To DMA or not to DMA?

[SilentBoB]

I turned on DMA for my DVD drive and my hard drive, but should I turn it on for my CD-RW drive? Also, what is "sync data transfer" and should I turn that on for any drives?

 

[Abel007]

Can't hurt to have it on if the drive supports it.(DMA that is) Unsure about the sync-data transfer...

 

[Duvie]

usually by default all my drives with sync data transfer have been checked...not sure of its true intent though...once I unchecked them because a benchmark program suggested it and I noticed it didn't autorun the cds when I inserted them into the drives...Related???

DMA definitely...with todays faster drives running without them unless for stability reasons is a waste and potentially troublesome...

 

[Haribo]

Direct Memory Access!
Yes please

 

[SilentBoB]

I read that you might want to leave DMA off for burners to prevent coasters. Maybe folks with burnproof drives don't have to worry, but I have a Ricoh RW7060A, should I leave it off? And I am still wondering about sync data transfer, anyone know what it even does?

 

[Taz4158]

This setting enables a synchronization of data transfers between your optical drive and your system, which is by default asynchronous. The synchronization will speed up data transfers significantly.

 

[SilentBoB]

<< This option is for SCSI devices only. By default, this option is enabled for disks and disabled for CD-ROMs. This option should not be changed if your SCSI device works properly. >>



That is what it says when I right click &quot;Sync data transfer.&quot; Does that mean it isn't important if I don't have a SCSI setup?

 

[NelsonMuntz]

I wouldn't worry about the sync data transfer. As far as DMA, in the reviews that I have read of burners it seems like the sites always turn DMA on for the burner because it will give it the best performance. It might make producing coasters a littl more frequent though so you have to make a decision based on your own feelings.

 

[bacillus]

sync data transfer is for scsi devices only. by default, this is disabled for cdroms &amp; enabled for disks.