Windows XP AHCI driver for D630

Question

Hi,   How can I do a clean install of XP Pro SP2 on a D630 configured for AHCI mode? During setup I press F6 and load the Intel AHCI (ICH8M-E/M) driver downloaded from the Dell web site. At this point the disk is detected and I can partition and format it. But, at the end of the format Windows setup displays the following message: 'Please Insert the disk labeled: Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver Into drive A: Press ENTER when ready'   Windows does not even try to access the floppy at this point and pressing Enter does nothing. I'm using a Dell D-series USB floppy drive. I guess that there must be an issue between Windows setup and the USB floppy. I have also seen this problem on a Precision workstation - in that case I was able get setup to work after installing an internal floppy.   I'm sure that I could get setup to work if I turn off AHCI but I would like to keep it on to increase performance and use NCQ.   FYI: I'm using an open license Windows XP Pro SP2 CD, not a Dell OEM CD. The laptop shipped with Vista and I need to dual boot.   Thanks, Jonathan

ejn63 · Answer

You can't use a USB drive - you must use an internal floppy for this.

The other option is to prepare a new XP CD with the driver slipstreamed onto it. One easy way to do this is to use BartPE (http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/)

Storage, Drives & Media

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