Why is the option to choose DMA not available? I want to bypass the CPU and pass data directly from Hard Disk to RAM by choosing the DMA, but the Device Properties box is blank, there are no POI or DMA boxes to check or uncheck. I have performed the following tasks: 1. Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Device Manager.‌ 2. In the left pane, click the plus sign next to IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers to expand it. 3. For each icon that has the word Channel as part of its label, right-click the icon, and then click Properties. 4. Click the Advanced Settings tab, and then, under Device Properties, select or clear the Enable DMA check box. (However, there is no box to check, the Device Properties box is empty) My reason for wanting to access DMA ability is because video on the computer is choppy, but only in iTunes. Upon asking my step-brother, his brilliant response was, "Well, don't use iTunes!" Heh, Heh, the old doctor joke, "it hurts when I do this, doc. . ." Anybody heard of this before? Thanks Bryan

And how are you so sure your system is currently configured for PIO transfer mode - huh?

How would I know? The Device Manager box is empty where POI and DMA were in the previous OS. Bryan

I have the DMA option in my Vista installation: if you go back to the 4 step instruction in OP, you can't miss it. The key is to check all the IDE Channel listings under IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers .... see the image below. BTW, if you do not see any image below -- make sure you've turned images ON in your Computing.net user page.

Dear Sabertooth, I see that your ATAPI Cdrom uses Multi-word UDMA mode 2. If your CD-ROM drive is not too old, then you should currently be using 40-pin, 40-conductor cable. If you replace your CD-ROM drive cable with 40-pin, 80-conductor cable, then your CD-ROM drive will start using Multi-word UDMA Mode 4. This is what I did and now I have UDMA Mode 4. Pls be advised. Regards SuatCINI

suatcini, Good catch! I actually use 40-pin, 80-conductor wires for my non-SATA devices including the optical drive, but my -- much newer NEC DVD Burner -- recently went south & I currently have me an older CDROM relic sitting in its place till the replacement SATA DVD Burner gets here later this week hopefully. I figured I ought to be able to endure the current Multi-word UDMA mode 2 setting on the CDROM for about a week tops. Ironically, I have even yet to use the temporary CDROM drive since I popped it in .... LOL Happy New Year!

Thanks for trying, guys, I appreciate it. I took the computer back this morning, though, I couldn't get it to do what it should. Thanks for the picture, I see that your Vista does have the DMA option, my Device Properties box was totally blank, no words, boxes, nothing. Bryan