woo finally found a post This notebook uses the Intel 943GML chipset. The drivers you need are Intel ICH7M SATA drivers and are usually run from floppy, although, I understand, they are included on the latest versions of the XP Installation CD. They are quite difficult to find but HP have them. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwar...4055&os=228 You may need a USB floppy drive to install them. hopefully this may help others many thanks too Ranibeke and legolash2o for the help