XPS630i bios no native IDE support

btw 630i does not support Windows 11. Can install but cannot run it, keeps loop back to restart.

I tried PATA hdd. Still got the same XP install disc BSOD crash. I cannot find Dell method of F6 install of nforce driver at beginning of XP loading files. Oh well I really need XP 64 bit (32 bit XP does not support >4GB memory.

Season's Greetings Red,

Unsure about BIOS option because never have or work on an XPS630i.  You may want to try the older Win 11 23H2.  I had installed Win 11 on a couple of LGA 775 Kentsfield and Yorkfield quadcore and they worked well.

Good to see you are back, chino.

I had tried Win10 on 630i before. Install is ok but it runs into usb controller issue. Sometimes there is conflict between Nvidia nForce 650i SLI chipset and usb. I had seen usb keyboard mouse freeze on multiple occasions which did not occur in Windows 7 or older 11. 10 was not good for this model due to the Nvidia chipset. 
One of the 630i was returned by a client who found out usb keyboard mouse did not work in Windows 10. That was a lesson.

For unknown reason I could not install Windows 11 older version 21H2 either now. But Windows 7 or vista are fine. I think I will probably stay w Windows 7 as the final choice as this pc is mainly for nostalgia build. Some day the Dell board might be replaced any way. Nvidia just did not make stable chipset which is not JW’s forte.

to circumvent sata issue, I found out it could not install XP on PATA hdd via SATA dvd running XP disc. Next experiment is to run XP disc from either a PATA dvd or external usb dvd, both of which bypass sata.

I have also found the Nvidia nForce 650i SLI driver exe for Win XP. Second experiment is to run the exe on another pc which ? Downloads the Nforce Sata and Ethernet drivers etc. which ? Can be put on a USB then try F6 during XP disc loading. 

You’re correct that the Dell XPS 630i BIOS does not provide a native IDE mode for the SATA ports, which is why Windows XP cannot see SATA drives by default. The XP installation option on the 630i was indeed likely intended for PATA (IDE) drives only.

Your plan to slipstream the NVIDIA nForce 15.23 SATA drivers into a Windows XP ISO is the standard approach in this situation. Once the drivers are integrated, the XP installer should recognize the SATA HDD correctly. Make sure you also load the correct SATA controller driver during setup using F6 (if using the original XP CD method), or use a fully slipstreamed ISO to avoid complications.

The guides you linked from Terabyte and NVIDIA are solid references,carefully following their instructions will help you get XP installed on a SATA drive without needing IDE mode support.

Tip: Make a backup of any important data before proceeding, and if possible, test the slipstreamed ISO in a virtual machine first to ensure the drivers are working correctly.

summary of my experiences of installing Windows XP (aka Windows server 2003) in XPS630i.

have to use a usb dvd and PATA hdd to install.

then I install Nvidia nforce driver c/w 650i SLI chipset for XP64.

I have to install Microsoft UAA HD audio bus driver for XP 64 (via MS update .cab file extracted using 7zip)

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=Microsoft+UAA+High+Definition+Audio+Bus+Driver

I installRealtek ALC888 HD Audio driver for XP64 (found on Realtek website in Europe)

https://www.realtek.cz/download-ALC888-sound-driver-for-WindowsXP-64bit.html

I install discrete Nvidia driver for XP 64 by MS update .cab.

my gpu is 8500GT (XPS630i has no integrated video port, a discrete gpu is required )

Pro tip: you do not have to DL the humongous Nvidia driver (170-250 MB) for some simple old gpu. Look for MS update .can for your OS.  They are often much smaller and neat.