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    eSATA on 1640

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by gaah, Oct 24, 2009.

  1. gaah

    gaah Notebook Deity

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    Well- How do I use the eSATA function on the 1640? I have a Coolmax HD-250L-eSATA external 2.5" enclosure and connecting it to the eSATA port does nothing. The drive doesn't turn on or anything. It works fine if I switch over to USB. What's up with this?
     
    gaah, Oct 24, 2009
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  2. Bryan505

    Bryan505 Notebook Consultant

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    If the drive is not plugged into an AC adapter, then it must get its power from the connection it makes with the computer. There's a chance that the eSATA port is not powered like the USB ones. So if you are connecting this drive only to the eSATA port, it may not have power. That's the only thing I can think of.
     
    Bryan505, Oct 24, 2009
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  3. mystery905

    mystery905 Notebook Deity

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    That is probably it.

    Plug in the USB cable in addition to the eSATA cable for the power. That's how mine works. Compare how it connects if you just connect USB alone--it should be different, and the throughput should of course be different too.
     
    mystery905, Oct 24, 2009
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  4. gaah

    gaah Notebook Deity

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    How retarded. . Ugh, eSATA is useless practically without power. ;_;

    Might as well just use USB. One less cable to connect.
     
    gaah, Oct 24, 2009
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  5. iaTa

    iaTa Do Not Feed

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    iaTa, Oct 25, 2009
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  6. mystery905

    mystery905 Notebook Deity

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    mystery905, Oct 25, 2009
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  7. Student Driver

    Student Driver Notebook Consultant

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    Another issue is that the enclosure might have some bizarre issues when using eSATA. My enclosure has to be powered up, but with the eSATA cable disconnected from the enclosure first or else it won't spin up the drive. I'm still looking for new firmware.
     
    Student Driver, Oct 25, 2009
    #7