ICE Box Partitioning Problems in windows 7

[Jonathon Mirza]

I recently bought a 4 bay ICE Box, I have put 4 2TB HDD's in it and after much trouble I finally got the computer to recognise it via the ESATA port.

The problem I have now is that the computer only recognises one hard drive, and I am not entirely sure it is recognising the entire drive.
In disk management the 4 hard drives are recognised as 1, 2, 3, 4. The accessible drive is recognised as a separate disk (drive 5 labeled M ), it has a partition on it of 1.88 Tb, however the folder is empty.

Disks 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all apparently without an MBR which is fine for purpose, however I am unable to create a partition on any of them.
They are to be used for Video, Music, Data and Backup. I do not require raid on the ICE Box, as I will be getting a second to back up the first.
By doing it this way I hope to maximise the available 8TB that I have available to me.

If anyone can help with the Partition issue I would be most grateful.
P.S
SMART is already enabled.

 

[GhislainG]

Does your eSATA support Port Multiplier? If not, then you need to buy a SATA controller that does.

 

[Jonathon Mirza]

Good question, let me check

 

[Jonathon Mirza]

Well I have looked around and I can not seem to find a setting for Port Multiplier, or AHCI. In The BIOS I have two options RAID (which was the current setting) and ATA. I changed it to ATA (as that is the previous version of AHCI) and Windows would not boot, so a quick repair job and a change back to the RAID, I got windows booting again.

However after trolling the internet for a bit I am still no closer to finding out how to turn this option on or locate a setting for it.

I understand the concept of Port Multiplier but as for the practicality of putting it in to use I am at a loss. I could do with some help here.


(don's knock me because I claim to be a computer geek they say the best scientist is one that can say he does not understand something and ask for help)
(quote for today)

 

[GhislainG]

We don't know what motherboard you have; Intel or AMD based. If there's an extra controller and the eSata port is connected to it, then it may support Port Multiplier. No configuration is required; as long as it's in RAID mode, it either supports it or it doesn't, but the drivers also need to provide support. If your motherboard doesn't support PM, get a PCI-E eSATA controller card with a Sil3132 Silicon Image controller.

 

[Jonathon Mirza]

Result from CMD command
wmic baseboard get product,Manufacturer,version,serialnumber
Manufacturer Product SerialNumber Version
Dell Inc. 0G3HR7 ..CN73604047013Y. A00

I had to look that up and the result means nothing to me aside from the MOBO being made by Dell perhaps ?

The following is from the dxdiag comand
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.150316-1654)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Studio XPS 8100
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8152MB RAM

System Information gives the same information
System Manufacture Dell Inc
System Model Studio XPS 8100

As the processor is Intel I am inclined to believe that the board is Intel based.

 

[GhislainG]

It definitely doesn't support Port Multiplier. You'll need an eSATA controller card with a Sil3132 Silicon Image controller or similar; just make sure when you order the controller provides PM support.

 

[Jonathon Mirza]

Would it support Fire-wire as I have a Fire-wire cable to connect it as well ?

 

[GhislainG]

I have no clue. Since you got it, then why not give it a try? Isn't Fire-wire like USB?

 

[Jonathon Mirza]

Yea I assume Fire-wire works like USB it must operate on a +5 -3 V rail as it plugs in to a USB controller it has Vcc and 4 sc as well as Gnd aside from standard USB having only 2 sc and no Vcc everything there is identical to a USB bus.
USB controllers have the option for for Vcc, and extra sc, but triggering those options is dependent on the type of cable plugged in and weather the device sends the appropriate signal to the appropriate collector in the correct transistor or fet but yea it will be intresting to see what happens.

 

[Jonathon Mirza]

sorted, pluged fire-wire in all drives showing up thanks

 

[GhislainG]

That's good to know.