• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

P4C800-E Deluxe - SATA drivers required for XP or not?

DN

Senior member
I have a P4C800-E deluxe motherboard. I installed my SATA drive (only hard drive in the PC) on one of the SATA controller ports on the south bridge (I didn't use the promise 20378 RAID controller SATA ports that this motherboard also has). From what I can recall, when I installed WinXP on my machine, WinXP asked me for a floppy with SATA drivers.. What I don't understand is I've seen numerous other messages in the forums mentioning that you don't need to do so if you are using the onboard SATA controller, which I assume means the south bridge (chipsets) SATA controller ports.. Can anyone shed some light on what the TRUTH is about having to have a diskette with SATA drivers because I'm getting a bit confused at the diverse "opinions".. Below is the storage controllers you'll find on a P4C800-E Deluxe for reference:

South Bridge:
-2 x UltraDMA 100
-2 x Serial ATA with RAID 0, 1
Promise 20378 RAID controller:
-1 x UltraDMA 133 support two hard drives
-2 x Serial ATA -RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, Multiple RAID

Basically, I just want someone to confirm with me as to whether I do or do not need a diskette with the SATA drivers if I'm installing iot on the south bridge's SATA controller as I need to install WinXP on another person's PC who has the same motherboard and SATA drive as I do.. Thanks in advance.

P.S. If I will need these SATA drivers, where can I get them? Don't say the Asus web site because they only seem to have the PROMISE SATA drivers -- and that ISN'T the SATA controller I want to install my SATA drive on..
 
I have P4P800 deluxe, which is a different motherboard But, from the same family.
I have a SATA with XP on it. I don't have a RAID system. I did not install a SATA driver. Everything worked without any drivers for the SATA.

My understanding is that you need it if you want to setup RAID. anyway, I did not need any drivers.
 
Sigh.. Why did I need drivers then? I KNOW I didn't use the Promise controller -- I KNOW I didn't do RAID.. Those are for sures -- I am not mistaken.. I need more people to answer this questions ASAP as I'm installing WinXP tomorrow night! Thanks!
 
Oh, come on people, this is an easy question.. A lot of you must have run into this issue and/or experienced it.. I just need some people to confirm that I need the SATA drivers or not based on where I'm installing the drive using WinXP.. Any comments are welcome.. Thanks!
 
You have 2 sets of SATA connectors on your motherboard, don't you?
Have you tried both sets?
Do both of them need a driver?
 
According to what I've read, only the Promise SATA controller is suppose to need a driver -- which I have seen available on the Asus web site for my motherboard, but the south bridge SATA controller supposedly doesn't..

HOWEVER, I needed a driver when I installed my own PC using the south bridge SATA controller and this is what baffles me.. Either I need one or I don't, but from what I recall, I DID need one for the south bridge SATA controller..
 
got same board
use drivers off the asus drivers cd (came with board)
did you loose the cd ?


D
 
Originally posted by: Navid
You have 2 sets of SATA connectors on your motherboard, don't you?
Have you tried both sets?
Do both of them need a driver?

Yes, just like I stated in my first message.. 🙂

Here is what I said:

South Bridge:
-2 x UltraDMA 100
-2 x Serial ATA with RAID 0, 1 <- 2 SATA's..
Promise 20378 RAID controller:
-1 x UltraDMA 133 support two hard drives
-2 x Serial ATA -RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, Multiple RAID <- Another 2 SATA's..
 
Originally posted by: ZL1
got same board
use drivers off the asus drivers cd (came with board)
did you loose the cd ?


D

With all due respect, you aren't really answering my question or giving me enough information to let me know how on WHICH controller you installed your SATA HD on.. I didn't lose anything, I'm asking if I NEED SATA drivers if I'm going to the use south bridge SATA controller (as opposed to the Promise SATA controller).. WHICH did you hook it up to? Did you setup RAID? Ciao.
 
It all depends on the controller and if you are using raid or not. 875 chipset controllers don't need drivers, except in a raid configuration. If your motherboard has a silicon image chip or equalivalent you will need a driver unless it was slipstreemed on to the windows cd-rom. Oh, and don't forget your floppy drive you will need it for the installation of the drivers.
 
actually I did and you did

you asked if drivers are needed (OP)
I said "use drivers..."
you said if needed where to find (OP)
I said "from the asus cd..."

PS. I was talking primary controller as you mentioned in the OP that you didnt use the promise so I thought the discussion will omit the promise
 
Originally posted by: ZL1
actually I did and you did

you asked if drivers are needed (OP)
I said "use drivers..."
you said if needed where to find (OP)
I said "from the asus cd..."

