SATA to USB

Linux_Kidd · 03-15-2021, 08:57 PM

I am looking for a SATA-USB adapter that works with CentOS kernel 3.10 or 3.20, etc.

I got a cheap one from the jungle and it only works with windoze. CentOS just balks with a "bad descriptor", and I see no place that has any driver stuff for it to work on Linux.

My old Sabrent USB-DSC5 works like a charm, but I need a 2nd adapter for doing some disk copying.

Suggestions for adapter make/model that works natively with Linux?

jefro · 03-15-2021, 09:14 PM

Sounds like maybe a power issue.

I'd think that you could still test with some modern live media to confirm.

A sata to usb is not subject to any linux limits as long as the usb chipset is supported. There are some very linux oriented companies out there. plugable might have one.

Linux_Kidd · 03-15-2021, 09:38 PM

I suspect chipset not supported? This cheapo device --> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PVX682Q
The adapter is "SATA-USB_3.0", so maybe it's only 3.0?

I am using Cent w/ 3.1 kernel in VM WorkStation Pro v15, but when I try to set the VM USB setting to "3.0" it balks and says the VM kernel needs to be 3.2 or higher. Host is a beefy win10 PC supporting 3.0.

From all the VMware KB's, supporting USB 3.0 in v15 with Linux kernel 3.1 should work, but as I mentioned, WorkStation v15 balks on me selecting USB 3.0 for the guest VM settings. Weird.

I have a spare laptop (w/ no USB 3.0), will boot a liveCD and see what it thinks of the device.

RandomTroll · 03-15-2021, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linux_Kidd

I am looking for a SATA-USB adapter

Do you really want an adaptor that plugs into your computer's SATA socket, connects it to an external USB device?

If you want the reverse, an adaptor that allows you to connect an external SATA device to your computer's USB port, I've had good luck with cheap crap. My current is

Quote:

14cd:6116 Super Top M6116 SATA Bridge

. I can't imagine it's better than anything else.

RandomTroll · 03-15-2021, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefro

Sounds like maybe a power issue.

A USB-SATA adaptor won't drive a hard disk if attached to an unpowered USB port.

Linux_Kidd · 03-15-2021, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomTroll

A USB-SATA adaptor won't drive a hard disk if attached to an unpowered USB port.

The adapters have their own PSU, etc. It's not a power issue.

I dug out an old workhorse ThinkPad laptop, so old when I booted my installed BackTrack image it said "/dev/hda6 it's been 4325 days since drive last checked.... forcing check". It's been that many days since I booted that laptop!

Kernel is 2.6.21.5, using a pcmcia dual-usb port card. The 3.0 adapter I listed shows up!

So maybe it's a USB host/guest issue in my VM WorkStation, or maybe the very new CentOS just not good enough/

jefro · 03-17-2021, 07:47 PM

If it has external power and it can deliver the amount then it should work as expected.
Unpowered port??? I've seen many underpowered ports.

pan64 · 03-18-2021, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linux_Kidd

CentOS just balks with a "bad descriptor", and I see no place that has any driver stuff for it to work on Linux.

Did you check the logs? Probably you will find some info about it....

Linux_Kidd · 03-19-2021, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

Did you check the logs? Probably you will find some info about it....

I did not.
I just went to another machine.

GPGAgent · 03-19-2021, 01:34 PM

Like RandomTroll, I have a cheapo SATA to USB cable, works just fine. And it's powered.

Just to be clear this cable connects a SATA drive to the usb port on my PC.

If your SATA drive is an SSD then you may not need an to supply any power, but if it's an HDD then you will need to power it.