Skip to main content
Start a Conversation

Unsolved

This post is more than 5 years old

dak1640

13 Posts

12701

February 16th, 2004 10:00

Western Digital 80Gb models WD800BB & WD800JB running ATA Mode 2 & 5 respectively

I have a Dimension 8300 with 2 Western Digital HDD, both 80GB, One is a Caviar.  According to Sandra SI and PC Pitstop, one of my drives is running dangerously slow (WD800BB).  When I look to the 'Device Manager", one reports Ultra ATA Mode 5, and the primary ATAPI reports ATA mode 2?  What do I need to do to speed it up?  If money was no object, what do I have to purchase to get a VERY VERY fast Harddrive running in my system?

You all are the best!!! Thanks for everyones response.  I went and purchased a 3.0Ghz CPU with Fan...A western digital Raptor 37G, a Maxtor SATA 150/PCI card, and I am in a new world.  Check my update message...

Message Edited by dak1640 on 02-17-2004 05:28 PM

JDre

1.3K Posts

February 16th, 2004 15:00

Try this: www.simplisoftware.com download the HDtach 2.7, gives you a read test.  Possibly the BIOS setting needs changing for the slow drive, check manual.  Mode 2 is down at 33.  Mode 5 is correct.  You never will run at the claimed interface speed.  A WD Raptor 10000 RPM SATA drive would speed it up, but I think you are under warranty...You need SATA interface for that.

Ron43964

1 Rookie

 • 

67 Posts

February 17th, 2004 14:00

Do you have a CD-ROM on the same controller as the slower HDD?  Since all devices on a given controller run as the slowest speed of either device, perhaps this could cause the drive to run slower.

JDre

1.3K Posts

February 17th, 2004 14:00

You could check that, disconnect your CD or dvd if it shares a cable with the slow hardrive.  Make sure you have the 80 wire cable, as well.  The 40 wire is slow, for Cd drives not the hard drives.  The wires are thinner in the ribbon cable for the 80 wire.

gwf

3 Posts

February 17th, 2004 20:00

Both of these drives will run in mode 5.  The difference is that the BB uses 28 LBA and the JB uses 48 LBA.  If your controller supports ATA/133 Ultra, and your cable is an 80 connector cable you can reset the BIOS.  If not confident in what you are doing don't do anything!

1. Shutdown in "restart" mode, while holding down the delete key.

2. In the Bios go to "advanced"

3. Go to IDE devices.

4. If it says it is in "AUTO" detect mode, tab to this field and hit enter and choose "User"

5. On the drive that is in Mode 2, change it to Mode 5.  Also make sure LBA is Enabled.

6. Esc back to Main and arrow to Exit, exit and save changes.

Let system boot and see what happens.  If the worst happens "nothing," you can always push the restart button, hold down the "delete" key, go back into BIOS and put things back the way they were.  You will notice a message that says the operating system drivers determines device performance anyway.

Good Luck!

 

Was this post helpful?

View All

No Events found!

Top