DMA or PIO transfer mode (Serial ATA)?

SATA MAKES THINGS EASY

Unlike PATA drives and interfaces, which may use various PIO and DMA modes, SATA drives and interfaces use only DMA mode. You don't need to configure settings manually. If the SATA drive is running at all, you can be sure that it's using optimum settings.

My source for this: http://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Enabling_DMA_Mode_Transfers

You're welcome

Windows is also using Sata, Pata is old, and deprecated just about everywhere.

Comments below are for PC using IDE/PATA drives - SATA Drives excluded on the comments below

on some windows pc running IDE/PATA drives - Hard Drive (now rare) and CD/DVD ROM drive, you sometimes have to set DMA mode on them - most of the time however, you don't.

it all depends on your version of windows.

windows vista and windows 7 - you don't need to do this.

windows 2000 - it depends on your controller - if windows 2000 doesn't support your controller - you're running on PIO mode which is 33MB/s as opposed to 66MB/s or 100MB/s in DMA mode and 133MB/s in Ultra DMA mode.

Windows XP behaves the same if it doesn't recognize your controller and didn't install the right driver.

you're welcome - hope you got your questions answered to your satisfaction.

You're welcome.