The BIOS in non-Intel boards do now show the AHCI (SATA) more like on the SouthBridge OnChip SATA Channel (needed), PATA Channel config (SATA as primary). So take caution not to disable and legacy IDE if you have PCI IDE Bus Master Enabled for PCI NIC Adapter an etc.

Does the OP have Intel chipset or AMD?

His published specs say AMD....I am still of the opinion that the drive mode must be AHCI, and not IDE and that this is the best option. Still, this doesn't result in any disabling of other IDE operations, you would have to do that intentionally, would you not...? The other issue involves the necessity of reinstalling the OS in order to switch the >> only << the SATA controller from IIDE to ACHI. I think you gotta do it, but I think everybody's on board with that at this point.

"AHCI" is a "SATA" mode true, but it is not SATA RAID. RAID, is the hot swappable mode of SATA and (I think) only available with certain controllers. The OP's issue is that the E-SATA external HDD, is not available after the system has booted. I have some doubt as to whether this is an issue at all, since something not polled, is something not recognized.

I see you added some more details to the above post since you last added your reply. Well no doubt in my mind that AHCI is SATA. Older BIOS pre 2008 might call it different but in all without the RAID and just the SATA these systems should not be loading the SATA as IDE Primary Master IDE Primary Slave. But you might not be able to change that feature if the BIOS doesn't have that extra code. Anyway the new systems play nice with Windows 7 SATA II. E-SATA issue with the OP is the question here. I would check to see if the Cgmt can see the external drive. Doesn't always mean it going to show up in the My Computer if it doesn't even show-up in the Computer Management Disk Management.

The semantic issue here ACHI or SATA or IDE for that matter, is one that probably has not been addressed correctly by the motherboard manuals, or for that matter, the BIOS software engineers.

Part of the problem resides, (as you referred to) is the nomenclature existing in these entities.

It's not entirely avoidable though, due to the current existence of 3 different Windows OS in use simultaneously. But the definition, description, and emphasis of drive mode has, in fact changed. My experience is with Intel, so I can only give that as my point of reference;

The Intel G956WHMK board I bought, (before I joined 10/'06) offered "ACHI"in BIOS, but with the annotation that this could only be implemented with Vista, and not with XP.

A Gigabyte G41 chipset board, give me "auto" as a mode, then when selected runs the HDDs in ACHI, or a least when system info utilities are used on the system, they list the "current transfer mode" as "SATA 300gbs.

The BIOS in a brand new H55 Gigabyte board only gives 2 options; "AHCI" stated directly or "IDE". No mess, no fuss, no anxiety, but no "we'll work it out for you "auto" setting either. Just click "ACHI" in BIOS with Win 7, and you're on your way.

All of this makes sense, since the designers are catering to either the prevalent ,or expected OS installation. IE; nobody involved with hardware should be terribly concerned about someone installing XP in an H55 board. If someone does, it's on them.

All this about the Esata drive not being recognized, is IMO moot. The OP states, the Esata drive is only recgonized when it's turned on >> before << boot. I'm standing firm with the opinion that that's to be expected, since if it's not turned on (at boot poll) then it technically doesn't exist. Since the system is likely not true hot swappable RAID, why would it appear after initialization. (In the case of the H55 board, the only concession that is made to XP, is that BIOS >> defaults << to IDE). Although in the next revision they might think better of that, but who knows).

I agree that it would be nice if it did happen, but I wouldn't be terribly concerned if it didn't.

When the BIOS is set for AHCI in my H55 board, it fires up, checks the memory, shows the SATA controller then boots into Windows. There's no longer the crawl of the other devices being polled, nothing, just a big glorious boot into Windows in about 20 seconds.

Good point SNGX1275. AMD calls it SATA Intel AHCI the confusion should be cleared up. Why both CPU and chipset makers need to come to a standardize title. Anyway XP limited support but XP with chipset maker does support RAID well with SP3 better than the prior.

Dear Lord Please, in Thy Infinite Wisdom, Make This Blind Board See......

OK, here I'm willing to take one for the team. It's obvious that a drive not present at poll, will not be available after boot if running as IDE. I do so hope that our OP's Esata drive can be turned on and off at his beckon call, and still be recognized, after he reinstalls the OS, and runs the drives as "AHCI" or "SATA". Whatever his board's BIOS calls it. (My prayer as follows; Dear God, please make Mr. DeeGee's external HDD hot swappable).

I also hope that the proponents of running everything as IDE, will rethink that e-pinion, in the interest of progress. XP is after all "dead". (Yeah I know, but that's a whole different argument).

Captain - Your prayer has been answered! I have re-installed on a different motherboard (Gigabyte GA-MA78LM-S2) , together with the supplied SATA drivers and I am pleased to report that 'hot-plugging' works as I hoped that it would. So where the trouble originated I cannot say. Once again thank you for your efforts.

Deegeeh

Final add Intel ATOM BIOS shows IDE or AHCI (SATA) but not in the AMD BiOS. Well anyway the OP fix his issue!

Well obviously, you're quite welcome. As the "A Team" used to say, "I (we) love it when a plan comes together".

I do however, know where these problems are coming from, "overlapping technologies". With respect to Intel, it's current lineup of 3 different (consumer home desktop) sockets and compatible chipsets, which all seem to be expecting different things with respect to what OS will be installed. The older LGA775 chipsets were all designed when XP was king, and as a result of that, any SATA drivers were expected to be installed with the OS. Windows 7 has it own generic "AHCI" drivers that will run SATA as SATA. But, as to whether any given BIOS / chipset configuration can summon their installation correctly, seems to be still up in the air. None of this takes into account the further complication caused by the required ability to read "Chinglish" instruction manuals.

Again, we're glad you're up and running.