External SATA drive connection.

[rayb]

I have just got hold of an HP laptop that has an external SATA data port. As the internal HDD is pretty small and I want to do video work on it, this port seems to be the answer. But what's the best way to power the external drive. I'm sure I had a caddy once with a port on it. Can anyone suggest a solution please?

[Arthur]

Does the laptop have an eSATA or eSATAp port? With the former the enclosure would need to be powered separately (usually USB if 2.5" drive).

 

 

eSATAp enclosure

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0057IRFV2

 

eSATA enclosure

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H8O8D96

[rayb]

Thanks Arthur. It just says eSATA and then the USB symbol (no + in between). Ideally, I want to be able to use 3.5" drives, as I have a load of them. So, I suspect I'm going to need an external power source. A caddy with an external eSATA port would be ideal.

[synaesthesia]

Most esata drives and/or caddies come with a USB power supply - 2 pin power to USB. Fine for SSD or most 2.5" drives but fully powered needed if 3.5"

[rayb]

So, I think I know what I'm looking for. A 3.5" powered caddy with a eSATA port, so that I can connect directly from the port on the laptop to the port on the caddy. It's just a question of finding one amongst the plethora of other stuff when I do a search.

[rayb]

This looks like it will do the job. IT735 USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure for 3.5" SATA HDD w/ USB3 Cable | eBay

[rayb]

I've just read the Amazon reviews. Perhaps it won't do. Has anyone any other suggestions please? I will be capturing video to it, so I don't want it shutting down on me.

[XiJ]

Is replacing the internal drive not an option ?

[rayb]

Is replacing the internal drive not an option ?

 

It may come to that but it would be potentially more expensive and I'd like to separate data from OS.

[mikeprice]

You can get caddies that will replace the DVD/CD drive with a hard drive - might be easier and faster

[rayb]

You can get caddies that will replace the DVD/CD drive with a hard drive - might be easier and faster

 

Yes, I've seen those but I don't want to lose the DVD drive, even though I have USB ones I can use. It also goes back to cost. I have a load of big 3.5" drives, I'd rather utilise these than buy a big 2.5".

[LeMarchand]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/IT735U3-e-SATA-External-Enclosure-Cables/dp/B004LO59MK looks to tick the boxes. Can't get on eBay, but Medion used to sell HDD2GO disks that slotted into a bay at the top of some of their machines using eSATA; they also came with a power supply - you might find one on eBay. I've replaced the disks in mine and they work fine.

[rayb]

I did see that thanks. At first it looked ideal and then I looked at the reviews. A lot of complaints about it shutting down without warning and other strange things.

[LeMarchand]

I did see that thanks. At first it looked ideal and then I looked at the reviews. A lot of complaints about it shutting down without warning and other strange things.

 

It's still got a decent overall rating, though. I've used Icybox in the past and have the IDE(!)/USB version of https://www.amazon.co.uk/Icybox-External-Enclosure-inch-Drive/dp/B00B5P27IM but people are complaining about the build quality - mine was tank like! For what it's worth, when the Medion caddy I mentioned earlier was in daily use I didn't have problems with it.

[rayb]

Thanks, I'll take another look.