hdparm Last changed: 2005-08-27 [19:15] Content: Configuring hdparm   Back to Personal Wiki

Table of contents Overview Configure your hard disk

Overview

hdparm is the standard tool to set hard disk parameters on a linux system. Don't expect too much from playing around with this tool. In most cases the kernel will automatically select the correct values and you will not see any speed increase.

There is a pretty good overview here and I just created a short summary for myself on this page.

Configure your hard disk

Retrieve basic drive information

hdparm -i /dev/hda

Initial test of drive speed

hdparm -tT /dev/hda

List current settings

hdparm /dev/hda

Activate dma

hdparm -d1 /dev/hda

Enabling DMA on normal cdroms or hard drives is also highly recommended, it should improve speeds a great deal and reduce cpu load.

It is usually activated by the kernel.

Activate 32-bit transfer mode

hdparm -c1 /dev/hda

Recommended, usually also handled by the kernel.

Activate read-lookahead

hdparm -A1 /dev/hda

Recommended, usually also handled by the kernel.

Allow unmasking interrupts

hdparm -u1 /dev/hda

Allows unmasking other interrupts while handling a disk interrupt. Is recommended to turn this only but the kernel will usually do that.

Set spindown time

hdparm -Sx /dev/hda

This sets the spindown time for the drive to x times 5 seconds.

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