diff --git a/arch/arm/plat-omap/mailbox.c b/arch/arm/plat-omap/mailbox.c
index 7a1f5c25fd1..40424edae93 100644
--- a/arch/arm/plat-omap/mailbox.c
+++ b/arch/arm/plat-omap/mailbox.c
@@ -197,9 +197,7 @@ static void mbox_tx_work(struct work_struct *work)
 		struct omap_msg_tx_data *tx_data;
 
 		spin_lock(q->queue_lock);
-		rq = elv_next_request(q);
-		if (rq)
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
+		rq = blk_fetch_request(q);
 		spin_unlock(q->queue_lock);
 
 		if (!rq)
@@ -242,9 +240,7 @@ static void mbox_rx_work(struct work_struct *work)
 
 	while (1) {
 		spin_lock_irqsave(q->queue_lock, flags);
-		rq = elv_next_request(q);
-		if (rq)
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
+		rq = blk_fetch_request(q);
 		spin_unlock_irqrestore(q->queue_lock, flags);
 		if (!rq)
 			break;
@@ -351,9 +347,7 @@ omap_mbox_read(struct device *dev, struct device_attribute *attr, char *buf)
 
 	while (1) {
 		spin_lock_irqsave(q->queue_lock, flags);
-		rq = elv_next_request(q);
-		if (rq)
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
+		rq = blk_fetch_request(q);
 		spin_unlock_irqrestore(q->queue_lock, flags);
 
 		if (!rq)
diff --git a/arch/um/drivers/ubd_kern.c b/arch/um/drivers/ubd_kern.c
index 402ba8f70fc..aa9e926e13d 100644
--- a/arch/um/drivers/ubd_kern.c
+++ b/arch/um/drivers/ubd_kern.c
@@ -1228,12 +1228,11 @@ static void do_ubd_request(struct request_queue *q)
 	while(1){
 		struct ubd *dev = q->queuedata;
 		if(dev->end_sg == 0){
-			struct request *req = elv_next_request(q);
+			struct request *req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 			if(req == NULL)
 				return;
 
 			dev->request = req;
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
 			dev->start_sg = 0;
 			dev->end_sg = blk_rq_map_sg(q, req, dev->sg);
 		}
diff --git a/block/blk-barrier.c b/block/blk-barrier.c
index 8713c2fbc4f..0ab81a0a750 100644
--- a/block/blk-barrier.c
+++ b/block/blk-barrier.c
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ static inline bool start_ordered(struct request_queue *q, struct request **rqp)
 	}
 
 	/* stash away the original request */
-	elv_dequeue_request(q, rq);
+	blk_dequeue_request(rq);
 	q->orig_bar_rq = rq;
 	rq = NULL;
 
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ bool blk_do_ordered(struct request_queue *q, struct request **rqp)
 			 * Queue ordering not supported.  Terminate
 			 * with prejudice.
 			 */
-			elv_dequeue_request(q, rq);
+			blk_dequeue_request(rq);
 			__blk_end_request_all(rq, -EOPNOTSUPP);
 			*rqp = NULL;
 			return false;
diff --git a/block/blk-core.c b/block/blk-core.c
index 6226a380fb6..93691d2ac5a 100644
--- a/block/blk-core.c
+++ b/block/blk-core.c
@@ -902,6 +902,8 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL(blk_get_request);
  */
 void blk_requeue_request(struct request_queue *q, struct request *rq)
 {
+	BUG_ON(blk_queued_rq(rq));
+
 	blk_delete_timer(rq);
 	blk_clear_rq_complete(rq);
 	trace_block_rq_requeue(q, rq);
@@ -1610,28 +1612,6 @@ int blk_insert_cloned_request(struct request_queue *q, struct request *rq)
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(blk_insert_cloned_request);
 
-/**
- * blkdev_dequeue_request - dequeue request and start timeout timer
- * @req: request to dequeue
- *
- * Dequeue @req and start timeout timer on it.  This hands off the
- * request to the driver.
- *
- * Block internal functions which don't want to start timer should
- * call elv_dequeue_request().
- */
-void blkdev_dequeue_request(struct request *req)
-{
-	elv_dequeue_request(req->q, req);
-
-	/*
-	 * We are now handing the request to the hardware, add the
-	 * timeout handler.
-	 */
-	blk_add_timer(req);
-}
-EXPORT_SYMBOL(blkdev_dequeue_request);
-
 static void blk_account_io_completion(struct request *req, unsigned int bytes)
 {
 	if (blk_do_io_stat(req)) {
@@ -1671,7 +1651,23 @@ static void blk_account_io_done(struct request *req)
 	}
 }
 
-struct request *elv_next_request(struct request_queue *q)
+/**
+ * blk_peek_request - peek at the top of a request queue
+ * @q: request queue to peek at
+ *
+ * Description:
+ *     Return the request at the top of @q.  The returned request
+ *     should be started using blk_start_request() before LLD starts
+ *     processing it.
+ *
+ * Return:
+ *     Pointer to the request at the top of @q if available.  Null
+ *     otherwise.
+ *
+ * Context:
+ *     queue_lock must be held.
+ */
+struct request *blk_peek_request(struct request_queue *q)
 {
 	struct request *rq;
 	int ret;
@@ -1748,10 +1744,12 @@ struct request *elv_next_request(struct request_queue *q)
 
 	return rq;
 }
-EXPORT_SYMBOL(elv_next_request);
+EXPORT_SYMBOL(blk_peek_request);
 
-void elv_dequeue_request(struct request_queue *q, struct request *rq)
+void blk_dequeue_request(struct request *rq)
 {
+	struct request_queue *q = rq->q;
+
 	BUG_ON(list_empty(&rq->queuelist));
 	BUG_ON(ELV_ON_HASH(rq));
 
