Installing an e-SATA controller

[Dual_Chikara]

So, I recently got an Iogear GICe711S3 e-SATA controller, and a new external hard drive. The hard drive came pre-formatted, and works great via USB, but the controller is a problem. I plugged it into my PCI-express slot, and let windows auto install on startup The sata card drivers were installed properly as evidenced by the device manager, but the drive didn't show. My own attempts at a driver installation from the included disc and the manufacturer website were also unsuccessful, and as usual, tech support was not helpful (Derp, teh hard drive is the on? your cable must be brokin). I'm not looking for a RAID setup, just fast access to my HDD. Has anyone else run into this problem?

Also, sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong board.

[Nxion]

Have you tried leaving the hard drive plunged in and rebooted. I don't believe eSATA is hot swappable. I believe it works just like any old SATA port. Except external.

[Dual_Chikara]

Have you tried leaving the hard drive plunged in and rebooted. I don't believe eSATA is hot swappable. I believe it works just like any old SATA port. Except external.

Although the manufacturer lists hot swap as one of the card's features, I have tried turning it on before boot, and it still won't show up. Do I have to maybe tweak something in my bios?

[Nxion]

Is this Vista or XP?

What did you say it was preformatted in? What file system?

[Dual_Chikara]

Is this Vista or XP?

What did you say it was preformatted in? What file system?

It's XP, formatted in NTFS. And if it helps, my PC is also a Dell.