[t13] ATA8-ACS IDENTIFY DEVICE question

[Curtis Stevens]

IDENTIFY DEVICE word 255 is marked mandatory in the table, but in the description the word is clearly stated to be optional.  Word 255 is divided into 2 parts: Signature and Checksum.  If the Signature (A5h) is present then the checksum is valid.   In ATA8-ACS, the tables take precedence over the text.  That would mean that this field is mandatory.  However, since the signature could be something other than A5h, the checksum is optional. These conflicting statements are very confusing and make the text appear to conflict with the table.   I think we need to decide if this field is really optional or mandatory…       ------------------------------------------------- Curtis E. Stevens 20511 Lake Forest Drive #C-214D Lake Forest, California 92630 Phone: 949-672-7933 Cell: 949-307-5050 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.