[KLUG Members] Re: partition check? -- You've got ATA DMA timeout issues ...

[Adam Williams]

>>What is PIO?  and what is the disadvantage to doing this?
>Programmed I/O.  It means the CPU controls the disk-to-memory I/O
>instead of the disk directly transfering to memory (DMA -- direct memory
>access).  It eats up CPU, but notebook HDs aren't know for their killer
>transfer rates.  As long as you're not using it as a server, it won't
>hurt you too bad.  In fact, it'll get rid of those "stalls" when the DMA
>times out -- so it might actually improve performance.
>On Fri, 2002-05-10 at 22:05, Bill Katsma wrote:
>>Unfortunitally this is compaq laptop computer and ever since I
>>loaded Linux I can no longer get into the BIOS configuration.
>Hence why you should _never_ touch unknown partitions on a laptop's disk
>drive.  ;-P

Actually,  last time I installed RH on a Compaq it recognized it as a
"Compaq BIOS".  Impressive, and steered me clear of nuking the stupid
thing.

>>From what I have read Compaq is known for buting there BIOS
>>on the HD. (If that makes any sence)

Yes,  even on desktops.  Seen lots of these,  but it isn't true of EVERY
model,  mostly just the low-grade-consumer models.