1 ============= 1 =============
2 Floppy Driver 2 Floppy Driver
3 ============= 3 =============
4 4
5 FAQ list: 5 FAQ list:
6 ========= 6 =========
7 7
8 A FAQ list may be found in the fdutils package 8 A FAQ list may be found in the fdutils package (see below), and also
9 at <https://fdutils.linux.lu/faq.html>. 9 at <https://fdutils.linux.lu/faq.html>.
10 10
11 11
12 LILO configuration options (Thinkpad users, re 12 LILO configuration options (Thinkpad users, read this)
13 ============================================== 13 ======================================================
14 14
15 The floppy driver is configured using the 'flo 15 The floppy driver is configured using the 'floppy=' option in
16 lilo. This option can be typed at the boot pro 16 lilo. This option can be typed at the boot prompt, or entered in the
17 lilo configuration file. 17 lilo configuration file.
18 18
19 Example: If your kernel is called linux-2.6.9, 19 Example: If your kernel is called linux-2.6.9, type the following line
20 at the lilo boot prompt (if you have a thinkpa 20 at the lilo boot prompt (if you have a thinkpad)::
21 21
22 linux-2.6.9 floppy=thinkpad 22 linux-2.6.9 floppy=thinkpad
23 23
24 You may also enter the following line in /etc/ 24 You may also enter the following line in /etc/lilo.conf, in the description
25 of linux-2.6.9:: 25 of linux-2.6.9::
26 26
27 append = "floppy=thinkpad" 27 append = "floppy=thinkpad"
28 28
29 Several floppy related options may be given, e 29 Several floppy related options may be given, example::
30 30
31 linux-2.6.9 floppy=daring floppy=two_fdc 31 linux-2.6.9 floppy=daring floppy=two_fdc
32 append = "floppy=daring floppy=two_fdc" 32 append = "floppy=daring floppy=two_fdc"
33 33
34 If you give options both in the lilo config fi 34 If you give options both in the lilo config file and on the boot
35 prompt, the option strings of both places are 35 prompt, the option strings of both places are concatenated, the boot
36 prompt options coming last. That's why there a 36 prompt options coming last. That's why there are also options to
37 restore the default behavior. 37 restore the default behavior.
38 38
39 39
40 Module configuration options 40 Module configuration options
41 ============================ 41 ============================
42 42
43 If you use the floppy driver as a module, use 43 If you use the floppy driver as a module, use the following syntax::
44 44
45 modprobe floppy floppy="<options>" 45 modprobe floppy floppy="<options>"
46 46
47 Example:: 47 Example::
48 48
49 modprobe floppy floppy="omnibook messa 49 modprobe floppy floppy="omnibook messages"
50 50
51 If you need certain options enabled every time 51 If you need certain options enabled every time you load the floppy driver,
52 you can put:: 52 you can put::
53 53
54 options floppy floppy="omnibook messag 54 options floppy floppy="omnibook messages"
55 55
56 in a configuration file in /etc/modprobe.d/. 56 in a configuration file in /etc/modprobe.d/.
57 57
58 58
59 The floppy driver related options are: 59 The floppy driver related options are:
60 60
61 floppy=asus_pci 61 floppy=asus_pci
62 Sets the bit mask to allow only units 62 Sets the bit mask to allow only units 0 and 1. (default)
63 63
64 floppy=daring 64 floppy=daring
65 Tells the floppy driver that you have 65 Tells the floppy driver that you have a well behaved floppy controller.
66 This allows more efficient and smoothe 66 This allows more efficient and smoother operation, but may fail on
67 certain controllers. This may speed up 67 certain controllers. This may speed up certain operations.
68 68
69 floppy=0,daring 69 floppy=0,daring
70 Tells the floppy driver that your flop 70 Tells the floppy driver that your floppy controller should be used
71 with caution. 71 with caution.
