diff --git a/drivers/ide/ide-tape.c b/drivers/ide/ide-tape.c
index 3d15e8e729e..6fa6a38d811 100644
--- a/drivers/ide/ide-tape.c
+++ b/drivers/ide/ide-tape.c
@@ -259,47 +259,6 @@ typedef struct idetape_packet_command_s {
 /* Data direction */
 #define	PC_WRITING			5
 
-/*
- *	Capabilities and Mechanical Status Page
- */
-typedef struct {
-	unsigned	page_code	:6;	/* Page code - Should be 0x2a */
-	__u8		reserved0_6	:1;
-	__u8		ps		:1;	/* parameters saveable */
-	__u8		page_length;		/* Page Length - Should be 0x12 */
-	__u8		reserved2, reserved3;
-	unsigned	ro		:1;	/* Read Only Mode */
-	unsigned	reserved4_1234	:4;
-	unsigned	sprev		:1;	/* Supports SPACE in the reverse direction */
-	unsigned	reserved4_67	:2;
-	unsigned	reserved5_012	:3;
-	unsigned	efmt		:1;	/* Supports ERASE command initiated formatting */
-	unsigned	reserved5_4	:1;
-	unsigned	qfa		:1;	/* Supports the QFA two partition formats */
-	unsigned	reserved5_67	:2;
-	unsigned	lock		:1;	/* Supports locking the volume */
-	unsigned	locked		:1;	/* The volume is locked */
-	unsigned	prevent		:1;	/* The device defaults in the prevent state after power up */	
-	unsigned	eject		:1;	/* The device can eject the volume */
-	__u8		disconnect	:1;	/* The device can break request > ctl */	
-	__u8		reserved6_5	:1;
-	unsigned	ecc		:1;	/* Supports error correction */
-	unsigned	cmprs		:1;	/* Supports data compression */
-	unsigned	reserved7_0	:1;
-	unsigned	blk512		:1;	/* Supports 512 bytes block size */
-	unsigned	blk1024		:1;	/* Supports 1024 bytes block size */
-	unsigned	reserved7_3_6	:4;
-	unsigned	blk32768	:1;	/* slowb - the device restricts the byte count for PIO */
-						/* transfers for slow buffer memory ??? */
-						/* Also 32768 block size in some cases */
-	__u16		max_speed;		/* Maximum speed supported in KBps */
-	__u8		reserved10, reserved11;
-	__u16		ctl;			/* Continuous Transfer Limit in blocks */
-	__u16		speed;			/* Current Speed, in KBps */
-	__u16		buffer_size;		/* Buffer Size, in 512 bytes */
-	__u8		reserved18, reserved19;
-} idetape_capabilities_page_t;
-
 /*
  *	Block Size Page
  */
@@ -417,8 +376,9 @@ typedef struct ide_tape_obj {
 	/* Usually 512 or 1024 bytes */
 	unsigned short tape_block_size;
 	int user_bs_factor;
+
 	/* Copy of the tape's Capabilities and Mechanical Page */
-	idetape_capabilities_page_t capabilities;
+	u8 caps[20];
 
 	/*
 	 *	Active data transfer request parameters.
@@ -2464,7 +2424,8 @@ static int idetape_create_prevent_cmd (ide_drive_t *drive, idetape_pc_t *pc, int
 {
 	idetape_tape_t *tape = drive->driver_data;
 
-	if (!tape->capabilities.lock)
+	/* device supports locking according to capabilities page */
+	if (!(tape->caps[6] & 0x01))
 		return 0;
 
 	idetape_init_pc(pc);
@@ -2850,7 +2811,7 @@ static int idetape_initiate_read (ide_drive_t *drive, int max_stages)
 	idetape_stage_t *new_stage;
 	struct request rq;
 	int bytes_read;
-	int blocks = tape->capabilities.ctl;
+	u16 blocks = *(u16 *)&tape->caps[12];
 
