[SOLVED] eSATA drive confusion ?

Have problem with eSATA drive.
First problem resolved. Windows would not format drive. Searched on Google, after several different attempts found one that worked. Shut down pc turn off external drive disconnect eSATA cable, connect USB2 cable.
Reversed the order and Windows formatted the drive with the USB2 connection.
Second problem not resolved. Shut down then reconnect eSATA cable, reversed the order then Windows took 8 minutes to boot to desktop.
Had problems opening Task Manager, Computer Management and Windows Explorer stopped. Finally had to use the power switch to shut down.
Reconnected the USB2 cable, Windows operates without problem.
The BIOS sees the drive when connected with eSATA or USB2 cable.
Does Windows see this drive as a “Boot Drive” ? Causing this problem.

How do you have your drives configured in the BIOS?

SATA Ports must be set to AHCI or RAID configuration. If you're not in a RAID setup then set them to AHCI, eSATA will NOT BE recognized any other way.

Does your Asus motherboard have the BIOS setup guide in the manual for AHCI?

Make sure the hard drives are NOT configured as "IDE" setup.

Your listing for the Asus motherboard model is not accurate... I think. I believe you might have a M4A78-EM board. See the photo below for all the mobos at the Asus website with model numbers similar to yours.



Download a free application called:
SIW - System Information for Windows. Click the link to get the free version: SIW 2010 (build 0428)

It will tell you just about everything regarding hardware, motherboard make and model, RAM, software, hard drives, brand of your favorite wine, etc.


This is a Snagit capture from the PDF of your owners manual. Nearly all BIOS have similar settings and configurations.

Thank You, I appreciate the time and effort.
Have "SIW".
The MB s/b listed with the number "3" not "B".
Have repaired the mistake.
Unit was configured at the factory as "SATA".
BIOS indicates this set up.
There are 5 internal and 1 external SATA connections,
.#1 HD #3 DVD #4 eSATA.
When eSATA HD was connected Windows listed
as Disk 1 - Healthy - File System RAW -Simple - Primary.
Windows would not format when connected as eSATA..
Connected with USB 2, Windows formated HD.
When reconnected after format with eSATA, the problem
was created as previously stated.
Will shut down system (early PM) connect as eSATA and enter BIOS
to make sure it is listed as enabled.
Have all 8 USB 2 ports in use, wanted to free one. Prefer not to use
powered USB 2 external hub.
Once again thank you for your time and knowledge.

I am confused... the above makes no sense at all!

Good Luck! Read your motherboard manual, it will help.

Update;
BIOS always indicates when the eSATA connected drive is attached..
Gives the name and serial# of the drive.

After formatting external drive using USB2, installed some files.
Turned the external drive off and on during Windows operation. Worked as any USB2 external plug-in.

Shut down the computer turned power off the external drive. Disconnected the
USB2 cable and connected the eSATA cable. Powered the external drive,
turned on the computer, Windows had no problem starting and the eSATA
drive is listed and able to load and download files.

The only different action taken was placing files on the external drive, while
it was connected as a USB2 device.
Do not know why Windows had a problem when eSATA drive was first connected.

The strange and wonderful world of one with little knowledge and ability and a
excellent operating system.

My Gigabyte mobo uses a JMicron JMB36X SATA chipset set for two ports only, these are the ones I use for my eSATA connection. It has a special eSATA driver that allows the Sans Digital MOBILSTOR JBOD external drive case w/2 hard drives to be recognized. Plus it is a "hot plug-n-play" setup.