Help me with HD external case

I'm looking for a HD external case. I found 2 of them I like but not sure which one is better.

This comes with a bracket for use with eSATA
http://www.newegg.com ….asp?Item=N82E1​6817716035

This doesn't have a bracket
http://www.newegg.com …em-%23%3A-N82E16817716015


My current system is pretty old. I don't think it support eSATA. I'm pretty sure it handles SATA though.

If I'm planning on upgrade to a new PC soon, do I need to worry about the bracket? Do I need to buy the bracket if I want to use eSATA for the 2nd link?

thanks

I was really confused by the bracket that you mentioned until you I took a look at the picture of the cables.

You really need to check your computer, if it is pretty old as you say it probably does not support SATA.

Be aware that while SATA is supposed to by hot swappable, most OS's do not support this functionality like they do USB or Firewire.

Here is a good link about SATA:
http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Serial_ATA

On eSATA the e is for External, and that "bracket" just plugs into your internal SATA slot giving you an external slot on the back of your machine.

Ive owned a ton of external exclosures....

One of the best ive used is this one.
http://www.newegg.com ….asp?Item=N82E1​6817106098

Even with my server, I still use my Azio units since they just keep on ticking. They do a great job, and I use them to backup my systems. My personal computer is hooked up esata and I have another which I use USB. Both work very well.

Ive also used Bitek enclosures and dont have a problem with them, I just think the Azio has a better design inside and out.

StealthLude wrote in post #2479885
Ive owned a ton of external exclosures....

One of the best ive used is this one.
http://www.newegg.com ….asp?Item=N82E1​6817106098

Even with my server, I still use my Azio units since they just keep on ticking. They do a great job, and I use them to backup my systems. My personal computer is hooked up esata and I have another which I use USB. Both work very well.

Ive also used Bitek enclosures and dont have a problem with them, I just think the Azio has a better design inside and out.

I just looked at this one too. Seems like it's pretty good. I guess I'll go with this one. thanks a lot!!!!

StealthLude wrote in post #2479885
Ive owned a ton of external exclosures....

One of the best ive used is this one.
http://www.newegg.com ….asp?Item=N82E1​6817106098

Even with my server, I still use my Azio units since they just keep on ticking. They do a great job, and I use them to backup my systems. My personal computer is hooked up esata and I have another which I use USB. Both work very well.

I bought this external case and liked it. I connect it using the eSATA connection. It's very fast. Seems like the drive is running non-stop (no idle). So, I want to turn the unit off when I'm not using it. Then I run into a problem. The drive still shows up on Windows Explorer. The PC freezes when I click on the drive when it's off. Is there any way to get around that? Did I do something wrong?

thanks in advance.

viodea wrote in post #2515723
I bought this external case and liked it. I connect it using the eSATA connection. It's very fast. Seems like the drive is running non-stop (no idle). So, I want to turn the unit off when I'm not using it. Then I run into a problem. The drive still shows up on Windows Explorer. The PC freezes when I click on the drive when it's off. Is there any way to get around that? Did I do something wrong?

thanks in advance.

When its connected eSATA the computer thinks its the drive is installed INSIDE the system like a standard hard drive.. thats the point of eSATA... Your not supposed to turn it off when the system is ON. An eSATA drive can also be a boot drive... For example, if caching is enables, you can have corruption or data loss.

If you want to be able to turn on/ off and things of that nature, I rather use USB.

do you turn it off when you turn the PC off? I'm worry it'll shorten the life of the HD & external case if I let it stay on at all time.

I do turn it off when the PC is off, and I turn it back on before i turn on the computer to make sure the drive comes back online for the system to see....

Hard drives are usually either bad or there good... I have a server that stays on 24/7, no matter what. I dont spin the drives down or turn the system off... Leaving the drives on all time time wont hurt it. They are designed to stay on... Its actually healthier for a drive to stay on and spinning than to be turn on and off constantly, its seeing power cycles and the motor is seeing startup stress more often that one thats just sitting there online spinning.

The only reason I turn off my eSATA is because that computers in my bedroom... and I dont want any noise when I am sleeping. If i know Im going to use the computer again in a few hours, I dont bother turning off the external.

SATA is supposedly hot swappable, or plug and play like USB (Meaning that you can connect and disconnect the drive whenever you want), but currently operating systems do not support this feature with it hence the lockup and non removal of the drive path from your system when you turn it off. Right now there is nothing you can really do to fix that issue.

MazerRakhm wrote in post #2518144
SATA is supposedly hot swappable, or plug and play like USB (Meaning that you can connect and disconnect the drive whenever you want), but currently operating systems do not support this feature with it hence the lockup and non removal of the drive path from your system when you turn it off. Right now there is nothing you can really do to fix that issue.

Interesting. I remember I've read somewhere about hot swappable but found out Windows looked-up. Now I know why

Not to be a doom sayer or anything but why make it depend on what conmputer you are on? have you thought about a network storage device?

http://www.newegg.com …4&name=Networki​ng-Storage

is a good place to start.

I am all about being about to have storage avable for all machines if needed. Besides all computers that have internet access can use this drive and you dont need to worrie about if the eSATA will work with it or not. or what OS you are useing. both Big plusses in my book and if you have Gigabit conections speed is not going to be a big issue either.

MazerRakhm wrote in post #2518144
SATA is supposedly hot swappable, or plug and play like USB (Meaning that you can connect and disconnect the drive whenever you want), but currently operating systems do not support this feature with it hence the lockup and non removal of the drive path from your system when you turn it off. Right now there is nothing you can really do to fix that issue.

Id have to say that statement is wrong. I am a computer IT, and a photog by hobby... Out of all the systems and servers I own, a HOW SWAP feature is a hardware specific feature. If write cashing is enables, and you uplug a drive, then good luck to you. You have data in casche / ram memory that hasnt been writtin to a drive and ur gona get corrupt data.

I have a $700 raid card which has a hot swap feature, and even then I have to go into my RAID Card console and "eject" the drive. Then yank it out... All hot swap means is that you dont have to power down the computer to take out a drive... Not that you can yank it out whenever you want to.

On standard motherboards, hot swapping isnt something thats a standard feature. This is why the system locks up. Your NOT supposed to remove the drive.

If the system was in a RAID config, and you took that drive offline like that, the computer would assume the drive has failed! And start a raid rebuild. The system still has to be told you want to yank that drive out. Or the system needs to be turned off and drive needs to be removed.

I may consider this when need more storage.
Even with Gigabit network, the speed still not even close to a SATA connection though.

just so you can see the features list, this is the hard drive controler (RAID CARD) I am using in my personal server...

http://www.newegg.com ….asp?Item=N82E1​6816116038

I got about 2TB (2000 gigs of storage) so I think I got a pretty good idea on what im talking about. (This supports hot-swapping)

My personal computer I use RAID 1 w/o a raid card. Using on-board features, and it does NOT supppot Hot Swaping... On my personal computer, the system needs to be turned off before I can move a eSATA or SATA drive. (Im using an ASUS mobo)

StealthLude wrote in post #2519504
On standard motherboards, hot swapping isnt something thats a standard feature. This is why the system locks up. Your NOT supposed to remove the drive.

How can I take advantage of hot swap feature of eSATA drive?