Harddrive problems with MSI K7T Pro2-A

[Bane25]

Hi all,

I just built a brand new 1GHZ Thunderbird machine.
I have a brand new IBM 45gig 75GXP ATA100 Harddisk, with MSI K7T Pro2-A motherboard.
I'm running Windows98 SE.

Here's my problem. I installed the VIA 4 in 1 chipset drivers that I got with the
motherboard on a CD. While installing, I did not choose to enable "DMA mode".
After I installed, I decided to try and enable "DMA" on my harddisk thru Device Manager.
I clicked on "DMA" in properties and I got a dialogue that said it may cause "undesired
effects". Anyway, after running it for a day, I thought I wouldn't have any problems,
until I did something that was harddisk/CPU intensive. I.e., when I tried to unzip a lot
of files at once, the computer would crash over and over again. The same thing happened
when I tried other compression programs.

So I unclicked "DMA" on my harddrive, rebooted, and tried the same stuff again, and it
no longer crashes.

I was told that I need to enable DMA if I wanna run at ATA100. Is this true?
What does DMA setting do anyway?

Also, in my BIOS, the highest mode I can set for my harddisk is "Mode4", which the
manual says is the fastest. But a friend told me that "Mode5" is ATA100, and "MOde4" is
ATA66? Is this true? I cannot select "Mode5" in my BIOS, despite having the newest
version. Someone educate me, or post some links to useful FAQ's! Thanks.

-Bane25:|

 

[Vinny N]

The setting you're seeing in the bios with an option of "Mode4" is the PIO mode.

It's the DMA mode that your friend is referring to. "DMA Mode 5" is ATA100. "DMA Mode 4" is ATA66. "DMA Mode 2" is ATA33.

The DMA mode is taken care of automatically, as you'll see you can set it only to "disable" or "auto".

After that point, you just have to get it enabled in your OS.

So yes if you want to run it at it's full speed and proper low cpu utilization, you need DMA enabled.

Have you tried pushing the drivers in?

I've often found that running the 4in1 drivers doesn't load the IDE controllers usually.

Try choosing the VIA IDE controller in the device manager, bring up its properties.

Choose "Display a list..." instead of "Search...". Point it to the WIN9X folder inside of the folder where you extracted the Via 4in1 drivers. It might warn you that it's not a close match or something like that, just ok it and let it do it.

Restart. Go back to the properties for the controller, and make sure both IDE channels are enabled.

Apparently, this is a problem that some users are having with the motherboard though, so if the above doesn't work, I wouldn't be sure what to tell you.

 

[LeeBear]

Hi Bane25, you're not the only one having problems with DMA and the MIS K7T Pro2A board. It seems to be an issue with the board that hopefully will be fixed with a BIOS or driver update. I too had the problems you described with crashing during disk intestive activities. I fixed my problems by downloading the new VIA IDE drivers at the Soltek site

http://www.soltek.com.tw/downloads/drivers/580_3011.exe

they are newer then the ones on VIA's site. When you install them you must chose the "Miniport" version not the "VSD" or you'll still get crashes. Since I've installed the drivers I haven't had any crashes but on the downside they are slower then the default Windows drivers with DMA enable, but still much quicker then disabling DMA. Give those drivers a try.

-Lee

 

[Dexion]

Download this:

VIA IDE Busmaster for Southbridge 686B

It definately solved the exact problems you describe

 

[slurp]

I have read on other sites that upgrading to the new 2.2 BIOS has solved a lot of incompatibilty problems with the board. Might be worth your while to try it.

 

[andreasl]

I ran into the same problem with my new MSI KT7-Pro2A + IBM Deskstar 30GB ATA-100. I downloaded the separate IDE driver from VIA and installed it. It works much better now, but I still have at least one crash since.
I also upgraded to the V2.2 BIOS before that, and it didn't resolve anything. I would recommend you try the separate IDE driver from VIA first. Called 580_2150(3).EXE