Using external Sata HDD problem?

sfcrawford · 05-07-2006, 02:28 PM

Hi all, I'm new here and this is my very first post, so hope some kind soul can help.
I was given a brand new Maxtor 120GB Sata HDD, as I have no free slots in PC which use IDE anyway, I bought an external enclosure which is supposed to let it run from USB 1 or 2.
Problem is, when all connected up, the drive is not recognised by Windows XP Pro, there was a bit of activity when first pluged in, it is supposed to be Hot Plug, the only recognition is in USB devices as a Mass Storage Device, but because it is a new virgin drive, there is no Drive letter associated with it. It is not visable under Drive Manager either.
Am I stuffed?

Worren · 05-07-2006, 03:38 PM

First, clarify something. Is that new drive an external SATA or USB. They make one called the LaCie and it's USB. There are very few external SATA drives around right now. First thing to do is make sure USB is enabled in the bios. Windows calls USB drives mass storage devices so make those settings are right. If you're using Tweakui you need to check that the drive letters are selected. Go into administrative tools, disk management and check there. If it still won't be recognized, connect it directly to your motherboard (SATA or IDE, whatever) and format it from there.

sfcrawford · 05-08-2006, 02:41 PM

Hi
It is actually a normal Sata HDD, it is connected to an external HDD enclosure with Sata cabling, box that then has a USB 2 cable to connect to PC. Maybe it is because my Motherboard does not support Sata (it does not have the connector for one). I thought the idea was that this Sata to USB box would have solved the issue?

sfcrawford · 05-09-2006, 02:10 PM

It has just dawned on me, because the HDD is new and never been Formated, it has no Drive Letter assigned to it yet, this is probably why PC cannot see it.
I assume I will need someone with a Sata enabled Motherboard, or maybe a PCI Sata card would do, any ideas anyone?

**linderman** · 05-09-2006, 05:22 PM

Hello & Welcome to TSF:

First off if I were in your situation I "would" expect to have difficulties because you have no sata controller to communicate and "control" the drive. Therefore I would expect you would be best served by using a PCI slot sata controller; make sure you stick with a good name brand one or you will quickly regret saving a few dollars.

here is my reccomendation to you.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...45#DetailSpecs

after getting this connected; you will need to partition and format your drive
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313348

dont hesitate to ask more questions

**TheMatt** · 05-09-2006, 05:42 PM

Windows XP does not come with SATA drivers, you probably need to download and install them.

05-07-2006, 02:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
sfcrawford Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP Pro	Using external Sata HDD problem? Hi all, I'm new here and this is my very first post, so hope some kind soul can help. I was given a brand new Maxtor 120GB Sata HDD, as I have no free slots in PC which use IDE anyway, I bought an external enclosure which is supposed to let it run from USB 1 or 2. Problem is, when all connected up, the drive is not recognised by Windows XP Pro, there was a bit of activity when first pluged in, it is supposed to be Hot Plug, the only recognition is in USB devices as a Mass Storage Device, but because it is a new virgin drive, there is no Drive letter associated with it. It is not visable under Drive Manager either. Am I stuffed?

05-09-2006, 05:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,441 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Hello & Welcome to TSF: First off if I were in your situation I "would" expect to have difficulties because you have no sata controller to communicate and "control" the drive. Therefore I would expect you would be best served by using a PCI slot sata controller; make sure you stick with a good name brand one or you will quickly regret saving a few dollars. here is my reccomendation to you. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...45#DetailSpecs after getting this connected; you will need to partition and format your drive http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313348 dont hesitate to ask more questions __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial Last edited by linderman; 05-09-2006 at 05:37 PM.

05-09-2006, 05:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Windows XP does not come with SATA drivers, you probably need to download and install them. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

05-07-2006, 03:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Worren Pop-a-Top Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 222 OS: Vista Ultimate 64 Bit Sp1 My System	First, clarify something. Is that new drive an external SATA or USB. They make one called the LaCie and it's USB. There are very few external SATA drives around right now. First thing to do is make sure USB is enabled in the bios. Windows calls USB drives mass storage devices so make those settings are right. If you're using Tweakui you need to check that the drive letters are selected. Go into administrative tools, disk management and check there. If it still won't be recognized, connect it directly to your motherboard (SATA or IDE, whatever) and format it from there.

05-08-2006, 02:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
sfcrawford Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP Pro	Hi It is actually a normal Sata HDD, it is connected to an external HDD enclosure with Sata cabling, box that then has a USB 2 cable to connect to PC. Maybe it is because my Motherboard does not support Sata (it does not have the connector for one). I thought the idea was that this Sata to USB box would have solved the issue?

05-09-2006, 02:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
sfcrawford Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP Pro	It has just dawned on me, because the HDD is new and never been Formated, it has no Drive Letter assigned to it yet, this is probably why PC cannot see it. I assume I will need someone with a Sata enabled Motherboard, or maybe a PCI Sata card would do, any ideas anyone?