[VIA EPIA M910] SATA drive reduced to UDMA/33

[MWNZ]

I have an EPIA M910 (VX900 chipset) board with the latest BIOS (BIOS 1.01 2012/02/17 I2100101.zip). I have a Seagate SATA ST32000542AS drive installed and a SATA PIONEER BDR-207D Blu-Ray burner installed for backups. I have no IDE devices (the IDE slots on the mobo are empty). In the latest BIOS, the options to select SATA or IDE modes have been removed. When booting into Linux, these are clearly set by the BIOS to IDE mode and this cannot be changed. The kernel driver also unfortunately identifies the fictitious IDE cables as 40-wire, which reduces the speed from UDMA/133 to UDMA/33. This seriously negatively impacts on the usability of this machine. A selection of the relevant portion of the dmesg output is appended to illustrate the problem. It looks like this might be an issue in the pata_via driver. The fictitious IDE "cable" should rather be detected as 80-wire to enable the UDMA/133 mode. Ideally, it would be useful to be able to select SATA mode through a kernel option and not have to rely on that option being set in the BIOS, but I am unsure of whether that would be possible. I have confirmed this issue with Ubuntu 12.10 as well.

WORKAROUND: libata.force=80c

---- dmesg output begins -----
[ 0.250142] libata version 3.00 loaded.
[ 1.107966] pata_acpi 0000:00:0f.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 21 (level, low) -> IRQ 21
[ 1.108026] pata_acpi 0000:00:0f.0: PCI INT A disabled
[ 1.271856] pata_via 0000:00:0f.0: version 0.3.4
[ 1.271878] pata_via 0000:00:0f.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 21 (level, low) -> IRQ 21
[ 1.278086] scsi0 : pata_via
[ 1.278234] scsi1 : pata_via
[ 1.279969] ata1: PATA max UDMA/133 cmd 0xbc00 ctl 0xb880 bmdma 0xb400 irq 21
[ 1.279973] ata2: DUMMY
[ 1.452365] ata1.00: ATA-8: ST32000542AS, CC35, max UDMA/133
[ 1.452372] ata1.00: 3907029168 sectors, multi 16: LBA48 NCQ (depth 0/32)
[ 1.452387] ata1.01: ATAPI: PIONEER BD-RW BDR-207D, 1.20, max UDMA/100
[ 1.452395] ata1.00: limited to UDMA/33 due to 40-wire cable
[ 1.452400] ata1.01: limited to UDMA/33 due to 40-wire cable
[ 1.468343] ata1.00: configured for UDMA/33
[ 1.484154] ata1.01: configured for UDMA/33
---- dmesg output ends -----

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: linux-image-3.2.0-34-generic 3.2.0-34.53
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-34.53-generic 3.2.33
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-34-generic i686
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.24.
AplayDevices: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu15
Architecture: i386
ArecordDevices: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
AudioDevicesInUse: Error: command ['fuser', '-v', '/dev/snd/by-path', '/dev/snd/controlC0', '/dev/snd/hwC0D0', '/dev/snd/pcmC0D0c', '/dev/snd/pcmC0D0p', '/dev/snd/pcmC0D1p', '/dev/snd/pcmC0D2p', '/dev/snd/seq', '/dev/snd/timer'] failed with exit code 1:
CRDA: Error: command ['iw', 'reg', 'get'] failed with exit code 1: nl80211 not found.
Card0.Amixer.info: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Card0.Amixer.values: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Date: Fri Dec 7 20:06:57 2012
HibernationDevice: RESUME=/dev/dm-2
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Server 10.10 "Maverick Meerkat" - Release i386 (20101007)
IwConfig: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
MachineType: VIA technology Inc. VX900
MarkForUpload: True
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm
 LANG=en_NZ.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcFB:

ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.2.0-34-generic root=/dev/mapper/home1vg-home1Main ro quiet
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.2.0-34-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.2.0-34-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.79.1
RfKill: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to precise on 2012-10-23 (45 days ago)
dmi.bios.date: 02/14/2012
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: I2100101
dmi.board.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: EITX-3002
dmi.board.vendor: VIA technology Inc.
dmi.board.version: To be filled by O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.version: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvrI2100101:bd02/14/2012:svnVIAtechnologyInc.:pnVX900:pvr1.0:rvnVIAtechnologyInc.:rnEITX-3002:rvrTobefilledbyO.E.M.:cvnToBeFilledByO.E.M.:ct3:cvrToBeFilledByO.E.M.:
dmi.product.name: VX900
dmi.product.version: 1.0
dmi.sys.vendor: VIA technology Inc.

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This change was made by a bot.

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v3.7 kernel[0] (Not a kernel in the daily directory) and install both the linux-image and linux-image-extra .deb packages.

