What system are you using, and are you trying to use an eSATA port built onto the system or a dock? As far as I know, eSATA ports are typically controlled by the motherboard's own SATA controller, so you wouldn't need additional drivers, though it may help to have the latest Intel Rapid Storage driver. However, if even the BIOS isn't seeing the drive, you might have a problem below the OS layer anyway.
And I may be suggesting the obvious here, but if you've never used that cable elsewhere, it could simply be defective given that power and data run on completely separate pins.
You didn't mention what system you're using, but I guess that may not matter. I've had two Dell laptops in the past that had eSATA ports, the only powered eSATA accessory I ever used was an eSATA optical drive, which came with a Dell Studio 14z and plugged into its combo eSATA/USB port. I suppose it's possible that the powered eSATA ports simply aren't providing enough power for the devices you're trying to use to function properly, even if you do hear them spinning up. If your port is a combo eSATA/USB port, it might only be offering enough power to drive USB devices, not necessarily SATA drives. If you have a way to test with an enclosure or adapter that uses a regular SATA cable and then a wall AC adapter, I'd be curious if that worked. That's the setup I used for a long time until I moved my drives into USB 3.0 enclosures because it's nearly as fast (or just as fast with spinning disks) and much more broadly available, especially considering it's backward compatible with USB 2.0. If you don't have an enclosure or adapter along those lines to test, I'm not sure what else to suggest at this point. Sorry!
Even if there were a driver issue, it wouldn't stop the BIOS from seeing the drive. The only time eSATA ports ever require their own drivers is on motherboards that have a separate controller chip dedicated to the eSATA port, but I've only ever seen that on desktops. On laptops the eSATA port is just another SATA port managed by the same controller that handles the internal hard drive and optical drive, so if those are working, then the eSATA device should be too. Hopefully it's just a cable issue!
jphughan
9 Legend
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14K Posts
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September 19th, 2017 17:00
What system are you using, and are you trying to use an eSATA port built onto the system or a dock? As far as I know, eSATA ports are typically controlled by the motherboard's own SATA controller, so you wouldn't need additional drivers, though it may help to have the latest Intel Rapid Storage driver. However, if even the BIOS isn't seeing the drive, you might have a problem below the OS layer anyway.
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
0
September 19th, 2017 17:00
And I may be suggesting the obvious here, but if you've never used that cable elsewhere, it could simply be defective given that power and data run on completely separate pins.
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
0
September 19th, 2017 17:00
You didn't mention what system you're using, but I guess that may not matter. I've had two Dell laptops in the past that had eSATA ports, the only powered eSATA accessory I ever used was an eSATA optical drive, which came with a Dell Studio 14z and plugged into its combo eSATA/USB port. I suppose it's possible that the powered eSATA ports simply aren't providing enough power for the devices you're trying to use to function properly, even if you do hear them spinning up. If your port is a combo eSATA/USB port, it might only be offering enough power to drive USB devices, not necessarily SATA drives. If you have a way to test with an enclosure or adapter that uses a regular SATA cable and then a wall AC adapter, I'd be curious if that worked. That's the setup I used for a long time until I moved my drives into USB 3.0 enclosures because it's nearly as fast (or just as fast with spinning disks) and much more broadly available, especially considering it's backward compatible with USB 2.0. If you don't have an enclosure or adapter along those lines to test, I'm not sure what else to suggest at this point. Sorry!
Bishop2
16 Posts
0
September 19th, 2017 17:00
Hi Thanks for replying
I am using the eSATA port on the Dell Laptop.
I bought a eSATA(powered) cable to standard SATA online.
The Cable powers the hard drive.
But BIOS and Windows 10 does not see the drive.
Any help appreciated
Bishop2
16 Posts
0
September 19th, 2017 18:00
Thanks
I am trying to connect an SSD and a 2.5" HDD via the USB/eSATA combo port on my laptops
I have two E6230 and a E6330.
None of them recognise the drive but I can hear and see the power light working.
If there is not a setting or driver in Windows 10 then it must be the cable?
Bishop2
16 Posts
0
September 19th, 2017 18:00
Thanks
I have to conclude it is the cable it that is the case
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
0
September 19th, 2017 20:00
Even if there were a driver issue, it wouldn't stop the BIOS from seeing the drive. The only time eSATA ports ever require their own drivers is on motherboards that have a separate controller chip dedicated to the eSATA port, but I've only ever seen that on desktops. On laptops the eSATA port is just another SATA port managed by the same controller that handles the internal hard drive and optical drive, so if those are working, then the eSATA device should be too. Hopefully it's just a cable issue!