 	/* Initialize read operation */
 	if (tape->chrdev_direction != idetape_direction_read) {
@@ -3090,11 +3051,12 @@ static int idetape_space_over_filemarks (ide_drive_t *drive,short mt_op,int mt_c
 	idetape_pc_t pc;
 	unsigned long flags;
 	int retval,count=0;
+	int sprev = !!(tape->caps[4] & 0x20);
 
 	if (mt_count == 0)
 		return 0;
 	if (MTBSF == mt_op || MTBSFM == mt_op) {
-		if (!tape->capabilities.sprev)
+		if (!sprev)
 			return -EIO;
 		mt_count = - mt_count;
 	}
@@ -3148,7 +3110,7 @@ static int idetape_space_over_filemarks (ide_drive_t *drive,short mt_op,int mt_c
 			return (idetape_queue_pc_tail(drive, &pc));
 		case MTFSFM:
 		case MTBSFM:
-			if (!tape->capabilities.sprev)
+			if (!sprev)
 				return (-EIO);
 			retval = idetape_space_over_filemarks(drive, MTFSF, mt_count-count);
 			if (retval) return (retval);
@@ -3185,6 +3147,7 @@ static ssize_t idetape_chrdev_read (struct file *file, char __user *buf,
 	ide_drive_t *drive = tape->drive;
 	ssize_t bytes_read,temp, actually_read = 0, rc;
 	ssize_t ret = 0;
+	u16 ctl = *(u16 *)&tape->caps[12];
 
 #if IDETAPE_DEBUG_LOG
 	if (tape->debug_level >= 3)
@@ -3210,7 +3173,7 @@ static ssize_t idetape_chrdev_read (struct file *file, char __user *buf,
 		count -= actually_read;
 	}
 	while (count >= tape->stage_size) {
-		bytes_read = idetape_add_chrdev_read_request(drive, tape->capabilities.ctl);
+		bytes_read = idetape_add_chrdev_read_request(drive, ctl);
 		if (bytes_read <= 0)
 			goto finish;
 		if (idetape_copy_stage_to_user(tape, buf, tape->merge_stage, bytes_read))
@@ -3220,7 +3183,7 @@ static ssize_t idetape_chrdev_read (struct file *file, char __user *buf,
 		actually_read += bytes_read;
 	}
 	if (count) {
-		bytes_read = idetape_add_chrdev_read_request(drive, tape->capabilities.ctl);
+		bytes_read = idetape_add_chrdev_read_request(drive, ctl);
 		if (bytes_read <= 0)
 			goto finish;
 		temp = min((unsigned long)count, (unsigned long)bytes_read);
@@ -3249,6 +3212,7 @@ static ssize_t idetape_chrdev_write (struct file *file, const char __user *buf,
 	ide_drive_t *drive = tape->drive;
 	ssize_t actually_written = 0;
 	ssize_t ret = 0;
+	u16 ctl = *(u16 *)&tape->caps[12];
 
 	/* The drive is write protected. */
 	if (tape->write_prot)
@@ -3310,7 +3274,7 @@ static ssize_t idetape_chrdev_write (struct file *file, const char __user *buf,
 		if (tape->merge_stage_size == tape->stage_size) {
 			ssize_t retval;
 			tape->merge_stage_size = 0;
-			retval = idetape_add_chrdev_write_request(drive, tape->capabilities.ctl);
+			retval = idetape_add_chrdev_write_request(drive, ctl);
 			if (retval <= 0)
 				return (retval);
 		}
@@ -3321,7 +3285,7 @@ static ssize_t idetape_chrdev_write (struct file *file, const char __user *buf,
 			ret = -EFAULT;
 		buf += tape->stage_size;
 		count -= tape->stage_size;
-		retval = idetape_add_chrdev_write_request(drive, tape->capabilities.ctl);
+		retval = idetape_add_chrdev_write_request(drive, ctl);
 		actually_written += tape->stage_size;
 		if (retval <= 0)
 			return (retval);
@@ -3821,46 +3785,52 @@ static void idetape_get_inquiry_results (ide_drive_t *drive)
 }
 
 /*
- *	idetape_get_mode_sense_results asks the tape about its various
- *	parameters. In particular, we will adjust our data transfer buffer
- *	size to the recommended value as returned by the tape.
+ * Ask the tape about its various parameters. In particular, we will adjust our
+ * data transfer buffer	size to the recommended value as returned by the tape.
  */
 static void idetape_get_mode_sense_results (ide_drive_t *drive)
 {
 	idetape_tape_t *tape = drive->driver_data;
 	idetape_pc_t pc;
-	idetape_capabilities_page_t *capabilities;
+	u8 *caps;
+	u8 speed, max_speed;
 
 	idetape_create_mode_sense_cmd(&pc, IDETAPE_CAPABILITIES_PAGE);
 	if (idetape_queue_pc_tail(drive, &pc)) {
-		printk(KERN_ERR "ide-tape: Can't get tape parameters - assuming some default values\n");
+		printk(KERN_ERR "ide-tape: Can't get tape parameters - assuming"
+				" some default values\n");
 		tape->tape_block_size = 512;
-		tape->capabilities.ctl = 52;
-		tape->capabilities.speed = 450;
-		tape->capabilities.buffer_size = 6 * 52;
+		put_unaligned(52,   (u16 *)&tape->caps[12]);
+		put_unaligned(540,  (u16 *)&tape->caps[14]);
+		put_unaligned(6*52, (u16 *)&tape->caps[16]);
 		return;
 	}
-	capabilities = (idetape_capabilities_page_t *)
-		(pc.buffer + 4 + pc.buffer[3]);
+	caps = pc.buffer + 4 + pc.buffer[3];
 
