Implications of changing SATA in bios to "COMPATIBILITY" mode to install XP?

[lektrix]

Stupid Thinkpad X200 keeps BSODing when I try to install XP SP3 via the CD drive so I had to do it thru USB. USB install wont' recognize the SATA HDD so I had to change the mode in bios to COMPATIBILITY. Will it mess up my computer/Windows when I go back in BIOS and change it to "AHCI" mode? Furthermore, where do I install the SATA drivers in Windows, etc.?

 

[armstrda]

Yes, you will BSOD after you change it back to AHCI. The reason it's BSOD when you try to install via your internal CD drive is that you don't have the AHCI driver on the CD so you need an F6 driver disk.

 

[armstrda]

This download should get the F6 disk for you. http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-70477

If you don't have a USB floppy then you will need to slipstream the driver into your XPSP3 install CD via nLite.

 

[lektrix]

I have a copy of XP SP3 (made thru nLite), but the DVD ROM on the X200 docking station keeps BSODing when I try to install it. I tried 2 other copies and none work. The only thing that works right now is installing XP SP3 via USB Flash.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Here's a good question. If you're going to install XP onto that PC, then why do you feel that you need to select "AHCI" mode in BIOS? XP works perfectly fine in IDE (compatibility) mode.

You should count yourself among the lucky few that actually have a BIOS that lets you choose. Many laptops, especially the ones that shipped with Vista, have it hardwired to AHCI mode, without allowing you to select IDE/legacy mode. It's those PCs that are a royal PITA to attempt to downgrade from Vista to XP on.

 

[lektrix]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Here's a good question. If you're going to install XP onto that PC, then why do you feel that you need to select "AHCI" mode in BIOS? XP works perfectly fine in IDE (compatibility) mode.

You should count yourself among the lucky few that actually have a BIOS that lets you choose. Many laptops, especially the ones that shipped with Vista, have it hardwired to AHCI mode, without allowing you to select IDE/legacy mode. It's those PCs that are a royal PITA to attempt to downgrade from Vista to XP on.

Don't "need", just wondering...