@@ -1766,6 +1764,58 @@ void elv_dequeue_request(struct request_queue *q, struct request *rq)
 		q->in_flight++;
 }
 
+/**
+ * blk_start_request - start request processing on the driver
+ * @req: request to dequeue
+ *
+ * Description:
+ *     Dequeue @req and start timeout timer on it.  This hands off the
+ *     request to the driver.
+ *
+ *     Block internal functions which don't want to start timer should
+ *     call blk_dequeue_request().
+ *
+ * Context:
+ *     queue_lock must be held.
+ */
+void blk_start_request(struct request *req)
+{
+	blk_dequeue_request(req);
+
+	/*
+	 * We are now handing the request to the hardware, add the
+	 * timeout handler.
+	 */
+	blk_add_timer(req);
+}
+EXPORT_SYMBOL(blk_start_request);
+
+/**
+ * blk_fetch_request - fetch a request from a request queue
+ * @q: request queue to fetch a request from
+ *
+ * Description:
+ *     Return the request at the top of @q.  The request is started on
+ *     return and LLD can start processing it immediately.
+ *
+ * Return:
+ *     Pointer to the request at the top of @q if available.  Null
+ *     otherwise.
+ *
+ * Context:
+ *     queue_lock must be held.
+ */
+struct request *blk_fetch_request(struct request_queue *q)
+{
+	struct request *rq;
+
+	rq = blk_peek_request(q);
+	if (rq)
+		blk_start_request(rq);
+	return rq;
+}
+EXPORT_SYMBOL(blk_fetch_request);
+
 /**
  * blk_update_request - Special helper function for request stacking drivers
  * @rq:	      the request being processed
@@ -1937,12 +1987,11 @@ static bool blk_update_bidi_request(struct request *rq, int error,
  */
 static void blk_finish_request(struct request *req, int error)
 {
+	BUG_ON(blk_queued_rq(req));
+
 	if (blk_rq_tagged(req))
 		blk_queue_end_tag(req->q, req);
 
-	if (blk_queued_rq(req))
-		elv_dequeue_request(req->q, req);
-
 	if (unlikely(laptop_mode) && blk_fs_request(req))
 		laptop_io_completion();
 
diff --git a/block/blk-tag.c b/block/blk-tag.c
index 3c518e3303a..c260f7c30dd 100644
--- a/block/blk-tag.c
+++ b/block/blk-tag.c
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ int blk_queue_start_tag(struct request_queue *q, struct request *rq)
 	rq->cmd_flags |= REQ_QUEUED;
 	rq->tag = tag;
 	bqt->tag_index[tag] = rq;
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
+	blk_start_request(rq);
 	list_add(&rq->queuelist, &q->tag_busy_list);
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/block/blk.h b/block/blk.h
index ab54529103c..9e0042ca949 100644
--- a/block/blk.h
+++ b/block/blk.h
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ extern struct kobj_type blk_queue_ktype;
 void init_request_from_bio(struct request *req, struct bio *bio);
 void blk_rq_bio_prep(struct request_queue *q, struct request *rq,
 			struct bio *bio);
+void blk_dequeue_request(struct request *rq);
 void __blk_queue_free_tags(struct request_queue *q);
 
 void blk_unplug_work(struct work_struct *work);
diff --git a/drivers/block/DAC960.c b/drivers/block/DAC960.c
index 774ab05973a..668dc234b8e 100644
--- a/drivers/block/DAC960.c
+++ b/drivers/block/DAC960.c
@@ -3321,7 +3321,7 @@ static int DAC960_process_queue(DAC960_Controller_T *Controller, struct request_
 	DAC960_Command_T *Command;
 
    while(1) {
-	Request = elv_next_request(req_q);
+	Request = blk_peek_request(req_q);
 	if (!Request)
 		return 1;
 
@@ -3341,7 +3341,7 @@ static int DAC960_process_queue(DAC960_Controller_T *Controller, struct request_
 	Command->BlockNumber = blk_rq_pos(Request);
 	Command->BlockCount = blk_rq_sectors(Request);
 	Command->Request = Request;
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(Request);
+	blk_start_request(Request);
 	Command->SegmentCount = blk_rq_map_sg(req_q,
 		  Command->Request, Command->cmd_sglist);
 	/* pci_map_sg MAY change the value of SegCount */
diff --git a/drivers/block/amiflop.c b/drivers/block/amiflop.c
index 80a68b2e045..9c6e5b0fe89 100644
--- a/drivers/block/amiflop.c
+++ b/drivers/block/amiflop.c
@@ -1342,12 +1342,11 @@ static void redo_fd_request(void)
 	int err;
 
 next_req:
-	rq = elv_next_request(floppy_queue);
+	rq = blk_fetch_request(floppy_queue);
 	if (!rq) {
 		/* Nothing left to do */
 		return;
 	}
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
 
 	floppy = rq->rq_disk->private_data;
 	drive = floppy - unit;
diff --git a/drivers/block/ataflop.c b/drivers/block/ataflop.c
index 89a591d9c83..f5e7180d7f4 100644
--- a/drivers/block/ataflop.c
+++ b/drivers/block/ataflop.c
@@ -1404,10 +1404,9 @@ static void redo_fd_request(void)
 
 repeat:
 	if (!fd_request) {
-		fd_request = elv_next_request(floppy_queue);
+		fd_request = blk_fetch_request(floppy_queue);
 		if (!fd_request)
 			goto the_end;
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(fd_request);
 	}
 
 	floppy = fd_request->rq_disk->private_data;
diff --git a/drivers/block/cciss.c b/drivers/block/cciss.c
index ab7b04c0db7..e714e7cce6f 100644
--- a/drivers/block/cciss.c
+++ b/drivers/block/cciss.c
@@ -2801,7 +2801,7 @@ static void do_cciss_request(struct request_queue *q)
 		goto startio;
 
       queue:
-	creq = elv_next_request(q);
+	creq = blk_peek_request(q);
 	if (!creq)
 		goto startio;
 
