PCIe eSATA controller and drive case

Can someone recommend the best external backup to purchase? I don't quite understand the difference between a regular external hard drive, like something that WD makes, versus an PCIe eSATA controller and drive case. What is all of that? Do I really need such a thing, and is it better?
Dear kpdesigns,
No one knows what you need or want but you. I can provide some ideas of various external storage options that are available for the Mac Pro. The various storage protocols differ in performance, expansion and reliability characteristics.
1. USB - external USB drives are cheap and readily available. They work good for backing up small amounts of data (10-50GB). The performance of a USB drive on a Mac Pro is limited to approximately 17-18MB/sec. This translates into long backup periods when trying to copy 100GB of data to a USB device. FireWire 400, 800 and eSATA enclosures are all faster.
2. FireWire 400 - external FW400 drives are little more expensive than USB 2.0 enclosures but they provide approximately 32-38MB/sec transfer rates which is almost twice as fast as USB 2.0 on a Mac Pro. FW400 provides adequate speed for most backup situations where less than 100GB of data is in play.
3. FireWire 800 - external FW800 drives can provide 52-60MB/sec. transfer speeds. This method works well as a backup drive for a Mac Pro as the FW800 ports are built in. It also works well as a boot drive if necessary. However, when using more than one FW800 drive, speeds can be lower and many users end up resorting to PCIe expansion cards when adding more than three FW800 drives. FW800 does not provide the RAID performance that external SATA solutions can provide.
4. eSATA - external SATA hard drives can provide 57-70MB/sec. This is the fastest method for adding external storage to a Mac Pro. In addition to the Mac Pro SATA 4-bay tray system, there are also two more SATA ports on the Mac Pro motherboard (just under the front fan assembly). These ports are marked as "ODD SATA" on the motherboard. Users can install SATA cables on these ports and run them out of the back of the Mac Pro to SATA->eSATA converters like the Addonics model AASA2SAP15C. OWC also sells a kit that accomplishes this.
Ecternal 2-Port PCIe Cards
The next level of external SATA on the Mac Pro is a two port card that utilizes the SiI-3132 chip. These PCIe cards provide great individual and dual SATA hard drive performance but are limited to approx. 125MB/sec when used with a SATA PM multi-drive setup in a RAID configuration. Examples of cards in this category include:
Addonics PCIe 2-Port model ADSA3GPX1-2EM ($39.99)
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/addonics/adsa3gpx1-2em/
FirmTek SeriTek/2SE2-E ($99.95)
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/firmtek/2se2e/
External 4-Port PCIe eSATA Cards
The next step up of SATA controllers for the Mac Pro includes 4-port external eSATA cards that provide very good RAID performance and support port multiplier (SATA PM) and direct connect enclosures. These cards can support up to 20 hard drives using 4 SATA PM 5-bay enclosures and can provide 200-700MB/sec performance in RAID 0 configurations with 5-20 hard drives. Examples of Mac Pro host adapters that fall into this category include:
Addonics ADSA3GPX8-4EM ($199)
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/addonics/adsa3gpx8-4em/
DAT Optic eSATA_PCIe8 ($189)
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/datoptic/pcie8/
NORCO-4629 ($189.99)
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/norco/4629/
RocketRAID 2314 ($200)
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/highpoint/2314/
Sonnet Tempo E4P ($299
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/sonnet/mac-pro/
SATA PCIe RAID Controllers
The next step up for Mac Pro SATA host adapters is high performance RAID 5 and RAID 6 controllers that provide redundancy. Performance for this group using 8 drives in a RAID 5 configuration is 420MB/sec on average. Using RAID 6 performance is 350-380MB/sec on average. Mac Pro host adapters that fall into this category include:
Apple RAID 5 internal 4-port card ($999)
HighPoint RocketRAID 2322 RAID 5 Controller ($299)
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/enhance/e8/
Areca ARC-1221x RAID 6 SATA Controller ($680)
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/areca/1221x/
RAID 6 SAS Controllers
The next upgrade for external Mac Pro SATA/SAS hard drive users is the new SAS RAID 6 controllers. These cards provide 8-12 ports that work with either SATA hard drives or SAS drives. They also have the capability to support up to 128 devices using SAS Expanders. This new category of external storage provides almost unlimited expansion capability with a single Mac Pro PCIe host adapter. An example of this category is the bootable Areca ARC-1680x SAS RAID 6 SATA Controller ($845). AMUG is currently reviewing this card and the review should be available soon.
As you can see the Mac Pro supports a wide range of external storage options. Users simply need to decide how much storage they need and what performance level they desire. Typically, as the volume of data being maniplulated grows higher the need for higher performance also grows higher. Users working with uncompressed HD video will find large high performance RAID systems provide a great platform for video editing.
Have fun!

