what is edd?

Hello. I was and am a very happy user of knoppix 5.1.1 on my Toshiba 2775 P3 laptop. What a great disc. Works with no cheatcodes needed.

I am trying to use knoppix 6.0.1. Unlike 5.1.1, I have to add edd=off into the boot line. I figured that out because, like 6.0.1, Parted Magic hangs for around two minutes after the initrd, but when PM hangs it says it is probing edd, and suggests edd=off. So, even edd=off is not in the knoppix cheatcodes, it does work and eliminates that 2 minute hang.

Does anyone know what the edd is doing? And what are the consequences of turning it off?

Also, for 6.0.1 I have to use pci=bios. For 5.1.1 I did not.

Thanks much for all the hard work!

Irwin