The AHA1542C Doesn't Work with Linux

The option to allow disks with more than 1024 cylinders, which the
AHA1542C card can recognize, is only required as a workaround for a
PC-compatible BIOS misfeature and should be turned `off' under Linux.
For older Linux kernels you need to turn off most of the `advanced
BIOS' options--all but the one about scanning the bus for bootable
devices.