MSI Pro DP20ZA, How to install 2 HDD on this device?

[mynoh.par12aa02ad]

the datasheet says it has 2x 2.5inch HDD slots and it does have 2 slot bay
but only single SATA cable connector is available to the mainboard.
so my question is how I can install two HDD on this device?

 

[citay]

Then you can't. The two bays are probably only for choice where you want to install the drive.

They probably expect you to install an M.2 PCIe SSD, like so,

 

[mynoh.par12aa02ad]

Thanks citay
then, MSI needs to update the datasheet on the homepage.
I already maxed out all storage options 2x 512GB M2 NVME + 1x 512 SATA SSD, I was hoping to add one more 2.5 inch HDD for data backup.

 

[citay]

Backups are always better when they are external / offline anyway. I would get an external HDD or SSD, do a backup for example with FreeFileSync, and put it away afterwards.
A backup drive that's permanently running in your PC can be subject to all the same dangers that your other drives are. When you have an external backup, even if some freak accident happens to your PC or the data on there, your backup will be unaffected, lying safe somewhere else.

 

[darkhawk]

Best I can say is that it should have 2 SATA ports somewhere.
It clearly has support for 2 SATA/2.5" drives.....so why would you only put 1 SATA port? That just seems really stupid.
Unfortunately, information is INCREDIBLY lacking for it, and finding pictures or anything to even try and help is pretty much impossible (mainly because it's considered a business PC, and that means less places review it, etc.....).

 

[citay]

Here's a picture of the included cables, comes with two SATA cables, but the left one seems to be an adapter for external use via USB 3.0 port? Or maybe connected to a different header internally, then it could be used for a second drive after all.

But then i don't understand why they have a seperate SATA power cable for the middle cable, but on the left cable it's all via one cable. That could only work via USB,
and i didn't see such a port on the board internally,

 

[darkhawk]

Yeah, it looks like it's some proprietary connector of some kind. No idea where it goes, but it must go somewhere. I can't imagine that MSI is so bad that they'd build in support for 2 x 2.5" drives, and include a cable, but not have a connector for it.....although, it honestly wouldn't surprise me at this point.

 

[PHIL.THOM154b02d6]

Yeah, it looks like it's some proprietary connector of some kind. No idea where it goes, but it must go somewhere. I can't imagine that MSI is so bad that they'd build in support for 2 x 2.5" drives, and include a cable, but not have a connector for it.....although, it honestly wouldn't surprise me at this

Yeah, it looks like it's some proprietary connector of some kind. No idea where it goes, but it must go somewhere. I can't imagine that MSI is so bad that they'd build in support for 2 x 2.5" drives, and include a cable, but not have a connector for it.....although, it honestly wouldn't surprise me at this point.

Here's a picture of the included cables, comes with two SATA cables, but the left one seems to be an adapter for external use via USB 3.0 port? Or maybe connected to a different header internally, then it could be used for a second drive after all.

But then i don't understand why they have a seperate SATA power cable for the middle cable, but on the left cable it's all via one cable. That could only work via USB,
and i didn't see such a port on the board internally,

Underside of board its marked SATA2 the cable fits to it and works

 

[citay]

I guess you wanted to post:

Underside of board its marked SATA2 the cable fits to it and works

Which was buried at the bottom of your nested quotes. Guess you made a slight mistake when trying to quote. Your answer always goes beneath all the quotes.
But actually, it's best not to try and quote half the thread, just write your reply.

 

[laurent.payo159a02e7]

Note that there is a second M2 connector on the other size of the motherboard: