really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

[BillK]

So I'll be building my new system and I'm wondering about installing Windows XP Professional.

Previously when I built my last machine - I had to install Raid Drivers prior to installing WinXP - using the included Floppy disk (my old PC has a floppy drive).

For this new machine I'm building - there is no Floppy Drive and there's no floppy disk with RAID drivers with my new Gigabyte motherboard.

So - how will I install RAID drivers during my WinXP install? This WinXP Pro disk is the original with only SP1 on it by the way.

Thanks.

Bill

[VorLonUK]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

Use a USB memory stick - which is sort of the modern day floppy.

[BillK]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

So even w/o WinXP installed - the USB ports will be readable?

I always thought the USB ports weren't usable until there was an OS installed.

It almost seems too easy.

[SpeedEuphoria]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

I like to slipstream the drivers

[VorLonUK]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

So even w/o WinXP installed - the USB ports will be readable?

I always thought the USB ports weren't usable until there was an OS installed.

It almost seems too easy.

Mostly (these days) USB is supported by the System Bios.

One particular item that's the preffered method of Flashing the bios ie Q-Flash on Gigabyte Boards supports through the system the use of USB Flash drives. It means you don't need a floppy drive or even a bootable device.

You can though make a USB Flash Stick Bootable and run a Dos/Linux App from it.
Even Mandriva (linux) supply their Linux Distro complete on a USB Flash Drive which is Self Bootable.

You may need to select USB legacy support in the bios, but you certainly don't need an OS (windows) to make USB ports available in an "OS free" enviroment.

[BillK]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

Thank you for the replies!

So I just need to find the RAID drivers on the Gigabyte website - unzip them and have them on my USB flash drive when I start my WinXP install - and it should automatically find them?

Isn't slipstreaming kind of involved for just one install? I seem to remember reading somewhere that is more geared toward multiple OS installs? I'm not real familiar with it - but it'd be nice to have SP3 done other than a few updates vs. having to do SP2 then SP3 then all the various updates - that's for sure.

Bill

[olpaddy]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

Hi... You might want to try Nlite to make a slipstream bootable cd with all the drivers and latest SP3 on it. (Just google it or something) I've not found any malware if you tried the filename with the *.exe in google. (edited this just now!)

It would require that you can burn your own cd though. I did this and it worked perfectly, not having to press f6 during the install to load drivers.

Good luck!

[VorLonUK]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

The Windows XP F6 install should when the bios is in USB legacy mode see the USB stick as a device with the relevant drivers on.

You should be able to find more info on this, on these forums.

As for Slip Streaming an Install disk, it's something I've never done. However many do, so that the latest sevice packs are included when they install proper.
I believe Nlite is a popular utility for doing this.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

XP will not allow you to access USB Via the F6 method. You will have to buy/borrow a floppy or Slipstream the drivers into your Install ISO with Nlite >>>
nLite - Deployment Tool for the bootable Unattended Windows installation



maxEasyGuide: A) Slipstreaming SATA driver into WinXp boot cd using nLite

How To: Slipstream your XP installation | Maximum PC

[VorLonUK]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

XP will not allow you to access USB Via the F6 method. You will have to buy/borrow a floppy or Slipstream the drivers into your Install ISO with Nlite >>>

I did wonder that when I was writing my posts (above). I assumed (wrongly) that the XP installer (F6 method) was a lot more flexible that.

I assumed wrongly
Limited OEM driver support is available with F6 during Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 setup

[BillK]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

Blah - well I guess I need to learn how to slipstream then - or tear a floppy drive out of one of my other computers I have laying about. I really want a nice clean install of WinXP without a bunch of extra unnecessary junk this time - so perhaps slipstreaming is the best bet.

Thanks for all your replies - I appreciate them.

Bill

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: really dumb question (XP Pro install w/Gigabyte mobo)...

Floppy can be a lifesaver if you ever Corrupt your BootBlock, I wont build a system without one.

Good luck with this, Slipstream is easy as well so that is always a option!