How come i cant select Write Cache Enabled for my drives?

[phlynch]

I have two 7200 RPM drives running of a Promise ATA100 controller. I tried to select "Write Cache Enabled" based upon several webpage configuration optimization tips for Win 2K Professional. When i go to Device manager to select the "Write Cache Enabled", the option is grayed out and non-selectable.

Is this option simply not obtainable when drives run of a ATA100 card. Do drives running off a ATA card not perform write caching. Is there something else i should be checking to optimize maximum performance for these drives. Not that i am having any problems but i demand alot from my system for video editing and want it at its best.

Also, what is a good way to check the drive transfer rate. Is there a good downloadable benchmark program that can measure this.

I have a dual PIII 850 system using a Supermicro PGU6DU server grade board with 540 MB RAM. I have the latest drivers for the Promise ATA100 card and the latest BIOS for my motherboard. I have installed Service Pack 2 and during the BIOS bootup, it indicates that both my drives are running in MODE 5.

 

[butchrecon]

I have no facts to back this up yet, but I am still looking. I believe that the write behind cache is disable by default when ATA100 support is set up. It does not matter if it is a Promise ATA100 card or an UDMA Mode 5 controller on the Motherboard. Why write behind is not used under the ATA100/Mode5 I cannot find any info on. So dont bust your tail trying to figure it out. James Collins
Systems Support Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

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