The Easystore H340 will boot from eSata disk without issue.
1) You need access to bios with Video, so first the JP3 connector on the motherboard needs a jumper. Then you have to build or buy a video cable. You can build the cable for $10 http://happybison.com/reviews/installin ... re-h340-6/
2) Connect a 2.5" hard drive to the eSata port with a sata to eSata cable. (Connect power somehow see step 6)
3) Press F2, enter boot menu and look for your hard drive under "Excluded boot devices", select your eSata drive and use "X" command to add to regular boot menu, then + to move to top of boot menu.
4) Set bios to boot from your OS installation USB. Tested working with the following OS installs from USB; Windows 7, WHS 2011, Windows 8 Server and Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
5) Trim appears to be turned on for SSD drives on the eSata port with WHS 2011. JP3 needs to remain with a jumper installed or else the eSata port is not seen by the bios.
6) The SuperMicro Single 2.5" HDD Bracket part number "MCP-220-00051-0N" can be mounted to the back of the H340 and 5V power can by tapped into where the power supply attaches to the backplane. This allows all four internal drive trays to be used as data disks. I currently have 4 2TB data drives and a SSD boot disk.
1) You need access to bios with Video, so first the JP3 connector on the motherboard needs a jumper. Then you have to build or buy a video cable. You can build the cable for $10 http://happybison.com/reviews/installin ... re-h340-6/
2) Connect a 2.5" hard drive to the eSata port with a sata to eSata cable. (Connect power somehow see step 6)
3) Press F2, enter boot menu and look for your hard drive under "Excluded boot devices", select your eSata drive and use "X" command to add to regular boot menu, then + to move to top of boot menu.
4) Set bios to boot from your OS installation USB. Tested working with the following OS installs from USB; Windows 7, WHS 2011, Windows 8 Server and Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
5) Trim appears to be turned on for SSD drives on the eSata port with WHS 2011. JP3 needs to remain with a jumper installed or else the eSata port is not seen by the bios.
6) The SuperMicro Single 2.5" HDD Bracket part number "MCP-220-00051-0N" can be mounted to the back of the H340 and 5V power can by tapped into where the power supply attaches to the backplane. This allows all four internal drive trays to be used as data disks. I currently have 4 2TB data drives and a SSD boot disk.
