[comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware] IDE hard disk performance

vwp@cbnewsk.att.com (mark.a.skala) (05/09/91)

I just got an AT-compatible from Emerson with a hard drive, and since they're
morons I'd like to ask an IDE question/problem here.  My disk is a Western
Digital 40mb IDE.  The thing is pathetically slow, and this has been sort of
verified by Checkit,Spinrite,Norton U, even though I understand that their
numbers won't be accurate without MFM.  Every low-level formatter I have
tried (I try to change the interleave from 3:1 to anything) claims to be
working and completes, but the setup is unchanged.  Is there something I don't
know about IDE drives with respect to speed and low-level format, or do I
need some special software?  Thanks for any help.

Mark A. Skala        "Sleep is so boring I can hardly stay awake through it."
vwp@cbnewsk.att.com
508-960-4208 (work)