@@ -2810,7 +2810,7 @@ static void do_cciss_request(struct request_queue *q)
 	if ((c = cmd_alloc(h, 1)) == NULL)
 		goto full;
 
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(creq);
+	blk_start_request(creq);
 
 	spin_unlock_irq(q->queue_lock);
 
diff --git a/drivers/block/cpqarray.c b/drivers/block/cpqarray.c
index a5caeff4718..a02dcfc00f1 100644
--- a/drivers/block/cpqarray.c
+++ b/drivers/block/cpqarray.c
@@ -903,7 +903,7 @@ static void do_ida_request(struct request_queue *q)
 		goto startio;
 
 queue_next:
-	creq = elv_next_request(q);
+	creq = blk_peek_request(q);
 	if (!creq)
 		goto startio;
 
@@ -912,7 +912,7 @@ queue_next:
 	if ((c = cmd_alloc(h,1)) == NULL)
 		goto startio;
 
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(creq);
+	blk_start_request(creq);
 
 	c->ctlr = h->ctlr;
 	c->hdr.unit = (drv_info_t *)(creq->rq_disk->private_data) - h->drv;
diff --git a/drivers/block/floppy.c b/drivers/block/floppy.c
index e2c70d2085a..90877fee0ee 100644
--- a/drivers/block/floppy.c
+++ b/drivers/block/floppy.c
@@ -931,7 +931,7 @@ static inline void unlock_fdc(void)
 	del_timer(&fd_timeout);
 	cont = NULL;
 	clear_bit(0, &fdc_busy);
-	if (current_req || elv_next_request(floppy_queue))
+	if (current_req || blk_peek_request(floppy_queue))
 		do_fd_request(floppy_queue);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&floppy_lock, flags);
 	wake_up(&fdc_wait);
@@ -2912,9 +2912,7 @@ static void redo_fd_request(void)
 			struct request *req;
 
 			spin_lock_irq(floppy_queue->queue_lock);
-			req = elv_next_request(floppy_queue);
-			if (req)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+			req = blk_fetch_request(floppy_queue);
 			spin_unlock_irq(floppy_queue->queue_lock);
 			if (!req) {
 				do_floppy = NULL;
diff --git a/drivers/block/hd.c b/drivers/block/hd.c
index 288ab63c102..961de56d00a 100644
--- a/drivers/block/hd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/hd.c
@@ -592,12 +592,11 @@ repeat:
 	del_timer(&device_timer);
 
 	if (!hd_req) {
-		hd_req = elv_next_request(hd_queue);
+		hd_req = blk_fetch_request(hd_queue);
 		if (!hd_req) {
 			do_hd = NULL;
 			return;
 		}
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(hd_req);
 	}
 	req = hd_req;
 
diff --git a/drivers/block/mg_disk.c b/drivers/block/mg_disk.c
index 1ca5d1423fa..c0cd0a03f69 100644
--- a/drivers/block/mg_disk.c
+++ b/drivers/block/mg_disk.c
@@ -671,10 +671,8 @@ static void mg_request_poll(struct request_queue *q)
 
 	while (1) {
 		if (!host->req) {
-			host->req = elv_next_request(q);
-			if (host->req)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(host->req);
-			else
+			host->req = blk_fetch_request(q);
+			if (!host->req)
 				break;
 		}
 
@@ -744,10 +742,8 @@ static void mg_request(struct request_queue *q)
 
 	while (1) {
 		if (!host->req) {
-			host->req = elv_next_request(q);
-			if (host->req)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(host->req);
-			else
+			host->req = blk_fetch_request(q);
+			if (!host->req)
 				break;
 		}
 		req = host->req;
diff --git a/drivers/block/nbd.c b/drivers/block/nbd.c
index fad167de23b..5d23ffad7c7 100644
--- a/drivers/block/nbd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/nbd.c
@@ -533,11 +533,9 @@ static void do_nbd_request(struct request_queue *q)
 {
 	struct request *req;
 	
-	while ((req = elv_next_request(q)) != NULL) {
+	while ((req = blk_fetch_request(q)) != NULL) {
 		struct nbd_device *lo;
 
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-
 		spin_unlock_irq(q->queue_lock);
 
 		dprintk(DBG_BLKDEV, "%s: request %p: dequeued (flags=%x)\n",
diff --git a/drivers/block/paride/pcd.c b/drivers/block/paride/pcd.c
index 425f81586a3..911dfd98d81 100644
--- a/drivers/block/paride/pcd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/paride/pcd.c
@@ -720,10 +720,9 @@ static void do_pcd_request(struct request_queue * q)
 		return;
 	while (1) {
 		if (!pcd_req) {
-			pcd_req = elv_next_request(q);
+			pcd_req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 			if (!pcd_req)
 				return;
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(pcd_req);
 		}
 
