Changing Transfer Modes from PIO to DMA

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and was told
to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my drive
setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.

But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my Primary
Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to the
Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE Properties
under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is PIO
Mode.

So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since nothing in
the Bios looks as if it needs changing.

On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo screen longer
than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about twice as long
as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the Bios, but
seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be changing
things during the bootup process?

I'm really stumped here.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
news:vOqdnYHlGaFtCLLfRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and was
told
> to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my drive
> setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
>
> But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my Primary
> Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to the
> Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE Properties
> under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is PIO
> Mode.
>
> So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since nothing
in
> the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
>
> On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo screen
longer
> than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about twice as
long
> as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the Bios,
but
> seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be changing
> things during the bootup process?
>
> I'm really stumped here.
>

BTW, I tried the toggle trick suggested at the following link, but it didn't
work for me. Nothing changed.

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/IDE-DMA.mspx

>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
news:rqidnTbeFbLSBLLfRVn-qg@comcast.com...
>
> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
> news:vOqdnYHlGaFtCLLfRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> > I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and was
> told
> > to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my drive
> > setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
> >
> > But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my Primary
> > Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to the
> > Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE
Properties
> > under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is PIO
> > Mode.
> >
> > So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since nothing
> in
> > the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
> >
> > On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo screen
> longer
> > than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about twice as
> long
> > as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the Bios,
> but
> > seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be
changing
> > things during the bootup process?
> >
> > I'm really stumped here.
> >
>
> BTW, I tried the toggle trick suggested at the following link, but it
didn't
> work for me. Nothing changed.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/IDE-DMA.mspx
>
> >

And I *think* (though I'm far from positive) that my computer went into PIO
mode after these errors occurred:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/warning2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/error2.jpg

Since 3/3/05 is around the time that I started noticing the slowdown.

Which brings up another question...are these errors and warnings serious,
and is my HD failing?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote:
>And I *think* (though I'm far from positive) that my computer went into PIO
>mode after these errors occurred:
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/warning2.jpg
>
>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/error2.jpg

Yeah, run the manufacturer's diag on the hard drive and get Dell to
replace it under warranty. And/or run the Dell diags on the
motherboard, with special attention to hard drive controller sections.
Select that one part and do it "0" iterations...

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Wed, 09 Mar 2005 19:33:59 -0500, Terry Summers wrote:
>
> I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and was told
> to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my drive
> setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
>
> But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my Primary
> Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to the
> Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE Properties
> under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is PIO
> Mode.
>
> So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since nothing in
> the Bios looks as if it needs changing.

How about changing the cable between the motherboard and the drive? Get
one of the newer 80 conductor cables - they provide better noise rejection
between data conductors, and you can't get the higher DMA settings without
an 80 vs the 40.

While I've not followed your thread, is it safe to assume that you changed
the drive or something on the same cable?

--
spam999free@rrohio.com
remove 999 in order to email me

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Leythos" <void@nowhere.lan> wrote in message
newsan.2005.03.10.00.48.40.650277@nowhere.lan...
> On Wed, 09 Mar 2005 19:33:59 -0500, Terry Summers wrote:
> >
> > I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and was
told
> > to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my drive
> > setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
> >
> > But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my Primary
> > Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to the
> > Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE
Properties
> > under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is PIO
> > Mode.
> >
> > So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since nothing
in
> > the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
>
> How about changing the cable between the motherboard and the drive? Get
> one of the newer 80 conductor cables - they provide better noise rejection
> between data conductors, and you can't get the higher DMA settings without
> an 80 vs the 40.
>
> While I've not followed your thread, is it safe to assume that you changed
> the drive or something on the same cable?
>
> --
> spam999free@rrohio.com
> remove 999 in order to email me
>

I didn't change anything. My Dell 4550 was working great for over 2 years,
then all of a sudden it got really slow on me.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Wed, 09 Mar 2005 19:53:09 -0500, Terry Summers wrote:
>
> I didn't change anything. My Dell 4550 was working great for over 2 years,
> then all of a sudden it got really slow on me.

