Hi Gang: It apppears there have been numerous issues posted regarding malfunctions of esata multi-port cards. However in my particular case, I'm merely trying to utilize a StarTech 18" esata to sata cable rear bracket port. In other words simply connecting the 2nd motherboard sata storage drive port re-routing it via the StarTech 18" esata to sata cable to an EXTERNAL self powered enclosure. 'No Dice' - 'No Go' - Nothing showed up! However when the 2nd drive is connected directly to that logic board port it works fine all the time, (always recognized).
Do I need to adjust something in the Bios (simply for a cable)? Or is this an inherrent FLAW in the 790?
Thank You :)
Yeah, multiplex cards are trouble. Sounds like that tricked-out cable might be a similar device.
Native eSata to eSata should work .It's only SATA-1/150 speed (but should still be fine for a spinning HDD).
From there, I would go with USB-3.0 or even USB-3.1 ... a standard externally powered enclosure.
If this was a Mac, I would advise looking into ThunderBolt.
Anything larger than that ... I would look into a NAS (like Synology) . They make a 2-bay and with a 4-bay you can have a lot of space on RAID-5.
Hello there 'Nicola Tesla' (my favorite Genius) as I was growing up! :)
I think I understand you're suggesting despite its only 'a cable' it might be recognized also as a 'culprit' or just another 'incompatibility' same as a card?
You suggested: "Native eSata to eSata"? Yes? Unless I'm missing something, I can't seem to find that configuration that would work with a typical easta/sata enclosure? Of course what I'm trying to accomplish is the 'Higher Speed' that I enjoy with most of my older G5's & Mac Pro Desktops that all have esata cards I installed.
USB3 in the Optiplex 790? I'm assuming this older machine is only USB2? Unless you're suggesting a PCIe USB3 card for the 790?
1. Hello there 'Nicola Tesla' (my favorite Genius) as I was growing up! :)
2. I think I understand you're suggesting despite its only 'a cable' it might be recognized also as a 'culprit' or just another 'incompatibility' same as a card?
3. You suggested: "Native eSata to eSata"? Yes? Unless I'm missing something, I can't seem to find that configuration that would work with a typical easta/sata enclosure?
4. Of course what I'm trying to accomplish is the 'Higher Speed' that I enjoy with most of my older G5's & Mac Pro Desktops that all have esata cards I installed.
5. USB3 in the Optiplex 790? I'm assuming this older machine is only USB2? Unless you're suggesting a PCIe USB3 card for the 790?
Should I just install a USB-3 PCIe add-on card instead? However I think sata is still faster?
The problem with eSata (if you ignore the fact that it needs external power ... because most large USB drives do also) for me ... it was the hot-swap-ability. It was troublesome so I never risked it. I plugged-it-in, then turn-on machine ... and left it there for a while.
Yes, eSata is pretty fast, but I thought it was limited to SATA-1/150 ... so about 120-130 speed, IIRC.
USB-3.0 is fast enough. Right now, I'm getting 165/110 r/w on my Seagate-3tb in CrystalDiskMark.
My Synology NAS is connected on Gigabit Ethernet (1000) LAN. Crystal says 120/119 r/w. It's basically as fast as a spinning HDD inside my computer.
Actually I'd love to install any of those sata cards in my old 790, (I think sata is still faster than USB3?)
But I'm concerned (not being able to get a dumb esata cable/port/bracket to work), what's the end result of trying to get the card recognized? Last time I chatted with online Dell sales rep they wouldn't confirm it would work???
3. It's up to you. If you have a bunch of eSata drives laying about (because of the Macs) you could keep trying that. If not, I think most people Windows people have moved on to USB-3.0 (or NAS or cloud-based).
"Sales doesn't validate hardware"Understood ... thank you .. :)
Well my friend - yes I'll have to decide which way to go thank you Tesla :) As for the issue of power, I have a bunch of older 'Dual Bay' Non-Raid esata external enclosures I bought from OWC. They all have power supplies even cooling fans. But I'm a bit suspicious now because I couldn't get the 790 to recognize a drive enclosed in one of those enclosures. I used a sata cable and connected it direclty to that 2nd sata storage port on the logic board of the 790. 'No Dice'
Yet when I go back to my old connection 'constant internal power' and sata cable, its always worked (never any recognition problems). The 2nd storage drive has always been recognized that way.
But why waste a spinning drive (running constantly) putting on all that mileage when you can access it only when needed? That's the delimma :(
Never had that problem with my old Macs (all equipped with esata cards). Very sad ...
1. But I'm concerned (not being able to get a dumb esata cable/port/bracket to work),
2. what's the end result of trying to get the card recognized?
3. Last time I chatted with online Dell sales rep they wouldn't confirm it would work???
1. That dumb eSata cable thing is not even a viable product. Real eSata has it's own controller.
2. You will have to try it if you want it. I suggest you decide if you want to go eSata or USB-3 and then buy a well reviewed card and try it.
