Date: Mon, 26 May 2003 01:46:30 -0700 From: Terry Lambert <tlambert2@mindspring.com> To: "J. Kanowitz" <jkanowitz@snet.net> Cc: freebsd-chat@freebsd.org Subject: Re: OT: Authoritative reference for Via 686B bugs? Message-ID: <3ED1D466.8DB55C30@mindspring.com> References: <20030526024846.79350.qmail@web80303.mail.yahoo.com>
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"J. Kanowitz" wrote: > This is a hardware question, but as it does not > (currently) pertain to FreeBSD, I figured I'd drop it > here before wasting a development list's time. > > As some of you may know, the Eyetech AmigaOne (ATX > PowerPC board) is based on a MAI Articia S > northbridge, and a Via 686B > southbridge/multifunction-wonderchip. Further, some > controversy is raging in that scene over "DMA bugs," > which may or may not be rooted in the hardware. > (Reference the usual incoherent chatter on > http://www.ann.lu.) Here's what they admit in their FAQ: Question: I am having trouble with a system using a VIA chipset including a 686b southbridge and a Creative Sound Blaster Live card. Answer: When the 686b southbridge was first released, motherboard manufacturers and VIA discovered a problem when trying to transfer files between the primary and the secondary IDE channels on motherboards using ultra-DMA, when a Sound Blaster Live was plugged in and drivers activated. This issue was caused because too much noise is transferred across the PCI bus by the Sound Blaster Live driver set. In an attempt to fix this issue, some motherboard manufacturers modified their BIOS. In some instances, these modifications to the BIOS caused a data corruption error even when not using a Sound Blaster Live. VIA released a patch which resolves this issue, which is incoroporated in the 4in1 drivers from the 4.31 version onwards. Motherboard manufacturers were advised to change the modifications made to thier BIOS to elimate the data corruption issue. If you are experiencing data corruption or lock up when transferring files between two IDE drives: 1) Make sure you have the latest BIOS from your motherboard manufacturer. 2) Make sure you have the latest 4in1 drivers 3) Make sure when you set up your system that you install the 4in1 drivers both before and after you install the SBL to make sure that the drivers see your SBL and install the correct patch. The patch will only install if the SBL is installed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you read German, there's also: http://www.tweakpc.de/berichte/tipps_tricks/via_686b_bug.htm http://www.heise.de/newsticker/data/jow-12.04.01-001/ http://www.heise.de/newsticker/foren/go.shtml?read=1&msg_id=589116&forum_id=11567 Also, according to some posts in their "forum" area of their technical support web site, there are problems with the USB implementation, as well. All in all, not a chip to use in a new design. 8-(. -- Terry
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