UATA66.TXT Rev C 25-Jun-1999 _____________________________________________________________________ _ _ _ / / (_) _\ \ \ UATA66.EXE version 2.01 (p/n 22800061-002) (_)_/_/ Utility to Enable and Disable Ultra ATA/66 Support _____________________________________________________________________ Copyright (c) 1999 by Seagate Technology, Inc. All rights reserved The new Ultra ATA/66 interface doubles the speed of data transfers on the ATA (IDE) bus, providing up to 66.6 Mbytes/second transfer rates using Ultra DMA mode 4. Table of Contents ----------------- --Requirements --Current Supported Seagate Drive Models --Command Line Usage --Background --Frequently Asked Questions --UATA66 Revision History --Obtaining Updated Versions --LICENSE AGREEMENT AND WARRANTY DISCLAIMER ===================================================================== Requirements ------------ There are four requirements for attaining Ultra ATA/66: * The drive must support Ultra ATA/66. * The motherboard and system BIOS (or an add-in controller) must support Ultra ATA/66. * The operating system must support Direct Memory Access (DMA); Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 95b (OSR2) support DMA. * The cable must be 80-conductor; the length should not exceed 18 inches. If all the above requirements are met, the drive can be re-configured to support Ultra ATA/66. Utilize the enclosed utility to re-configure certain Seagate Technology disc drives to support Ultra ATA/66. This utility will also support resetting the configuration back to support the Ultra ATA/33 configuration. ===================================================================== Current Supported Seagate Drive Models -------------------------------------- This utility will switch the maximum reported Ultra ATA mode between Ultra ATA/33 and Ultra ATA/66 on the following Seagate Technology Barracuda ATA, Medalist and U4 series disc drives: ST32112A ST38421A ST315330A ST34311A ST38422A ST317242A ST34312A ST310220A ST320430A ST35110A ST310221A ST320440A ST36421A ST310232A ST327240A ST36424A ST313032A ST328040A ST36810A ST313620A This utility will scan both the primary and secondary ATA (IDE) ports and report all drives found up to 4 drives total. The above list includes all current Seagate drives that can be re-configured using this utility. The list will be updated and a new utility released to include future Ultra ATA/66 capable models as they become available. Though drives not listed above will be reported in the list of drives found, the mode will only be updated on the Seagate drive models listed above. Note. This utility will _not_ scan for drives on Promise Technology Ultra66 adapters; drives must be attached to a traditional ATA system bus for this utility to work. To use Seagate drives in Ultra ATA/66 mode with a Promise Technology Ultra66 adapter, 1) make sure the drive is _not_ hooked to the Promise Technology Ultra 66 adapter, 2) attach the drive to a traditional ATA (IDE) system bus, 3) run this utility to switch the drive into Ultra ATA/66 mode, then 4) attach the drive to the Promise Technology Ultra66 adapter card. ===================================================================== Usage ----- This utility may not be executed while Microsoft Windows is active. To use this utility, create a bootable MS-DOS diskette that contains a copy of this utility and boot from the diskette. From a command prompt, type uata66 and press ENTER. Use the up and down arrow keys to select the drive to re-configure. Press the ENTER key to toggle between Ultra ATA/66 and Ultra ATA/33. The utility will only allow selection of supported devices (if only one supported device is present, the arrow keys will appear to have no effect). Alternatively, the program can be used from the command line (useful for batch automation). To enable Ultra ATA/66 support: From a command prompt, type uata66 on and press ENTER. To disable Ultra ATA/66 or to revert to Ultra ATA/33 support: From a command prompt, type uata66 off and press ENTER. The MS-DOS errorlevel can be used to validate completion (a non-zero return level indicates an error occurred). After the utility has completed, reboot the system. ===================================================================== Background ---------- Ultra ATA/66-capable devices from Seagate and others are currently shipping; however, few systems currently support this protocol. Furthermore, some BIOSs do not operate correctly with drives set to run in Ultra ATA/66 mode. For example, some BIOSs check for Ultra ATA (also called Ultra DMA) support and subsequently set the mode to the maximum speed supported by the drive, regardless of the system support. These systems may only provide support up to Ultra ATA/33, but they set the drive to operate in Ultra ATA/66 mode, causing the system and drive to attempt to communicate at different speeds. Current Seagate Technology Ultra ATA/66-capable drives are configured to support Ultra ATA/33 when shipped. This shipping