 		if (rq_data_dir(pcd_req) == READ) {
diff --git a/drivers/block/paride/pd.c b/drivers/block/paride/pd.c
index d2ca3f55206..bf5955b3d87 100644
--- a/drivers/block/paride/pd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/paride/pd.c
@@ -412,11 +412,9 @@ static void run_fsm(void)
 				spin_lock_irqsave(&pd_lock, saved_flags);
 				if (!__blk_end_request_cur(pd_req,
 						res == Ok ? 0 : -EIO)) {
-					pd_req = elv_next_request(pd_queue);
+					pd_req = blk_fetch_request(pd_queue);
 					if (!pd_req)
 						stop = 1;
-					else
-						blkdev_dequeue_request(pd_req);
 				}
 				spin_unlock_irqrestore(&pd_lock, saved_flags);
 				if (stop)
@@ -706,10 +704,9 @@ static void do_pd_request(struct request_queue * q)
 {
 	if (pd_req)
 		return;
-	pd_req = elv_next_request(q);
+	pd_req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 	if (!pd_req)
 		return;
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(pd_req);
 
 	schedule_fsm();
 }
diff --git a/drivers/block/paride/pf.c b/drivers/block/paride/pf.c
index d6f7bd84ed3..68a90834e99 100644
--- a/drivers/block/paride/pf.c
+++ b/drivers/block/paride/pf.c
@@ -762,10 +762,9 @@ static void do_pf_request(struct request_queue * q)
 		return;
 repeat:
 	if (!pf_req) {
-		pf_req = elv_next_request(q);
+		pf_req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 		if (!pf_req)
 			return;
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(pf_req);
 	}
 
 	pf_current = pf_req->rq_disk->private_data;
diff --git a/drivers/block/ps3disk.c b/drivers/block/ps3disk.c
index f4d8db944e7..338cee4cc0b 100644
--- a/drivers/block/ps3disk.c
+++ b/drivers/block/ps3disk.c
@@ -194,9 +194,7 @@ static void ps3disk_do_request(struct ps3_storage_device *dev,
 
 	dev_dbg(&dev->sbd.core, "%s:%u\n", __func__, __LINE__);
 
-	while ((req = elv_next_request(q))) {
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-
+	while ((req = blk_fetch_request(q))) {
 		if (blk_fs_request(req)) {
 			if (ps3disk_submit_request_sg(dev, req))
 				break;
diff --git a/drivers/block/sunvdc.c b/drivers/block/sunvdc.c
index 9f351bfa15e..cbfd9c0aef0 100644
--- a/drivers/block/sunvdc.c
+++ b/drivers/block/sunvdc.c
@@ -441,12 +441,11 @@ out:
 static void do_vdc_request(struct request_queue *q)
 {
 	while (1) {
-		struct request *req = elv_next_request(q);
+		struct request *req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 
 		if (!req)
 			break;
 
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
 		if (__send_request(req) < 0)
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
 	}
diff --git a/drivers/block/swim.c b/drivers/block/swim.c
index dedd4893f5e..cf7877fb8a7 100644
--- a/drivers/block/swim.c
+++ b/drivers/block/swim.c
@@ -528,10 +528,7 @@ static void redo_fd_request(struct request_queue *q)
 	struct request *req;
 	struct floppy_state *fs;
 
-	req = elv_next_request(q);
-	if (req)
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-
+	req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 	while (req) {
 		int err = -EIO;
 
@@ -554,11 +551,8 @@ static void redo_fd_request(struct request_queue *q)
 			break;
 		}
 	done:
-		if (!__blk_end_request_cur(req, err)) {
-			req = elv_next_request(q);
-			if (req)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-		}
+		if (!__blk_end_request_cur(req, err))
+			req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/block/swim3.c b/drivers/block/swim3.c
index f48c6dd47e0..80df93e3cdd 100644
--- a/drivers/block/swim3.c
+++ b/drivers/block/swim3.c
@@ -326,10 +326,9 @@ static void start_request(struct floppy_state *fs)
 	}
 	while (fs->state == idle) {
 		if (!fd_req) {
-			fd_req = elv_next_request(swim3_queue);
+			fd_req = blk_fetch_request(swim3_queue);
 			if (!fd_req)
 				break;
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(fd_req);
 		}
 		req = fd_req;
 #if 0
diff --git a/drivers/block/sx8.c b/drivers/block/sx8.c
index 087c94c8b2d..da403b6a7f4 100644
--- a/drivers/block/sx8.c
+++ b/drivers/block/sx8.c
@@ -810,12 +810,10 @@ static void carm_oob_rq_fn(struct request_queue *q)
 
 	while (1) {
 		DPRINTK("get req\n");
-		rq = elv_next_request(q);
+		rq = blk_fetch_request(q);
 		if (!rq)
 			break;
 
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
-
 		crq = rq->special;
 		assert(crq != NULL);
 		assert(crq->rq == rq);
@@ -846,7 +844,7 @@ static void carm_rq_fn(struct request_queue *q)
 
 queue_one_request:
 	VPRINTK("get req\n");
-	rq = elv_next_request(q);
+	rq = blk_peek_request(q);
 	if (!rq)
 		return;
 
@@ -857,7 +855,7 @@ queue_one_request:
 	}
 	crq->rq = rq;
 
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
+	blk_start_request(rq);
 
 	if (rq_data_dir(rq) == WRITE) {
 		writing = 1;
diff --git a/drivers/block/ub.c b/drivers/block/ub.c
index 40d03cf63f2..178f459a50e 100644
--- a/drivers/block/ub.c
+++ b/drivers/block/ub.c
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ static void ub_request_fn(struct request_queue *q)
 	struct ub_lun *lun = q->queuedata;
 	struct request *rq;
 
