R61i and XPsp2 install

[sgorr]

R61i 7732-7BU, T5250 @1.50 GHz, 1 GB RAM
Trying to run an OEM XP install from disk and setup boots and initiates normally but then stops and announces that it can see no hard drives to install to. Is there a special controller driver that needs to be installed during XP setup to allow it to see the hard drive?

[ryengineer]

You need to switch HDD settings from SATA to Compatibility mode in the BIOS for Windows XP setup to see your HDD and let you install Windows.

[sgorr]

Thanks, that did the trick. After the OS is installed should I change the BIOS back to SATA?

[ryengineer]

snip....After the OS is installed should I change the BIOS back to SATA?

Up to you.

If you decide in favor of it then you would need to follow the below procedure after Windows installation:

Note: If you do not have a diskette drive, you can install Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver by the following alternative procedure:

If you do not have a diskette drive, you can install Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver by the following alternative procedure:

-Start the BIOS Setup Utility menu.
-Select Config.
-Select Serial ATA (SATA).
-Select Compatibility.
-Install Windows XP and Service Pack 2.
-Download Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver from the Web site and extract the driver to C:\DRIVERS\WIN\IMSM.
-Run Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver. To do this, go to C:\DRIVERS\WIN\IMSM\PREPARE, and double-click install.cmd.
-Turn the computer off and then on again.
-Start the BIOS Setup Utility menu.
-Select Config.
-Select Serial ATA (SATA).
-Select AHCI.
-Start Windows XP. The Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard appears.
-Click No, not this time and click Next.
-Select Install from a list or specific location(Advanced), then click Next.
-Select Search for the best driver in these locations. Then select Include this location in the search:, specify the path, C:\DRIVERS\WIN\IMSM, and click Next. The Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard appears.
-Click Finish.
-When the System Settings Change window appears, click Yes. The computer restarts.

Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver for Windows 2000, XP, Vista (32bit) - ThinkPad.