DATA DISTRICT DOCUMENTATION

Installing and Configuring a DMA Card

Install the DMA card, configure BIOS, install the FTDI driver, and verify the connection with DMA Test.

10 min read Updated August 9, 2026 Verified by DATA DISTRICT DMA

Prepare the main PC first, then install the driver and test the connection from the secondary PC. Do not flash firmware until the hardware is detected reliably.

Main PC

1
Shut the computer down completely and install the DMA card in a free PCIe x1, x4, x8, or x16 slot.
2
Connect the card to the secondary PC with a USB Type-C to USB 3.0 data cable. Do not use a passive hub.
3
Open the main PC BIOS and review virtualization options that may prevent the intended DMA configuration from working.
4
If available and required for the selected setup, disable NX-Bit / NX Mode. Skip this step if the option is absent.
5
If necessary, change the PCIe slot speed from Auto to Gen1 under Advanced / PCIe Settings.

BIOS labels vary by motherboard vendor. Record the original values before changing an unfamiliar option. Common items include Intel Virtualization / VT-d and AMD Virtualization / IOMMU / SVM Mode.

Secondary PC and FTDI driver

1
Download and fully extract the DATA DISTRICT DMA archive.
2
Open DATA DISTRICT DMA\FTD3XXDriver_WHQLCertified_v1.3.0.10\x64.
3
Right-click ftdibus3.inf and select Install.
4
In Windows Device Manager, confirm that FTDI FT601 USB 3.0 Bridge Device appears under USB controllers.

Download the DATA DISTRICT DMA archive

Installing the FTDI driver from ftdibus3.inf

FTDI device shown in Windows Device Manager

DMA Test

1
Open DATA DISTRICT DMA\Test in the extracted archive.
2
Run lone-dma-test.exe and choose 1 — Full Test.
3
Wait for completion. A correctly configured connection should report a passed result. As a guide, Speed Test values of 4000+ are acceptable and 6000+ are excellent; Throughput of 100+ is acceptable and 200+ is excellent.

The hardware is ready for the next stage when the driver is installed, the card is detected consistently, and the full test completes without errors.

NEED HELP?

Could not complete the guide?

Tell us your DMA card model, motherboard, Windows version, and attach a screenshot of the error.

Message @SpiralDD

Main PC

Shut the computer down completely and install the DMA card in a free PCIe x1, x4, x8, or x16 slot.

Connect the card to the secondary PC with a USB Type-C to USB 3.0 data cable. Do not use a passive hub.

Open the main PC BIOS and review virtualization options that may prevent the intended DMA configuration from working.

If available and required for the selected setup, disable NX-Bit / NX Mode. Skip this step if the option is absent.

If necessary, change the PCIe slot speed from Auto to Gen1 under Advanced / PCIe Settings.

BIOS labels vary by motherboard vendor. Record the original values before changing an unfamiliar option. Common items include Intel Virtualization / VT-d and AMD Virtualization / IOMMU / SVM Mode.

Secondary PC and FTDI driver

Download and fully extract the DATA DISTRICT DMA archive.

Open DATA DISTRICT DMA\FTD3XXDriver_WHQLCertified_v1.3.0.10\x64.

Right-click ftdibus3.inf and select Install.

In Windows Device Manager, confirm that FTDI FT601 USB 3.0 Bridge Device appears under USB controllers.

Download the DATA DISTRICT DMA archive

Installing the FTDI driver from ftdibus3.inf

FTDI device shown in Windows Device Manager

DMA Test

Open DATA DISTRICT DMA\Test in the extracted archive.

Run lone-dma-test.exe and choose 1 — Full Test.

Wait for completion. A correctly configured connection should report a passed result. As a guide, Speed Test values of 4000+ are acceptable and 6000+ are excellent; Throughput of 100+ is acceptable and 200+ is excellent.

The hardware is ready for the next stage when the driver is installed, the card is detected consistently, and the full test completes without errors.