3. Sales doesn't validate hardware. They might have a list of cards that originally sold pre-installed in machine 7-years ago. That doesn't mean all other cards won't work. PCIe slots are built for just this kind of thing.
I have a bunch of older 'Dual Bay' Non-Raid esata external enclosures I bought from OWC. They all have power supplies even cooling fans. But I'm a bit suspicious now because I couldn't get the 790 to recognize a drive enclosed in one of those enclosures. I used a sata cable and connected it direclty to that 2nd sata storage port on the logic board of the 790. 'No Dice'
I've never tried to test an external eSata enclosure that way. I think internal SATA-2/3 port is a different animal.
You test internal SATA ports with a bare internal SATA HDD/SSD.
You test external eSata enclosures off of an external eSata port (and appropriate external eSata cable). If you don't have that available on a Windows machine yet, one of these Macs you talk about (with eSata cards) should suffice.
Again, I'd LOVE to get one those eata cards installed in my last PCIe slot in the 790. 'One That Will Work' The reason I hesitated and resorted to the StarTech cable/bracket were because of incompatibllity issues posted by others and the advice from Dell Technicians that I'd experience problems. Apparently I asked a similar question back in 2012 when it was confirmed (then) that Windows 7 did not comunicate with esata cards installed within Windows 7 on a 790. A 'work-around' offered by someone was a USB3 to Esata adapter provided in the post.
Apparently I asked a similar question back in 2012 when it was confirmed (then) that Windows 7 did not comunicate with esata cards installed within Windows 7 on a 790.
No, Chris-M just meant that the one particular card he could find in the limited Dell online sales area was old and not tested for Windows-7 Compatibility.
Please re-read our discussion thread. I think all your questions have been answered. But if you are still unsure how to proceed, feel free to ask. :Smile:
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.4K Posts
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March 25th, 2018 13:00
Yeah, multiplex cards are trouble. Sounds like that tricked-out cable might be a similar device.
Native eSata to eSata should work .It's only SATA-1/150 speed (but should still be fine for a spinning HDD).
From there, I would go with USB-3.0 or even USB-3.1 ... a standard externally powered enclosure.
If this was a Mac, I would advise looking into ThunderBolt.
Anything larger than that ... I would look into a NAS (like Synology) . They make a 2-bay and with a 4-bay you can have a lot of space on RAID-5.
ENIGMACODE
120 Posts
0
March 25th, 2018 14:00
Hello there 'Nicola Tesla' (my favorite Genius) as I was growing up! :)
I think I understand you're suggesting despite its only 'a cable' it might be recognized also as a 'culprit' or just another 'incompatibility' same as a card?
This is the cable/bracket I've tried that won't work: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998234 < Note the interesting negative comments!
You suggested: "Native eSata to eSata"? Yes? Unless I'm missing something, I can't seem to find that configuration that would work with a typical easta/sata enclosure? Of course what I'm trying to accomplish is the 'Higher Speed' that I enjoy with most of my older G5's & Mac Pro Desktops that all have esata cards I installed.
USB3 in the Optiplex 790? I'm assuming this older machine is only USB2? Unless you're suggesting a PCIe USB3 card for the 790?
Thanx againg Tesla!
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.4K Posts
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March 25th, 2018 15:00
1. Yes, me too. Check this new show:
https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/teslas-death-ray-a-murder-declassified/
2. Surprised StarTech came-up-with such a contraption. Better to use a real card (like this or similar):
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816129101&ignorebbr=1&cm_re=esata_pcie-_-16-129-101-_-Product
For this particular card, I would set it to use only one-external eSata port (at least for now) ... no multiplexing involved.
3. An external HDD enclosure with an eSata port on the back.
4. With all these machines, you owe-it-to-yourself to at least look at Synology NAS.
5. Yes, a USB-3 PCIe add-on card if the 790 doesn't have a native one.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.4K Posts
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March 25th, 2018 20:00
The problem with eSata (if you ignore the fact that it needs external power ... because most large USB drives do also) for me ... it was the hot-swap-ability. It was troublesome so I never risked it. I plugged-it-in, then turn-on machine ... and left it there for a while.
Yes, eSata is pretty fast, but I thought it was limited to SATA-1/150 ... so about 120-130 speed, IIRC.
USB-3.0 is fast enough. Right now, I'm getting 165/110 r/w on my Seagate-3tb in CrystalDiskMark.
My Synology NAS is connected on Gigabit Ethernet (1000) LAN. Crystal says 120/119 r/w. It's basically as fast as a spinning HDD inside my computer.
https://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/peripherals/thunderbolt-vs-usb-3-0-vs-esata-931343
ENIGMACODE
120 Posts
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March 25th, 2018 20:00
Thanx again Tesla!