-	while ((rq = elv_next_request(q)) != NULL) {
+	while ((rq = blk_peek_request(q)) != NULL) {
 		if (ub_request_fn_1(lun, rq) != 0) {
 			blk_stop_queue(q);
 			break;
@@ -643,13 +643,13 @@ static int ub_request_fn_1(struct ub_lun *lun, struct request *rq)
 	int n_elem;
 
 	if (atomic_read(&sc->poison)) {
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
+		blk_start_request(rq);
 		ub_end_rq(rq, DID_NO_CONNECT << 16, blk_rq_bytes(rq));
 		return 0;
 	}
 
 	if (lun->changed && !blk_pc_request(rq)) {
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
+		blk_start_request(rq);
 		ub_end_rq(rq, SAM_STAT_CHECK_CONDITION, blk_rq_bytes(rq));
 		return 0;
 	}
@@ -660,7 +660,7 @@ static int ub_request_fn_1(struct ub_lun *lun, struct request *rq)
 		return -1;
 	memset(cmd, 0, sizeof(struct ub_scsi_cmd));
 
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
+	blk_start_request(rq);
 
 	urq = &lun->urq;
 	memset(urq, 0, sizeof(struct ub_request));
diff --git a/drivers/block/viodasd.c b/drivers/block/viodasd.c
index 2086cb12d3e..390d69bb7c4 100644
--- a/drivers/block/viodasd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/viodasd.c
@@ -361,11 +361,9 @@ static void do_viodasd_request(struct request_queue *q)
 	 * back later.
 	 */
 	while (num_req_outstanding < VIOMAXREQ) {
-		req = elv_next_request(q);
+		req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 		if (req == NULL)
 			return;
-		/* dequeue the current request from the queue */
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
 		/* check that request contains a valid command */
 		if (!blk_fs_request(req)) {
 			viodasd_end_request(req, -EIO, blk_rq_sectors(req));
diff --git a/drivers/block/virtio_blk.c b/drivers/block/virtio_blk.c
index 1980ab45635..29a9daf4862 100644
--- a/drivers/block/virtio_blk.c
+++ b/drivers/block/virtio_blk.c
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ static void do_virtblk_request(struct request_queue *q)
 	struct request *req;
 	unsigned int issued = 0;
 
-	while ((req = elv_next_request(q)) != NULL) {
+	while ((req = blk_peek_request(q)) != NULL) {
 		vblk = req->rq_disk->private_data;
 		BUG_ON(req->nr_phys_segments + 2 > vblk->sg_elems);
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ static void do_virtblk_request(struct request_queue *q)
 			blk_stop_queue(q);
 			break;
 		}
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+		blk_start_request(req);
 		issued++;
 	}
 
diff --git a/drivers/block/xd.c b/drivers/block/xd.c
index d4c4352354b..ce242921992 100644
--- a/drivers/block/xd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/xd.c
@@ -305,10 +305,7 @@ static void do_xd_request (struct request_queue * q)
 	if (xdc_busy)
 		return;
 
-	req = elv_next_request(q);
-	if (req)
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-
+	req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 	while (req) {
 		unsigned block = blk_rq_pos(req);
 		unsigned count = blk_rq_cur_sectors(req);
@@ -325,11 +322,8 @@ static void do_xd_request (struct request_queue * q)
 					   block, count);
 	done:
 		/* wrap up, 0 = success, -errno = fail */
-		if (!__blk_end_request_cur(req, res)) {
-			req = elv_next_request(q);
-			if (req)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-		}
+		if (!__blk_end_request_cur(req, res))
+			req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/block/xen-blkfront.c b/drivers/block/xen-blkfront.c
index 66f834571b8..6d4ac76c280 100644
--- a/drivers/block/xen-blkfront.c
+++ b/drivers/block/xen-blkfront.c
@@ -299,13 +299,13 @@ static void do_blkif_request(struct request_queue *rq)
 
 	queued = 0;
 
-	while ((req = elv_next_request(rq)) != NULL) {
+	while ((req = blk_peek_request(rq)) != NULL) {
 		info = req->rq_disk->private_data;
 
 		if (RING_FULL(&info->ring))
 			goto wait;
 
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+		blk_start_request(req);
 
 		if (!blk_fs_request(req)) {
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
diff --git a/drivers/block/xsysace.c b/drivers/block/xsysace.c
index edf137b6c37..3a4397edab7 100644
--- a/drivers/block/xsysace.c
+++ b/drivers/block/xsysace.c
@@ -463,10 +463,10 @@ struct request *ace_get_next_request(struct request_queue * q)
 {
 	struct request *req;
 
-	while ((req = elv_next_request(q)) != NULL) {
+	while ((req = blk_peek_request(q)) != NULL) {
 		if (blk_fs_request(req))
 			break;
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+		blk_start_request(req);
 		__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
 	}
 	return req;
@@ -498,10 +498,8 @@ static void ace_fsm_dostate(struct ace_device *ace)
 			__blk_end_request_all(ace->req, -EIO);
 			ace->req = NULL;
 		}
-		while ((req = elv_next_request(ace->queue)) != NULL) {
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+		while ((req = blk_fetch_request(ace->queue)) != NULL)
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
-		}
 
 		/* Drop back to IDLE state and notify waiters */
 		ace->fsm_state = ACE_FSM_STATE_IDLE;
@@ -649,7 +647,7 @@ static void ace_fsm_dostate(struct ace_device *ace)
 			ace->fsm_state = ACE_FSM_STATE_IDLE;
 			break;
 		}
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+		blk_start_request(req);
 
 		/* Okay, it's a data request, set it up for transfer */
 		dev_dbg(ace->dev,
diff --git a/drivers/block/z2ram.c b/drivers/block/z2ram.c
index c909c1a3f65..4575171e5be 100644
--- a/drivers/block/z2ram.c
+++ b/drivers/block/z2ram.c
@@ -71,10 +71,7 @@ static void do_z2_request(struct request_queue *q)
 {
 	struct request *req;
 
