[mythtv-users] DMA Read errors and inter chipset (Abit BP6Motherboard)

[MythTV]

Thanks.  I do not think I am using the stupid highpoint, but I may have
inadvertanty plugged my drive in into that controller.   I will have to
check that when I get home tonight.,   I am trying the noapic nolapic
acpi=off  settings now to see what happens.

I even went so far as to put my cache folder on an NFS mount to elimiate as
much local harddrive activity as possible.

I will also verify the BIOS as I am not sure what version is there  off the
top of my head..


Since I did not send this his is an update <grin>

So far I have recorded almost 5 shows since rebooting with the noapic
nolapic acpi=off  settings  all seems fine.  (I must of used the wrong apic
settings that I found on the net last time)


So lets knock on wood and see what happens.


Jim

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Maarten" <mythtv at ultratux.org>
To: "Discussion about mythtv" <mythtv-users at mythtv.org>
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 4:07 PM
Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] DMA Read errors and inter chipset (Abit
BP6Motherboard)


> On Monday 16 August 2004 21:13, MythTV wrote:
> > Greeting,
> >
> > I am trying to figure out of other people have this MOBO and are seeing
> > DMA errors with IVTV and their PVR 350
>
> I have this mobo but don't use it for Mythtv (I'd reckon its
underpowered).
> Still, I'll try to contribute what I can...
>
> > I picked up a dual 466  Mobo for cheap as I was having problems with my
> > MythTV/350 TVOut machine (frontend backend are on same PC, files stored
to
> > NFS Server on another machine)
> >
> > needless to say I am still having MythTV failing to recoard shows.  WHen
> > this happens even deleting any shows does not work.  the backend must be
> > restarted.  To even record, the ,machine must be powered off (warm
reboot
> > does not seem to fix it)  Anyways  when searching the logfiles I saw.
> >
> > Aug 14 18:53:21 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMAP not set
> > Aug 14 19:22:53 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMAP not set
> > Aug 14 20:01:43 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMA read error. Result=0x00000002
> > Aug 14 20:05:23 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMA read error. Result=0x00000002
> > Aug 14 20:15:32 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMA read error. Result=0x00000002
> > Aug 14 20:15:51 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMA read error. Result=0x00000002
> > Aug 14 20:16:46 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMA read error. Result=0x00000002
> > Aug 14 20:18:25 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMA read error. Result=0x00000002
> > Aug 14 20:21:14 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMA read error. Result=0x00000002
> > Aug 14 20:24:43 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMAP not set
> > Aug 14 20:27:12 mythtv kernel: ivtv: DMAP not set
> > Aug 14 23:52:21 mythtv kernel: ivtv: giving up waiting for DMA pending
> > clear
> >
> > When I searched for the above all I found was reference to VIA chipsets
> > having this issue with IVTV.  I am running  the following board.
>
> The Abit BP6 does not have a VIA chipset but the (very good and
ultra-stable)
> intel BX chipset.  One of the best chipsets ever made, even if very old by
> now.  But definitely Rock Solid.
>
> > ALl the cards where the same as in my last config in which I used a PII
333
> > (intel) excep for the HighPoint controller (onboard) which is only on
this
> > MOBO (Abit BP6 dual Celeron)
>
> Please heed this advice (my own experience) DO NOT USE that highpoint
> controller !   EVER.   It has severe problems, will probably crash when
> setting DMA and / or will not even permit (error-free) DMA transfers.
> Again: do not use.  Connect your drives to the BX onboard controller,
or -if
> you really must have ATA 66 or better- buy a promise TX2 card.
>
> >
> > Am I screwed with this MOBO and MythTV?
>
> Well, yes and no.  My Pentium3/500 laptop manages just to replay my
480x480
> recordings.  So to have a dual celeron 400 (or so) system as backend is
> really stretching it a bit.  Even IF mythtv fully supports SMP and takes
full
> advantage or the two processors, it still isn't much to go on.  Remember
> those celerons lacked many if not all of the later optimisations like MMX
et
> al.  Those celerons were like the Pentium 2 series but crippled, so they
> really compare badly to the newer Pentium 3.
>
> But, _then_again_ you are using a PVR350 so CPU power isn't needed so you
may
> as well forget the whole story above.
> So: If I were you, I'd disconnect the drives from the HPT366 controller
(blue
> connectors) if they are there now, and retry with the onboard (black)
> connectors.  And make sure DMA is enabled !
>
> Another thing:  The BIOS on these boards is critical.  Make sure you have
> (this is from memory though!) the qq version BIOS.  Refer to google on
that.
> Read up on it thorougly though; newer and older BIOSes exist but the qq
BIOS
> was the best (IIRC).  Experiment as well with the BIOS (APIC etc.)
settings.
>
> Good luck
> Maarten
>
> -- 
> Linux: Because rebooting is for adding hardware.
>
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