How do I change Windows XP to use AHCI disk mode rather than IDE mode for Dual boot?

Where did I assume?

In your EDIT it quite plainly asks "are you still running SP2?". If you had asked "which SP are you running?" then I would not have mentioned the possibility that Kelly could be pre-SP2.

Guys,

I certainly don't want to be the cause of a dispute here!  Let me say I really appreciate all of your posts trying to help me find a solution to this issue! Thank you!

Tricky,

I tried that suggested driver and it did install, but had no effect -- booting after switching  to AHCI resulted in the same problem. Looked at the registry still no AHCI entry anywhere. The links you sent me look promising. In particular the post by Karyonix: http://reboot.pro/index.php?showtopic=11729  Still correct me if I'm wrong, he seems to be talking about editing a registry key, which in my case, I don't believe to be there. So it would mean creating a new entry. I'm not qualified to be fooling around like that in the registry.

Tech-Geek,

Have no worry, I am going to do a clean install. Would like have found a solution to this issue though. Bugs me not to find a solution. Yeah, my install disk is SP2 and the install has been updated to SP3 and all the most recent updates since. Wouldn't making a new disk with these drivers and SP3 make a clean install a little easier?

Taupo Tech

I tried the solution in the link you posted but it didn't work as I suspected because there was no msahci key.

In summery from what all of you have contributed and from what I'm read elsewhere and learned from trying things out: Sata and AHCI were released after the first release of Windows XP so there no native generic MS Sata/AHCI drivers, and MS never added them with subsequent updates/service packs. However, Intel did have Sata drivers that could be updated to AHCI as demonstrated in some of the links provided in this thread and here: http://www.blah-blah.ch/it/how-to-s/enable-ahci/

AMD's replies to me mainly said this is a MS issue and also rstated: AHCI driver is provided by the manufacturer of the storage controller. AMD doesn't produce storage controller. Please refer motherboard technical documentation to know more about storage controller for your motherboard.

In short, one had better pay attention to what mode the motherboard bios is set to, AHCI is preferable for SSDs

Where did I assume?

In your EDIT it quite plainly asks "are you still running SP2?". If you had asked "which SP are you running?" then I would not have mentioned the possibility that Kelly could be pre-SP2.

See below and in the reply from the OP on pg 4.

I've never heard of a Win Xp sp2 disc that installs an earlier sp. Perhaps you know something I don't.

I read the whole thread again before posting (and again after your reply) - I must've 'speedreading'!           

Anyway, my test rig is back and I'm testing the possibility of slipstreaming and upgrade installing. Yes I know you don't like it and I don't either but I always feel inclined to help people the way they want to be helped, rather than the way I would do it, when they make it clear. I will let readers know the outcome in due course.

Tricky

I certainly don't want to be the cause of a dispute here!

Rest assured there is no dispute. Tricky and I have worked together here for a long time and sometimes have to agree to disagree. I have the utmost respect for his efforts, but as the name implies I'm a techgeek and like any other techgeek I refuse to be wrong even when I am wrong much less when I am right...lol.

Moving on to your issue now. I completely understand your desire to resolve the issue. I am the same way about things, but sometimes the time comes when you are just beating your head against a wall for no reason. I'm not saying that is the case here but rather making a general statement.

I am curious if you tried the AMD driver I linked you to?

Also, Taupo made an excellent point asking if the Xp hdd was disconnected when you installed Win8?

If you end up performing a clean install make sure you install Xp first. I am not so familiar with Win8, but would imagine it is very much like Win7 when it comes to dual boot. Installing Win7 prior to Xp leaves you to use EasyBCD.

My infamous Edit: Yes, creating a slipstreamed disc is the way to go. Using the driver I linked you to you can also choose to slipstream the graphics driver if your graphics are on board. The file is self extracting and will create an AMD folder at the root of your hdd provided you do not change the file path.

I read the whole thread again before posting (and again after your reply) - I must've 'speedreading'!   

No problem. I do it myself. You had me re-reading the entire post as well...lol.