Unable to install XP Pro on Serial ATA

[Surinder Bodwal]

Has anyone had a problem installing XP Pro onto a
SerialATA hard disk ?

I have a new computer with Gigabyte motherboard, serial
ATA hard disk and can install and operate windows 98
without any problems. However Windows XP fails to detect
the Serial ATA hard disk and therefore it will not allow
me to install. I have just bought a copy of XP Pro with
SP1.
Any assistance in resolving this problem would greatly
appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

Surinder.

 

[Pete Baker]

Hi Surinder

Unless you have a mainboard which includes native support for SATA... which
you don't seem to have...

In order to install XP you'll need to follow a particular method to install
the SATA drivers.

You'll need to have the SATA drivers available on a floppy disk ready for
the install process - if your mainboard manufacturer has not supplied a
floppy disk with the drivers you'll find them on your mainboard CD or
manufacturers website.

Make sure that, if you need to copy onto a floppy disk, you transfer all the
files from the SATA driver folder or from the download from your mainboard
manufacturers website - special attention needed to ensure you include all
necessary files.

Check your mainboard manual for the appropriate BIOS settings for booting
from SATA.

As the XP set-up begins you will be prompted to 'Press F6 to specify
third-party RAID or SCSI drivers' - at this point you should press F6 and,
when asked, insert the floppy disk with the relevant drivers. Select the
appropriate driver when asked and continue with the setup. There may be
some delays during this process and the set-up may appear to be continuing
without recognising the key-press - so don't panic.

When successful you'll be able to select the HD to install on. If you are
not given the HD you have not completed the procedure correctly. Check you
are using the correct drivers, have any relevant BIOS updates for your
mainboard, and try again.

Hope that helps
Pete

 

[John Powers]

I have the same problem on my ASUS P4S8X. During XP set up
it says to hit F6 and put in a floppy disk with drivers but
when I do that it gives me an error message. I bought a
serial ata/IDE converter and installed it that way and then
installed the driver. I would love to know how to do it
the right way.

 

[Pete Baker]

John

An error message during the procedure usually occurs because the floppy disk
being used does NOT contain ALL the necessary files.

Best way for you to avoid this is to download the SATA drivers for your
mainboard from the Asus website and unzip all the contents of the download
onto the floppy disk for use with the F6 method.

Hope that helps
Pete
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