If you didn't change anything, and CHKDSK shows no problems with the
drive, and you've not wiped and reinstalled the OS, then you've got some
form of malware on the computer.

Did you wipe/reinstall the OS yet?

--
spam999free@rrohio.com
remove 999 in order to email me

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
news:bfydnfEt8v3IAbLfRVn-hQ@comcast.com...
>
> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
> news:rqidnTbeFbLSBLLfRVn-qg@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
>> news:vOqdnYHlGaFtCLLfRVn-rw@comcast.com...
>> > I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and was
>> told
>> > to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my drive
>> > setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
>> >
>> > But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my Primary
>> > Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to the
>> > Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE
> Properties
>> > under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is
>> > PIO
>> > Mode.
>> >
>> > So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since
>> > nothing
>> in
>> > the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
>> >
>> > On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo screen
>> longer
>> > than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about twice as
>> long
>> > as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the Bios,
>> but
>> > seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be
> changing
>> > things during the bootup process?
>> >
>> > I'm really stumped here.
>> >
>>
>> BTW, I tried the toggle trick suggested at the following link, but it
> didn't
>> work for me. Nothing changed.
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/IDE-DMA.mspx
>>
>> >
>
> And I *think* (though I'm far from positive) that my computer went into
> PIO
> mode after these errors occurred:
>
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/warning2.jpg
>
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/error2.jpg
>
> Since 3/3/05 is around the time that I started noticing the slowdown.
>
> Which brings up another question...are these errors and warnings serious,
> and is my HD failing?
>
>


Well, that was very useful!

Your drive is toast (my opinion). Backup and replace the drive. The 4550
will support as large a drive as you want. I have a 250Gb in mine.

Tom

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:l2NXd.110597$pc5.79738@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>
>
> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
> news:bfydnfEt8v3IAbLfRVn-hQ@comcast.com...
> >
> > "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
> > news:rqidnTbeFbLSBLLfRVn-qg@comcast.com...
> >>
> >> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
> >> news:vOqdnYHlGaFtCLLfRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> >> > I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and
was
> >> told
> >> > to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my
drive
> >> > setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
> >> >
> >> > But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my
Primary
> >> > Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to
the
> >> > Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE
> > Properties
> >> > under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is
> >> > PIO
> >> > Mode.
> >> >
> >> > So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since
> >> > nothing
> >> in
> >> > the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
> >> >
> >> > On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo screen
> >> longer
> >> > than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about twice
as
> >> long
> >> > as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the
Bios,
> >> but
> >> > seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be
> > changing
> >> > things during the bootup process?
> >> >
> >> > I'm really stumped here.
> >> >
> >>
> >> BTW, I tried the toggle trick suggested at the following link, but it
> > didn't
> >> work for me. Nothing changed.
> >>
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/IDE-DMA.mspx
> >>
> >> >
> >
> > And I *think* (though I'm far from positive) that my computer went into
> > PIO
> > mode after these errors occurred:
> >
> > http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/warning2.jpg
> >
> > http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/error2.jpg
> >
> > Since 3/3/05 is around the time that I started noticing the slowdown.
> >
> > Which brings up another question...are these errors and warnings
serious,
> > and is my HD failing?
> >
> >
>
>
> Well, that was very useful!
>

Thank you. I want to help you help me as much as possible.

