Windows XP installation hangs on loading fasttx2k.sys

In the vein of trying to install Windows XP on a P4S(X with a single
sole SATA hard disk I managed to reach the point after typing F6 and the
Z to load the fasttrack 376 (downloaded from the ASUS site file:
pdc20376_15.zip) driver. But after doing the Windows XP driver choice
by hitting return, the install hangs forever /freezes.

A known issue?

--
Chris Christoph P. U. Kukulies kukulies (at) rwth-aachen.de

Christoph Kukulies wrote:
> In the vein of trying to install Windows XP on a P4S(X with a single
> sole SATA hard disk I managed to reach the point after typing F6 and the
> Z to load the fasttrack 376 (downloaded from the ASUS site file:
> pdc20376_15.zip) driver. But after doing the Windows XP driver choice
> by hitting return, the install hangs forever /freezes.
>
> A known issue?
>
> --
> Chris Christoph P. U. Kukulies kukulies (at) rwth-aachen.de
>
>

http://www.computing.net/answers/har...ive/43941.html

"From the FAQ's for p4s8x on the Asus USA web site:

Question

Why can't I install OS on Promise 20376 connecter with singel SATA
or IDE HDD? Even I already make a Promise 20376 driver disk and hit
F6 key to upload Promise 20376 driver during Windows XP installation.

Answer

Please follow the steps below to install Windows XP or Windows 2000
on Promise 20376 connecter with single SATA or IDE HDD:

1.Please make sure the onboard SATA controller has set to "Enable" in BIOS.
2.Please hit "Ctrl" + "F" to enter Promise 20376 RAID BIOS after BIOS
POST screen, and choose 1st selection, then hit "Ctrl" + "Y" to
define a RAID HDD with single Hard disk,
3.Try to download Promise 20376 driver from ASUS website, and copy
all files from Promise folder to an enpty floppy disk. you can
download the driver here :
http://www.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/misc...6/pdc20376.zip (???)

4.Plug in the floppy driver disk and boot from Windows XP or Windows
2000 O/S CD, then hit F6 key to upload the driver from floppy disk
upon first Windows installation screen, and setup it step by step.
After that, you will find that you can install operating system on
Promise 20376 connecter with single SATA or IDE HDD.

.....
Question

Can I just install a Serial ATA HDD on P4S8X and don't build any RAID array?

Answer

Yes, Serial ATA controller will treat that Serial ATA HDD as
"single HDD array".

So you can try using the FastTrak BIOS screen, and declare the
SATA drive as a single drive RAID0 array. Maybe that will work,
with the RAID driver offered via a floppy diskette. (Yes, I
know you don't have a floppy drive, but you can get one.)

Oh, another thing. If the drive has room for a "Force 150" jumper
plug, install that jumper. On my Seagate drive, there is a
1x4 jumper area, with room for a Spread Spectrum and a Force 150
jumper. I install the "Force 150" jumper, to force the hard drive
to operate the SATA interface at 150MB/sec. The Promise 20376
may have some problems with more recent drives, and perhaps by
using the Force 150 jumper, you can get it to work.

Check the BIOS first, and make sure the drive is being
detected. By using the FastTrak (control-F) screen, you
might see the identity string for the SATA drive, proving
the interface is working.

Paul