DVD / DMA Problems, please help

[runboy]

Following Setup:
Win 2000
Epox 8KTA3+ Motherboard
BDV 108A DVDROM
WinDVD + PowerDVD Both have same problem:

My problem is that my DVD Software (WinDVD & PowerDVD) doesn't work due to DMA related issues.
To get full benefit out of my harddrive (ATA100) I have to install VIA Bus Master Ultra ATA Controller (Software that came with my board), and after installing this I get the following in the Device manager:
IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers:
- VIA BM Ultra DMA Channel
- VIA BM Ultra DMA Channel
- VIA Bus Master Ultra ATA Controller

None of the two DVD programs works and claims that the DVD drive is not using DMA. When checking under properties in "VIA BM Ultra DMA Channel" there are no PIO versus DMA options, so I assume that they are using DMA.
If I uninstall the controller I get the normal stuff under IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers, and I get the choise between PIO and DMA, and both the DVD programs work again.

The big problem is that my harddrive performance sucks when the controller is not installed.
Is there a way to fix this problem ?

 

[Pederv]

When you install the drivers do you select the "enable dma" button? Have you tried looking at the drives instead of the controllers, in device manager? I don't have any via/win2k machines at hand, sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Mountainbz]

I think the VIA Bus Master Ultra ATA drivers comes with a tool named 'idetool'. You can set DMA or PIO mode in that tool.
I think(but not sure) the latest VIA 4in1 driver can replace that BM ultra driver. In my own experience, the 4in1 driver is more stable.

 

[Chad]

No no no no no. I have just figured out this problem myself, and I can say with %100 accuracy exactly what it is. Go into your BIOS and look for where you can enable/disable Ultra DMA on you master/slave primary and master/slave secondary, and whatever channel your DVD resides on, DISABLE it. Note: This does NOT turn off DMA, it only turns off Ultra DMA, which is what is giving you your problem. Now, when you go back into device manager you will now see your DVD detected as "DMA" and your DVD's will play perfectly.

One last thing... Windows 2000 with Service Pack 2 has better controller drivers than VIA's. It is much better to NOT install those drivers from VIA or AMD and just use the SP2's from W2k. If you install service pack 2, it will use ata-100 on your hard drive, so don't worry.

Either way though, what I described will fix your problem with the DVD's.

 

[runboy]

Thanks,

I uninstalled the drivers from VIA and just used the ones from SP2 and now everything works.

 

[runboy]

The reason my harddrive initially sucked when I uninstalled the VIA drivers, was because I hadn't yet installed SP2 (Just did a complete reinstall and hadn't gotten to that part yet)