> Your drive is toast (my opinion). Backup and replace the drive. The 4550
> will support as large a drive as you want. I have a 250Gb in mine.
>
> Tom
>

I bought my 4550 in February of 2003, and got a 3 year extended warranty
when I bought it. Do you think Dell will send me a new hard drive, even
though this one is still working (for the moment, at least)?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
news:JJ-dneJjvqCiArLfRVn-iA@comcast.com...
>
> "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> news:l2NXd.110597$pc5.79738@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>>
>>
>> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
>> news:bfydnfEt8v3IAbLfRVn-hQ@comcast.com...
>> >
>> > "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
>> > news:rqidnTbeFbLSBLLfRVn-qg@comcast.com...
>> >>
>> >> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
>> >> news:vOqdnYHlGaFtCLLfRVn-rw@comcast.com...
>> >> > I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and
> was
>> >> told
>> >> > to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my
> drive
>> >> > setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
>> >> >
>> >> > But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my
> Primary
>> >> > Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to
> the
>> >> > Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE
>> > Properties
>> >> > under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is
>> >> > PIO
>> >> > Mode.
>> >> >
>> >> > So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since
>> >> > nothing
>> >> in
>> >> > the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
>> >> >
>> >> > On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo
>> >> > screen
>> >> longer
>> >> > than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about twice
> as
>> >> long
>> >> > as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the
> Bios,
>> >> but
>> >> > seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be
>> > changing
>> >> > things during the bootup process?
>> >> >
>> >> > I'm really stumped here.
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >> BTW, I tried the toggle trick suggested at the following link, but it
>> > didn't
>> >> work for me. Nothing changed.
>> >>
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/IDE-DMA.mspx
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >
>> > And I *think* (though I'm far from positive) that my computer went into
>> > PIO
>> > mode after these errors occurred:
>> >
>> > http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/warning2.jpg
>> >
>> > http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/error2.jpg
>> >
>> > Since 3/3/05 is around the time that I started noticing the slowdown.
>> >
>> > Which brings up another question...are these errors and warnings
> serious,
>> > and is my HD failing?
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> Well, that was very useful!
>>
>
> Thank you. I want to help you help me as much as possible.
>
>> Your drive is toast (my opinion). Backup and replace the drive. The 4550
>> will support as large a drive as you want. I have a 250Gb in mine.
>>
>> Tom
>>
>
> I bought my 4550 in February of 2003, and got a 3 year extended warranty
> when I bought it. Do you think Dell will send me a new hard drive, even
> though this one is still working (for the moment, at least)?
>
>

Maybe. The error messages will help.

Assuming the diagnostic partition is still on the hard drive:

1) Reboot.
2) At the Dell logo, press Ctrl+Alt+D.
3) follow the prompts to test the hard drive.
4) If it fails, they will replace it.

Tom

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:7UNXd.110788$pc5.13731@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
>
> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
> news:JJ-dneJjvqCiArLfRVn-iA@comcast.com...
> >
> > "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> > news:l2NXd.110597$pc5.79738@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
> >>
> >>
> >> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
> >> news:bfydnfEt8v3IAbLfRVn-hQ@comcast.com...
> >> >
> >> > "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
> >> > news:rqidnTbeFbLSBLLfRVn-qg@comcast.com...
> >> >>
> >> >> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
> >> >> news:vOqdnYHlGaFtCLLfRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> >> >> > I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem,
and
> > was
> >> >> told
> >> >> > to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my
> > drive
> >> >> > setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my
> > Primary
> >> >> > Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according
to
> > the
> >> >> > Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE
> >> > Properties
> >> >> > under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode
is
> >> >> > PIO
> >> >> > Mode.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since
> >> >> > nothing
> >> >> in
> >> >> > the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo
> >> >> > screen
> >> >> longer
> >> >> > than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about
twice
> > as
> >> >> long
> >> >> > as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the
> > Bios,
> >> >> but
> >> >> > seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be
> >> > changing
> >> >> > things during the bootup process?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I'm really stumped here.
> >> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >> BTW, I tried the toggle trick suggested at the following link, but
it
> >> > didn't
> >> >> work for me. Nothing changed.
> >> >>
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/IDE-DMA.mspx
> >> >>
> >> >> >
> >> >
> >> > And I *think* (though I'm far from positive) that my computer went
into
> >> > PIO
> >> > mode after these errors occurred:
> >> >
> >> > http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/warning2.jpg
> >> >
> >> > http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/PaladinPics/error2.jpg
> >> >
> >> > Since 3/3/05 is around the time that I started noticing the slowdown.
> >> >
> >> > Which brings up another question...are these errors and warnings
> > serious,
> >> > and is my HD failing?
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >> Well, that was very useful!
> >>
> >
> > Thank you. I want to help you help me as much as possible.
> >
> >> Your drive is toast (my opinion). Backup and replace the drive. The
4550
> >> will support as large a drive as you want. I have a 250Gb in mine.
> >>
> >> Tom
> >>
> >
> > I bought my 4550 in February of 2003, and got a 3 year extended warranty
> > when I bought it. Do you think Dell will send me a new hard drive, even
> > though this one is still working (for the moment, at least)?
> >
> >
>
> Maybe. The error messages will help.
>
> Assuming the diagnostic partition is still on the hard drive:
>
> 1) Reboot.
> 2) At the Dell logo, press Ctrl+Alt+D.
> 3) follow the prompts to test the hard drive.
> 4) If it fails, they will replace it.
>
> Tom
>

