pls recommend a good ext sata hd dock

[luv2liv]

i have something similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Docking-Station-DS-UBLK/dp/B00IKAQ538/

problem is, it is extremely picky! sometimes it cannot read the hard drive...but if i connect the unreadable hd straight to the mb, my windows 7 can read the hd without issues. what is going on? pls recommend a really good dock that will read anything hd no matter what, just like my motherboard

 

[Elixer]

You looking for USB or eSATA or, would you rather have a hot-swap bay (which uses SATA, and requires a 5 1/4 bay on the case)?

 

[luv2liv]

You looking for USB or eSATA or, would you rather have a hot-swap bay (which uses SATA, and requires a 5 1/4 bay on the case)?

im ok with any method as long as it can read any sata hd. i cant tell if my existing usb dock is defective or if this is normal for ext usb dock.

 

[Elixer]

I always have used a trayless Hot-swap / Mobile Rack enclosure, never had any issues with them.
You do lose 1 SATA port though, since the enclosure uses that now.

The USB route you obviously don't lose any SATA ports, just a USB port.
As for that specific dock, never used that one, but, I know I have seen other units of the same design have issues.

 

[luv2liv]

I always have used a trayless Hot-swap / Mobile Rack enclosure, never had any issues with them.
You do lose 1 SATA port though, since the enclosure uses that now.

The USB route you obviously don't lose any SATA ports, just a USB port.
As for that specific dock, never used that one, but, I know I have seen other units of the same design have issues.

is this a good one? https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-5-25in-Trayless-Mobile-3-5in/dp/B000KS8S9W
can i really swap drives out without turning the pc off? that would be awesome!

 

[sdifox]

an adapter may be more securely connected than a dock.

something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Vantec-CB-IS...sr=8-10&keywords=usb+sata+external+cable&th=1

 

[Elixer]

is this a good one? https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-5-25in-Trayless-Mobile-3-5in/dp/B000KS8S9W
can i really swap drives out without turning the pc off? that would be awesome!

Yeah, that will work (haven't used that company either), you just "Safely remove hardware", and then you power off the unit via the key, remove it, pop a new HD in, turn on the unit again via key, and windows will see it.
Trayless models are really nice & easy to work with.

 

[corkyg]

Echo what Elixer said. I use three trayless racks for 3 different OS's. Mine don't require a key - just don't seat the drive fully and it is not connected.

 

[luv2liv]

this looks like a good one without a key
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M3WNWB2/
if you have something better, pls let me know

 

[corkyg]

That should work. I use Vantec EZ-Swap 4's (illustrated.) They have key locks but they are not necessary for operation. If the door is pushed in, the drive is seated and on. If pulled out, I just don't close the door all the way. I like the LCD screen which shows drive temp and fan speed. This is an old photo - the current lineup is Win 7 (1); Win 7 (2); and Win 10.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I always have used a trayless Hot-swap / Mobile Rack enclosure, never had any issues with them.
You do lose 1 SATA port though, since the enclosure uses that now.

The USB route you obviously don't lose any SATA ports, just a USB port.
As for that specific dock, never used that one, but, I know I have seen other units of the same design have issues.

Well, the discussion moves me to resolve some questions I still have about my Skylake-in-progress. When I bought the parts, I also replaced my KVM switch for the first time in about 22 years (and thank you, Belkin.) "How I gonna use them USB3 ports on the KVM?" I guess -- as long as you don't fail to "Safely Remove" each time before you switch across 4 PCs, it's something I could use "in a pinch."

I didn't so much like the way a Samsung DVD/RW was behaving in a switched eSATA box and a mobo port configured as "Hot-Plug-ready". There must be a "total cable-length" spec or maximum on SATA/eSATA cabling. Anybody know for sure?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Yeah, that will work (haven't used that company either), you just "Safely remove hardware", and then you power off the unit via the key, remove it, pop a new HD in, turn on the unit again via key, and windows will see it.
Trayless models are really nice & easy to work with.

I choose my hot-swap assemblies with some care and an eye toward extending storage usefulness.

I have two types of Startech hot-swaps: fully-functional SATA-III, and IDE. I didn't think of it at the time, but the bidirectional -to-SATA adapter for the latter was also a Startech item. I got a 5V regulator and powered the adapter with the unused 2-pin 12V fan port of the Startech bay.

But recognizing the implications of Corkyg's ideas, I want to get away from "dual-boot Win7/Win10," and simply use a hot-swap bay and maybe a 3.5 to 2.5" adapter-bracket for an SSD. Some of those bays are designed for 2.5" storage. Any ideas? I think I could simply use Sabrent adapters inside two SATA caddies and an existing SATAIII bay.

 

[luv2liv]

update.
my kingwin arrived yesterday and works fine once i enabled sata hot swap in bios.
1 problem.... there is no fan! there is a vent that looks like a fan....
so my hd was almost burning hot to the touch.. not sure if i should worry about the longevity of HDs i stick in the trayless bay now.

 

[corkyg]

That's why I like the Vantecs. They have controllable fans and show drive temp.

 

[Elixer]

update.
my kingwin arrived yesterday and works fine once i enabled sata hot swap in bios.
1 problem.... there is no fan! there is a vent that looks like a fan....
so my hd was almost burning hot to the touch.. not sure if i should worry about the longevity of HDs i stick in the trayless bay now.

You got no case airflow?
From all the trayless units I have used, some with fan, most without, never seen a HD get burning hot. not even close, most are under 35-40C.

 

[corkyg]

You got no case airflow?
From all the trayless units I have used, some with fan, most without, never seen a HD get burning hot. not even close, most are under 35-40C.

Right now mine reads 29 C, and it has been running 10+ hours.

 

[luv2liv]

case has airflow. but the Kingwin i got is poorly designed. theres no way any hd i stick in will get circulation.
i shoulda spent 2x and get the vantec! here i see it for $35. which is very reasonable! now i know.
https://www.amazon.com/Vantec-3-5-Inch-Aluminum-Removable-MRK-401ST-BK/dp/B003DVTWQ6

 

[Elixer]

You can return stuff you get from Amazon...sounds like it isn't a good match for your case.
Did you try using CrystalDiskInfo, and actually checking the temps of the HD?