StarTech.com PEXSAT31E1 Instruction Manual

PCI Express SATA Controller
Card

1-Port eSATA, 1-Port SATA

PCI Express SATA 6Gbps

Controller Card

PEXSAT31E1

Instruction Manual

FCC Compliance Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following

measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.•

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.•

Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver •

is connected.

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.•

Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other Protected Names and Symbols

This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other
protected names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to
StarTech.com. Where they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only
and do not represent an endorsement of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an
endorsement of the product(s) to which this manual applies by the third-party company
in question. Regardless of any direct acknowledgement elsewhere in the body of
this document, StarTech.com hereby acknowledges that all trademarks, registered
trademarks, service marks, and other protected names and/or symbols contained in this
manual and related documents are the property of their respective holders.

i

Table of Contents

Introduction ..................................................................... 1

Packaging Contents.....................................................................1

System Requirements .................................................................1

Installation ....................................................................... 2

Hardware Installation ...................................................................3

Driver Installation .........................................................................4

How to Use ...................................................................... 5

RAID Configuration ......................................................................5

Specifications .................................................................. 6

Technical Support ........................................................... 7

Warranty Information ...................................................... 7

1

Introduction

The StarTech.com PCI Express SATA/eSATA 6Gbps (SATA revision

3.0) Controller Card adds one internal and one external eSATA port
through a single PCIe expansion slot. Offering a cost-effective solution
for connecting high-speed storage devices such as high RPM hard
drives, Solid State Drives (SSD), and external storage arrays, allowing
for easier data backups and archiving. With full support for SATA
revision 3.0 hard drives with data transfer speeds of up to 6 Gbps and
backwards compatible with SATA revision 2.0 devices this controller
card provides enhanced compatibility, reliability and performance. This
card also features port multiplier capability with command-based and
FIS-based switching for connecting multiple external hard drives to a
host PC through a single external SATA connection.

Packaging Contents

1 x PEXSAT31E1 card•

1 x Low Profile bracket•

1 x Driver Installation CD•

1 x Instruction Manual•

System Requirements

PCI Express enabled computer system with available expansion slot•

Microsoft•

®

Windows® XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 R2/7

(32/64-bit), or Linux

®

2

Installation

WARNING! PCI Express cards, like all computer equipment, can be
severely damaged by static electricity. Be sure that you are properly
grounded before opening your computer case or touching your PCI
Express card. StarTech.com recommends that you wear an anti-static
strap when installing any computer component. If an anti-static strap
is unavailable, discharge yourself of any static electricity build-up by
touching a large grounded metal surface (such as the computer case)
for several seconds. Also be careful to handle the PCI Express card by
its edges and not the gold connectors.

7-pin SATA

connector

7-pin eSATA

connector

LED headers

3

Hardware Installation

Turn your computer off and any peripherals connected to the 1.
computer (i.e. printers, external hard drives, etc.). Unplug the power
cable from the rear of the power supply on the back of the computer
and disconnect all peripheral devices.

Remove the cover from the computer case. See documentation for 2.
your computer system for details.

Locate an open PCI Express slot and remove the metal cover plate 3.
on the rear of the computer case (Refer to documentation for your
computer system for details.). Note that this card will work in PCI
Express slots of additional lanes (i.e. x4, x8 or x16 slots).

If installing the card into a low profile system, remove the screws 4.
holding the full profile bracket to the card and replace with the
included low profile bracket.

Insert the card into the open PCI Express slot and fasten the bracket 5.
to the rear of the case.

OPTIONAL: This card features 2-pin headers for connecting LED
indicators. Simply connect the 2-wire cable from the LED (not included
with card) to the appropriate header connector on the card.

Place the cover back onto the computer case.6.

Insert the power cable into the socket on the power supply and 7.
reconnect all other connectors removed in Step 1.

4

Driver Installation

Windows XP/Server 2003 - Fresh Install

NOTE: These operating systems will require a 3.5” floppy disk drive

to install drivers for storage controller cards. Make sure a floppy drive
is installed in the computer system and the driver files from the Driver
Installation CD are copied onto a floppy disk.

Power up the computer system and insert the Windows Installation 1.
CD.

