How to add eSATA to a motherboard?

[Denis54]

My daughter's motherboard does not have eSATA. How can I add eSATA?

Can I just buy an eSATA adapter bracket for a few dollars and plug it into a SATA connector on her motherboard?

 

[Accord99]

My daughter's motherboard does not have eSATA. How can I add eSATA?

Can I just buy an eSATA adapter bracket for a few dollars and plug it into a SATA connector on her motherboard?

That works. Many ESATA supporting enclosures include the bracket as well.

 

[TJCS]

You may also want to find out if the SATA ports on your daughter's motherboard support 'Hot-Plug' function.

If it does not, I think you will have to restart the computer every time you plug-in an eSATA device in order for the computer to detect it. Might be something to consider.

 

[MattJones]

You may also be able to use a ePCI to eSATA card if your motherboard supports this.

 

[vailr]

Can I just buy an eSATA adapter bracket for a few dollars and plug it into a SATA connector on her motherboard?

Check the bios setup for AHCI mode, for the SATA port.
That's what's needed for "Hot Plug" to work correctly.
However, if the Windows installation was done while in IDE mode, then you'll need to either re-install Windows, or do some registry editing to allow successful boot-up (of the internal HD) while AHCI mode is enabled.
Note: many motherboards use a non-Intel controller for 2 of the SATA ports. In that case, enable AHCI mode for the non-Intel ports, and use one of those for eSATA. The Intel ports can be left in IDE mode for the internal HD.

 

[gramboh]

You may also be able to use a ePCI to eSATA card if your motherboard supports this.

Bracket is the cheaper way to go, but you can also buy a PCI-e eSATA card (1 or 2 ports) for about $25 if you look around. Would require installing another set of SATA drivers, but will be guaranteed to support hot swap and port multiplication (multiple drives in one eSATA enclosure/cable).

 

[danjw]

If you look in your motherboard manual, it should tell you if the ports support hot swap.