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Archived This topic has been archived. Information and links in this thread may no longer be available or relevant. If you have a question create a new topic by clicking here and select the appropriate board.

‎03-01-2017 06:18 AM

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There are 4 serial sockets. 0,1 and 2 are used. Can 3 one be used for an external disk ? (with a convenient connection)

11 REPLIES 11

‎03-01-2017 08:04 AM - edited ‎03-01-2017 08:14 AM

HP Recommended

Do you mean to say USB ports instead of serial sockets?   USB stands for universal serial bus.

 

People frequently use an available USB port to connect an external storage device to a desktop PC.

 

Make sure that the external disk has its own power source. That is always the best idea for the longevity of the USB port. 

 

The following layout image of the rear of your motherboard shows the available USB ports.

 

 

 rear ports.png


I am a volunteer forum member, not an HP employee. If my suggestion solved your issue, don't forget to mark that post as the accepted solution. If you want to say thanks, click on the Yes button next to the "was this reply helpful?"



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‎03-01-2017 10:36 AM

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@Jamob,

Are you referring to these type of connections?  If so, those are SATA headers.  You can use an external ESata rail, but that does require an external ESata Dock.

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‎03-01-2017 10:42 AM - edited ‎03-01-2017 11:10 AM

HP Recommended

HP Motherboard Specification, M2N68-LA (Narra6)

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01925534

Back Panel I/O Ports

Already shown in earlier answer.

---

Internal Connections (excerpt from list)
Four (4) SATA connectors -- used for HDD and SSD

 

"Can the SATA 3 connector be used for an external disk ? (with a convenient connection)"

YES.

 

There are third-party accessories available (Internet, Retail computer stores), that can present that connection on an expansion slot (rear panel).  The external drive (in an enclosure) will still require its own DC power source.  IF you already have an external hard-drive enclosure, assure that it is compatible with the eSATA connector.

 IMG_3891.JPG

StarTech ESATAPLT18IN, 18 inch - 1 Port SATA to eSATA Plate Adapter.

===

There is an eSATA Power (eSATAp) connector, that adds DC power (+5 and +12 VDC) in order to power the hard drive without an external power supply.  A photo (below) shows internal connections for SATA data and power, as well as USB.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESATAp

 

The USB standard body does NOT support this method for +5 VDC,

BUT the SATA-IO standard body has reviewed these methods.

CHECK with your External HDD Enclosure manufacturer for their support/usage.

IMG_3892.JPG

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‎03-02-2017 02:05 AM

HP Recommended

Using the fourth sertal socket (#3)  is not a hardware problem, but it is not detected: It is probably needed to modify the BIOS. How can I do it?

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‎03-02-2017 02:16 AM

HP Recommended

Thank you, but my problem is not hardware (I found an adaptator), but software : the disk is not detected. It is probably needed to change something into the Bios. How can I do it ?

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‎03-02-2017 02:20 AM

HP Recommended

Thank you, but it is not my problem: I have an external ESata Dock, but is seems necessary to modify the BIOS. How?

Best regards

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‎03-02-2017 02:23 AM

HP Recommended

Thank you, I have an external ESata Dock, but it is probably needed to explain it to BIOS. How do it ?

With best regards

 

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‎03-02-2017 12:20 PM

HP Recommended

@Jamob,

Connect the external hard drive to your system, power-on, and boot. 

From my experience, it needs to be "ON" prior to boot.

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‎03-04-2017 05:26 AM

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When I bought my copmputer, it had a singledisk, (connected on serial plot number 0) . Number 2 was used by several systems. I simply used  number 1 for a disk. When I started computer this second disk appeared, I could use it. Now, I have connected an other disk on  number 3 serial output, using the same power source. It does not work. It is a problem of computer, because exchanging the disks outputs (serial 1 <--> serial 3 ) - outputs, the new disk works, but not the old.

Is it a problem of hardware inside the computer or a problem of software ? If it is software, what can I do?

With best regards

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