Help! - drive stuck in Multi-word DMA Mode 2

Vertigo · 18 Oct 2009 at 13:24

Got a brand new Samsung F3 1TB drive which refuses to detect as anything other than Multi-word DMA Mode 2 when both my other drives are fine in Ultra DMA Mode 6.

This is causing a major issue as the whole machine keeps freezing whenever the damn disk is accessed due to the pathetic DMA mode.

I've tried all permutations of controller ports and nothing works.

Anyone got any ideas?

rpstewart · 18 Oct 2009 at 15:18

Go into device manager and remove the SATA controller that it's connected to. Reboot and then let windows detect it again. That normally solves this sort of problem.

Vertigo · 18 Oct 2009 at 16:31

Hmm, sure I tried that but will give it another go. Whole controller or just the port the errant drive is connected to?

Vertigo · 18 Oct 2009 at 17:23

Also, is it worth trying the Intel Matrix Storage drivers instead or should I stick with the standard Win7 ones? Can't seem to find any Intel drivers for Win7 anyway.

Vertigo · 18 Oct 2009 at 20:25

Right this is getting worrying now.

Firstly, no matter what I do, the drive just will not detect in the proper DMA mode.

Secondly, I'm now having an issue whereby, on a cold boot, the drive just sits there and makes loud clunking noises as if it can't initialise properly and isn't detected. If I power up the machine with the SATA cable disconnected so it spins up first, then connect the cable once it's powered, then it's fine and works flawlessly, DMA issue excepted.

Basically either the drive or mobo is hosed and I'm hoping it's the drive. Think I'm gonna have to bit the bullet and buy another drive of a different make (WD?) and see how that goes then RMA the Sammy if necessary

leezer3 · 18 Oct 2009 at 21:35

If it's making any sort of funny noises, the drive is toast.
If the motherboard falls over, it'll either constantly spin or simply not do anything.

Clicks, clunks, pings- Classic dead drive noises.

-Leezer-

Vertigo · 18 Oct 2009 at 21:40

I hope it's the drive tbh as that's easier to replace than the mobo. Am backing up everything on it (already got 95% of it backed up anyway but better safe than sorry) then I'll try it in my spare rig and see what happens.

Vertigo · 19 Oct 2009 at 10:58

Stuck it in the spare machine and it's doing the same.

It's toast

First drive failure I've had for ages tbh. Ho hum, back it goes.

bledd · 19 Oct 2009 at 11:00

tried another SATA cable?

Vertigo · 19 Oct 2009 at 14:51

yeah, no joy

AbsenceJam · 19 Oct 2009 at 16:14

Vertigo1 said:
Stuck it in the spare machine and it's doing the same.

It's toast

First drive failure I've had for ages tbh. Ho hum, back it goes.

Do an RMA rather than return it to the retailer If you don't mind paying the few £ return postage you'll get a new disk in 2-3 days.

Vertigo · 19 Oct 2009 at 18:35

TBH I think I'm just gonna get a refund on it and wait for a bit. Bought it to replace a 750GB Hitachi because I just fancied something newer rather than actually needing the space so I'll restore my backup to that and maybe try again in a few months