-	capabilities->max_speed = ntohs(capabilities->max_speed);
-	capabilities->ctl = ntohs(capabilities->ctl);
-	capabilities->speed = ntohs(capabilities->speed);
-	capabilities->buffer_size = ntohs(capabilities->buffer_size);
+	/* convert to host order and save for later use */
+	speed = be16_to_cpu(*(u16 *)&caps[14]);
+	max_speed = be16_to_cpu(*(u16 *)&caps[8]);
 
-	if (!capabilities->speed) {
-		printk(KERN_INFO "ide-tape: %s: overriding capabilities->speed (assuming 650KB/sec)\n", drive->name);
-		capabilities->speed = 650;
+	put_unaligned(max_speed, (u16 *)&caps[8]);
+	put_unaligned(be16_to_cpu(*(u16 *)&caps[12]), (u16 *)&caps[12]);
+	put_unaligned(speed, (u16 *)&caps[14]);
+	put_unaligned(be16_to_cpu(*(u16 *)&caps[16]), (u16 *)&caps[16]);
+
+	if (!speed) {
+		printk(KERN_INFO "ide-tape: %s: invalid tape speed "
+				"(assuming 650KB/sec)\n", drive->name);
+		put_unaligned(650, (u16 *)&caps[14]);
 	}
-	if (!capabilities->max_speed) {
-		printk(KERN_INFO "ide-tape: %s: overriding capabilities->max_speed (assuming 650KB/sec)\n", drive->name);
-		capabilities->max_speed = 650;
+	if (!max_speed) {
+		printk(KERN_INFO "ide-tape: %s: invalid max_speed "
+				"(assuming 650KB/sec)\n", drive->name);
+		put_unaligned(650, (u16 *)&caps[8]);
 	}
 
-	tape->capabilities = *capabilities;		/* Save us a copy */
-	if (capabilities->blk512)
+	memcpy(&tape->caps, caps, 20);
+	if (caps[7] & 0x02)
 		tape->tape_block_size = 512;
-	else if (capabilities->blk1024)
+	else if (caps[7] & 0x04)
 		tape->tape_block_size = 1024;
 }
 
@@ -3897,13 +3867,15 @@ static void idetape_add_settings (ide_drive_t *drive)
 /*
  *			drive	setting name		read/write	data type	min			max			mul_factor			div_factor	data pointer				set function
  */
-	ide_add_setting(drive,	"buffer",		SETTING_READ,	TYPE_SHORT,	0,			0xffff,			1,				2,		&tape->capabilities.buffer_size,	NULL);
+	ide_add_setting(drive, "buffer", SETTING_READ, TYPE_SHORT, 0, 0xffff,
+			1, 2, (u16 *)&tape->caps[16], NULL);
 	ide_add_setting(drive,	"pipeline_min",		SETTING_RW,	TYPE_INT,	1,			0xffff,			tape->stage_size / 1024,	1,		&tape->min_pipeline,			NULL);
 	ide_add_setting(drive,	"pipeline",		SETTING_RW,	TYPE_INT,	1,			0xffff,			tape->stage_size / 1024,	1,		&tape->max_stages,			NULL);
 	ide_add_setting(drive,	"pipeline_max",		SETTING_RW,	TYPE_INT,	1,			0xffff,			tape->stage_size / 1024,	1,		&tape->max_pipeline,			NULL);
 	ide_add_setting(drive,	"pipeline_used",	SETTING_READ,	TYPE_INT,	0,			0xffff,			tape->stage_size / 1024,	1,		&tape->nr_stages,			NULL);
 	ide_add_setting(drive,	"pipeline_pending",	SETTING_READ,	TYPE_INT,	0,			0xffff,			tape->stage_size / 1024,	1,		&tape->nr_pending_stages,		NULL);
-	ide_add_setting(drive,	"speed",		SETTING_READ,	TYPE_SHORT,	0,			0xffff,			1,				1,		&tape->capabilities.speed,		NULL);
+	ide_add_setting(drive, "speed", SETTING_READ, TYPE_SHORT, 0, 0xffff,
+			1, 1, (u16 *)&tape->caps[14], NULL);
 	ide_add_setting(drive,	"stage",		SETTING_READ,	TYPE_INT,	0,			0xffff,			1,				1024,		&tape->stage_size,			NULL);
 	ide_add_setting(drive,	"tdsc",			SETTING_RW,	TYPE_INT,	IDETAPE_DSC_RW_MIN,	IDETAPE_DSC_RW_MAX,	1000,				HZ,		&tape->best_dsc_rw_frequency,		NULL);
 	ide_add_setting(drive,	"dsc_overlap",		SETTING_RW,	TYPE_BYTE,	0,			1,			1,				1,		&drive->dsc_overlap,			NULL);
@@ -3935,6 +3907,7 @@ static void idetape_setup (ide_drive_t *drive, idetape_tape_t *tape, int minor)
 	struct idetape_id_gcw gcw;
 	int stage_size;
 	struct sysinfo si;
+	u16 *ctl = (u16 *)&tape->caps[12];
 