-	req = elv_next_request(q);
-	if (req)
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-
+	req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 	while (req) {
 		unsigned long start = blk_rq_pos(req) << 9;
 		unsigned long len  = blk_rq_cur_bytes(req);
@@ -100,11 +97,8 @@ static void do_z2_request(struct request_queue *q)
 			len -= size;
 		}
 	done:
-		if (!__blk_end_request_cur(req, err)) {
-			req = elv_next_request(q);
-			if (req)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-		}
+		if (!__blk_end_request_cur(req, err))
+			req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/cdrom/gdrom.c b/drivers/cdrom/gdrom.c
index 3cc02bfe828..1e366ad8f68 100644
--- a/drivers/cdrom/gdrom.c
+++ b/drivers/cdrom/gdrom.c
@@ -642,9 +642,7 @@ static void gdrom_request(struct request_queue *rq)
 {
 	struct request *req;
 
-	while ((req = elv_next_request(rq)) != NULL) {
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-
+	while ((req = blk_fetch_request(rq)) != NULL) {
 		if (!blk_fs_request(req)) {
 			printk(KERN_DEBUG "GDROM: Non-fs request ignored\n");
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
diff --git a/drivers/cdrom/viocd.c b/drivers/cdrom/viocd.c
index bbe9f086734..ca741c21e4a 100644
--- a/drivers/cdrom/viocd.c
+++ b/drivers/cdrom/viocd.c
@@ -297,9 +297,7 @@ static void do_viocd_request(struct request_queue *q)
 {
 	struct request *req;
 
-	while ((rwreq == 0) && ((req = elv_next_request(q)) != NULL)) {
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-
+	while ((rwreq == 0) && ((req = blk_fetch_request(q)) != NULL)) {
 		if (!blk_fs_request(req))
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
 		else if (send_request(req) < 0) {
diff --git a/drivers/ide/ide-atapi.c b/drivers/ide/ide-atapi.c
index 2874c3d703a..8a894fa37b5 100644
--- a/drivers/ide/ide-atapi.c
+++ b/drivers/ide/ide-atapi.c
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ void ide_retry_pc(ide_drive_t *drive)
 	blk_requeue_request(failed_rq->q, failed_rq);
 	drive->hwif->rq = NULL;
 	if (ide_queue_sense_rq(drive, pc)) {
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(failed_rq);
+		blk_start_request(failed_rq);
 		ide_complete_rq(drive, -EIO, blk_rq_bytes(failed_rq));
 	}
 }
diff --git a/drivers/ide/ide-io.c b/drivers/ide/ide-io.c
index abda7337b3f..e4e3a0e3201 100644
--- a/drivers/ide/ide-io.c
+++ b/drivers/ide/ide-io.c
@@ -519,11 +519,8 @@ repeat:
 		 * we know that the queue isn't empty, but this can happen
 		 * if the q->prep_rq_fn() decides to kill a request
 		 */
-		if (!rq) {
-			rq = elv_next_request(drive->queue);
-			if (rq)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(rq);
-		}
+		if (!rq)
+			rq = blk_fetch_request(drive->queue);
 
 		spin_unlock_irq(q->queue_lock);
 		spin_lock_irq(&hwif->lock);
@@ -536,7 +533,7 @@ repeat:
 		/*
 		 * Sanity: don't accept a request that isn't a PM request
 		 * if we are currently power managed. This is very important as
-		 * blk_stop_queue() doesn't prevent the elv_next_request()
+		 * blk_stop_queue() doesn't prevent the blk_fetch_request()
 		 * above to return us whatever is in the queue. Since we call
 		 * ide_do_request() ourselves, we end up taking requests while
 		 * the queue is blocked...
diff --git a/drivers/memstick/core/mspro_block.c b/drivers/memstick/core/mspro_block.c
index 58f5be8cd69..c0bebc6a2f2 100644
--- a/drivers/memstick/core/mspro_block.c
+++ b/drivers/memstick/core/mspro_block.c
@@ -704,13 +704,12 @@ try_again:
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	dev_dbg(&card->dev, "elv_next\n");
-	msb->block_req = elv_next_request(msb->queue);
+	dev_dbg(&card->dev, "blk_fetch\n");
+	msb->block_req = blk_fetch_request(msb->queue);
 	if (!msb->block_req) {
 		dev_dbg(&card->dev, "issue end\n");
 		return -EAGAIN;
 	}
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(msb->block_req);
 
 	dev_dbg(&card->dev, "trying again\n");
 	chunk = 1;
@@ -825,10 +824,8 @@ static void mspro_block_submit_req(struct request_queue *q)
 		return;
 
 	if (msb->eject) {
-		while ((req = elv_next_request(q)) != NULL) {
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+		while ((req = blk_fetch_request(q)) != NULL)
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -ENODEV);
-		}
 
 		return;
 	}
diff --git a/drivers/message/i2o/i2o_block.c b/drivers/message/i2o/i2o_block.c
index 8b5cbfc3ba9..6573ef4408f 100644
--- a/drivers/message/i2o/i2o_block.c
+++ b/drivers/message/i2o/i2o_block.c
@@ -877,7 +877,7 @@ static void i2o_block_request_fn(struct request_queue *q)
 	struct request *req;
 
 	while (!blk_queue_plugged(q)) {
-		req = elv_next_request(q);
+		req = blk_peek_request(q);
 		if (!req)
 			break;
 
