M15x doesn't recognize Windows 8 Pro DVD. Please help!

Hi guys. Hope you're all well. I purchased a Windows 8 Pro upgrade DVD. As soon as I got home, I inserted the 64-bit DVD in the slot load tray. It started making funny noises, everything froze and the DVD was stuck inside. I ejected the DVD in safe mode.

I thought it was a problem with the DVD and I got a replacement DVD. But, the same problem occurred. The computer just won't read the DVD. If I leave the DVD in for a while, it finally reads but then everything freezers again.

I even inserted Music CDs, other DVDs and they work perfectly fine.

I currently have BIOS A09 and my laptop specs are in my sig.

Can anyone please help?

Thank in advance.

 

Only official alienware disks work. I originally tried my win 7 ultimate but was unable to install. Had to settle for the included win 7 home premium. Perhaps you should order a alienware copy of the OS.

 

I've installed Non-Dell/Alienware Windows 8 onto my M15x, so I'm dubious of that.

If you're still in warranty, then you should consider a replacement DVD drive. At worst, you get a brand new drive that still can't read it.

 

That is really strange! I wonder why that is. I already have the Windows 8 Pro DVD as a gift. I have asked in the Microsoft forum. Let's hope I get a good solution.

Thank for your reply

 

My laptop isn't in warranty I was considering a purchase of an external DVD rom. Do you think it will help? Thanks for your reply.

 

how about creating a windows 8 iso and putting it onto a usb stick instead? =)

 

Very good suggestion, you can get the Windows 8 ISO and copy it onto a flash drive then install Windows from the USB. I don't think it's a problem with the optical drive as you say other DVD's and Music CD's work without a problem.

 

I think there is something funny about your drive. There is, as far as I have been able to tell, nothing distinctive about Windows installation disks. ONe possible issue might be if you were running WIn 32. Apparently, unlike Win 7, the upgrade disks are fussy - they won't upgrade Win 32 to WIn 64. That seems unlikely since I think all of the M15x laptops came with Win 64.

SInce you have bought the disk, I would try creating an ISO on a USB and install from there.

I did mine from a download - that has its own hazared since, if you have a crash during installation, you may not be able to get to your Win 8 files.

Good luck,

Joe

Be sure you have backed up the entire HDD before proceeding - the upgrade is not entirely without hazard. Also, uninstall your antivirus software. I simply disabled mine and it tried to restart on the second boot into Win 8 and caused a crash. Others have reported similar issues with AV software.

 

Or you could borrow one to try it. Another rationale for purchasing an external DVD drive is that you could shift your HDD to that slot and add an SSD boot disk. There are lots of threads here about hotw to do that.

Joe

 

Hi Joe. I read this message just now. Guess what? I created an ISO and I ran the setup a couple of days back via my USB stick.

Thanks heaps for your reply, though.

Quick question, I just kept my old files and ran the Win8 upgrade over Win7. Everything's working great. But, do you suggest I should I do a clean install? (after backing up my data, of course).

I look forward to your reply.

 

I did the install over Win 7 as well. I have lots of programs (Photoshop.....) and a clean install would be a PITA. I did it when I moved to 64 bit. Clean install is always (at least theoretically) better. But I think most of the people who advocate it don't use a lot of different software on their machines so clean install is easy (IMHO, of course). I have everything backed up, so I could do it if I had to,...

Glad you made it. I am still playing with Win 8 - it does seem a bit faster, but I am not sure how I feel about the new interface. OF course, you could alwsy get the program from Totalidea that allows you to get the desktop as a default.

Joe

 

Oh ok. I'll just leave it at that, then. I won't run a clean install unless I experience some issues. Btw, if I selected 'delete previous windows installations' in disk cleanup, will that make a difference? I mean, in terms of speed, losing data etc.

I have actually gotten used to windows 8 pretty quick. I love the new interface. Although, I strongly believe it was made for tablets or touch-screen laptops. I've noticed that my start and shut down happens a lot quicker than before, copying speed has improved and my windows experience score went up (not that the score really matters).