I just bought a shinny external hdd, and it came with an external Sata cable... but the sata cable wont connect to my motherboard because it seems to be a different plug. This is the cable it came with http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/1477/cablesmallfx0.jpg Heres a close up of the connector (Left one is the eSata cable, right one is a regular Sata cable) http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4617/connectionsdu0.jpg Can i replace the connector on the eSata cable with the one on that Sata cable? Is it possible? Could you help me find pin diagrams to do it?
What im really asking then, is how do i wire one of these? http://www.usb-ware.com/sata-dual-internal-esata-adapter.htm
So basically, yes they are pin compatible, just made to withstand more abuse. To make one of those, you would need a normal SATA cable, and replace the end of it with an eSATA port. But with things like tolerances, impedance and the like, it would be best to buy one. See what others think too, but this is my opinion.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813997001 I think you could "mod" your motherboard connector a bit (read: snap off the edges of the connector), but I think the above would be a bit safer.
The problem is also the insertion depth (hehe sounds NSFW hehe) The eSATA has to go in a further 1.2mm. By all means go for the mod, I will be interested in the outcome. And it is certainly possible to do.
Ugh, that after reading that SA thread that was posted in GD. This is really not a good night to work on an essay :/ To be honest though, I doubt that would be an issue. The pins should have no trouble making contact, even if they're not in quite as far as would be ideal.
I am just wondering if it would not be better to modify the plug on your actual external HDD, seems a bit less risky than taking the tools to your motherboard. Also seems that you could easily find a fried motherboard with sata connectors and just replace the connector inside the HDD so that you can use a normal HDD with it. Though if you can either modify a cable or the port on your motherboard seems like it should work just as well. The insertion depth does not seem to be a real big issue. As long as it can make electrical contact and the plug stay in the port I suppose. Good luck.
