Michal 'hramrach' Suchanek wrote:
> imho it did not query it, it is simply bogus. afaict the drive does not
> produce write errors so the code cannot query it whatever it does.
> But i do not know anything about ata or the kernel ata drivers, I did
> not even try to look.
> 
> Currently I have another drive attached to the sata dongle and neither
> bios nor Linux can see it. Perhaps it is because  the drive is switched
> to slave or it does not like the drive rack.


ahhhhhh, that may be a clue.  If you are attaching a PATA drive via a 
bridge, that is very different from attaching a SATA drive, in terms of 
field behavior across the controller spectrum.

There are limitations on bridges.  Does Brad Campbell's patch (attached) 
work for you?

	Jeff