Minidock 3 plus and eSATA output with a T420

[greghad]

Forgive me if this topic was read in any other forum; I asked it previously and didn't get a reply, so I am trying another brain-trust.

I'm running a T420 in a ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 - 90W model 4338, and am not sure if the eSATA output on the minidock is functional, and am almost sure that it is not powered (eSATAp), but was hoping that another Thinkpad user might be able to answer one or both questions. The documentation on the Lenovo website, http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 72873.html seems to indicate the minidock eSATA port is inactive only on the L412 and L512, but I'm not sure because of a previous statement above that indicates the eSATA port is inactive, without any exceptions.

I'd like to run a backup HDD and want to get the highest speed that will plug into the Mini Dock Plus, or change the dock for one that actually works.

Thanks much,
Greg

[greghad]

So results from my experiment with the eSATA on the Minidock Plus Series 3 and T420:



The Minidock eSATA port is not powered, and I'm not sure if it works.

The T420 ESATA/USB port is powered, and that port does work with a a Seagate GoFlex 1.5 TB drive with 3.0 USB capability.

Anyone know of a Y-cable that uses the un-powered eSATA connection and a powered USB cable that come together to both power my GoFlex with the USB and transfer the data with the eSATA portion of the cable.

Greg

[davidhbrown]

StarTech seems to make such a cable, if it's worth most of a $20 bill to you: http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CFEQ8wIwAQ#

[greghad]

Update- I ordered a StarTech SATA + USB cable to ESATA male end, then had to get the female to female ESATA adaptor to fit the GoFlex ESATA male. Didn't work, and StarTech tech support supposed that it was the adaptor.



They suggested to look for a firmware work-around to power the SATA plug on the minidock 3- I'm not sure this is going to happen, and am kind of bummed that Lenovo hasn't made move towards USB 3.0, ESATA, or even firewire on the MiniDocks, let alone the T420.



Greg

[greghad]

Finally, an answer, from another forum- thanks CHX on the Lenovo Community. This one worked hooking into the MiniDock 3 SATA port and a usb port: http://www.microsatacables.com/all-prod ... e-adapter/ and the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Utility says I'm getting 3 GB/sec speeds. Finally a high-speed anwer to leaving an external drive hooked to the docking station. Shame on Lenovo for not including USB 3.0, but what can you do- this!

Greg