Bug#777633: [src:linux] sata_sil fails to detect some SSD

[Francesco <f_presel@hotmail.it>]

Hello Glenn,
I'm replying also to the bug in case it's useful for anyone else.

Yes, I did find a workaround, which is forcing Linux to use ata_generic 
instead of sata_sil to manage the controller.

This has to be done in two steps: first, you must completely blacklist 
sata_sil. Take particular care to ensure it does not end up in the 
initramfs, otherwise it will load anyway. If you are compiling your 
kernel, just do not build it.

Second, use the option ata_generic.all_generic_ide=1 in the boot command 
line to allow the ata_generic module to manage a controller which would 
normally belong to a different driver. Ensure ata_generic is in the 
initramfs.
I think it's possible to do everything by properly configuring the 
initramfs configuration files and the grub (or whatever boot loader you 
have) options

This has to be done, of course, either by temporarily putting the disk 
on a usb-to-sata converter or by doing it on a different drive, which 
can still boot with sata_sil, and then cloning it onto the ssd. Or you 
must somehow make a customized bootable drive which also has these 
options, which I wouldn't know how to do.

Hope that helps, I don't remember many more details now but let me know 
if you need further help.
Regards
Francesco

Glenn Golden ha scritto:
> Hi Francesco,
>
> I came across your bug report #777633 from 2015 on the debian kernel list.
> I'm having similar issue with sata_sil not detecting a new SSD. Was just
> wondering if you had ever found a resolution for it. Been googling for several
> hours, found nothing that really addresses it.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Glenn Golden
> Boulder, Colorado, USA