Windows 7: I canNOT find the drivers and the .inf file(s) for my hard drive.

I'm getting a new system, and I want to wipe out Windows 7 and install Windows XP on my old system. I have not actually done anything yet--Windows 7 is still installed--but I'm trying to understand what I need to do.

I don't have a floppy drive, so I want to try the nLite slipstream procedure.

Unfortunately I've looked everywhere I can think of, and I have not found the SATA drivers. My motherboard is an MSI X-58 Pro-E (MS-7522)3.0, and my hard drive is a Western Digital Raptor 300GB 10,000 RPM Model No.: WD3000GLFS. I've looked at the MSI site, the Western Digital site, and the CyberPower site. I've looked in my Windows 7 installation disk. I've made numerous searches on the Internet....I just can't find those drivers, or the .inf file(s).

My PC manufacturer did not send me any floppy disk or CD having drivers for either my motherboard or my hard drive. I have submitted an email to Western Digital customer support, but today is Saturday, and I do not expect a reply before Monday.

Where can I find those drivers? (and the .inf file(s)).

Welcome to SevenForums

You should be able to find the driver you need at the manufacurers site under chipset drivers.
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/X58-Pro-E.html#/?div=Driver&os=Windows 7%2064

Their is no specific driver needed for your hard drive.

Once you have iinstalled you chipset drivers you can install the XP as usual, just insert the disc format and install.

Fabe

Thank you very much for that link. I do not know why I couldn't find it on my own.

Is this what you suggest I do?
1. From my Windows 7 desktop, install the chipset drivers.
2. Insert the Windows XP installation disk, reboot, and install Windows XP.

Well, I tried that and I got a Session3_Initialization_Failed blue screen telling me to check my hardware and software for proper installation.

I don't think I can install Win XP over Win 7, which is the newer version of Windows.

I think my best bet for installing Win XP is to wipe out Win 7 first. But if I wipe out Win 7, where are those chipset drivers I just installed? In that chipset package, there were a horde of .cat and .inf files, and some other files too. Should I slipstream-burn ALL of those files onto a cloned Win XP installation disk.?

Not knowing what the hell I'm doing, I think I'm in no position to wipe out my only OS, on the hope-and-a-prayer that I'll be able to install XP. Nor do I want to grind through a reinstallation of Win 7. I think I'll just forget about Win XP. Maybe I'll try dual-booting it with Win 7 on my new system presently being built. It will have two hard drives.

Your welcome.

Yes you will need to wipe your drive then install WinXP.

Once it has installed go to your device manager and check the chipset driver status as well as all the others.

If needed downlaod and install the XP chipset driver and any others manually.

Or when you prepare your slipstream disc inculde the newest drivers.

Fabe

First check for all the Win XP drivers for your hardware on the manufacturer's web site.
If your Win XP CD, does not support your Sata Controller, you will need to load drivers to uses at F6.
Load Sata Controller drivers with a floppy disk is the best way.
SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot
OR
SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD

Thank you, Theog. I appreciate the attention you have given to my posts.

1. My manufacturer, CyberPower, does not post hardware drivers on its website. (It only provides links to hardware manufacturers; e.g., Western Digital and MSI.)
2. I don't have a floppy drive, but I would buy and install one if I had the drivers. The link you provided offers some promising files that might be the drivers I need. The first package on the list--the one for system & chipset drivers--seems the most promising, but it has so damned many files, I don't know which--if any--I should put on a floppy disk. Farther down on the list are two packages specifically for floppies, though they are addressed toward SATA/RAID and PIDE/SATA (I don't know what PIDE means), and nothing is addressed simply for SATA controllers. But they might work as SATA drivers for the Win XP installation.

Promising files and files that might work do not, however, make me confident, not confident enough to buy a floppy drive and wipe out my Win 7 OS.

thefabe find you your drives in the above link.

Okay. I appreciate that.

Tentatively, my search for proper drivers has been concluded, thanks to help I've gotten here. All I need now is a floppy drive.