diff --git a/drivers/ide/alim15x3.c b/drivers/ide/alim15x3.c
index dabd986216fe..8f03cce055fa 100644
--- a/drivers/ide/alim15x3.c
+++ b/drivers/ide/alim15x3.c
@@ -345,19 +345,13 @@ static int ali_cable_override(struct pci_dev *pdev)
  *
  *	This checks if the controller and the cable are capable
  *	of UDMA66 transfers. It doesn't check the drives.
- *	But see note 2 below!
- *
- *	FIXME: frobs bits that are not defined on newer ALi devicea
  */
 
 static u8 ali_cable_detect(ide_hwif_t *hwif)
 {
 	struct pci_dev *dev = to_pci_dev(hwif->dev);
-	unsigned long flags;
 	u8 cbl = ATA_CBL_PATA40, tmpbyte;
 
-	local_irq_save(flags);
-
 	if (m5229_revision >= 0xC2) {
 		/*
 		 * m5229 80-pin cable detection (from Host View)
@@ -377,8 +371,6 @@ static u8 ali_cable_detect(ide_hwif_t *hwif)
 		}
 	}
 
-	local_irq_restore(flags);
-
 	return cbl;
 }