eSATA - Mac Pro

I've had a few emails lately asking how do you install an eSATA port into the 2009 Nehalem Mac Pro. Soooo That being said, I had to make a video to help answer this question. This is something you can do in less than 5 minutes from start to finish.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• 2009 Mac Pro (Nehalem)
• Installing an eSATA cable
• Apple
• Chris Pirillo
• Computers
• How To

[lifeinpictures]

Hi, great video but, mine isn't working... I have a 2x2.4 Quad-Core Intel Xeon with 26GB of ram and it doesn't see the drive, any ideas?

[MacUserLogic]

@lifeinpictures I had the same problem with a new drive as well. What I did was unplug the eSata and plug in the USB 2 for the external and then it recognized the drive. I then formatted it and made sure everything was working. I then shut down the mac, un plugged the USB cable and plugged in the eSata cable. Turned on the Mac and it read the drive after that. Give it a shot and let me know if it works for you.

[jpdifranco]

Great video ! though where did you get that cable with the single port ?

I only found a double port with a double cable on OWC.

Thanks

[MacUserLogic]

@jpdifranco I actually got mine from a local computer store here in town. they gave it to me for free cause most people are wanting double ports and I only had room for one. If you buy a double, you should be able to hook up one side and just tape off the one port that's not hooked up. I think that should work, if not, maybe someone can let me know. Cheers

[joshbulldog1661]

woulnt it be easier to use a pci-e to esata card?

[slipgenot]

3:50 You are really fast with a screwdriver!! :D

[owenrm]

what happens if both your eSATA ports in the front are already in use? Can you have three items in use when there are only two ports?

[KingofComputing]

@alexandreta you would need to install an esata card, not a bracket like this. what you would get would be a controller card, it would plug into the pci-express slot and that would allow it to add esata and sata ports to your mac pro. i have an 07 model so my optical drives use IDE cables, not SATA so i have two untouched sata ports even though i have two optical drives. i have purchased one of these brackets, but have yet to install it.

[alexandreta]

Thank you for the video, man!

I recently bought the most recent Mac Pro and I got 2 optical drives. Would I still be able to install an eSATA card? If yes, where would it go since it normally uses the connector for the other optical drive?

[frostyfireman]

Wow. That takes a tonne of work!