1st build in 3yrs - Needing help re SATA & XP

[Andrew McLennan]

Hi,

As per subject this is my first build using SATA, DDR, HT etc., and I'm
having trouble confirming several thing.

Can XP Pro with SP1 be installed directly onto a fresh SATA drive (as
master)?
I'm confused about issues concerning the 137GB limit and XP Pro. Is this
a partition or filesize limit in NTFS?
Will XP Pro let me mess around with hardware configurations before
activation is required?

Any help, tips or URLs greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Andy

Antec 430W TruePower PSU
Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz (800FSB) with HT
Abit IC7-G MAX2 Advance (Socket 478)
Corsair 1GB DDR 3200 LL (2x512 matched)
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 Serial ATA 160GB 8MB Cache
Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 256MB DDR

 

[Russell]

Answers inline below.
Russell
http://tastycomputers.com

Hi,

As per subject this is my first build using SATA, DDR, HT etc., and I'm
having trouble confirming several thing.

Can XP Pro with SP1 be installed directly onto a fresh SATA drive (as
master)?

Yes, but you have to load SATA drivers from a floppy during XP installation
using the "F6" prompt to install additional drivers.
Your BIOS also needs to be configured to boot from the SATA drive. Refer to
your motherboard manual for further information.

I'm confused about issues concerning the 137GB limit and XP Pro. Is this
a partition or filesize limit in NTFS?

BIOS limitation. Newer motherboards, or a BIOS update with some older
motherboards will enable larger sizes.

Will XP Pro let me mess around with hardware configurations before
activation is required?

XP will let you wait 30 days before activation is required. It will nag you
to activate on a regular basis until you do, but if you're going to be
changing hardware, wait until your hardware is the way you want it before
activation. Better to install OS clean on your final desired HW config for
a cleaner registry to minimize conflicts.

 

[Andrew McLennan]

Answers inline below.
Russell
http://tastycomputers.com



Yes, but you have to load SATA drivers from a floppy during XP installation
using the "F6" prompt to install additional drivers.
Your BIOS also needs to be configured to boot from the SATA drive. Refer to
your motherboard manual for further information.


BIOS limitation. Newer motherboards, or a BIOS update with some older
motherboards will enable larger sizes.


XP will let you wait 30 days before activation is required. It will nag you
to activate on a regular basis until you do, but if you're going to be
changing hardware, wait until your hardware is the way you want it before
activation. Better to install OS clean on your final desired HW config for
a cleaner registry to minimize conflicts.

Hi Russell,

Thanks for your help, I can now proceed with installing XP Pro when it
arrives tomorrow. I owe you one )

Cheers

Andy