configuration ensures maximum compatibility with systems available today. If the requirements noted above are met, then the drive may be re-configured to support Ultra ATA/66 by running the UATA66.EXE utility. This utility will also support resetting the configuration to support the original Ultra ATA/33 configuration. ===================================================================== Frequently Asked Questions -------------------------- Ultra ATA/66 enhances existing Ultra ATA/33 technology by increasing both performance and data integrity. This new high-speed interface doubles the Ultra ATA/33 burst data transfer rate to 66.6 Mbytes/sec. The result is maximum disc performance using the current PCI local bus environment. --What is Ultra ATA/66? --How does Ultra ATA/66 attain faster transfer rates? --Who is developing Ultra ATA/66 drives? --Is Ultra ATA/66 backward compatible with my current Ultra ATA/33 system? --What is required to run Ultra ATA/66? --Where can I get the utility to activate Ultra ATA/66 on my drive? --Why is there a blue, black and a gray connector on my Ultra ATA/66 cable? --Can I mix Ultra ATA/33 and Ultra ATA/66 drives on the same cable? --What operating systems support Ultra ATA/66? --Do I need a special Ultra ATA/66 device driver? --What are some common troubleshooting steps? What is Ultra ATA/66? --------------------- Ultra ATA/66 enhances existing Ultra ATA/33 technology by increasing both performance and data integrity. This new high-speed interface doubles the Ultra ATA/33 burst data transfer rate to 66.6 Mbytes/sec. The result is maximum disc performance using the current PCI local bus environment. How does Ultra ATA/66 attain faster transfer rates? --------------------------------------------------- Ultra ATA/66 removes bottlenecks associated with data transfers, especially during sequential operations. Ultra ATA/66 requires a special 40-pin, 80-conductor cable that reduces noise bleed-over and improves signal integrity by providing 40 additional ground lines between each of the standard 40-pin ATA (IDE) signal lines and ground lines. Who is developing Ultra ATA/66 drives? -------------------------------------- Ultra ATA/66 is endorsed by all leading hard drive manufacturers including Seagate, Fujitsu, IBM, Maxtor, Quantum, Toshiba, Western-Digital and others. The Ultra ATA/66 protocol is also endorsed by Intel with full industry support expected in 1999. Is Ultra ATA/66 backward compatible with my current Ultra ATA/33 system? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Yes. Ultra ATA/66 is backward compatible with all Ultra ATA/33 systems, but it will be limited in its transfer mode to the Ultra ATA/33 (Ultra DMA Mode 2 - 33.3 Mbytes/sec) or PIO Mode 4 (16.6 Mbytes/sec). Ultra ATA/66 hard drives are 100 percent backward compatible with both Ultra ATA/33 and DMA and with existing ATA (IDE) hard drives, CD-ROM drives, and host systems. The Ultra ATA/66 protocol and commands are designed to be compatible with existing ATA devices and systems. Although a new 40-pin, 80-conductor cable is required for Ultra ATA/66, the chipset pin count remains the same at 40. Hard drives that support Ultra ATA/66 also support Ultra ATA/33 and legacy ATA (IDE) specifications. What is required to run in Ultra ATA/66 Mode? --------------------------------------------- There are basically four requirements: * An Ultra ATA/66-capable system board and BIOS. * An Ultra ATA/66-capable 80-conductor cable. * An operating system capable of DMA transfers. (Win95 (OSR2) and Win98 are capable.) * An Ultra ATA/66 capable device. (Seagate drives require an activation utility for each device.) Ultra ATA/66 technology is defined such that the PC and the hard drive can both detect the presence of the required 80-conductor cable. The system board must have a special capacitor on pin 34 to detect the cable. The cable must have a notch cut in line 34 to correctly detect an Ultra ATA/66 device. Where can I get the utility to activate Ultra ATA/66 on my drive? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Eventually, all Ultra ATA/66 drives will be shipped with the utility either on diskette or CD-ROM. In the interim, the utility (UATA66.EXE) can be downloaded from ftp://ftp.seagate.com/techsuppt/seagate_utils/uata66-d.exe. The version available on the web is a self-extracting zip file and must be unzipped and placed on a bootable diskette. Why is there a blue, black and a gray Connector on my Ultra ATA/66 cable? ------------------------------------------------------------------ The 40-pin, 80-conductor cables will support the Cable Detect feature. The blue (end) connector should be connected to the system board. The black (end) connector is known as the master position. The gray (middle) connector can be used for a slave device as needed. Although an Ultra ATA/66 device should work fine in either the black or the gray connector, if your are having difficulty, consider troubleshooting with the drive in the black connector. Can I mix Ultra ATA/33 and Ultra ATA/66 drives on the same cable? