RS> Are you saying you cant set LBA on
RS> the last two drives ?  Again, too cryptic.

PE> No, I can set LBA, in the "advanced setup".  I can also
PE> set the mode (4) and one or two other things (block mode?).

RS> Can you do that individually for EACH drive tho ?

Yes I can.  First of all I get the primary ide and get to set those few
parameters (mode, block-enabled, LBA or whatever) for both master and
slave.  Then I get the secondary ide and get another master and slave.

PE> However, what I CAN'T set in the "Advanced Setup" or the
"standard
PE> setup for drives" is the PARAMETERS for the 3rd and 4th drives.

RS> Thats certainly rather weird. Cant say I have tried the AMI Winbios with
RS> >2 IDEs. Seems a tad unlikely that you cant even control the LBA for those.

Well I sure as hell can't see how to do it.

RS> Corse in your case the other question arises of why you cant have
RS> both the 2.5GB drives on the primary ribbon cable, where you can set

That was historical, and before I had two 2.5 gig drives anyway. I will
have to reevaluate that.  I have basically left the 420 meg C drive for the
BBS.  What would you recommend for me?  I need more space for the BBS
(including file areas).  In fact, I have relocated 200 or something meg
onto my E drive to clear space for the C drive which only has 70-odd meg
free.

RS> those params and put the older smaller drives on the secondary ribbon
RS> cable where you cant, and you dont need to even use LBA anyway.

Well,

1. I use LBA for the 540 meg drive, since it is also over the limit.

2. I haven't actually felt the need to change the parameters (cylinders,
heads + tracks) on ANY of my drives yet.

RS> I dont think you have ever said very explicitly just what you currently
RS> are doing as far as which is the primary master and slave and secondary
RS> master and slave as far as physical drives are concerned.

I think I have said that many times.  420, 540, 2.5, 2.5, ie primary
master, primary slave, secondary master, secondary slave.

RS> Its VERY dangerous for your data, but I would personally attempt that
RS> very much cleaner config of the 2*2.5GB drives on the primary IDE
RS> cable, initially just having only one 2.5GB drive on the primary IDE
RS> cable, no other drives at all, with the empty 2.5GB drive, and try
RS> THAT config and just see what you can do about installing OS2 on it.

Why is it cleaner to have the 2.5 gigs up front?  The small drive up front
is the one that I am most likely to be able to back up, and therefore be in
a position to scratch if the need arises.

BFN.  Paul.
@EOT:

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