Enabling DMA mode - Windows XP Professional


Open "Device Manager".

Method I:
  • Right-click the "My computer" icon;
  • In the drop-down menu, left-click "Management";
  • Select "Device manager".

Method II:
  • Select "Control panel" from the start menu;
  • Select "System";
  • Select "Devices";
  • Select "Device manager".


  • Open "IDE ATA/ATAPI/SATA" controller;
  • Open primary "IDE ATA/ATAPI/SATA" controller;
  • Select DMA as transfer mode if available for device 0 as well as device 1 if available;
  • If DMA is unavailable, it may be necessary to obtain and install a different driver for your hardware, either from your hardware vendor or the Microsoft website;
  • Repeat the above for the secondary "IDE ATA/ATAPI/SATA" controller.
  • Once done, restart the computer, then verify that DMA is, in fact, enabled.
  • If not, it may be necessary to obtain and install a different driver for your hardware, either from your hardware vendor or the Microsoft website.