Similar Messages

Driverless eSata (NewerTech MAXPower 6G PCI eSATA Controller. 2 x eSATA ports)

Hello,
In my Mac Pro I have installed a NewerTech MAXPower 6G PCIe eSATA Controller. 2 x eSATA ports. This is to connect my external disk enclosure to the computer. The problem I am experiencing is that if the extermnal disk array is powered off during I boot my Mac or login to it after sleep - the external disks are not mounted. In order to get ones mounted to my Mac Pro I put my Mac to sleep, switch the external disk array on, wait until it boots and then wake up my Mac and login to the OS. Sometimes it requires more than one time to repeat it to get disks mounted.
Is there any way (terminal command, automator script etc...) to force a Mac to iniciate/activate or load drivers to the PCI eSATA Controller that I would be able to mount these disk without putting my Mac to sleep or taking any other special actions?
Thank you for your time.

I use The ARCTICROC 4T http://www.rocstor.com/products/arcticroc-4t.html
grep for MaxPower returns nothing.
grep for AHCI returns 4 lines
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily (2.0.7) <5 4 3 1>
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort (2.2.0) <34 9 5 4 3 1>
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI (2.0.1) <43 34 5 4 3 1>
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage (2.0.1) <34 12 5 4 3 1>
It is realy strange that putting Mac to sleep and waking it up forces external eSATA discs to appear. Most probably it is related to enclosure behaviors as the NewerTechnology Voyager connected to the second same card's eSATA port does not require any magic moves or actions to get mounted if a disk is inserted in to it.
This problem annoys me ..... especially when it is related to Microsoft Office. During MS Office activation the external eSATA disks were connected and Office included it in it's hardware description for authorization. Therefore if I run some MS Office products when the eSATA disks are off, the Office requests for a key. If I enter an activation key and next tiome I run MS Office with disk connected it sees it as a different computer and requests for a key....&^%*&^%
I talked to Microsoft about the problem and they told that they know it and working on solution. However, I believe that this problem priority is very low on MSoft side as there are comparably small amount of users having similar problems.

How to make a NI PCI-7352 Controller to drive a DC Brushless Motor

Hi everybody,
I want to control a DC Brushless Motors.
I understood that I have to use a NI PCI-7352 Controller and one of the following interfaces- NI UMI-7772, NI UMI-7774, NI UMI-7764 Series.
Can anybody tell me what kind of a third party driver I have to use to control a DC Brushless Motor?
Thanks,
Vassil

Vassil,
Brian's answer describes the recommended way to drive brushless motors with a 7350 board. Still, some types of brushless drives require external commutation. The 7350 also can provide commutated control signals. For more information please refer to this document.
Best regards,
Jochen Klier
National Instruments

