I switched my bios from IDE to SATA using the AHCI mode. Since a XP OS installation doesn't directly support the Intel AHCI drivers, I had to use the F6 method. This method pre-loads the drivers so you can proceed with the OS installation.
The AHCI Intel driver now appears as a mass storage controller in Windows XP device manager.
So far, so good.
Now the question is: Do I still install the Matrix Storage manager (IATA89ENU) ? If so, what are the advantages.
Link to the version that supports my board: Intel® Download Center
OS: XP professional x32
Intel 955X, ICH7R, 82801GR
Non-Raid, just 2 SATA drives