Cannot Disable Write Cache on Hard Drives

[Guest]

Using a secondary IDE Controller for addnl data storage drives in a Win2k
system. Its a Silicon Image SIL0680 Controller. It is NOT being used in a
RAID config, just as an addnl IDE controller. I am repeatedly getting Windows
system msgs that data has been lost trying to write to the hard drives. The
event viewer shows repeated warnings that the Write Cache is enabled and data
corruption could occur. If I try to disable the Write Cache by unchecking it
under the Hardware Properties, it is automatically re-enabled on its own.
Does anyone know if this is something that I can address through Win2k or is
this a problem with the 0680 Controller Card? I have emailed their tech
support, but no reponse yet. Would appreciate any input. Thanks. C. Mueller
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Charity Downham [MSFT]]

Hello Chuck,

First, let me provide the appropriate disclaimer:
You should always contact the hardware manufacturer first before disabling
write cache. In many cases, the errors you are experiencing are purely
cosmetic.

However, if you do decide to disable write cache and you are unable to do it
through the Properties of the controller, (i.e. It automatically re-enables
itself), it most cases it means there is some sort of software specifically
for your controller installed on the operating system where you can set this
option OR it is enabled in the BIOS (therefore must be disabled in the
BIOS).

It is also possible that the controller does not support disabling write
cache.