Windows XP does not include SATA drivers. The classic way to install it on a SATA driver is to press F8 during the loading process to install other third party drivers from the floppy disk, but floppies are kind of history so how do you install windows on a computer without floppy? nLite is a tool that allow you to configure your Windows installation kit. So you can use nLite to integrate the drivers into your windows installation kit. First download and install nlite on your computer. nLite requires that you have already installed .Net framework 2.0 . You will also need the SATA drivers. For that you have to check the manufacturers support sites: notebook manufacturer, or motherboard manufacturer or your motherboard chipset provider.

To integrate the drivers you’ll have to fallow a few simple steps:

Create a new folder on your hard disk and copy your windows installation files to that folder.

Start nLite and select yout prefered language for the GUI and go Next.

Browse and select the folder which contains the windows installation files than go Next. You do not need to save the session so go next again.

On the Task selection panel choose Integrate drivers and go next.

Go to the ‘insert’ tab , select single driver and search for the drivers you want to integrate. Just make sure that you open .inf files. Go to next and confirm the operation when you are prompted.

nLite will start processing the task. Once this job is done click ‘Next’ to get to create ISO compatible for cd burning panel.

Click on the ‘Make ISO’ button and nLite will ask you were you would like to save the image file. Once the image is created you can burn it with your favorite cd/dvd burning software.

This trick allowed me to install Windows XP on a Dell notebook and an Asus notebook.

Labels: Computers and Technology, HowTo, SATA, Windows XP