PS. I was talking primary controller as you mentioned in the OP that you didnt use the promise so I thought the discussion will omit the promise

Well, you see, according to Googer in the previous message, the 875 chipset SATA controller, aka. south bridge controller, doesn't require drivers if you aren't doing RAID.. This is exactly how I installed my SATA drive, yet from what I remember, I DID need drivers.. This is where my confusion lies.. I guess I'll just have to re-experience the whole thing for myself to see what goes on..

As for your answer, I didn't want to assume anything you had said just to avoid confusion.. However, it doesn't go along with what Googer says, so I'm still confused..

Thanks everyone.. <crosses fingers> 🙂
 
I always wondered the same thing. I have an Intel D875PBZ mobo, and always need the F6 drivers. I tried once without them ending in a catastrophy. I built an Athlon64 test machine, and also need the F6 drivers. When I first built my 875, I got this response from Intel:

"Those drivers would then help XP Setup learn how to scan the PCI bus to find the chip, locate the HDD which is out there, and install to it."
 
I have a P4P800 deluxe (865PE chipset). I followed the instructions in the motherboard manual for setting up the OS on SATA and did not have to load any drivers (did not press F6).

I have installed the OS many times (upgrading the graphics card, upgrading the sound card) and never needed drivers for SATA.

I boot to XP pro on SATA and have a PATA as storage.
 
Win XP (1999) predated SATA protocol - will not recognize drive you will need F6 floppy
XP SP1 and SP2 will not need drivers - BUT - you will be installing windows drivers
If you want specific drivers, go to Dev Man and update SATA afterward or at F6

SOME mobo with only 1 drive on SATA controller and nothing else on IDE and RAID disabled MAY configure the SATA drive to run on IDE drivers with XP no service pack. Always check your dev man installed SATA drivers after O/S install.
 
Originally posted by: Bozo Galora
Win XP (1999) predated SATA protocol - will not recognize drive you will need F6 floppy
XP SP1 and SP2 will not need drivers - BUT - you will be installing windows drivers
If you want specific drivers, go to Dev Man and update SATA afterward or at F6

SOME mobo with only 1 drive on SATA controller and nothing else on IDE and RAID disabled MAY configure the SATA drive to run on IDE drivers with XP no service pack. Always check your dev man installed SATA drivers after O/S install.

OK, this may explain my situation. The first time I installed XP on my SATA drive I think I had SP1 slipstreamed into XP.

Will there be any benefit by updating the windows drivers in my case?
 
Originally posted by: DN
Originally posted by: ZL1
actually I did and you did

you asked if drivers are needed (OP)
I said "use drivers..."
you said if needed where to find (OP)
I said "from the asus cd..."
PS. I was talking primary controller as you mentioned in the OP that you didnt use the promise so I thought the discussion will omit the promise

Well, you see, according to Googer in the previous message, the 875 chipset SATA controller, aka. south bridge controller, doesn't require drivers if you aren't doing RAID.. This is exactly how I installed my SATA drive, yet from what I remember, I DID need drivers.. This is where my confusion lies.. I guess I'll just have to re-experience the whole thing for myself to see what goes on..

As for your answer, I didn't want to assume anything you had said just to avoid confusion.. However, it doesn't go along with what Googer says, so I'm still confused..

Thanks everyone.. <crosses fingers> 🙂


I do not own an 875 based system, my source on this matter was a maximum pc article that said you wont
need drivers because the sata is naitive to the chipset/bios.
 
Originally posted by: DN
Originally posted by: ZL1
actually I did and you did

you asked if drivers are needed (OP)
I said "use drivers..."
you said if needed where to find (OP)
I said "from the asus cd..."

PS. I was talking primary controller as you mentioned in the OP that you didnt use the promise so I thought the discussion will omit the promise

Well, you see, according to Googer in the previous message, the 875 chipset SATA controller, aka. south bridge controller, doesn't require drivers if you aren't doing RAID.. This is exactly how I installed my SATA drive, yet from what I remember, I DID need drivers.. This is where my confusion lies.. I guess I'll just have to re-experience the whole thing for myself to see what goes on..

As for your answer, I didn't want to assume anything you had said just to avoid confusion.. However, it doesn't go along with what Googer says, so I'm still confused..

Thanks everyone.. <crosses fingers> 🙂

well I gave you my opinion

and can you proove me wrong ? you dont loose anything by installing drivers, its a safe bet even if you dont need them


D
 
Back
Top