I just tried that, and it actually passed that test.

I'll call Dell tomorrow though and see what they can do for me.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote:
>> 1) Reboot.
>> 2) At the Dell logo, press Ctrl+Alt+D.
>> 3) follow the prompts to test the hard drive.

>I just tried that, and it actually passed that test.

Don't run the Dell test, run the disk drive manufacturer's diagnostic.
Who makes the drive again?

Also, in the Dell diags, run the controller diags in a loop for an
hour or so and see if anything fails.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

<William P.N. Smith> wrote in message
news:7rvv21l1lh8erhiso57ppf5u8603c1lejn@4ax.com...
> "Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote:
>>> 1) Reboot.
>>> 2) At the Dell logo, press Ctrl+Alt+D.
>>> 3) follow the prompts to test the hard drive.
>
>>I just tried that, and it actually passed that test.
>
> Don't run the Dell test, run the disk drive manufacturer's diagnostic.
> Who makes the drive again?
>
> Also, in the Dell diags, run the controller diags in a loop for an
> hour or so and see if anything fails.
>


I agree. The OP needs to run the diags from either his utility partition
(F12 at the dell splash) or his resource cd.

I'd also suggest he focus on HDD and mb IDE controller diags....


Stew

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Terry Summers wrote:

>I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and was told
>to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my drive
>setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
>
>But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my Primary
>Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to the
>Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE Properties
>under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is PIO
>Mode.
>
>So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since nothing in
>the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
>
>On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo screen longer
>than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about twice as long
>as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the Bios, but
>seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be changing
>things during the bootup process?
>
>I'm really stumped here.
>
>
>
>
If the drive has degraded to PIO mode, there is probably some other
problem to deal with. Running diagnostics, etc. to discover that would
be good. Make sure your fan(s) are operating so that heat is not a factor.

The only way I know to reset the mode is to remove the primary IDE
channel in the device manager, then reboot to let it be reinstalled.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Jerry Park" <NoReply@No.Spam> wrote in message
news:G%_Xd.20401$5T6.13864@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> Terry Summers wrote:
>
> >I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and was
told
> >to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my drive
> >setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
> >
> >But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my Primary
> >Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to the
> >Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE
Properties
> >under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is PIO
> >Mode.
> >
> >So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since nothing
in
> >the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
> >
> >On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo screen
longer
> >than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about twice as
long
> >as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the Bios,
but
> >seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be changing
> >things during the bootup process?
> >
> >I'm really stumped here.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> If the drive has degraded to PIO mode, there is probably some other
> problem to deal with. Running diagnostics, etc. to discover that would
> be good. Make sure your fan(s) are operating so that heat is not a factor.
>
> The only way I know to reset the mode is to remove the primary IDE
> channel in the device manager, then reboot to let it be reinstalled.

Yes, that's what I ended up doing, and I'm now in Ultra DMA 5. So at least
I have the speed problem fixed. Thanks to everyone who was so helpful!!

