Thanks to help in this forum, I managed to locate the necessary drivers for
XP running on my new laptop and figured out how to slipstream the SATA
driver into an installation disk. I haven't tried installing XP yet, but I
got to the point in the installation where the install routine identified my
drive and its partitions correctly.

I overlooked one problem, though. I have been unable to find an Intel HD
Audio driver for an Intel 943GML motherboard for XP. Gateway has one for
Vista, which was preloaded on my computer. I can't find anything on the
Intel site.

A few general questions:

-- Would it be reasonable to at least try loading audio drivers for this
chip and motherboard from the Web sites of other manufacturers?

-- Does Microsoft have any sort of a driver base that I can search for an
appropriate driver?

-- Does Windows Update identify uninstalled hardware drivers and try to
download them? I think not, but I'm not sure. And in any case, I'm still
trying to decide whether to go through the hassle of installing a new OS
without any sort of audio support.

I'm downgrading because several apps I need are either not yet available for
Vista or require that I buy new versions -- not even discounted upgrades!
Some software makers have seized the opportunity to make a killing, I think.
But without being able to use VoIP or use other audio apps, I'm not sure I
want to go through with this. I might just pick up an older used laptop and
wait for Vista to mature.

Thanks.