Will a USB Floppy Drive Work during XP Pro Install?

[Lufkin]

The title says it all. I need to hit F6 and install some SATA and RAID drivers during an installation of XP Pro. I don't have a floppy drive and I would prefer not to install one in this computer (only 1 external 3.5" slot and I would rather install a card reader or more USB/Firewire ports).

Can I use F6 and install these drivers with an external USB Floppy drive during Windows XP Pro install?

P4 3.0e
P4P800-E Deluxe
1GB Dual Channel PC3200
2 Seagate 8GB SATA HD (RAID 1)

I know the other option is slipstreaming the drivers, but I will have to purchase Nero in order to complete that. I wouldn't use the software that much so I would prefer to buy the USB floppy if it will work.

 

[Lufkin]

I took the plunge and bought a USB floppy drive. I changed a few USB settings in the BIOS and it worked just fine. Loaded the serial ATA RAID drivers and have loaded XP Pro.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Yes, most modern mobos have legacy support for USB floppies in BIOS. You just have to enable it.

Glad you got it working.

 

[Lufkin]

I spoke too soon...I can load the initial 80801R drivers using F6. Setup then recognizes that I have a hard drive <hooray>. After I format the hard drive, when setup is inspecting the hard drive it asks for the disk labeled "Intel Application Accelerator Driver" and then instructs me to press ENTER when ready.

At this point it seems like the floppy drive becomes unrecognized, no green light access when I press ENTER, it just sits there...Any thoughts or suggestions?

When I quit setup via F3, reboot and go through the same procedure, the hardrive is still formatted and it looks like windows setup has even copied some files (or at least setup the \WINDOWS directory).

 

[helpmeout]

Lufkin-- I have the same MOBO, and run SATA. On this MOBO you do not install the the drivers at F6. XP has the drivers for this Intel chip. Make sure you have the SATA drive connected to one of the first two connections. If I remember correctly, mine worked right out of the box. I set this up last fall, and don't remember all the BIOS settings, but if you have a problem, post back and I'll reboot and check my BIOS.

 

[helpmeout]

I was looking for a diff post, couldn't find it, but this one should explain SATA on this MOBO:

After XP boots to the desktop for the very first time, install the Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility followed by the rest of your drivers, sound driver last. This will give you everything you need to run the SATA O/S drive correctly and efficiently. For non-RAID Intel, there isn't any other driver. Your mobo's Intel ICH5R Southbridge chip makes the SATA look (to software) exactly like regular UDMA Controller hardware, so Windows XP (or 2K) thinks it has another IDE controller, and goes on just fine. So do NOT use any drivers downloaded from WD!

Meant to add this link to ASUS BIOS help site:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=87