SATA - Not hot swapping ?

Heliospherez · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:52

From my understanding of SATA - I should be able to disconnect my data (assigned D and E ) drives while working & re-connect them anytime.

I use Vista ultimate, and can unplug the drives with the PC running (when they aren't being accessed odviously), but when I re-connect them they never appear again in my drive listings.

Am I being dumb and have I picked up SATAs hot-swapping ability completely wrong, or is there something I should be doing to make the devices re-appear ?

semi-pro waster · 21 Sep 2007 at 12:16

As far as I am aware it relies on how the motherboard manufacturer (add-in card manufacturer if that is what you have) has implemented it, SATA can support hot-swapping but in most home environments it simply isn't necessary.

helmutcheese · 21 Sep 2007 at 12:33

Correct SATA I does not have to be hot swappable, SATA II functions do add that though.

(SATA 300 and SATA II not same thing)

And as your HDD will auto be set for Performance, not Quick Removal, you should really to be safe, remove only after using the Safely Remove Device Icon in Notification Area.

rpstewart · 21 Sep 2007 at 13:14

I find that more often than not I need to go into Device Manager and scan for hardware changes when I turn on my eSATA drive. A pain in the rear but not the end of the world.

firstborn · 21 Sep 2007 at 18:46

rpstewart said:
I find that more often than not I need to go into Device Manager and scan for hardware changes when I turn on my eSATA drive. A pain in the rear but not the end of the world.

I find this pretty useful if your hardware supports it. Once running you can scan for hardware changes from the right click menu:

http://mysite.verizon.net/kaakoon/hotswap/index_enu.htm