Running 2 stepper motors with LabVIEW using RMV ST400-NT controller and driver

Hello, I am new to programming as well as motors in general so please bare with me in my attempt to explain myself. I have a project involving laser therapy and I am attempting to control two stepper motors from Falhauber, Type AM2224-R3-AV-4.8. I will be using a RMV ST400-NT controller and driver. Original plan was to use 3 stepper motors for control in 3 axis but realized 2 axis is complicated enough. My power source is an Agilent E3630A. I am new to this whole thing and from what I have read form examples and other posts is that NI drivers seem to work best for these applications. I've written simple programs from examples, reading and watching videos. I want to know whether it's possible for these to work together using LabVIEW and also a nudge to help me get started would be much appreciated. Can someone please help guide me in the right direction, I feel a bit lost when it comes to all this. Thank you for your time and consideration. Also, I will be using Windows 8 laptop with Labview 8.5. I have attached pics of components I will be using.
Justo T.
Attachments:
photo 1.JPG ‏1150 KB
photo 2.JPG ‏987 KB
photo 3.JPG ‏1085 KB

Hi jtarula,
I want to preface this response by saying that I am mre familiar with NI controller and driver rather than the one that you have. I am assuming that you are using the dll provided by the manufacturer here:
http://www.rmv.com/download.htm
With these, you should be able to interface with LabVIEW using the call library function node. What the controller is capable I am uncertain of. I am certain that you should be able to since another user has commented on the use in LabVIEW before in another forum post.
I also want to let you know that LabVIEW 8.5 is not supported on Windows 8, which means that you may run into some compatibility issues. Here is the compatibility chart.
Paolo F.
National Instruments
Applications Engineer

Power PC G5, Addonics eSATA controller and Fantom Green Drive. Issues?

I posted this question under a different topic, and was encouraged to begin a new thread. Sorry if anyone has come across it twice, but the earlier post was my first to these forums.
I have purchased and installed a used Addonics ADS3GX4R5-EM, 4-port eSATA PCI-X controller. Although it came with a driver CD, it was cracked when it arrived. I've downloaded this driver: Sil3124 2.0.3.
Directly connected, I have a USB2.0/eSATA Micronet Fantom Green Drive (1TB). The drive does indeed mount, and I have transferred large files to it from DVD. I've also transferred files from it to the desktop at relatively high speed. However, the drive's stability is questionable. Playing back a 30MB Quicktime file causes the drive to improperly "remove" itself. Sometimes this happens even while in the midst of writing to it. I don't know what chipset it incorporates -- perhaps Oxford OXU931DS, but I'm not certain.
I have a sense this erratic behavior might be driver-related, but I could be wrong.
Does anyone have any experience with this Addonics card and a Fantom Green Drive? My system is a PowerPC G5, Dual 1.8, 2GB RAM, OS 10.4.11.
Finally, under the system profiler's PCI Cards heading, this item appears as "PCI1095,3124 Other Mass Storage Controller." Should it be identified more specifically than that?
Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Thank you Japamac (as well as BDAqua). I was afraid I'd find myself in one of these "it could be one or the other" situations, and here I am. Not sure if I care to invest in another eSATA drive with my current Addonics controller card, or if I should simply steer clear.
To BDAqua, I appreciate the link. I checked out that material, as well as, some of the links included there. I found some interesting (and somewhat disappointing) info regarding the Western Digital EAV drive series, of which my Fantom Green, is one. I'm afraid I still don't know what chipset the Fantom case utilizes.
I'm probably going to use this drive only to back up A/V files (possibly only via USB), and purchase an external FW800 for some editing work.
Still one lingering question: Any thoughts as to why I could transfer 8GB files from this drive to the Mac's internal via eSATA in approx. 3 minutes, but can't regularly playback a 12 second, 30MB Quicktime clip. Attempting to do so almost always causes the drive icon to disappear, and triggers the "Device Removal" dialog? Such behavior makes me question if there is something other than the hardware at fault.
Regardless, I've learned a lot. My thanks to everyone.

