XP setup and F6 to load drivers

[Missing Link]

I have an Intel mobo with no FDD interface I need to install XP onto. When
RAID is enabled the HDD array cannot be seen by XP textmode setup so I need
to load drivers from floppy. After much searching I have managed to find a
supported USB floppy drive (TEAC) and during the detection phase the HDD is
detected.

However when it begins copying files it wants to start with the iastor.sys
from the floppy. Despite the fact that the file is successfully loaded during
the detection phase it will not copy. If I choose the retry option it does
not even look at the disk in that the activity light does not come on.

Suggestions as to how I get XP installed on this RAID array would be
appreciated.

 

[Juli]

Another solution is you get your XP slipstreamed with the F6 drivers first.
Use nlite to do this.
www.nliteos.com

 

[Andrew E.]

At F6 setup,install floppy as directed,in new window,select the intel
controller
for xp,the files get copied,in new screen,select install from floppy,select
controller
again,in new screen you'll see "windows has the drivers" but select to use
floppy
drivers instead,once it copies files,press enter key to continue on with xp
install-
ation..Get more info
at:http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-010695.htm
Or:http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/emea/eng/242788.htm

 

[Missing Link]

For Juli:

I have started looking at this option anyway but it would appear that the
process that is provided by default does not work. Read on....

For Andrew E.

That fine if it worked, in your description of the process line 1 is OK i.e.
press F6 -> S to select addditional drivers -> select correct device (in this
case ICH8/ICH9 SATA RAID Controller) -> shows installed drive config and
allows me to select/format destination Drive, Great.

It is line 2 that does not work in that it will not copy the driver files
(iaStor.sys, iaStor.inf etc.) from the floppy to the hard disk. In fact the
floppy drive never goes active as if it is not looking for them from the
floppy although the dialogue says it is.

Text mode setup seems to consist of two phases, I have some recollection to
terms such as protected mode and normal mode from years ago but I could be
wrong. Part of the way through the grey task bar displays a message "Please
wait while Windows Setup starts" and after a short delay it continues in text
mode albeit in a different font. It would appear to be in this switch that it
looses connectivity to the USB floppy. I have some nagging thought that the
format of the txtsetup.oem file may be wrong but without a known working one
to compare with I cannot be sure

 

[Timothy Daniels]

For Andrew E.

[...]
It is line 2 that does not work in that it will not copy the driver files

The microsoft.public.* NGs should carry a warning about
"Andrew E." - who happens to be a disinformation troll. Ignore
him.

*TimDaniels*

 

[Juli]

Run nlite and at some step it allows you to insert drivers. It works.
You need to try this solution because somehow Windows setup doesn't
recognize USB floppy in later setup phase. It recognize it during F6 phase,
though.

 

[Andy]

For Juli:

I have started looking at this option anyway but it would appear that the
process that is provided by default does not work. Read on....

For Andrew E.

That fine if it worked, in your description of the process line 1 is OK i.e.
press F6 -> S to select addditional drivers -> select correct device (in this
case ICH8/ICH9 SATA RAID Controller) -> shows installed drive config and
allows me to select/format destination Drive, Great.

It is line 2 that does not work in that it will not copy the driver files
(iaStor.sys, iaStor.inf etc.) from the floppy to the hard disk. In fact the
floppy drive never goes active as if it is not looking for them from the
floppy although the dialogue says it is.

Look in BIOS setup, and see if there is a Set emulation type to floppy
setting under USB configuration.