MSI K7TPro2-A + DMA no longer freezes...see if it helps

[Overcrocker]

Hi all,

I've finally managed to get my MSI K7TPro2-A to work with both my IDE devices on DMA mode.

Here's the setup, hope it helps those having similar troubles....

Primary Master : Pioneer 16x DVD-ROM. (Using ATA-33 mode)
Primary Slave : Maxtor Diamond+45 7200rpm (Using ATA-100 mode)
Secondary Master : Empty
Secondary Slave : Empty

Installed the VIA's IDE Busmaster 3.11Beta (Miniport)
Using MSI's 2.2 BIOS.

My concern now is that if I were to buy a new DMA IDE device, where am I gonna put it?? Apparently devices that reside on the secondary channel will freeze the system when DMA is enabled for it. I've brought this up to MSI's support but still no reply from them.

Is my Secondary IDE faulty?? Or is the 686B southbridge faulty?? Should I exchange my mobo or will updated drivers fix this?? Arrgghhh....decisions!decisions!

Rgds,
OC.

 

[Davegod75]

why do you have your cd-rom as the primary

 

[FrEstYle29]

hmm, are you sure this removed the problem in its entirety? I had some success by just installing the ide driver separately

 

[Overcrocker]

my CD-ROM is primary is simply due to physical constraints inside my casing. CDROM is placed above HDD, thus if I make HDD master, the slave port cannot reach the CDROM.

I tried installing the BusMaster on its own....problem still persists. I actually moved my CDROM back to Secondary Master and HDD Primary Master, it hangs my machine when DMA is enabled for the CDROM.

The system is stable now, since I've played VCDs, DVDs, Counter Strike for days without a single lockup. Before i just need to give it a few minutes and all hell breaks loose.

In case u might wonder, I'm still not happy with this setup. Its only temporary until I get a f**cking reply from MSI. I'm only happy if my system can go 100% DMA enabled, my HDD sits at Pri Master and CD ROM at Sec Master (without the lockups of course). Fingers crossed that day will come.....X

Rgds,
OC.

 

[mjquilly]

<< CDROM is placed above HDD, thus if I make HDD master, the slave port cannot reach the CDROM >>



You don't need to have the slave on the outermost port on the IDE ribbon.

 

[Ronstang]

I doubt the secondary IDE channel or the southbridge is bad because I have my Plextor 12/10/32 as secondary master and my TDK 12/10/32 as secondary slave, both running in DMA mode, with no problems at all. The only problems I had with this setup was flashing the TDK's firmware and some issues at first due to improperly installed drivers.

 

[Cosmic_Horror]

opps.. i didn't read your post properly...

i would return the board

 

[Overcrocker]

I doubt the secondary IDE channel or the southbridge is bad because I have my Plextor 12/10/32 as secondary master and my TDK 12/10/32 as secondary slave, both running in DMA mode, with no problems at all

You must be lucky then to get a good board. I suspect my southbridge is from a faulty batch. I'm waiting for MSI/VIA to confirm this.

I would only want to change my board if its absolutely necessary, where I come from one has to convince those traders that the board is really faulty before they're willing to exchange a new one.

Rgds,
OC

 

[billmc]

I have a very similar problem with my MSI K7TPro2-A. With my dvd drive on secondary controller and dma enabled, system locks up every time I attempt to play dvd movie, otherwise system works fine. I have not tried moving drive to primary controller. I have also sent email to MSI but have not received any response. I have seen a few posts on other forums regarding same issue. Sounds like MSI may have a problem here.:disgust: I hope there is an eventual fix to the problem. I am using WinDVD software and movie will play anywhere from 2 minutes to an hour before locking up and/or rebooting (with DMA enabled). I can disable DMA and system does not lock up but video performance and framerate is poor.

 

[Overcrocker]

At least I'm not the only one facing this crazy behaviour.

Anyway, my local MSI distributor replied and told me to use an ATA66 cable for the Secondary IDE....I did exactly that and no difference for me, still hangs.You guys might wanna try it out...and pls post to this thread whether it works or not.

Rgds,
OC