Disable Direct Memory Access(DMA)

[Orlando]

Direct memory access is system that can control the memory system without using the CPU. On a specified stimulus, the module will move data from one memory location or region to another memory location or region. While it is limited in its flexibility, there are many situations where automated memory access is much faster than using the CPU to manage the transfers. Systems like the ADC, DAC and PWM capturing all require frequent and regular movements of memory out of their respective systems.

To disable DMA, follow this steps:-

1. Click Start, then click Control Panel.
   
   
2. Click and open the “System” icon
   
   
3. Select the “Hardware” tab and choose “Device Manager” option.
   
   
4. List the ATA/ATAPI options by clicking the “+” icon next to it.
   
   
5. Select the “Primary IDE Channel” option.
   
   
6. In the “Primary IDE Properties” window select the “Advanced Settings” tab.
   
   
7. Check whether the “Transfer Mode” for “Device 0” enables DMA.
   
   
8. Also, check whether the “Transfer Mode” for “Device 1” enables DMA.
   
   
9. Click “OK” to confirm the changes.
   
   
10. Hence, click “Secondary IDE Channel”.
    
    
11. In the “Secondary IDE Properties”, select the “Advanced Settings” tab.
    
    
12. Check whether the “Transfer Mode” for “Device 0” enables DMA.
    
    
13. Also, check whether the “Transfer Mode” for “Device 1” enables DMA.
    
    
14. When done, click “OK” to confirm the changes.

[Namchan]

Now thats really a nice tutorial.. but i want it to Enable in my XP system and as you might be knowing that this option is not set by default in Windows Xp.

Could any one of help in Enabling DMA in my Xp OS? Please help, i don't know how to do that..

[Shikhar]

Well, i have the tips to Enable DMA in XP. Its little long process but i hope you can do it comfortably. Just go through this steps:-

• Go into your Control Panel by first clicking on the Start Button.
• Then click on the Control Panel icon located in the right column of the Start Menu.
• If your Start Menu is set to the Classic View, then begin by clicking on the Start Button.
• Then click on Settings, then click on the Control Panel icon to open up the Control Panel.
• Now, Double click on the System icon to open up the System Properties window.
• Now click on the Hardware tab located at the top of the screen.
• Then click on the Device Manager button in the center area of the screen.
• Now click on the plus sign [+] next to the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers to expand that section.
• Then double click on the Primary IDE Channel to display the Primary IDE Properties window.
• Then click on the Advanced Settings Tab at the top of the screen.
• Now for Device 0, ensure that the Transfer Mode: selection is set to DMA if available.
• Then for Device 1, ensure that the Transfer Mode: selection is also set to DMA if available.
• Then click on the OK button at the bottom of the screen to save your settings.
• Then double click on the Secondary IDE Channel to display the Secondary IDE Properties window.
• Then click on the Advanced Settings Tab at the top of the screen.
• Now for Device 0, ensure that the Transfer Mode: selection is set to DMA if available.
• Then for Device 1, ensure that the Transfer Mode: selection is also set to DMA if available.
• Then click on the OK button at the bottom of the screen to save your settings.
• Then close Device Manager and the Control Panel to return back to your Windows session.

[Namchan]

Thanks for the help...