linux and 48-bit lba

Ossar · 12-30-2004, 09:56 AM

I've heard (and read) somewhere that linux don't need the hardware (bios and disk controller) to be lba 48-bit compliant to use disks > 137 Gb. Is this true, or maybe partially true?

Joey.Dale · 01-02-2005, 04:17 PM

Yes, It is, because linux doesn't use BIOS to determine disk geometery.

-Joey

Ossar · 01-03-2005, 10:00 AM

So my old computer with chipset Intel 440 LX which don't have lba 48 can use the full capacity of a 200 Gb disk without any hassle?

Joey.Dale · 01-03-2005, 02:25 PM

Ossar · 01-03-2005, 04:23 PM

Finally I have a definite answer. You can't even imagine how long I've searched for an answer for this problem.

So, I just set my bios setting to 'auto' for IDE detection or maybe 'off' to make linux configure it without interaction from the hardware (bios).

A new seagate 200 Gb disk is waiting for me at my local parts retailer

EDIT: Why don't other OS developers (Microsoft) do it this way? Just stupidity? Are there any drawbacks in bypassing the hardware?