How can I check if DMA is enabled?

LegendBreath · 06-05-2005, 09:25 AM

Hi,
Can someone tell me how to check if DMA is enabled and if not, how can I enable it?

Bruce Hill · 06-05-2005, 09:29 AM

In a term as root issue "hdparm -iI /dev/hdx" where x is the device
you wish to check. Then read "man hdparm" for details.

LegendBreath · 06-05-2005, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LegendBreath
Hi,
Can someone tell me how to check if DMA is enabled and if not, how can I enable it?

Umm...
bash: hdparm: command not found

Bruce Hill · 06-05-2005, 09:38 AM

As root, mate!

LegendBreath · 06-05-2005, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chinaman
As root, mate!

Emmm... I know that, but, it doesn't work...

Bruce Hill · 06-05-2005, 10:43 AM

I don't know...maybe your distro doesn't include it.
Issue "whereis hdparm" and if it's there, then issue
the command with the entire path. If it's not there, then
get the package or get a better distro.

Martin Rasch · 06-06-2005, 03:49 AM

HDPARM and other system commands are reserved and live in the folder sbin off the / root.
To get to them quickly while in a terminal windows cd /sbin
After you are in the sbin dir do a ls h* . You will see the file hdparm. Executing hdparm
by it's self will list command options. For your question do hdparm /dev/hda for the first hard drive or hdparm /dev/hdb for the second drive. The listing of commands will allow for setting and unsetting DMA access. Why do you wan't to set DMA off. Most times people go to great
pains to try and get DMA enabled for the SPEED advantages. You can also use hdparm to check if the CD drive has DMA set. If you are doing any kind of MUSIC or VIDEO the DMA being on
will be critical to get things to work correcly.

Hope this all helps.
Martin

LegendBreath · 06-06-2005, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Martin Rasch
HDPARM and other system commands are reserved and live in the folder sbin off the / root.
To get to them quickly while in a terminal windows cd /sbin
After you are in the sbin dir do a ls h* . You will see the file hdparm. Executing hdparm
by it's self will list command options. For your question do hdparm /dev/hda for the first hard drive or hdparm /dev/hdb for the second drive. The listing of commands will allow for setting and unsetting DMA access. Why do you wan't to set DMA off. Most times people go to great
pains to try and get DMA enabled for the SPEED advantages. You can also use hdparm to check if the CD drive has DMA set. If you are doing any kind of MUSIC or VIDEO the DMA being on
will be critical to get things to work correcly.

Hope this all helps.
Martin

You got me wrong... I want to enable it, well thanks