Re: SOLVED: DMA is turned off on my HDD

[Ron Johnson <ron.l.johnson@cox.net>]

On 08/04/08 06:39, Anton Liaukevich wrote:
> Florian Kulzer wrote:
> > On Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 21:57:56 +0300, Anton Liaukevich wrote:
> > > I have read some docs in the inet. I have understood what is initrd, 
> > > how  to use initramfs-tools debian package (in particular, 
> > > update-initramfs  command and "/etc/initramfs-tools/modules" file). I 
> > > have being intended  to add "blacklist ide-generic" string to 
> > > "/etc/initramfs-tools/modules"  file & to run "initramfs-tools -k 
> > > $(uname -r) -u" command but when I  opened this file I was shocked. 
> > > That is I have seen:
> > >
> > > # Added by Debian Installer
> > > ide-generic
> > >
> > > I decided simply delete this string from "modules" file (and update  
> > > initrd then). And it has solved the problem!
> >
> > I am glad to hear that you have DMA working now.
> > > Nevertheless, I don't understand why Debian Installer add this  
> > > ill-started module to "/etc/initramfs-tools/modules" file. Seems the 
> > > bug  to be Debian-specific.
> >
> > If the information on the Debian driver check page is correct, i.e. if
> > you really need kernel 2.6.25 for the amd74xx module to work with your
> > controller, then it may be reasonable to add ide_generic to /etc/modules
> > to reduce the risk of the system not booting at all. (The installer has
> > kernel 2.6.24.) However that may be, please send an installation report
> > to the Debian installer team, describing your problems.
> >
> > > Now I'm intended to update initrd for all my kernels ;).
> >
> > Watch out, the 2.6.24 kernel might need ide_generic to use the
> > controller at all.
> I have ventured to update initrd for all my kernels and the result is
> good! But I have one more question. There is list of my kernels:
>
> leva:/home/anthony# awk '{if ($1=="kernel" && $NF!="single") print $2}' 
> /boot/grub/menu.lst
> /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.25-2-686
> /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-1-686
> /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.24-1-486
>
> 468-kernel is needed for me in case I will change my cpu to 
> 686-incompatible :) or I will transport my hdd to old computer and boot 
> Debian from it.

AFAICT, the only currently-shipping ia32 686-incompatible chips are 
the Via C7 chips which go in little semi-embedded machines.

> But can I boot at least one of my kernels if I simply change my 
> motherboard to one with non-nVidia chipset (that don't use "amd74xx" 
> module) (after updating initrd for all kernels)?

Yes.  That's how I moved my hard drive from my old machine to the 
new one.

--
Ron Johnson, Jr.
Jefferson LA  USA

Scientists are people, too.  IOW, they also "crave power, money,
respect, and influence, and they also fear for their jobs. Each
can be a healthy motivator, but each has the ability to turn a
good scientist into a bad one; and in some cases, they can turn
a good scientist into a charlatan."
http://thefutureofthings.com/book/3/the-bomb-that-never-was.html