Difficulty finding driver

[mark-ibmtp]

My ancient T43 suddenly got dramatically slow (think continental drift slow).

After some diagnosis, I saw that the disk read rate is something like 4% of what it should be -- but only running XP, when I measure speed from Linux it is absolutely normal.

So, it must be something about the Win XP configuration. Device manager shows me that the

AC8QWD9T IDE Controller

is disabled, and when I attempt to enable it, no driver can be found. I don't remember whether this is new, or a pre-existing device issue. Note: A3TT2U29 IDE Controller is shown as working properly.

I don't know the type at the moment (sticker missing, and can't find auto-detect software), I'll have to reboot to look it up -- but it might be an 187X.

So, a couple of questions:

Does this device being disabled explain the super-slow disk transfer rate?

How do I find a driver? On the Lenovo website, where drivers are listed by category, which category would this be -- chipset, or someplace else?

BTW, google does not know "AC8QWD9T"

Thanks for any advice.

[dr_st]

Could it be that due to some errors Windows downgraded your drive to work in PIO mode instead of DMA? Check the settings for the Primary IDE channel.

[RealBlackStuff]

It could well be a (loose) Southbridge problem (big Intel chip under wifi-card).
Remove palmrest and wifi card, but leave the keyboard connected.
Put pressure on the Southbridge and boot up.
Try different parts of the SB chip (if needed) and see if there is any improvement in read-speed.
If yes, that chip needs to be reballed, resp. replace the motherboard.

[mark-ibmtp]

You guys rule!

I figured the hardware fault (SB chip) is not a likely culprit, because the HD functions so well under Linux.

dr_st, you got it in one By way of background, there's some mechanical fault on this machine (got it on ebay for a hundred bucks) that prevents the HD from mating solidly with its connector -- sometimes causing the thing to lock up, but more recently causing blue screens. I made an improvised fix by adding some foam to the bracket on the HD cover, to push the drive more securely into its bay. That seems to have cured the gremlin, but by the time I did this, XP had exceeded its error limit and forced the IDE channel into PIO mode.

There are probably smoother ways to do this, but uninstalling and then reinstalling the primary IDE channel reverted it to DMA mode. Bulk disk transfers are now 30X faster.

I still didn't find a driver for the mysterious device, but I seem to recall that almost all (or perhaps even 100%) of my T43s have had the same thing: Device Manager showing two IDE controllers, one of which has no driver. Obviously, it wasn't relevant to the speed issue.

Just for the record, this trusty antique is an 1875DLUL

Thanks deeply, for your very prompt replies to my call for help!