Arnaldo Ortega <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hello guys: > > To begin my participation in this list, here is my question: > > System: > - Pentium 166 MHz > - 64 MB RAM EDO (2 x 32MB/72pin) > - Adaptec AHA1542CF with Sony SDT4000E > - NE2000 compatible > - SB16 PnP > - HD 6.4GB Western Digital IDE > - CDROM 32X Creative > No DMA or IRQ conflicts > > I used to have two 8MB/72pin memory cards in my computer for a long time > and I changed it for two 32/72pin EDO recently. I also changed my HD > from a DEC DSE2100 (2.1GB) and my CDROM unit, but I dont think it´s > related to the problem. > > The problem is, before this changes the Adaptec BIOS test could run DMA > test without problems and now it locks up the system at about memory > address 90000h (right after the first 512k). I used to run Cheyenne > Backup for Windows without any problems and now I´m trying to work with > NT Backup. After some time backing up HD it stops telling the hardware > reported an error. I´m really not sure if this is related to hardware or > NT. More information: I got the BIOS test program from Adaptec (the DOS > version) and it can run without problems, i.e. the board dma pass the > test, if I boot from DOS with the BIOS disabled. I have also Linux > instaled on the same system, and after some initial tests it seems to be > ok. I´m going to do some more backup tests this weekend to ensure it > runs ok from Linux. But the BIOS test is still failling. The ISA bus has a DMA limitation of operating within only the first 16MB of address space. There may be some workarounds, like looking for a BIOS setting of "memory hole" or similar. However, in newer systems that have more than 16MB of memory, you are better off swapping it for a PCI controller which does not have this limitation. -- Russ Poffenberger Engineering Specialist Schlumberger Technologies ATE DOMAIN: [log in to unmask] 1601 Technology Drive CIS: 72401,276 San Jose, Ca. 95110 Voice: (408)437-5254 FAX: (408)437-5246