Hi all. I haven't been keeping myself updated with computer technology for a while but I'm starting to get back into it. I have a new computer coming in soon, it's a Dell XPS(don't hate me), which is installed with Vista. I plan on formatting it and installing XP. It comes with the Nvidia 790i chipset and SATA HDD's. From what I remember back in the day, I would need to do the whole F6 Floppy deal before installing.
Is this something I still need to do? I've read articles that SATA drivers are available with newer MB's or with installation CD's that contain SP2. I don't have a floppy drive and I would like to avoid slipstreaming if possible. Please adivse. Thanks.

Well before you format it, secure all the XP drivers you'll need first, you can start at Dell, newer M/Bs normally install without the need of the F6, unless you'll be running a RAID configuration, it depends on how the controller is setup and the CMOS options for it, on some M/Bs some of the SATA headers act as IDE.

RAID + XP on that board = you will definately need to load drivers via F6. I have a 780i motherboard, and XP required me to load the driver for my RAID array. (Vista didn't). Since your board is newer than mine, then it's guaranteed you'll need to load a driver... but only if you create a RAID array.