Pre-install AHCI/SATA question

[OCdude]

I'm going to be building a new PC soon and am just wondering about the install....

I'll be using an Asus P5N7A-VM mobo with some Hitachi SATA drives. I'm assuming, as XP doesn't support AHCI by default, i'll need to install the AHCI drivers during install?

I won't need to hot-swap the boot drive, but I will be swapping out other harddrives, so would installing the OS using the AHCI drivers be the best solution?

I've heard reports that if you change the drivers after install, it can cause all sorts of issues!

Thanks for any advice!

 

[OCdude]

Been doing some research, seems like a nLite custom image is the way to go:

http://www.msfn.org/board/Integration-NVIDIA-nForce-Raid-and-SATA-drivers-t51140.html

I'm just going to integrate the drivers from the latest nForce drivers and see how it goes!

 

[OCdude]

Cool, thanks

I'm planning to hotswap drives by using one of these: http://www.sharkoon.com/html/produkte/externe_gehaeuse/sata_quickport_pro/index_en.html

So without AHCI (and therefore Hot swap/hot plug capability) it kinda renders the thing totally redundant

EDIT: Just read an article on Madshrips:

eSATA is faster than USB 2.0, USB 2.0 is plug and play, eSATA requires a system reboot. That pretty much sums up the benefits and drawbacks of each interface.

wtf? I'm assuming they're referring to a system that doesn't support AHCI?!

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=2&artpage=4033&articID=924

 

[OCdude]

Yah, I hope so!

It's a pretty new model mobo, plus it looks like the nForce 730i chipset 'does' support ACHI (plus I haven't seen any complaints about it online).

Burning the ISO now. All I gotta do is wait for my hardware to arrive