@@ -890,7 +890,7 @@ static void i2o_block_request_fn(struct request_queue *q)
 
 			if (queue_depth < I2O_BLOCK_MAX_OPEN_REQUESTS) {
 				if (!i2o_block_transfer(req)) {
-					blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+					blk_start_request(req);
 					continue;
 				} else
 					osm_info("transfer error\n");
@@ -917,7 +917,7 @@ static void i2o_block_request_fn(struct request_queue *q)
 				break;
 			}
 		} else {
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+			blk_start_request(req);
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/drivers/mmc/card/queue.c b/drivers/mmc/card/queue.c
index 4b70f1e2834..49e582356c6 100644
--- a/drivers/mmc/card/queue.c
+++ b/drivers/mmc/card/queue.c
@@ -54,11 +54,8 @@ static int mmc_queue_thread(void *d)
 
 		spin_lock_irq(q->queue_lock);
 		set_current_state(TASK_INTERRUPTIBLE);
-		if (!blk_queue_plugged(q)) {
-			req = elv_next_request(q);
-			if (req)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-		}
+		if (!blk_queue_plugged(q))
+			req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 		mq->req = req;
 		spin_unlock_irq(q->queue_lock);
 
@@ -94,10 +91,8 @@ static void mmc_request(struct request_queue *q)
 
 	if (!mq) {
 		printk(KERN_ERR "MMC: killing requests for dead queue\n");
-		while ((req = elv_next_request(q)) != NULL) {
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+		while ((req = blk_fetch_request(q)) != NULL)
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
-		}
 		return;
 	}
 
diff --git a/drivers/mtd/mtd_blkdevs.c b/drivers/mtd/mtd_blkdevs.c
index 3e10442615d..502622f628b 100644
--- a/drivers/mtd/mtd_blkdevs.c
+++ b/drivers/mtd/mtd_blkdevs.c
@@ -100,12 +100,7 @@ static int mtd_blktrans_thread(void *arg)
 		struct mtd_blktrans_dev *dev;
 		int res;
 
-		if (!req) {
-			req = elv_next_request(rq);
-			if (req)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-		}
-		if (!req) {
+		if (!req && !(req = blk_fetch_request(rq))) {
 			set_current_state(TASK_INTERRUPTIBLE);
 			spin_unlock_irq(rq->queue_lock);
 			schedule();
diff --git a/drivers/s390/block/dasd.c b/drivers/s390/block/dasd.c
index 7df03c7aea0..e64f62d5e0f 100644
--- a/drivers/s390/block/dasd.c
+++ b/drivers/s390/block/dasd.c
@@ -1656,17 +1656,13 @@ static void __dasd_process_request_queue(struct dasd_block *block)
 	if (basedev->state < DASD_STATE_READY)
 		return;
 	/* Now we try to fetch requests from the request queue */
-	while (!blk_queue_plugged(queue) &&
-	       elv_next_request(queue)) {
-
-		req = elv_next_request(queue);
-
+	while (!blk_queue_plugged(queue) && (req = blk_peek_request(queue))) {
 		if (basedev->features & DASD_FEATURE_READONLY &&
 		    rq_data_dir(req) == WRITE) {
 			DBF_DEV_EVENT(DBF_ERR, basedev,
 				      "Rejecting write request %p",
 				      req);
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+			blk_start_request(req);
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
 			continue;
 		}
@@ -1695,7 +1691,7 @@ static void __dasd_process_request_queue(struct dasd_block *block)
 				      "CCW creation failed (rc=%ld) "
 				      "on request %p",
 				      PTR_ERR(cqr), req);
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+			blk_start_request(req);
 			__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
 			continue;
 		}
@@ -1705,7 +1701,7 @@ static void __dasd_process_request_queue(struct dasd_block *block)
 		 */
 		cqr->callback_data = (void *) req;
 		cqr->status = DASD_CQR_FILLED;
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+		blk_start_request(req);
 		list_add_tail(&cqr->blocklist, &block->ccw_queue);
 		dasd_profile_start(block, cqr, req);
 	}
@@ -2029,10 +2025,8 @@ static void dasd_flush_request_queue(struct dasd_block *block)
 		return;
 
 	spin_lock_irq(&block->request_queue_lock);
-	while ((req = elv_next_request(block->request_queue))) {
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+	while ((req = blk_fetch_request(block->request_queue)))
 		__blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
-	}
 	spin_unlock_irq(&block->request_queue_lock);
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/s390/char/tape_block.c b/drivers/s390/char/tape_block.c
index 5d035e4939d..1e796767598 100644
--- a/drivers/s390/char/tape_block.c
+++ b/drivers/s390/char/tape_block.c
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ __tapeblock_end_request(struct tape_request *ccw_req, void *data)
 		device->blk_data.block_position = -1;
 	device->discipline->free_bread(ccw_req);
 	if (!list_empty(&device->req_queue) ||
-	    elv_next_request(device->blk_data.request_queue))
+	    blk_peek_request(device->blk_data.request_queue))
 		tapeblock_trigger_requeue(device);
 }
 
@@ -162,19 +162,16 @@ tapeblock_requeue(struct work_struct *work) {
 	spin_lock_irq(&device->blk_data.request_queue_lock);
 	while (
 		!blk_queue_plugged(queue) &&
-		elv_next_request(queue)   &&
+		(req = blk_fetch_request(queue)) &&
 		nr_queued < TAPEBLOCK_MIN_REQUEUE
 	) {
-		req = elv_next_request(queue);
 		if (rq_data_dir(req) == WRITE) {
 			DBF_EVENT(1, "TBLOCK: Rejecting write request\n");
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
 			spin_unlock_irq(&device->blk_data.request_queue_lock);
 			blk_end_request_all(req, -EIO);
 			spin_lock_irq(&device->blk_data.request_queue_lock);
 			continue;
 		}
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
 		nr_queued++;
 		spin_unlock_irq(&device->blk_data.request_queue_lock);
 		rc = tapeblock_start_request(device, req);
diff --git a/drivers/sbus/char/jsflash.c b/drivers/sbus/char/jsflash.c
index f572a4a1d14..6d465168468 100644
--- a/drivers/sbus/char/jsflash.c
+++ b/drivers/sbus/char/jsflash.c
@@ -186,10 +186,7 @@ static void jsfd_do_request(struct request_queue *q)
 {
 	struct request *req;
 
