If your system BIOS can emulate an A: drive from your USB key, it may work. Otherwise, if you need to install drivers during setup, you'd need a floppy drive or slipstreamed installation media.
If your XP disk has SP2 already in it then most SATA controllers have support right from the Windows install. You usually only need the disk when trying to use the RAID functions of the SATA controllers.
Prince of the OC Crusaders
Intel i7 3.2GHz @ 4.24GHz
Cooler Master V8
Asus P9X79 Pro
16GB Patriot Viper Extreme DDR3-1600 (quad channel)
HIS R9 290X @1050MHz
Asus 20x DVD-RW DL DVD-RW
Something you should check first. Make sure you have your bios settings correct. You need to set your sata drive to accept both ide and sata if using and ide c/d rom or dvd rom. Your sata should be recognized in your bios before you can even put any drivers in for it. So do your bios if it is recognized in your bios. you should be good from there. If you need 3rd party sata install even still check your m/b manufacturing site on the details. And or your manual of the m/b.
G/L