SATA doesn't use up an IDE channel, does it?

[Jeriko]

I ordered two rounded IDE cables for my older 60 IBM IDE HD and my CDROM - essentially so they'd each have their own channel. I plan on using them on an MSI 875 board in conjunction with a SATA Raptor. But someone on a Newegg review said of the Abit board that SATA would use an IDE channel. They didn't give details, so could someone explain this?

Am I not going to be able to use both cables? Does SATA render one of the IDE ports inactive? Do I need to change the order to a single cable with two plugs isntead?

-J

 

[jaeger66]

n/m

 

[Jeriko]

Well damn. Gonna have to call and change that cable order.

-J

 

[Viper96720]

Here's what the manual says.

Legacy Mode:
--- In this mode, system BIOS just assign the traditional 14 and 15 IRQs to
use for HDD.
--- Older OSs that do not support switch to Native Mode (DOS, Win2K,
Win98/ME...) should set SATA and PATA to Legacy Mode.
--- Maximum 4 ATA devices to connect.
--- Combine mode and Non-Combine mode.

! Non-Combined Mode: P-ATA devices only .
Maximum of 4 devices.

! Non-Combined Mode: S-ATA devices only.
Maximum of 2 devices.

! Combined Mode: S-ATA devices
P-ATA devices
Maximum of 2 devices each, thus total 4 devices
at maximum.

Native Mode:
--- In this mode, system BIOS will search all available IRQs to use for HDD.
--- New OS that support switch to Native Mode (WinXP, Windows .NET
Server) can set SATA and PATA to Native Mode.
--- Comprehend both Legacy and/or Native Modes.

--- Maximum 6 ATA deivces to connect (4 for P-ATA & 2 for S-ATA).

 

[jaeger66]

Actually now that I look at the chart it seems you can use all 6 channels with a certain config. But the MSI manual seems to say you need XP to use all 6...the Abit and Intel don't.

 

[cockeyed]

I recently built a system for someone using the Abit BH7. If SATA is used, only 1 of the IDE ports remains to be used for 2 IDE devices.

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: cockeyed
I recently built a system for someone using the Abit BH7. If SATA is used, only 1 of the IDE ports remains to be used for 2 IDE devices.

The BH7 is different, it uses the ICH4 with a PATA-SATA bridge tacked on. A fairly odd setup IMO, but I assume it's the cheapest way to get SATA on that board. But the 875 boards use the ICH5 with native SATA.

 

[Jeriko]

Originally posted by: jaeger66
Actually now that I look at the chart it seems you can use all 6 channels with a certain config. But the MSI manual seems to say you need XP to use all 6...the Abit and Intel don't.

All right. I'll be using XP. So both ports will be operable, correct?

One thing - is there a particular advantage to separating your CDROM from your IDE HD into seperate channels? I know it used to be an issue with SCSI devices of different speeds.

-J

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: Jeriko


All right. I'll be using XP. So both ports will be operable, correct?

One thing - is there a particular advantage to separating your CDROM from your IDE HD into seperate channels? I know it used to be an issue with SCSI devices of different speeds.

-J

Yes, you can use all 6 channels according to the Abit and Intel manuals. If you're going to be burning discs then you probably want seperate channels. Older controllers used to drop the speed of both drives on one channel down to the speed of the slowest drive(usually ATA33 or DMA2 with optical drives), but not anymore.