72 72
73 floppy=one_fdc 73 floppy=one_fdc
74 Tells the floppy driver that you have 74 Tells the floppy driver that you have only one floppy controller.
75 (default) 75 (default)
76 76
77 floppy=two_fdc / floppy=<address>,two_fdc 77 floppy=two_fdc / floppy=<address>,two_fdc
78 Tells the floppy driver that you have 78 Tells the floppy driver that you have two floppy controllers.
79 The second floppy controller is assume 79 The second floppy controller is assumed to be at <address>.
80 This option is not needed if the secon 80 This option is not needed if the second controller is at address
81 0x370, and if you use the 'cmos' optio 81 0x370, and if you use the 'cmos' option.
82 82
83 floppy=thinkpad 83 floppy=thinkpad
84 Tells the floppy driver that you have 84 Tells the floppy driver that you have a Thinkpad. Thinkpads use an
85 inverted convention for the disk chang 85 inverted convention for the disk change line.
86 86
87 floppy=0,thinkpad 87 floppy=0,thinkpad
88 Tells the floppy driver that you don't 88 Tells the floppy driver that you don't have a Thinkpad.
89 89
90 floppy=omnibook / floppy=nodma 90 floppy=omnibook / floppy=nodma
91 Tells the floppy driver not to use Dma 91 Tells the floppy driver not to use Dma for data transfers.
92 This is needed on HP Omnibooks, which 92 This is needed on HP Omnibooks, which don't have a workable
93 DMA channel for the floppy driver. Thi 93 DMA channel for the floppy driver. This option is also useful
94 if you frequently get "Unable to alloc 94 if you frequently get "Unable to allocate DMA memory" messages.
95 Indeed, dma memory needs to be continu 95 Indeed, dma memory needs to be continuous in physical memory,
96 and is thus harder to find, whereas no 96 and is thus harder to find, whereas non-dma buffers may be
97 allocated in virtual memory. However, 97 allocated in virtual memory. However, I advise against this if
98 you have an FDC without a FIFO (8272A 98 you have an FDC without a FIFO (8272A or 82072). 82072A and
99 later are OK. You also need at least a 99 later are OK. You also need at least a 486 to use nodma.
100 If you use nodma mode, I suggest you a 100 If you use nodma mode, I suggest you also set the FIFO
101 threshold to 10 or lower, in order to 101 threshold to 10 or lower, in order to limit the number of data
102 transfer interrupts. 102 transfer interrupts.
103 103
104 If you have a FIFO-able FDC, the flopp 104 If you have a FIFO-able FDC, the floppy driver automatically
105 falls back on non DMA mode if no DMA-a 105 falls back on non DMA mode if no DMA-able memory can be found.
106 If you want to avoid this, explicitly 106 If you want to avoid this, explicitly ask for 'yesdma'.
107 107
108 floppy=yesdma 108 floppy=yesdma
109 Tells the floppy driver that a workabl 109 Tells the floppy driver that a workable DMA channel is available.
110 (default) 110 (default)
111 111
112 floppy=nofifo 112 floppy=nofifo
113 Disables the FIFO entirely. This is ne 113 Disables the FIFO entirely. This is needed if you get "Bus
114 master arbitration error" messages fro 114 master arbitration error" messages from your Ethernet card (or
115 from other devices) while accessing th 115 from other devices) while accessing the floppy.
116 116
117 floppy=usefifo 117 floppy=usefifo
118 Enables the FIFO. (default) 118 Enables the FIFO. (default)
119 119
120 floppy=<threshold>,fifo_depth 120 floppy=<threshold>,fifo_depth
121 Sets the FIFO threshold. This is mostl 121 Sets the FIFO threshold. This is mostly relevant in DMA
122 mode. If this is higher, the floppy dr 122 mode. If this is higher, the floppy driver tolerates more
123 interrupt latency, but it triggers mor 123 interrupt latency, but it triggers more interrupts (i.e. it
124 imposes more load on the rest of the s 124 imposes more load on the rest of the system). If this is
125 lower, the interrupt latency should be 125 lower, the interrupt latency should be lower too (faster
126 processor). The benefit of a lower thr 126 processor). The benefit of a lower threshold is less
127 interrupts. 127 interrupts.
