That's dependant on which operating mode the SATA controller is set to.
Vista natively supports AHCI
http://www.intel.com/technology/serialata/ahci.htm
XP does not natively support ACHI and to install XP on a system with it
( ACHI ) you have to change the operating mode of the SATA controller
to "Legacy" mode in BIOS setup. This is a common issue for users who
buy a new PC with Vista and wipe the drive and attempt to install XP.


"Cocco Bill" <Eleksom********.com> wrote in message
news:B2839045-7A46-4BB8-9636-964E21189A09@microsoft.com...
> you don't need any drivers for SATA disk if installing XP.just setup XP
> like you do with IDE drive.
>
> "Gary R." <roberthouse@geocities.com> napisao u poruci diskusione
> grupe:egH7wePaIHA.4880@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> I have a new notebook that came with Vista, and have entertained the idea
>> of backing up the complete system, formatting, and then installing XP,
>> with the thought that I'll probably get a considerable performance boost,
>> not to mention losing the small irritations and nags that are constant
>> with Vista. (I'm not a Vista hater, just don't really need the glitz or
>> the "do you really want to..." screens, besides the occasional software
>> that doesn't work with it). Plus, I think a 2 GB machine with this
>> processor should fly with XP, and it's only so-so with Vista. If I
>> change my mind, I'll have the disk imaged so I can go back to Vista.
>>
>> But the hard drive is SATA, and there is no floppy drive. As far as I
>> remember, the floppy is the only possibility for adding the SATA drivers
>> during XP setup, and I'm not even sure if it would recognize a USB floppy
>> if I were to buy one specifically for that purpose. Any suggestions,
>> workarounds, etc. would be appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Gary
>>