External sata cables question

[Slizzie]

Hello everyone. I'm new and I'm new to building computers
I got ahead of myself and purchased these external sata cables
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16812119231

Can I use them with my new internal hard drives and dvd burner?????
thx

 

[techmanc]

I cant see both sides of cable from pictures but 1 end has the L-shaped connector that internal sata cables have if both have L-shaped connector should be fine.

 

[RebateMonger]

Those will work fine. The only difference between internal and external is whether there's shielding. External SATA cables are becoming less popular since external eSATA connections have gained in popularity.

 

[Slizzie]

Thank you so much. I thought I wasted my money

 

[techmanc]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Those will work fine. The only difference between internal and external cable are whether there's shielding. External SATA cables are becoming less popular since external eSATA connections have gained in popularity.

Not in my case with my ESATA cables for my Antec MX-1 ESATA enclosures. Those cable dont use any L-shaped connetors they use a straight connectors on both ends.

 

[corkyg]

eSATA connectors are NOT the same as internal SATA connectors. eSATA has a straight connection port and uses plastic side squeezers to give extra tightness. The internals pull out much easier and have an L-shaped port.

Plugs

They are not interchangeable.

 

[techmanc]

I have some cables with one ea L-shaped and straight connector because I think early ESATA brackets and devices used them. If you look at the newegg pic OP posted it only shows one connector and its L-shaped.

 

[techmanc]

Heres a pic of the cable with both connector and the terminology used.

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=3750&seq=1&format=2

 

[RebateMonger]

Earlier external drives had SATA connectors. Now they usually come with eSATA connectors. As noted, early external connectors on PCI cards and brackets usually had SATA connectors, too. Now many come with eSATA connectors.

So you'll find cables that have SATA-SATA, SATA-eSATA, and eSATA-eSATA ends, both with and without latching clips. Some SATA-SATA cables are heavy duty and are shielded and are called "external" cables. But they'll work fine internally, too. And some SATA connectors have latching clips.

Since the cable in question is labelled "SATA" (with no mention of eSATA), I'd presume it's SATA-to-SATA. No way to tell for sure from the photos at Newegg.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: techmanc
I have some cables with one ea L-shaped and straight connector because I think early ESATA brackets and devices used them. If you look at the newegg pic OP posted it only shows one connector and its L-shaped.

I too have some early external SATA devices that6 used the L-shaped connector - BUT! They were NOT eSATA! They were early SATA externals that used regular SATA internal connectors.

Here is a NexStar 3 external drive case with a labeled eSATA port. The internal L-shaped connector will not work. eSATA is a specific design that is different from SATA.

eSATA

To get back to the basic question, if the cables from Newegg are truly eSATA, then they will not fit internal SATA ports. The Newegg ad says "Extrnal SATA. Here are two internal SATA ports on a SATA controller card. Note the L-shaped port.

SATA

These ports can receive regular SATA cables, and they can be run externally to a device - but that does not make them eSATA.

 

[techmanc]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: techmanc
I have some cables with one ea L-shaped and straight connector because I think early ESATA brackets and devices used them. If you look at the newegg pic OP posted it only shows one connector and its L-shaped.

I too have some early external SATA devices that6 used the L-shaped connector - BUT! They were NOT eSATA! They were early SATA externals that used regular SATA internal connectors.

Yes I see your correct. I see now that the cable link I posted say ESATA to SATA this is still new technology to me. I think I understand it better now. OP mentioned using a ESATA cable in topic even though he showed SATA cable in his link. Phew.

 

[corkyg]

And, as a matter of information, if you have a laptop and want to use eSATA, very few have eSATA ports. Then you must get one of these:

eSATALap

 

[scleland2000]

So if I may, let me summarize:

SATA <> eSTATA
SATA = L-shaped connector
eSATA = flat connector
eSATA shielding > SATA shielding
SATA cables will work on an eSATA receptacle, but eSATA cables will NOT work on a SATA receptacle

Is this correct? Any objections?


I have about 15 demo laptops that use an virtual machine on an external drive in an eSATA (USB-powered) enclosure that is piggy-back mounted to the laptop lid. I cannot seem to find anyone selling custom-length eSATA cables. FYI, here are some images:
The HDD enclosure Front and Side
The laptop and laptop ports left side and right side and the USB y-cable

The enclosure requires the serialed USB Y-cable for the necessary power. The e6400 laptop only has 1 eSATA/USB combo port on the left side, so I have to use both the left and right-side ports.