Boot from the CD and when prompted, press the [F6] key to install 2.
3rd party drivers.

When prompted, insert the floppy disk with the drivers into the floppy 3.
drive and follow the prompts.

Once the drivers are loaded, proceed with the Windows installation.4.

Windows Vista/Server 2008 R2/7 - Fresh Install

Power up the computer system and insert the Windows Installation 1.
DVD.

Boot from the DVD and follow the installation instructions, until 2.
reaching the screen to select the destination disk/partition.

Click the “Load Drivers” button and insert the Driver Installation CD 3.
and browse to the location of the drivers on the CD.

Once the drivers are installed, the drive(s) connected to the 4.
controller card should now be visible.

Proceed with the rest of the Windows installation.5.

Windows XP/Server 2003

When the Found New Hardware wizard appears on the screen, 1.
insert the Driver CD into your CD/DVD drive. If you are prompted
to connect to Windows Update, please select the “No, not this time”
option and click Next.

5

Select the option “Install Drivers Automatically (Recommended)” and 2.
then click the Next button.

Windows should now start searching for the drivers. Once this has 3.
completed, click the Finish button.

Windows Vista/Server 2008 R2/7

When the Found New Hardware window appears on the screen, 1.
click on the “Locate and install drivers software (recommended)”
option. If prompted to search online, select the “Don’t search online”
option.

When prompted to insert the disc, insert the Driver CD that 2.
came with the card, into your CD/DVD drive and Windows will
automatically proceed to search the CD.

If a Windows Security dialog window appears, click the “Install this 3.
driver software anyway” option to proceed.

Once the driver is installed, click the Close button.4.

How to Use

RAID Conguration

To setup a RAID array using the drives connected to the SATA
controller card, the BIOS level configuration menu must be accessed.
To access the configuration menu, during POST (computer startup),
the status display for the controller card will display. At this point,
pressing [CTRL] + [m] will enter the configuration menu. From the
configuration menu, the detected drives can be configured into any of
the supported RAID modes.

6

Specications

Bus Interface

PCI Express 2.0

(x1 slot connector)

Supported Specifications

SATA revision 3.0

Chipset ID

Marvell 9128

Connectors

1 x 7-pin SATA

1 x 7-pin eSATA

LEDs

2 x Activity (via header)

Maximum Data Transfer Rate

SATA: 6Gbps

Supported RAID Modes

JBOD, 0, 1

Operating Temperature

5°C to 50°C (41°F to 122°F)

Storage Temperature

-25°C to 70°C (-13°F to 158°F)

Humidity

15~90% RH

Compatible Operating

Systems

Windows XP/Server 2003/Vista/

Server 2008 R2/7 (32/64-bit),

Linux

7

Technical Support

StarTech.com’s lifetime technical support is an integral part of our
commitment to provide industry-leading solutions. If you ever need
help with your product, visit www.startech.com/support and access
our comprehensive selection of online tools, documentation, and
downloads.

Warranty Information

This product is backed by a lifetime warranty.

In addition, StarTech.com warrants its products against defects in
materials and workmanship for the periods noted, following the initial
date of purchase. During this period, the products may be returned
for repair, or replacement with equivalent products at our discretion.
The warranty covers parts and labor costs only. StarTech.com does
not warrant its products from defects or damages arising from misuse,
abuse, alteration, or normal wear and tear.

Limitation of Liability

In no event shall the liability of StarTech.com Ltd. and StarTech.com USA
LLP (or their officers, directors, employees or agents) for any damages
(whether direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental, consequential, or
otherwise), loss of profits, loss of business, or any pecuniary loss, arising
out of or related to the use of the product exceed the actual price paid
for the product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages. If such laws apply, the limitations
or exclusions contained in this statement may not apply to you.

StarTech.com has been making “hard-to-find easy” since 1985,
providing high quality solutions to a diverse IT and A/V customer
base that spans many channels, including government, education
and industrial facilities to name just a few. We offer an unmatched
selection of computer parts, cables, A/V products, KVM and Server
Management solutions, serving a worldwide market through our
locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and
Taiwan.

Visit www.startech.com today for complete information about all
our products and to access exclusive interactive tools such as the
Cable Finder, Parts Finder and the KVM Reference Guide.