MSI k9a2: unable to install Win XP on raptor

I recently bought a MSI k9a2 V2 mobo, with 2x1Gb 1066 memory and AMD 9850. I installed win xp on a WD 150Gb raptor connected to sata1. Bios upgraded to 1.5, i got the mem to run on 1066 by changing the bios mem setting to 1:2.66.

A week later I wanted the board changed to V1 because I need the Promise Sata 5 and 6 ports.
This board is an absolute pain: WD raptor not recognised by sb600 raid port1, even though the correct driver is installed. Ports 2 thru 4 see the drive, but i still cannot install the win xp os, i can connect the drive to the promise connectors, but i also cannot install the os. Installing win xp os on a 7200rpm drive (ie Samsung 1Gb) works, but i want it on a raptor. FYI: correct SB600 raid drivers are installed.

MSI support tells me to upgrade to bios 1.65, which is brand new since last week, and is not even put on their website yet, i had to get a password and login to get it from their ftp.

This board has a Tom's Hardware recommendation but it absolutely does not deserve it. I find it unacceptable that installing an os requires such a pain. If and when I find a solution i will post it, but i would very much appreciate help or input from anyone with similar experiences and/or new ideas.

SATA drives often have a jumper on them that you can set to have the drive use only the 150MB/sec SATA port speed. That may fix the issue with the Via port (and maybe the other board).

Yesterday I got a replacement velociraptor from the shop: same symptoms! I returned the whole computer to them, I had finally given up. Said that if they could get it to work I by them a bottle of champagne.
This morning I got a call: they could not even get the pc to show post!!!
Probably it IS a motherboard issue.
Damn MSI K9A2 V1 ....