I've read articles about StarTech and incompatiblity with a 790? Did you say you actually got a StarTech sata card to work in a 790?
Lengthy older post describing hassles with StarTech sata card and the 790: https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General/Dell-Optiplex-790-Does-not-Recognize-SIL3132-Based-eSATA-Cards/td-p/3738670
Should I just install a USB-3 PCIe add-on card instead? However I think sata is still faster?
Thanx for the article about our old friend :)
Mike
ENIGMACODE
120 Posts
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March 25th, 2018 20:00
Hi Tesla
Actually I'd love to install any of those sata cards in my old 790, (I think sata is still faster than USB3?)
But I'm concerned (not being able to get a dumb esata cable/port/bracket to work), what's the end result of trying to get the card recognized? Last time I chatted with online Dell sales rep they wouldn't confirm it would work???
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.4K Posts
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March 25th, 2018 20:00
1. No. However, I have run generic single-port PCIe-x1 eSata cards in old computers before (back when it was popular). One was in a XPS-410.
2. OK. Yeah, I was hesitant to link to certain one. I only linked to the StarTech because I thought you liked those guys.
Do you like this one better?
https://www.amazon.com/Ableconn-PEX-SA114-2-Port-Express-Adapter/dp/B01HR0PXRU/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1522034352&sr=8-9&keywords=pcie+esata
3. It's up to you. If you have a bunch of eSata drives laying about (because of the Macs) you could keep trying that. If not, I think most people Windows people have moved on to USB-3.0 (or NAS or cloud-based).
ENIGMACODE
120 Posts
0
March 25th, 2018 21:00
"Sales doesn't validate hardware" Understood ... thank you .. :)
Well my friend - yes I'll have to decide which way to go thank you Tesla :) As for the issue of power, I have a bunch of older 'Dual Bay' Non-Raid esata external enclosures I bought from OWC. They all have power supplies even cooling fans. But I'm a bit suspicious now because I couldn't get the 790 to recognize a drive enclosed in one of those enclosures. I used a sata cable and connected it direclty to that 2nd sata storage port on the logic board of the 790. 'No Dice'
Yet when I go back to my old connection 'constant internal power' and sata cable, its always worked (never any recognition problems). The 2nd storage drive has always been recognized that way.
But why waste a spinning drive (running constantly) putting on all that mileage when you can access it only when needed? That's the delimma :(
Never had that problem with my old Macs (all equipped with esata cards). Very sad ...
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
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March 25th, 2018 21:00
1. That dumb eSata cable thing is not even a viable product. Real eSata has it's own controller.
2. You will have to try it if you want it. I suggest you decide if you want to go eSata or USB-3 and then buy a well reviewed card and try it.
3. Sales doesn't validate hardware. They might have a list of cards that originally sold pre-installed in machine 7-years ago. That doesn't mean all other cards won't work. PCIe slots are built for just this kind of thing.
speedstep
9 Legend
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47K Posts
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March 26th, 2018 09:00
Specific Recommended Card is Rocket 622 series.
https://www.amazon.com/HighPoint-Rocket-eSATA-PCI-Express-Controller/dp/B002VEYDUG
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.4K Posts
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March 26th, 2018 12:00
I've never tried to test an external eSata enclosure that way. I think internal SATA-2/3 port is a different animal.
You test internal SATA ports with a bare internal SATA HDD/SSD.
You test external eSata enclosures off of an external eSata port (and appropriate external eSata cable). If you don't have that available on a Windows machine yet, one of these Macs you talk about (with eSata cards) should suffice.
ENIGMACODE
120 Posts
0
March 26th, 2018 12:00
Hi Tesla
Again, I'd LOVE to get one those eata cards installed in my last PCIe slot in the 790. 'One That Will Work' The reason I hesitated and resorted to the StarTech cable/bracket were because of incompatibllity issues posted by others and the advice from Dell Technicians that I'd experience problems. Apparently I asked a similar question back in 2012 when it was confirmed (then) that Windows 7 did not comunicate with esata cards installed within Windows 7 on a 790. A 'work-around' offered by someone was a USB3 to Esata adapter provided in the post.
https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General/Installing-eSata-PCI-Card-in-Optiplex-790/td-p/3804337
Mike
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.4K Posts
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March 26th, 2018 14:00
No, Chris-M just meant that the one particular card he could find in the limited Dell online sales area was old and not tested for Windows-7 Compatibility.
Please re-read our discussion thread. I think all your questions have been answered. But if you are still unsure how to proceed, feel free to ask. :Smile:
ENIGMACODE
120 Posts
0
March 26th, 2018 16:00
Thanx for all your help Tesla :)
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.4K Posts
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March 26th, 2018 16:00
You are welcome.
If you decide to stay with eSata, I suggest you get that Ableconn PEX-SA114 .
If you decide to go USB-3, we can find you one of those instead.
Let us know how it turns-out.