Installing Windows 7; bizarre problem

surrealitycheck

I recently put together the computer that I was talking about in the build thread. Everything is working, it boots nicely, and by using the windows recovery console I can confirm that the DVD drive reads DVDs (in this case it can check the directory structure of the motherboard drivers dvd).

However

when I set the boot order to dvd drive first and stick in the windows 7 dvd, nothing happens. I get the blinking - cursor at the top left indicating nothing doing. When I check on the recovery console to see what is on the dvd, it displays nothing. Blank. And takes a bloody long time to show it. When I stick the DVD into a windows XP laptop (that I am making this post on) it can see a full correct directory structure.

What the flaming goose.

Btw the recovery console is from an old HD that I plugged in to test.

travathian

Tried booting to a Knoppix or Ubuntu live cd?

Also, being able to read the contents of a DVD is not the same as being able to boot off of one. Bootable media are written differently than just a generic data dvd. Is this a retail/oem dvd or did you download it and burn it?

surrealitycheck

It's a legal OEM version that I paid £77 for. I have not tried booting off any linux live CDs, although I am considering trying the windows 7 USB approach.

I just can't think of a reason why it wouldn't be able to boot from a legal OS dvd... I've never had a problem like this before O.o

surrealitycheck

This is making me rage now. I can't find the USB cable to connect my old external dvd drive

ARGHHHH

Why is it that something always goes wrong

travathian

Are there any firmware updates for your mb or optical drive?

I had an old system that would boot to a Win95/98 cd, but a Win2000 wouldn't boot. Turned out there was a BIOS update that addressed that very issue. It is a stretch in your case, but worth a look given how bizarre this issue is.

surrealitycheck

I bought this drive to finish off my new build and my dad has 2 of the same drives. I just happened to be unlucky.

This drive runs really quiet almost silently, which is a bonus if you are looking to run a quiet system.

The reason I only gave this 4 stars is because my drive had an unknown to me at the time fault.

This particular drive has a known but rare fault where it won't recognise Windows 7 discs (Every other type of disc reads perfectly).

My dad and I tried 6 different copies of Windows with the same end result. Tried my dads identical drive and it installed Windows first time, no issues.

I think I was just unlucky, but hopefully my replacement will have no such issues. A quick RMA request and it was on it's way back to OcUK.

Fast and faultless service from them as usual!!

Just be aware that you may have to do the same if you buy this drive.

One of the drive reviews on the website I bought it from.

I guess I'll just have to pinch a dvd drive from one of the nearby computers!