ULTRA DMA Confusion???

[computer_junkie]

Hello everyone,

I want to enable DMA transfers on my newest mutt of a machine. I've read alot about the proceedure, but I am not sure if I quite understand it.

Here are some specifics on my system:

Windows 98SE operating system
ECS- P6SE-ML motherboard
-SiS 620(Xcel200) & 5595 chipset
-Onboard Audio CMI-8338
-Onboard AGP video w\8MB shared ram
-Onboard LAN (unused and disabled)
-Onboard 56k modem (unused and disabled)
366MHz Intel Celeron Processor
Seagate ST32122A ULTRA ATA 3 Hard drive
256MB Kingston RAM (2x128MB)
Linksys LNE100TX Ethernet card (ICS shared for cable modem)
3COM Etherlink III ethernet card (connected to my home network)

Now if I understand the proceedure, I need to install the SiS 620 IDE drivers, and then install or run a seagate toggle utility?

I have the SiS drivers already, however in the read me file this Q&A statement that has me confused:


Question: Does SIS IDE driver support for Windows 98 & Windows 95 OSR2 ?
Answer : Yes, but SiS recommand to use Windows 98 & Windows 95 OSr2
default PIO/ DMA driver to get more function supported.

Sounds like I'm just supposed to run whatever seagate apllication I need to toggle DMA transfers.

Anybody have any thoughts on what I need to do?

Thank you
computer_junkie

[This message has been edited by computer_junkie (edited 01-10-2002).]

[Gallaeglagh]

I'm not sure you need more software, try this first - go into device manager/disc drives/settings, then check dma and reboot

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When in doubt search on Google

[computer_junkie]

Thanks for your reply Gallaeglagh,

I've tried that, and when windows reboots the DMA box is unchecked.

I tried to install the SiS IDE drivers and the computer did not reboot. Somehow the partition on my harddrive disappeared, no operating system found??

Weird, I'm back up and running now... Still just as confused.
Thanks
computer_junkie

[This message has been edited by computer_junkie (edited 01-10-2002).]

[Gallaeglagh]

You might want to check if your motherboard supports bus mastering

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When in doubt search on Google

[computer_junkie]

Yes the board supports bus mastering. The bios identifies the drive correctly and shows it supports LBA, and Ultra DMA2. The utility I found on the seagate site shows the drive as capable of UDMA2 as well.

Maybe its using UDMA2 now, I don't know. The DMA box remains unchecked in the drive settings window, no matter how many times I try to enable it. Back to google to search for the answer...

Thanks
computer_junkie

[Whyzman]

This was also a problem with the VIA 4in1 drivers...to solve they have a Tweak Driver that you can download. Wondering if SIS has something similar?


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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[computer_junkie]

Hello Everyone,

Just an update. I have not succesfully enabled DMA yet.

Theres no question the board supports DMA33. Both ECS and SiS say that there is no problem with there drivers, or chipset however starting with win98 and newer the default microsoft driver is much better.

The harddrive is supposed to support DMA, and the Seagate utility shows it capable of DMA33, but its old and small. Tomorrow I'm picking up a new one, hopefully there will be some good sales!

I'm curious as to what anyone would suggest as procedure for installing the SiS IDE drivers if I decided to try that again?

Previously I booted into safe mode, uninstalled the existing IDE controllers, and rebooted directing windows where to find the ECS supplied IDE drivers. I have also used the install utility supplied with the SiS supplied drivers. On both ocassions windows locked up on reboot, and had to be reset. Once reset computer unable to find partition or FAT table on harddrive, or No operating system found error. Any ideas why?

Its nice to know that I'm not the only one thats had these problems before. I've read countless posts here and elsewhere where people have just said the heck with it. I'm at that point myself, would I have been able to notice the difference between DMA and normal?

Thanks for your input,
Computer_junkie

[Whyzman]

Hi CJ,

As I mentioned, I had a very similar problem with my VIA. Same situation with the DMA, I would check the box, reboot, and it would be back to no check...it was frustrating. Especially, since it was affecting my DVD playback. I updated the firmware on my DVD...didn't help. I figured something wasn't reading something properly as my 52X CD-ROM was being assigned a UDMA 2 (ATA 33). I'd swap the drives around, trying changing in the BIOS...nothing worked.

I finally found the IDE TOOL.exe. Supposedly, an unsupported Tweaking Driver...yet, a VIA Tech on the VIA Forums directed me to it. It works wonderfully! It tells me what my DVD and 52X CD-ROM are currently set at, and what options are available...PIOs, DMAs, or UDMAs.

I called Toshiba (my DVD) and ASUS (my MB) Tech support lines and neither had an answer to solve the problem.