PCI Communication Controller and USB Mass Storage Device driver was missing

Hi,
Recently i formated HP Pavilion Slimline 400 PC series and reinstalled with windows 7 32 bit.\
initially i found a lot of driver was missing. i have gone through hp support forums and almost all drivers are running on 64 bit with minimum requirement OS windows 8.1.
i couldn't find it anywhere. under device manager, these two devices are being shown with yellow exclamation
PCI Simple Communication Controller :
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C3A&SUBSYS_2AF7103C&REV_04
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C3A&SUBSYS_2AF7103C
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C3A&CC_078000
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C3A&CC_0780
USB Mass Storage Device :
USB\VID_054C&PID_02A5&REV_0100
USB\VID_054C&PID_02A5
Please kindly provide the link for the drivers, so i can use my PC.
thanks in advance

Hi:
Did you install the USB3 controller driver so the device you installed could work?
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=21129&lang=eng&ProdId=3467
The USB Mass Storage Device is something you have connected to the PC.
Specifically a Sony® MicroVault USB Flash Drive.
If my suggestion to let windows update find the Intel Management Engine driver, didn't work, see if this driver from Intel works. It also has the hardware ID for that device in the setup information file.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=22093&lang=eng

Help! PCI Communications controller and network controller

please tell me what to download,heres my ids:
PCI:
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B64&SUBSYS_3658103C&REV_06
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B64&SUBSYS_3658103C
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B64&CC_078000
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B64&CC_0780
Network COntroller:
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0084&SUBSYS_13158086&REV_00
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0084&SUBSYS_13158086
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0084&CC_028000
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0084&CC_0280

When requesting assistance, please provide the complete model name and product number (p/n) of the HP computer in question. HP/Compaq makes thousands of models of computers. Without this information it may be difficult or impossible to assist you in resolving your issue.
The above requested information can be found on the bottom of your computer, inside the battery compartment or on the startup BIOS screen. Please see How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number? for more assistance locating this information. DO NOT include your serial number. Please enter the model/product information into HP's Online Consumer Support page and post it here for our review.
In addition to the above requested information, please provide the name and bit version of the operating systemyou require drivers for.
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B64&SUBSYS_3658103C&REV_06 = Intel Management Engine Interface
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0084&SUBSYS_13158086&REV_00 = Intel(R) WiFi Link 1000 BGN (Please select the correct driver for your OS)
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Please click the White KUDOS "Thumbs Up" to show your appreciation
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This is a user supported forum. I am a volunteer and I don't work for HP.
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HP a1632x - Windows 7, 4GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6450
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HP p6320y - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GT 240
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HP p6787c - Windows 7, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GT 240

Pci serial controller

for some reason i cannot connect to the internet. found when i got home that i don't have a pci serial controller driver or something so it wont pick up my modem. i guess my lil brother did something to the comp while i was gone. anyone have any idea where i can find this driver or figure out what's wrong too? also, that new hardware stuff popped up for pci to pci bridge controller or whatever it is popped out. i couldnt find the driver for that either. so i'm using the one that was on my harddrive.....viamach.inf? also i'm at a friend's house downloading the new via 4n1 driver and hoping to see if that works....

well under device manager, it came up under unknown devices/other devices --- pci serial controller and pci communication device. what i did was clicked update driver and select drivers from list since windows was unable to locate a driver. I selcted HCF Modem driver and selected Rockwell Conextant HCF modem driver. it came up with a popup saying that installing this driver may or may not work since it was not made for the device(even though it was) and it worked. i still have another problem. when i first found this problem i just tried switching the modem to another pci slot and later on switched it back to the original. now the computer thinks i still have it in the other slot. so now i have "two" modems even though it uses one. i've probably already lost you in all this typing :D

Z600 workstation missing pci data acquisition and signal processing controller driver

