Forcing DMA on in Windows 2000

[Rescind]

I have a Sony VAIO PCG-F560 which runs Windows 2000. I am unable to get it to use DMA mode on the hard drive, though. I know it's DMA-capable. It has the same IDE controller as my desktop and another computer (the Intel PIIX4), and its CD-ROM drive runs in DMA mode, but the hard drive's always stuck in PIO mode. I know that the drive is DMA-capable (from IBM's specifications page here), but a solution continues to elude me. Is there any way I can force it into DMA mode? If the solution has a possibility of rendering Windows unusable without a reinstall, that's not a problem...there's nothing critical stored on it. Can anybody help me out here?

 

[jaywallen]

Hi,

I hope I'm wrong, but I believe that I read a thread about this VAIO model NOT being ready (BIOS-wise) for W2K. I suspect that is your problem. The unhappy user whose messages I was reading finally found the information on the Sony support site. I believe Sony is planning to issue a BIOS rev to correct the issue, but that it is not yet available. I am very sorry that I can't remember WHERE IN THE WORLD I saw that thread, but, perhaps, the Sony site will be useful?

Good luck!

Regards,
Jim

 

[Raincity]

I have the same problem also in win2k and Ibm gxp 75 hardrives. I ended up putting Win2k on a Western digital hardrive and connceting my Ibm's to a promise Ultra66 card. I wasnt sure if it was a Win2k issue or a 815e chipset or Intel inf issue in win2k or if the Ibm's where really the problem. The drives run fine in dma in Win98 but just cant get them out of pio mode in win2 when connnected to the primary Intel ata100 ide controller.

Rain