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    eSATA type I to SATA type L connection DAMAGES HDD?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Corabelster, Dec 9, 2008.

  1. Corabelster

    Corabelster Newbie

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    Hi!

    I have Lenovo X61 and a Cardbus SATA device with SATA (not eSATA) type L in.
    And I have external HDD enclosure with eSATA (not SATA) type "I" in.

    How can I connect them now? :) It's all ok, when I connect HDD using only one SATA to SATA cable.
    But I have to connect my laptop to a HDD enclosure, so I tried to do it using two cables one is eSATA-eSATA connected to eSATA-SATA bracket (usually used in desktops, something like that: www dot satacable dot com/images/sata-2-esata-dual-pci-port-bracket.jpg. I also had to connect HDD to power line separately). But I got only errors and even BAD sectors in that case! What's wrong?
     
    Corabelster, Dec 9, 2008
    #1
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I've got an eSATA-SATA cable that I plugged into my desktop and comes out through a hole to connect to eSATA drives (also needed to get power from a USB port), and it works fine. So I don't think there is anything inherently wrong in what you are doing. Getting errors suggests a cable / connector problem where the signal is getting corrupted.

    If the HDD is SATA-2 then you could check the manufacturer's site to see if there is an option to force it to run at SATA-1 speed.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Dec 9, 2008
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  3. evoMR

    evoMR Notebook Guru

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    what u want to do is get an e-sata to sata cable

    sata 2 devices are backwards compatible with sata 1, so as long as you have the necessary cables, it will run fine.

    just make sure u dont force a sata cable into an esata socket or vice versa
     
    evoMR, Dec 9, 2008
    #3
  4. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    I see no reason for a e-sata --> sata connection to have problems.

    You have to think there is no such thing as e-sata hard drives. They are all SATA drives and the enclosure simply has an e-sata connection, and inside of it is a normal sata drive.

    The only real difference between the connections is that sata is the internal type conector and e-sata stands for external-sata thus the external connection.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Dec 9, 2008
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  5. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    On reading the original post more carefully it seems as if the problem is from trying to use an eSATA connector in an SATA L shaped socket. As already suggested, get an eSATA - SATA cable with the right connectors at each end.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Dec 9, 2008
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  6. hehe299792458

    hehe299792458 Notebook Deity

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    What's wrong is that you're making life complicated for yourself. HDD SATA -> Enclosure -> eSATA -> bracket -> pci-e card -> laptop. Why not just connect the hdd directly via SATA (forgot the enclosure and bracket) or get a eSATA card?
     
    hehe299792458, Dec 9, 2008
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  7. Corabelster

    Corabelster Newbie

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    Thanks for suggestions!

    hehe299792458:
    All eSATA Cardbus cards that I tried are sooooooooooo slow and crappy so the only case where the speed is normal - is with this noname card.

    It works perfectly when connected thru SATA cable, but in that case I have to find external power for an HDD. I'm not connecting HDD to a desktop I'm connecting it to laptop, so maybe it's some problem with grounding? The bracket that I use is metal and it is supposed to be plugged into a metal case of a desktop, maybe that's the cause?
    I will buy normal eSATA-SATA connector, but I have to be sure that it won't cause such problems again.

    Does anybody have experience connecting external eSATA HDD into LAPTOP (not desktop).

    Thanks!
     
    Corabelster, Dec 9, 2008
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  8. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    Yeah I have a 160GB 2.5" somewhere that has dual connections. USB & E-Sata and it performs using E-Sata just like it does if you take the HDD out and use it as a Sata Drive (the drivers full speed, the SATA interface is wayyy faster than any HDD)

    Most 2.5" enclosures will use the USB connection for power, some have a DC input also so you can use a power brick with them, as the E-Sata connection unlike USB does not carry any power.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Dec 9, 2008
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  9. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I have three different 2.5"enclosures with USB + eSATA and I've had no problems with the eSATA on any of them. Via ExpressCard eSATA adaptor on my previous notebook but my Dell E6400 has a built-in eSATA port.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Dec 9, 2008
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  10. Corabelster

    Corabelster Newbie

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    People! I'm connecting eSATA external HDD with eSATA connector into SATA-in on laptop. I don't have eSATA on laptop. Only SATA - there's significant difference.

    eSATA -> SATA. (not eSATA-eSATA or SATA-SATA).

    So does anyone have experienced success with SUCH a connection?
     
    Corabelster, Dec 9, 2008
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  11. cashwo

    cashwo Notebook Guru

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    No problems connecting an e-sata 500gb Seagate HDD to a sata pcmcia card in several laptops using a sata to e-sata cable.
    Had a problem using an e-sata bracket with the pcmcia card until I trimmed the cable on the bracket so it pushed all the way into the connetor on the card
     
    cashwo, Dec 9, 2008
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  12. Corabelster

    Corabelster Newbie

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    cashwo

    Thanks! Do you put your HDD into enclosure, or Seagate has an eSATA port onboard?
     
    Corabelster, Dec 10, 2008
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  13. cashwo

    cashwo Notebook Guru

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    HDD was in an e-sata enclosure, also worked ok with a bare HDD and external power, and with a desktop dvdrw with external power
     
    cashwo, Dec 10, 2008
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  14. Corabelster

    Corabelster Newbie

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    cashwo

    Thanks! Can you tell me, where have you bought this cable?
     
    Corabelster, Dec 11, 2008
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  15. cashwo

    cashwo Notebook Guru

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    Cable was bought online from scan.co.uk product no LN16803
     
    cashwo, Dec 11, 2008
    #15