128 128
129 To tune the fifo threshold, switch on 129 To tune the fifo threshold, switch on over/underrun messages
130 using 'floppycontrol --messages'. Then 130 using 'floppycontrol --messages'. Then access a floppy
131 disk. If you get a huge amount of "Ove 131 disk. If you get a huge amount of "Over/Underrun - retrying"
132 messages, then the fifo threshold is t 132 messages, then the fifo threshold is too low. Try with a
133 higher value, until you only get an oc 133 higher value, until you only get an occasional Over/Underrun.
134 It is a good idea to compile the flopp 134 It is a good idea to compile the floppy driver as a module
135 when doing this tuning. Indeed, it all 135 when doing this tuning. Indeed, it allows to try different
136 fifo values without rebooting the mach 136 fifo values without rebooting the machine for each test. Note
137 that you need to do 'floppycontrol --m 137 that you need to do 'floppycontrol --messages' every time you
138 re-insert the module. 138 re-insert the module.
139 139
140 Usually, tuning the fifo threshold sho 140 Usually, tuning the fifo threshold should not be needed, as
141 the default (0xa) is reasonable. 141 the default (0xa) is reasonable.
142 142
143 floppy=<drive>,<type>,cmos 143 floppy=<drive>,<type>,cmos
144 Sets the CMOS type of <drive> to <type 144 Sets the CMOS type of <drive> to <type>. This is mandatory if
145 you have more than two floppy drives ( 145 you have more than two floppy drives (only two can be
146 described in the physical CMOS), or if 146 described in the physical CMOS), or if your BIOS uses
147 non-standard CMOS types. The CMOS type 147 non-standard CMOS types. The CMOS types are:
148 148
149 == =========================== 149 == ==================================
150 0 Use the value of the physic 150 0 Use the value of the physical CMOS
151 1 5 1/4 DD 151 1 5 1/4 DD
152 2 5 1/4 HD 152 2 5 1/4 HD
153 3 3 1/2 DD 153 3 3 1/2 DD
154 4 3 1/2 HD 154 4 3 1/2 HD
155 5 3 1/2 ED 155 5 3 1/2 ED
156 6 3 1/2 ED 156 6 3 1/2 ED
157 16 unknown or not installed 157 16 unknown or not installed
158 == =========================== 158 == ==================================
159 159
160 (Note: there are two valid types for E 160 (Note: there are two valid types for ED drives. This is because 5 was
161 initially chosen to represent floppy * 161 initially chosen to represent floppy *tapes*, and 6 for ED drives.
162 AMI ignored this, and used 5 for ED dr 162 AMI ignored this, and used 5 for ED drives. That's why the floppy
163 driver handles both.) 163 driver handles both.)
164 164
165 floppy=unexpected_interrupts 165 floppy=unexpected_interrupts
166 Print a warning message when an unexpe 166 Print a warning message when an unexpected interrupt is received.
167 (default) 167 (default)
168 168
169 floppy=no_unexpected_interrupts / floppy=L40S 169 floppy=no_unexpected_interrupts / floppy=L40SX
170 Don't print a message when an unexpect 170 Don't print a message when an unexpected interrupt is received. This
171 is needed on IBM L40SX laptops in cert 171 is needed on IBM L40SX laptops in certain video modes. (There seems
172 to be an interaction between video and 172 to be an interaction between video and floppy. The unexpected
173 interrupts affect only performance, an 173 interrupts affect only performance, and can be safely ignored.)
174 174
175 floppy=broken_dcl 175 floppy=broken_dcl
176 Don't use the disk change line, but as 176 Don't use the disk change line, but assume that the disk was
177 changed whenever the device node is re 177 changed whenever the device node is reopened. Needed on some
178 boxes where the disk change line is br 178 boxes where the disk change line is broken or unsupported.
179 This should be regarded as a stopgap m 179 This should be regarded as a stopgap measure, indeed it makes
180 floppy operation less efficient due to 180 floppy operation less efficient due to unneeded cache
181 flushings, and slightly more unreliabl 181 flushings, and slightly more unreliable. Please verify your
182 cable, connection and jumper settings 182 cable, connection and jumper settings if you have any DCL
183 problems. However, some older drives, 183 problems. However, some older drives, and also some laptops
184 are known not to have a DCL. 184 are known not to have a DCL.
