IP35-Pro XE and hot swapping SATA drives

[figgly]

I built a new system with a IP35-Pro XE. I know it has two esata ports built into the rear and I could hot swap some external sata enclosure using those ports.

However, I would like to buy a removable rack device to put into my case rather then having an external enclosure plugged into the rear of my case.

If I attach the drive that will sit in that rack into one of the 6 internal sata ports, will that drive have hot swap capability (i.e., I will be able to change the drives in the rack without turning off my computer)?

Or is this only available from the esata ports on the back?

 

[Heidfirst]

it should be available from the ICH9R ports too (assuming that your HDD supports it) but in either case you should be running in AHCI mode.

 

[figgly]

I assume the ICH9R ports are the internal ones?


What is AHCI mode and is it required for hotswapping ?

 

[GrumpyMan]

Yes, and if you already have windows installed you can do this:
AHCI

 

[Old Hippie]

Just to let ya know Figgly, if you're running Vista, AHCI is already installed.

 

[memmy4]

"Yes, and if you already have windows installed you can do this:
AHCI "

Worked for me but is there a way to enable RAID mode (which I undersand gives you the option of RAID or AHCI) ?

 

[Heidfirst]

yes.
move the HDD to the JMicron controller & install the Intel RAID drivers to the OS whilst it's on that.
set the ICH9R to RAID mode in the BIOS.
Move the HDD back to the ICH9R .
Done.

 

[memmy4]

yes.
move the HDD to the JMicron controller & install the Intel RAID drivers to the OS whilst it's on that.
set the ICH9R to RAID mode in the BIOS.
Move the HDD back to the ICH9R .
Done. "


I think the JMicron controller controls the two esata ports on the back of the board and hte ICH9R controls the 6 internal SATA ports.

I have one drive hooked up to an internal SATA port. The ICH9R is in AHCI mode.

So, how do I move teh HDD to the JMicron controller. Do you mean physically remove it from the case and plug it into a rear esata port?