ata_piix installation/device detection problems on Dell server
Package: debian-installer
Version: RC3
Thanks
Hi.
I Cc this message to the ata_piix maintainer, the debian bug tracking
system for debian-installer (since it affects installation) as well as
the linux-ide mailinglist (as requested in the ata_piix source) and the
debian-boot mailinglist (though it should get a report from the BTS). If
you think any of these are inappropriate, please let me know and remove
them from replies please.
I just experienced a problem with a Dell server which is using combined
mode to provide a PATA port for its CD-ROM and an SATA port for its HD.
The problem I experienced is as follows:
the ata_piix driver detects PATA and SATA in combined mode (which does
seem correct as far as I can tell). However, only the HD is
detected/registered in the kernel while the CD-ROM remains
undetected/unregistered.
I therefore can't install using the default settings of debian-installer
rc3 (netinst CD tested, other still untested, but since it's a kernel
issue, I doubt they would make a difference.
I was able to work around this issue by _not_ loading the ata_piix
module at first, but load the generic ide driver module instead. Of
course, that module doesn't detect the SATA part, so I would be able to
access the CD-ROM but not the HD. However, loading ata_piix _after_ the
generic IDE driver notes that the first port is busy (PATA, used by
ide_generic) and only initializes the SATA part. This makes it possible
to access both SATA (HD) and PATA (CD).
If anyone wants access to the machine in question, I guess I could
arrange both root and serial console access to it for a limited time.
Will have to check with my boss though. Tell me if you would need that.
regards,
Sven
PS: Please Cc me in answers unless you also send a copy to the
debian-boot mailinglist (which I read).
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