eSata problem on GA-P55-UD5

[peter7769]

Please can someone help

I have a custom built pc, windows 7 64bit,with a Gigabyte GA-P55-UD5 motherboard,  it has two sata hard drives inside, not configured for RAID or anything like that, my problem is i have just brought an external eSata Hard drive, 2TB made by Verbatim (Model 47528), this can be configured to Raid 0,1 or Big, the problem is that i can only get it to show up if i connect it via USB, no matter what i try i cant get it seen using the eSata cable, i have tried everything from powering it up before the pc to checking in the device manager, disc management etc but still no luck.

When i look in the Bios it says that eSata is enabled and  it gives me 3 choices underneath that, IDE, AHCI or RAID but i have tried all 3 and still its not showing up!

Please can anyone help as im tearing my hair out    , i have seen various posts about enabling AHCI after windows 7 installation but im afraid to try it in case it makes matter worse, and also the BIOS seems to let me so is this mod really necessary???

how to enable ahci after windows 7 installation

       1. Exit all Windows-based programs.
       2. Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
       3. If you receive the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
       4. Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesM sahci
       5. In the right pane, right-click Start in the Name column, and then click Modify.
       6. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
       7. On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.

    After this you’ll have to restart your computer, go to BIOS and enable AHCI. When you log in to Windows again, you’ll notice the installation of drivers for AHCI. Another restart will be required to finish the driver installation.

Please , Please can someone help 

Pete

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Let's see if we can't save some of your hair at least.
I take it this drive has an external power source. Is it connected to the ESATA port on the motherboard backplate or a seperate plate?

[peter7769]

Hi Thanks
               Yes it has a separate power supply, and its connected to one of the ESATA ports on the motherboard, i have also tried it on the other ESATA port on the motherboard, and the ESATA port on the front of the machine.

Pete

[Dark Mantis]

Right so we know the drives work ok because you can access them in USB mode. Do they show as a RAID array or just as one big drive?
I am afraid I might be a little slow responding today as it is rather busy.

[peter7769]

No problem, well when i plug them in the usb the show as both (not at the same time!) , there is a switch on the back to change it, so i have set it as 1 large 2TB disc and i had it set as Raid 1 , both showed up fine using USB

Pete

[Peteruk]

Install this
ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/jmb36x/XP_Vista_Win7/JMB36X_WinDrv_R1.17.58_WHQL.zip

[peter7769]

Is that not the same as i have already??, in device manager i have a section called Storage Controllers and in there is listed...

Jmicron JMB36X Controller

and the driver is listed as 1.17.58.2

[Peteruk]

Ok you seem to of got that driver.

Its likely some setting for the external Verbatim 47528  that will make it not work over eSATA.

Or it could just be a bad eSATA cable.

[peter7769]

"Or it could just be a bad eSATA cable."

BINGO, i brought a Belkin eSata cable to go with the drive as the one that came with it was to short, Guess What!!!, the one that comes with the drive the connectors are about 4 mm longer so they fit into the ports a lot better!!

So that's a whole night and half a day wasted, but hey at least its done now 

Thanks for all your help & suggestions.

Pete

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks for that peteruk, I thought you would soon sort it. Mind you I was surprised at the cable being the problem as it was Belkin. Normally they are good quality.
+1

[peter7769]

yes so was i, but i've just spoken to a neighbour who works in the IT Business and he says that Belkin have a very bad reputation for making bad quality products!!, Guess you learn something everyday, needless to say i have asked the supplier for a refund 

Pete

[Dark Mantis]

This is the trouble these companies start off well, make a name to trade on and then start dropping their standards.
Anyway main thing is you got it sorted and you still have hair