Adding external SATA hard drive caddy to MacPro

[Maxinterax]

Hi
I would like to add an external SATA caddy to my MacPro but cannot find the SATA cabling. Is there easy access to the cables? Shall I just use a Firewire Caddy instead.

thanks
Max

 

[nanofrog]

Hi
I would like to add an external SATA caddy to my MacPro but cannot find the SATA cabling. Is there easy access to the cables? Shall I just use a Firewire Caddy instead.

thanks
Max

What product are you using for the SATA connections?

I ask, as an eSATA card usually comes with the necessary cables. If you've an older machine with ODD_SATA ports, and are trying to run those externally via a PCI bracket with a pair of eSATA ports (not the best way to go due to limitations), you can get the cables off of eBay (here) or other locations.

 

[Maxinterax]

Thank you for replying.
I have a MacPro which is just over a year old. I hoped to put a caddy in the spare optical drive slot, but the front of the MacPro only has a thin opening.

So, I decided to obtain an external caddy and connect using SATA cable, but then opening the MacPro and could not see where to connect the SATA cables.

I have finally decided on a firewire/USB caddy:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-5-3-5-inch-...rdDrives_RL&hash=item230ae5158d#ht_3427wt_907

Still, I am open to advice,
thanks
again,
Max

What product are you using for the SATA connections?

I ask, as an eSATA card usually comes with the necessary cables. If you've an older machine with ODD_SATA ports, and are trying to run those externally via a PCI bracket with a pair of eSATA ports (not the best way to go due to limitations), you can get the cables off of eBay (here) or other locations.

 

[Maxinterax]

Actually found a firewire 800 version

Will buy this today:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Firewire-800-...closures_RL&hash=item1c17b6762b#ht_3583wt_907

Thank you for replying.
I have a MacPro which is just over a year old. I hoped to put a caddy in the spare optical drive slot, but the front of the MacPro only has a thin opening.

So, I decided to obtain an external caddy and connect using SATA cable, but then opening the MacPro and could not see where to connect the SATA cables.

I have finally decided on a firewire/USB caddy:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-5-3-5-inch-...rdDrives_RL&hash=item230ae5158d#ht_3427wt_907

Still, I am open to advice,
thanks
again,
Max

 

[Whaditis]

Will buy this today:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Firewire-800-...closures_RL&hash=item1c17b6762b#ht_3583wt_907

You can get one even faster just like the one I purchased. The Vantec Nexstar comes with e-sata which is faster than Firewire 800.

Check it out.

http://www.vantecusa.com/en/product/view_detail/295


You should be able to find this product in the UK.

 

[ActionableMango]

I hoped to put a caddy in the spare optical drive slot, but the front of the MacPro only has a thin opening.

You can do that, the optical drives are not inserted from the front, they are mounted by pulling out the entire drive bay and installing the drives from the back.

Also, I hate to ask a dumb question, but are all four of your hard drive sleds full? If not you should just use one of those.

 

[Maxinterax]

Thank you. It does look good.
How do I connect the SATA cables when they do not appear exposed in the MacPro?
Perhaps I am missing something.
Max

You can get one even faster just like the one I purchased. The Vantec Nexstar comes with e-sata which is faster than Firewire 800.

Check it out.

http://www.vantecusa.com/en/product/view_detail/295


You should be able to find this product in the UK.

 

[Maxinterax]

Thank you. It is always good to check.
My aim, for various reasons, is to have removable hard drives. SATA is my preference due to speed.
However I cannot ses how to plug in a SATA cable in the MacPro. Perhaps I am missing something.

Max

You can do that, the optical drives are not inserted from the front, they are mounted by pulling out the entire drive bay and installing the drives from the back.

Also, I hate to ask a dumb question, but are all four of your hard drive sleds full? If not you should just use one of those.

 

[eawmp1]

I've done this. Not sure about your product, but if you scroll to the bottom of the page there are helpful instructional videos that may apply to your situation.

 

[Maxinterax]

Hey, thank you.
That looks just the thing I need. Over the weekend I will check out the instructions.
Thanks again
Max

I've done this. Not sure about your product, but if you scroll to the bottom of the page there are helpful instructional videos that may apply to your situation.