fresh install xp on sata 2 hd do i need drivers

~>Dg<~ · 18 Jun 2007 at 16:26

well done similar post few days ago but ive got some saying sata 2 drive will work fine without drivers and some saying it wont.Basically i just want to install windows xp sp1 from fresh havent got a floppy drive and only got service pack 1.ive read that you can run the drive in ide mode through changing it in bios then install xp then install sata drivers then go into bios and swop it back to sata 2 .will this work?dont want to have to keep reformatting and messing about.

rpstewart · 18 Jun 2007 at 16:36

There's no speed impact from running the drive in legacy mode.

~>Dg<~ · 19 Jun 2007 at 11:56

well ive read that there is speed difference from what seen on net.

steve258 · 19 Jun 2007 at 12:45

dgmug said:
ive read that you can run the drive in ide mode through changing it in bios then install xp then install sata drivers then go into bios and swop it back to sata 2 .will this work?

It might or might not work depending on mobo & chipset - my old A8R-MVP won't allow me to enable NCQ in the driver unless I set ACHI (think that's what it's called) first then load the F6 SATA controller driver at the begginning of Windows installation.

The difference in minor as modern 7200PRM HDDs have average read speed varies between 50-70 depends on platter density, whichis no where near the theoritical maximum of even the lagacy ATA100.