Depends on the chipset/mobo and how it is set up. Some allow the mobo SATA ports to be "safely removed," others don't. For instance, I have an nVidia based board that will even allow the system drives to be removed, although I have never tried. Another board with an Intel ICH9R south bridge will not allow me to safely remove in RAID, SATA or IDE mode, although it is "supposed" to work in non-RAID modes. My main board has an Intel ICH10R south bridge with 2x SAS adapters. I have not found a combination that allows safe removal from any of the onboard SATA ports. I had to install a PCIe x1 JMicron SATA adapter to get a removable eSata port. So YMMV!
Jim Maki [email protected] > -----Original Message----- > From: Anthony Q. Martin > I got a new case that has an eSATA connector on the front panel. > > The mobo has a bunch of SATA ports on it. I'm only using two in my > default situation. > > Can I connect the eSATA connector to one of these SATA ports on the > mobo? I'd be plugging in and unplugging from this port as > one does with > USB ports. Hot swapping, so to speak.
