Buslink SATA 2-PORT PCI CARD

I have used this card for about 3 week as a stop-g ...

Strengths: Low price

Weaknesses: Number of drives supported

Summary: I have used this card for about 3 week as a stop-gap measure until I upgrade motherboard to support SATA. I have not have any problems with the card whatsoever. However, this is not the best soultion if you want to jump into SATA. The PCI bus may be too slow to realize the full benefit of SATA, especially if you attach 2 drives.

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Basic SATA-I card with external connectors

Strengths: External connectors. Cheap. Works.

Weaknesses: 2 external ports overlap with internal ones. RAID only supported in software. Barebones.

Summary: Purchased this card to workaround the FSB lock issue with Intel's ICH southbridges (they don't recognize SATA drives if the bus is overclocked even a small amount). It works fine.

Issues to keep in mind with this budget card:

- RAID is supported only in software mode (included, or use Windows). Only levels 0 or 1 are supported. W2k/NT install drivers are included so you can install Windows onto software RAID setup using F6.

- The external connectors are linked to the internal ones. You have to be careful when using both internal & external connectors not to hook two drives up to the same bus.

- The package includes only the card itself, a CD with drivers and a basic installation sheet. No SATA signal or power cables are included.

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Worked out of the box for my internal SATA drive o ...

Strengths: Affordable, works PNP, internal and external ports

Weaknesses: Only 2 channels shared between internal and external. No external port "covers" prevent someone from plugging an external SATA drive into a port that is already in use internally.

Summary: 2005-05-25 09:15:05 Worked out of the box for my internal SATA drive on WinXP Home SP2. Seems faster but don't do video processing so can't really see big benefit. Just wanted the added capability in case some day I get an external SATA.

I really wish manufacturers would provide external port covers/caps. I worry that I might mistakenly plug in an external SATA into the wrong port and scramble my data.

If anyone knows where to get SATA, USB-A, and Firewire-A port covers please post some information.

Thanks

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I bought this cheap offline in order to use a SATA ...

Strengths: Cheap price

Weaknesses: 2 channels

Summary: I bought this cheap offline in order to use a SATA harddrive that was not supported by my dell. This product solved my problem for a cheap price but I wouldn't buy this again. So far, it has worked fine.

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Buslink SATA 2-PORT PCI CARD PCI2S

Strengths: None

Weaknesses: Cheap quality, defective on arrival

Summary: 2007-03-27 10:17:59 I am in need of SATA controller for my SATA hard drives in my storage computer. I bought this one in Feb 2007, ended up defective on arrival. The manual does not provide any FAQs or troubleshooting when I tried to solve the problem, manufacturer web site also does not provide any good info, nor driver update. My problem was that I can't format the hard drives even though everything is looking fine. I emailed tech support, first reply gives me a newer driver and BIOS, THOSE ARE SECRET DRIVERS and BIOS! You can not find them in the web site. I wonder how often do they update their web site, once a year? After I updated the driver and BIOS, same problem exists, emailed back and I discovered that if the hard drives is formated in other computer, connecting the formated hard drive to the card will make Windows Freeze in loading screen. Second reply told me it's defective and need to RMA it. I have not received the replacement yet. I did make a phone call, the phone number wasn't working good, had to use email to contact. Overall, tech support is OK, but product quality is bad. I will report back once I receive the replacement.

Update: I received the "used looking" card as replacement, after installing it, this card has the lastest BIOS that's Jan 2007, but same problem occurs, everything is working fine except still can't format the SATA2 hard drive. I am using ECS KT600-A motherboard, it could be compatibility problem, strongly recommended NOT to buy this card, get some more reputable brand.

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