I just installed Win7 Pro x86 on my Z600 workstation. It was an upgrade from WinXP Pro. In Device Manager I am missing the driver for the PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller and Hardlock USB 1.02. Can someone assist me in finding these drivers. I looked on the Support/Drivers page for this model but couldn't find anything.
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi,
You might get better assistance on the HP Enterprise Business Forum since you have a professional worktsation.
HP DV9700, t9300, Nvidia 8600, 4GB, Crucial C300 128GB SSD
HP Photosmart Premium C309G, HP Photosmart 6520
HP Touchpad, HP Chromebook 11
Custom i7-4770k,Z-87, 8GB, Vertex 3 SSD, Samsung EVO SSD, Corsair HX650,GTX 760
Custom i7-4790k,Z-97, 16GB, Vertex 3 SSD, Plextor M.2 SSD, Samsung EVO SSD, Corsair HX650, GTX 660TI
Windows 7/8 UEFI/Legacy mode, MBR/GPT

PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller driver

I've installed win 8.1x64 on my HP Probook 450 G2 but I am missing the PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller driver.
Can you please help?
Thanks,
Leontina
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi:
Please see if installing the Intel Chipset driver installs that device.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=20775&lang=eng&ProdId=816

Problems with Ethernet controller and PCI device driver on Satellite L30-10X

Hellow!
Sorry for my bad English, I'm from Russia.
Just few days ago I bought Satellite L30-10X with W Vista on board. My opinion, that this OS does't very good on this computer, so I install W XP.
I have some problems with drivers. At first, I dont know what model I have:PSL30 or PSL33? I download all drivers for both models. But, after installation, computer doen't find drivers for Ethernet controller and PCI device...

Hi
Satellite L30-10X belongs to the PSL33E series. This number can be found on the label placed on the bottom of the unit!
You have to choose this number from the driver download form to get the compatible XP drivers.
I dont know why you are not able to install the LAN driver. Ive got the same notebook with Vista and Ive installed the XP and all drivers run fine.
I assume you have installed the drivers in wrong order. Please take the look in the Toshiba installation instruction txt file. In this order you have to install the driver! Its important.
I think you should install the XP again to ensure the clean registry and then download and install the compatible XP drivers like mentioned in the installation instruction file.
Good luck

Network controller and pci device driver missing for Toshiba Sattelite c55t b5109

After resetting windows 8.1, I only my ethernet works and I cant turn my wifi. I looked in the device manger, and under "unknown devices" are listed Network Controller and PCI Device with yellow alerts near them. I know that these are related to the wireless card, but everytime I try to update them they say that there is no driver for them.
These are their hardware id's:
Network Controller:
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_0036&SUBSYS_083211AD&REV_01
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_0036&SUBSYS_083211AD
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_0036&CC_028000
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_0036&CC_0280
PCI Device:
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_5229&SUBSYS_F91B1179&REV_01
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_5229&SUBSYS_F91B1179
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_5229&CC_FF0000
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_5229&CC_FF00
PLEASE HELP!!!!

search your laptop for the Toshiba application installer, open it and use it to install your Wireles lan driver.
The application installer is easier than guessing which one you need from your support page.
OR
Your support page is here - http://support.toshiba.com/support/modelHome?freeText=1200008391
You can select the drivers tab then down the page on the left hand side select Windows 8.1 64 bit to narrow down the drivers for your operating system. Then also select Wifi and the available drivers will be displayed.
If you are getting a corrupted system after a reset your hard drive may be failing or your recovery partition may have been corrupted . Create your recovery media if you have not done so already.
S70-ABT2N22 Windows 7 Pro & 8.1Pro, C55-A5180 Windows 8.1****Click on White “Kudos” STAR to say thanks!****

Driver needed for PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller of HP 15- r247tu

Install the Windows 10 Intel IMEI Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) Driverhttp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp69501-70000/sp69593.exe The latest version of the Intel chipset driverhttp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp69501-70000/sp69575.exe All Windows 10 drivers available from HP are at the following link.http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-15-Notebook-PC-series/7486447/model/7693973#Z7_3054ICK0KGTE30AQO5O3KA30R1

Hi: Try the chipset driver directly from Intel...the second file is the auto install file. https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/20775/Intel-Chipset-Device-Software-INF-Update-Utility- If that driver does not install the PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Controller, which the chipset driver should install, download the first file listed above (zip file). Unzip and extract the contents to its folder. Go to the device manager and click on the above device needing the driver. Click on the driver tab. Click on Update driver. Select the Browse my computer for driver software option, and browse to the unzipped driver folder. Make sure the Include Subfolders box is checked, and see if the driver installs that way. Then reboot.

