What is this motherboard feature really called?

[TechnoPro]

I'm looking to put together a new system in the near future.

I've heard/read that some newer motherboards natively support SATA drives (HDDs and optical). By native support, I mean that no floppy needs to be inserted when installing XP.

What is this feature called? Is it simply "Native SATA Support" or something else?

Also, can you recommed some motherboards that have this? Thanks.

 

[UlricT]

I think its when the SATA interface is on the northbridge/southbridge itself instead of using an external chip to control SATA.

I think ICH5/ICH6 and Nforce3 has support for it. Look at the chipset of the mobo.

 

[imported_ewright]

Intel 875s & 865s do (I have an 875). Plug the drive in and install appropriate Intel chipset drivers for your motherboard and it works just like a PATA IDE drive. No F6/floppy mess before Windows.

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: ewright
Intel 875s & 865s do (I have an 875). Plug the drive in and install appropriate Intel chipset drivers for your motherboard and it works just like a PATA IDE drive. No F6/floppy mess before Windows.

I've always installed chipset drivers from within Windows... How do you do it the way you are describing?

 

[TechnoPro]

Anyone else?

 

[Sideswipe001]

He's saying to install them in windows (or duing the install, which is only possible using an answer file - so lets not get into that).

Just assume if you use an 865/875 motherboard, with the Intel SATA (NOT any 3rd party add on one - mine has Intel ones AND Promise ones. The Promise controller needs F6 drivers) you won't need to add drivers during setup.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: Sideswipe001
He's saying to install them in windows (or duing the install, which is only possible using an answer file - so lets not get into that).

Just assume if you use an 865/875 motherboard, with the Intel SATA (NOT any 3rd party add on one - mine has Intel ones AND Promise ones. The Promise controller needs F6 drivers) you won't need to add drivers during setup.

915 boards work fine too, as I found yesterday at work.