Primary IDE keeps changing to PIO mode with SP2

[qwertymm]

Every few days my Primary IDE goes from it's regular DMA mode back to PIO.
If I remove it using the device manager, it's back to normal for a while. I
have XP SP2 installed and it's a Maxtor 40 GB 7200 RPM drive connected to
it. I've run scan disk with no error on the disk. Any idea how to stop it
from going back to PIO?

Thanks

 

[R. McCarty]

Check System Event log for errors. When an IDE/ATAPI device
experiences errors, XP will step back it's operating mode to try &
automatically prevent the errors.
I'm assuming the drive is the Master device on the Primary channel.
Does it have any Slave devices connected on that same channel ?>
I would check it's jumper and cable (maybe replace with another
80-pin ground shielded one). It's not likely a BIOS setup issue as
the drive does start out operating in UDMA mode.
It could also be the chipset driver for the IDE controller. You didn't
mention which MB/CPU you're using.
Finally, A Chkdsk on the drive wouldn't be a waste of time.

 

[Star Fleet Admiral Q]

If after completing all the above and nothing changes - ie it keeps going
back to PIO mode, suggest you make a backup, get a new hard drive and
replace the older. It may be approaching failure - go to Maxtor site and
download their diagnostics and give them a try.

 

[Alex Nichol]

"Star Fleet Admiral Q"

If after completing all the above and nothing changes - ie it keeps going
back to PIO mode, suggest you make a backup, get a new hard drive and
replace the older. It may be approaching failure - go to Maxtor site and
download their diagnostics and give them a try.

And check the cable and plugging. Two points: One, it must be one of
the high grade cables with 80 wires (still 40 pin plugs), and second the
master device (ie hard drive) must be on the *end* connection, with any
slave ones in the middle. Having the master on middle with a loose
length of cable going nowhere is likely to cause trouble because it is
not terminated and signals reflect and interfere - and some CDs and the
like are not good at doing that job either.