Hot swapping SATA?

[lumbus]

I just built a new system based on Abit IP35 Pro and Q6600. With it I bought a SATA hot swapping rack that mounts in a 5.5" bay, which I was hoping would help with backups. I'm using Vista Ultimate x64 on this system

On my previous system, Asus A8N-E with X2 and Windows XP Pro x86, I could see my SATA drives in the "Safely eject hardware" dialog under Windows. I assumed this meant hot swapping capabilities, although I didn't actually test that. On my new system, however, my SATA drives do NOT show up in the eject dialog, and if I shove one in while the system is running, Windows does not detect it.

I believe I have all the relevant drivers etc installed... Are there any other software, hardware, or configuration requirements that I should look into?

Thanks!!

 

[Blain]

I don't ever have to go through any "safely eject" steps for my hot swapping.
Gigabyte P35 DDR2 / Windows XP Pro.

 

[lumbus]

Originally posted by: Blain
I don't ever have to go through any "safely eject" steps for my hot swapping.
Gigabyte P35 DDR2 / Windows XP Pro.

Hmm... Interesting... I assumed that Windows would complain like it does with USB mass storage devices, if you unplug without ejecting. So are your SATA drives that you're hot swapping connected directly to your SATA ports?

Thanks!

 

[Blain]

My hot swap racks are connected to the two purple SATA ports on my MB. They are Gigabyte RAID controller ports. The yellow/orange, are the Intel RAID controller ports.

 

[lumbus]

Originally posted by: Blain
My hot swap racks are connected to the two purple SATA ports on my MB. They are Gigabyte RAID controller ports. The yellow/orange, are the Intel RAID controller ports.

Ah, I see... Well, I have mine connected to the Intel ports, and I think I just figured out that I need to enable AHCI on those ports to get hot swapping working. I have some JMicron ports too, but only eSATA. Of course, if I enable AHCI on the Intel ports, Windows won't start anymore because it doesn't have drivers for them... And it won't install the drivers if it's not enabled. So I'll see if I can work around it... Will report back.

Thanks!

 

[Old Hippie]

I have some JMicron ports too, but only eSATA.

Those will do the hot swap.

 

[lumbus]

Originally posted by: Old Hippie

I have some JMicron ports too, but only eSATA.

Those will do the hot swap.

Yep, I'd like to avoid running cables from outside ports to the inside of the computer though, if possible. I also heard that the JMicron controller isn't as reliable, but I don't know if that's true.

My plan was to use the JMicron controller to be able to install the drivers though:
1. Move system drive over to JMicron controller
2. Enable AHCI on Intel controller
3. Boot up Windows
4. Install drivers
5. Shut down
6. Move system drive back to Intel controller
7. Boot back up

Hopefully that should work. I haven't been able to try it yet though, because I can't find an I-to-L eSATA cable in the local stores.

 

[Old Hippie]

Yep, I'd like to avoid running cables from outside ports to the inside of the computer though, if possible

Say What?

Since you bought a 5.5" rack, I thought you had it installed in your case. You don't have to run anything to the outside to use that port. It's just a controller that's got the ACHI swap feature enabled, and it's probably got regular SATA plugs. I'm not sure how many ports are on the JMicron controller on your MB, but if ya need more, than you will hafta install the ACHI drivers on the Intel ports.

I also heard that the JMicron controller isn't as reliable, but I don't know if that's true.

I haven't heard anything of the sort, links please.

 

[lumbus]

Originally posted by: Old HippieSince you bought a 5.5" rack, I thought you had it installed in your case. You don't have to run anything to the outside to use that port. It's just a controller that's got the ACHI swap feature enabled, and it's probably got regular SATA plugs. I'm not sure how many ports are on the JMicron controller on your MB, but if ya need more, than you will hafta install the ACHI drivers on the Intel ports.

Like I said, I only have eSATA ports connected to the JMicron controller, on the backplane of the motherboard. To connect the rack to it, I would have to run a cable from the back of the computer into the case.

I also heard that the JMicron controller isn't as reliable, but I don't know if that's true.

I haven't heard anything of the sort, links please.

It was just some random forum post I read, so that's why I said I don't know if it is true.

 

[Old Hippie]

I only have eSATA ports connected to the JMicron controller, on the backplane of the motherboard.

Crap, I missed this little tidbit and I even have this board, although it's still in the box....

I believe I've read your installing scenario for ACHI drivers before, and it worked! Unfortunately, I can't find the link, but you have all the steps that I remember.

Good Luck, and will you please come back with you're experiences with the ACHI driver install.

 

[lumbus]

Originally posted by: Old HippieGood Luck, and will you please come back with you're experiences with the ACHI driver install.

Thanks, and I will, after I get the cable I need. Do yourself a favor when you decide to use your board though.... Make one of those driver disks, enable ACHI before installing, and press F6 or whatever it is during installation.

 

[lumbus]

Well, I promised report back... The good news is that my plan "worked"... I can now boot up Vista with ACHI enabled. I was able to install the Intel Matrix whatever software. HOWEVER, hot swapping still doesn't work on the Intel ports. :| For now I have routed a cable from the back of the computer (ie external JMicron eSATA port) into the case and the hot swapping rack. Googling shows that it's "supposed" to work in Vista, but many people seem to have problems. I'm not sure I have seen any credible evidence of anyone getting it working.

If someone is able to hot swap with ICH9R in Windows, PLEASE chime in and let us know how!

BTW... The JMicron hot swapping seems to work fine, but I'm annoyed with the ugly wiring I have to for this.