Windows 7 driver for PCI Simple Controller

I installed the Lenovo Windows 7 Professional upgrade on my R400 (7443-CTO) from Windows XP Professional. The ThinkVantage tools repeatedly shows I need a driver for the "PCI Simple Controller". I have been unable to find that driver on the Lenovo support site. Any assistance to help resolve this issue would be appreciated.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

To create shortcuts or folders under the startmenu in Win7 you can rightclick "All Programs" under the startmenu. Then you can choose "Open" or "Open all users". If you choose "Open" you will be able to change the startmenu for the current user account only and when you select "Open all users" you can change the startmenu for all user accounts on the computer. The startmenu in Windows is basically just folders and shortcuts stored in a folder on your computer. The startmenu for all users are stored under "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu" and for the current user under "C:\Users\<useraccount>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu"
So let's say you want the "Thinkvantage" folder under the Windows startmenu where it should normally be after installing Lenovo toolbox and then the shortcut for Lenovo Toolbox under that folder. Then you can rightclick "All Programs" under the startmenu and select "Open all users" from the context menu. You should then see a explorer windows with the folder "Programs". If you open the "Programs" folder you will see the same contents as you see under the "startmenu -> All Programs". Since this is the area for the common startmenu for all user accounts there might be some more entries under the startmenu compared to what you see in this windows. By selecting "Open" instead of "Open all users" as explained above you should find the rest. So when you rightclicked, selected "open all users" and then doublecliked on "Programs" then you can rightclick somewhere in that window and choose "New -> Folder" from the context menu. Then you can give the folder the name "Thinkvantage". Then open the "Thinkvantage" folder and create a shortcut for Lenovo Toolbox. After you have done these steps you should find the Thinkvantage folder under "All Programs" and then the shortcut for Lenovo Toolbox under the Thinkvantage folder. This is how you can easily change the startmenu in Windows to add, remove or change entries under "All Programs".
Normally after installing Lenovo Toolbox it should be under "All Programs -> Thinkvantage" and not sure why that is not the case for you, but then you can add it manually like explained above. When i installed Lenovo Toolbox a shortcut and the Thinkvatage folder was created under "All Programs" during the installation. Also if you install the "System interface driver" and "Hotkey feature set" you can start Lenovo Toolbox by pressing the blue thinkvantage button on your computer. Unless you already installed "System Update 4.0" i would recommend to do so. System Update will find the drivers and software from Lenovo for your computer and give you a list where you can select those you want to download and install. System update will then download and install the drivers and software you selected and you don't have to download and install each one of them manually one by one. It will save you a lot of time. You can find system update for Windows 7 using the link below.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-73695
User Access Control is a new feature of Windows that started with Windows Vista so therefore you won't find it in XP. Only Vista and Windows 7 got UAC.
Yes it's a bit late over here I'm sure i will enjoy the weekend and hope you will do the same.

