Can't read GPT partitioned disks if partitioned elsewhere

USB Drive Docks and Card Readers USBC-SATA-V
1

Dear Support

If I initialize any disk as MBR, all three of my docking stations: 1. USBC-SATA-V USB 3.1 Drive Dock, 2. BlacX, and 3. EZ-Dock, read the disk fine.
If I initialize any 3TB+ disk as GPT in the USBC-SATA-V, the USBC-SATA-V reads it fine, but my BlacX and EZ-Dock docking stations report the disk is “Not initialized.” (in diskmgmt).
If I initialize any 3TB+ disk as GPT in either the BlacX and EZ-Dock docking stations, the BlacX and EZ-Dock docking stations read the disk fine, but the USBC-SATA-V says the disk is “Not Initialized”

Can this be easily fixed? If not, I think it best I return the unit, as I can’t use it as it is.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

2

Hi Ross,

Thanks for contacting Plugable!

At first glance, it sounds like your two other docks may be using their own custom sector emulation for GPT formatted drives. It can cause compatibility issues like you are seeing which is why Plugable does not support any custom sector emulation by design.

You can confirm this by taking the Plugable GPT initialized disk and installing it internally to the same OS via an internal SATA header. It should be recognized immediately. But a disk that is GPT initialized in those other two docks probably will not be recognized by Windows if installed internally.

I completely understand if this is a dealbreaker for you, so please contact support@plugable.com and we can help start a return for refund.

Thanks!
Jordan
Plugable Technologies

3

Jordan,

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, I don’t have a desktop PC. I will test with a few other USB to SATA cables and see if I can find out what’s going on. i will report my findings here.