What Is This Tool?
This tool helps convert data transfer units from IDE (UDMA-66) to IDE (DMA mode 2), facilitating the understanding and configuration of legacy PATA/IDE storage devices.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in IDE (UDMA-66) units you wish to convert.
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Select IDE (UDMA-66) as the source unit and IDE (DMA mode 2) as the target unit.
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View the converted value representing Multiword DMA mode 2 equivalents.
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Use the results to assist with hardware configuration or troubleshooting tasks.
Key Features
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Converts between IDE (UDMA-66) and IDE (DMA mode 2) transfer modes.
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Supports legacy PATA/IDE device data rate interpretation.
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Provides examples for ease of understanding conversion results.
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Helps in BIOS and driver configuration for optimal storage performance.
Examples
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1 IDE (UDMA-66) = 3.9759 IDE (DMA mode 2)
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5 IDE (UDMA-66) = 19.8795 IDE (DMA mode 2)
Common Use Cases
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Specifying or verifying maximum burst throughput of PATA (IDE) hard drives and optical drives.
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Configuring drive transfer modes in BIOS or legacy operating systems for PATA devices.
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Diagnosing data transfer rates and CPU usage during legacy IDE storage benchmarking.
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Firmware and device driver optimization on older PATA/IDE systems.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure cable and device support the selected transfer mode for accurate interpretation.
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Use conversions to balance performance and compatibility during BIOS or driver setup.
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Apply this tool primarily for legacy PATA interfaces, not for modern storage standards.
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Reference conversion results when troubleshooting transfer errors on legacy hardware.
Limitations
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Applicable only to legacy Parallel ATA (PATA) interface modes, not SATA or NVMe.
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Theoretical data rates may not reflect actual performance due to hardware and firmware constraints.
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Conversion does not account for cable quality or system hardware limitations affecting transfer speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is IDE (UDMA-66)?
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IDE (UDMA-66), also known as Ultra DMA Mode 4 or ATA‑66, is a PATA transfer standard defining a maximum theoretical data rate of 66.7 megabytes per second requiring an 80-conductor PATA cable.
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How does IDE (DMA mode 2) differ?
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IDE (DMA mode 2) is a Multiword DMA mode allowing data transfer between an IDE device and system memory with less CPU involvement, improving throughput over older PIO modes.
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Why convert between these modes?
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Converting helps translate burst capabilities of legacy PATA devices into equivalent DMA transfer rates, aiding in system configuration, troubleshooting, and benchmarking.
Key Terminology
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IDE (UDMA-66)
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A Parallel ATA transfer mode offering up to 66.7 MB/s burst data rate requiring specific cable and device support.
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IDE (DMA mode 2)
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A Multiword DMA mode 2 enabling direct memory access transfers with minimal CPU intervention on legacy IDE devices.
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PATA
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Parallel ATA, an older standard interface for connecting storage devices such as hard drives and optical drives.