DMA mode on 200A5 DVD/CD drive

[csimmerling]

I can't seem to enable DMA mode on the DVD drive on my 200A5. I've gone into the hardware manager for the IDE channel, and even though "enable DMA" is checked, it still says it is in PIO mode. I also went into the BIOS and the secondary master (the DVD drive) is set to AUTO. However, the "ultra DMA mode" is grayed out and says "disabled". I can't change it. The drive also seems to be recognized as a "MAT****A CD-RW". is that right?

Of course I called tech support on this and the tech was CLUELESS. he clearly didn't know what DMA mode was. I eventually got into an argument with him and asked him outright if he knew and he said no. I asked to speak to a supervisor and he told me that DMA is not supported and as far as he was concerned that was the end of the discussion. Anyway, I'd appreciate any help.

[Canuck]

Try uninstalling the Ultra ATA Controller (under IDE/ATA Adapter ) and then reboot the computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the drivers. Sometimes XP doesn't enable DMA if it thinks it sees an error, but uninstalling / letting Windows reinstall the drivers often fixes the problem.

If that doesn't work, uninstall the CD/DVD drive as well as the Ultra ATA controller and reboot. Hopefully that'll solve the problem.

[sonoronos]

Well, it definitely is possible. It came on my 185A5 as operating in Ultra DMA mode already. Here's a screen shot for you:


http://www.nd.edu/~ekang/dt/dma.jpg

[Canuck]

sonoronos,

That's actually a shot of your hard drive's DMA settings. You need to look at the secondary channel if you want to verify that DMA is enabled on the CD/DVD.

[csimmerling]

uninstalling the driver for IDE channel 2
and rebooting worked!
thanks!

you should be pround that you know
more than the VPR tech support people.
come to think of it, so does my dog...
(this said after calling in on two occasions
and sending the machine in twice, so I
have a good basis for my opinion)

[Ioman]

Originally posted by csimmerling
uninstalling the driver for IDE channel 2
and rebooting worked!
thanks!

you should be pround that you know
more than the VPR tech support people.
come to think of it, so does my dog...
(this said after calling in on two occasions
and sending the machine in twice, so I
have a good basis for my opinion)

At least the VPR service center is fixing laptop problems quickly. I called VPR tech support one time about a hardware issue and they told me they could only do Windows XP Home Edition support over the phone. Weird if you ask me.

[csimmerling]

true, but the last time mine was in (no backlight on LCD) they
had it a week because the part was on order. then they told me that they ordered the wrong part, and needed to order another one. another week. then they said they needed to order a replacement for the "broken plastic part". I bet he was not supposed to tell me that, because there was no broken plastic before I sent it in. probably something they did during repair. so, three weeks and 3 rounds of parts orders. they sent it back last week, and guess what? they assembled it wrong and the wireless switch was stuck in the on position and of course didn't work. Worked fine when I sent it in. I called and they said they could not even give me priority in the repair queue. I took the back cover off and moved the switch over, then reassembled, works fine. duh.
so, they are working, but they appear to be totally inept.

Originally posted by Ioman


At least the VPR service center is fixing laptop problems quickly. I called VPR tech support one time about a hardware issue and they told me they could only do Windows XP Home Edition support over the phone. Weird if you ask me.

[Canuck]

Usually the first techs that you talk to know very little about computers. They're given a list of problems and solutions that they read off of and that's about it. Often you need to see if they have a more senior tech person that you can talk with.

The most common solution that will come from them is "perform a clean install of the factory software". Glad it's working though. And thanks for the compliment, I think....;)