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IOTEST.Q&A
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1995-08-28
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This document outlines a problem with PCI computers that use the PC Tech
RZ1000 IDE controller. For newer, more up-to-date information, check our
web page at HTTP://WWW.POWERQUEST.COM.
This problem presents the potential for data corruption which could
manifest itself as a misspelled word in a document, incorrect values or
account balances in accounting software, unexplained GP faults when program
execution reaches a corrupted instruction in the .EXE, destruction of
directory trees, or even corruption of an entire partition or drive.
PowerQuest, Intel, PC Tech, IBM, and others within the industry have been
investigating this problem and have reached the following conclusions:
1) This problem is a consequence of the RZ1000's inability to fully
compensate for all the implications of running an IDE hard disk as an
extension of the PCI bus, instead of running as an extension of the AT bus
which it was originally designed to do.
2) Intel motherboard BIOS's, DOS, Windows 2.x, Windows 3.x, and Windows 95
are not susceptible to this problem.
3) Certain versions of Windows NT, OS/2, and Linux are susceptible to this
problem. The list below provides details.
OS Potential Problem ? Workarounds/Comments
DOS version x No* N.A.
Windows 2.x No* N.A.
Windows 3.x No* N.A.
Windows 3.x using 32-Bit
Disk Access driver Under Investigation **
Windows NT version 3.1 Yes 1) Disable PCI read ahead
in BIOS Setup if option is
available
2) Obtain patch (ATDISK.SYS)
from Microsoft
Windows NT version 3.5+ No N.A.
Windows 95 No N.A.
OS/2 2.0 and later Yes 1) Disable PCI read ahead
in BIOS Setup if option is
available
2) Load the IBMINT13.I13
driver instead of
IBM1S506.ADD driver. This
will prevent the chance of
data corruption but has
performance implications.
3) Contact IBM for patch
OS/2 Warp version 3 Yes 1) Disable PCI read ahead
and later in BIOS Setup if option is
available
2) Obtain IBM OS/2 APAR
PJ-19409 from our web page,
available the week of August
13th.
3) If you can not do #1 or
#2 load the IBMINT13.I13
driver instead of
IBM1S506.ADD driver. This
will prevent the chance of
data corruption but has
performance implications.
LINUX Yes 1) Disable PCI read ahead
in BIOS Setup if option is
available
2) Re-write IDE driver such
that driver reads drive
status, not ISR. Get updated
technical information from
our web page.
Other Operating Systems Under Investigation This list represents the
most popular operating
systems. PowerQuest and
Intel will continue to
investigate the
susceptibility of other
operating systems.
* These operating systems rely on the motherboard BIOS to access IDE
disks. It is known that the BIOS on motherboards provided by Intel
structure their I/O in a manner such that there is not an issue.
** Intel and Western Digital have completed extensive stress testing and have
seen no problems. Intel is continuing to investigate. Further details will be
made available on our home page at a later date.
Q: Which computers have the problem?
A: The PC-Tech RZ1000 was used on early Intel PCI motherboards and
motherboards produced by other manufacturers. Intel is no longer
making volume shipments of motherboards with this chip. The latest
Triton chipset based motherboards from Intel do not use the RZ1000
and are not susceptible to this problem.
Q: How do I find out if I have the problem?
A: On our web page (http://www.powerquest.com) is posted IOTEST.ZIP. This
program will create a large file on your hard disk with a known bit
pattern. You will then be instructed to begin formatting a floppy.
After you begin formatting the floppy, IOTEST will repeatedly read
the test file and check the bit pattern. The only way for an error
to occur is if incorrect data is read from the file, indicating
that you have the problem. IOTEST is an OS/2 executable. The
README.TXT file included will describe an alternative method that can
be used to test any operating system.
Q: Can I look at the motherboard and see if it has the chip?
A: Yes. Between the PCI slots and the edge of the motherboard, look for
a chip (about 1/2" by 3/4") that says RZ1000 on it.
Q: If I have OS/2, what do I do until the fix is available?
A: If your BIOS has an "IDE Prefetch Buffers" option, set it to OFF. If
your CMOS settings don't have the option of turning off prefetch
buffers, replacing IBM1S506.ADD with IBMINT13.I13 will make the
computer safe to use, but will affect multitasking performance. The
fixed driver (APAR PJ-19409) will not affect performance.
Q: How was this problem discovered?
A: PowerQuest's development team discovered the problem while developing
PartitionMagic. A diagnostic utility, IOTEST was developed as a way
for OS/2 users to test the integrity of their hardware before using
PartitionMagic to modify their partitions. We have released IOTEST as
freeware to help users determine if they are possibly exposed to this
potential problem.
Q: Where can I get more technical information on this problem?
A: PowerQuest, Intel, IBM, and PC Tech are continuing their investigation.
More data will be posted on this page the week of August 14th.