External Esata Hard drive

[woop19]

I got a new external HDD today and it has both esata and usb connections.
The usb connection works fine and have got th HD setup fine.
When connecting through the esata port however I get intermitant messages from intel(r) manager saying storage device connected. Despite this the device doesn't show up in disk management nor in intel(r) manager on opening.
Any ideas, I'm using vista 64 bit on a HP pavillion 5000. I do wonder if the esata cables faulty as it's a 2 metre one.
Thanks

[Computer_Commando]

...Any ideas, I'm using vista 64 bit on a HP pavillion 5000. I do wonder if the esata cables faulty as it's a 2 metre one...

Desktop or laptop?
When using eSATA, how is the external drive getting power?
What kind of esata cable?  They need to be shielded.

SATA (left) and eSATA (right) connectors

[patio]

I would try another cable...
2 metres is almost at the limit also...

[woop19]

laptop, and yes it's getting power and is shielded.

[Computer_Commando]

laptop, and yes it's getting power and is shielded.

I repeat, how is the external drive getting power?
OR
Where is it getting it's power from?  It's not from the eSATA cable.

[woop19]

Sorry didn't realise what you meant there, it has it's own power supply which is all plugged in and functioning normally, i can hear the hard drive spinning and it operates nomally under usb. It's actually a normal hard drive in an enclosure as opposed to a external hard disk drive.
Hope that cleared that up.

[Computer_Commando]

Yes, that helps.  2.5" or 3.5" drive in a 3rd party enclosure.  Who makes the enclosure?  Some of those fail to use a shielded port.

[woop19]

It's a 3.5" seagate 500gb, in an enclosure made by sumvision called apex plus.
Edit: Ive got it, it was the esata cable it works when in a very precise position and flickers on and off when it's not.
Thanks anyway, you've been amazing.

[Computer_Commando]

I have an internal SATA that does the same thing.  Insert a piece of paper or thin plastic between the plug & connector to tighten it up.  Put it on the inside of the connector opposite the connection tabs.  Play around with it, you'll figure out the best place.