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, a legacy ATA (IDE) specification drive can coexist with an Ultra ATA/66 drive. However, for the Ultra ATA/66 device to attain Ultra DMA 4 mode, an Ultra ATA/66-capable cable is required. What operating systems support Ultra ATA/66? -------------------------------------------- Primarily because the operating system is not the controlling factor, most operating systems, including all current Windows versions (Windows 95 (OSR2) and Windows 98), support Ultra ATA/66. Ultra ATA data transfer rate is determined by your hard drive, your controller, and the BIOS. The only requirement on the operating system is to be able to support DMA transfers. Do I need a special Ultra ATA/66 device driver? ----------------------------------------------- Not necessarily. Because the operating system (Win95/98) handles Ultra ATA and Ultra ATA/66 the same as DMA, there should be no special device drivers. However, as with Ultra ATA (IDE), not all system boards and BIOSs will correctly interface with the operating system. In these cases, a special device driver or patch will have to be provided by the system board manufacturer to make the system capable of attaining Ultra ATA/66. What are some common troubleshooting steps? ------------------------------------------- 1. Make sure the cable is Ultra ATA/66 capable. An Ultra ATA/66-capable cable is a 40-pin, 80-conductor cable with a black connector on one end, a blue connector on the other end, and a gray connector in the middle. In addition, line 34 on the cable should be notched or cut (this may be hard to see with the human eye). 2. Make sure the system board is capable of Ultra ATA/66. An Ultra ATA/66-capable system board has a detect circuit with a capacitor for detecting line 34 missing on the cable. If there is no capacitor, the system can wrongly detect the presence of an Ultra ATA/66 cable and therefore try to configure the device for a higher transfer rate. 3. Some system boards may not successfully handle Ultra ATA/66 on both ATA (IDE) channels. If you have difficulty, consider troubleshooting with the device in the Primary Master position. 4. Contact the system board manufacturer for the latest BIOS upgrade and any Ultra ATA/66 special device drivers or patches. 5. Make sure the operating system is DMA capable and that the DMA mode is activated. (For Windows 95/98, check Device Manager | Drive Settings tab for a check box.) 6. Make sure the drive is Ultra ATA/66 capable and has been configured to run at Ultra ATA/66 transfer rates. (Seagate drives require an ultra ATA/66 activation utility.) ===================================================================== UATA66 Revision History ----------------------- v1.02 01-Apr-1999 Initial public release v2.01 25-Jun-1999 Adds interactive mode and Barracuda ATA family ===================================================================== Obtaining Updated Versions -------------------------- UATA66 may be updated to add new models and features and maintain compatibility with changes in technology. The latest copy can always be obtained from the Seagate web site at www.seagate.com or from your nearest Seagate Technical Support BBS: * SeaBOARD - Seagate electronic bulletin board systems --United States +1-405-936-1600 --Germany +49-89-140-9331 ===================================================================== LICENSE AGREEMENT AND WARRANTY DISCLAIMER ----------------------------------------- Seagate reserves the right to change, without notice, product offerings or specifications. This is a legal agreement between you the purchaser and Seagate Technology, Inc. By accessing UATA66.EXE, (the "Software"), you agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. If you do not agree, do not access the software. Seagate provides the accompanying object code of the Software and nonexclusively licenses its use to you on the following terms and conditions. The Software is Seagate's proprietary, copyrighted product. Seagate grants you a limited access to use one copy of the Software. You may not copy or distribute the Software for resale. You may not reverse engineer, modify, rent, or lease the Software. In addition, you may not disclose the information or data incorporated in the Software to others, in any format. You accept the Software "as is" without any warranty whatsoever. Seagate does not warrant that the Software will meet your requirements, that the Software is fit for any particular purpose, or that the use of the Software will be error free. SEAGATE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL SEAGATE BE LIABLE TO YOU, YOUR CUSTOMERS, OR OTHER USERS IN ANY WAY BASED ON USE OF THE SOFTWARE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, OR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE. (C) 1999 Seagate Technology, Inc. End of License Agreement. -=End of File: UATA66.TXT Rev.C=-