Configuring Parallel ATA and Serial ATA devices

ATA Operate Mode

There are two modes to choose from: Legacy mode and Native mode.

1Legacy Mode

•System BIOS assigns 14 and 15 IRQs for HDD use

•Older OSs that do not support Native Mode (DOS, Win2K, Win98/ME...) should set S-ATA and P-ATA to Legacy Mode

•Maximum 4 ATA devices to connect under Combined mode or Non-Combined mode

aNon-Combined Mode: S-ATA devices only - Maximum of 2 devices

bNon-Combined Mode: P-ATA devices only - Maximum of 4 devices

cCombined Mode: S-ATA devices and P-ATA devices - 2 devices each (Maximum of 4 devices)

2Native Mode

•System BIOS will search all available IRQs for HDD use

•New OSs that support Native Mode (Windows® XP Professional, Windows® 2000) can set S-ATA and P-ATA to Native Mode

•Comprehend both Legacy and/or Native Modes

•Maximum of 6 devices can be connected (4 P-ATA and 2 S-ATA)

Note: Proper support; BIOS provides a BIOS setup option for user selection of Native Mode or Legacy Mode.