-	req = elv_next_request(q);
-	if (req)
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-
+	req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 	while (req) {
 		struct jsfd_part *jdp = req->rq_disk->private_data;
 		unsigned long offset = blk_rq_pos(req) << 9;
@@ -212,11 +209,8 @@ static void jsfd_do_request(struct request_queue *q)
 		jsfd_read(req->buffer, jdp->dbase + offset, len);
 		err = 0;
 	end:
-		if (!__blk_end_request_cur(req, err)) {
-			req = elv_next_request(q);
-			if (req)
-				blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-		}
+		if (!__blk_end_request_cur(req, err))
+			req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/scsi_lib.c b/drivers/scsi/scsi_lib.c
index ee308f6f798..b12750f8216 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/scsi_lib.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/scsi_lib.c
@@ -1207,7 +1207,7 @@ int scsi_prep_return(struct request_queue *q, struct request *req, int ret)
 		break;
 	case BLKPREP_DEFER:
 		/*
-		 * If we defer, the elv_next_request() returns NULL, but the
+		 * If we defer, the blk_peek_request() returns NULL, but the
 		 * queue must be restarted, so we plug here if no returning
 		 * command will automatically do that.
 		 */
@@ -1385,7 +1385,7 @@ static void scsi_kill_request(struct request *req, struct request_queue *q)
 	struct scsi_target *starget = scsi_target(sdev);
 	struct Scsi_Host *shost = sdev->host;
 
-	blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+	blk_start_request(req);
 
 	if (unlikely(cmd == NULL)) {
 		printk(KERN_CRIT "impossible request in %s.\n",
@@ -1477,7 +1477,7 @@ static void scsi_request_fn(struct request_queue *q)
 
 	if (!sdev) {
 		printk("scsi: killing requests for dead queue\n");
-		while ((req = elv_next_request(q)) != NULL)
+		while ((req = blk_peek_request(q)) != NULL)
 			scsi_kill_request(req, q);
 		return;
 	}
@@ -1498,7 +1498,7 @@ static void scsi_request_fn(struct request_queue *q)
 		 * that the request is fully prepared even if we cannot 
 		 * accept it.
 		 */
-		req = elv_next_request(q);
+		req = blk_peek_request(q);
 		if (!req || !scsi_dev_queue_ready(q, sdev))
 			break;
 
@@ -1514,7 +1514,7 @@ static void scsi_request_fn(struct request_queue *q)
 		 * Remove the request from the request list.
 		 */
 		if (!(blk_queue_tagged(q) && !blk_queue_start_tag(q, req)))
-			blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
+			blk_start_request(req);
 		sdev->device_busy++;
 
 		spin_unlock(q->queue_lock);
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/scsi_transport_sas.c b/drivers/scsi/scsi_transport_sas.c
index 50988cbf7b2..d606452297c 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/scsi_transport_sas.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/scsi_transport_sas.c
@@ -163,12 +163,10 @@ static void sas_smp_request(struct request_queue *q, struct Scsi_Host *shost,
 	int (*handler)(struct Scsi_Host *, struct sas_rphy *, struct request *);
 
 	while (!blk_queue_plugged(q)) {
-		req = elv_next_request(q);
+		req = blk_fetch_request(q);
 		if (!req)
 			break;
 
-		blkdev_dequeue_request(req);
-
 		spin_unlock_irq(q->queue_lock);
 
 		handler = to_sas_internal(shost->transportt)->f->smp_handler;
diff --git a/include/linux/blkdev.h b/include/linux/blkdev.h
index c7558034570..6e59d3b92ff 100644
--- a/include/linux/blkdev.h
+++ b/include/linux/blkdev.h
@@ -818,8 +818,6 @@ static inline void blk_run_address_space(struct address_space *mapping)
 		blk_run_backing_dev(mapping->backing_dev_info, NULL);
 }
 
-extern void blkdev_dequeue_request(struct request *req);
-
 /*
  * blk_rq_pos()		: the current sector
  * blk_rq_bytes()	: bytes left in the entire request
@@ -852,6 +850,13 @@ static inline unsigned int blk_rq_cur_sectors(const struct request *rq)
 	return blk_rq_cur_bytes(rq) >> 9;
 }
 
+/*
+ * Request issue related functions.
+ */
+extern struct request *blk_peek_request(struct request_queue *q);
+extern void blk_start_request(struct request *rq);
+extern struct request *blk_fetch_request(struct request_queue *q);
+
 /*
  * Request completion related functions.
  *
diff --git a/include/linux/elevator.h b/include/linux/elevator.h
index 4e462878c9c..1cb3372e65d 100644
--- a/include/linux/elevator.h
+++ b/include/linux/elevator.h
@@ -103,10 +103,8 @@ extern int elv_merge(struct request_queue *, struct request **, struct bio *);
 extern void elv_merge_requests(struct request_queue *, struct request *,
 			       struct request *);
 extern void elv_merged_request(struct request_queue *, struct request *, int);
-extern void elv_dequeue_request(struct request_queue *, struct request *);
 extern void elv_requeue_request(struct request_queue *, struct request *);
 extern int elv_queue_empty(struct request_queue *);
-extern struct request *elv_next_request(struct request_queue *q);
 extern struct request *elv_former_request(struct request_queue *, struct request *);
 extern struct request *elv_latter_request(struct request_queue *, struct request *);
 extern int elv_register_queue(struct request_queue *q);