This laptop does not have support for Windows XP. If there is no option related to SATA/AHCI mode, you will not be able to install Windows XP because you will need the drivers. It is Windows 8 optimized and it benefits from the features offered by Windows 8. The drivers will not work because there aren't any available and even if you manage to install Windows XP with custom SATA drivers, you will have problems with drivers and applications.