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    Install XP w/o SATA drivers

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by patrvic, Oct 4, 2007.

  1. patrvic

    patrvic Newbie

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    There have been so many growses in almost all forums about not being able to install XP on a SATA drive.
    So what we do is slipstreap the setup with the SATA drivers using nlite.

    So far so good, what amazed me the other day was...
    Windows XP SP2 w/o the slipstreamed SATA drivers installed flawlessly on the Inspiron 1705. There was no setting in the BIOS for the SATA disk, so the feature being disabled is ruled out.

    The XP cd is a student version which did not install on my comp with a SATA disk.

    Experts here enlighten me please.
     
    patrvic, Oct 4, 2007
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  2. Cyanize

    Cyanize Notebook Consultant

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    The problem actually isn't with the SATA drive. It's AHCI that is causing you trouble, when you attempt to install an OS older than Vista or linux kernel 2.6.19.

    Windows XP SP2 can only be installed on an AHCI enabled system when you change the BIOS settings to IDE emulation, or create a slipstreamed install disc with the Intel Matrix Storage Manager included (a.k.a AHCI SATA controller).

    Personally I'd recommend creating a brand new XP install disc with all the windows updates + AHCI included, since this enables the OS to use NCQ (native command queuing). As this process is super easy using nlite and WUD, and the results = up-to-date Windows XP that isn't sluggish as if you had downloaded everything from windowsupdate.com and supports AHCI.


    AHCI actually depends on the chipsets support for it ( INTEL chipsets) and the HDD. If you didn't find a setting for this in the BIOS then most probably the drive runs in IDE mode and therefore doesn't require the AHCI "drivers".
     
    Cyanize, Oct 5, 2007
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  3. kgeier82

    kgeier82 Notebook Deity

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    if u use the dell oem OS cd, you dont need to change any bios settings for xp. its all set. anyone who says otherwise doesnt know what theyre talking about

    now if you use an OS cd other than the dell copy, you could be in for trouble
     
    kgeier82, Oct 5, 2007
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  4. Cyanize

    Cyanize Notebook Consultant

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    kgeier82, at first I wanted to flame you for that comment, but let me explain.
    Do you seriously think everyone has a Dell XP install disc at their home, if their laptop comes pre-installed with Vista? Didn't think so. You can be happy that you have one (probably from your Vostro or previous notebook) and keep comments like the above to yourself.

    Oh and by the way, not all dell XP install discs are AHCI compliant, just get one that's over 1 1/2 old and good luck installing XP on an inspiron 1520 with that.

    As for your second comment: Why the hell would anybody be in trouble if they use their own (not dell) copy of Windows XP? You can install the OS from whatever source you want, if you have a valid license key (comes with the OS CDs) for that PC/laptop.

    Next time, please read what was written in a post before you reply.

    Cy.
     
    Cyanize, Oct 5, 2007
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