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, for example it will not boot, please add the tag: 'kernel-unable-to-test-upstream'.
Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.7-rc8-raring/

[MWNZ (spam2-instruform)]

Thanks for the prompt reply Joseph. As requested, I have now tested with 3.7.0-030700rc8-generic mainstream kernel. I get very similar results as before:

---- dmesg filtered output begins -----
[ 1.748247] pata_via 0000:00:0f.0: version 0.3.4
[ 1.748857] scsi0 : pata_via
[ 1.749122] scsi1 : pata_via
[ 1.749193] ata1: PATA max UDMA/133 cmd 0xbc00 ctl 0xb880 bmdma 0xb400 irq 21
[ 1.749195] ata2: DUMMY
[ 1.920362] ata1.00: ATA-8: ST32000542AS, CC35, max UDMA/133
[ 1.920368] ata1.00: 3907029168 sectors, multi 16: LBA48 NCQ (depth 0/32)
[ 1.920564] ata1.00: failed to get Identify Device Data, Emask 0x1
[ 1.920573] ata1.01: ATAPI: PIONEER BD-RW BDR-207D, 1.20, max UDMA/100
[ 1.920580] ata1.00: limited to UDMA/33 due to 40-wire cable
[ 1.920584] ata1.01: limited to UDMA/33 due to 40-wire cable
[ 1.936535] ata1.00: failed to get Identify Device Data, Emask 0x1
[ 1.936542] ata1.00: configured for UDMA/33
[ 1.952158] ata1.01: configured for UDMA/33
[ 1.952625] scsi 0:0:0:0: Direct-Access ATA ST32000542AS CC35 PQ: 0 ANSI: 5
---- dmesg filtered output ends -----

[MWNZ (spam2-instruform)]

Workaround for others with similar problems is to append:
libata.force=80c
to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT= between the double quotes. If there are other parameters, separate with a space
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

This will not get you SATA speeds, but at least you get UDMA/133 (instead of UDMA/33), which is still a vast improvement.
This is confirmed from my dmesg:
[ 1.088238] pata_acpi 0000:00:0f.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 21 (level, low) -> IRQ 21
[ 1.088295] pata_acpi 0000:00:0f.0: PCI INT A disabled
[ 1.285099] pata_via 0000:00:0f.0: version 0.3.4
[ 1.285118] pata_via 0000:00:0f.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 21 (level, low) -> IRQ 21
[ 1.286650] scsi0 : pata_via
[ 1.286819] scsi1 : pata_via
[ 1.288565] ata1: PATA max UDMA/133 cmd 0xbc00 ctl 0xb880 bmdma 0xb400 irq 21
[ 1.288575] ata2: DUMMY
[ 1.460157] ata1: FORCE: cable set to 80c
[ 1.460377] ata1.00: ATA-8: ST32000542AS, CC35, max UDMA/133
[ 1.460392] ata1.00: 3907029168 sectors, multi 16: LBA48 NCQ (depth 0/32)
[ 1.460411] ata1.01: ATAPI: PIONEER BD-RW BDR-207D, 1.20, max UDMA/100
[ 1.476340] ata1.00: configured for UDMA/133
[ 1.492155] ata1.01: configured for UDMA/100

[MWNZ (spam2-instruform)]

Hi Christopher

It appears that the BIOS you are pointing me to for v. 1.04 is 3002 for a EITX-3002 board. My board is the M910 ( http://www.viaembedded.com/en/products/boards/1810/1/EPIA-M910.html ), which still shows latest bios as 1.02. What makes you think that the 1.04 BIOS is compatible with the M910 board?

sudo dmidecode -s bios-version && sudo dmidecode -s bios-release-date states:
  I2100101
  02/14/2012

I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

MWNZ, could you please test the latest upstream kernel available following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds ? It will allow additional upstream developers to examine the issue. Please do not test the daily folder, but the one all the way at the bottom. Once you've tested the upstream kernel, please comment on which kernel version specifically you tested. If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tags:
kernel-fixed-upstream
kernel-fixed-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

where VERSION-NUMBER is the version number of the kernel you tested. For example:
kernel-fixed-upstream-v3.11-rc4

This can be done by clicking on the yellow circle with a black pencil icon next to the word Tags located at the bottom of the bug description. As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the following tags:
kernel-bug-exists-upstream
kernel-bug-exists-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

As well, please remove the tag:
needs-upstream-testing

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, please comment as to why specifically you were unable to test it and add the following tags:
kernel-unable-to-test-upstream
kernel-unable-to-test-upstream-VERSION-NUMBER

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug's Status as Confirmed. Please let us know your results. Thank you for your understanding.

[MWNZ (spam2-instruform)]

Sorry, didn't work:
[ 1.729599] ata1: PATA max UDMA/133 cmd 0xbc00 ctl 0xb880 bmdma 0xb400 irq 21
[ 1.900381] ata1.00: ATA-8: ST32000542AS, CC35, max UDMA/133
[ 1.900399] ata1.00: 3907029168 sectors, multi 16: LBA48 NCQ (depth 0/32)
[ 1.900417] ata1.01: ATAPI: PIONEER BD-RW BDR-207D, 1.20, max UDMA/100
[ 1.900429] ata1.00: limited to UDMA/33 due to 40-wire cable
[ 1.900437] ata1.01: limited to UDMA/33 due to 40-wire cable
[ 1.916359] ata1.00: configured for UDMA/33
[ 1.932164] ata1.01: configured for UDMA/33
[ 1.932971] scsi 0:0:0:0: Direct-Access ATA ST32000542AS CC35 PQ: 0 ANSI: 5

[penalvch (penalvch)]

MWNZ, could you please test the latest mainline kernel via http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.11-rc4-saucy/ ?

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]