Hi All, I recently purchased a CompUSA Brand ATA/100 controller card to speed the performance of a 500 Mhz AMD K6 II system (FSB 100MHz). The controller card bears a "CMD PCI-649" controller chip that reads: "Silicon Image SiI0649CL160 A003 0138 Taiwan" FCC# MP649 From my reading, CMD Technology is purported to be a "leader in controller technology", and the CMD PCI-649 a "good controller chip". After installing the controller card I noticed that the system was significantly slower. Initially, the computer performs the "POST" test at normal speed. Next, the OEM logo appears as usual, and then the CMD PCI-649 information screen appears and begins to detect the ATA/IDE attached devices. The appearance of the Windows 98 logo screen immediately follows. However, the logo stays on the monitor a long while (60-90 secs). When the logo screen finally disappears it is replaced by the computer's wallpaper, and the "hour-glass icon" appears for an equally long time. Finally, the system begins to load it's desktop and application icons ( these operations also take an unusually long time to complete). I've installed the latest drivers provided by CMD Technology. When I check the CMD PCI-649 Primary IDE Controller icon in Device Manager, it says the PCI bus speed is 33 MHz. The BIOS shows the following values for the onboard IDE controllers: "PCI BUS Mastering .......Enabled" "Ultra ATA 33/66 .......Enabled" "Primary IDE .......Disabled" "Secondary IDE .......Enabled" Question #1: Can anyone offer suggestions on how can I can overcome this problem, and get this system to experience the ATA/100 maximum speed of the card? And if not possible, how I can at least regain the speed the system has lost? (Preferably while retaining the card). Question #2: Also, is it possible that the PCI Bus Mastering and Ultra ATA 33/66 functions on the motherboard might conflict with those same functions on the ATA/100 controller card? Please advise. Thanks All

1. Is your HD a ATA-100 drive? The controller card does you no good if the HD drive you have is only ATA-33/66 capable. 2.Why is your primary IDE hannel "DISABLED"? 3.If your HD is a ATA-100 drive, try disabling the"ULTRA ATA-33/66" switch.

Forgot to mention: Be certain your motherboard BIOS is ATA-100 capable. If it isn't, you need to upgrade your BIOS or it doesn't matter what drive or card you install it will only operate at ATA-33/66 max.

Hi JMIG Thanks for responding. In response to your questions: 1- Yes. The HD is a Maxtor Ultra ATA/100 drive. 2-I "Disabled" the Primary IDE controller thinking it might conflict with the Primary Controller on the ATA/100 controller card. Do you think this might be my problem? 3- What will disabling the ATA 33/66 switch in the BIOS do? Lastly, I don't think my manufacturer has released an updated BIOS - or, at least not one that supports ATA/100. Any way JMIG, I thought the purpose of the ATA/100 controller card BIOS was to provide the functionality(support) for ATA/100 that's lacking in my motherboard BIOS. But if doesn't, then your'e right, and I may be limited to the ATA 33/66 speeds. In that case JMIG, how can I recoup the speed I've lost since installing the card - without removing it? But JMIG, I will try your suggestions. All assistance is appreciated. : ) Thanks for all your help.