Thinkpads Forum

Just wondering if the esata port on the T400s is powered.




thanks,


sgossard34

Providing power is not part of the eSATA specification...... so the T400s eSATA port does not provide power.

Cheers

Bill B.

bill bolton wrote:Providing power is not part of the eSATA specification...... so the T400s eSATA port does not provide power.

Cheers

Bill B.

Bill this is not a complete answer. eSATA, the original specification, does not provide power over the cable. Power Over eSATA however does and this is what I was asking about with the T400s.

I talked with Lenovo today and here is what they said.....

"T400S the esata- usb port is powered when powered with AC -- in low power - and power off states -- there is a BIOS setting to allow user to enable or disable low power charging."

Not sure if I believe this but I will test out once my esata flash key arrives.


thanks,

sgossard34

It may be powered as a USB port, but maybe not as an eSATA port. The original eSATA spec, as Bill said, does not include power. The spec has been updated, but I am just not sure it's been implemented yet. Will be nice to know.

Confirmed the port is powered!

My new Kanguru esata drive works perfect, even when the laptop is unplugged.



thanks,

sgossard34

sgossard34 wrote:Confirmed the port is powered!

While its good for you that your Kangaru works, Lenovo isn't claiming power over eSATA compliance for the T400s port, so which power over eSATA device(s) may or may not work with it is going to be hit and miss affair, I think.

BTW, does anyone actually have the power over eSATA specification... I can find several references going back over 20 months saying it would be developed, but no reference at all to it ever being promulgated, even in a draft form The SATA I/O web site is mute on the matter.

Cheers,

Bill B.

bill bolton wrote: While its good for you that your Kangaru works, Lenovo isn't claiming power over eSATA compliance for the T400s port, so which power over eSATA device(s) may or may not work with it is going to be hit and miss affair, I think.

BTW, does anyone actually have the power over eSATA specification... I can find several references going back over 20 months saying it would be developed, but no reference at all to it ever being promulgated, even in a draft form The SATA I/O web site is mute on the matter.

Cheers,

Bill B.

Well Lenovo is claiming the device to be powered as listed above. This was a direct quote from my lenovo rep. Whether that follows the exact specifications of power over esata i cannot confirm/deny.

At this point until something is set at a more official level i think we both agree that it is a trial by device affair.


thanks,

sgossard34