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Windows XP - Activate DMA mode to reduce the load on the processor

February 7, 2013
Updated: December 6, 2021
Quick overview:

In DMA mode, drives access the memory directly (DMA = Direct Memory Access). This saves CPU resources because otherwise the data would run directly through the processor. The difference is clearly noticeable.

To do this, go to the "Control Panel" and open "System". Now click on Hardware > Device Manager. When this appears, click on the small plus in front of IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller. Then first double-click on the entry Primary IDE channel. Click on the Advanced settings tab at the top. For both devices displayed, select Transfer mode > DMA, if available. Now click on OK.

2. Proceed in the same way with the second entry Secondary IDE channel.

3. Restart the PC and check again in the Device Manager whether the current DMA mode actually says UltraDMA and not PIO mode. If this is the case, your drive does not support this mode.

Founded Windows Tweaks as a teenager in 2001, his helpful PC tricks made it Germany's most visited Windows site (at the time Sandro looked like this). He then went on to write for international publications such as PC-Praxis, Computerbild, PCWorld in the USA, IMTEST.de and Hifi.de. Sandro's main job is as Global Product Marketing Lead and Consultant for various global tech companies, including Microsoft, AVG, Avast, Nero, TeamViewer, Swiss IT Security Group and now currently in the fintech sector for Gendigital. But he can't get rid of his passion and shares his tweaks here again. Privately, he enjoys traveling the world and loves Asia, especially Japan, Singapore and Korea, but also natural places like Iceland and the Nordics. You can reach Sandro via e-mail.

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