I would think that your chipset would have something similar. You might need to do as I did and see if you can provoke a response on their Forum site. You are obviously not alone! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Whyzman]

CJ

Wanted to separate this out from my previous post. I just checked on the ECS (http://www.ecsusa.com/supportproducts.cfm) site and under the MB P6SET-ML, (could not find just a P6SE-ML) this is not an SiS chipset, but rather an Intel BX.

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 01-13-2002).]

[computer_junkie]

Hey Whyzman,

The only information available at the ECS site for the P6SE-ML is the manual and jumper setting documents (http://www.ecsusa.com/ecsusa/www.ecs.com.tw/download/main-p6.htm#p6s)

The P6SE-ML was used by PowerSpec-PC on models4300,4310,4311 (http://www.powerspec.com/support/system_boards/p6se_ml.html) They had the original drivers available for download which are exactly the same version SiS has available for their 620/5595 chipset.

Looked at the board... SiS 620(Xcel 2000) and a SiS 5595

Which brings up an interesting point, Win98SE detects the IDE controller as a SiS 5513 Dual IDE. When I try to install the "correct" drivers, it wipes my hard drive. I'm half tempted to download the bus master drivers for the 5513 and try those. Worst case I'd be installing windows again. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

I did pass through an SiS forum somewhere, not related to the SiS website, trying to find it again. Forgot to save my links before one of my ill fated attempts to enable DMA.

Thanks for your support.
CJ




[This message has been edited by computer_junkie (edited 01-13-2002).]

[Whyzman]

CJ,

Most confusing! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif Definitely helps solidify the concept of the IBUILTIT system! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Have you been HERE (http://www.powerspec.com/cgi-bin/htsearch?exclude=htdig;config=powerspec;format=bui ltin-long;words=4300;page=2)?

The (T) at added apparently denotes it as a Multi Slot Board...was interesting that they singled it out as having the Sis chipset you mentioned amongst the Intel BXs. I didn't see any information regarding your actual board. Is that what you actually found on visual inspection of your MB that you have the Sis620/5595?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Whyzman]

Hope this isn't a double post! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

CJ,

Most confusing! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif Definitely helps solidify the concept of the IBUILTIT system! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Have you been HERE (http://www.powerspec.com/cgi-bin/htsearch?exclude=htdig;config=powerspec;format=bui ltin-long;words=4300;page=2)?

The (T) at added apparently denotes it as a Multi Slot Board...was interesting that they singled it out as having the Sis chipset you mentioned amongst the Intel BXs. I didn't see any information regarding your actual board. Is that what you actually found on visual inspection of your MB that you have the Sis620/5595?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[computer_junkie]

Whyzman,

I looked at the board again just to be sure. Definately SiS. The second chip(SiS 5595) had a sticker on it that said UltraDMA66, AGP8MB, PC99 connector. Underneath the sticker was the SiS 5595 part number.

Curious to why the sticker says DMA66 when the board manual rates it at DMA33. However the SiS website says this chipset is capable of DMA transfers up to DMA66, so I must have a revised edition of the board.

I bought this board as a clearance item from CSO and works excellent other than this DMA issue. I'm going to get a new harddrive tonight hopefully, and see if its just the old seagate refusing to cooperate. The Microsoft Knowledge Base article I found dealing with the dma box unchecking itself, says either a driver issue or drive that will not handle the transfer speed. I'll try to find it again.

Thanks CJ

[Whyzman]

CJ]/b],

Here's some other stuff I dug up:http://www.sis.com/support/driver/utility.htm

4. Do we need to install SiS IDE Driver under Windows system?
A: No, Win95 OSR2, Win98, Win98se, WinMe, and Win2000 all can support PIO/DMA/UDMA mode well,there is no need to install SiS driver for system operation.
But it is suggested to use SiS IDE driver for SiS5513, 5571, 5600A and 5600B0.
http://www.sis.com/eHelper/mbforum.php?CAT=Motherboard

Although I solved the problem with the Tweak Driver for myself...it's one of those things where I'd really like to know what it does to enable my ability to select the mode I want? Also, why is it that when we'd check the DMA it would disappear?

It bugs me since I take the stand that if I cannot explain it to someone else so they can understand it...then I don't understand it. And, if tech-support people just say click here, do this, and don't explain what's going on...when we run into similar situations we have no logic base to work from... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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[b]May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[mjc]

SeaTools (http://download.seagate.com/seatools/registration.nsf/d_file_return?openform) has a utility (part of the package) that checks and enables the DMA MODE of Seagate drives...you may also want to give that a shot...

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.