Just change root=/dev/hda1 to append="root=/dev/sda1" in lilo.conf.Just tested (plain curiosity).
via82cxxx average result @533MHz:
/dev/hda:
Timing cached reads: 232 MB in 2.00 seconds = 115.93 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 3.12 seconds = 20.54 MB/sec
pata_via average result @533MHz:
/dev/sda:
Timing cached reads: 234 MB in 2.01 seconds = 116.27 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 82 MB in 3.05 seconds = 26.92 MB/sec
Interesting! I haven't tried libata myself on that system, I only have remote access to it so I'm a bit afraid...
Rafal, I hope that system you run hdparm on isn't the archlinux one! Is it easy to load an old kernel (even two years old) and do the same test? If it is, please let me know of the results.I don't think it is possible. If I remember right kernel can't be older then glibc kernel headers.
Regards
Thanks in advance,
Dimitris
http://link.interia.pl/f1b15