IDE controller, 'enhanced' mode

Question

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000, BIOS version A04. I'm having trouble with a Linux system (Debian, FWIW). Using a generic IDE driver I can boot the Linux system, but I lose the ability to activate DMA. Using the ICH SATA driver, I run into a problem where the SATA kernel driver gets confused and clashes with the PATA generic driver instead of overtaking it. I've found some pointers in this discussion: http://kerneltrap.org/node/3971 Specifically: 'The exact same thing happened to me when i touched one of the bios parameters. On ide configuration, you have to use enhanced mode and use S-ATA. I have to say i have an ASUS p4p800 se with Intel 865PE and Intel ICH5R chipsets.' 'This fixed my problem with the ata_pixx / SATA hard drive + IDE DVD without DMA problem. The default BIOS setting for the integrated ICH5R SATA controller is Auto and it needed to be changed to Enhanced.' Question: does the Inspiron 6000 feature this 'enhanced' mode? If not, how can I enable it, if possible? I've found nothing of the sort in the BIOS setup screen.

wirespot · Answer

Yeah, I noticed that.

Can anyone tell me whether the IDE controller on the Inspiron 6000 runs in that fabled "enhanced" mode or not? An aquintance has a 5150 and he didn't have this issue I'm having.

I've got another friend who would like to install Linux at some point on a Inspiron 6000 he's considering buying, but I don't think he'll be happy without DMA. It would be a shame, otherwise the laptop is very nice.

bacillus · Answer

the dell bios doesn't give you such an option.

johnallg · Answer

Windows drivers can put it in enhanced mode, so it is possible.  Try asking this question on the Software - Linux (non-Dell installed) forum.  You'll reach the Linux crowd there.

wirespot · Answer

Thanks, I wasn't aware of the Linux forum.

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