How I Slipstreamed SATA drivers into my Windows XP installer (downgrade CQ40-340TU from Vista to XP) - Part 1

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Like what I mentioned in my previous post, I was able to successfully downgrade my CQ40-340TU laptop from Vista to XP. So, I want to share how I did it. This will be the first part of the tutorial - Slipstreaming the SATA drivers into your Windows XP installer.

One of the major reasons why it's not advisable to downgrade from Vista to XP for new models of computers today is because XP doesn't have the new SATA/RAID drivers for newer models. It's very easy, promise. I'll show you how on this post.

Another reason why they don't recommend the downgrade is because most of the drivers available for these new models are for Windows Vista only. It'll be hard to find compatible drivers for your hardware devices but I was able to find drivers that worked for my type of laptop. It should work well with CQ40 models, I believe. That's part 2 of this tutorial.

So, if you're slipstreaming your CQ40 laptop, here are the things you need to do:
1. Download nLite.
It's a very simple but powerful tool in making your customized Windows XP installation CDs.
Install and follow instructions below.

2. Of course, your own Windows XP installer CD.
You need to copy the WHOLE installer CD to a folder in your hard drive. For instance, I copied them to D:\NewWinXP folder on my hard drive.

3. Download the ICH9 SATA driver for CQ40 model here.
Someone reported that the file is no longer available on that page so I uploaded the one I have. Click here to download the SATA drivers I used.

11/24/2009 Update: Someone left a comment saying that the links are not working. So, I uploaded the SATA drivers to 4shared. Click here to download.

That's a zipped file so just unzip them in a new folder. For example, D:\SATA.
You should have the following files:
iaahci.cat
iaAHCI.inf
iastor.cat
iaStor.inf
IaStor.sys
license.txt
TXTSETUP.OEM

4. Run nLite and follow the instructions below:
a. First screen will prompt you to select a language you prefer. Just click on Next on the first screen when you run nLite. You should have the following screen afterwards:

Click on the BROWSE button and locate the folder where you copied your WHOLE Windows XP installer. Just wait for it to scan the whole folder and then click on Next.

b. Ignore the next screen "Presets" and click on Next. You should have the screen below, "Task Selection":

Once you're on this screen, click on DRIVERS and BOOTABLE ISO buttons. Then, click on NEXT again.

c. Click on INSERT button on the lower part of the screen below. Select MULTIPLE DRIVERS.


d. Browse to the folder where you unzipped the SATA drivers you downloaded from Step #3. It will then give you a list like below:


Make sure "Textmode driver" is selected. Also, for CQ40 models, we only need to select ONE of the drivers. So, look for ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller , select it and click on OK.
You should see at least 1 driver listed on the Drivers page. Just click on Next.

e. It'll prompt you to start the process. Click on YES. You should see the screen below. Just wait for it to finish then click on Next.


f. You'll then create your ISO or disk image.

Mode: Create ISO image
Don't select Direct Burn or any other option as seen on the screenshot as it didn't work for me. It'll be best to create the ISO first then burn afterwards.
Device: Make sure your DVD/CD-RW drive is selected.
Label: Change it to whatever you like. For me, I changed it to NewWinXP.
Burn Speed: Select the lowest and not Maximum to prevent any errors while burning the installer.

Wait for it to finish creating the image. It only took about 5-10 minutes for me.
After the image has been created (It'll say successful under Information), click on the BURN button. Click on YES on the popup window confirming it.

Wait for it to finish burning the image and that's it!

Click on Finish to exit nLite.

That's how easy it is. You can then verify the contents of the CD/DVD.
Afterwards, restart and boot from CD/DVD and it'll install Windows XP with SATA drivers.

Next post: Part 2 - Windows XP drivers for CQ40 series