The XP install CD doesn't have SATA drivers on it, so when you begin the install you have to press F6 to install a hard drive driver, which can only be done off a floppy disk (I assume it has to be an IDE floppy, not a USB one). The floppy disk is specific to the motherboard (or SATA daughterboard), and should come with it. I assumed that it would be possible to work around this, since I had two IDE optical drives, but no, it wants a floppy. I believe workarounds exist, but it was easier to steal a floppy drive out of an old machine than to try a workaround.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-31 01:38 (UTC)