Re: /proc/ide/hd?/settings obsolete in 2.6.

[Alan Cox <alan@lxorguk.ukuu.org.uk>]

On Iau, 2005-05-05 at 13:13, Bartlomiej Zolnierkiewicz wrote:
> Please be aware that new applications are expected to use
> /sys/firmware/edd/default_* instead of legacy HDIO_GETGEO ioctl
> and there is currently no way to set these sysfs entries (maybe it
> would be worthwile to add such functionality?).

Please be aware that edd is platform specific, buggy and dependant on
firmware features that many machines don't have. Don't use the EDD data
its junk. Bartlomiej's advice isn't something I'd agree with on this
point.

The fundamental issue behind all this though and the problem with
HDIO_GETGEO and friends is that geometry is basically a convenient
fiction for legacy software that needs an answer and apps that interact
with it.

For PC type systems you actually want to go and look at the partition
table itself and then follow that if one exists. If it doesn't exist
then you are in firmware magic land and you need to look at the drive's
current geometry reporting as well as the BIOS CMOS data, EDD on the
boxes that have it, openprom etc and so forth. Or better yet look at
parted and at least keep all the crap in one place.

Alan