Hi

I replaced my fixed workstation with the mobile one, because it seemed that I can use the internal FW to connect the Mojo and the eSATA port for external storage.

Just bought a Lacie 2big quadra dirve (1.5TB) and hooked it up to the eSATA port, but it didn't show off in my comp->manage->disk management.

Updated the intel matrix storage manager as suggested by Dell-no success

A Dell-technician told me, that the eSATA port is actually not capable to deliver the full eSATA throughput and thus the Lacie drives are too fast for the port.

leaves me with a brandnew, fast drive, that i can only connect via firewire. and no Mojo.

Did anyone of the M6400users in this forum succesfully connect an eSATA drive and if yes, what model?

thx for ur replies

m

Hi magus,

just curious: do you also have a docking station for your m6400? If yes, there is an eSATA port on the back of the docking station, maybe you would want to try that one. At the moment my system is away and I can't test it but now I know that e.g. the ethernetport on the notebook will be disabled if it's docked on and you'll have to use the docking stations ethernet port.

I had no success, like you, also with a LaCie eSATA/USB HDD (but I just tried the USB/eSATA combi-port on the right side of the notebook) and also had a chat with DELL about that issue. They told me the following, what I've tried, but without luck:

WINDOWS XP ONLY! DELL SAID NO SUCH PROBLEMS SHOULD EXIST WITH VISTA!

1. install Windows with "ATA" enabled in BIOS

2. Download driver from http://ftp.us.dell.com/SATA/Intel_Matrix-Storage-Manager_A03_R190228.exe and save it to your desktop

3. Open the devicemanager and find the two devices from screenshot: "AHCI-1" and, one by one, install the drivers manually

IMPORTANT! Don't install after the first driver, repeat the procedure for the second controller!

4. Restart and go directly into BIOS! Don't let Windows start up!

5. In BIOS change the SATA mode to AHCI. Save and exit.

6. Start into Windows, let Windows auto-install new devices, reboot again then install Intel Matrix Storage Manager from http://ftp.us.dell.com/SATA/Intel_Matrix-Storage-Manager_A02_R190227.exe

Hope that helps, please post back if either the eSATA port on the docking station worked for you or if that procedure changed anything. I would love to use my eSATA port and thought I would have to wait for either Vista or Seven (64bit + alot of RAM!!!)...

Regards, g_f

general_failure:

do you also have a docking station for your m6400?

nope, not yet, just ordered one after reading ur post in another thread, still waiting for delivery..

I've been told by dell support that the builtin eSATA connector works just like the one in the dockingstation, but can not confirm this. BTW: they also told me that the builtin FW port will still work even if docked, as there is no FW port at the docking station (BTW ever saw a right angle FW Plug? That FW plug in the laptop is in big danger)

general_failure:

They told me the following, what I've tried, but without luck:

so why should I try if you werent able to connect ur eSATA drive?

strange, that these dell-technicians give different advice: They asked me to download the "Intel_Matrix-Storage-Manager_A05_R218081.exe"

Level of Importance: Urgent

no change here so far...

general_failure:

1. install Windows with "ATA" enabled in BIOS

did they mean a fresh install of WinXP? because, as far as I know, you wont be able to boot from a previously installed harddrive in AHCI-mode if you just switch that to ATA mode in BIOS.

figure I'd better continue working without MOJO and just use the FW for the harddrives.  however, I would prefer connecting them via eSATA, they are a bit sluggish on XDcamEXfiles

so you also tried a LaCie? perhaps "my" tech was right when he said that they are too fast for the bus. He said something about other harddrives that can be slowed down by software, and these drives worked for other users. he promised to get back to me once he'd have further infos

anyone succesfully conected an eSATA drive on the M6400?

cheers

m

hi

just a bump to bring that thread up again during business days...

anyone using a DELL M6400 with eSATA hardrives?

if yes, what HD are you using?

thx for ur comments

m

Same problem here! Arrrgh. You get a Dell Covet and a nice raid drive both with Esata and of course huge problem. So sick of always issues, never works smoothly out of the box.

Anyway yes, I'm on 1394/firewire cord & it works fine. But I chose the Lacie 2big for the Esata port, so naturally that is a HUGE problem. I'm pissed off.

"A Dell-technician told me, that the eSATA port is actually not capable to deliver the full eSATA throughput and thus the Lacie drives are too fast for the port."

Are you serious? And WHERE is this fine print? So its false advertising? Oh yeah, we got a top notch johnson rod in there (doesn't actually work but you didn't ask so u lose)

WHY DELL MUST YOU TAKE EVERY CHANCE TO FAIL

Is there a way to replace the damned Esata card inside the Dell or is it part of the motherboard? Is there a way to bypass it, get an external Esata somewhere (where would it plug in tho)... Any ideas pls let me know

What a joke

the problem with the Intel E-Sata port is that it currently doesnt support more than 1 drive, The Lacie has 2 in it.  The intel chipset itself supports it, but according to their site the compatable driver wont be available till the end of October 2009.

I have got this to work however by purchasing a Silicon Image (SIL) E-Sata card (Express Card) for the laptop.  The Lacie and other E-Sata raid drives and storage all work.

Single E-Sata drives will work with the onboard port currently but not the lacies.  It is not that the port doesnt deliver full sata throughput, it's simply a driver issue.