185 185
186 floppy=debug 186 floppy=debug
187 Print debugging messages. 187 Print debugging messages.
188 188
189 floppy=messages 189 floppy=messages
190 Print informational messages for some 190 Print informational messages for some operations (disk change
191 notifications, warnings about over and 191 notifications, warnings about over and underruns, and about
192 autodetection). 192 autodetection).
193 193
194 floppy=silent_dcl_clear 194 floppy=silent_dcl_clear
195 Uses a less noisy way to clear the dis 195 Uses a less noisy way to clear the disk change line (which
196 doesn't involve seeks). Implied by 'da 196 doesn't involve seeks). Implied by 'daring' option.
197 197
198 floppy=<nr>,irq 198 floppy=<nr>,irq
199 Sets the floppy IRQ to <nr> instead of 199 Sets the floppy IRQ to <nr> instead of 6.
200 200
201 floppy=<nr>,dma 201 floppy=<nr>,dma
202 Sets the floppy DMA channel to <nr> in 202 Sets the floppy DMA channel to <nr> instead of 2.
203 203
204 floppy=slow 204 floppy=slow
205 Use PS/2 stepping rate:: 205 Use PS/2 stepping rate::
206 206
207 PS/2 floppies have much slower step 207 PS/2 floppies have much slower step rates than regular floppies.
208 It's been recommended that take abo 208 It's been recommended that take about 1/4 of the default speed
209 in some more extreme cases. 209 in some more extreme cases.
210 210
211 211
212 Supporting utilities and additional documentat 212 Supporting utilities and additional documentation:
213 ============================================== 213 ==================================================
214 214
215 Additional parameters of the floppy driver can 215 Additional parameters of the floppy driver can be configured at
216 runtime. Utilities which do this can be found 216 runtime. Utilities which do this can be found in the fdutils package.
217 This package also contains a new version of mt 217 This package also contains a new version of mtools which allows to
218 access high capacity disks (up to 1992K on a h 218 access high capacity disks (up to 1992K on a high density 3 1/2 disk!).
219 It also contains additional documentation abou 219 It also contains additional documentation about the floppy driver.
220 220
221 The latest version can be found at fdutils hom 221 The latest version can be found at fdutils homepage:
222 222
223 https://fdutils.linux.lu 223 https://fdutils.linux.lu
224 224
225 The fdutils releases can be found at: 225 The fdutils releases can be found at:
226 226
227 https://fdutils.linux.lu/download.html 227 https://fdutils.linux.lu/download.html
228 228
229 http://www.tux.org/pub/knaff/fdutils/ 229 http://www.tux.org/pub/knaff/fdutils/
230 230
231 ftp://metalab.unc.edu/pub/Linux/utils/disk-ma 231 ftp://metalab.unc.edu/pub/Linux/utils/disk-management/
232 232
233 Reporting problems about the floppy driver 233 Reporting problems about the floppy driver
234 ========================================== 234 ==========================================
235 235
236 If you have a question or a bug report about t 236 If you have a question or a bug report about the floppy driver, mail
237 me at Alain.Knaff@poboxes.com . If you post to 237 me at Alain.Knaff@poboxes.com . If you post to Usenet, preferably use
238 comp.os.linux.hardware. As the volume in these 238 comp.os.linux.hardware. As the volume in these groups is rather high,
239 be sure to include the word "floppy" (or "FLOP 239 be sure to include the word "floppy" (or "FLOPPY") in the subject
240 line. If the reported problem happens when mo 240 line. If the reported problem happens when mounting floppy disks, be
241 sure to mention also the type of the filesyste 241 sure to mention also the type of the filesystem in the subject line.
242 242
243 Be sure to read the FAQ before mailing/posting 243 Be sure to read the FAQ before mailing/posting any bug reports!
244 244
245 Alain 245 Alain
246 246
247 Changelog 247 Changelog
248 ========= 248 =========
249 249
250 10-30-2004 : 250 10-30-2004 :
251 Cleanup, updating, add referen 251 Cleanup, updating, add reference to module configuration.
252 James Nelson <james4765@gmail.c 252 James Nelson <james4765@gmail.com>
253 253
254 6-3-2000 : 254 6-3-2000 :
255 Original Document 255 Original Document
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