My solution was to piggyback-mount the external HDD enclosure using 3M Command adhesive strips with mushroom strips (ie good velcro). This allows all demo consultants to easily transport the laptop by physically removing the HDD and still allows for a clean look on a conference room table.

But I am unable to find eSATA cables in lengths less than 18" (1.5m). Also, all eSATA cables I have found are 26AWG and rathen inflexible. My holy-grail cable would be a flexible 8" eSATA cable. I talked to one cable manufacturer who can do it (with 26AWG), but they require a 500 piece minimum order. I am also unable to find and custom crimping tools to do the work myself. I may not be able to do anything about the 26 AWG because of the eSATA specifications, but surely someone can create shorter lengths with sealed boots?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[corkyg]

You've done a very complete analysis.

"But I am unable to find eSATA cables in lengths less than 18" (1.5m). Also, all eSATA cables I have found are 26AWG and rathen inflexible. My holy-grail cable would be a flexible 8" eSATA cable. I talked to one cable manufacturer who can do it (with 26AWG), but they require a 500 piece minimum order. I am also unable to find and custom crimping tools to do the work myself. I may not be able to do anything about the 26 AWG because of the eSATA specifications, but surely someone can create shorter lengths with sealed boots?"

My eSATA cables ( use two) are 40-inches long from tip to tip. They have sealed/molded boots. They are very flexible. They are grey in color, and have reptitive printing on the ribbon that reads:

"2725 E236079 9U AWM 80° 30V VW-1 Serial ATA 26AWG XIN TAI"

The last data suggest they are of Chinese origin.

Would any of these work for you? They are long.

eSATA1

eSATA2

 

[scleland2000]

Not but an hour ago, I ordered this cable:
19" (0.5 Meter) Newer Technology Ultra-Flexible eSATA to eSATA connecting cable

Several sites on-line all are pushing just 2 varieties of eSATA cables. The thicker 26 AWG cable comes in lengths starting at 1m and going up. The other variety is this UltraFlex cable which uses a lighter, flexible gauge wire. Many sites sell it in lengths starting at 1m. But the first site I listed above is the only vendor I found that offers it in a length less than 1m. I ordered it today. I will repost its acceptableness after I receive it.

Thanks for the response.

 

[scleland2000]

I did receive the UltraFlex 30 gauge eSata cable yesterday, and as expected, it operates to standard. The 30AWG wire is way more flexible than my previous 26AWG wire. The 30AWG is more flexible than all of my USB cables. Whereas, the old 26AWG cable is only slightly more flexible than household wiring but not rigid enough to be able to hold its shape under any kind of load. BTW - Those are the only 2 gauges of wire I found for sale from stock on the internet.

One thing to note, the stock photo on the website from which I purchased this (see previous post) showed a coiled wire and wasn't clear if the cable retained memory of that coil. Well, it does not. Here is a comparison of my old and new wires. The connectors for this particular wire actually fit slightly more snug than the 26AWG wire, though both are within acceptable limits.

Bottom line, if you are making an eSata connection to a non-mobile computer, the 26AWG is perfectly acceptable. But for any type of mobile application, look for a 30AWG wire because it is way easier to work with (eg stick in your laptop bag, connect on an airplane, not stick out a lot, etc). Trivial, yes; but it does make a difference.

I still would like to be able to get a custom-legth eSata cable. If anyone comes across a shop that will do it for small lot-sizes at non-exorbitant prices, please post it here.

 

[techmanc]

If you interested in some nice round ESATA cables this what I am using. There are others avail but no custom sizes.

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=3940&seq=1&format=2

 

[scleland2000]

Muchias gracias. Too bad they don't come in shorter lengths. There really are not many choices out there right now; I guess because eSata ports are not universally available. Now that 1TB+ backup drives are so cheap, I think we'll see the demand for eSata (and other connections faster than USB 2.0) increase. It will be on more drives, and standard on more computers; which will lead to more cabling choices.

BTW: Here is my short-cable application.

Thanks,

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: scleland2000
Muchias gracias. Too bad they don't come in shorter lengths. There really are not many choices out there right now; I guess because eSata ports are not universally available. Now that 1TB+ backup drives are so cheap, I think we'll see the demand for eSata (and other connections faster than USB 2.0) increase. It will be on more drives, and standard on more computers; which will lead to more cabling choices.

BTW: Here is my short-cable application.

Thanks,

There is a 3 foot cable at monoprice: http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=2882&seq=1&format=2

The reviews are a little iffy though. I ordered one anyway. Should be here early next week.