Hot Swap disk drive in xw8600

[TenOC]

BIOS is up to date.  1.42 (?) Win 7 -64

I purchased a used StarTech SATADOCK525 Trayless 5.25" Bay Mounted 2.5" and 3.5" SATA Drive Dock on eBay. I have installed it into a HP xw8600 workstation without a RAID but my BIOS saids that the hard drives are controlled by the RAID BIOS. I can not get the hot swap to work. The disk is receiving power and the HD works if the drive is in the dock when I boot the computer. However I I swap out the drive, the new HD no longer works. Is it because of the RAID BIOS control.

I have 3 HD plus the CD/DVD plus this Dock so I need 5 SATA active cables. I have RAID+AHCI set since I need the 5 active ports.

Is this normal? Or do I have a problem?  Can the motherboard - BIOS handle hot swap?

[old_geekster]

I believe the motherboard should support hot swapping.  However, I suggest that you contact StarTech's Tech Support for help.  I have used their Chat Live option several times when needing help.  They should be able to tell you if their product will work properly with your computer.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[TenOC]

I did talk to the manufacture.  There is NO software for the unit.  It is simply a "SATA cable in a box to hold the HD" This allow the SATA drive to connect to the "normal" internal SATA cable/port.  He suggested I remove the PC's cover and disconnect and then reconnect a different hard drive from the motherbord to see it the motherboard will support hot swap.  I may do this this ONLY as a last resort.  I do not want to destroy date on my "good" HD.

[old_geekster]

The only other thing that I will mention is, you should have had AHCI/RAID set before installing the unit.  Otherwise, it may not work.

[TenOC]

I had AHCI/RAID set before installing the HD.

[TenOC]

Do you think if I use the SAS-0 port in place of the SATA 4 port it may work???

[old_geekster]

I am not certain if it will work or not.  I don't believe that it will cause any problems if you do connect to this port.

[TenOC · Accepted solution]

Looks like the SAS-0 port is working to allow me to hot-swap.  Now to try with a HD with real data.