Mac Pro RAID and Boot Camp and eSATA controller Card

Hello all,
I have carefully read the topics concerning the Apple RAID card and its inability to run Boot Camp. Of course, I read this after placing my order. I have been mulling over my alternatives based on everyone's input. Here is what I want to do and how I think I can get there:
My system, when it finally arrives and is assembled will be:
Mac Pro 3.2GHz
12MG RAM
4 x 1TB hard drives
Apple RAID Card
ATI 2600
Except for the RAID card, the memory and drives are third party.
My plan was to create a RAID 5 with 3 of the internal drives, with the OS and apps on the non-RAIDed drive. I wanted to install Windows in a Boot Camp partition, but since learned this is not possible with the Apple card. I also planned on using the OWC Mercury Elite RAIDs I have (each enclosure house 2 x 500GB drives, and I have 4 enclosures for a possible max of 4TB of back up) to handle Time Machine (or other BU strategy) for the internals.
I have not received the Mac yet, so cannot look inside. From what I can gather, the Graphics card will occupy the Slot 1. The Raid Card will occupy Slot 4. This leaves me with only one 4x slot for a 4 port eSATA controller card (such as the RocketRAID 2314)
As I see it, I have a couple of obstacles to overcome, and I would appreciate advice/feedback on my possible solutions.
Problem 1: In order to use my existing OWC RAID enclosures, I need TWO controller cards, each with 4 eSATA connectors. Unless I scrap the 500GB drives for 1TB drives, I am stuck. Am I correct in assuming I cannot use Slot 2 for another controller card? Is there any work around?
Problem 2: Boot Camp. Can I purchase the Newer Technology extender cable to access the two eSATA ports on the Mac's motherboard to attach an external SATA drive for this purpose?
Questions:
1) I assume I can set up an external RAID (another RAID 5?) with my OWC drives and use Time Machine to back up to them?
2) From the illustration in the Mac Pro manual I downloaded, there appear to be only 4 PCIe slots, but 5 openings (one seems to be aligned with the back-up battery). I assume this is the double-wide space for the graphics card. Can I use the extra opening for the Newer Tech ports since there is no card taking up space?
3) Should I remove the Apple RAID card (resell on ebay) and buy the CalDigit RAID Card? It has the virture of allowing a Boot Camp install AND has ports that I can buy SAS to eSATA cables for, allowing me to use all of my OWC drives.
The CalDigit Card sounds good, but I would like to make the Apple card work if I can. Also, with the OPTIONAL battery back-up, the CalDigit card isn't that much less than the Apple card. Besides, I cannot find this card anywhere, everyone's at NAB, and it's Passover next week. AND I need to get this system up and running ASAP so I can begin making the money to pay for it.
Any input would be most welcome.
Gary

Problem 1: In order to use my existing OWC RAID enclosures, I need TWO controller cards, each with 4 eSATA connectors. Unless I scrap the 500GB drives for 1TB drives, I am stuck.
You could get new enclosures with SATA port multipliers for up to five drives per SATA port.
Am I correct in assuming I cannot use Slot 2 for another controller card? Is there any work around?
Apple says any PCI-e card should work in slot 2
<http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/Conceptual/HWtechPCI/Articles/pciimplementation.html#>
"Mac Pro detects whether an inserted card is PCIe 2.0 (5.0 GHz) or PCIe (2.5 GHz) and selects the operation depending on the card's maximum capability."
but there have been reports of trouble (maybe caused by the recent firmware update). Check with the card maker to be sure.
Problem 2: Boot Camp. Can I purchase the Newer Technology extender cable to access the two eSATA ports on the Mac's motherboard to attach an external SATA drive for this purpose?
No. Those ports are only usable from OSX, but if you only have one optical drive, you can mount another drive in the lower optical drive bay with a Pro Caddy for use with Boot Camp.
<http://www.transintl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=2704&RequestTimeOut=500>
This simplest connection is to use the optical ATA cable (with a SATA to ATA adapter for a SATA drive).
If you want to use a SATA connection, use a iPass to SATA cable from the iPass port on the Mac Pro logic board, which is normally used for the four SATA drives when there is no RAID card.
<http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=7252016>
Questions:
1) I assume I can set up an external RAID (another RAID 5?) with my OWC drives and use Time Machine to back up to them?
Yes
2) From the illustration in the Mac Pro manual I downloaded, there appear to be only 4 PCIe slots, but 5 openings (one seems to be aligned with the back-up battery). I assume this is the double-wide space for the graphics card. Can I use the extra opening for the Newer Tech ports since there is no card taking up space?
It looks like it should work if you route the cables just above the graphics card.
<http://www.newertech.com/Static/articles/images/macensteineSATA_5.jpg>

PCIe eSATA controller and drive case

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