XP Fresh Instal Driver Issue: Network Controller

Howdy gang!

I just recently did a fresh install of Windows XP Professional on my T60 2623-D7U. Unfortunately, I've had various issues concerning driver installation. After installing the Software Update program, I found out that it does not in fact download drivers necessary for the computer. Contrary to what's stated in the support section of Lenovo's website, it does not detect which drivers are needed; in fact, it failed to offer driver downloads for a large array of components. Fortunately, I was able to track down all the drivers, except one: A mysterious item in Device Manager says "Network Controller." There are some indications that it is somehow related to the Intel 82801GBM SATA AHCI Controller, but I am not certain. Furthermore, I have another symptom that may be related to this. Even though I installed the Intel Matrix Storage Manager software after my installation of Windoes XP, the System Update software continues to show it as an item that needs to be installed. I follow its recommendation to install it, but after I restart the computer, it shows up again as still needing to be installed. I believe, however, that it is already installed, because my BIOS is configured to use SATA/AHCI, and everything is working fine.

Thus, here are four questions:
1. Does anybody have any idea what the mysterious "Network Controller" item might be?
2. Where can I find the drivers for it? (Please be specific, if possible; I've already scoured the driver downloads page at www.lenovo.com)
3. Is the second problem (i.e. System Update and IMSM problem) related to the first problem?
4. How can I remedy this second problem?

Thanks for your help! Peace in.

 

Well, concerning questions 1 & 2, I figured out the problem. I uninstalled/removed the "Network Controller" item from Device Manager, then rebooted and ran System Update. The System Update software recognized the hardware and provided appropriate drivers to download.

Nevertheless, I have these questions remaining:
1. Why does System Update still leave the IMSM option as a download even though I've already downloaded and installed it?
2. How can I remedy this problem?

 

It sounds like you've got the AHCI driver installed, because you'd be getting a BSOD if it wasn't.

 

Actually, that isn't the case. You can put the SATA into compatibility mode via the BIOS in order to boot into Windows without the driver. Lenovo documents this in their Windows XP installation guide.

 

Right, but you said that you had switched it back to AHCI.