Linux-kernel mailing list archive 2000-26,: Re: Your IDE command stuff (was Re: OT: IDE controlers)

# Re: Your IDE command stuff (was Re: OT: IDE controlers)

Andre Hedrick (andre@linux-ide.org)
Sun, 25 Jun 2000 23:07:52 -0700 (PDT)

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On Sun, 25 Jun 2000, Jim wrote:

Hi Jim,

>
> Sorry for the lateness of the response; I was away this weekend.

Cool.

> <kernel newbie>
> I assume that since the drive reports itself as fixed, the fixed-disk
> IDE
> driver is used, not the floppy IDE driver. It appears that some
> information
> may be cached across umount/mount cycles which confuses the driver or
> mount.
> In any event, one of my 2 ORB disks has an ext2 fs on partition 1, the
> other
> a VFAT fs on partition 5, and once I mount the ext2 disk I cannot
> umount/eject it and get the other disk to mount.
> </kernel newbie>

This is most likely where the media is truly ATA and not ATAPI.
Thus there is an issue WRT Linux.
I have tricks up the sleeve that are no added yet.....sheesh I have at
least another 100K in code in various brain dumps to create.

> The drive ships with a disk full of Windows utilities, one of which you
> evidently run to change the device to report itself as removable. Since
> I
> don't do Windows, I cannot verify that you can run the utility, then
> reboot
> under Linux and have the drive report itself as removable.
>
> When I asked Castlewood for some documentation on the drive, I had
> (naively)
> assumed that you could change the fixed/removable configuration via an
> ATA
> command. Hence my reponse to Andries' post.

Understandable.....the way companies run loose WRT to standard committees
that have failed to define things in the first place correctly......
We will not go there today, I jest spent three days voting and arguing
standards.....

> Apparently, however, this configuration is stored in some (presumably
> nonvolatile) memory on the drive, and can be changed via software
> (remember that Windows utility). I just couldn't learn how to do it
> from
> the docs Castlewood sent me.

The old ATA/ATAPI analyzer always exposes issues.
I hope to have one as a GIFT from Seagate, and not have to sell to much to
them in exchange.

> So, there seem to be two issues: Getting a device to Andre for testing,
> and learning from Castlewood how to convince the drive it has removable,
> not fixed, media. I've offered to help with the first; perhaps Jim
> Miller of Castlewood will see this (I've CC'ed him) and help with the
> second.

I called them on Friday and Mr. Miller was out until 2pm. I left my
direct cell number and asked for OBS to call. Still waiting.
They are driving distance for me to visit for a day to get it fixed
correctly inhouse, but do not reply.

Until OBS responds, I have other issues to fix.

Understand that all the have to do is respond and be willing to work with
and not ignore. I do not want their poeple resources only a few questions
and sample code if absolutely needed.

Cheers,

Andre Hedrick
The Linux ATA/IDE guy

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