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BIOS setup needed for LBA48?

DISCUSSION Stefan Smietanowski 4 participants 5 messages Jan 25, 2003

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#0 lore raw

Hi.

Let's assume a certain IDE controller does LBA48.

Let's at the same time assume the BIOS doesn't know jack about LBA48.

Let's then assume that I can get a kernel to boot on it, what method I use doesn't matter. The BIOS doesn't lock up or anything but it doesn't use more than the fabled 137GB.

Can the Linux Kernel then use the full drive (160GB/250GB/whatever) even though the BIOS doesn't? (LBA48)

That's question number 1.

Question 2: Does the nForce chipset handle LBA48?

They are related but please answer question 1 even if question 2 is "no" :)

I tried looking for the answers myself but couldn't find a definite answer. If it's plain in sight somewhere, please point me in the right direction.

// Stefan

#1 lore raw
Quoted 2 lines · Stefan Smietanowski

Can the Linux Kernel use the full drive (160GB/250GB/whatever) even though the BIOS doesn't? (LBA48)

Usually, yes.

#2 lore raw
Quoted 4 lines
Quoted 2 lines

Can the Linux Kernel use the full drive (160GB/250GB/whatever) even though the BIOS doesn't? (LBA48)

Usually, yes.

Is there anything that could make "usually, yes" become a "no"?

// Stefan

#3 lore raw
Quoted 6 lines
Quoted 4 lines
Quoted 2 lines

Can the Linux Kernel use the full drive (160GB/250GB/whatever) even though the BIOS doesn't? (LBA48)

Usually, yes.

Is there anything that could make "usually, yes" become a "no"?

Usually no.

:-)

John.

#4 lore raw
In reply to Stefan Smietanowski

Yes, if the host controller can not handle the double pump for dma operations. Disable DMA int it has to work. If it does not, you have a nice pile of junk, and it should be come a door.

Quoted 7 lines · Stefan Smietanowski
Quoted 4 lines
Quoted 2 lines

Can the Linux Kernel use the full drive (160GB/250GB/whatever) even though the BIOS doesn't? (LBA48)

Usually, yes.

Is there anything that could make "usually, yes" become a "no"?

Quoted 8 lines

// Stefan

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