I have been unsuccessful loading and running Mandrake (or any Linux distro) on my MSI mobo PCs.

The first one I have is an MSI K7T266 Pro2 (RAID) mobo with a 1.2 Ghz Duron processor and 256 Mb RAM. I'm using a 40 Gb Maxtor drive.

The 2nd PC I have is a brand new MSI KT4AV mobo with a 2200 Ghz Athalon chip and 512 MB DDR RAM. It also has an identical 40 Gb Maxtor drive.

When I try to load Mandrake 10 (or any Linux distro) I get "DMA timeout error" messages. The K7T266 has nowhere in the BIOS change anything to do with DMA timing. I haven't checked the BIOS on the KT4AV yet.

Can anyone help me with this issue. I'd like to be able to load and run some version of Linux!!

Thanks,
Grant Levy
Costa Mesa, CA

gwhlevy; why not contact maxtor for help with drive they may have solution. and or msi also they may also help with solution,workaround or suggestions. then mdk10 n us or some one with same setup has answers.
hang in there! help is on way.

Try using noapic or go into the BIOS and turn APIC off, but leave APM on. To include different parameters to the Mandrake's install kernel, hit F1 (I think). Then type "linux noapic". If that does not work and you have alot of time to install LINUX, type "linux hda=nodma".

hda = Primary Master
hdb = Primary Slave
hdc = Secondary Master
hdd = Secondary Slave

If you have a hard drive on the same channel as the Maxtor drive, take it off. With Maxtor drives you have to leave it alone on its own channel. I suggest using Western Digital or IBM/Hitachi hard drives because they do not have this problem.

electro; thanks for tip i can use that also, have 2 maxtor,s n planning to acquire WD. comment wd has a great support site!