Perhaps I'm over thinking this, but here goes. I am currently constructing my first build using an Intel D975XBX2 mobo and I am confused about the RAID Drivers that came with the board. I am not going to set up RAID, but I read in a pc building guide that in order for XP to see my SATA HDD I must install the RAID drivers that came with my mobo on floppy. The mobo manual does not appear to say this, but I'm unsure. If you are unfamilar with the mobo, it has both an Intel RAID controller as well as a Marvell controller with each one supporting 4 SATA ports. Essentially, I'm asking if it is necessary to install the RAID drivers during the initial OS install using F6 in order to get up and running.
Second, while I do not want to set up RAID, I may wish to add an addtional HDD down the line for additional storage. Can I simply add another HDD? Or, does this require AHCI and, therefore, require installation of RAID drivers? Or, is this question moot because no matter how many HDD's I have, it is always absolutely necessary to install RAID drivers. By the way, my optical drives are both SATA if that makes a difference.
I have no problem installing RAID drivers, but I was wondering if that will cause problems if I only have one HDD.
Obviously I'm confused and need some assistance. Sorry for being such a noob.
Oh, and I do not have a floppy drive.
Second, while I do not want to set up RAID, I may wish to add an addtional HDD down the line for additional storage. Can I simply add another HDD? Or, does this require AHCI and, therefore, require installation of RAID drivers? Or, is this question moot because no matter how many HDD's I have, it is always absolutely necessary to install RAID drivers. By the way, my optical drives are both SATA if that makes a difference.
I have no problem installing RAID drivers, but I was wondering if that will cause problems if I only have one HDD.
Obviously I'm confused and need some assistance. Sorry for being such a noob.
Oh, and I do not have a floppy drive.