 	spin_lock_init(&tape->spinlock);
 	drive->dsc_overlap = 1;
@@ -3964,11 +3937,11 @@ static void idetape_setup (ide_drive_t *drive, idetape_tape_t *tape, int minor)
 	idetape_get_mode_sense_results(drive);
 	idetape_get_blocksize_from_block_descriptor(drive);
 	tape->user_bs_factor = 1;
-	tape->stage_size = tape->capabilities.ctl * tape->tape_block_size;
+	tape->stage_size = *ctl * tape->tape_block_size;
 	while (tape->stage_size > 0xffff) {
 		printk(KERN_NOTICE "ide-tape: decreasing stage size\n");
-		tape->capabilities.ctl /= 2;
-		tape->stage_size = tape->capabilities.ctl * tape->tape_block_size;
+		*ctl /= 2;
+		tape->stage_size = *ctl * tape->tape_block_size;
 	}
 	stage_size = tape->stage_size;
 	tape->pages_per_stage = stage_size / PAGE_SIZE;
@@ -3977,11 +3950,8 @@ static void idetape_setup (ide_drive_t *drive, idetape_tape_t *tape, int minor)
 		tape->excess_bh_size = PAGE_SIZE - stage_size % PAGE_SIZE;
 	}
 
-	/*
-	 *	Select the "best" DSC read/write polling frequency
-	 *	and pipeline size.
-	 */
-	speed = max(tape->capabilities.speed, tape->capabilities.max_speed);
+	/* Select the "best" DSC read/write polling freq and pipeline size. */
+	speed = max(*(u16 *)&tape->caps[14], *(u16 *)&tape->caps[8]);
 
 	tape->max_stages = speed * 1000 * 10 / tape->stage_size;
 
@@ -3998,7 +3968,7 @@ static void idetape_setup (ide_drive_t *drive, idetape_tape_t *tape, int minor)
 		tape->max_stages = tape->min_pipeline = tape->max_pipeline = 1;
 
 	t1 = (tape->stage_size * HZ) / (speed * 1000);
-	tmid = (tape->capabilities.buffer_size * 32 * HZ) / (speed * 125);
+	tmid = (*(u16 *)&tape->caps[16] * 32 * HZ) / (speed * 125);
 	tn = (IDETAPE_FIFO_THRESHOLD * tape->stage_size * HZ) / (speed * 1000);
 
 	if (tape->max_stages)
@@ -4013,8 +3983,8 @@ static void idetape_setup (ide_drive_t *drive, idetape_tape_t *tape, int minor)
 	tape->best_dsc_rw_frequency = max_t(unsigned long, min_t(unsigned long, t, IDETAPE_DSC_RW_MAX), IDETAPE_DSC_RW_MIN);
 	printk(KERN_INFO "ide-tape: %s <-> %s: %dKBps, %d*%dkB buffer, "
 		"%dkB pipeline, %lums tDSC%s\n",
-		drive->name, tape->name, tape->capabilities.speed,
-		(tape->capabilities.buffer_size * 512) / tape->stage_size,
+		drive->name, tape->name, *(u16 *)&tape->caps[14],
+		(*(u16 *)&tape->caps[16] * 512) / tape->stage_size,
 		tape->stage_size / 1024,
 		tape->max_stages * tape->stage_size / 1024,
 		tape->best_dsc_rw_frequency * 1000 / HZ,