Re: ata_piix and ide drivers in kernel

[michiel <m karsch gmail com>]

Rodd Clarkson <rodd <at> clarkson.id.au> writes:

> 
> I'm having problems getting my Dell Inspiron 9300 to see my DVD-RW as a
> SATA device (/dev/sdb[x]) instead of a IDE device (/dev/hdb[x]).
> 
> This seriously impedes performance of the drive.
> 
> Having done a little searching around the Internet (what a tool!) it
> appears the problem may be that both the ide and ata_piix drivers are
> included in the kernel as modules and that this results in the ata_piix
> driver installing before the ide driver and as such the DVD-RW drive is
> then seen as an IDE device.
> 
> It's suggested that the ide driver be compiled into the kernel so that
> is installs first which results in the ata_piix driver then picking up
> the DVD-RW drive and getting it Right(TM).
> 
> Can someone interpret what I'm saying (;-]) and then comment on how
> these two drivers are included in the kernel and whether or not this
> might affect the outcomes.
> 
> Alternatively, can someone suggest another fix for this.
> 
> R.


kernel parameters:

libata atapi_enabled=1 ide hdc=noprobe

works for me since 2.6.15/6.

DMA can be enabled for the dvd player. As I understand the ICH6 sata controller
is connected to PATA disks in the i9300. See also http://rtr.ca/dell_i9300/

Michiel