2TYXSHcOMrQG9qYjjCQ&ved=0CIgBEPMCMAE# .

 

Your computer tries to boot from that external drive/device.

Go to BIOS and edit boot order. Put your internal hard drive to the top of the list. You can still select alternative boot drives manually with F9 key at boot when necessary.

 

Very cool! Now to wait until they do a hub for USB 3.0...lol sweet.

KJ

 

Killa Joe, i went through the same thing with my netbook so here was what i did. I opened it up and soldered a small usb hub to a usb channel then soldered my external mouse's usb stick to a hub port. Then soldered the original usb port to another hub port. So i internalized my mouse's usb receiver using a small usb hub. It took some work to make it all fit but the envy has lots of spare room inside, as opposed to my netbook. Anyway, this freed up a usb port. I'm planning on doing the same to my envy soon. What i really want to do though is put my alfa wireless card inside the envy and just have an antenna jack on the outside but i haven't come up with an asthetically soothing solution yet.

Not to hijack but does anyone know if the wwan usb d+ and d- are available for stealing? I know the whitelist deal but all i need are the 2 usb lines.

 

That's genious and at the same time gutsy! If went to some school of engineering or design I might have the willingness to do it, but I'm worried to destroy the Envy.

KJ