SUPER MICRO Computer X8STI-LN4 LBA/Large Mode, Block Multi-Sector Transfer, PIO Mode, DMA Mode

Chapter 4: AMI BIOS

LBA/Large Mode

LBA (Logical Block Addressing) is a method of addressing data on a disk drive. In the LBA mode, the maximum drive capacity is 137 GB. For drive capacities over 137 GB, your system must be equipped with a 48-bit LBA mode addressing. If not, contact your manufacturer or install an ATA/133 IDE controller card that supports 48-bit LBA mode. The options are Disabled and Auto.

Block (Multi-Sector Transfer)

Block Mode boosts the IDE drive performance by increasing the amount of data transferred. Only 512 bytes of data can be transferred per interrupt if Block Mode is not used. Block Mode allows transfers of up to 64 KB per interrupt. Select Disabled to allow data to be transferred from and to the device one sector at a time. Select Auto to allow data transfer from and to the device occur multiple sectors at a time if the device supports it. The options are Auto and Disabled.

PIO Mode

The IDE PIO (Programmable I/O) Mode programs timing cycles between the IDE drive and the programmable IDE controller. As the PIO mode increases, the cycle time decreases. The options are Auto, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Select Auto to allow the AMI BIOS to automatically detect the PIO mode. Use this value if the IDE disk drive support cannot be determined.

Select 0 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 0. It has a data transfer rate of 3.3 MBs.

Select 1 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 1. It has a data transfer rate of 5.2 MBs.

Select 2 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 2. It has a data transfer rate of 8.3 MBs.

Select 3 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 3. It has a data transfer rate of 11.1 MBs.

Select 4 to allow the AMI BIOS to use PIO mode 4. It has a data transfer band- width of 32-Bits. Select Enabled to enable 32-Bit data transfer.

DMA Mode

Select Auto to allow the BIOS to automatically detect IDE DMA mode when the IDE disk drive support cannot be determined.

Select SWDMA0 to allow the BIOS to use Single Word DMA mode 0. It has a data transfer rate of 2.1 MBs.

Select SWDMA1 to allow the BIOS to use Single Word DMA mode 1. It has a data transfer rate of 4.2 MBs.

4-13