Now I have to see if Dell will send me a new drive even though my current
one is working at the moment.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

If you believe that you have a bad HDD, make sure that you are backing up
important data. Also that you have your reinstallation CD, resource CD, and
any Dell provided driver/software CD's available. Also if you can't find
your driver/resource CD, that you download from Dell, the driver downloads
from their site. And burn them to blank CD's.

I would backup the following folder, since it will have the Dell driver and
some Dell software files that you currently have installed on your PC.

C:\DELL\drivers

--

Rich/rerat

(RRR News) <message rule>
<<Previous Text Snipped to Save Bandwidth When Appropriate>>



"Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
news:4vGdnZESidpUjqzfRVn-1A@comcast.com...

Yes, that's what I ended up doing, and I'm now in Ultra DMA 5. So at least
I have the speed problem fixed. Thanks to everyone who was so helpful!!

Now I have to see if Dell will send me a new drive even though my current
one is working at the moment.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

In article <G%_Xd.20401$5T6.13864@bignews4.bellsouth.net>,
NoReply@No.Spam says...
> Terry Summers wrote:
>
> >I posted a few days ago regarding my Dell 4550's speed problem, and was told
> >to change my Current Transfer Mode from PIO to DMA by changing my drive
> >setting from OFF to AUTO in the Bios.
> >
> >But when I go into my Bios to change this, I'm finding that my Primary
> >Device 0 is already set to AUTO. It's not set to OFF according to the
> >Bios. But once my computer boots up and I check my Primary IDE Properties
> >under Device Manager, it still says that my Current Transfer Mode is PIO
> >Mode.
> >
> >So changing this setting in the Bios doesn't seem to work, since nothing in
> >the Bios looks as if it needs changing.
> >
> >On bootup, my computer has been staying at the Windows XP logo screen longer
> >than normal, and the entire bootup process seems to take about twice as long
> >as it normally should. Since the drive setting looks fine in the Bios, but
> >seems changed once I get to my desktop, could Windows somehow be changing
> >things during the bootup process?
> >
> >I'm really stumped here.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> If the drive has degraded to PIO mode, there is probably some other
> problem to deal with. Running diagnostics, etc. to discover that would
> be good. Make sure your fan(s) are operating so that heat is not a factor.
>
> The only way I know to reset the mode is to remove the primary IDE
> channel in the device manager, then reboot to let it be reinstalled.

If your CD/DVD drive is located on the secondary IDE channel you can
"FORCE" DMA mode by downloading the PUSHDMA2.EXE utility from the Dell
support site (search for it).

If you have a newer system with SATA there is no secondary IDE channel,
so the PUSHDMA2.EXE utility won't work for you.

 

[duftopia]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

If you believe that you have a bad HDD, make sure that you are backing up
important data. Also that you have your reinstallation CD, resource CD, and
any Dell provided driver/software CD's available. Also if you can't find
your driver/resource CD, that you download from Dell, the driver downloads
from their site. And burn them to blank CD's.

I would backup the following folder, since it will have the Dell driver and
some Dell software files that you currently have installed on your PC.

C:\DELL\drivers

--

Rich/rerat

(RRR News) <message rule>
<<Previous Text Snipped to Save Bandwidth When Appropriate>>



"Terry Summers" <tsum@tsummer.net> wrote in message
news:4vGdnZESidpUjqzfRVn-1A@comcast.com...

Yes, that's what I ended up doing, and I'm now in Ultra DMA 5. So at least
I have the speed problem fixed. Thanks to everyone who was so helpful!!

Now I have to see if Dell will send me a new drive even though my current
one is working at the moment.

Dell is good at swapping peripherals when they are suspect, give them all the info and tell them the trouble you went through (diags and all) and that should not be an issue.

One thing you can try is yank the CD/DVD which sometimes shares the DMA channels of the HArd disk, I've heard that windows may flag all devices sharing the same DMA channel and send all the devices to PIO (That can be sent).

And Best of Luck
Duf