Using a SATA to USB 3.0 Adapter on a ODD

[Flava0ne]

I recently picked up a SilverStone EP02 SATA to USB 3.0 Adapter (together with a 12V outlet cord) in hopes to be able to connect my 5.25" ODD to my computer. When I first connected it to my system, Windows was able to successfully install the USB driver for the EP02 adapter, but my ODD is nowhere to be found, not even in Device Manager. I was originally going to purchase the Vantec NexStar DX 5.25" ODD External Enclosure but decided to get the EP02 instead so that I can also use it with 2.5" SSD's and 3.5" HDD's. Is there any reason why the EP02 adapter won't work with an SATA ODD?

 

[SL2]

Just a wild guess, have you tried different USB ports, especially 2.0 ports? Have you tried a different computer?

 

[Flava0ne]

I just tried all the other USB ports including the USB 2.0 ports and still nowhere to be found in the system. Correction, it shows up in Device Manager but only as a USB Device and I can also safely remove the drive as well via the USB taskbar icon. Also tried it on my laptop with the exact same results.

 

[theFOoL]

Best thing to do is buy a USB to Sata Enclosure LINK or a USB to Sata Cable with one extra USB for power to connect a 3.5 drive LINK

 

[Flava0ne]

Best thing to do is buy a USB to Sata Enclosure LINK or a USB to Sata Cable with one extra USB for power to connect a 3.5 drive LINK

Please see the links in my first post. Also, the SilverStone EP02 SATA to USB 3.0 Adapter that I have came with a USB 3.0 Type B Micro to USB 3.0 Type A with another Type A for power.

 

[newtekie1]

Can you open and close the ODD?

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Sometimes you need to go into computer management (right click 'my pc' icon and click on 'management') and select Storage>disk management Right click the drive you got hooked up then hit 'initiate/activate' or something like that. That way windows will initialise the drive or you wont see it.

I was a noob and didnt read

 

[Flava0ne]

Can you open and close the ODD?

Yes, it opens and closes.

Sometimes you need to go into computer management (right click 'my pc' icon and click on 'management') and select Storage>disk management Right click the drive you got hooked up then hit 'initiate/activate' or something like that. That way windows will initialise the drive or you wont see it.

It's an Optical Disk Drive and is not visible in Disk Management.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

It's an Optical Disk Drive and is not visible in Disk Management.

In that case it could be that the chipset on your device doesnt work with optical drives. Have you tried any other optical drives?

From the item description it only says SSDs and HDDs. nothing about optical drives.

Its a strange thing. You expect it to work but even though you can plug the ODD in without any problems - the dock cant communicate with the ODD.

I remember back in the day when you had to buy a specific external HDD chassises if you were planning to use an SSD because some chipsets didnt like being hooked up to one.

 

[Flava0ne]

In that case it could be that the chipset on your device doesnt work with optical drives. Have you tried any other optical drives?

From the item description it only says SSDs and HDDs. nothing about optical drives.

Its a strange thing. You expect it to work but even though you can plug the ODD in without any problems - the dock cant communicate with the ODD.

I remember back in the day when you had to buy a specific external HDD chassises if you were planning to use an SSD because some chipsets didnt like being hooked up to one.

I don't think that's the case because it was originally being used as it should (in a 5.25" drive bay connected to a SATA port on my mobo) when my current hardware was in a previous chassis.

EDIT: Unless, for some reason I would actually need that external ODD enclosure that I linked previously for it to be recognized as an ODD. But that doesn't really make much sense to me, unless it has an onboard PCB with a chip that does that.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Im not talking about your ODD, Im on about the EP02. that might not have the right chip that allows it to communicate with ODD drivers. Its SILLY i know but back in the day there were issues like this where you had to buy specific docks/enclosures for the drives you were gonna use them with.

Thats the only thing i can think of. SIlverstone are using old chips or maybe haven't coded the firmware to deal with use of ODDs.... Since you say the drive is 100% working then there is on other conclusion unless you order another EP02 just to try it out incase its the EP02 that is faulty

 

[Vario]

I recently picked up a SilverStone EP02 SATA to USB 3.0 Adapter (together with a 12V outlet cord) in hopes to be able to connect my 5.25" ODD to my computer. When I first connected it to my system, Windows was able to successfully install the USB driver for the EP02 adapter, but my ODD is nowhere to be found, not even in Device Manager. I was originally going to purchase the Vantec NexStar DX 5.25" ODD External Enclosure but decided to get the EP02 instead so that I can also use it with 2.5" SSD's and 3.5" HDD's. Is there any reason why the EP02 adapter won't work with an SATA ODD?

Did you try another SATA device (spare harddrive for example) on the same EP02 adapter?

 

[Flava0ne]

Did you try another SATA device (spare harddrive for example) on the same EP02 adapter?

Yes, both my older 2.5" SSD and 3.5" HDD are recognized by the system with the EP02 adapter.

 

[Shou Miko]

I been looking around for the same solution by non of the small kits works with ODD's sadly because they require some power.

So I been looking into the solution from DeLock since I am in europe but it's really expensive so I been holding off on buying it.

Link: https://www.delock.com/produkte/G_42484/merkmale.html

 

[Flava0ne]

I been looking around for the same solution by non of the small kits works with ODD's sadly because they require some power.

