Serial ATA

[Luca]

Is it possible to install Windows XP on a system with an
HD isntalled on a Serial ATA port ?
I have an ASUS P4C800 and I want to use a serial ATA HD,
but i don't know if I can install Windows XP on a serial
ATA HD.
I need some drivers ?

Thanks

 

[Pete Baker]

Hi Luca

It certainly is possible, I've using just such a system right now.

Check the BIOS settings against those recommended for SATA in your mainboard
manual - you may need to enable SATA boot or make some similar adjustments.
If you are using a single SATA drive make sure you are connected to the
primary SATA channel.

The key to the installation is usually, as you seem to have identified, in
having the correct drivers. The XP installation CD will not have the
necessary drivers and so, in the majority of cases, you will have to
introduce the drivers during the installation process.

During the installation process you are prompted to "Press F6 to specify
third-party drivers". Do this and you will be asked to insert a floppy
disk containing the drivers. If your mainboard manufacturer has not
supplied this floppy disk you will need to prepare one by copying the SATA
drivers from the supplied CD or by downloading the drivers from the
manufacturer's website and then placing them on a floppy disk. It is
worthwhile checking the relevant website to ensure you have the latest
drivers.

In your case you may not need to do this. If you have the standard P4C800
board the SATA is fully integrated, but the deluxe versions use a separate
controller and the drivers will need to be introduced as described.

To check this, simply follow the standard install process - if, when you
have the choice of where to install XP the SATA drive is not visible, then
you need to supply the SATA drivers during install.

Hope that helps
Pete

 

[Luca]

Thanks Pete for your big help.
My P4C800-Deluxe have 4 S-ATA, 2 are directly from Intel
new ICH5 SouthBridge, the other 2 are from Promise Raide
Controller.
I'm tring to use the 1th S-ATA from Intel ICH5, do you
think that I have to install the drivers during the
Windows XP setup (F6) or XP can see that integrated
controller (in the BIOS all it seem OK) ?

Thanks

 

[Pete Baker]

Hi Luca

As far as I'm aware, and I seem to remember a post in this newsgroup which
supports this, the SATA connections from the ICH5 do not need the
introduction of third-party drivers. If you have SATA drives connected to
the Promise controller you will need to specify the necessary drivers for XP
to see these drives.

The default settings in your BIOS for IDE configuration are suitable for the
SATA installation, (Enhanced mode and Enhanced mode support on SATA).

Have you attempted the installation yet? Are you experiencing any problem
with seeing the SATA drive when choosing where to install?

If not, then go ahead and try the install. If you can't see the drives, the
latest BIOS v1008 from the Asus website fixes a problem with Maxtor SATA
drives not being seen, whether this affects you or not I have no way of
knowing.

Post a follow up and let us know how you get on.

Pete
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[Pete Baker]

I wouldn't say that about his 'mother' if I were you, Alvin ;o)

Pete
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[Alvin A Brown]

Hello

I am not speaking about his mother I was talking about his mother board
but left that word off.

Al

 

[Pete Baker]

Hi Luca

I haven't installed on to a board with the ICH5 but it is my understanding
that you do not need to specify the drivers in this case.

With your mainboard, P4C800 deluxe, RAID arrays are supported only on the
Promise controller and the RAID Ultra ATA133 connections . If you look at
the manual supplied by Asus for your mainboard - on page 1-7 there is a
diagram of the mainboard. The SATA connections used by the ICH5 are
labelled '13'. The SATA RAID connectors used by the Promise controller are
labelled '14' and the RAID Ultra ATA133 connectors, for parallel ATA drives,
'12'.

ICH5 will support SATA drives but not RAID. To use SATA RAID you would need
to connect to the Promise controller (14) and, in that situation, set-up the
array prior to installing XP and introduce the Promise drivers during
installation. There is a section in your manual dealing with RAID arrays
and how to set them up.

Let us know how you get on.

hope that helps
Pete

 

[Pete Baker]

Excellent news Luca

Glad to be able to help clear up any confusion.
Thanks for updating your progress for the newsgroup.

Pete
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