So I been looking into the solution from DeLock since I am in europe but it's really expensive so I been holding off on buying it.

Link: https://www.delock.com/produkte/G_42484/merkmale.html

I have a 12V outlet power cord that I can use with the SilverStone EP02 Adapter (not included with it). It's from a 3.5" External HDD Enclosure that I have laying around and works just fine with the EP02 which is required for it when using it with a 3.5" HDD. I think I might have to go that route as well with a dedicated external ODD enclosure. I just thought I could get away with the EP02 as an all-in-one adapter.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Unless some extra firmware is needed, there should be no reason why it doesn't work.
Does the optical drive work when connected over SATA? As that would be the way to make sure there's no problem with the optical drive.
Haven't had an optical drive in years, but from having tested USB 3.0 controllers some years ago, the only thing that tends to differ/matter when it comes to SATA to USB bridge chips is if they support UASP or not (which you want). The rest is pretty much the same, with some minor firmware differences.
Judging by the specifications and the fact it takes 12V power, it should work, but clearly doesn't.

 

[Flava0ne]

Unless some extra firmware is needed, there should be no reason why it doesn't work.
Does the optical drive work when connected over SATA? As that would be the way to make sure there's no problem with the optical drive.
Haven't had an optical drive in years, but from having tested USB 3.0 controllers some years ago, the only thing that tends to differ/matter when it comes to SATA to USB bridge chips is if they support UASP or not (which you want). The rest is pretty much the same, with some minor firmware differences.
Judging by the specifications and the fact it takes 12V power, it should work, but clearly doesn't.

There's no problem with the ODD. I've had it installed with the same current hardware but in a previous chassis. I simply have no room for an internal ODD in my new chassis because of my 2 pump/reservoir combos. Also, when connected to the EP02 adapter, the ODD can open and close so I think it's still fine.

 

[TheLostSwede]

There's no problem with the ODD. I've had it installed with the same current hardware but in a previous chassis. I simply have no room for an internal ODD in my new chassis because of my 2 pump/reservoir combos. Also, when connected to the EP02 adapter, the ODD can open and close so I think it's still fine.

Open/close means nothing, except that the drive is getting power.
Did you try the EP02 with a drive, to see that the adapter isn't broken somehow, despite showing up in the device manager?

 

[Flava0ne]

Open/close means nothing, except that the drive is getting power.
Did you try the EP02 with a drive, to see that the adapter isn't broken somehow, despite showing up in the device manager?

Yes, as I mentioned already, my older 2.5" SSD and 3.5" HDD are recognized in Windows with the EP02 adapter.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Yes, as I mentioned already, my older 2.5" SSD and 3.5" HDD are recognized in Windows with the EP02 adapter.

Right, so then it's one of two things, bad optical drive or some additional firmware is needed in the SATA to USB adapters for them to work with optical drives.
Silverstone doesn't claim to work with optical drives, so maybe get one from a different company that claims support?
Not sure where you're based, so Amazon link it is.

Amazon.com: Unitek USB 3.0 to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Converter Cable for 2.5 3.5 Inch HDD/SSD Hard Drive Disk and SATA Optical Drive with 12V/2A Power Adapter, Support UASP: Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com: Unitek USB 3.0 to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Converter Cable for 2.5 3.5 Inch HDD/SSD Hard Drive Disk and SATA Optical Drive with 12V/2A Power Adapter, Support UASP: Computers & Accessories

www.amazon.com

 

[Flava0ne]

Right, so then it's one of two things, bad optical drive or some additional firmware is needed in the SATA to USB adapters for them to work with optical drives.
Silverstone doesn't claim to work with optical drives, so maybe get one from a different company that claims support?
Not sure where you're based, so Amazon link it is.

Amazon.com: Unitek USB 3.0 to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Converter Cable for 2.5 3.5 Inch HDD/SSD Hard Drive Disk and SATA Optical Drive with 12V/2A Power Adapter, Support UASP: Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com: Unitek USB 3.0 to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Converter Cable for 2.5 3.5 Inch HDD/SSD Hard Drive Disk and SATA Optical Drive with 12V/2A Power Adapter, Support UASP: Computers & Accessories

www.amazon.com

Thanks for that link, it's a lot cheaper than getting a dedicated external ODD enclosure, plus also supports 2.5" SSD and 3.5" HDD. And ships to Canada so thanks a bunch!

 

[TheLostSwede]

Thanks for that link, it's a lot cheaper than getting a dedicated external ODD enclosure, plus also supports 2.5" SSD and 3.5" HDD. And ships to Canada so thanks a bunch!

There's seven reviews of people using it with optical drives, so it should be a guaranteed workable option, unless there's some issue with the optical drive as I said.
It's strange the SilverStone adapter doesn't work though, as there's really not much to these things.

 

[Flava0ne]

There's seven reviews of people using it with optical drives, so it should be a guaranteed workable option, unless there's some issue with the optical drive as I said.
It's strange the SilverStone adapter doesn't work though, as there's really not much to these things.

That's what I originally thought as well when I decided to get the adapter instead of the enclosure. Also, getting something from Amazon.com and have it shipped to Canada is still cheaper than getting the same item on Amazon.ca (WTF).